In this episode of Everything's Not Black and White, hosts Lala and Brian sit down with Lauren Goché, a principal real estate broker and "witch with wifi," to pull back the curtain on the systemic inequities of the housing market. From the historical violence of redlining and restrictive covenants to the modern-day "fuckery" of private equity buyouts, Lauren explains why home ownership remains a revolutionary act for marginalized communities. The conversation dives deep into the emotional "therapy" of buying a home, the importance of value-aligned partnerships, and the incredible work being done by the Portland-based organization Taking Ownership to repair homes and preserve generational wealth.

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Taking Ownership

In this episode, Lala and Brian sit down with Donna Pope, Executive Director of Heart to Heart Adoptions, to peel back the layers of the adoption experience. From the gut-wrenching grief and "placement" decisions of birth mothers to the complexities of raising three sons as a single adoptive mother, Donna provides a masterclass in empathy, honesty, and "self-determination." Whether you are considering adoption, are part of the adoption triad, or simply want to understand how a heart grows through radical change, this conversation offers the "mic drop" moments you need to hear.

Heart to Heart Adoptions

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This episode moves beyond the "binary" of accessibility to explore the lived reality of disability advocacy. Hosts Lachandra and Brian are joined by Jenna Odenberg—Bush Fellow, author of Within My Spokes, and founder of Above and Beyond with U.

Jena shares her journey from navigating rural Minnesota in a manual wheelchair to a 20-year career as a music educator. From the "fixed mindset" of teachers who said she couldn't play trumpet left-handed to the vital "A" in DEIA, Jena illustrates why inclusion must be a commitment, not just a checklist. The trio dives into why we must design with people, not just for them—and even settles the "over vs. under" toilet paper debate with a perspective on accessibility you’ve likely never considered.

Above & Beyond With U

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Within My Spokes