In this solo episode of Parenting Decolonized, I’m sharing my plans for 2023 and the exciting (and much-needed) changes I’m making to both my life and the Parenting Decolonized community. Spoiler alert! I’m moving Parenting Decolonized to YouTube! Listen in to hear why I’m doing this, along with my thoughts on a 2023 conference, the books I’m starting to write and publish, and the podcast I’m thinking of starting with the ladies of the Black Femme Freedom Collective. These are exciting shifts so if you want to join me for the ride, get on board and buckle up! Thank you for being such a beautiful, caring, and supportive community. Take care and I’ll talk to you in 2023.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3S1LO4fNRvAI1JH0FsBm0A

Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of Parenting Decolonized Podcast on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/parentingdecolonized and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/prntgdcolonized!

Read the TRANSCRIPT here: https://parentingdecolonized.com/episode-61-big-changes-are-coming-in-2023-a-solo-episode-with-yolanda

This episode of Parenting Decolonized was produced by Crys & Tiana.

Have you traced your ancestral roots? Regardless of what your answer is, let’s talk about it! In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Walter English, an artist and the Founder of Brister English Project, an organization that offers 20 hours of free genealogy work to Black people to help them discover and learn about their hidden roots and ancestors. Listen in as Walter and I talk about the power of genealogy and DNA testing in releasing shame about your family’s history with enslavement. In this episode, we talk about…

• Walt’s experience learning the truth about his African-American ancestry.
• How your family history impacts your parenting.
• Why I decided to get my DNA tested after being resistant to it.
• Overcoming the resistance to genealogy and using it to learn, liberate, and find pride in yourself.
• What is the best ancestry/DNA testing company?
• What to do with your DNA results.
• ….and more!

If you’d like to donate to the Brister English Project, visit https://linktr.ee/formerlovepoet.

Sign up and join the waitlist to get your 20 hours of FREE genealogy work: https://bristerep.me/take-action

To connect further with Walter English:
Visit his website: https://bristerep.me
Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/formerlovepoet
Connect with him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaltWayMusic
Follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FormerLovePoet Read the TRANSCRIPT here:
Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of Parenting Decolonized Podcast on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/parentingdecolonized and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/prntgdcolonized!

This episode of Parenting Decolonized is produced by Crys & Tiana.

I’m back, y’all, and boy do I have some things to say… In this solo episode of Parenting Decolonized, I reflect on the much needed break I took over the last month along with the things I did (and didn’t do) to rest and restore my well-being.

Parenting Decolonized is hosting the Rona, Racism, and Radical Parenting Conference on September 23rd-25th, 2022! With 25+ speakers from various backgrounds and experiences, this conference is designed to equip you with the knowledge and practical advice you need to help you manage your triggers, yell less, connect more, and raise liberated, emotionally-well children.

Get your early bird tickets and get $40 off: https://parentingdecolonized.lpages.co/tickets

Thank you for your support and kind messages during this time, they’ve made me feel so loved and cared for.

Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of Parenting Decolonized Podcast on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/parentingdecolonized and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/prntgdcolonized!

Read the TRANSCRIPT here: https://parentingdecolonized.com/im-back-in-action-lets-reflect-a-solo-episode-with-yolanda

The weekend of May 20th-22nd, 2022 was supposed to be the Parenting Decolonized Conference, but the conference has been postponed and rescheduled for September 23rd-25th, 2022. In this solo episode of Parenting Decolonized, I share my candid thoughts and feelings behind this decision and what you can expect from Parenting Decolonized moving forward in 2022. You’ll also hear a bit about my journey in building an intentional community in Georgia with other single, Black moms. 

I hope to see you at the Parenting Decolonized Conference on September 23rd-25th, 2022!

Until then… Pause. Seek rest. Choose joy.

Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of Parenting Decolonized Podcast on Facebook and Instagram!

Read the TRANSCRIPT here: link

We need new educational curriculums, we need to unpack our ableism and check out privilege, and we need to do it now. In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Heather Clarke, a Black Afro Caribbean educational disability advocate, professor of special education and child development, and neurodivergent mother of two. Listen in as Heather and I have a powerful discussion about how to create real change in your child’s school system and why it’s important to unpack your own ableism and privilege (even if you’re Black and neurodivergent).

In this episode, we talk about…

How to better show up for your community’s education and advocate for your child.
Should parents be in charge of their children’s educational curriculum?
Anti-Blackness and ableism in the parenting space.
How to unpack your ableism and your privilege as a parent.
….and more!
Are you ready to lead with acceptance, dismantle ableism, and see real change in your child’s education? 

Tune into this discussion to learn more! Then, join us in the Conscious Parenting for Social Justice Collective, our Black-led, multiracial collective of parents, working together to simultaneously transform ourselves, our families, and our communities by decolonizing our minds! Can’t wait to see you there!

P.S. Heather is hosting a workshop for parents on navigating the IEP process with a culturally responsive lens during the Parenting Decolonized Conference (May 20th-22nd, 2022). Don’t miss it!


Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

To connect further with Heather:
Visit her website: www.learning-advocate.com
Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/learning_advocate
Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/learnadvocate

What can our ancestral history teach us about parenting, liberation, and revolution? A lot. Let’s get into it. In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Dr. Crystal Menzies, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of EmancipatED, an organization that centers stories of joy and resistance within the African Diaspora through the creation of educational resources and curricula. Listen in to learn about how liberation work and conscious parenting are rooted in our ancestral practices and how we can reclaim these colonized practices to revolutionize our future.

In this episode, we talk about…

The history of Maroon communities and why they’re significant to us today.
How white people have colonized and rebranded tribal parenting methods.
How to intentionally build a supportive community to help nurture your conscious parenting and liberation work.
The EmancipatED Experience: A brand new community education resource that supports the enrichment of Black families and our larger kinship communities.
….and more!
Looking for a community that will support you on your parenting decolonization journey?

Listen in to this discussion to learn more and consider joining the Conscious Parenting for Social Justice Collective, our Black-led, multiracial collective of parents, working together to simultaneously transform ourselves, our families, and our communities by decolonizing our minds and healing racial traumas! Hope to see you there!

Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

To connect further with Dr. Crystal & EmancipatED:
Visit EmancipatED’s website: www.emancipatededucation.com
Follow them on Instagram: www.instagram.com/emancipate_ed

In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Ira X Armstrong, a mixed Black trans parent, Freedom Fighter, Social Entrepreneur and Educator who is working to create climate sustainability through social permaculture. Listen in to gain insight into Ira’s decolonization journey and learn how you can begin to shift your mindset, reprogram yourself, and become the decolonized parent you want to be.


In this episode, we talk about…

Defining social permaculture through the lens of decolonization.
Overcoming depression and exhaustion as an activist and decolonizer.
The impacts of enslavement and colonization on African-Americans & The traumatic effects of experiencing houselessness.
How colonization harms everyone, including white people & Why decolonization is harm reduction.
4 ways to start decolonizing your life.
….and more!
Curious to know more about what it means to decolonize parenthood? 

Need a community that will support you on your decolonization journey?

Tune in to this powerful discussion to learn more and consider joining the Conscious Parenting for Social Justice Collective, a Black-led, multiracial collective of parents, working together to simultaneously transform ourselves, our families, and our communities by decolonizing our minds and healing racial traumas caused by white supremacist/capitalist power structures. Hope to see you there!

Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

To connect further with Ira & PEACE Out Loud:
Visit Ira’s website: www.iraxarmstrong.com
Follow them on Twitter: www.twitter.com/fraggle94 
Visit PEACE Out Loud’s website: www.peaceoutloud.org
Connect with them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/polberkeley
Follow them on Instagram: www.instagram.com/peace_out_loud

So, your child just received an Autism diagnosis… Now what? In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Maria Davis-Pierre, the Founder and CEO of Autism in Black Inc., an organization that aims to bring awareness to Autism and reduce the stigma associated with the diagnosis in the Black community. Tune in to gain insight into what it’s like to be the parent of a Black Autistic child and how to best support yourself and your child throughout this journey.

In this episode, we talk about…
How difficult is it to get an Autism diagnosis for my child?
What to do after your child gets diagnosed.
The problem with Autism “support groups” & Dealing with racism and ableism inside and outside of your community.
Defining ableism in the context of anti-blackness.
The two most important things you can do for your Autistic child.
Advice for parents struggling to self-regulate during stressful parenting moments.
What is masking? Why is masking harmful for disabled kids?
….and more!

Listen in to this powerful discussion to learn more!

Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

To connect further with Maria & Autism in Black:
Visit Autism Black’s website: www.autisminblack.org
Connect with them on Facebook: www.facebook.co/autisminblk
Follow them on Instagram: www.instagram.com/autisminblack

What can we do to nurture not only our own mental health, but the mental health of our children? How can we raise children to be more conscious? In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Olaolu Ogunyemi, a husband, father of three, teen mentor, U.S. Marine Officer, and author of the best-selling children’s book, Crow From the Shadow. Tune in to learn how to combat harmful mental health norms while raising conscious children.

In this episode, we talk about…
The importance of discussing mental health/illness in the black community.
Advice for parents who are struggling with mental illness & parents whose children are struggling with mental illness.
Raising mentally tough boys - Is it necessary?
How patriarchy and “masculinity” are actually harming men.
How to change unhealthy behavior patterns to become a more conscious parent.
Helping children build resilience in the face of racism and the pressures of life.
Why Olaolu started writing children’s books & The meaning behind Crow From the Shadow.
….and more!

Ready to combat harmful mental health norms? Listen in to this powerful discussion to learn more!

Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

To connect further with Olaolu:
Visit Parent-Child-Connect: https://parent-child-connect.com
Connect with him on Facebook: www.facebook.com/olaolu.ogunyemi
Follow him on Instagram: www.instagram.com/captainono06

Do you ever wonder: What is going on with my kids at school? Are they truly thriving or just scraping by? Is homeschooling the best option for us? In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Jae Williams, a former teacher turned BlackDad YouTuber and relaxed homeschooler for his two young kids. Tune in to learn about the flaws of the traditional education system and how unschooling attempts to counter those flaws, along with tips for black dads on being a conscious parent.

