In this episode Michelle and Serena discuss how to get re-grounded after moving somewhere new. Serena moved from Rochester, NY to Brooklyn, NY 6 years ago (and moved 4 additional times within Brooklyn), and Michelle moved from NJ/NY to Arizona 3 years ago. The two discuss changes in cost of living and financial costs to consider, food deserts and food utopias, social changes and challenges, experiencing culture shock like encountering Black people that don’t know Black culture and the struggles of finding Black Queer and Trans community. They consider the impact of the spaces we choose to enter and the people we choose to be around, how home is where our heart is/with the people who hold our heart. Questions that are explored: 

• To what extent do we hold the power to intentionally choose surroundings that will help us ground and flourish in an environment? 
• How can our values help inform us to make better choices? 
• When do we decide that it’s time to move? 
• How does one heal in the same environment that harmed us?

Terms:

ATRs = African Traditional Religions

Shine Theory:

Crisp US Thrift (based in AZ) A thrift organization - Offers sewing classes, and discusses the social and racial impacts of the fashion industry; repurposes worn vintage items as everyday house-hold items. Black-owned and queer-owned. Visit: https://www.crispthrift.us/