Well, That Went Sideways!

S4E7: Worth the Fight with Curtis Acosta

In this episode, we talk with Curtis Acosta about conflicts over ethnic studies and about humanizing education. He taught high school for over 20 years in Tucson, Arizona, and developed a groundbreaking Mexican-American studies program. The state of Arizona banned that program in 2010, despite several years of positive academic outcomes. The ban was later ruled unconstitutional. Curtis Acosta currently works as an educational consultant and teaches at the University of Arizona. We spoke with him at the 2023 White Privilege Conference in Mesa, Arizona.

S4E6: Transforming Trauma with Aaron Stark

In this episode, we talk with Aaron Stark about his journey from an abusive childhood to almost carrying out a mass shooting, and then becoming an advocate for mental health services and gun control. His TED talk, entitled, I Was Almost a School Shooter, has over 14 million views.

S4E5: Life After Divorce with Erin Breeze

On this episode, we talk with Erin Breeze about navigating conflict in divorce and transforming the way we look at divorce. She is a life after divorce strategist who works primarily with mothers through her program, Happy Home.

S4E4: I Can Take it from Here with Lisa Forbes

On this episode, we talk with Lisa Forbes about how she draws on her personal experience with trauma and incarceration to advocate for others who are struggling to re-enter society as restored citizens. And she also describes a simple technique called Tapping that has helped her deal with the emotional and physical effects of trauma. Lisa Forbes is an author and keynote speaker. Her book is titled, I Can Take it From Here: A Memoir of Trauma, Prison, and Self-Empowerment.

S4E3: Roots of Racism in America with Dante King

In this episode, we talk with Dante King about the roots of racism in America. Dante King is the author of The 400 Year Holocaust: White America's Legal, Psychopathic and Sociopathic Black Genocide - and the Revolt Against Critical Race Theory. He is also a human resources professional and has taught at the University of California, San Francisco, and will soon be guest faculty at The Mayo Clinic School of Medicine. We spoke with Dante King in April at the 2023 White Privilege Conference in Mesa, Arizona.

S4E2: Understanding Pronouns with Jes Rau

On this episode, we talk with Jes Rau about pronouns, why they matter, and how we can respond to some of the common conflicts and apprehensions around using non-binary pronouns. Jes Rau is the Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training at Well Power, a large mental health service provider in Denver. They are also a member of the production team here at Well, That Went Sideways!

S4E1: Healing Power of Storytelling with Grace Gee

On this episode, we talk with Grace Gee about the healing power of art and storytelling. She is a Colorado-based artist, writer, and teacher, and much of our conversation centers on one of her recent projects called Bubbling Up. It's a public exhibit that invites members of the BIPOC community to write their stories of discrimination and injustice, and then non-BIPOC community members are invited to write a response.

S3E10: Engaging Across Difference with Kimberlee Yolanda Williams

Kimberlee Yolanda Williams is an educator, DEI consultant, workshop leader, speaker, certified life and health coach, and author of the book Dear White Women, Please Come Home. In this episode we talk with Kimberlee about engaging across difference. 

S3E9: Living a Life Intentionally with Dena Samuels

Dena Samuels is an author, professor at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, and consultant on mindful inclusive leadership development. In this episode we talk with Dena about the role of mindfulness in addressing conflict and advancing social justice. 

S3E8: An Artist’s Response to Conflict with René Marie

René Marie is a Grammy nominated jazz vocalist and songwriter.  In this episode we talk with René about music and art as a form of communication and explore the idea of the artist's response to conflict.