In this episode, we talk about…
• Why Jae left his teaching job to unschool his children at home.
• How he reacts to stigmas and misconceptions of homeschooling, particularly from family/in-laws.
• Advice for parents whose children are struggling in school.
• Advice for parents who want to pursue unschooling/homeschooling.
• Jae’s biggest fears as a black dad and unschooler & How he parents from love instead of fear.
• Capitalism, societal constructs, & raising happy, liberated children.
• Trying to be a good father after growing up without a father.
• ….and more!

Ready to start unschooling yourself and child(ren)? Listen in to this powerful discussion to learn more!

Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

To connect further with Jae:
Subscribe to his YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/blackdad
Follow him on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BlackDadJourney

Watch the Happy movie: https://thehappymovie.square.site
Join Conscious Parenting for the Culture Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/CPTime

Does low self-worth impact the parent/child dynamic? Can we raise liberated children by cultivating our unconditional self-worth? In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Dr. Adia Gooden, a licensed clinical psychologist, speaker, and host of the Unconditionally Worthy Podcast. Tune in to learn why it’s crucial to center your self-worth in your parenting journey.

In this episode, we talk about…
Ways that low self-worth can impact you and your children’s lives.
How to recognize underlying triggers that stem from low self-worth and respond appropriately.
Why it’s important to detach your worthiness from your child’s worthiness.
How to cultivate unconditional self-worth in your children.
….and more!

Ready to start cultivating your unconditional self-worth? Listen in to this powerful discussion to learn more!

Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

To connect further with Adia:
Visit her website: www.dradiagooden.com
Listen to her podcast: www.dradiagooden.com/podcast
Connect with her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/dradiagooden
Follow him on Instagram: www.instagram.com/draidagooden

Is it possible to decolonize parenting by “fighting the system”? In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Sundiata Soon-Jahta, an Unschooler, Systems Thinker, Authentic Dialogue Facilitator, Entrepreneur, and Anti-Oppression Educator, Content Creator, & Organizer. Tune in to learn how systems thinking can help us understand the root cause of colonization and how to dismantle systems of oppression.

In this episode, we talk about…
Defining systems thinking, specifically in the context of decolonization.
Why we shouldn’t be “fighting the system” & What you should do instead.
How various systems, like patriarchy and white supremacy, were created & How they continue to evolve and feed one another.
Conscious parenting and unschooling as an act of social justice and decolonization.
Resources for learning more about systems thinking.
….and more!


Ready to start reimagining the future using systems thinking? Listen in to this powerful discussion to learn more!


Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

To connect further with Sundiata:
Visit his website: drsundiata.com
Listen to his podcast: www.liveindivisible.com
Connect with him on Facebook: www.facebook.com/iGoToGrow
Follow him on Instagram: www.instagram.com/dr.sundiata

More Resources:
Theory of Indivisibility Framework: https://bit.ly/33FXqK5
Systems Thinking Resource - The Unschool of Disruptive Design: www.unschools.co
Systems Thinking Resource (free) - thwink.org
Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows: https://amzn.to/3rn17ws
“My Violent Youth And The Systems That Made Me” by Sundiata Soon-Jahta: https://bit.ly/3fCZl4I
“After The Protest…Organize. A Radical Guide For Creating Sustainable Change” by Sundiata Soon-Jahta: https://bit.ly/3nBAOSf

In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Princess Cole, a yogi, herbalist, business owner, homeschooler, and mom of three who loves gardening, traveling, and teaching. Listen in as Princess and I talk about decolonizing food, herbalism, and gardening.

In this episode, we talk about…
- The colonization of food and farming.
- Gardening as an act of resistance & The benefits of growing your own food.
- How to start growing your own food with limited space.
- Ways you can access affordable, nutritious food (with EBT too!).
- How to get started in decolonizing your relationship with food and gardening.
- ….and more!

Read the show notes and transcript here: https://parentingdecolonized.com/episode-59-decolonizing-food-reclaiming-gardening-with-princess-cole

To connect further with Princess Cole:
Visit her website: https://www.princesscole.com
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_princesscole
Connect with her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/princesscoleblog
Check out the Alliance of Native Seedkeepers: https://www.allianceofnativeseedkeepers.com
Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

This episode of Parenting Decolonized is produced by Crys & Tiana.

How does our childhood impact the way we parent? In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Danielle Faust, an Intuitive Life Coach, Hypnotherapist, Energy Healer, and Manifesting Mentor. Tune in to learn how our childhood wounds affect us throughout parenthood and what we can do to rewrite these harmful narratives.

In this episode, we talk about…
What is inner child work and “reparenting”?
Common inner child wounds and how they show up in parenting.
2 ways to heal and integrate your inner child wounds.
Why it’s harder for black and brown parents to work through inner child wounds and societal wounds.
3 mindset shifts you can make to be the parent you want to be.
….and more!


Ready to start healing your inner child wounds? Listen in to this powerful discussion to learn more!


Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!


To connect further with Danielle:
Visit her blog: www.OKDani.com
Visit her website: DanielleFaust.com
Listen to her podcast: http://bit.ly/manifestitsis
Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thedanifaust
Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/daniellefaust
Subscribe to her YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/c/DaniFaust
Connect with her on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/daniellefaust
Connect with her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CoachDaniFaust

The sex talk… every parent’s worst nightmare, right? Actually, it doesn’t have to be scary. In reality, it can kickstart an empowering, educational experience for your kids. In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Raven Faber, Founder and CEO of EngErotics, Inc., a company using the fundamentals of engineering, math, and science to design and develop high-quality sex toys and CBD-infused intimate body care products. Tune in to hear an eye-opening conversation about sexual shame and stigma as well as how to start talking to your kids about sex.

In this episode, we talk about…
The historical context behind why we feel shame and stigma towards sex.
Tips for parents on talking to your kids about sex, intimacy, pleasure, and the body.
At what age do I start the sex talk?
Should parents encourage masturbation?
Raven shares the story of why her mom suggested masturbating with a vibrator.
The problem with the lack of safety regulation for sex toys and intimate body care products.
….and more!


Ready to start instilling confidence in your children and empowering them to embrace their sexuality? Listen in to this incredible discussion to learn more and be sure to check out EngErotics!

Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

To connect further with Raven & EngErotics:
Visit her website: www.engerotics.com
Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/engerotics
Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/EngErotics
Connect with her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/EngErotics

Is your child autistic or have you just found out that your child is autistic? Allow me to connect you with a powerful resource and autism advocate. In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Natasha Nelson, Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator, Founder of Supernova Momma, and mother of two wonderful autistic Black girls. Natasha sheds light on what it’s like to be autistic, to parent autistic children, and to combat ableism at home and at school.

In this episode, we talk about…
Natasha’s experience being diagnosed with autism as an adult & How that’s helped her parent her children.
Ways you can relate to and connect with your autistic child.
What is masking and how does it impact the lives of autistic people?
The mourning period that may come after an autism diagnosis.
How to support the needs of your autistic child.
Advice on being a better advocate for an autistic child.
….and more!

To connect further with Natasha:
Visit her website: www.supernovamomma.com
Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/supernova_momma
Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/supernovamomma
The Intro to Positive Discipline Workshop: www.supernovamomma.com/the-intro
Try a Little Tenderness Workshop: www.supernovamomma.com/positive-discipline-workshop/try-a-little-tenderness
Take Me As I Am Workshop: www.supernovamomma.com/take-me-as-i-am
Supernova Momma Course: www.supernovamomma.com/positive-discipline-workshop/7-session-virtual-positive-discipline-parenting-course


Ready to start COMBATTING ABLEISM? Listen in to this powerful discussion to learn more and be sure to check out Natasha’s positive discipline workshops and courses.


Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

Not sure where to start in talking to your kids about feminism? Start here! In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Chanel Craft Tanner, Director of the Center for Women at Emory University and Co-Founder of Crunk Feminist Collective, to talk about why it’s important to teach your children about feminism and how to start those conversations.

In this episode, we talk about…
What is Crunk Feminist Collective? & What they’re doing to help young Black women and girls navigate life’s challenges.
Strategies and tips for talking about feminism in your home.
Why Black community is critical in supporting feminist education and activism.
….and more!

To connect further with Chanel & Crunk Feminist Collective:
Visit their website: www.crunkfeministcollective.com
Follow them on Instagram: www.instagram.com/crunkfeminist
Follow them on Twitter: www.twitter.com/crunkfeminist
Connect with them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/crunkfeminists
Follow the Remix Substack: https://theremix.substack.com
Pre-order Feminist AF: www.feministaf.co or www.cafeconlibrosbk.com (a small, Black-owned bookstore)

Ready to become FEMINIST AF? Listen in to this powerful discussion to learn more.

Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

Tired of talking about the issues and trauma surrounding the Black community? Me too. So let’s start taking action. In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Anashay "Teach Em" Wright, Founder of Authentic Disruption and Disruptive Partners, to talk about what it takes to disrupt anti-blackness, the school to prison pipeline, and even the parent to prison pipeline.

In this episode, we talk about…
The shocking history of the inception of the American school system.
How schools mirror prison culture.
How you can be a disruptor in your school system & Tips for creating real change.
What parents can do to disrupt harmful societal messages at home.
….and more!

To connect further with Anashay:
Visit her website: www.anashaywright.com
Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/anashaywright
Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/anashaydisrupts
Learn more about Disruptive Partners: www.disruptivepartners.org

Ready to become an AUTHENTIC DISRUPTOR? Listen in to this powerful discussion to learn more.

PLUS, get your FREE Guide on How to Be a Disruptive Partner by texting DISRUPT NOW to 33777!

Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

When’s the last time you asked for help or advocated for your needs? How often do you acknowledge that you’re only human? In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome maternal mental health advocate and community leader, Graeme Seabrook, to talk about how capitalism, patriarchy, and white supremacy affect the parenting journey and the well-being of parents and children.

