Cassandra is our favorite restie bestie! An autistic Viet-Chinese somatic healer, grief-tender, and community caregiver, Cassandra is a spirit-affirming breath of fresh air.

Our conversation is a reset that I think many of us desperately need. Cassandra shares her stories of unrest — from a childhood on the margins to chasing dreams that did not bring the wholeness we all seek. In time, they came to experience their disillusionment and discontent as an invitation to liberation.

We talk about the cultural role of shame for diasporic Asians, the erasure of rest, and learning to sit with chaos. I love her framing of bringing the fractured parts of ourselves — body, mind, heart, and soul — back to center.

I also love that they were inspired to make this reel about complicity and accountability following our conversation. Cassandra has many upcoming offerings so make sure to follow them on their IG and website.

Leah’s IG

Cera is a Diné (aka Navajo) woman, artist, and creator whose love of her Native identity inspires her labor of social justice and her solidarity with all oppressed people. She is a wealth of indigenous wisdom and a keeper of Native narratives.

This conversation has stayed with me ever since we recorded it. There is so much I did not and do not know when it comes to the history and current events of our indigenous kin here on Turtle Island. I’ve known enough to not celebrate Thanksgiving, but not enough to understand that our Native population continue to be systemically harmed and erased.

Cera speaks with such love for her nation and clan and reminds us that Native people are not a monolith. She challenges stereotypes and the limited concept of the biological family, and explains the direct connection between Palestinians and Native Americans. She is unapologetic and unwavering in speaking up for the liberation of all. Her love of humanity and community is ever clear.

I do want to offer a *trigger warning* that we discuss crimes and brutality against Native people, a fact that is too often ignored or denied. I believe these are stories that we, especially those of us who are guests on this land, all need to be aware of. It is only through awareness that we can effect change.

We talk about the horrors of “boarding schools,” the mass harm of Native women, and Hwéeldi — the Long Walk. Cera shares so much on her platforms, and it was incredibly illuminating to have this conversation with her.

P.S. My introduction here is the longest yet, so if you want to get right to the conversation, fast forward about 15 minutes!

Cera’s IG

Cera’s TikTok

Daghma Family GFM

Mohammed’s Family GFM

Leah’s IG

Yejin is the cutest comrade you could ask for in the movement for collective liberation. Through her clarity, honesty, and TikTok dances, she makes anti-oppression work look simply irresistible. They are also an equity and justice coach, consultant, and practitioner in service of community care.

This is such a joyful conversation, which is a testament to Yejin’s expert ability to guide connections and hold space. We laugh a lot, which I feel like I sometimes need to be given permission to do during such painful times for our kin throughout the globe. Yejin talks to us about translating shame into a new way of being, rather than staying stuck in feeling angry or disconnected.

We talk about our respective experiences in re-identifying with Koreanness, defying stereotypes, and arriving to Truth — even if that arrival feels too late.

Our conversation went long so I’m offering an extra 20 minutes over on Patreon (free 7-day trial), where Yejin talks about going private on Instagram (she’s currently public as she fundraises for Yamen’s family so follow her now!) and unmasking from her neurodivergence.

Enjoy the cutest and most chaotic — Yejin.