So Far, So Good Podcast
Welcome to So Far, So Good from Baylor University's Diana R. Garland School of Social Work...a podcast to model antioppressive engagement and critical self-reflection for the Baylor community and beyond, hosted by Kerri Fisher & Kayla Mize. So what does that name mean? It represents how far we all are from becoming completely antioppressive but also how good it is to take even small steps toward inner work and systemic change. It also is an acknowledgment of how far outside our own experiences art can take us and how good it is to take in the stories of others.
Ep. 1 — Dr. Crystal Diaz-Espinoza: Bodies, empowerment and adultism
In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Dr. Crystal Diaz-Espinoza about bodies, empowerment and adultism. Dr. Diaz-Espinoza is the former director of Enrollment, Career and Alumni Services at the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work @ Baylor University. The piece of art she brings to discuss this week is C is for Consent by Eleanor Morrison.
Additional resources for this episode: https://solidstarts.com/ and @solidstarts on Instagram. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect Baylor University, the Garland School of Social Work or any other entities the guests or hosts might represent.
Ep. 2 — "Little Girl Blue" with Dr. Jon Singletary
In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Dr. Jon Singletary about white tears, the power of music, and “what is ours to do”. Dr. Singletary is the dean of the Garland School of Social Work. He brings the music of Nina Simone to discuss.
Reference links: “Little Girl Blue” Performance, Questlove Documentary Trailer
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect Baylor University, the Garland School of Social Work or any other entities the guests or hosts might represent.
Ep. 3 — “... And Make Them Eat it!” with Deborah De Laurell
In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Deb De Laurell about RuPaul's Drag Race, the bravery of queerness and the persisting question "do I fit?" Deb is the Global Mission Leadership program manager for the Garland School of Social Work. Deb also provides support to the associate dean of Academic Affairs in the MSW Program. She brings the performance of Latrice Royale from RuPaul's Drag Race to discuss this week.
Content Warnings: Early episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race have themes of transphobia; discussions of LGBTQ+ coming out trauma.
Referenced Material: Season 4: Episode 10 "...Dads I'd like to Frock"
https://www.latriceroyale.com/
National Coming Out Day
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect Baylor University, the Garland School of Social Work or any other entities the guests or hosts might represent.
Episode 4: “Student of Story” with LeAnn Gardner—
In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with LeAnn Gardner about the luxury of religious opinion, the universal connection of the mothering spirit and empowering families of transgender children. LeAnn is a lecturer and associate director of Field Education for the online Garland School of Social Work MSW program. She is a clinical social worker and ordained minister whose passion is the intersection of faith and social work issues. LeAnn brings stories to share about what they taught her about her own privilege and the importance of protecting abundant life.
Content Warnings: Discussions of suicide, LGBTQ+ trauma
Referenced Materials:
Richard Rohr podcast - https://cac.org/podcast/another-name-for-every-thing/
The Trauma Cleaner - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/34964868-the-trauma-cleaner
For the Bible Tells Me So - http://www.forthebibletellsmeso.org/
Blue Babies Pink podcast - https://www.bluebabiespink.com/home
Justin Lee - https://geekyjustin.com/
This is How it Always Is - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40409102-this-is-how-it-always-is
As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised a Girl - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41379.As_Nature_Made_Him
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect Baylor University, the Garland School of Social Work or any other entities the guests or hosts might represent.
(This interview was recorded via Zoom, so it isn't without a few hiccups, just to note.)
Ep. 5 — "The Last Supper" with Dr. Juan Carlos Esparza Ochoa
In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Dr. Juan Carlos Esparza Ochoa about exploring the beautiful and complex relationship between culture, religion, social constructs and identity. Dr. Esparza Ochoa is the director of the Program on Religion and Latin American Studies at Baylor University. He is on faculty at the Garland School and studies global religious change and impact. He brings the painting The Last Supper by Carlos Ezequiel Gomes da Silva to discuss this week.
Content Warnings: None
Reference material: https://uwonderwewander.com/2021/01/19/brazil-rio-de-janeiro/
Scroll to near the end of the article to find the image discussed: The Last Supper "wall mural" by Carlos Ezequiel Gomes da Silva
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect Baylor University, the Garland School of Social Work or any other entities the guests or hosts might represent.
Ep 6 — "Bidi Bidi Bum Bum" with Morgan Strehlow
In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Morgan Strehlow about the nuances of bodies, intersectionality, appreciating versus objectifying, and "ideal" bodies from a cultural and historical lens. Morgan is the former MSW Program Manager for the Garland School of Social Work. Morgan is also an avid blogger, podcaster and lover of justice. She brings a podcast by Maria Garcia called "Anything for Selena", specifically the episode "Big Butt Politics", to discuss this week.
Content Warnings: Discussion around bodies and body image
Material to Reference in show notes:
Anything for Selena Podcast - https://www.wbur.org/podcasts/anythingforselena
Big Butt Politics https://www.wbur.org/anythingforselena/2021/01/27/big-butt-politics
Me Too Movement - https://metoomvmt.org/
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect Baylor University, the Garland School of Social Work or any other entities the guests or hosts might represent.
