Building more equitable and inclusive relationships and communities requires a commitment to increasing our understanding of diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice in thought, and in practice. Actively committing ourselves to a lifetime of learning and critical self-reflection can show us the roles we can play in creating a better world by being the change we wish to see in it.
Hosted by Social Worker, Social Justice Educator, Writer, and Organizational Consultant Relando Thompkins-Jones, The Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian Podcast is an extension of the blog of the same name. In each Episode, Relando covers important topics geared toward increasing your capacity to learn and lead for equity, and social justice.
Since 2011, Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian has been a place where he's written about and curated content on issues of equity and social justice. Through using media for social justice education, Relando hopes to expand and enrich the narratives about social issues that face our society, and to find ways to take action while encouraging others to do the same, in their own ways.
No matter where you come from, what your identities are, or what area of work or study you’re in, there’s room for all of us in this work, and Relando hopes that engaging with the podcast and the blog can move you closer to discovering or reaffirming your own answers to questions you have about how to best be of service. Hit subscribe to join the dialogue.
Crossover Episode: Funky Production: Social Work, Race, Class, and Education with l o t i walker
Relando Thompkins-Jones continues his storytelling on the connections between Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian (https://notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com/) and Social Justice Origin Stories (https://www.youtube.com/@SocialJusticeOriginStories) with the release of this bonus crossover episode of the very first recorded interview on Notes From an Aspiring Humanitarian from 10 years ago.
In this episode, Relando Interviews his friend l o t i walker, a social worker, social justice advocate, artist, and photographer, on why she chose social work, the challenges of working within under-resourced systems, the importance of cultural humility, and building trust through client-centered practice.
l o t i also talks about the role of art in her life as a form of self-care, describes her “funky production” approach to problem-solving, and speaks on the power of storytelling and naming our experiences for ourselves.
Companion Episodes:
Ideas Need Time To Grow: How Starting My First Podcast Led Me To Social Justice Origin Stories (https://pod.link/1771268991/episode/Y2MxY2YzOGUtZWFlZC00OTllLTlhNjktMWZmN2UyYmYzYjE4)
Making Race Heard with Surabhi Pandit (https://pod.link/1771268991/episode/MmUyY2UwMjYtM2I0YS00NmZkLTlkMGEtZTE1MWRjYzFiMzU3)
🔔 If you haven't already...SUBSCRIBE to Social Justice Origin Stories on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@socialjusticeoriginstories?sub_confirmation=1
❤️ SUPPORT THE PROJECT
Support this work by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/SocialJusticeOriginStories
💬 SHARE YOUR STORY OR FEEDBACK
Your voice helps shape this community and may be featured in a future episode.
Email: stories@socialjusticeoriginstories.com
Leave a Voice Note: https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com/contact/ or https://www.speakpipe.com/socialjusticeoriginstories
Or leave a comment below
🎧 LISTEN & FOLLOW
Website: https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-justice-origin-stories/id1771268991
Wherever You Get Your Podcasts: https://pod.link/1771268991
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialjusticeoriginstories/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567841874653
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sjoriginstories.bsky.social
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/social-justice-origin-stories/
LinkedIn (Relando): https://www.linkedin.com/in/relandothompkinsjones/
LinkTree for more: https://linktr.ee/SocialJusticeOriginStories?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZzPfl3gCm5NY9C_Y-glRzwDu-8BvHfkCJaQlDihfrQxbYWC1dnxgRL2kU_aem_kmgEcokBmDt8WaAtlWQMQQ
-----
Social Justice Origin Stories is produced, edited, and hosted by Relando Thompkins-Jones.
00:00 Bonus Episode Setup
02:25 DIY Recording Origins
03:16 Why Storytelling Matters
04:09 Podcast Launch Intro
06:30 Why Social Work
11:08 Art Photography Self Care
13:46 Funding Politics Advocacy
15:44 School Based Social Work
20:55 Race Culture Humility
27:43 Funky Production Mindset
31:03 Proud Moments Trust
33:41 Earning Trust
35:09 Client Centered Practice
39:12 Mentors Who Shaped Me
42:25 Unlearning In Academia
44:20 Keep Learning And Networking
45:24 Cultural Share Mementos
55:53 Advice For Future Social Workers
01:00:29 Closing And Community Call
24 Jul 2026
Crossover Episode: Ideas Need Time To Grow: How Starting My First Podcast Led Me To Social Justice Origin Stories | Social Justice Origin Stories
In this special crossover episode, Relando Thompkins-Jones shares story of what led him to create his blog and podcast Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian, and its evolution into Social Justice Origin Stories, a multimedia storytelling platform dedicated to sharing the personal stories and pivotal moments that inspire individuals and organizations to pursue social justice.