In this episode, we talk about…
How to combat harmful societal and capitalistic narratives.
Asking for help and receiving communal support as a parent.
The importance of advocating for yourself and your needs.
Who are you beyond parenthood?
Tips for noticing and decentralizing the toxic capitalistic systems in your home.
….and more!

To connect further with Graeme:
Visit her website: www.graemeseabrook.com
Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/graemeseabrook

Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

Did you know that 19 states in the US still allow corporal punishment in schools? In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Founding Director of Arkansans Against School Paddling, Tate Aldrich, to talk about the harsh reality of corporal punishment in American schools and how this educational watchdog and advocacy group is fighting it.

In this episode, we talk about…
The intersectionality of racism, corporal punishment, and child welfare.
How parents and teachers can get involved and help ban corporal punishment and paddling.
The effects of trauma on children’s brains and how that affects their futures.
Addressing the colonizer mindset as a white parent.
….and more!

Stay tuned for more info on my upcoming Non-Violent Communication and Discipline Workshops!

To connect further with Tate and support his mission to ban paddling in schools:
Visit his website: www.banpaddlingar.com
Follow him on Twitter: www.twitter.com/banpaddlingar
Connect with him on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BanPaddlingAR

We can all agree that the conscious parenting journey is hard work! You have to come correct to stay the course. Information is power! I’m always looking for support from individuals of like minds because there is always something new to learn! We must have a systematic approach to decolonizing parenting. Today my guest shares his personal experience and shows us that incarnation is preventable.

There is a system that conditions behavioral patterns that are associated with criminal activity.
The system is designed to imprison black and brown people in their minds first until they literally find themselves behind bars. This creates a feedback loop, labeling criminals eternally and seeing them as a liability to society.

We all know the facts, the system hits the black community the hardest!...it is part of the antiblackness agenda!

Cozine Welch is a formerly incarcerated poet and educator. He is the Executive Director of the Washtenaw County, Michigan nonprofit A Brighter Way which focuses on providing mentorship and wraparound services to those returning home from incarceration. As an instructor Cozine currently teaches both the Atonement Project and the Theatre & Incarceration courses at the University of Michigan, classes that focus on restorative justice, reconciliation, atonement, and the role the arts play in healing and rehabilitation.

Check out Cozine on social media and follow his journey to dismantle the carceral state:
https://twitter.com/cozinewelch
https://www.abrighterway.org/
https://twitter.com/abwmentoring
https://www.linkedin.com/company/abrighterway
https://www.facebook.com/abrighterway/
https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/dcc-project/

Let’s talk about the black-conscious parenting experience. Here is some truth to chew on…if you have unresolved trauma due to marginalization and racism, it can trigger a vicious generational parenting cycle.

In the process of trying to save our children from oppression, we can unintentionally become their oppressors. The truth is, the survival state shuts down empathy and triggers a stress response. Our childhoods have conditioned our brains to be reactive, and it takes time to go through the process of rewiring.

We have to not only see our children’s humanity but ours as well. You won’t be perfect and break all cycles; instead, the goal is to grow and have an improvement-focused mindset. It is like planting a seed; keep working on it, and you’ll make progress and impact generations to come.

Chazz Lewis is an Educational Specialist who “teaches teachers to teach” in a chain of Child Development Centers. He closely works with eight different schools, hundreds of teachers, and thousands of children. He coaches parents and helps them to see, guide, and build trust with children. He also has a podcast called “Mr. Chazz’s Leadership, Parenting and Teaching Podcast.”

Check out Mr. Chazz on social media as he educates on how to break generational cycles:
https://www.instagram.com/mrchazz/
https://www.tiktok.com/@mrchazzmrchazz
https://www.facebook.com/mrchazzmrchazz
Mr. Chazz’s Leadership, Parenting and Teaching Podcast

Support the PD Podcast via Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/parentingdecolonized

Let’s talk about unschooling and how it liberates both parents and children.

Here is some truth to chew on...conventional schooling is a trap with capitalist undertones. I’m not sure if you know this but conventional schooling was reserved for the elite before child labor laws were enacted in the early 1900’s. After children were prohibited from working in factories, it was the industrialists that standardized schools as we know it. The antithesis of conventional school is unschooling. Unschooling is a consent-based education system that empowers children to advocate for themselves and see everyday life as their learning experience. It’s an opportunity to liberate our children from the trap of aligning their value with their self-worth or only seeing education as part of the path to the “American dream”.

Unschooling is a powerful empowerment and liberation tool. It is a lifestyle which elevates the learning experience beyond the four walls of a classroom. It’s about consent, about finding your passion, about learning how a child naturally learns. So even if your child goes to conventional school, you can live the unschool lifestyle at home! BUT...that’s gonna require some work on your part to do some unlearning the schoolish mindset, a process affectionately known as “deschooling” in the unschooling community.

If you want to raise leaders instead of followers, teach them how to navigate hard situations, how to advocate for themselves, and how to assert their autonomy over their minds and body, and how to raise people who will resist oppression, listen to this episode with Iris Chen, Founder of “Untigering”

“We don’t want to empower our children to serve the system; we want the system to serve our children.”

