Shows
Freedom Means...Language Ideas: Palestine & Israel: Part 2This mini episode, our fifth installment of Language Ideas, focuses on the historical and current conflict between Palestine and Israel. This is Part 2.UPDATE: This episode includes death tolls that have changed since the recording. The death toll in Gaza as of November 15, 2023 is over 11,300, including over 4,600 children. The updated death toll from Israeli from the attacks on October 7, 2023 are 1,200. We are community educators and work with groups of teachers, parents and caregivers. If you are interested in working with us, want to give feedback, or submit scenarios from your own lives for the podcast...2023-11-1617 minFreedom Means...Language Ideas: Palestine & Israel: Part 1This mini episode, our fourth installment of Language Ideas, focuses on the historical and current conflict between Palestine and Israel. We are community educators and work with groups of teachers, parents and caregivers. If you are interested in working with us, want to give feedback, or submit scenarios from your own lives for the podcast, you can contact us through our website: www.thefullstoryschool.org or by sending us an email at thefullstoryschool@gmail.comPlease consider becoming a monthly supporter at www.thefullstoryschool.org/monthly-donors. It helps us reach more people if you share...2023-11-1513 min
Tell Me About Your KidsFrom the archives: Episode 66 Community Pieces #5: “Denial is the heartbeat of racism” – a conversation on how to talk to ALL kids about raceNo matter what your race, do you know how to talk to your kids in a coherent, age-appropriate way about race and racism? Were you brought up ignorant about racism, thinking it was only about someone else? I talk with Emma Redden and Grace Aldrich about their work in helping people discover their own histories in order to help their children understand theirs.Grace and Emma are community educators and work with groups of teachers, parents and caregivers. If you are interested in working with them contact them through their website {thefullstoryschool.org} or by email at...2023-04-1338 min
Freedom Means...Kistory: Thanksgiving: Part SevenThis is an epilogue episode of Kistory, a history podcast for kids. The podcast is hosted by Emma Redden, co-host of Freedom Means. This series is an attempt at an honest history of Thanksgiving. Each episode is short is intended even for young children. Episode Seven includes Emma reflecting on name pronunciation.Pronunciation of Wampanoag & Massasoit.If you are interested in learning more about an indigenous organizing & decolonizing project visit LANDBACK and LANDBACK University. To listen to beautiful interviews with Native people talking about indigeneity, visit All My Relations Podcast. For a partial list books...2022-11-2503 min
Freedom Means...Kistory: Thanksgiving: Part SixIt's our final episode of Kistory, a history podcast for kids. The podcast is hosted by Emma Redden, co-host of Freedom Means. This series is an attempt at an honest history of Thanksgiving. Each episode is short is intended even for young children. Episode Six talks about the National Day of Mourning, and current indigenous resistance to Thanksgiving.To watch a live stream of the National Day of Mourning, click here.This history was compiled from histories told and shared by Native peoples. The historical information is my translation of the histories included below. I...2022-11-2406 min
Freedom Means...Kistory: Thanksgiving: Part FiveIt's our fifth episode of Kistory, a history podcast for kids. The podcast is hosted by Emma Redden, co-host of Freedom Means. This series is an attempt at an honest history of Thanksgiving. Each episode is short is intended even for young children. Episode Five continues the story into 1637 and 1863.This history was compiled from histories told and shared by Native peoples. The historical information is my translation of the histories included below. I have surely translated and retold this history imperfectly and I hope to revise and clarify whenever necessary. I am deeply thankful for the...2022-11-2406 min
Freedom Means...Kistory: Thanksgiving: Part FourIt's our forth episode of Kistory, a history podcast for kids. The podcast is hosted by Emma Redden, co-host of Freedom Means. This series is an attempt at an honest history of Thanksgiving. Each episode is short is intended even for young children. Episode Four continues the story of 1621.This history was compiled from histories told and shared by Native peoples. The historical information is my translation of the histories included below. I have surely translated and retold this history imperfectly and I hope to revise and clarify whenever necessary. I am deeply thankful for the history...2022-11-2406 min
Freedom Means...Kistory: Thanksgiving: Part ThreeIt's our third episode of Kistory, a history podcast for kids. The podcast is hosted by Emma Redden, co-host of Freedom Means. This series is an attempt at an honest history of Thanksgiving. Each episode is short is intended even for young children. Episode Three continues the story into 1621.This history was compiled from histories told and shared by Native peoples. The historical information is my translation of the histories included below. I have surely translated and retold this history imperfectly and I hope to revise and clarify whenever necessary. I am deeply thankful for the history...2022-11-2204 min
