Our Voices Matter Podcast
Our stories have the power to bring us closer together, if only we will listen. Emmy Award-winning journalist and entrepreneur, Linda Lorelle, guides guests through insightful, intimate conversations that reveal our common humanity. This show is not about politics; it is about finding a way to reclaim civility in the context of the contentious times in which we live, by sharing our personal and professional stories, in hopes that others might find a glimpse of themselves.
Episodes
151 episodes
Why Aging Became a Dirty Word and How to Reclaim It - Karen Walrond
As a child, I counted the days until my next birthday. Most of us did, tired of hearing “you’re not old enough to do that.”Then we hit a certain age, and all we want to do is roll back the clock. Pursue youth at all costs.Why is...
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Season 6
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Episode 3
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42:06
How to Forge Our Differences into a Stronger Future - Denise Hamilton
As American school children, we learned it by heart, and recited it every day."I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United Stat...
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46:26
How to Keep College Campuses from Becoming Political Battlegrounds - Manu Meel
What is driving the recent conflict on college campuses? One obvious factor is reaction to the Israel-Hamas War.But my guest this week isn’t sure it’s quite that simple. As CEO of the non-profit, BridgeUSA, 25 year-old Manu Meel...
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47:17
How Jewish and Arab Israelis Seek Pieces of Peace During War
The eyes of the world are trained on Israel and Gaza like no time in recent memory.The horror of
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1:05:18
How To Belong, Not Just Fit In - Dumpling Dudez
It’s been inspiring to see our friends in the LGBTQ+ community celebrate and be celebrated during Pride Month.Though, I must say I long for the day when we don’t need a specific month to acknowledge the humanity of those who are margina...
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31:29
How Humor Leads to Hope for Humanity - Nick Anderson
I can hear my dad saying it now: “I have to laugh to keep from crying.” As a little girl, I didn’t quite get it.But now I do. And it’s safe to say, these days, that’s how most of us feel.Up is down. Fake is real. Fact is fiction...
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56:12
How Gen Z Leaders are Strengthening our Democracy - Manu Meel
“We cannot coexist if we cannot talk to each other — it’s that simple.”And that complicated. Yet the leaders of BridgeUSA are determined to meet the challenge.This 7 year-old non-profit is “building a student movement to bring t...
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32:46
How Art, Activism & the Power of Listening Create Change - Jordan Seaberry
Talking with Jordan Seaberry is like wrapping up in a warm blanket on a frigid, winter night.You still feel the cold, but the softness enveloping you takes the edge off.Our chaotic worl...
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1:08:47
How Connecting Across Generations = Hope - Jodi and Colette Rabitoy
People often ask where and how I find guests for Our Voices Matter.The short answer is, when I run across a story I think will resonate with our audience, I jump on it.For this episode, I didn’t have to look very far.Lit...
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42:39
How the Power of Story Connects History to Humanity - Deborah Mouton
“When your story is being told, make sure you are the one holding the pen.”It’s one of Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton’s favorite quotes. And one that has particular resonance in 2023 as powerful, political forces are literally trying to erase ...
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46:20
Why “It Starts With Love” is the Perfect Album Title and Message to Humanity - Kam Franklin
The message comes from Millennial recording artist, Kam Franklin, and her band, The Suffers.Kam, ...
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37:38
What Millennials and Gen Z Think About the Future
When you were 18, what were you concerned about?If you’re of a certain age, my guess is that the demise of our planet and Artificial Intelligence taking over weren’t at the top of your list.But for today’s youth, those are real co...
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40:47
What Millennials and Gen Z Want Boomers to Know
It’s no secret that sometimes we just don’t “get” each other. There’s a disconnect between the generations.That in itself certainly isn’t new.But what seems, or at least feels different, is the fragility of the systems on which ...
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41:34
How Quitting Alcohol Saved His Life and Disrupted an Industry - Danny Frounfelkner
Since we first introduced you to Sipple and its co-founder, Danny Frounfelkner, the Houston-based company has hit next level status. At least from...
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50:45
Why They Call Her The Candle Queen - Ianthe Mauro
I love candles. Especially during the Christmas holidays, which makes this the perfect time to revisit my conversation with The Candle Queen.Ianthe Mauro is fluent in the language of candles. Whatever the shape or scent, candles are a p...
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47:05
How to Break Barriers and Soar:My Family’s Story of an Engineering Pioneer - Carol Lawson
Growing up, she was simply my second cousin, Yvonne. Someone I looked forward to seeing on my summer visits to Nashville, Tennessee, my mother’s hometown.Little did I know she was also a pioneer — a badass Black woman who refused to let ...
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37:35
What it Means to be Transgender in Today’s World - Liam Paschall
As I count my blessings this Thanksgiving, I am thankful for the opportunity to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community that is deeply hurting.The recent Q Club killings in Colorado Springs are the latest example of the searing hate and viol...
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31:05
How a Soul Food Scholar Uses Food and Faith to Help Bridge Our Divides - Adrian Miller
He calls himself a recovering lawyer and politico turned culinary historian, food writer and professional speaker.Sprinkle in a healthy dose of faith and social justice activism and voilà — a Soul Food Scholar “dropping knowledge like ho...
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34:30
Why An Interracial Couple Emigrated From the U.S. - Elizabeth Silleck LaRue
Why An Interracial Couple Emigrated From the U.S.What’s your definition of “Home”?Here’s one I found in a random Google search:“A home is a place of refuge. A person’s most personal belongings are kept in a home and ...
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46:11
DEI & Hair Discrimination: How to Educate Your Workforce - Janice Gassam Asare
This week's episode of Our Voices Matter Podcast explores the intersection of two topics making recent headlines: DEI in the workplace and Black women's hair.Diversity, ...
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45:52
How a Leap of Faith Can Change Your Life - Yolanda Adams
This is one of my favorite episodes over the five seasons of OurVoices Matter — and it’s the one I turn to when I need a dose of hope. When my faith is being tested.When I want to wrap myself in a warm blanket and just feel...
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33:35
A Simple Gathering to Help Bridge Our Divides: An Update on Neighbor's Table - Sarah Harmeyer
I was on vacation recently with a group of friends and, without a doubt, the best memories were created gathered around the table. There’s something magical about sharing food and conversation, sitting shoulder to shoulder. ...
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45:32
Why Trust is Pivotal to Elections, Immigration and Saving Our Democracy - Ali Noorani
The midterm elections are less than 30 days away.Before ballots are cast, some already cast doubt about the eventual outcome.Not to mention growing distrust of our institutions, our systems and our leaders.Yet, our guest...
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35:20
Danny Frounfelkner - How Quitting Alcohol Saved His Life and Disrupted an Industry
My daughter and I walked into Texas' first, non-alcoholic bottle shop to look, learn and buy. We walked out having done all that, and feeling appreciative for an unexpected bonus -- a riveting conversation that created an instant ...
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50:45