"The Evolution of AloHā Podcast (formally the Mixed Plate Podcast) is a Plowline Production. This podcast is about sharing stories. Sharing the kind of stories that can serve as the catalyst for personal and collective healing." ~Dr. Gerry Ebalaroza-Tunnell
Storytelling is the most natural way for us to enter into a relationship with the wisdom and knowledge of others. As in all relationships, agreements must be made and obligations and responsibility for the energies of knowledge. Thus, when a person enters a relationship with specific knowledge, they are transformed by it and must be responsible for how it is shared.
In the wise words of Ursula Le Guin, she states, "Words are events; they do things, change things. They transform both speaker and hearer; they feed energy back and forth and amplify it. They feed understanding or emotion back and forth and amplify it."
As we engage in face-to-face dialogue (in the Hawaiian language; Alo means forward-facing), deeply listening and sharing our stories and our experiences, we exchange knowledge with one another by “talking story” and creating a new understanding of how we engage with others and the world around us. We “breathe” these words to each other (in the Hawaiian language, Hā means breath or breath in life).
Together, this is AloHā: The exchange of ideas, the resolution of conflict, the changing of perspectives, and the evolution of our collective being.
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Podcast Guests
Episode 1:
Guest: Gerry Ebalaroza-Tunnell and Jeremy Tunnell
Join Gerry and Jeremy as they tackle the controversial topic of being a mixed-ethnic couple dealing with internalized oppression and dismantling internalized superiority.
Episode 2:
Guest: Dr. Janis Velasquez Farmer
Dr. Janis Velasquez Farmer, a social justice learner, and advocate, values, and lives by a philosophy of servant and collective leadership. Maintaining a complete vision of the social field to maximize capacities and opportunities for others, Janis develops and executes innovative ideas by accessing and cultivating creative energy. She connects naturally across socially constructed boundaries by modeling vulnerability and compassion. Her work serves to give voice and recognition to populations marginalized within a dominant hegemonic system.
Episode 3:
Guest: Naomi Pierce
Naomi Pierce graduated from Western Washington University in 2021 with a double bachelors in communications and sociology. Currently residing in the Seattle region working in the automotive and power tool industry.
Episode 4:
Guest: Special edition with host, Gerry Ebalaroza-Tunnell
In this special edition, Gerry will be sharing a lecture on the Evolution of AloHā given at the Sierra Pacific Synod Professional Leaders Conference in Olympic Valley, Tahoe, CA.
Episode 5:
Guest: Dr. Baozhen Luo
Dr. Baozhen Luo (pronounced: Bow-jen Lu-o) was born and raised in China before coming to the American South (Atlanta, GA) to pursue her MA and Ph.D. degrees in Sociology, followed by working as a tenure track faculty member at LaGrange College in Georgia and a move to the PNW as a tenure-track and tenured faculty member at Western Washington University, where she currently holds a full professor position. Since 2003, Baozhen has accumulated rich experiences working in the American higher education system across four institutions, as a graduate student, a staff member, and a full-time professor. Starting in January 2022, Dr. Baozhen Luo will transition to a new position as a full professor in Global Health at Duke Kunshan University located near Shanghai, China, a joint venture university of Duke University in the US and Wuhan University in China.
Episode 6:
Guest: Sarah Chan, Calypso Kitchen
Sarah Chan is a social entrepreneur with a deep sense of obligation to her community. She was born and raised in the Caribbean in the beautiful twin-island nation of Trinidad & Tobago. She is of mixed Asian ancestry, growing up in a multi-racial, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural nation that has influenced every aspect of her life, and continues to. She has much gratitude for the place she grew up in and its direct influence on whom she is as a person and a business owner. She shares gratitude and love through the food that she creates and shares with her community. " A shared meal eases the meeting."
Episode 7:
Guest: Gabrielle Kazuko Nomura Gainor
Gabrielle Kazuko Nomura Gainor (she/her) tells stories about Asian America through dance. She has received grants from Seattle's Office of Arts & Culture, the Washington State Arts Commission, the Heritage Arts Apprenticeship Program (HAAP), and was recently selected to participate in ArtsWA’s inaugural Change Leader Institute. Working in partnership with Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color, Gabrielle is helping to build spaces of liberation in historically white, European art forms. Gabrielle’s piece “Farewell Shikata ga nai,” which tells the story of the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans, toured Seattle-area schools in 2019. Community engagement efforts that she led surrounding “Madame Butterfly” at Seattle Opera were praised in The New York Times' 2019 opinion piece "Classical Opera Has a Racism Problem" by Katherine Hu. In addition to her own creative works, Gabrielle strongly believes in supporting the next generation of storytellers. She is Director of Engagement at the University of Washington School of Drama, a previous Teaching Artist with TeenTix, and an active member of the Japanese American Citizens League.
Episode 8:
Indigenous Success is Rooted in our Ancestors
In this pre-recorded Podcast, Gerry gathers with Superintendent Will Nelson (Blackfeet) of the La Conner School District and Chelsea Craig (Tulalip), Cultural Specialist, and Asst. Principal of Quil Ceda Tulalip Elementary to discuss how Indigenous teaching is based on the nature and quality of communicating at all levels of being. Educating the Whole Child.
Episode 9:
Guest: Dr. Nina Kim Hanson
Dr. Nina Kim Hanson is the daughter of Korean immigrants (70s) turned us citizens and a grand grandchild of (now known as South) Korean freedom/independence fighters. She is a mom of two multiethnic children and a first-generation college graduate. As a mixed-race person, bridge building and anti-racism have been a central part of her life. Education is her passion and has taught in higher ed for over 10 years and student affairs for a few of those years - specializing in curriculum development and critical pedagogy in the fields of Women/Gender studies, Asian American studies, and English. She is currently running for Lake Stevens school board district 4.
Episode 10:
Guest: Kelsay Myers
Kelsay Elizabeth Myers is a professional writer, artist, and registered somatic movement educator (RSME) living in Marin County, CA on Coast Miwok land. She is passionate about trauma healing and restoring connection to ancestral roots and wisdom for a fuller sense of self and creative expression. She helps those who want freedom from inner blocks holding them back embody resources to transform their lives with soul-based expressive arts programs and courses; the latest being S(e)oul Expressions: a transformative experience for Korean adoptees, Korean adopted and displaced persons+.
Episode 11:
Guest: Fleur Larsen
Fleur Larsen is a Seattle-based Racial Justice facilitator and seasoned consultant in the nonprofit sector with a background in education and counseling. She has 20-years of experience which has given her a perspective on what is needed to move our sector from a cycle of putting out fires, to a movement based in lasting equity and empowerment. Her commitment as a social justice facilitator, bring strong skills and experience in community building, power and privilege, and liberation work
Episode 12:
Guest: Emareena Daniels
Emareena Daniels is a field researcher at the intersection of education, corrections, criminal legal reform, and abolition. She is compelled to ground her work in what she hears from community groups and impacted people and families and learn from a wide variety of thinkers, activists, mystics, practitioners, and healers. She believes our shared experiences can bring us to as much understanding of the world as other types of research and exploration.
Episode 13:
Guest: Ranice Innocent
Ranice Innocent (she/her) is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher, K-5 Reading Interventionist/Specialist, Race & Equity Educator & Leader, & holds a Master's Degree in Curriculum & Instruction. Ranice identifies as a multiracial brown woman on a journey to thrive as: "100% of everything she is." Ranice leads unapologetically, with an urgency to disrupt & dismantle racist & oppressive systems. Innocent is an experienced and talented veteran educator and practitioner of culturally sustaining pedagogy. She provides and offers supportive, useful and on-point advice and strategies.
Episode 14:
Guest: Melinda (Mindy) Woods
Mindy Woods is a Desert Storm Navy Veteran and single mother. She uses her and her son’s lived experiences of homelessness and other challenges to lift up her community. Mindy serves on multiple boards and commissions within the state, as well as on the national level, and works as the Human Services Program Manager for the City of Edmonds. She is a founding member of the Resident Action Project, a statewide, resident-led network of people who’ve experienced housing injustice who organize and use civic engagement, education, and storytelling to affect policy change. Mindy is also a board member of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance. She is a tireless housing and social justice organizer and believes that everyone should have access to an affordable, safe and healthy place to live and thrive.
Episode 15:
Guest: Dr. Sonya-Prajna Patrick
Sonya-Prajna Patrick, Ph.D., D. Div., CHt, has always been fascinated with seeking knowledge and understanding regarding metaphysical studies, intuitive awareness and Ancestral connection. She has been fortunate to attend many trainings, and has learned various skills and techniques, from influential mentors, and teachers, in the areas of mind-body-spiritual awareness.
She has completed the necessary requirements, and became a Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki Master and Teacher, a certified yoga instructor, a Certified Crystal Healer and a Certified Hypnotherapist. She is qualified to provide services in various aspects of alternative modalities, energy work and Hypnotherapy, with a specialty in past life regression, spiritual soul retrieval, and spiritual journeying.
Eventually, she was led towards the opportunity to obtain her Ph.D. in Parapsychology and Paranormal Sciences. During her studies, she gained valuable information, on multiple topics, related to metaphysical sciences, and is qualified to provide instruction and services in alternative methods. Additionally, she received her Doctor of Divinity in Spiritual Counseling and became an Ordained Reverend, in order to further help others on their spiritual journey.
Magick and working with Ancestors has become a vital part of her life. She is a Magick Worker, Conjure Rootworker and a Bone Reader. She works within her community to assist in these areas. Being called to magick, she has found a calling in working with sacred death-tending, in which she recently completed a Death Doula certification.
She has integrated the learned knowledge and abilities into her life, and she brings enthusiasm and joy to teaching, and providing guidance in spiritual work, metaphysical awareness, Ancestral and magickal work and sacred death-tending,
Episode 16:
Guest: Dr. Shukri Olow
Dr. Shukri Olow is a proud refugee from Somalia. She was a former candidate for King County Council, District 5 (covering the cities of SeaTac, Tukwila, Burien, Renton, Des Moines, Normandy Park, and Kent). For the last 15 years, she has worked directly in service to the residents of South King County on a variety of issues including housing, education, and human services. Dr. Olow brings strong lived, professional, and community-based experience. She is currently running for State Representative of the 47th District.
By way of background, Shukri was four years old when her father died in a tragic car accident, and a Civil War broke out in her birth county of Somalia. She fled the country with her mother and siblings, and between the ages of 4-10, she spent six years in a refugee camp, praying for an opportunity to find peace and security. In 1996, at the age of 10, Shukri arrived in the United States, and found a home in South King County, in the city of Kent. Shukri's family accessed the food bank and had social workers connecting them to additional resources in the community. Their family was surrounded by helpers who met them where we were at and helped them envision a brighter future in their new home.
Shukri lives with her family and two children in the City of Kent.
Episode 17:
Guest: Daphne Littlebear
Daphne Littlebear is from Tamaya, Santa Ana Pueblo, and is a descendant of the Mvskoke, Yuchi, and Shawnee Nations, where she resides. Music and dancing provide so much joy and healing to Daphne, she engages in many of the cultural dances of her communities.
Daphne is currently completing her doctoral degree at Arizona State University studying social justice education, education policy, and Indigenous education. The current working title of her dissertation is, “Affirming the Educational Sovereignty of Santa Ana Pueblo: The Intersections Community Based Education, Western Schooling, and Tribal Citizenship”.
Daphne is the Research and Evaluation Manager at the National Indian Education Association serving tribal colleges and universities. Daphne has had the opportunity to work in the education field for over ten years with various organizations, she believes, advocates and is a champion of educational sovereignty for Tribal Nations.
Episode 18:
Guest: Katie Lyons
A Black woman adopted by a white family, Katie Lyons continues to navigate the complexity of identity. She is a wife and mother to two beautiful children. They reside in Bellingham, WA where Katie works as a lead banker with U.S. Bank. She hopes that as her journey through life continues to shine a light on the beauty and love we can all spread in this world.
Episode 19:
Guest: Sherri Mitchell
Sherri was born and raised on the Penobscot Indian reservation (Penawahpskek). She speaks and teaches worldwide on issues of Indigenous rights, environmental justice, and spiritual change. Her broad base of knowledge allows her to synthesize many subjects into a cohesive whole, weaving together a multitude of complex issues and articulating them in a way that both satisfies the mind and heals the heart.
Sherri received her Juris Doctorate and an Indigenous People’s Law and Policy certificate from the University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law. She is an alumna of the American Indian Ambassador program and the Udall Native American Congressional Internship program.
Sherri is the Founding Director of the Land Peace Foundation, an organization dedicated to the global protection of Indigenous land and water rights and preserving the Indigenous way of life. Before forming the Land Peace Foundation, Sherri served as a law clerk to the Solicitor of the United States Department of Interior; as an Associate with Fredericks, Peebles, and Morgan Law Firm; as a civil rights educator for the Maine Attorney General’s Office, and; as the Staff Attorney for the Native American Unit of Pine Tree Legal.
Episode 20:
Guest: Heather Johnson
Heather Johnson’s 25-year professional life has been dedicated to social and environmental change, called by a deep sense that—at the heart of it—such work is about healing: in relationship with ourselves, one another, and the planet. Her integrative health coaching work combines the best practices of coaching along with knowledge of, and embodied capacity for, whole person health. She is the former Executive Director of the Whidbey Institute on Whidbey Island in the Salish Sea.