Freedom Means...Kistory: Thanksgiving: Part TwoIt's our second episode of Kistory, a history podcast for kids. The podcast is hosted by Emma Redden, co-host of Freedom Means. This series is an attempt at an honest history of Thanksgiving. Each episode is short is intended even for young children. Episode Two continues the story in 1620.This history was compiled from histories told and shared by Native peoples. The historical information is my translation of the histories included below. I have surely translated and retold this history imperfectly and I hope to revise and clarify whenever necessary. I am deeply thankful for the history...2022-11-2106 min
Freedom Means...Introducing! Kistory: Thanksgiving: Part OneWelcome to our very first episode of Kistory, a history podcast for kids. The podcast is hosted by Emma Redden, co-host of Freedom Means. This series is an attempt at an honest history of Thanksgiving. Each episode is short is intended even for young children. Episode One introduces this history, beginning in 1620.This history was compiled from histories told and shared by Native peoples. The historical information is my translation of the histories included below. I have surely translated and retold this history imperfectly and I hope to revise and clarify whenever necessary. I am deeply thankful...2022-11-2106 min
Freedom Means...Interview with author David RobertsonThis final episode of Season Two is very special to us. We have the incredible opportunity to interview David Robertson, the author of one of our very most beloved books When We Were Alone. David role plays with Emma and Grace, as well as talks about his work, and reads a part of a book. We are so thankful he shared time with us. To learn more about his work you can visit his website. We are community educators and work with groups of teachers, parents and caregivers. If you are interested in working with us, want t...2022-10-0326 min
Freedom Means..."I'm Glad I'm White" Part FourIn this episode Grace and Emma wrap up the conversation with each other as children and try to tie together these long analogies of The Deal and Seatbelt and Slippery Ice Safety. We then spend much of the episode reflecting on this series. We are community educators and work with groups of teachers, parents and caregivers. If you are interested in working with us, want to give feedback, or submit scenarios from your own lives for the podcast, you can contact us through our website: www.thefullstoryschool.org or by sending us an email at thefullstoryschool@gmail.c...2022-09-2633 min
Freedom Means..."I'm Glad I'm White" Part ThreeIn this episode Grace and Emma move into the third of a four episode series. This episode explores engaging with children's beautiful and imperfect rendering of the stories we tell them. We talk about the harm of dividing white people in categories of "mean" and not "mean" and the complexity of safety. We continue to explore Heather McGhee's work and her reflections on the truth and myth of the Zero Sum. We are community educators and work with groups of teachers, parents and caregivers. If you are interested in working with us, want to give feedback, or...2022-09-1930 min
Freedom Means..."I'm Glad I'm White" Part TwoIn this episode Grace and Emma continue onto part two of this four part series, responding to a white child expressing relief for being white. We expand on the idea that white people can get "slippery ice safety" IF they make a deal to hurt people of color, in active and passive ways. We are community educators and work with groups of teachers, parents and caregivers. If you are interested in working with us, want to give feedback, or submit scenarios from your own lives for the podcast, you can contact us through our website: www.thefullstoryschool...2022-09-1228 min
Freedom Means..."I’m Glad I’m White" Part OneIn this first episode of Season Two, Grace and Emma begin a four part series responding to a white child expressing relief for being white. We introduce the idea that to get safety as a white person, white people need to make a really hurtful deal. We are community educators and work with groups of teachers, parents and caregivers. If you are interested in working with us, want to give feedback, or submit scenarios from your own lives for the podcast, you can contact us through our website: www.thefullstoryschool.org or by sending us an email...2022-09-0534 minFreedom Means...BONUS EPISODE: Young People Talk About FreedomIn this very special episode, we are publishing an audio story featuring the brilliant ideas and stories from three young people in Washington, DC. They are ages 6-9 and have attended The Freedom Community School for the last couple of years. They talk about freedom, the history of Black people, abolition, slavery, police, jails, reading, revision, consent and so on. The Full Story School publishes Freedom Means. Most episodes include Grace and Emma roleplaying a conversation related to race and racism. We are community educators and work with groups of teachers, parents and caregivers. If you