🔔 If you haven't already...SUBSCRIBE to Social Justice Origin Stories on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@socialjusticeoriginstories?sub_confirmation=1 (https://www.youtube.com/@socialjusticeoriginstories?sub_confirmation=1)
WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-iTzu9gftA&list=PLkddd_SjYVRaEicJ3wZn0V1SYiLG-6tcn&index=1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-iTzu9gftA&list=PLkddd_SjYVRaEicJ3wZn0V1SYiLG-6tcn&index=1)
❤️ SUPPORT THE PROJECT Support this work by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/SocialJusticeOriginStories (https://www.patreon.com/SocialJusticeOriginStories)
💬 SHARE YOUR STORY OR FEEDBACK Your voice helps shape this community and may be featured in a future episode.
Email: stories@socialjusticeoriginstories.com
Leave a Voice Note: https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com/contact/ (https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com/contact/) or https://www.speakpipe.com/socialjusticeoriginstories (https://www.speakpipe.com/socialjusticeoriginstories)
Or leave a comment below
🎧 LISTEN & FOLLOW
Website: https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com (https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com)
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-justice-origin-stories/id1771268991 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-justice-origin-stories/id1771268991)
Wherever You Get Your Podcasts: https://pod.link/1771268991 (https://pod.link/1771268991)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialjusticeoriginstories/ (https://www.instagram.com/socialjusticeoriginstories/)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567841874653 (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567841874653)
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sjoriginstories.bsky.social (https://bsky.app/profile/sjoriginstories.bsky.social)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/social-justice-origin-stories/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/social-justice-origin-stories/)
LinkedIn (Relando): https://www.linkedin.com/in/relandothompkinsjones/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/relandothompkinsjones/)
LinkTree for more: https://linktr.ee/SocialJusticeOriginStories?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZzPfl3gCm5NY9C_Y-glRzwDu-8BvHfkCJaQlDihfrQxbYWC1dnxgRL2kU_aem_kmgEcokBmDt8WaAtlWQMQQ (https://linktr.ee/SocialJusticeOriginStories?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZzPfl3gCm5NY9C_Y-glRzwDu-8BvHfkCJaQlDihfrQxbYWC1dnxgRL2kU_aem_kmgEcokBmDt8WaAtlWQMQQ)
Support the podcast by becoming a patron: patreon.com/NAHBlog (https://patreon.com/NAHBlog)
Other Important Links:
Blog: notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com (https://notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com)
Listen wherever you get your podcasts: https://pod.link/1103110522 (https://pod.link/1103110522)
Relando's Website: relandothompkinsjones.com (https://relandothompkinsjones.com)
Social Justice Origin Stories Podcast: socialjusticeoriginstories.com (https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com)
Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian by Relando Thompkins Jones is a project of Thompkins-Jones Consulting. All Rights Reserved.
00:00 Welcome and Updates
01:47 Why Look Back
04:33 Origins of the Podcast
05:11 Awakening and Anger
10:41 Inter...
20 Jan 2026
Beyond The Dream: 10 Quotes from Dr. King That Deserve More Attention
Before he was assassinated on April 4th, 1968, Dr. King was hated by many of the people and institutions who now claim to honor him today. In reflecting on his life and legacy, here are 10 quotes from Dr. King that deserve more of our attention.
Blog Post referenced in this episode: https://notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com/beyond-the-dream-10-quotes-from-dr-king-that-deserve-more-attention/ (https://notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com/beyond-the-dream-10-quotes-from-dr-king-that-deserve-more-attention/)
Support the podcast by becoming a patron: patreon.com/NAHBlog (https://patreon.com/NAHBlog)
Other Important Links:
Blog: notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com (https://notesfromanaspiringhumanitarian.com)
Relando's Website: relandothompkinsjones.com (https://relandothompkinsjones.com)
Social Justice Origin Stories Podcast: socialjusticeoriginstories.com (https://socialjusticeoriginstories.com)
Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian by Relando Thompkins Jones is a project of Thompkins-Jones Consulting. All Rights Reserved.
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