Three Sisters The Well

Devona, Rana and DeAndra take on popular (unpopular?) culture as only the Three Sisters can. From Rana's daughter's clarity over the first Black Disney Princess' true identity, to the importance of research that these sisters have practiced to survive white culture, our sisters find a way to deepen the conversation around every single aspect of how we connect with one another. And how we don't.

As always, the Beard sisters are loving, humorous, deep and real. 

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We are taking a pause to let the complexities of the past year settle a bit. We look so forward to returning soon with Season 2.

This is where you come in!

What do you want to hear more about? Who do you want the Sisters to bring on the show? First 25 responses earn a FREE THREE SISTERS TOTE BAG! Email us at info@thewell.world or write to us on our Three Sisters page. (Scroll to the bottom for the discussion thread).

The Three Sisters return to catch up with each other and us after a rocky start to the year. Our nation lost (revealed?) its footing, the pandemic continues to take lives, and the long journey Black humans have endured to MATTER in private and in public took a toll on many, including the Beard family bond itself.

Hear how Devona, Rana and DeAndra have engaged in a process of strengthening their individual sense of agency in order to fortify their familial ties. We thank Sylvia High for her work with Aiming High.

All of this unfolds with tenderness, laughter and love. In short, the Three Sisters are back!

Finally, at the beginning of the episode you hear from Kara Pierson, our Wellspring Fellow, about a healing program for Black women this month. For more information, visit us here.

Rana, one of our Three Sisters, lives and works just outside of Washington D.C. Her role in the federal government as a public servant is one of the identities that defines Rana's determination to live up to the promises of our country, now broken. 

We asked Rana to talk to us about her feelings, observations and hopes for the long rebuild following the January 6th assault on the Capitol and democracy. 

Thank you for listening. 

Note to family listeners with young ears nearby:  The Beard family stories reveal a bit about Santa's true identity. 

When we were mapping out our episode themes, we asked the Beard sisters if there were any Christmas traditions they might want to talk about. The energy in the Zoom room became electric with excitement and a bit of trepidation: "Can we tell THAT story?" We then asked, who might we invite from the Beard family to our holiday show?

"Daddy!" was the unanimous response.

In this spirited, sweet, humorous episode, learn about the Christmas Tree Bandits and how "in the midst of chaos, tradition grounds us." Also we receive the most touching blessing from Pastor Beard, a much needed balm of faith and light as we near the end of an unprecedented year.

We let the recording run a little long this time because, well, wow. You'll hear why.

Music is an essential part of what makes and moves the Beard sisters.  In this episode, the sisters share their afrocentric music roots with classical composer and Three Sisters Music Director Brian Raphael Nabors. From spirited "performances" from the hearths of the Beard and Nabors' homes, to their shared musical influences, to their reverence for and reflections on the intelligence of the human voice to transcend the most difficult of circumstances, the sisters and Brian bring the Word to the work of life and music. 

We also get to hear John Hall (Pappy's) influential voice and hear the premiere of the Three Sisters theme music. 

For additional notes and to purchase a Three Sisters tote bag or cap, visit The Well. 

In this episode, the Beard sisters continue their reflection on moments of profound and overwhelming fear in each of their lives: the premature birth of Devona’s daughter Zora, the near-death experience of Rana’s husband Julian, and when DeAndra went from the sanctuary of church into an unexplained coma.

As always, prayer, faith and powerful images and messages orchestrate the way the sisters and their families heal, survive and thrive despite extraordinary circumstances.