Reppin Evelien Kong

Oh Hey! How are you? Evelien here, it's been a busy time for me but i wanted to catch up and share some of my takeaways!! Grab some coffee, pull up a chair and let's connect now!
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Disclaimer: This conversation includes graphic content, violence, and other mature themes that some may find triggering or disturbing. Listener discretion is advised.

On September 11, 2001, life as we knew it changed forever. From the devastating attacks to the hijacked planes to the Pentagon to the first responders-- many lives were lost, and families were destroyed. These events were monumental moments in history, but they also made seemingly small, daily moments that most take for granted an impossibility for some. Some children would never know what it's like to feel their mom or dad's hands in theirs, and some would never even meet their parent. Husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, daughters, and sons never returned to the dinner table or had the chance to pick up the phone to hear the latest news from their family. There were so many victims from all walks of life and categories.
One community not often thought of as victims of 9/11 is the Muslim community. After 9/11, rampant fear and anger raced through the US, leading to an increase in hate crimes against the Muslim community. In today's conversation, Rais Bhiyuan, an immigrant from Bangladesh, shares his story. He grew up watching classic Western television shows portraying a wholesome, positive image of the American Cowboy. These stories depicted cowboys standing up for the ideals that this country represents, inspiring the rest of the world to follow suit. Rais came to America to experience this for himself. However, in the days following 9/11, a man with a mission to harm anyone from the Muslim community walked in and ultimately shot Rais in the face.
Thankfully and miraculously, my guest survived. As if the trauma of being shot wasn't enough, his recovery was arduous, and figuring out how to pay for urgently needed medical treatments without insurance became another traumatic nightmare that added to his ordeal. What's remarkable is not only Rais' survival but also how he chose to respond to his shooter and how he chose to move forward despite this life-changing pain.
This is a powerful story of survival, goodness, unbelievable resilience, empathy, and love for one's country. Listen in as Rais shares details of what happened that awful day, how he managed to survive, what he's learned, and you'll be absolutely amazed at what he's doing now.
We shall never forget 9/11 and those we lost. Yes, it was a devastating day with unimaginable loss and pain, and yes there was palpable fear and hate, but there was also a beautiful display of unity, love, bravery, and humanity that emerged in the aftermath of 9/11. We all exemplified the very principles that America represents—and that is something we should never forget. Because during the darkest days in US history, we were at our absolute best.

Rais' Links:
http://www.worldwithouthate.org
http://www.raisbhuiyan.com

Reppin's Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/reppin_podcast/

Reppin's Youtube:
https://www.reppin.tv/

Reppin's Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@Reppinpodcast
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Are you ready to continue Part 2 of our special two-part series with the amazingly talented Nicola Correia Damude? Here, Nicola dives deep into the world of external validation, exploring its personal and professional impacts, along with the generational patterns it reveals.
But this episode is more than just validation. Nicola unveils the harsh realities of the entertainment industry, advocating passionately for equitable compensation. She shares a recent experience that showcases her unwavering commitment to fair pay standards, inspiring change along the way.
The climax? Nicola challenges the notion of race and ethnicity as political issues, emphasizing their core importance as matters of human rights, not politics. It's a powerful call to action that will leave you inspired to challenge norms and make a difference.
While history may have often failed the majority, voices like Nicola Correia-Damude's are the ones challenging the tides. Join us in this enlightening episode of REPPIN as we delve into matters of representation, external validation, fair compensation, and respectful conversation.
Get ready to discover the remarkable actress behind the roles, explore the pivotal moments that have shaped her, and witness how she's turning challenges into a brighter path for those who follow. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insight into the inspiring journey of Nicola Correia-Damude. #RepresentationMatters #Inspiration #Trailblazer #REPPINPodcast #reppin #poc #bipoc #equity #personaljournal #personalprofile

Part 1 of this special two part episode:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nicola-correia-damude-from-challenges-to-change-maker/id1480913421?i=1000625129270

Nicola's first appearance on Reppin:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reppin/id1480913421?i=1000490354995