Iris Chen is the founder of the Untigering movement and author of Untigering: Peaceful Parenting for the Deconstructing Tiger Parent. As a peaceful parenting advocate, intersectional unschooler, anti-oppression activist, and deconstructing tiger mom, her mission is to inspire generational and cultural transformation, especially among Asian communities.

In her book, “Untigering: Peaceful Parenting for the Deconstructing Tiger Parent,” she shares her parenting journey; she talks about her struggles transitioning from a tiger parent to a peaceful parent.

Iris spent 16 years living overseas in China but now resides in her native California with her husband and two sons.

Check out Iris on social media and read more about her adventures in parenting and unschooling:
http://untigering.com/
https://www.facebook.com/untigering
https://www.instagram.com/untigering
https://www.amazon.com/Untigering-Peaceful-Parenting-Deconstructing-Parent

In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Sarita Covington, an Educator, Harlem Mom, and the Founder of Upper Manhattan Forest Kids, an organization that leads outdoor classes for children and their families in New York City’s green spaces. Listen in as Sarita and I have a fascinating discussion about decolonizing our relationship to nature.

In this episode, we talk about…
Sarita’s mission and inspiration behind Upper Manhattan Forest Kids.
The connection between nature, white supremacy, and anti-racism.
Steps you can take to start decolonizing your relationship to nature.
How to shift your mindset around spending time outside.
What I struggle with most in decolonizing my relationship to nature.
….and more!

To connect further with Sarita & Upper Manhattan Forest Kids:
Visit their website: https://www.uppermanhattanforestkids.com
Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uppermanhattanforestkids
Connect with them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uppermanhattanforestkids
Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

Read the TRANSCRIPT here: https://parentingdecolonized.com/episode-58-decolonizing-your-relationship-to-nature-with-sarita-covington

This episode of Parenting Decolonized was produced by Crys & Tiana.

Let’s talk about mainstream parenting and conscious parenting.

Here is some truth to chew on...mainstream parenting is brutal and harmful and we are all tired.

Conscious parenting, on the other hand, is a long and tedious journey but it is worth the sacrifice.

The conscious parenting journey is two-fold, and before we can excel in conscious parenting, we must strip off the negativity of our cultural backgrounds and all the social injustices we’ve internalized. We are in a constant battle of mind over matter, and we have to stay in the fight and win for the sake of our children. We must allow ourselves to go through the process of creating new patterns in our minds and neuro systems. It is an internal work that impacts on our children and the world at large. This journey is predicated on focused resistance.

Vivek Patel of Meaningful Ideas has been teaching Conscious Parenting concepts to families for over 10 years. The ideas he shares have been used by thousands of families to create more harmony and connection in their homes.

His online audience has grown to over 100 thousand people. He has written over 500 parenting articles and created over 100 videos. There is also a book in the works.

Vivek cares deeply about empowering parents to develop more harmonious relationships with their kids using a powerful parenting model based on Communication, Connection, and Collaboration.

Check out Vivek on social media as he shares his wealth of knowledge:
www.facebook.com/meaningfulideas
www.youtube.com/meaningfulideas
www.instagram.com/meaningfulideas
www.meaningfulideas.com
www.gentleparentsunite.com/

In this episode with DeAntwann “DJ” Johnson, we discuss the importance of vulnerability, reimagining masculinity, fostering healthy relationships with teenage children.

Britta Ofori-Kuragu of The Purposeful Parenting Paradigm talks entrepreneurship and fostering independent children. Her children, ages 7 and 3, found themselves with an accidental soap-making business which she used as an opportunity to teach independence while cultivating her kids' creativity. In this episode, explore the ways in which Britta utilizes entrepreneurship to empower her family.

Dr. Seanna Leath is back to discuss her latest work, a study on how Black mothers’ socialization shapes the way Black girls come to understand racism. Often Black girls learn early on that conversation on racism, discrimination, and police brutality center concern for the men and boys in their lives. This is curious because we all know that violence against women of any race is a public health emergency and has been for many decades. The intersection of gender and race makes Black women prime targets for every category of violence.

Part 2 of this important discussion, asking you to evaluate your parenting practices and assess if you have been parenting like the police. Listen here for Part 1: https://www.spreaker.com/user/13316275/28-janelle-scales-part-1

Guest Info: Janelle Scales is an educator, activist, writer and mother of two. She is a public speaker and teaches social justice courses for both children and adults. Her essays on womanism and motherhood have been featured on Yahoo, Scary Mommy, and Expressing Motherhood. She is the co-host of Love is Justus, a social justice podcast centering black women and femmes. She is the cofounder of Neighbors Not Nuisance, an organization committed to encouraging activism among community members to help improve the lives of marginalized members of society. She is a proud Black American and lifelong California resident. www.janellescales.com

In this episode, Janelle Scales and I talk about the nuances of Black parenthood and the striking similarities between traditional corporal punishment we often see in Black families and the white supremacist system we try to protect our kids from. When our kids misbehave or express big emotions that we aren’t equipped to handle, what do we do? We send them to time-out. We take away rights and material possessions. We try to silence them. We do whatever it takes to get them to “fall back in line.”

