Living For We: Keep Ya Head Up - New Season Now Streaming!
The highly anticipated new season of Living For We: Keep Ya Head Up is here, and they’re kicking things off with powerful episodes that dive deep into the realities of gun violence, trauma, and healing in Black communities. Hosted by Marlene Harris-Taylor and Myesha Watkins, this season provides a safe space for open conversations while offering critical resources to those who need them most.
They’ve been overwhelmed by the response from listeners, especially students, who have been reaching out to share their own experiences. These stories matter, and they encourage you to continue sharing your voice through our Speakpipe platform here.
Now, let’s break down the first three episodes:
Episode 1: “Both Sides of the Gun”
In the season premiere, Marlene and Myesha talk to Black men, deeply entrenched in street life, alongside a community leader working to break the cycle of violence. Joining the conversation is licensed therapist and author Jor-El Caraballo (Self-Care for Black Men: 100 Ways to Heal and Liberate), who offers insights on healing and self-care.
- Special shout-outs:
Amir - Spoke at the Living For We launch party and brought powerful personal insight to the discussion.
Dre works with the Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance, an organization tackling violence prevention (led by executive director Myesha Watkins).
Episode 2: “No Safe Space”
What happens when a routine school day turns into a nightmare? This episode explores how gun violence—and the fear of it—is disrupting schools and leaving lasting trauma. We hear from Garfield Heights High School student Travis Page, who shares his harrowing experience of escaping a shooting at his first football game. We also meet mother-daughter duo Reina Gomez and Francine Torres, who recount a terrifying lockdown incident caused by misinformation about an active shooter.
Additionally, the hosts speak with Dr. Terrance Menefee, a former Cleveland school principal who lost 17 of his students to gun violence in just five years. His perspective is eye-opening, and students have already reached out to express how much of an impact he had on their lives.
- Special shout-outs:
Reina Gomez - Delivers a heart-wrenching account of surviving a school lockdown.
Dr. Terrance Menefee is a beloved former principal who made a lasting difference in his students’ lives.
Episode 3: “You Right, I’m Wrong, I’m Gone”
Interpersonal conflicts—often fueled by social media disputes and momentary anger—are increasingly escalating into deadly violence. This episode explores the factors contributing to these tragic outcomes and offers solutions for de-escalation.
Marlene and Myesha speak with Cleveland teens about the pressures they face while navigating violence at school and in their neighborhoods. We also hear from Walter Patton, founder of Ghetto Therapy™️, a mental health initiative that has provided free therapy to over 1,600 people annually since its launch in 2018. He’s joined by Vincent Evans, a Cleveland Peacemakers outreach worker, who coined the phrase “You Right, I’m Wrong, I’m Gone”—a simple but powerful mantra for conflict resolution.
- Special shout-outs:
Vincent Evans is an outreach worker with Cleveland Peacemakers, known for his wisdom and practical conflict resolution strategies.
Walter Patton, founder of Ghetto Therapy™️ a game-changer in mental health accessibility.
Resources & How to Get Involved
We know these topics are heavy, and we want to ensure our listeners have access to the support they need. Here are some resources to check out:
Free Therapy Sessions: Ghetto Therapy offers free mental health support every Wednesday. If you or someone you know needs a safe space to talk, don’t hesitate to attend.
Curated Resources for Listeners: Find tools, articles, and support networks on our resource page.
Share Your Story: We want to hear from you! Use our Speakpipe to record and submit your experience.
This season of Living For We: Keep Ya Head Up is about more than just storytelling—it’s about healing, community, and action. We’re honored to be part of this movement with you.
Stay tuned for more episodes dropping soon!
Living For We is part of the Connecting the Dots between Race and Health initiative from Ideastream Public Media. Our show is produced by Evergreen Podcasts, and made possible by generous support from the Dr. Donald J Goodman and Ruth Webber Goodman philanthropic fund of the Cleveland Foundation.