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Care in the Cracks — The Quiet Work of Showing Up with Mike Brown
Season 4
Episode 2
Published 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Description
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What if the most important work isn’t happening under the lights — but in the quiet decisions no one claps for?
In this episode, James sits down with Mike Brown to talk about children’s theater, nonprofit work, housing, and education — and what it looks like to keep showing up when the system isn’t built to help.
There’s tenderness here.
There’s frustration here.
And a kind of care that keeps showing up — even when it’s tired.
What we explore together:
🎭 Two schools. Same county. Different centuries — seeing abundance and neglect before the same lunch bell.
🧳 The touring job that changed everything without announcing itself — justice sneaking in through the stage door.
🛠️ When the spotlight lost its pull — and the backstage systems started to matter more.
👶 The moment service stopped being theoretical — and started sleeping down the hall.
🗺️ The country you see from a children’s theater van — stitched together by loading docks and gym floors.
🏛️ Teenagers practicing democracy with more care than most adults — one argument, one pause, one listen at a time.
💸 When “budget uncertainty” stops being abstract — and turns into unanswered phones and canceled programs.
🏠 The paper on the door that isn’t an eviction—yet — and how not knowing costs everything.
⚖️ Discrimination that sounds polite — until someone trains themselves to hear it clearly.
🧠 What happens when we hand kids teams instead of tools — and call it preparation.
This episode isn’t here to fix you.
It’s here to sit beside you while you notice what holds, what gives, and the ways care keeps showing up — tired, tender, quiet, imperfect, when no one’s watching.
We’re really, really glad you’re here. 💛
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support.
🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔ ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕
Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!
❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕ 🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔
Got something on your mind? James never runs out of things to say, so tell us what you want to discuss!
Remember there is no shame in joy or for asking for what you need.
Leave a review, send us a screenshot, and we’ll mail you a sticker! See you next FRIDAY for another dose of Radical Joy.
James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.
For non-emergencies, Psychology Today can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.
This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.
We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.
This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios
What if the most important work isn’t happening under the lights — but in the quiet decisions no one claps for?
In this episode, James sits down with Mike Brown to talk about children’s theater, nonprofit work, housing, and education — and what it looks like to keep showing up when the system isn’t built to help.
There’s tenderness here.
There’s frustration here.
And a kind of care that keeps showing up — even when it’s tired.
What we explore together:
🎭 Two schools. Same county. Different centuries — seeing abundance and neglect before the same lunch bell.
🧳 The touring job that changed everything without announcing itself — justice sneaking in through the stage door.
🛠️ When the spotlight lost its pull — and the backstage systems started to matter more.
👶 The moment service stopped being theoretical — and started sleeping down the hall.
🗺️ The country you see from a children’s theater van — stitched together by loading docks and gym floors.
🏛️ Teenagers practicing democracy with more care than most adults — one argument, one pause, one listen at a time.
💸 When “budget uncertainty” stops being abstract — and turns into unanswered phones and canceled programs.
🏠 The paper on the door that isn’t an eviction—yet — and how not knowing costs everything.
⚖️ Discrimination that sounds polite — until someone trains themselves to hear it clearly.
🧠 What happens when we hand kids teams instead of tools — and call it preparation.
This episode isn’t here to fix you.
It’s here to sit beside you while you notice what holds, what gives, and the ways care keeps showing up — tired, tender, quiet, imperfect, when no one’s watching.
We’re really, really glad you’re here. 💛
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support.
🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔ ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕
Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!
❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕ 🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔
Got something on your mind? James never runs out of things to say, so tell us what you want to discuss!
Remember there is no shame in joy or for asking for what you need.
Leave a review, send us a screenshot, and we’ll mail you a sticker! See you next FRIDAY for another dose of Radical Joy.
James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.
For non-emergencies, Psychology Today can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.
This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.
We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.
This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios