Voices That Propel Us: Stories of Justice, Action, and Community

Danise Sugita

Voices That Propel Us: Stories of Justice, Action, and Community is where justice meets action and community voices rise. In each episode, we spotlight changemakers, disruptors, and everyday heroes working at the frontlines of equity and liberation. Through powerful storytelling and candid conversations, we explore what it means to build a more just world—together. This isn’t just a podcast; it’s a call to listen deeply, learn boldly, and move in solidarity. The music for this podcast was provided by Steven Cong and the artwork was provided by Kimberly Li.

  1. 6d ago

    Healing Justice & Authentic Living with Danny T. Duong

    Danny T. Duong is a certified Integral Coach, healing justice practitioner, and mindfulness facilitator. She serves as Chief Operations Officer at Braided Wisdom, a cross-cultural mindfulness non-profit organization in San Francisco, CA. Danny blends curiosity, insight, and use of meditation and trauma-informed somatic tools to support the facilitation of positive and sustainable change for individuals, teams, organizations, and communities. Her work is grounded in contemplative practice and earth-based spirituality. In 2019, she made a humbling vow to walk the path of an aspiring Bodhisattva which informs her intention to help in the relief of suffering for all living beings. Danny is certified through New Ventures West, an ICF accredited program and holds Master’s degrees in Public Health and Public Policy from University of California, Berkeley. Her professional and leadership experiences span across non-profit development, healthcare operations consulting, politics, public policy, and government affairs. She is a graduate of the Braided Wisdom Leadership Training Program, EBMC’s Practice in Transformative Action Program, Biodynamic Breathwork Institute, and 2-Year Energy Program with Lynda Caesara. Danny is currently participating in the Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leaders 7 Program. Learn more about Danny: Insight Arising | Substack | LinkedIn.  Want to be a guest on Voices That Propel Us: Stories of Justice, Action, and Community? Send Danise Sugita a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1763751693205864f9876416e

    Healing Justice & Authentic Living with Danny T. Duong

  2. Jul 16

    Dr. Stuart D. Jones: Disability, Dignity, and the Power of Belonging

    Dr. Stuart D. Jones is a retired higher-education executive and former church minister who now teaches college courses part-time and writes with a passion shaped as much by life as by books. Over the years, he has spoken at many universities, churches, conferences, seminars, workshops, and leadership events around the world on a variety of topics. A devoted advocate for disability rights, he believes every life has purpose and worth. ​ Yet no credential has shaped him more deeply than being Steve’s brother. ​Dr. Jones holds advanced degrees in both education and theology and has been published in several academic forums. For the Love of Stephen is his first work of narrative nonfiction—and by far, his most personal. Want to be a guest on Voices That Propel Us: Stories of Justice, Action, and Community? Send Danise Sugita a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1763751693205864f9876416e

    Dr. Stuart D. Jones: Disability, Dignity, and the Power of Belonging

  3. Jul 14

    Emilio Oliveros-Reyes: Finding Purpose Through Service with BAYAC AmeriCorps

    Emilio Alfredo Oliveros-Reyes is a first-generation college graduate, born and raised in San Francisco’s Mission District, and a passionate advocate for youth development and community empowerment. As an alumnus of Bay Area AmeriCorps, the program helped launch his eight-year career in education and nonprofit work focused on supporting young people and cultivating future community leaders. Emilio currently serves as a Regional Supervisor for BAYAC AmeriCorps, where he supports and develops emerging youth workers across the Bay Area through mentorship, professional development, and leadership training. He believes deeply in the importance of cultivating the next generation of youth workers and is passionate about finding good people who want to do meaningful work in their communities. His work is rooted in lived experience, wellness, identity, and creating opportunities that empower young people to thrive. Want to be a guest on Voices That Propel Us: Stories of Justice, Action, and Community? Send Danise Sugita a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1763751693205864f9876416e

    Emilio Oliveros-Reyes: Finding Purpose Through Service with BAYAC AmeriCorps

  4. Jul 9

    Justine Chang: Reclaiming Power Through Storytelling

    Justine Chang is an eldest daughter of immigrants, mother, activist, and the Station Master/Chief Storyteller at Red Balloon Station. With a law degree and 10+ years developing, producing, and writing movies that sell globally, she knows how to craft stories that reach real people everywhere. Now she helps equity-driven founders and leaders—especially Women of Color—sharpen their messaging so it doesn’t drown in a sea of AI sameness, earns trust, and reflects their truth with clarity and staying power. When she’s not writing, she’s wrangling her two boys and filling their lives with colorful, adventureful stories to remember. And when she finds the rare quiet moment to herself…she’s getting lost in a book, trying to make even a small dent in her “To Be Read” pile. Want to be a guest on Voices That Propel Us: Stories of Justice, Action, and Community? Send Danise Sugita a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1763751693205864f9876416e

