The name of this podcast is no accident. Find out the purpose behind the podcast.
Why Black and Brave? Episode 1
Today's episode is going to focus on why I chose the title, "Black and Brave" for this podcast. I got inspired to move forward with the concept of a podcast from a very inspirational and clarifying conversation with two students.
Being Black in America. It shapes how I see the world. It shapes how I go about changing the world. Everything in my life is tied to being Black; to the experience of being Black; the stories I've been told by my Black mothers, Those who've raised me up. I love our history. I love our beauty. The culture. The joy.
It's only been in the past couple of years that I feel that I fully embraced that word "brave." Embraced it as a lifestyle, and also embraced it as a mindset. Being brave is a choice. It is a skill that you can work on and leverage to your advantage. Nothing in this life is going to change for you until you decide to face it .
Why Black and Brave? Episode 1
Marshea Pratt: [00:00:00]Hello, everyone. Welcome to the Black and Brave podcast-a podcast for those who want to be set free from the things that hold them back. My name is Marshea Pratt and I am your host. Today's episode is going to focus on why I chose the title, "Black and Brave" for this podcast.
[00:00:16] I got inspired to move forward with the concept of a podcast from a very inspirational and clarifying conversation with two students . Chelsea and Shelly, thank you so much for taking that time to talk with me and to encourage me to pursue this podcast.
[00:00:35] Being raised in America, in an environment where Black lives are always at risk. Where being Black itself, is a form of resistance. Where being Black requires a heavy lift. Every day. It's not only about staying resilient in a time of oppression. It's also learning how to define yourself, learning your own history and culture from your ancestors because the educational system doesn't tell you who you really are.
[00:01:01] Being Black in America. It shapes how I see the world. It shapes how I go about changing the world. I've identified as being Black all my life. Learning from the Black mothers in my life who raised me......who have been so incredibly influential......are part of the reason why being Black is so important to me. It truly does define who I am. Everything in my life is tied to being Black; to the experience of being Black; the stories I've been told by my Black mothers, Those who've raised me up.
[00:01:33]I love our history. I love our beauty. The culture. The joy.
[00:01:39]When I look in the mirror, I not only see myself. I see my ancestors in the deepest way possible.I see all of their struggle, their hopes, their dreams. I also see all of their victory, their creativity. I'm so grateful and blessed to be a part of the Black community.
[00:01:57] And so the word "Black" had to be a [00:02:00] part of the title of this podcast. It's one of the two words that truly define me.
[00:02:05] But, I can't really say I've been "brave" all my life.
[00:02:08] Before this recent set of challenges that I've experienced in the past handful of years, I really wasn't that brave. I put on a brave face. I even wore a brave mask. But I really wasn't brave. I lived a life out of fear, primarily.
[00:02:23]I let fear stop me from doing SO many things.
[00:02:26] I let fear stop me from doing things that were exciting and new and different. I let fear stop me from applying to certain colleges. I let fear stop me from speaking to certain people, taking advantage of certain job opportunities.
[00:02:41] It's only been in the past couple of years that I feel that I fully embraced that word "brave." Embraced it as a lifestyle, and also embraced it as a mindset. And now, I don't let anything or anyone stop me from doing the things [00:03:00] that I feel called to do. What I've been through, especially over the past couple of years, has been VERY traumatic. It's been super challenging. It's been every emotion I could possibly describe to you.
[00:03:11] There were many times that I really wanted to give up and say, "Forget this! I'm done! I just want to get in the bed, put the covers over my head and never come out."
[00:03:19] I felt that so deep inside for a long time. In my head, I just kept saying, "I can't do this anymore."
[00:03:27] I'm so tired.
[00:03:28] I'm so exhausted.
[00:03:30] After a long and deep valley of struggle and challenge There were going to be a significant number of people missing from my life journey. I realized that some people in my inner circle, those who I lost and those who I chose to detach from, weren't going to be part of this next phase of my life.
[00:03:51] When I finally got ahold of these tools and strategies, I was able to totally reinvent myself. Reinvent how I looked at the world. [00:04:00] Reconnected in a deeper way with God. I just knew in my heart, something good HAD to come out of that valley .
[00:04:07] In my heart, I felt so deeply that the suffering and the pain, all of the things that I've been through.....there was a purpose for that. Helping others navigate these difficult situations is exactly what I needed to do. I felt compelled to share what I learned and how I've grown. Doing it in this way, on this podcast, just took it to an entirely different level.
[00:04:31] So, the word I got for this podcast, to go along with the word "Black" is the word "Brave."
[00:04:38]Being brave is a choice. It is a skill that you can work on and leverage to your advantage. Nothing in this life is going to change for you until you decide to face it .Face each and every obstacle in your life. Believe it or not, that journey, that fight, is literally step by step, one foot in front of the other.
[00:04:59] [00:05:00] There is a path, a way out or a way in, depending on what's going on in your life and what road you need to take. At the heart of this podcast, is just the ability to give you the tools that I've been given.
[00:05:12]My experiences may not be as difficult as what you've been through. But, I think they'll be relatable. I think that we'll find a common ground. If I can make it, through all that I've been through, surely others can make it.
[00:05:27] Every day I wake up, I am absolutely positive that this is what I'm called to do. I have a very clear purpose, a very clear vision for my life. I have a profound reason to live.
[00:05:41] This podcast is just as much for you as it is for me.
[00:05:45] I hope you learn a lot.
[00:05:47] I hope to learn a lot from you as well.
[00:05:49]My name is Marshea Pratt and this is the Black and Brave podcast. Take care.
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