New Podcast Series: Cathedral Conversations about Race

with 3 Comments

Saint Mark’s is proud to present a special podcast offering co-produced by Michael Perera and Cara Peterson, Cathedral Conversations About Race. In it, Michael and Cara talk with each other and other non-white Saint Mark’s parishioners about their experiences navigating a majority-white world, at the Cathedral and beyond. The first episode will be released on Sunday, June 20, and episodes will be released every two weeks.

In the first episode, released Friday, July 16, Michael and Cara themselves will discuss the plans and goals for this podcast project. Future episodes will feature community members of color from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. The entire congregation of Saint Mark's is encouraged to listen to these conversations with an open heart. The participants have shared their stories with the entire cathedral community not to shame or embarrass, but so that we all might learn and grow together in love. Later in the summer, once a number of episodes have been released, a community forum is planned to process and learn from what we have heard.

Search for "Cathedral Conversations" wherever you get your podcasts to listen, or find all released episodes on this page below, or on the podcast page of the website. If you have any questions, please contact Michael or Cara directly.

Views presented are the opinion of individuals and do not represent official positions of the Satin Mark's Cathedral Vestry or leadership.


 

Episode 11: Olivier Santos

We’re back! Michael and Cara talk with Olivier Santos about his journey from Grace Cathedral to Saint Mark’s, and about his work and his own journey in what it means to belong.

Episode 10: Carmen Brady

Carmen Brady, a member of the Cathedral Choir and of the vestry, talks to Cara and Michael about her career in journalism, her time at Saint Mark’s, and how sometimes, all you can do is smile and nod.

Episode 9: Appropriation vs. Appreciation

In this themed episode, we’re talking about appropriation: what it is, why it’s disrespectful at best, and presenting some examples of what cultural appropriation looks like. We also talk about appreciation, and what that can look like in different contexts. To find out more about how to practice yoga appropriately, go here.

Episode 8: Representation: Media

(Content warning: domestic violence, self-harm ideation, racial violence) Cara and Michael conclude their conversation about why representation of BIPOC people is so important; from the characters we see on TV, to the names being read out during the prayers of the people. To find out more about missing Black women and missing Indigenous women, go to https://ourblackgirls.com/ and https://juustwa.org/.

Episode 7: Representation: Music

Representation is a big issue for BIPOC people, and representation in church music? Even more so. This is the first episode on our theme of representation: why it is important, and what is overlooked when equal representation is missing. Cara and Michael chat about some observations Cara’s picked up in her capacity as a music student and professional musician, and why “merit-based hiring” is a good way to shut out entire demographics of professionals.

Episode 6: Microaggressions

In our first themed episode, Cara and Michael attempt to unpack microaggressions: what they are and why they’re so frustrating to experience, and how to have better interactions.

Episode 5: Vinh Do (Part 2)

The second (concluding) part of our conversation with Vinh Do, longtime cathedral member and former vestry member, about his story at Saint Mark’s, and his reaction to the anti-Asian violence.

Episode 5: Vinh Do (Part 1)

The first part of our conversation with Vinh Do, longtime cathedral member and former vestry member, about his story at Saint Mark’s, and his reaction to the anti-Asian violence that preceded and followed the 2021 Atlanta shootings.

Episode 4: Vinnu Komanapalli (Follow-up)

In this second interview with Vinnu, we check in with her after the Atlanta shootings and the anti-Asian hate seen across the country.

Episode 3: Vinnu Komanapalli

Vinnu Komanapalli tells her story about how she came to Saint Mark’s, and what it’s like being one of the few South Asian people at Saint Mark’s.

Episode 2: About Us (Part 2)

In the second part of this episode, Cara and Michael continue their talk about each other; their own respective journeys to Saint Mark’s, and how they find ourselves being people of color in a mostly white church.

Episode 2: About Us (Part 1)

In the first part of this episode, Cara and Michael talk about each other; their respective journeys to Saint Mark’s, and how they find ourselves being people of color in a mostly white church.

Episode 1: About This (Part 2)

In the second part of the first episode of the “About Race” podcast, Cara Peterson and Michael Perera explain how and why this conversation about race at Saint Mark’s came about.

Episode 1: About This (Part 1)

In the first episode of the “About Race” podcast, Cara Peterson and Michael Perera explain how and why this conversation about race at Saint Mark’s came about.

“About Race” Release Announcement

A short message from Michael and Cara to address the delay in releasing the interviews of this podcast.

3 Responses

  1. Theresa Marinelli
    | Reply

    Dear Michael and Cara,
    I am inspired and heartened by your podcast.
    I feel these discussions are long overdue in our wonderful faith
    Community.
    I look forward to taking this journey with you.
    Thank You!

  2. Pamela Bradburn
    | Reply

    Thank you, Cara and Michael, for this idea, and for pursuing it into reality.
    I’m eager to see the logo and to hear interviews with parishioners who look different from me.
    Would some money help your process? I’m glad to donate.

  3. Penny
    | Reply

    Wow. What a gift this is. I appreciate that you agreed not to have this conversation about the details of your upbringings until we could listen in. I am touched and curious to hear more. Thank you, Cara and Michael.

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