The Brave Files

Education Equality, A Community Effort

This week we’re talking with educator, Aaron Smith, about the public school system in the United States. There’s no denying that our school systems are deeply flawed and not at all equitable. Aaron, who has 20 years of experience in education, shares his insights on how we can level the playing field and more adequately prepare our children for the real world. He explains how education is more effective as a communal effort. Aaron reminds us that kids don’t care about what you know until they know how much you care. Tune in to learn how community can change education and what role you can play.One note, We conducted this interview before the world faced a global pandemic. Now teachers and families, across the nation, are struggling to balance it all in an already imperfect educational system. Because of this drastic change, We've invited Aaron to join us for a LIVE conversation to talk about how the pandemic is affecting children, educators, and families and what we, as a community, can do about it. Join me and Dr. Aaron Smith LIVE on Friday, September 4th at 5 pm CST    ***PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A DIFFERENT TIME THAN LISTED IN THE EPISODE *** via either The Brave Files Facebook page or our Facebook collective Brave on Purpose.Love what you're hearing, have story ideas, or want to share how you're choosing bravely??  Give us a call and tell us about it at 312-646-0205.Find the detailed show notes and a full transcript here. Support The Brave Files on Patreon here.Interested in starting your own podcast? Register for this month's "So you want to start a podcast Q&A" with the experts from Podcast Power Academy! Details here. 

Patriarchy Stress Disorder

The Brave Files welcomes, bestselling author, Dr. Valerie Rein, who believes that discontented women aren’t defective, but are instead experiencing what she calls Patriarchy Stress Disorder. Dr. Valerie explains what that is, how to move through it, and rather than just suffering through life, she teaches you to ask “How good can it get?”  And to get into action.But don’t worry, this conversation is  not just for women! Patriarchy Stress Disorder affects everyone regardless of gender because the hyper-masculinity we're experiencing on a global level is detrimental and dangerous to everyone.Top Takeaways Reframing how you look at trauma can help you move through it. People (women especially) collect and inherit trauma just by existing in our hypermasculine world. Our trauma is traceable. We can find its roots in both our ancestors and in our empathic response to traumas that we see others experience. We can address our trauma through the use of mind-body tools.We need each other to heal.Read the full transcript and detailed show notes here.We would love to hear from you. Give us a call at 312-646-0205 and tell us what you think of the show!Support The Brave Files on Patreon here,Register for the "So you want to start a podcast" LIVE Q&A session here.  

Failure: Your Path To Success

In this episode, we explore what it means to be a person of value rather than a person of success and how all the magic happens outside of your comfort zone! Details show notes and full episode transcription can be found here.Listen with closed captions here.Give us a call with your thoughts and feedback at 312-646-0205.Support The Brave Files on Patreon here.REGISTER FOR THE “SO YOU WANT TO START A PODCAST” LIVE Q&A SESSION

Check Your Comfort Zone at the Door!

Have you ever had a moment in your life where it was so noisy you couldn’t think straight? Now, have you ever felt that even when you were alone? This week's guest shares her life-changing decision to welcome her 50th birthday by launching the “Follow me to 50” campaign where she challenged herself to get out of her comfort zone and really live her life! This is such an invigorating and uplifting conversation about how we can slow down, be intentional, and take action while still being in motion, of service, and active. It’s about understanding the power of even the smallest of gestures and how we can’t always be quantitative in life because we never really know where we will discover immense value.Stay with us to learn about ways to get out of your comfort zone, feed your own soul, and be of service to others along the way.Find the full episode transcript and detailed show notes here.Share your thoughts and feedback by calling 312-925-2468.Support The Brave Files on Patreon here.

Saying YES: Learning to overcome fear and live bigger

This episode is full of inspiration nuggets but a few favorites are:We are always saying “Yes” to something and at the same time “No” to something. The question is what you are trying to prioritize.Be the person you want to be now. If you act the way you want to be, someday you will be the way you act.Make a goal slightly bigger than you can achieve and surprise yourself. Find detailed show notes and a full transcript, here.Call 312-646-0205 to share your thoughts and feedbackSupport The Brave Files on Patreon, here. 