    Justine Chang: Reclaiming Power Through Storytelling

  5. Jul 2

    Tracy DeTomasi: How Callisto Is Changing the Future of Survivor Support

    Tracy DeTomasi is the CEO of Callisto, a nonprofit dedicated to combatting sexual violence through innovative technology and survivor-centered solutions. With 25 years of leadership in the nonprofit sector, Tracy has held numerous high-profile roles, including previously serving as Executive Director of global nonprofit focused on ending domestic and sexual violence. Tracy's unique expertise as a licensed clinical social worker comes from her extensive experience working directly with survivors and offenders. Her early career as a therapist working with offenders provided her with a rare and critical perspective on the dynamics of gender-based violence, positioning her as a leading expert in prevention and intervention strategies. Tracy has been instrumental in advancing trauma-informed programming, shaping domestic violence laws in the U.S., and driving global initiatives to address gender-based violence. She has consulted on developing cutting-edge tech solutions, including mobile applications for violence prevention, smartphone-based safety tools, and virtual reality training programs designed to dismantle racial and gender oppression. Her leadership continues to shape the future of violence prevention, advocacy, and systemic change. Want to be a guest on Voices That Propel Us: Stories of Justice, Action, and Community? Send Danise Sugita a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1763751693205864f9876416e

    Tracy DeTomasi: How Callisto Is Changing the Future of Survivor Support

  6. Jun 25

    Nancy Jasin Ensley: Listening for the Whispers That Lead to Healing and Advocacy

    Nancy Jasin Ensley is a Local Author, Legal Nurse, Hospice Specialist, and Teacher whose work reflects a lifetime of service and experience writing to listen, to remember, and to continue creating with purpose. Over the years, she’s written across multiple genres including memoirs, literature and fiction, science fiction, mystery, thriller, action and adventure, and children’s literature. Each story she creates is rooted in family, faith, service, and lived experience, and her goal is to explore what it means to grow, persevere, and reflect on life through words. Her life and career has been shaped by a commitment to service and a desire to make a difference in the lives of others. What she brings to a podcast is perspective shaped by a lifetime of listening, observing, and creating. She’s spent decades in professions that demand empathy and discernment helping people navigate life’s most critical moments and she’s learned that every story, no matter the genre, carries lessons worth sharing. Want to be a guest on Voices That Propel Us: Stories of Justice, Action, and Community? Send Danise Sugita a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1763751693205864f9876416e

    Nancy Jasin Ensley: Listening for the Whispers That Lead to Healing and Advocacy

  7. Jun 18

    Jessica McKinney: Turning Trauma into Healing and Helping Others Feel Understood

    Jessica McKinney is a married mom, storyteller, and podcast creator rooted in resilience and real-life growth. Her work centers around honest conversations on mental strength, healing, and what it truly means to live, learn, and let go. After navigating some intense, life-changing experiences, she’s turned her story into a platform that gives others permission to share theirs—raw, unfiltered, and powerful. She’s passionate about connection, truth, and helping people feel seen through the stories we tell. Want to be a guest on Voices That Propel Us: Stories of Justice, Action, and Community? Send Danise Sugita a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1763751693205864f9876416e

    Jessica McKinney: Turning Trauma into Healing and Helping Others Feel Understood

  8. Jun 11

    Michelle Vo on Mental Health, Cultural Identity, and Collective Healing

    Michelle Vo is a San Francisco Bay Area-based Licensed Clinical Social Worker and psychotherapist who brings a rich, social-justice-oriented lens to her clinical practice and projects. With nearly a decade of experience spanning hospital systems and Silicon Valley tech environments, Michelle specializes in supporting first-generation adults navigating cultural identity, high-achieving professionals battling burnout, and women moving through the complexities of maternal mental health. As the founder of the "Model Mindfulness" project, she is particularly dedicated to enhancing discussions on cultural awareness, clinical social work practice, workplace wellness, and more. Her advocacy extends to impactful media collaborations, including an NPR's Bay Area KQED feature discussing the Fall of Saigon and prioritizing generational trauma and healing. She further explores her passion for social work and its intersections on podcasts like Heard Business School, where she discusses building culturally responsive practices and the importance of authenticity in therapy.  Her therapeutic approach is defined by a balance of warm humanity and clinical direction, using evidence-based tools such as CBT, DBT, and Psychodynamic and Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to build lasting resilience. By blending professional expertise with "tactful transparency" and humor, Michelle creates a space where clients can move away from perfectionism and toward a life of radical self-acceptance and intentionality. Want to be a guest on Voices That Propel Us: Stories of Justice, Action, and Community? Send Danise Sugita a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1763751693205864f9876416e

    Michelle Vo on Mental Health, Cultural Identity, and Collective Healing
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About

Voices That Propel Us: Stories of Justice, Action, and Community is where justice meets action and community voices rise. In each episode, we spotlight changemakers, disruptors, and everyday heroes working at the frontlines of equity and liberation. Through powerful storytelling and candid conversations, we explore what it means to build a more just world—together. This isn’t just a podcast; it’s a call to listen deeply, learn boldly, and move in solidarity. The music for this podcast was provided by Steven Cong and the artwork was provided by Kimberly Li.

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