The complex beauty and contradictions of Southern identity, community, and language is explored through heartfelt conversation with Landon Bryant, social influencer, comedian, and author of “Bless Your Heart, A Field Guide to All Things Southern.” Kym Alexander (Chief Strategy and Operations Officer) joins Adriane and Landon to discuss how joy, community, and equity are interwoven with Southern traditions, language, and changing notions of identity, while also reflecting on the importance of preserving culture amidst evolving social values. They also reflect on the need for honest conversations about privilege, inclusion, and the different ways Southerners build connection and resilience, .

Joy is explored as a vital, non-negotiable aspect of human well-being and a critical component in the pursuit of equity. Jacqueline Oselen (a.k.a. "Jackie O.") shares personal stories, community experiences, and practical wisdom on accessing joy, especially during challenging times of grief and conflict. The conversation reframes joy not just as an emotion but as a form of agency and resilience, necessary to sustain individuals and communities engaged in equity work.

"Equity is personal. We know when we're being treated inequitably. What we struggle with is how to help others learn to identify it systematically or how to address it."

Jena Martin, law professor at St. Mary’s University and scholar in business and human rights, shares how she helps future attorneys connect legal frameworks with the lived experiences of real people. She reflects on her journey through academia -- from Howard to West Virginia University to St. Mary’s -- and the importance of teaching students to center human dignity in their work. Martin speaks candidly about the complexity of advocating for equity, the challenges of being the only voice in certain rooms, and what it means to listen and act inside corporate environments. This episode explores how equity shows up through access and voice, and why teaching the “why” behind legal systems matters as much as the law itself.