This season launched in January 2023 and is wrapping up in 2024, something that our hosts did not anticipate. In this finale, Alethea and Matthew reflect on what it took to get this season launched and highlight each of the episodes and what they appreciated about them. They express their joy and gratitude in what was accomplished in the midst of more unexpected life circumstances which caused the season to take a year and a half to complete, and they give a brief vision for what the upcoming season will be focused on. Hosts: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Melendrez Engineer: Katie Nguyen Palomares Designer: Cameron Stingley Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com.

We have our first returning guest, Danielle Coke Balfour, back to discuss her first book, “A Heart on Fire: 100 Meditations on Loving Your Neighbors Well”, which was released in October 2023. We talk with Danielle about what sparked her desire to write (and illustrate!) the book, and how she landed on her “ten pillars of a life of good work”. We also highlight one of the meditations in the “Justice” section that resonated with us and directly connects to the foundation of The Roll Down. We hope you enjoy this fun and inspiring conversation with one of our favorite guests! Danielle Coke Balfour is a graphic designer turned artist, advocate, speaker, and entrepreneur. She’s the founder of Oh Happy Dani, an illustration-based educational platform that uses artwork and resources to make complex ideas surrounding racial justice more accessible for the everyday advocate. Danielle works to inspire her community of over half a million people across social media to do good daily, right where they are. She’s also the author of “A Heart on Fire: 100 Meditations on Loving Your Neighbors Well.” Whether working with brands like Target and Adobe, speaking in front of audiences, or running her business, Danielle hopes to inspire others to embody their values and live a life of sustainable activism by using what they have to impact the world around them. Additional Resources: Book website: https://book.ohhappydani.com Bookshop link (supports indie bookstores with every purchase!): https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-heart-on-fire-100-meditations-on-loving-your-neighbors-well-danielle-coke-balfour/19795761?ean=9781524881221 Danielle’s weekly newsletter: ​​https://ohhappydani.com/advocate Hosts: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Meledrez Engineer: Katie Nguyen Palomares Designer: Cameron Stingley Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com.

This episode is a continuation from the previous episode where we discussed the lead up to, and the closing of, all Lenses offerings in the U.S. in July 2021. In this episode, Alethea and Matthew share more about their experiences in the organization outside of what happened with Lenses, and they’ll explore the impact of these events and practices they utilized to heal. Though their story is specific to the Cru ministry, anyone who has endured religious trauma and/or workplace abuse may benefit from the practical elements they offer. Additional Resources: The Roll Down, Season 1 episodes: “Empathy, Containment and Validation” and “Community & Self-care in the Fight for Justice” Hosts: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Meledrez Engineer: Katie Nguyen Palomares Designer: Cameron Stingley Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com.

On July 29, 2021, The Lenses Executive Team released a statement which announced that all Lenses offerings in the U.S. would be shut down effective immediately. From that day until now, there have been various things said about why Lenses closed, and much of what has been said is not remotely true. As the three year mark is coming up this summer, Alethea and Matthew felt it was time to let people know what really happened. And though this episode is specific to one organization, those who have endured workplace and/or spiritual abuse may resonate with the themes from these experiences. Hosts: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Meledrez Engineer: Katie Nguyen Palomares Designer: Cameron Stingley Admin Assistant: Alexandra Suarez Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com.

This is part two of a two part episode where we discuss the state of our country as of April 2023. We acknowledge that we barely scratched the surface in our last episode due to the sheer amount of obscene things in the news each week and the lack of hours in a single day to process it all. Today's episode will focus more on practical ideas of how to engage at the local level and how to continue practicing self-care in the midst of our fight for justice. We hope that this will be an encouragement to you who are listening and wrestling with these very same realities, questions, and feelings right alongside us. Linked Resources: www.house.gov Hosts: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Meledrez Engineer: Katie Nguyen Palomares Designer: Cameron Stingley Admin Assistant: Alexandra Suarez Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com.

This is part one of a two part episode where we discuss the state of our country as of April 2023. We will cover some of the various atrocities that have taken place during the last two years, some of the ignorant policies being implemented and some of the connections we have made to other historical events. From book bans and attacks on the LGBTQ+ community to mass shootings and immigration, there is so much that can be said. As you listen, know that some of these events can be retraumatizing so please go at your own pace and care for yourself in the midst of this never-ending stream of foolery. Linked Resources: https://www.hmd.org.uk/learn-about-the-holocaust-and-genocides/what-is-genocide/the-ten-stages-of-genocide/ Hosts: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Meledrez Engineer: Katie Nguyen Palomares Designer: Cameron Stingley Admin Assistant: Alexandra Suarez Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com.

