The Disruption Podcast is focused on creating big, bold change through the disruption of systems and institutions that cause harm to others and through disruption in your own personal life leading you to find pathways to your own purpose, freedom, and power. We believe that disruption in these spaces activates transformational impact across society.
We are Tracey Breeden and Michelle Pelton, the hosts of The Disruption Podcast. We are queer activists, passionate about driving change, who will share our personal stories of disruption with you and lead you through discussions with fellow disruptors, including other activists and advocates, leaders on the inside and outside of organizations, and notable friends and influencers. We hope to inspire and activate you towards the big, bold change that you want to see in yourself and in the world.
We will dig deep into those personal stories and into pressing topics like creating safe spaces and belonging, advocating for social change through activism in the most difficult places, personal elevation and radical leadership through living authentically, and sex positivity. We’ll even talk about closing the orgasm gap! It can get pretty serious, but we’ll also love, laugh, and weave lightness into our time together. The truth is disruption of self and the systems that surround us is not easy, and often requires us to lay down our safety. It all begins with giving ourselves permission to take that first step into personal truth and power. Look around and know you are not alone. We and our fellow Disruptors are people from all walks of life on that journey with you. Get ready to disrupt!
In this very special episode, your’s truly – podcast hosts Tracey and Michelle – give you a behind-the-scenes look at how our chance encounter has changed both of our lives and the world, forever.
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In this episode, we explore the world of innovation and change-making in your own unique and individual way with our guest, RaShawn Hawkins. RaShawn shares her lived experience as a queer person in the workplace and how she initiated incremental change in the various spaces she’s been in, including as the leader behind HRC’s Workplace Focus Initiative.
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In the second part of our conversation with Carolyn and Kathay, the fierce and brilliant women we’ve come to love, we’re diving into the heartwarming journey and impact of their friendship that has spanned over 50 years. Join us as we explore the valuable insights they’ve gained from their enduring bond and the profound impact of community-building inside the classroom, in your local community, and in your friend groups!
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In this episode of The Disruption Podcast, we sit down with two remarkable guests and some of our favorite humans, Carolyn and Kathay, to delve into what it was like to be part of their generation of pioneering change through a discussion of their disruptive journeys, the evolution of human rights, women’s rights then and now, and the power of community.
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In this, the last episode in our three-part series with Stacy and Charlie, these lovely humans come together to give us a crash course in the trans experience. Their organization, TNET (Transgender/Nonbinary Education & Trainings), is an education-focused agency owned, founded, and staffed by trans educators Stacy and Charlie through which they offer trainings, workshops, and print materials designed to help all people understand and interact with trans and nonbinary people more compassionately and effectively.
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In this second part of our three-part series, we have the pleasure of chatting with Charlie Alexander (they/them) about everything from how gender-affirming care is suicide prevention to some realities of parenting as a non-binary person. Charlie is a trans and nonbinary parent to two kids who, after winding up pregnant at age 17 without access to any support, resources, or assistance, became ferociously passionate about educating folks on important topics such as sexual health, boundaries, consent, radical love, all things sex-, sexuality-, and gender-related.
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As we close out a month meant to celebrate queerness worldwide, we are so excited to start a special 3-part series highlighting the T in LBGTQIA+ by sharing our conversation with the delightful and fabulously talented Stacy Fatemi! Stacy (they/them) is a trans, nonbinary educator who, after coming out as trans at age 17, began casually educating others to address a gap in knowledge about the gender spectrum and experiences that affected their everyday life. Now, at age 26, they do transgender trainings and workshops for organizations all around the country, with an added focus on nonbinary people and the issues they face, as co-founder of TNET.
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in this episode, we talk to Debbie Phillips, the inspiring founder of Women on Fire®, and also author, coach, and podcaster, about the value of community, how to feel confident in yourself when you aren’t supported by the people around you, and why the five people you keep closest to you should be the most influential in your life. Join us so you too can take in the inspiration that Debbie so freely and lovingly gave us during our time together.
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On this episode of The Disruption Podcast, we are honored to have an insightful conversation with Tracy DeTomasi, CEO of Callisto, a nonprofit organization with the goal of ending serial sexual assault one match at a time. Tracy has held leadership positions across the nonprofit sector over the past 20 years, where she has developed and implemented trauma-informed programming and curricula. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Tracy’s extensive experience in the gender-based violence space gives her a deep understanding of the ecosystem of survivors, offenders, and allies that she uses to effect instrumental change regarding domestic violence laws, education, and understanding in the US and globally.
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Our special guest this week is Dr. Topeka K. Sam, the CEO of @TheLOHM among many other things, who shares her story of transformation and disruption and how her experience in federal prison inspired passion and purpose in her to advocate for women’s rights in and adjacent to the U.S. criminal justice system.
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