are i...2022-07-1920 minFreedom Means...Language Ideas: Massacre in Buffalo, New YorkThis mini episode, our third installment of Language Ideas, focuses on the massacre of ten Black people at the Tops grocery store in Buffalo, New York. We are community educators and work with groups of teachers, parents and caregivers. If you are interested in working with us, want to give feedback, or submit scenarios from your own lives for the podcast, you can contact us through our website: www.thefullstoryschool.org or by sending us an email at thefullstoryschool@gmail.comPlease consider becoming a monthly supporter at www.thefullstoryschool.org/monthly-donors. It helps us re...2022-05-2313 minFreedom Means...Language Ideas: Judge Ketanji Brown JacksonThis mini episode, our second installment of Language Ideas, focuses on Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and her nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States. We are community educators and work with groups of teachers, parents and caregivers. If you are interested in working with us, want to give feedback, or submit scenarios from your own lives for the podcast, you can contact us through our website: www.thefullstoryschool.org or by sending us an email at thefullstoryschool@gmail.comPlease consider becoming a monthly supporter at www.thefullstoryschool.org/monthly-donors. It helps us re...2022-03-2507 minFreedom Means...Language Ideas: Russia's War Against UkraineThis mini episode, our first installment of Language Ideas, focuses on Russia's war against Ukraine. Unlike our regular episodes, this doesn't include role play or reflection, but simply offer small language ideas about different elements and dynamics around this war. We are community educators and work with groups of teachers, parents and caregivers. If you are interested in working with us, want to give feedback, or submit scenarios from your own lives for the podcast, you can contact us through our website: www.thefullstoryschool.org or by sending us an email at thefullstoryschool@gmail.comPl...2022-03-2107 minFreedom Means..."What If That Happened To Grandpa?" Episode TenIn this final episode of Season One, Emma and Grace revisit a conversation Grace had with her son in the spring of 2020. They re-enact the discussion of emotions that come from imagining a loved one being killed as a result of racial violence. Then Emma and Grace role play this conversation to show how it might change if held between a Black child and an unrelated, loving, white adult in their life. In the reflections, they discuss the emotional and physical toll of racial violence. Grace relays an experience of a reluctant conversation about race led by a non-black per...2021-12-2029 minFreedom Means..."Who is Ahmaud Arbery?" Episode NineThis week we role play conversations around this question. We begin with a brief body grounding practice to share one way to support our nervous systems before tackling a hard question. We briefly talk about Ahmaud Arbery in his life and share some of the things his friends and family wanted the world to know about him. We talk about what happened the day he was killed and the immediate aftermath. We also share the determined effort put forth by thousands of people seeking justice over many months until the details of Ahmaud Arbery’s murder was heard in court...2021-12-1332 minFreedom Means..."Are We Gonna Be On Fire?" Episode EightIn this episode, we role model a conversation with a child who hears about widespread fires on the west coast of the US and asks, “ Are we gonna be on fire?” During the conversation we give an explanation of the word climate using the human body as an analogy. We talk about the ways humans have impacted the climate and use our imaginations to strategize ways of coping with the reality of climate change. We also begin to talk about the intersection of race and climate change.We are community educators and work with groups of teachers, parent...2021-12-0628 minFreedom Means...BONUS EPISODE: "What Is Tiger King About?"In this bonus episode, Emma embarks on the journey of explaining the documentary series Tiger King to a child. The explanation incorporates concepts including mullets, marrying multiple people at the same time, keeping jungle animals in captivity, missing husbands, contract killing and jail. This episode contains *SPOILERS* for season one. While once in a while we dabble in talking about TV, Grace and Emma's work is focused on talking with young children about racism and colonialism. Please check out the other episodes to get a sense of what our work usually entails. We are community educators and w...2021-11-2909 minFreedom Means...