This episode is an invitation into the life, person and work of a woman of color in the creative sphere. Our guest and friend, Danielle Coke, walks us through how she rests, dreams, creates and perseveres as she’s doing justice work. Danielle Coke is a designer turned illustrator, advocate, speaker, and entrepreneur. She’s the founder of Oh Happy Dani, a lifestyle brand and educational platform that uses artwork and resources to encourage hope, inspire justice, and make complex ideas more accessible. She’s driven by her desire to help everyday advocates do good daily in their spheres of influence using their passions and skills, and she’s fostered a community of over half a million people across social media. Danielle also has a passion for helping brands deliver messaging with light and truth, and has creatively partnered with Fortune 500 companies like Target, Adobe, The Home Depot, Dell, and Meta. Her passion for serving alongside mission-based organizations has led to collaborations with nonprofits like the NAACP and The Boys and Girls Clubs of America, as well as several community organizations in her hometown of Atlanta. With a joy that flows from her desire to love her neighbor as herself, Danielle hopes to spark action in pursuit of the ultimate good as you hold her art in your home and carry it in your heart. Linked Resources: Instagram/Twitter/Facebook - @ohhappydani Website- www.ohhappydani.com Hosts: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Meledrez Guest: Danielle Coke Engineer: Katie Nguyen Palomares Designer: Cameron Stingley Admin Assistant: Alexandra Suarez Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com.

In the last episode, special guest Sandhya Oaks talked about reclamation identity, resilience, and addressed why so many people are wrestling with the question “who am I?” This episode is a continuation where Matthew and Alethea let us see their journeys in reclamation identity and how that led to refinding their voices. They share how a crucial part of the journey was regaining agency to choose when and how to be a bridge for others, especially as People of Color. Matthew and Alethea hope this episode will give hope for those struggling to find their voice in a chaotic world. Hosts: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Meledrez Engineer: Katie Nguyen Palomares Designer: Cameron Stingley Admin Assistant: Alexandra Suarez Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com.

This episode is a powerful invitation towards reclaiming our identity and what it means to be resilient. Our guest and friend, Sandhya Oaks, walks us through some of the ways that she (and we) can return to the core of who we are by slowly taking back our God given identities through the hard but beautiful and necessary journey of story work. Sandhya is a Speaker, Ministry leader, Story Coach, and Spiritual Director. Born in India and adopted as a Transracial Adoptee in the Midwest, her story lends to walking with others through identity reclamation and creating experiences that restore. Sandhya holds three Certificates in Narrative Focused Trauma Care and a Certificate in Resilient Leadership from the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, along with a Certificate in Narrative Trauma Story Work through the Restoration Institute Training Program. Additionally, she recently completed her Trauma Care Group Training Certificate through The Art of Living Counseling Center. Alongside story coaching, Sandhya is a trained Spiritual Director. She has provided hope and healing through the TEDx stage as she shared her story: “Awakening to My Name”. Her good work has also been experienced through Sojourners, Someday is Here, and Red Tent Living. Linked Resources: Instagram- @sandhyaoaks Website- www.sandhyaoaks.com Hosts: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Meledrez Guest: Sandhya Oaks Engineer: Katie Nguyen Palomares Designer: Cameron Stingley Admin Assistant: Alexandra Suarez Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com.

While there are many acronyms being thrown around these days, here’s one of great value to our communities—DEIB—which stands for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. The common thread in each is that something needed to be done institutionally where these things lacked. You may have heard talk about these terms in smaller combined fragments but they are a mightier and more holistic work when combined. Matthew and Alethea are going to take time breaking it down for us by defining the terms and analyzing the work itself. The heart behind this episode is to give clarity, common language, an assessment of where the work has fallen short, and a discussion on how we as BIPOC can keep showing up to do the work—all of this with the ultimate hope that all would belong. Linked Resources: Brenè Brown with Aiko Bethea and Ruchika Tulshyan: The Heart of Leadership Part 1- https://brenebrown.com/podcast/the-heart-of-leadership-part-1-of-2/ The Heart of Leadership Part 2- https://brenebrown.com/podcast/the-heart-of-leadership-part-2-of-2/ Hosts: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Meledrez Engineer: Katie Nguyen Palomares Designer: Cameron Stingley Admin Assistant: Alexandra Suarez Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com.

