The Affirming Practice Podcast

In this episode we discuss bystander intervention, understanding your own risk tolerance for intervening, and the role of intervention in allyship.

00:00:28 Episode Intro: Bias, Marginalization, & Allyship00:01:26 Host Introductions00:02:08 Personal Experiences with Bystander Interventions00:09:12 What Does Bystander Intervention Mean?00:10:23 Why Intervene at All?00:16:34 Acknowledging and Assessing Risk00:21:01 Safety Pins an...

Sometimes being visibly affirming and willing to learn is a simple way to be an ally to marginalized and minoritized communities. What does that look like to you? In this episode, we jump in to discuss why we are visibly affirming in our roles as a teacher (Casey Anne) and pastor (Bob), and what that's looked like for us as we learn to navigate our own allyship to marginalized folks.

Want to ask a question and have it answered here ...

In this episode we discuss labels and why they matter as more than something to google for many members of the LGBTQ+ community. Focusing on terms related to gender and sexuality we explore the importance of our own labels to us as individuals and how other's communicating their own labels to us makes a difference. 00:00:00 – Preview & Introduction to Micro-labels00:01:12 – Welcome to the Affirming Practice Podcast ...

In Episode 11 of the Affirming Practice Podcast we tackle the dreaded idea of "It's just a phase." with the perspective that phases are beautiful and real no matter how temporary. From queer identities to how we embrace our neurodivergences or who we are, phases are complex, messy, and constantly evolving beautiful chaos - yet always real and valid.

In this episode we discuss the harmful trope of telling people who they are is just...

In this episode we discuss disability unfiltered through our own experiences and provide resources for allies and disabled folks alike. Both Casey Anne and Bob discuss aspects of their disabilities and how they impact our day to day experiences with the world and both systems and institutions that aren't always disability friendly.

00:00 Introduction & Language of Disability00:27 Host Introductions01:09 Episode Overview: Disabil...

In this episode we jump into the revolutionary act of finding and expressing joy within marginalized communities. While society often highlights the struggles and trauma of being queer or disabled or otherwise marginalized, we discuss why celebrating our joy as members of marginalized communities is a form of resistance against systems designed to break us.From the idea of whole-person media representation to finding joy in our bea...

In this episode we discuss the power of language, the words we choose to keep, and the words we choose to let go, and our responsibilities as allies to use the language marginalized communities choose. Language is a dynamic social construct that continuously changes over time. We explore why we must listen when marginalized and minoritized folks reclaim or reject words and phrases. From the ethics of naming and not deadnaming to un...

Welcome back to the Affirming Practice Podcast! In Episode 7 we discuss the concepts of power, privilege, and oppression and how they play a role in creating affirming environments. We discuss our own privilege and what it means to use our privilege to create a more affirming world. 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Affirming Practice Podcast 00:00:54 - Defining Privilege, Power, and Oppression 00:02:06 - Cultural and Religious Privil...

This week we unpack some of the common understandings of intersectionality from Kimberle Crenshaw's 1989 perspective to MLK Jr, and Martin Niemoller. We examine how systems of power, privilege, and oppression intersect and discuss systems of power that cause inequality for marginalized people. 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Affirming Practice Podcast 00:00:54 - Defining Privilege, Power, and Oppression 00:02:06 - Cultural and Relig...

In Episode 5 of the Affirming Practice Podcast we dive into the idea of "blind -isms" including colorblind racism and the harm "I don't see you gender/orientation, I just see human" can do. Discover why allyship means actively choosing to see, validate, and celebrate people's lived experiences of intersectional identities. Whether you are looking to understand structural biases, learn more about identities different from your own, ...

In this episode we break down the idea of a social construct and how these "made up" ideas and societal ideals impact people's lives in real ways. From gender and sexuality to profession, race, and disability, social constructs shape our lives.Join us as we share personal stories about unpacking privilege, navigating safety, challenging harmful biases, and learning how questioning the constructs we are raised with is a vital step t...

Ready to move past "everyone is welcome"? In Episode 3 of The Affirming Practice Podcast, Dr. Casey Anne Brimmer and Pastor Bob Ierien dive into what it truly takes to build deeply affirming, accessible, and nurturing spaces for LGBTQIA+ and disabled communities.

Discover why passive hospitality is a low bar, how to stop treating marginalized individuals as logical afterthoughts, and the actionable steps you can take to make people...

Episode 2 — The Question Zone: Minimizing Risk of HarmWelcome back to The Affirming Practice Podcast with Dr. Casey Anne Brimmer and Pastor Bob Ierien. In this episode, we break down "The Question Zone"—learning how to ask identity-based questions safely while minimizing harm to LGBTQIA+ individuals and other marginalized groups.Discover the difference between "searchable" questions and "human connection" questions, how...

Welcome to the premiere episode of the Affirming Practice Podcast with hosts Dr. Casey Anne Brimmer (they/them) and Pastor Bob Ierien (he/him). In this episode, we break down a foundational framework for navigating conversations around identity, gender, and sexuality: Context, Common Sense, and Kind Curiosity. Whether you're an LGBTQ+ ally looking to learn, exploring your own identity, or wondering how to ask respectful questions a...