In this episode, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with the Shockoe Institute's President and CEO Marland Buckner. The Shockoe Institute is a national organization based in Richmond, Virginia, dedicated to uncovering and understanding the lasting impact of racial slavery on the American experience. We discuss the Institute’s powerful mission, the challenges of truth-telling in public history, and the vision driving their work to transform collective understanding and inspire action toward justice.
*Don't miss this first episode of our new season!*
In this episode, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul speaks with Regina Chaney of HOMEVA (Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, Inc.). HOMEVA was born out of the necessity to enforce the Fair Housing Act. As long as discriminatory practices prevent access to housing, HOMEVA is there to protect the rights of all Virginians. They tackle systemically divisive housing practices through fair housing enforcement, research, advocacy, and statewide policy work. They also aid first-time homebuyers and those under the threat of foreclosure. When unequal access to housing and credit contributes most to our growing wealth gap, they serve as a powerful catalyst toward furthering fair housing.
*You don't want to miss this episode*
In this fun and insightful episode, ending the recent series on Jewish history, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with inspirational speaker and Kosher rapper Zechariya Levine aka L'Chaim OG. They discuss practical Torah as a lifestyle, making Aliyah to Israel and how to pursue one's goals in spite of the odds. This inspiring episode will make you laugh as well as reflect on what's really important in life. Take a listen and share!
In this episode of Leading By History, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul continues his dialogue with historian and colleague Dr. Adam Ewing about Marcus Garvey and Black Spirituality. Discussing Garvey's influence on religious movements in the Americas, the duo discuss their views of Garvey and the power of his movement to spark the flame of critical thinking about Blackness and spirituality.
In this episode of Leading By History, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul engages in a dialogue with historian and colleague Dr. Adam Ewing about Marcus Garvey and Black Spirituality. Discussing Garvey's influence on religious movements in the Americas, the duo discuss their views of Garvey and the power of his movement to spark the flame of critical thinking about Blackness and spirituality. This is just part 1!
In this episode, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Michael Miller to discuss Jewish Mysticism and African Hebrew Israelite Theodicy. Are you interested in the seemingly elusive mysterious ideas of "inner Judaism"? From Kabbala to Zohar to Masonry, this long-awaited episode is set to provide great insight for the listener. Welcome back to LBH!
In this episode, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Micha Perry from the University of Haifa in Israel to discuss the Medieval world and the impact of literacy and writing on religious communities. Covering topics like Eldad the Danite, the Babylonian Talmud and the Book of Eli film, this episode is a nice teaser for the newly initiated into this area of history. Have you ever wondered if religious texts have been edited over time or whether religious ideas have changed over time? This episode is not one that you want to miss!
In this episode, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Rachel McMillian to discuss her work in Black education and critical prison studies. In this dialogue they discuss their personal experiences with those in prison and address a broken criminal system of punishment that leads to recidivism and not progressive change. It is important to remember those who are trapped behind bars and to advocate for the acknowledgement of their humanity in a society that has long discounted them as positive members. This is not an episode to take lightly.
In this episode, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Michael Robison to discuss his book, "The Lost White Tribe". In his text, Robinson traces the rise and fall of "the Hamitic Hypothesis." In addition to recounting Stanley's "discovery," Robinson shows how it influenced encounters with the Ainu in Japan; Vilhjalmur Stefansson's tribe of "blond Eskimos" in the Arctic; and the "white Indians" of Panama. Delving deeply into 19th and early 20th century ideas of racial supremacy and racial classifications, this episode will deepen your knowledge of how false interpretations of the Bible and unorthodox Christian ideals led to imperialism and eventually genocide. This is an episode that you want to take your time with. (This is an extended episode with no breaks) Tune in now!
*Update: Technical issues with the host microphone persists in this episode. We have edited for the best possible quality.
In this episode of Leading By History Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down for a talk with author and mental health advocate Andrea "Drea" Williams in order to discuss suicide prevention. Drea is a survivor of multiple suicide attempts and has dedicated herself to the mission of helping and supporting those struggling with ideas of death and suicidal ideations. Drea is a firm believer that the more we listen to, learn from and support those struggling with ideas of suicide-the more opportunities we will have to help make a difference in their lives and the lives of others. This is a very emotionally challenging conversation and we provide a trigger warning for those who may be currently be in a delicate mental space. We want you to know that we love you and our thoughts and prayers are for you to overcome, survive and succeed.
If you are looking to learn more about mental health support and how to understand mental health and trauma challenges-please listen to this episode from season 1.
Here is an article about Drea's book as well as a link to purchase it - Fearless of the Inevitable.