(This interview was recorded via Zoom, so it isn't without a few hiccups, just to note.)
Ep 7 — "Every Body" with Kerri Fisher
In this episode, Kayla hosts our very own Kerri to talk about size privilege, health indicators outside of thinness, & seeing the image of God in every body, at every size. Kerri is a senior lecturer and DEI consultant at the Garland School of Social Work. Kerri has been with the Garland School for seven years and enjoys both academic and creative writing. She brings the first six episodes of the podcast Maintenance Phase by Aubrey Gordon and Michael Hobbes to discuss this week.
Content Warnings:
-Discussion of size, weight, and food
Material to Reference in show notes:
https://www.maintenancephase.com/
Writings from Kerri Fisher:
https://mockingheartreview.com/archives/volume-5-issue-1/poems-to-start-the-decade/kerri-fisher/
https://journals.iupui.edu/index.php/advancesinsocialwork/article/view/24184
https://apricitymagazine.com/portfolio/projection/
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect Baylor University, the Garland School of Social Work or any other entities the guests or hosts might represent.
(This interview was recorded via Zoom, so it isn't without a few hiccups, just to note.)
Bonus Ep — "The Joke" with Aaron Mize
In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Aaron Mize, CEO of Communities In Schools of the Heart of Texas, about power dynamics and the importance of engaging with and believing the life experiences of others. For discussion, Aaron brings the song "The Joke" by singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile.
Referenced Material:
Brandi Carlile's Grammy performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJqL1yIm9e0
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect Baylor University, the Garland School of Social Work or any other entities the guests or hosts might represent.
S2Ep1 — "Giving vs. Keeping" with Carrie Arroyo
WE'RE BACK WITH SEASON 2!
In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Carrie Arroyo about introversion, counter-culture mothering, and divine femininity. Carrie Arroyo is a social work practitioner and senior lecturer at Baylor University's Garland School of Social Work. She brings the painting "Generosity" by Melanie Weidner to discuss receiving, giving, nurturing and keeping.
Content Warnings: None
Reference material: https://listenforjoy.com/products/generosity
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect Baylor University, the Garland School of Social Work or any other entities the guests or hosts might represent.
S2Ep2 — "Finding Our Roots" with Kasey Ashenfelter
In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Kasey Ashenfelter about biracial identities and “finding our roots”. Kasey Ashenfelter is the director of Foundation Relations for Baylor University. He brings All You Can Ever Know: A Memoir by Nicole Chung to discuss trans-racial adoption and what it means to belong.
Content Warnings: None
Reference material: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/30297153
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect Baylor University, the Garland School of Social Work or any other entities the guests or hosts might represent.
S2Ep3 — "Living Out of the Abundance That is Me" with Dr. David Pooler
In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Dr. David Pooler about connection, joy and being “moved at the deepest level”. Dr. Pooler has been a professor at the Garland School of Social Work for 14 years and has 20 years of social work practice experience. He brings the Documentary Black Travel Across America to discuss resilience, transformation, and what it means to live “in spite of”.
Content Warnings: Brief mentions of trauma and abuse (non-descriptive)
Reference material: Black Travel Across America
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect Baylor University, the Garland School of Social Work or any other entities the guests or hosts might represent.
S2Ep4 — “Origins, Exiles, Battles, and Denouement” with Jazmine Reed
In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Jazmine Reed about universal experiences, self-actualization, and the journey of discovery. Jazmine is a two-time graduate of the Garland School of Social Work and a Care Case Manager with the Baylor care team. She brings the album "American Bollywood" by Young the Giant to discuss racial identity development and what it means to be a “third culture kid”.
Content Warnings: Generational trauma
Reference material: American Bollywood
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect Baylor University, the Garland School of Social Work or any other entities the guests or hosts might represent.
S2Ep5 — “My Body is my Garden” with Abby Waters
In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Abby Waters about gender exploration, brave spaces, internal interrogation, and engaging with empathy and humanity. Abby is a local social worker and a graduate of the Garland School of Social Work. They bring the poetry book Your Wound, My Garden by Alok Vaid-Menon to discuss tensions of the body and deconstructing gender through fashion.
Content Warnings: Brief mentions of LGBTQ+ trauma (non-descriptive)
Reference material: Your Wound, My Garden by Alok Vaid-Menon
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect Baylor University, the Garland School of Social Work or any other entities the guests or hosts might represent.
S2Ep6 — “Healing, Health and Hypervigilance” with Dr. Elise Edwards
In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Dr. Elise Edwards about meditation, meaning-making, commitment to new life and the commonality of grief. Dr. Edwards is an assistant professor at Baylor University and teaches Christian ethics and theology courses in Baylor’s Department of Religion. She brings the documentary Aftershock (2022) to discuss Black maternal health and wellness, hypervigilance in healthcare spaces, and a multifaceted approach to healing.