“What Does Thanksgiving Celebrate” Episode SevenIn this episode we begin the complex work of answering this question. During our role play we share that the widely known story of Thanksgiving contains many lies and give accurate historical context. We talk about how different people practice the holiday and share an indigenous tradition of gratitude. Lastly, we begin to talk about how pilgrims replicated the harm they learned in Europe and how those weren’t their only choices.To learn more about the complicated histories of Thanksgiving in preschool vocabulary, click here. We are community educators and work with groups of tea...2021-11-2235 minFreedom Means..."Why Do Black Lives Matter?" Episode SixIn this episode we respond to this question asked by 5 year old Callum. Our role plays and reflections touch on the humanity of Black people and how they are connected in the story of their lives on this land. We practice talking to a white child about holding the truth of their inherent value while focusing on a part of their human community that urgently needs and asks to be seen, heard, and experience justice. The last role play includes an account of the inception of the BLM movement.We are community educators and work with groups o...2021-11-1524 minFreedom Means...Grace & Emma Interviewed! Episode FiveThis episode is an interview Emma and Grace did with Bonnie Harris--a veteran counselor specializing in Connective Parenting. You can hear from her on her podcast, Tell Me About Your Kids.We talk with Bonnie about how we got into this work, what were some of our formative experiences in our development around race and what makes our work with groups of teachers and parents unique. We are community educators and work with groups of teachers, parents and caregivers. If you are interested in working with us, want to give feedback, or submit scenarios from y...2021-11-0836 minFreedom Means..."You're White" "No, I'm Not!" Episode FourIn this episode we explore the idea that white means a color and a (made up) group of people. We role play a reflection after a child is called white and she responds that she doesn't look the color white. Our conversation begins by sharing a historical context for the creation of race--land owning Europeans making a group to be legally empowered to exploit and harm other groups. We then move into talking about the messages that get taught to white people and how those messages have continued to uphold structural racism. Grace and Emma end by sharing more...2021-11-0126 minTell Me About Your KidsCommunity Pieces #5: “Denial is the heartbeat of racism” – a conversation on how to talk to ALL kids about raceNo matter what your race, do you know how to talk to your kids in a coherent, age-appropriate way about race and racism? Were you brought up ignorant about racism, thinking it was only about someone else? I talk with Emma Redden and Grace Aldrich about their work in helping people discover their own histories in order to help their children understand theirs.Grace and Emma are community educators and work with groups of teachers, parents and caregivers. If you are interested in working with them contact them through their website {thefullstoryschool.org} or by email at...2021-10-2836 minFreedom Means..."Are All Police Bad?" Episode ThreeIn this episode we work through a simple and profound question about the police. We attempt to offer historical context about the history of policing, as well as use metaphors to try to explain some of the essence of the job. We consider together if police play too many roles in our community and then end by considering if there is actually any safe role at all for police. Grace and Emma reflect on the grief work inherent to these practices, the idea of good and bad, and the impact the job of policing has on the human beings...2021-10-2530 minFreedom Means..."Why Is Her Skin Brown?" Episode TwoThis episode explores skin color. We role play responding to a child who asks about the skin color of someone in the grocery store. We talk about melanin, ancestry, and the sun. Grace and Emma reflect on how to prioritize relationships when having conversations publicly, the need to spread out conversations over longer periods than is modeled in the episode, and how to use questions as a way to guide and facilitate understanding. We are community educators and work with groups of teachers, parents and caregivers. If you are interested in working with us, want to give f...2021-10-1819 minFreedom Means..."Why Do We Call Columbus Day Indigenous Day?" Episode OneIn this very first episode of Season 1, on Indigenous People's Day, we role play three short imaginary conversations with a child. We explore why Columbus day has been renamed Indigenous People's day, we re-frame the untrue story that he "discovered" anything, and we discuss what he did to the indigenous peoples when he arrived. We talk about the history of the organizing to make Indigenous People's Day a day of recognition and introduce the idea of genocide. Grace and Emma then reflect on who to center in these conversations with young people, and how to hold and confront the...2021-10-1123 minFreedom Means...Coming Soon: A Podcast About Talking With Kids About RacismSeason One of Freedom Means is about to begin! This season we, Grace Aldrich and Emma Redden, explore the question, “How do you find the words for complicated conversations about race with children?" We try to answer this question by practicing and experimenting with the language together. This first episode shares with listeners the foundational beliefs behind our work: children are complex human beings who live in the same world as adults and deserve to be told the truth about racism.We are community educators and work with groups of teachers, parents and caregivers. If you are in...2021-10-0503 min