Hi y'all. Things are off the rails in the U.S., and I'm here because what we need most in dark times is each other. In this release, I'm sharing excerpts from an earlier-this-week Patreon drop where I discuss how I'm coping and making my feelings of outrage actionable, specifically my fury toward federal agencies like ICE and Customs & Border Patrol whose history of violence against citizens of color and undocumented immigrants pre-dates the Trump Era (by a lot). I talk about how I'm investing in community and local action, and how you can, too. Let's follow Minnesota's lead and plug into active response networks in our own communities. Starting now.

Referenced in this episode:

• Find local organizing networks via Indivisible, 50501, NoKings.
• Critical Incident: Death at the Border (documentary)
• Keith Porter - Say his name & share his story.
• Heather Cox Richardson | Letters To An American | YouTube
• More on 'Triple isolation' | DD #12 and DD #13
• Tressie McMillan Cottom - IG

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The stories and opinions shared in this episode are based on personal experience and are not intended to malign any individual, group, or organization.

Join The Deeper Pulse at Patreon for weekly bonus episodes + other exclusive bonus content. Follow The Deeper Pulse on IG @thedeeperpulse + @candiceschutter for more regular updates.

Episode 99(!) of the pod is a riveting and heart-hitting conversation with Darcy Totten, Executive Director of the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. In this episode, you’ll hear about the Commission's history, its growth over the course of 60 years, and the critical work it does to promote gender equity. Darcy is a staunch advocate for solidarity among women, and she shares personal stories about growing up queer in the 90s, braving home insecurity while straddling racial/class divides, and how her early-in-life experiences shaped a leadership philosophy rooted in collective action and inclusivity. Darcy shares tangible strategies for building collaborative communities and encourages a collective shift away from individualistic self-care toward a community-oriented worldview. We also delve into: how systemic changes can transform hearts and minds (versus the other way around), the unique role of women and/or gender-nonconforming folks in leadership, and the importance of making mistakes and learning from them. Darcy provides practical steps that each of us can take to actualize the collective imagination and dismantle hierarchical systems of power built by (and for) wealthy white men. This episode offers valuable insights for individual and communal empowerment, urging listeners to actively contribute to making the world a better place, not just for some, but for everyone.

Darcy J. Totten serves as the Executive Director at the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. She has over 20 years of experience in crisis communications, journalism, public policy, and external affairs. Darcy has built nationally recognized efforts while at the Commission, including authoring the Commission’s award-winning original research report, the California Women’s Economic Blueprint for Pandemic Recovery, and the award-winning #womenareessential campaign highlighting the role of women as essential workers in California’s economy. She is an expert in social impact strategies, issue advocacy, crisis communications, and gender focused public policy. She is passionate about coalition building and working with intersectional and inclusive teams that prioritize historically marginalized communities. Darcy holds a bachelor’s degree from Mills College in studio art and visual communication and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. She lives in Sacramento with her wife, Jasper, and too many cats.

You can find Darcy on LinkedIn. And click here to learn more about the California Commission on the Status of Women & Girls.

Support the show

The stories and opinions shared in this episode are based on personal experience and are not intended to malign any individual, group, or organization.

Join The Deeper Pulse at Patreon for weekly bonus episodes + other exclusive bonus content. Follow The Deeper Pulse on IG @thedeeperpulse + @candiceschutter for more regular updates.

November is Native American Heritage Month and in the lead-in to this week’s convo, I speak about the whitewashing of U.S. history, not to be a Thanksgiving buzzkill (sorry, not sorry), but to honor Native perspectives. Then invite listeners into a conversation that explores the critical differences between Western and Indigenous perspectives on leadership. My guest, Wyatt Kelly, is a young Apache leader, public policy manager, and self-described ‘yelder.’ Wyatt opens up about his experiences growing up as an urban Native, then shares about his work in public policy and community health. I ask him how his leadership style runs counter to conventional colonialist models, and he shares stories about uplifting Native communities, sponsoring youth initiatives, and fostering meaningful everyday connections. Our conversation highlights the significance of storytelling, intergenerational knowledge, and empathy in leadership. We wrap with a call to action to support Native organizations, uplift Indigenous voices, and make way for leadership approaches that have cross-cultural well-being in mind.

Wyatt Kelly is a young Apache man, a dedicated advocate, creative, and organizer deeply rooted in community health and well-being. His efforts span across urban and rural Indian Country, where he focuses on equity, healing, and Indigenous self-determination. Whether leading statewide public health initiatives, advising on policy, or contributing to research, Wyatt weaves together traditional knowledge and modern innovation to uplift Native communities. He currently serves as a statewide manager, trusted advisor to the State of California, and collaborator on numerous Native-led projects and initiatives. Guided by the principle of acting for the next seven generations, Wyatt is committed to transforming systems, centering Native voices, and helping build a future rooted in sovereignty, strength, and community well-being.

Referenced In This Episode:

• Yavapai-Apache Nation Remembers Exodus Day (article)
• Dr. Bernard Navarro — The 7th Generation Podcast
• CCUIH — California Consortium on Urban Indian Health
• Sage LaPena — Traditional Native Herbalist

Support the show

The stories and opinions shared in this episode are based on personal experience and are not intended to malign any individual, group, or organization.

Join The Deeper Pulse at Patreon for weekly bonus episodes + other exclusive bonus content. Follow The Deeper Pulse on IG @thedeeperpulse + @candiceschutter for more regular updates.