Voices of Ruth Ellis Center

There are a lot of false statements going around aboutgender affirming care, and we use this episode to debunk it. Krystina and I’Sha sit with Lead Outpatient Therapist, Ryan, LMSW a therapist at Ruth Ellis Center. We discuss the process, misconceptions, and more. Reading Room Book of the Month: Felix Ever After by KacenCallenderLocal Book Store: Love & Other Books (www.loveandotherbooksshop.com)Read along with us and join our book discussion onBlueSky (@ruthelliscenter.bsky.social)! Support your local library or bookstore.We would like to thank LEAR for making this episodehappen!  We want to highlight the talentedPatrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast. Check out our producer Patrick and his work atPatrick Harris (@presidentpat) • Instagram photos and videos

To uplift Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we interviewDale Krueger (he/him) MYSHARE Co-Facilitator and Jarred Daniels (he/him) SHARE Implementation Specialist at Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health(MOASH). We discuss misconceptions, digital literacy and the importance of community. Here are links to some resources shared:Stopncii.org - StopNCII.org is a free tool designed tosupport victims of Non-Consensual Intimate Image (NCII) abuse1in6.org - Sexual assault support for Men MOASH has a community retreat program called LiFT(Linking Families and Teens) for youth 13-24 and their supportive adults.Please check out our socials for the flyer! Reading Room Book of the Month:Black Leopard Red Wolf by Marlon JamesLocal Book Store: Love & Other Books (www.loveandotherbooksshop.com)Read along with us and join our book discussion onBlueSky (@ruthelliscenter.bsky.social)! Supportyour local library or bookstore.We would like to thank LEAR for making this episodehappen!  We want to highlight the talentedPatrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast. Check out our producer Patrick and his work atPatrick Harris (@presidentpat) • Instagram photos and videos

The misinformation and stigma around HIV are still anissue in the year 2025 oddly enough. From the lack of knowledge about PrEP to thinking it only effects Black gay men, there is a WHOLE lot to debunk and demystify. We interview two folks living with HIV to hear and share theirstories while bringing the truth to you about HIV. Reading Room Book of the Month sponsored by The Ford Fund: The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna Local Book Store: Love & Other Books (www.loveandotherbooksshop.com)Read along with us and join our book discussion onBlueSky (@ruthelliscenter.bsky.social)! Supportyour local library or bookstore.We would like to thank Brasscraft  for making this episode happen!  We want to highlight the talented Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast. Check out our producer Patrick and his work atPatrick Harris (@presidentpat) • Instagram photos and videos

When it comes to LGBTQIA+ community some relationships are more “accepted” than not. This episode we cover Lesbian love and how it is received differently from the rest of the community.   Reading Room Book of the Month: The Color Purple by Alice Walker Local Book Store: Love & Other Books (www.loveandotherbooksshop.com) Read along with us and join our book discussion on BlueSky (@ruthelliscenter.bsky.social)! Support your local library or bookstore. We would like to thank Stonewall Sports & Rocket Companies for making this episode happen!   We want to highlight the talented Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast.  Check out our producer Patrick and his work at Patrick Harris (@presidentpat) • Instagram photos and videos 

Happy New Year! This episode we discuss queer in educationwith our producer Patrick who not only produces our podcast but teaches too! We also reveal our new segment called the Reading Room!  Reading Room Book of the Month: Cemetery Boys by Aidan ThomasSpecial shout out to local bookstore Love & Other Books, for providing us with these books and they are willing to help you get any books in this series. (www.loveandotherbooksshop.com)We would like to thank Stonewall Sports & Rocket Companies for making this episode happen!   Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast, Patrick Harris IICheck out our producer Patrick and his work atPatrick Harris (@presidentpat) • Instagram photos and videos

Our Director of Development & Advancement Nazarina Mwakasege is BACK honey! This bonus episode discusses DEI through a global manufacturing lens with Global Director of Diversity & Inclusion Lamar Thomas of MAGNA International.  If you’re moved to give during #GivingTuesday⁠⁠, please click here to donate⁠⁠.    We want to highlight the talented Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast. Check out our producer Patrick and his work at ⁠⁠Patrick Harris (@presidentpat) • Instagram photos and videos 

As the saying goes, “Blood is thicker than water "but the true quote is consistently misused. The real saying is, “Blood of the covenant is thicker than water of the womb” meaning, those you choose to “shed blood with” have a stronger relationship than those you are born from. In this episode, we bring our good friend JM (They/He) the Education & Facilitation Manager at the Ruth Ellis Institute BACK to discuss chosen family and its significance through history.   If you’re moved to give during this time⁠⁠, please click here to donate⁠⁠.    We want to highlight the talented Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast. Check out our producer Patrick and his work at ⁠⁠Patrick Harris (@presidentpat) • Instagram photos and videos 

It’s Primary election season and time to get out to vote, but what if you don’t know how? Yes, that may sound shocking to some but many of those we serve don't know their rights around voting, how to vote or even if they can vote. On this episode we talk about voter education with Emme Zanotti, Director of Advocacy & Civic Engagement at Equality Michigan and talk to the community about voting!   Here are some resources to help you make an informed decision when voting:  www.vote.org  www.mvic.sos.state.mi.us  www.hatewont.win  www.isidewith.com  We want to highlight the talented Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast.    Check out our producer Patrick and his work at Patrick Harris (@presidentpat) • Instagram photos and videos

Being a teenager is a journey in itself, add being a trans teen in states that dont support you and we add a whole other level of adversity. In this episode Krystina and I'Sha interview Nico Lang (They/Them) journalist and author of the book American Teenager an unprecedented book chronicling the lived experiences of seven diverse families of trans youth in seven different states. As a longtime, award-winning LGBTQ+ reporter who has contributed to outlets such as Rolling Stone, HuffPost, BuzzFeed News, Them, and The Daily Beast, Nico knows that telling the stories of trans kids, especially from their own point of view, could not be more critical in our current climate. The book officially releases October 8th everywhere books are sold. We encourage you to read it, buy it from your local bookstores or request it at your public library, if all else fails Amazon is an option. If you are in the Metro Detroit area you can request this book at a few of our favorite bookstores such as Source Booksellers on Cass a local black owned bookstore John K. King Books North on Woodward in Ferndale or John K. King Books on Lafayette in Detroit Love &Other books on E. 9 mile in Ferndale.   As always, we want to highlight the amazing work of our Volunteer Executive Producer Patrick Harris Jr. and thank our guest Nico Lang.

I'Sha and Krystina conduct and in-depth conversation with Joyya Pettus, Assoicate Housing Director and Manny, a young person at Ruth Ellis Center. These conversations address why the Ruth Ellis Center is so important to the community we serve. Thank you for listening and don't forget to leave your episode suggestions in the comments or on our social media. We want to highlight the talented Patrick Harris II, Volunteer Executive Producer of Voice of REC Podcast. Check out our producer Patrick and his work at Patrick Harris (@presidentpat) • Instagram photos and videos