Experiments for Becoming a Fear Boss

From starting your day with powerful “I AM” Statements to looking for small moments to lean into bravery (Judi calls them Fear Experiments) - Judi Holler owns her fear and wants you to do the same! You’re responsible for growing yourself and smashing comfort zones - do this by consistent and repeated action. Most importantly, trust yourself - you have everything you need to create a life you love.Find a full transcript and additional details here. Support The Brave Files on Patreon here.Call in and share how you are choosing bravely and provide feedback on the show - 312.925.2468Check out our Charity of The Week, St. Jude’s, here.

Clarity Creates Purpose

In today’s episode, Heather talks with internationally recognized strategist, clarity coach, TEDx organizer, speaker, and author Dolores Hirschman about how she was thrown into becoming the breadwinner for her family of six. While this experience was truly terrifying, Dolores knew that the only true failure would be in not doing everything she could to provide for her family. In the episode, Heather and Dolores discuss how, often, others see our strengths before we do and sometimes our dreams appear in unexpected ways, through the backdoor of life and, no matter what, you’re always stronger than you think you are!Register to attend the next "So You Want To Start a Podcast" FREE, LIVE Q&A session here.Support The Brave Files on Patreon here.Share your thoughts and feedback by calling 312-646-0205. 

Learning Resilience: From Neglect to Empowerment

Resilience is a learned behavior, friends. Yes, some people are BORN with it - but most people learn it. It’s defined in the dictionary as the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness OR the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity.So I ask you this, Brave Listener, how resilient are you? How quickly do you recover when things go wrong? Do you have the ability to spring back into shape? Well, this week’s episode is all about learning to be resilient. And it’s a story of hope!Author, coach, and Arctic expedition guide (um, how cool is that!?), Heather Thorkelson joins us to talk about growing up wealthy but severely neglected. Neglect is not just for the underprivileged. This is a story about learned resilience and finding the strength you need from within.  AS Heather put is Most of our limitations are about how big we choose to dream.Join us for the Podcast Power Academy's LIVE Q&A session "So you want to start a podcast!" by registering here.Support The Brave Files on Patreon here.Share your thoughts, feedback and how you're choosing bravely by calling us at 312-646-0205DETAILED SHOW NOTES, TRANSCRIPTIONS AND LINKS CAN BE FOUND HERE.

Finding Home: The Journey of a Black, , Southern, Pastor

The esteemed writer, podcast host, pastor, and antiracism activist shares his inspiring story of finding a community that nurtures, supports, and loves him unconditionally. Some golden takeaways from my conversation with Mashaun includeOnce you a community that supports and nurtures you - stay there!Don’t be afraid to make your own choices, even when it’s uncomfortable. Especially when it’s uncomfortable!Sharing your wins is a great way to motivate and inspire others, especially those who look up to you and support you.Your family history does not define you. You have the power to define yourself!Read the full show notes, find the transcription, and access links click here.Support The Brave Files on Patreon here.Share your thoughts and feedback by calling 312-646-0205. Ever thought about starting your own podcast? Join us on  Thursday,July 16th at 2 pm CST for the Podcast Power Academy's FREE Liveanir! Learn why this is the PERFECT time to start a podcast and how to get going! Register here.

We Became A Superhero: Surviving Childhood Sexual Trauma

This is the story of Brian, a Herculean painter, writer, chef, and childhood sexual trauma survivor. “We become a superhero,” Brian wrote to himself in his acclaimed memoir. In this episode, Brian shares his story and how he uses his experience to help other victims of sexual abuse and other types of trauma.If you or anyone you know is currently being abused we urge you to connect with RAINN, the nations largest anti-sexual assault organization.Call 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.Find links mentioned in the episode and read the detailed show notes here.Support The Brave Files on Patreon here.Call and share your feedback and how you're choosing bravely, 312-646-0205.