Collective Grief and Communal Joy: with Baratunde Thurston
Can you heal pain by focusing on joy?
Baratunde Thurston gave what’s been called “the greatest TED talk of all time.” He’s written about being Black in America, he’s got a podcast about community involvement called How to Citizen, and he’s got a PBS television show that explores the beauty and diversity of America.
There’s a duality running through all of this work, and in Baratunde’s personal life: mourning and celebration. From the early death of a parent, to men’s emotional health, to violence against Black men and boys, to the healing power of play and community, this week’s episode is a fascinating discussion of both grief and celebration – and why you don’t get one without the other.
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About our guest:
Baratunde Thurston is an Emmy-nominated, multi-platform storyteller and producer operating at the intersection of race, tech, democracy, and climate. He is the host of the PBS television series America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston, creator and host of How To Citizen with Baratunde, and a founding partner of the new media startup Puck.
His comedic memoir, How To Be Black, is a New York Times best-seller. Baratunde serves on the boards of BUILD.org and the Brooklyn Public Library. Find him at baratunde.com and follow him on social media @baratunde
Additional resources:
- Read Baratunde’s book – How to be Black
- Watch Baratunde’s TED talk How to Deconstruct Racism, One Headline at a Time
- ‘America is addicted to watching me die…’ – Baratunde’s Puck article “Thoughts & Tears For Tyre”
- Black Men Frolicking
- Baratunde mentioned Valarie Kaur – get her book, See No Stranger, and listen to her episode on It’s OK that You’re Not OK
- Want to talk with Megan directly? Join our patreon community for live monthly Q&A sessions: your questions, answered.
- Want to speak to her privately? Apply for a 1:1 grief consultation here.
- Check out Megan’s best-selling books - It’s OK That You're Not OK and How to Carry What Can’t Be Fixed
Books and resources may contain affiliate links.