How is time-out any different than solitary confinement? When we take away rights and privileges, we disempower them and perpetuate a hierarchy within the home. When we try to silence their tantrums versus supporting them during their emotional dysregulation (which is completely normal for all human beings, even adults!), we send the message that their emotions are not safe with us. If not with us, then where are our Black children safe to just be? To exist? Listen to parts 1 and 2 of this important conversation for strategies to stop parenting like the police.

Guest Info: Janelle Scales is an educator, activist, writer and mother of two. She is a public speaker and teaches social justice courses for both children and adults. Her essays on womanism and motherhood have been featured on Yahoo, Scary Mommy, and Expressing Motherhood. She is the co-host of Love is Justus, a social justice podcast centering black women and femmes. She is the cofounder of Neighbors Not Nuisance, an organization committed to encouraging activism among community members to help improve the lives of marginalized members of society. She is a proud Black American and lifelong California resident. www.janellescales.com

Parenting Decolonized is excited to announce the Rona, Racism, and Radical Parenting conference
that will help parents make big mental shifts so they don't revert back to oppressive parenting practices when you're stressed. In this solo pod I explain the details of the conference and go into more detail about my big vision for the future. Sign up for the conference here: https://www.parentingdecolonized.com/parentingconference

Because of Coronavirus, our kids are on social media more and more, which has many parents wondering about how to navigate conscious parenting in a digital age. Enter Elizabeth Milovidov, Digital Parenting Consultant, who helps parents develop strategies for digital engagement for their families. We talk about how to protect your children against online predators, how to create a family media agreement, and ways we can use technology to bridge the digital divide in the Black community.

Get more tips from Elizabeth here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheDigitalParentingCommunity
http://www.digitalparentingcoach.com/
https://digitalparentingshop.com/

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is why I wanted to sit down with Melody Gross, a DV survivor and single mom turned advocate. Melody is the owner of Courageous Shift, a domestic violence coaching and consulting company. as a certified professional life coach, Melody offers her clients the tools needed to create a new life after experiencing abuse. She also speaks to companies and organizations about the value of domestic violence policies and workshops. As someone who witnessed DV as a child and experienced it as an adult, this episode is very personal, touching on warning signs of domestic violence, why conscious parenting is important for children who have experienced trauma and how to parent after domestic violence.

You can contact Melody on her website https://courageousSHIFT.com or on social media at
Facebook link: Fb.me/CourageousSHIFT or on IG: @CourageousSHIFT

Please make sure to leave a rating and review! And I hope you consider becoming a Patreon: http://bit.ly/PDPatreon

Autism is a hot-button issue, with Black children squarely in the center. And if you’ve been following me, you know that my own daughter, while not officially diagnosed, is most likely on the spectrum. This is why I was super excited to chat with Faduma Bulale, who is helping other parents learn how to be better advocates to their autistic child. This episode is a little longer than usual, but I there’s so many great nuggets of information, I didn’t want ya’ll to miss anything!Consider becomin

Do you feel like you’re a good ancestor? What does it even mean to be a good ancestor? In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I welcome Jana Lynne (JL) Umipig, a Creator, liberation educator, Ilokano healer, and cultural/knowledge bearer. Listen in as JL and I talk about how to be a good ancestor as you decolonize your life.

In this episode, we talk about…
How colonization impacts Filipino people.
The intersectionality of intergenerational trauma and colonization.
Challenges we face in setting boundaries and communicating with family, especially elders and parents.
JL’s tips for people struggling with familial boundaries in their liberation journey
….and more!

To connect further with JL:
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlcreator
Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of this week's episode on Facebook and Instagram!

Read the TRANSCRIPT here: https://parentingdecolonized.com/episode-57-what-it-means-to-be-a-good-ancestor-with-jana-lynne-umipig/

This episode of Parenting Decolonized is produced by Crys & Tiana.

In this episode of Parenting Decolonized, I chop it up with former police Captain Lawrence Hunter about policing in the Black community, how to have “the talk” with your kids, and the importance of decolonizing in the Black community. Lawrence is a retired police captain and current host of Captain Hunters Podcast. The focus is on bridging the divide between the police and the communities they serve. Make sure to check out his podcast “Captain Hunter Podcast” and his consulting services here:

Raising a liberated Black child ain’t easy. Not only do we have to decolonize our minds, but we have to make sure they aren’t indoctrinated into white supremacy. We also have to help decolonize our communities because why would we do all that work just to send them out into an unconscious colonized world? That’s where conversations with white parents comes in. As a Black parent, my greatest fear is that my child ends up the next hashtag because a white parent failed to do the necessary antiracism work

Trying to raise liberated Black children with a colonized mindset is damn near impossible. In order to decolonize our parenting we have to first start with our minds, which is why I’m super excited to talk to Trina Greene Brown, author of Parenting for Liberation: A Guide For Raising Black Children. Trina is a mother who transitioned from fear to liberation, when she discovered through self-reflection, that she was policing her own children and dimming their confidence by creating an environment of oppres

