Introducing the BE WELL Podcast

DECEMBER 26, 2025

Trauma Healing at the Intersections of Faith, Justice & Education

In a world marked by division, disruption, and deep emotional and spiritual fatigue, how do we keep showing up—with purpose, compassion, and hope?

BE WELL is a monthly exploration of trauma healing at the intersections of faith, justice, and education, created by McCormick Theological Seminary’s Trauma Healing Initiative (THI). 

ABOUT THE PODCAST
BE WELL is designed as a practical, spiritually grounded companion for anyone navigating complex realities in classrooms, congregations, and community spaces. Our hosts invite honest conversation, courageous reflection, and tools you can use the same week you listen.

The podcast is hosted by Rev. Dr. Stephanie Crumpton — THI Director and Associate Professor of Practical Theology at McCormick, an ordained UCC minister, and author of We Gon’ Be Alright — and co-host Adriana (“Dri”) Rivera — a theological educator and PhD candidate in Christian Education and Congregational Studies whose work centers Latina feminist theology and critical pedagogy — the podcast gathers theologians, practitioners, educators, and artists to consider how trauma-informed approaches help us teach, learn, lead, and live with greater wholeness.

EPISODE 1: Oppression Olympics: Power, Solidarity, and Healing
When marginalized communities compete for visibility or resources, relationships fracture and collective power weakens. In our opening conversation, we name this dynamic — often called the “Oppression Olympics” — and chart a different path. We explore how trauma shapes inter-group dynamics and fuels scarcity thinking; why comparison and competition undermine liberation; and how faith-rooted practices can ground courage, accountability, and repair. You’ll also hear practical moves for leaders, educators, and congregations to cultivate belonging across difference.

Our guest, Julian DeShazier, brings a trauma-informed lens to understanding power and practicing solidarity that leads to healing — personal, communal, and systemic. An affiliate faculty member at McCormick Theological Seminary and a Chicago-based pastor, hip-hop artist, and community organizer, Julian’s work lives at the intersection of theology, social justice, and cultural engagement, centering solidarity over competition and the healing of systems as well as souls.

Content Note: This episode includes frank discussion of historical and present-day harms.

LISTEN, SHARE, & SUBSCRIBE
Stream Episode 1 and subscribe so you never miss a conversation. New episodes drop at the end of each month.

Find BE WELL on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Podcasts, Deezer, or wherever you listen. As a new podcast, your subscription, 5-star rating, and a short review help others discover the show.

Because—even amid the echoes of harm—we believe that we can BE WELL.