Belonging In The South: A Guide For Misfits Rebecca Lauderdale, MD

Today is part 2 of our conversation with Ashleigh Nelson and her mom, Debbie Jones, who share their personal journey of their evolving faiths. Ashleigh is Executive Director of the Evolving Faith Conference and Community, whose personal journey of acceptance not only transformed her faith, but her mother's. 

Debbie highlights the importance of proximity to 'the other' - a concept that can help us ask better questions and approach our differences with love and care. She openly discusses the fears she had, being raised in a non-LGBTQ affirming faith, and how she was able to let go of her fear. 

It's an enlightening discussion that delves into faith, acceptance, and the relationships that shape our identities.

As we wrap up, Ashley gives us a glimpse into the Evolving Faith Conference and Community - a space that invites everyone, regardless of their beliefs, to find acceptance in times of doubt and questioning. This community is a testament to the power of hospitality, belonging, and individual stories that help us understand not only ourselves, but others. 

Prepared to be moved by Ashleigh and Debbies's story as we talk about love, acceptance, and understanding, reminding us of the power of empathy in a world filled with differences.
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Join me in celebrating Pride Month with a heartfelt conversation featuring Ashleigh Nelson and her mother, Debbie. They openly share the story of Ashleigh's journey as a gay woman raised in the evangelical church. Hear the incredible story of how Ashleigh, now the executive director of the Evolving Faith Conference, found love and acceptance from herself, her family, and a faith community,  after decades of trying to deny an essential part of who she was. 

We also explore Debbie's journey as a mother - from facing her initial struggle with acceptance to becoming a loving and supportive presence in Ashley's life, Debbie's story stands as a testament to the transformative power of love and understanding. 

Tune in to our inspiring conversation as we discuss the importance of creating safe spaces for LGBTQ individuals in faith communities and don't forget to join us for part two next week, where we continue our discussion on healing, growth, and finding community.
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Of the many Southern stereotypes, one that affected me early in life is that Southerners aren't smart. Luckily, I was able to embrace my intelligence by attending the best public high school in Mississippi: the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS). It was there I first felt comfortable embracing my nerdiness and my love for knowledge. I found "my people."
In this episode of Belonging In The South, you’ll get exclusive access to a panel discussion from our last annual alumni weekend. Joining me in this live recording is Ms. Dawn Barham (faculty in music and theater), Dr. Donnie Cook (alumnus and current Executive Director), and Ms. Alana Andrus (alumna, c/o 2018).
We discuss how the school was a crucial part of our personal growth, and what alumni and faculty are doing to give other students the same experience. We also address issues affecting the school, such as a lack of support from the government, misunderstanding with other school districts, and more.
Tune in to learn how MSMS is experimenting with curriculum to teach the next generation in new ways, while simultaneously encouraging independence and authenticity!
Questions answered in this episode:
[6:00] - Alana, what have you been up to since graduation? How did your sense of belonging change when you became a student at MSMS?[9:07] - Dawn, how has being an instructor affected you and your ability to feel like you belong? How do you feel that the school has done with helping students feel like they belong?[13:18] - Donnie, how has your experience of belonging been affected by MSMS?[17:06] - What do you attribute the school’s culture to?[18:23] - Alana, was there a culture shock in leaving MSMS and going into the real world?[21:28] - Are you optimistic about the students who are here now, and the kind of the people that have come after us?[26:29] Are there things alumni can do to help the culture and the students?[32:50] What are your thoughts or ideas on the balance between us grabbing the best and the brightest from Mississippi, and being innovative?[39:45] Is there anything we can do to get more support from politicians?[43:22] - What is MSMS doing to be a safe space, especially trans and non-binary students?[45:43] - What is MSMS doing to support learning the humanities as a STEM-based school?[48:00] - How does MSMS change the attitudes of other schools in the state that feel their gifted students are being “stolen?”Visit the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science website at https://themsms.org/
Learn more about the MSMS Foundation and how you can support the school: https://msmsfoundation.com/alumni/


See more from Belonging In The South: A Guide For Misfits:
https://www.belonginginthesouth.com/
https://www.instagram.com/dr.lauderdale/
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🎙️ Episode 8: Fabulous Misfit Book Club 📚
🌟 In this episode, I share my top book recommendations for fellow misfits in the South, along with a new segment highlighting inclusive Southern spaces! 🌟
If you’d like links to all the books and other things mentioned in this episode, go to the episode blog page here!
📌 What you'll find in this episode:
1️⃣ Three life-changing nonfiction books
2️⃣ Two Fiction series
3️⃣ Three Bonus reads that are currently on my nightstand 
4️⃣ Inclusive Southern Spaces: Friendly City Books in Columbus, Mississippi 📚💕
🔥 Top takeaways:
Gain insights into the South's history and social dynamics 🧐Find relatable and compelling stories that resonate with misfits 🙌Discover books that promote understanding and empathy 🌈Support independent bookstores & inclusive Southern spaces 🏠👉 Connect with Dr. Lauderdale on TikTok and Instagram @Dr.Lauderdale and sign up for her weekly podcast email at belonginginthesouth.com 💌
🌟 If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review to help the podcast reach more fabulous misfits like you! 🌟
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🎙️ "Loving the Misfit Within: Self-Acceptance and Belonging To Yourself" 🌈

Join me, Rebecca Lauderdale, in this episode where my friend and colleague, Dr. Derrick Burgess, interviews me about my personal journey towards self-acceptance and finding a sense of belonging within myself. As a physician, born and raised in the South, I understand the unique challenges that many of us face while navigating our complex identities. Tune in as we discuss:

🌟 The journey of self-discovery and embracing our inner misfits
🌟 The importance of creating a sense of belonging within ourselves
🌟 The power of vulnerability and connecting with others who share similar experiences
🌟 Strategies for maintaining mental well-being and navigating the pressures of life and work

I also open up about my experiences as a healthcare professional and the challenges that come with balancing the demands of work, family, and personal well-being. This heartfelt conversation is a must-listen for anyone who has ever felt like a misfit, struggled with self-acceptance, or simply wants to connect more deeply with themselves.

So, join me and let's explore the path to loving the misfit within, embracing our authentic selves, and finding true belonging from within. You don't want to miss this empowering episode! 🌸


Dr. Derrick Burgess hosts the Time Out With The Sports Dr podcast, and can be found here at his website and here on Instagram!
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In this episode of "Belonging in the South", host Rebecca Lauderdale speaks with former Mississippi State Health Officer and infectious disease specialist, Dr. Thomas Dobbs. They discuss how Southerners can improve public health, the effects of belonging and loneliness on health, and the criminal justice system.
 
And yes, he's that Dobbs - from the supreme court case that overturned Roe v. Wade in 2021 - who through a quirk of the law found his name on a case he neither wanted nor was involved with.

“There’s so many impediments to progress that our system, our society, has created and it just makes it hard for people to thrive.”


The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of public healthcare systems, but still, many communities in the South are experiencing the effects of disinvestment in public health. 

Dr.  Dobbs has seen these consequences firsthand in his work with marginalized groups, which has led him to ask many questions: Are we losing our southern hospitality? How do we get our compassion back and help our fellow Southerners?


Tune in to join the conversation on these topics and see how you can help make a change!


Topics discussed in this episode:


Dr. Thomas Dobbs’s journey to state health officerHis experience working with disadvantaged or marginalized patientsThe need for government involvement in public healthPublic health issues seen in his role as state epidemiologistDealing with politicians and the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemicThe effects of Mississippi’s disinvestment in public healthHow physicians and the average citizen push change

Read the article referenced in this episode, “Getting Government To Work For Public Health” by Thomas Dobbs, MD: https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/getting-government-work-public-health


See more from Belonging In The South: A Guide For Misfits:


https://www.belonginginthesouth.com/
https://www.instagram.com/dr.lauderdale/
https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.lauderdale


This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique http://www.podcastboutique.com




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