Content Warnings: Discussions of death, grief, bodies, and weight
Reference material: Aftershock
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect Baylor University, the Garland School of Social Work or any other entities the guests or hosts might represent.
S2Ep7 — “Joy is Not Made to Be a Crumb” with Carolyn Cole
In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Carolyn Cole about the universal experience of aging, new marginalization, and what it means to exist in the world. Carolyn Cole is a lecturer at the Garland School of Social Work. She brings the poem "Don’t Hesitate" by Mary Oliver to discuss ageism, meaning-making, and translating joy into hope.
Content Warnings: Brief mentions of death (non-descriptive)
Reference material: "Don’t Hesitate" by Mary Oliver
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect Baylor University, the Garland School of Social Work or any other entities the guests or hosts might represent.
S2Ep8 — “High Cakes, Low Stakes” with Kayla Mize
In this episode, Kerri hosts our very own Kayla Mize to talk about personality traits, motherhood, pregnancy, and boundary setting. Kayla is a community social worker in Waco. She brings Dawn Konofaos’ Instagram account @alevri.co to discuss baking, balancing rest and work, perfectionism, and being true to ourselves.
Content Warnings: None
Reference material: Alèvri & Co Instagram
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect Baylor University, the Garland School of Social Work or any other entities the guests or hosts might represent.
S3Ep1 — "We Are All a Little Strange" with Dr. Coretta Pittman
In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Dr. Coretta Pittman about intersectionality, privilege and the beauty of knowing that, “We are all a little strange.” Dr. Pittman is the Associate Dean for Diversity and Belonging in the Baylor University College of Arts & Sciences. She brings the novel The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride to discuss honoring bodies, existing in the world, and challenging the status quo.
Content Warnings: Brief mentions of death (non-descriptive)
Reference material: The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect Baylor University, the Garland School of Social Work or any other entities the guests or hosts might represent.
S3Ep2 — "Nesting Doll Girlies" with Mary Zane Nelson
In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Mary Zane Nelson about generational love, healing and motherhood. Mary Zane is a Postpartum Doula and the Project Director for the BEAR Project at the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. She brings the digital painting, "Ancestral Healing" by Tarn Ellis to discuss feminine nurturing figures, mothering without a mother, and the joys and tensions of parenthood.
Content Warnings: Discussions of grief, parental death, postpartum depression, cancer.
Reference material: Gallery — Tarn Ellis Art, Ancestral Healing by Tarn Ellis
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect Baylor University, the Garland School of Social Work or any other entities the guests or hosts might represent.
S3Ep3 — "Fermentation" with Jaja Chen
In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Jaja Chen about community, cultural representation and Asian-American experiences. Jaja is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, co-owner of Cha Community, president and founder of the Asian Leaders Network in Waco, and a Garland School of Social Work alum. She brings the memoir Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner to discuss the diverse ways in which families pass down culture through generations and food as a universal language.
Content Warnings: Discussions of grief, death, and loss of cultural heritage.
Reference material: Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect Baylor University, the Garland School of Social Work or any other entities the guests or hosts might represent.
S3Ep4 — "Beholding" with Dr. Kevin Villegas
In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Kevin Villegas about poetry, philosophy, and beauty. Dr. Kevin Villegas is the Dean of Intercultural Engagement and Division of Student Life Initiatives at Baylor. He brings several Mary Oliver poems to discuss memorization, meditation, and the true self.
Content Warnings: None
Reference material: A Thousand Mornings Quotes by Mary Oliver & New and Selected Poems, Volume One by Mary Oliver
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect Baylor University, the Garland School of Social Work or any other entities the guests or hosts might represent.
S3Ep5 — "Iconic" with Will Ward
In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with Will Ward about challenging gender binaries and the intersection of faith and queerness. Will Ward is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works primarily with children and adolescents. He is also an adjunct faculty member and current PHD candidate at the Garland School of Social Work. He brings with him the devotional portrait of Matthew Shepard by artist and iconographer Kelly Latimore.
Content Warnings: Discussions of LGBTQ violence and trauma
Reference material: Matthew Shepard Devotional Portrait for the National Cathedral
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect Baylor University, the Garland School of Social Work or any other entities the guests or hosts might represent.
S3Ep6 — "Dream Team" with the great Anna Rakos
In this episode, Kerri and Kayla talk with their illustrious producer (and graduate assistant extraordinaire) Anna Rakos about loss, longing, and REM state rendezvous. We want to thank Anna for two years of faithful podcast production and perpetually delightful discussions. Anna brings the song Saw You in a Dream by The Japanese House.
Content Warnings: Discussions of gender identity insensitivity, “forced outing” and death/loss.
Reference material: Saw You in a Dream by The Japanese House and Lectio Divina
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect Baylor University, the Garland School of Social Work or any other entities the guests or hosts might represent.