Black people have been conditioned to internalize our rage for the sake of white comfort, much to our own detriment. Between the physical ailments that manifest from internalized, unexpressed feelings, to the psychological ones, the current Uprising is showing that our rage is not only justified but needs to be expressed. In this episode, I discuss embracing our rage with Antoinette Cooper, the Founder of Black Exhale. She gives some amazing advice on how we can hold space for ourselves and our children to

It’s been hard to breathe lately and I’ve been struggling to keep my emotions in check. In a recent conversation I had with one of my friend, we discussed joy as an act of resistance, which is the subject of this solo podcast. In this episode I talk about why joy is an act of resistance against white supremacy, how to cultivate more joy, and how to destress so we aren’t taking our anger out on our kids. I’m praying for ya’ll and hope as you resist, you’ll also remember to let joy in. Websi

There’s never been a more important time for an online village than right now when we’re in the midst of a pandemic, which is why I was super excited to speak with actor and producer Tika Sumpter (ABC’s Mixed-ish) and award-wining business executive Thai Randolph (EVP and GM of Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud) for their new venture Sugaberry, a lifestyle brand created for modern moms of color. Sugaberry celebrates all aspects of the brown mom experience through a curated mix of editorial, original audio

I’m back from a little mental health break with Melissa Ifill, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), speaker, wellness coach, and therapist to discuss why it’s necessary to heal from your childhood trauma in order to be a more intentional parent. Rona has many parents out here forgetting their parenting WHY...the reason they chose to be conscious parents. And I say that with no judgment. We are all under tremendous amounts of stress, including our children, and this living through the trauma of a pa

Raging Rona is really showing us our weak spots...in the government and in our own lives. It's showing us how precarious life as we know it really is. Rugged individualism and capitalism have created an "every person for themselves" mentality and it is hurting us as a nation and failing our children. Not only will people's pocketbooks be hurting, but so will people's minds. This will create a lot of anxious, worried, stressed-out parents who also have to be cooped up at home with their children. In this sol

As many of us look to get back to our ancestral roots, we are wondering where did the “village” go and how do we start to create one again. Like many of the issues surrounding parenting while Black, this “village” so many of us long for disappeared during enslavement, then again during the failed reconstruction period, then again during the civil rights movement. It’s almost like anytime a village would attempt to be constructed, it was forcibly torn down by systemic oppression and white supremacy

I’m sure many of us would like to think we’re fostering a positive environment that allows for individual thought and creativity but you’d be surprised. Whether it’s forcing your child to participate in extra-curricular activities they don’t like or forcing them to conform to your idea of success, many parents squash their child’s dreams way before the world gets hold of them. In this episode with Tracy Wilson from Melanated Mom podcast, we discuss the many ways a parent’s fear and ego can be

In this solo episode of Parenting Decolonized Podcast, I’m sharing my thoughts and reflections on the 2022 Rona, Racism, and Radical Parenting Conference. I also get very personal about my current mental health struggles and the moves I’m making to heal. Tune in to hear my genuine thoughts about organizing this conference, why I’m struggling to be a conscious parent right now, and the healing work I intend to do via the Parenting Decolonized Podcast.

If you’re struggling right now, know that you are in company. We’re not meant to do any of this alone, so stick with me and we will heal alongside one another.

Don't forget to share, rate, and let me know what you think of Parenting Decolonized Podcast on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/parentingdecolonized and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/prntgdcolonized!

Read the TRANSCRIPT here: https://parentingdecolonized.com/episode-56-reflections-after-the-2022-rona-racism-and-radical-parenting-conference-a-solo-episode-with-yolanda

This episode of Parenting Decolonized is produced by Crys & Tiana.

Many of us move through this life with fuzzy or non-existent boundaries because we grew up with our boundaries being trampled on by our parents. Now that we’re adults, we teach people how to treat us, so it’s time to shore up those boundaries. In this episode with my friend Classy Brown, we discuss why many of us have such poor boundaries and how to create and maintain new ones. We also chat about how parents can help their children create boundaries from birth. Wanna chat with Classy more about this? C

The journey to becoming a more conscious Black father isn’t an easy one. Between ingrained attitudes about obedience to masculinity, unlearning toxic parenting styles isn’t easy. In this episode, I chat with Tim Greene, husband, father and author of the Daddy Duty book series about the nuances of Black fatherhood, conscious parenting, and how he is helping to redefine what people think about Black fathers. You can purchase a copy of his book at https:/

The white gaze is something Toni Morrison wrote about, something every black person is cognizant of as we move in this world. Many of us wouldn’t admit it but most of us are complicit in centering the ‘white gaze’ in our parenting. From discipline to education, it has been passed down through the generations that whiteness is the barometer in which we measure ourselves, so we twist ourselves into pretzels trying to meet its impossible standards. In this conversation with Co-Founder of Conscious Parent

All children love seeing faces like theirs within the pages of their favorite books. Unfortunately, only 27% of children’s books feature Black or Indigenous characters. In this episode, I chat with Danielle Dunn, author of a children’s book, Ivy Locs, about why black parents need to be intentional about decolonizing their children’s library and how reading books with diverse characters helps white children broaden their perspective by fostering a sense of empathy and connection with characters who mig