Nicola’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/NicolaNCD 

Nicola’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolasummer/?hl=en 

Reppin Website:
www.Reppin.tv

Reppin's Gram:
https://www.instagram.com/reppin_podcast/

Reppin On Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@Reppinpodcast
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Nicola Correia-Damude is an amazing Guyanese Canadian Actress who you know from hits like Shadowhunters, The Boys, Burden of Truth, Republic of Sara to My Spy. And about 3 years ago, she guested on Reppin where I found her to be a passionate advocate for diversity, inclusion and equity of all kinds. And I’m thrilled to welcome her back back on the show for a very special two part conversation! 
Our discussion delves deep into the dynamic world of authentic representation in the entertainment industry, tapping into Nicola's experiences and wisdom.
She shares personal insights on her remarkable journey, from early career challenges to the transformative moments that shaped her stance on representation. She eloquently emphasizes the nuanced progress within diverse communities, shedding light on the disparities and the ongoing need for inclusion. Nicola's empowering journey highlights her commitment to leveraging her platform responsibly, ensuring that casting choices respect the voices of underrepresented groups.
As Nicola beautifully puts it, "We're seeing opportunity for certain groups and not others, and that is the path of progress. But I don't believe that we should settle for those small steps. We need to keep expanding and keep working on this." Her candid sharing not only echoes the struggles of past generations but also underlines the collective responsibility to create a more inclusive industry. 
She’s reminds us of the power of empathy and collective action and she more passionate than ever. And she inspires me to put actions behind my values. Nicola is a force that is doing all she can to leverage positive change. Think you can handle it? Get ready and hold on tight—here’s part one of our conversation. 
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Today we're joined by the incredible actor, content creator, speaker, activist, and proud "Blasian" individual, Ryan Alexander Holmes. If you haven't heard of "Blasian" yet, get ready for an enlightening discussion! Ryan's a mix of Black and Asian, and his journey of self-discovery is an eye-opener that'll inspire you to know and celebrate your own background.
Ryan takes us through his experiences growing up as one of the few mixed-race kids in a neighborhood dominated by Chinese and white communities. It wasn't an easy road, but he shares powerful turning points in his life when he realized how the world viewed him, and how he refused to let outside optics impact his identity. As Ryan poignantly puts it, "I need to do something or say something. I'm so tired of swallowing my words and repressing my feelings."
As we delve deeper into Ryan's story, get ready to face the harsh realities of racism and stereotypes. Ryan is using his personal experiences to inform and broaden perspectives, hoping to create a more inclusive and understanding world. In his own words, "It's almost like a disease that these people have. I can have empathy and compassion for the fact that they've been brainwashed and conditioned to think that way. But to hear me say that I would stand up for them blew their mind because they've been so conditioned to think that black people are evil and criminals."
This episode is all about embracing who you are, no matter what the world says you should be, and loving it. Get inspired and join us as we explore the power of identity and self-acceptance. Tune in now for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation with Ryan Alexander Holmes.

Ryan's Social Handle:
https://www.instagram.com/ryanalexh/?hl=en

Reppin Youtube Page:
https://www.youtube.com/@Reppinpodcast

Reppin Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/reppin_podcast/

Reppin Website:
https://www.reppin.tv/
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In part one of of this special two part Reppin, we met Pardeep Kaleka a first-generation immigrant from Punjab, India who lost his father at the hands of a white nationalist. Pardeep took his grief and transformed into into something powerful and positive. 
Now In Part 2 of this compelling conversation, we meet Arno Michaels who takes us deep into the world of extremism. Arno was a former founding member of one of the largest white nationalist groups in the 90s. He bravely shares his journey of how he became entangled in a self-proclaimed Racial Holy War and the reasons behind embracing such dangerous ideologies. Despite knowing the wrongness of his actions, Arno found himself drawn to the adrenaline-fueled thrill of violence, perpetuating hate and causing chaos. "I believe the truth is, they're really both addictions."
As time went on, Arno reflects on the mental gymnastics he had to perform to cling to his extremist beliefs, fueled by fear and a scarcity mindset. However, amidst the darkness, a powerful realization begins to break through his armor of violence, setting him on a path towards compassion and unity. Prepare to be amazed as Arno's transformation unfolds, revealing the potential for change and redemption even in the darkest times of our lives.
Now, alongside Pardeep Kaleka, Arno works as a motivational speaker, sharing their co-authored book, "The Gift of Our Wounds," and traveling the world to speak out against hate and extremism.
This episode is a powerful continuation of Arno's remarkable journey, proving that even amidst the deepest shadows, the light of change and redemption can emerge.
Pardeep and Arno's powerful stories illustrate the transformation of grief into positive change and combatting hate with compassion and love. Their journeys demonstrate the potential for powerful change in their own lives but also unity and action when people from different backgrounds come together.

Pardeep and Arno's book: The Gifts Of Our Wounds
https://www.amazon.com/Gift-Our-Wounds-Supremacist-Forgiveness/dp/1250107547
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