In this episode of Leading By History, Dr. Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Ms. Jeannine Cook to discuss her journey from street vendor to brick n' mortar business woman and the power of literacy to transform a city. The conversation is engaging, insightful and inspiring. The Philadelphia Citizen rated Jeannine as one of the city’s most dynamic change-makers. If you want to hear a story of resilience and the power of education and community-this is an episode that you do not want to miss.
You can catch Jeannine at one of her two shops working to build bridges and relationships. Learn more about her businesses here:
In this episode, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Lucas Morel to discuss his persuasive work of intellectual history. Morel argues that the most important influence on Abraham Lincoln’s political thought and practice was what he learned from the leading figures of and documents from the birth of the United States. In this discussion Morel and Isra-Ul discuss how Lincoln can be understood through an examination of the American founding.
In this episode of Leading By History, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Jacqueline Battalora to discuss her research on the origins of racially-based hierarchies in America, starting with the first Virginia Colony. This is a DEEP DIVE into the origin of race in the American colonies and how "catch-all" terms were invented in order to separate and discriminate privilege access among residents of the early colonies. Dr. Battalora ties today's racial classification of "white" to the aftermath of Bacon's rebellion and shows through the development of colonial law how this was done in order to create and maintain division between Africans, Europeans and the Indigenous. This show is over one hour but it will be worth every listening moment. This may be one of the most important and intriguing conversations about racial classifications of the new year!
Dr. Battalora's book-Birth of a White Nation: The Invention of White People and Its Relevance Today can be purchased with a special discount for Leading By History listeners by using this code -> ADC23 for Routledge Press.
In this long awaited episode of Leading By History, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down for a chat with Dr. Evyn Le Espiritu Gandhi. In this dialogue there is a discussion of Dr. Gandhi's book (read free here-> Archipelago of Resettlement Vietnamese Refugee Settlers and Decolonization across Guam and Israel-Palestine - PROMO 13W0801 in discount coupon when ordering from University of California Press) and the idea of displacement and unjust dispossession of lands and refugee settler conditions. This is a heavy topic and one that has not been addressed in many forums. Though these ideas are dense and need unpacking, this short episode takes the listener on a journey to understand how resettlement and forced immigration has impacted more indigenous peoples that are commonly known or considered. Welcome back to Leading By History...we are excited that you are here!
https://www.ucpress.edu/book.php?isbn=9780520379657
This is a brief introduction to our series on Indigenous Warrior Arts. In this series we will speak with three teachers and masters of their specific art and hear about how they started, their personal philosophies and how we, as the audience, can draw knowledge and understanding from their respective practices. You don't have to be a Bruce Lee fan to enjoy this! Let's get started!
In this episode of Leading By History, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Vince Bantu to discuss his research into ancient African Christian liturgical languages and his perspectives on Christianity for African Americans today. While LBH is not a religious podcast, this show seeks to transcend dogmatic religious views in favor of discovering a rich African religious culture steeped in some of the earliest forms of Christianity. This episode shows the reach of Africana and its all encompassing presence even into the field of theology. You don't have to be religious to enjoy this episode - just inquisitive enough to understand the relevance of such a conversation. Are you ready? Click the listen button now!
In this discussion, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with Dr. Christina Proenza-Coles to discuss the process and products of history and the development and defense of New World settlements by Black people who "undermined slavery, and championed freedom throughout the hemisphere". While conventional history tends to reduce the roles of African Americans to antebellum slavery and the civil rights movement - the truth is that African people were forerunners of American founding (all three Americas) long before the English and other European migrants. Black people were omnipresent in the founding and advancement of the Americas, in every facet of American history as explorers, conquistadores, settlers, soldiers, sailors, servants, slaves, rebels, leaders, lawyers, litigants, laborers, artisans, artists, activists, translators, teachers, doctors, nurses, inventors, investors, merchants, mathematicians, scientists, scholars, engineers, entrepreneurs, and generals! Tune in NOW to find out the information that you've been missing!
In this episode, Ma'asehyahu Isra-Ul sits down with astrophysicist Dr. Gibor Basri to discuss AstroPhysics, Religion and the Universe. The discussion is candid, intriguing and notable. From discussing the beginning of the universe and the creation of the moon to the Nation of Islam and the Dogon of Mali, this conversation is chock-full of interesting niche musings. It is the duty of every person to learn and grow their potential and this conversation is one worth listening to for that purpose. Dr. Basri is of Iraqi Jewish and Jamaican descent and is one of very few people of color in his field. Learn more about his journey and what keeps him inspired as you test the boundaries of your celestial knowledge. Come join us!