Show Notes:

In this engaging conversation, Mark Travis Rivera and Paulaska Ramirez explore themes of resistance and resilience, sharing personal stories and insights on the impact of current societal issues on future generations. They discuss the importance of community, education, and advocacy in fostering empowerment and navigating challenges while reflecting on the need for collective action in the face of adversity. In this conversation, Paulaska Ramirez and Mark Travis Rivera explore the themes of privilege, community support, self-doubt, and the power of storytelling. They discuss how understanding one's positionality and embracing intersectionality can empower individuals to overcome challenges and create transformative change in their communities. The importance of having a supportive tribe and the impact of collective storytelling are emphasized as essential elements in fostering resilience and authenticity.

Guest Bio:

Paulaska Ramirez is a dynamic speaker, educator, and advocate with over a decade of experience in higher education, leadership development, and organizational transformation. As the founder of Generation Fearless and Fearless Impact Collective LLC, she empowers first-generation individuals, women of color, college students, and professionals to navigate new spaces with confidence and purpose. Through her work in higher education and consulting, Paulaska specializes in leadership development, professional growth, and cross-cultural and generational communication. She partners with individuals, groups, and organizations to foster resilience, amplify voices, and drive sustainable impact. She is a passionate mentor and facilitator committed to advancing equity, access, and transformational change across communities and industries.

Connect with Mark:

⁠Sign up for Mark's biweekly newsletter⁠

⁠Follow Mark on Social Media⁠

Connect with Paulaska:

Generation Fearless Website

Generation Fearless Instagram

Paulaska's LinkedIn

Questions or comments?

Email us at Hello@MarkTravisRivera.com.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/aspire

License code: HH1UUNHIRJ7LUSVU

Disclaimer Note: the captions in this video are auto-generated, and while we try to ensure accuracy, you may notice a typo or error. Thank you in advance for extending grace.

Show Notes:

In this engaging conversation, Mark Travis Rivera and DoctorJonPaul explore themes of identity, resistance, resilience, and self-love. They discuss the complexities of navigating capitalism, the importance of storytelling, and the need for authenticity in a world that often marginalizes diverse voices. DoctorJonPaul shares personal experiences and insights on embracing one's identity and the power of community in fostering self-acceptance and love.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Jonathan P. Higgins (DoctorJonPaul) is an award-winning educator, professor, national speaker, freelance journalist, thought leader, and media critic who examines the intersections of identity, gender, and race in entertainment. Named National Black Justice Coalition's Inaugural Emerging Leaders to Watch and Business Equality Magazine's "Top 40 LGBTQ People Under 40", their work has been featured on sites like Essence, Ebony, Complex, MTV NEWS, Out Magazine, BET & Entertainment Weekly. A Culture Strike 2021 Disruptor, Black Boy/Girl Writes Fellow, and Twitter Spaces Spark Creator, DoctorJonPaul is a trailblazer creating, sharing, and crafting the stories their ancestors didn't get to tell.

Dr. Higgins is the inaugural Director of Strategic Media & Advocacy for Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance and has held positions at Chernin Entertainment and Edith Productions. They have consulted with multiple brands on inclusion projects, including United Artists, Amazon Prime, Fox, the NFL, Apple, Disney, Instagram, Buzzfeed, G.L.A.A.D., and, most recently, Ulta Beauty.

They are the creator, executive producer, and host of the "Black Fat Femme Podcast," which was developed via IHeartMedia's Next Up Initiative in 2021. The podcast has gone on to be named one of the "top Black podcasts to listen to" by both Ebony and Pride Magazine and was named a Webby Honoree, along with a Shorty Award win for best Lifestyle & Entertainment podcast. Currently, they are working on their first book, Black Fat Femme: Revealing the Power of Visibly Queer Voices in Media and Learning to Love Yourself, acquired by Wiley Global and slated for release in March of 2025.

Connect with Mark:

⁠Sign up for Mark's biweekly newsletter⁠

⁠Follow Mark on Social Media⁠

Connect with DoctorJonPaul:

DoctorJonPaul's Website

Pre-Order DoctorJonPaul's Memoir

DoctorJonPaul's Instagram ⁠

DoctorJonPaul's LinkedIn

DoctorJonPaul's BFF: Black Fat Femme Podcast

Questions or comments?

Email us at Hello@MarkTravisRivera.com.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/aspire

License code: HH1UUNHIRJ7LUSVU

Disclaimer Note: the captions in this video are auto-generated, and while we try to ensure accuracy, you may notice a typo or error. Thank you in advance for extending grace.

Show Notes:

In this engaging conversation, Mark Travis Rivera and Amber Cabral explore the themes of resistance and resilience, the importance of human connection, and the evolving landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work. They discuss the significance of being authentic and intentional in their efforts to create a more inclusive world while also addressing the challenges faced in the current socio-political climate. Amber shares her insights on 'humaning well' and the need for individuals to prioritize their well-being to support others effectively. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of storytelling and personal impact in fostering community and understanding. In this conversation, Mark Travis Rivera and Amber Cabral explore the complexities of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of self-care, team dynamics, and the pursuit of joy amidst uncertainty. They discuss the challenges leaders face, the necessity of prioritizing mental health, and the impact of personal choices on society. The conversation highlights the significance of being present and intentional in personal and professional realms, advocating for a holistic approach to leadership and life.

Guest Bio:

Amber Cabral believes knowledge is one effective way to level the playing field, so she strives to be generous and useful in sharing what she has learned and creating spaces for others to do the same. Writing, speaking, and teaching have proven valuable platforms to connect with thousands of professionals, college students, athletes, and coaches. Her books Allies and Advocates (Wiley, 2020) and Say More About That (Wiley, 2022) are just one set of tools she has been able to share with others. She is known for relating to readers and event participants through compelling stories, interactive facilitation, and simple, practical approaches. Her communication style is genuine and inviting, allowing her to respectfully engage and educate various audiences, from students to executives. She is also the host of the Human(ing) Well podcast, available wherever you stream your podcast.

Connect with Mark:

⁠Sign up for Mark's biweekly newsletter⁠

⁠Follow Mark on Social Media⁠

Connect with Amber:

Amber's Website⁠

Amber's Instagram ⁠

⁠Amber's LinkedIn

Amber's Human(ing) Well Podcast

Questions or comments?

Email us at Hello@MarkTravisRivera.com.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/aspire

License code: HH1UUNHIRJ7LUSVU

In this conversation, Mark Travis Rivera and Yolo Akili Robinson explore the themes of resistance and resilience in the context of personal and professional lives. They discuss the importance of storytelling, the toll of being in a constant state of resilience on mental health, and the need for spaces to process grief and emotions. Yolo shares insights from his work with BEAM, emphasizing the significance of community support and advocating for Black mental health. In this conversation, Yolo discusses the profound impact of community activists and writers like Joseph Beam, Audre Lorde, James Baldwin, Esther Perel, and Tarana Burke on his understanding of leadership and community. He emphasizes the importance of sharing queer perspectives, particularly for people of color, and the need to interrogate male privilege within Black gay communities. Yolo also shares his vision of passing the baton to future generations, ensuring that the next generation is ready to continue to do the work.

Connect with Mark:

Sign up for Mark's biweekly newsletter

Follow Mark on Social Media

Connect with Yolo and BEAM:

Yolo's Website

Yolo's Instagram

BEAM's Website

BEAM's Instagram

Questions or comments?

Email us at Hello@MarkTravisRivera.com.

In this episode of The Shift, Mark Travis Rivera and Yvonne Alston delve into themes of resilience and the importance of understanding our shared humanity amidst political and social divides. They explore the nuances of resistance and resilience, the impact of apathy on society, and the necessity of maintaining dignity and integrity in conversations with those with differing views. The discussion emphasizes the need for awareness and empathy in navigating complex social issues, particularly in today's polarized climate. In this conversation, Yvonne Alston and Mark Travis Rivera explore the complexities of navigating relationships in digital and real-world spaces, emphasizing the importance of understanding lived experiences and the nuances of identity. They discuss the dangers of cancel culture, the impact of social media on society, and the need for resilience in the face of adversity. Ultimately, they advocate for valuing humanity beyond disagreements and recognizing the shared experiences that connect us all.

Guest Bio:

An architect of inclusive excellence, Yvonne Alston is a visionary leader and the driving force behind Indelible Impressions Consulting, a firm committed to developing inclusive organizational cultures and transformative leaders.

Yvonne designed Indelible to advance important competencies that help individuals, groups, and organizations understand the importance of identity and culture, and their impact on the human experience. With a diverse team of consultants who possess an unwavering commitment to authenticity and empathy, Indelible empowers organizations to build robust, people-centric environments that catalyze innovation and propel employee and organizational success. The firm offers its clients comprehensive strategies that drive systemic change through tailored programming. These strategies impact every organizational tier while amplifying the unique experiences, knowledge, and skills that each individual brings to the workplace.

Indelible supports federal, nonprofit, and for-profit organizations and university system clients with:

• Capacity Building

• Cultural Learning & Development

• Leadership Development

• Critical Community Conversations

Partnering with Indelible, organizations don't just adapt to change—they become the catalysts for it. Its work goes beyond traditional consulting, leaving an indelible mark on the fabric of corporate culture and paving the way for a more inclusive, innovative, and successful future for businesses and their people alike.

• Linktr.ee/marktravrivera
• Biweekly Newsletter

Yvonne Alston:

• Website
• LinkedIn

Questions or comments?Email us at Hello@MarkTravisRivera.com

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/aspire

License code: HH1UUNHIRJ7LUSVU

About The Series:

The Shift began as a LinkedIn Live Audio Series in 2023. In 2025, after the 2024 election results, Mark decided to refocus the series on the themes of resistance and resilience and turn It into a multi-platform series.

Show Notes:

In this conversation, Mark Travis Rivera and John Graham, Jr. discuss the purpose of The Shift series and delve into the concepts of resistance and resilience. They explore the significant role of Black women in democracy and the intersectionality of race and gender in political dynamics, emphasizing the need for community and collaboration in addressing societal issues. In this engaging conversation, Mark Travis Rivera and John Graham, Jr. explore the importance of community and collective identity among marginalized groups, the challenges of navigating resistance and rest in activism, the complexities of power dynamics, and the impact of economics on human rights. They emphasize the need for inquiry and better questions to shift societal perspectives and foster understanding.

Guest Bio:

Husband, father, friend, author, humanity practitioner, and disruptor of the status quo. John Graham, Jr. connects the dots between history and the modern-day lived experiences of the historically underestimated through his book, "Plantation Theory: The Black Professional's Struggle Between Freedom & Security." Featured in some well-known publications and credentialed by some well-known institutions, what's most important is his belief in the potential of humanity when human nature gets out of the way. He is the VP of Employer Brand, Humanity & Culture at Shaker Recruitment Marketing.

Connect with Mark and his Guests:

• Mark Travis Rivera
• John Graham, Jr.

Questions or Comments?

Email us at Hello@MarkTravisRivera.com.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/aspire

License code: HH1UUNHIRJ7LUSVU