The Collective invites author and publisher, Erica Castro onto the show. This is the Uncut replay of edited version that played live on 03/16/25, 3-4pm PST.
We chat about healing and living vulnerably. Erica discusses the steps of grief after losing loved ones in multiple ways, and how it changes perspectives of life and how we choose to be honest with ourselves and others. We ask ourselves about vulnerability.
Is vulnerability being wild? Is being wild a way to freedom, recklessness, or both? What if we are truly honest with our intentions as healing people and artists as we express the grief of our loved ones, and parts of who we really were? Do we admit that we lost more than love, because of grief and unresolved trauma? Is this where healing might actually begin?
And finally, what telling marginalized people in grief to "Just be happy," and "smile" actually means.
This is part 1 of a 2 part episode.
Tune into The Collective for poetry, plays, art and more, this Sunday on @kqbhla, 3-4pm PST, on 101.5fm in Los Angeles area, world wide on kqbhla.com, or nationwide on the LPFM La app. This episode was previously recorded and edited for live radio. Find all the links to KQBH, Spotify, and Substack on @byginaduran’s website at byginaduran.com. Link in bio. Erica Castro is a Xicana English high school teacher who has taught for twenty-seven years. She has dedicated herself to publishing student work. She published the Oracle school anthology, and she has recently launched Daxson Publishing to publish marginalized voices.
Connect with Erica: Instagram: erica_lopez74; daxsonpublishing
Is vulnerability being wild? Is being wild a way to freedom, recklessness, or both? What if we are truly honest with our intentions as healing people and artists as we express the grief of our loved ones, and parts of who we really were? Do we admit that we lost more than love, because of grief and unresolved trauma? Is this where healing might actually begin?
In future episodes, Megha Sood and I ask others to think more deeply about our desires for freedom and community before following those who promise freedom and community. Particularly in times of disparity and vulnerability. Or as Megha Sood puts it, “All you have to do is read the story of the Pied Piper. He promised the rats freedom and led them to their death. And he did it with music.”
Community and freedom are what we want most, but there are negative an positive sides to both. We are after all human.
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