Welcome to It’s Not Black or White—a podcast where real stories meet honest conversations. Each episode explores the people, ideas, and experiences that prove life is rarely lived in absolutes. Hosted by Tim Stevenson and Diane Blakeley, we sit down with actors, dancers, musicians, politicians, entrepreneurs, business leaders, technology innovators, medical experts, survivors, community voices, and everyday people with extraordinary stories. From health and leadership to culture, current events, and resilience, we invite you to listen, learn, and see the world differently.
In this episode, hosts Tim Stevenson and Diane Blakeley talk with Julie about why creativity matters, even in an institution built on uniformity. She describes the backyard art show she started while on active duty and how it grew into a nonprofit. She also talks about honoring her late mother’s poetry in New York and helping pass what was then the strongest AI safety law in the country. Diane opens up about beating cancer and finding joy again through hip-hop dance in Tim’s class. The conversation ends on a big question: how do we get back to civility?
💬 Who in your life has that rare mix of service and creativity? Tell us in the comments.
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🎙️ It’s Not Black or White is a podcast about world events and inspiring stories that can help other people. Follow, subscribe, all the things!
#NavyPilot #Veteran #WomenInAviation #TEDx #PublicArt #Creativity #AISafety #CivicEngagement #Democracy #ItsNotBlackOrWhite #Podcast #JulieRoland
8 Oct 2026
Bonner Paddock Pt 2 - Boundaries & Energy Vampires
In Part 2, Bonner Paddock tells Tim Stevenson and Diane Blakeley how he built Project Possible, a foundation with six centers in five countries where every dollar raised goes to the kids it serves. He talks about the anger he carried toward his parents, the forgiveness he found with his dad, and why he now loves some people from a distance.Then the conversation turns to energy vampires: who they are, why they hate boundaries, and why setting them was "the hardest yet smartest thing I've ever done." Bonner closes with his return to soccer at 48 and winning the Copa América with the U.S. para-national team
7 Oct 2026
Bonner Paddock Pt 1 _Met Death on Kilimanjaro
Bonner Paddock was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. Seven doctors gave six different diagnoses before he was correctly diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 11. He went on to climb Kilimanjaro, finish the Ironman, and write the bestselling book One More Step.In Part 1, Bonner sits down with Tim Stevenson and Diane Blakeley to talk about the day he sat down at 17,000 feet, out of water in 50-below cold, and made peace with dying. He also opens up about the year of depression that followed the summit, and the four-year-old boy named Jakey who changed his life
#ItsNotBlackOrWhite #BonnerPaddock #CerebralPalsy #Kilimanjaro #Ironman #Podcast
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
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