As promised, Alethea and Matthew wanted to dive more deeply into the reasons behind their unexpected hiatus—not because they owe it to their audience, but because we’re family here and they desire to share the entirety of their lives with you. Their hope is to bring you into their life’s story over the last 1.5 years in a vulnerable way while acknowledging the risks involved and without filtering their pain. They also recognize that they are not the only ones having gone through a lot during this time so they hope to create a space for you to also be seen, known, and even validated at a distance. Linked Resources: Free Therapy App- https://therapyfundfoundation.org/therapyfund Latinx Therapy- https://latinxtherapy.com/ Brother Be Well- https://brotherbewell.com/ Therapy for Black Girls- https://therapyforblackgirls.com Indigenous-https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/Indigenous Asians for Mental Health- https://asiansformentalhealth.com Hosts: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Meledrez Engineer: Katie Nguyen Palomares Designer: Cameron Stingley Admin Assistant: Alexandra Suarez Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com.

After a year and a half hiatus, Alethea and Matthew are back behind the mics and more ready than ever for Season 2. In this episode, they talk about the myriad of feelings they have with the new season finally launching along with their hopes and dreams for what this season will be. While briefly acknowledging the unexpected break, they will dive more into the reasons why in the next episode. Hosts: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Meledrez Engineer: Katie Nguyen Palomares Designer: Cameron Stingley Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com

This season finale is a sweet celebration between our hosts as they reflect on what this experience has meant to them thus far. It has served as a steady lifeline for us all in the midst of the challenging last year. It has also been a warm welcome to the journey that they are on individually and collectively as they show up week after week bringing their full authentic selves to the conversation. In efforts to be good stewards of what God entrusted us with, we will continue to create a space for people of color to be known and seen, and guidance for those in the pursuit of justice. We look ahead expectantly to how we will be stretched, challenged and spurred on right alongside you in Season 2! Host: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Melendrez Guests: Emma Tautolo, Sandra Van Opstal, Tyler Burns Guest IG: @etautolo @sandravanopstal @burnsclan_ Producer: Caleb Dea Social Media & Marketing: Jazzlyn Venkataya Designer: Cameron Stingley Admin Assistant: Alexandra Suarez Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com

This episode is a thought-provoking discussion about the many and varied topics we’ve covered in Season 1 from the state of our country to the multifaceted suffering we endure and everything in between. Our guests share about the ways that they were met, challenged, and spurred on towards hope and healing in their pursuit of justice. We are being joined by a returning and beloved guest, Emma Tautolo, as well as by first time guests, Sandra Van Opstal and Tyler Burns. Sandra is the Executive Director and Founder of Chasing Justice and Tyler is the VP of Brand & Story for Chasing Justice as well as the President of The Witness BCC. Resources: Chasingjustice.com Thewitnessbcc.com Venmo @EmmaTautolo Host: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Melendrez Guests: Emma Tautolo, Sandra Van Opstal, Tyler Burns Guest IG: @etautolo @sandravanopstal @burnsclan_ Producer: Caleb Dea Social Media & Marketing: Jazzlyn Venkataya Designer: Cameron Stingley Admin Assistant: Alexandra Suarez Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com

(Live Episode) In the Valley Series This episode is focusing on persevering and enduring in the valley. We recognize that suffering and affliction come with this life so we wrestle with this idea in light of that reality. How we work through the suffering is what helps us to come out on the other side and even find an anchor in the midst. Join us as we discuss what it looks like to engage, persist and withstand the difficulty. This is part 4 of 4 episodes and today’s topic is on persevering in the valley. Host: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Melendrez Producer: Caleb Dea Social Media & Marketing: Jazzlyn Venkataya Designer: Cameron Stingley Admin Assistant: Alexandra Suarez Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com

In the Valley Series Our conversation on Joy & Rest will be heavily influenced by Cole Arthur Riley’s unique prayer expression, “Black Liturgies”, that speaks to blackness, black emotion, black thought, black belonging and liberation. She gives great thought and encouragement for how we can lean into joy and rest in the midst of all the trauma as well as how we can be pushed towards hope in our pursuit of justice. Cole Arthur Riley is a writer, liturgist, speaker seeking a deeply contemplative life marked by embodiment and emotion. She is the founder and writer of Black Liturgies, a project seeking to integrate concepts of dignity, lament, rage, justice, rest, and liberation with the practice of written prayer. She currently serves as the Content and Spiritual Formation Manager for a center for Christian studies at Cornell University called Chesterton House. In her work, she produces and curates content to guide others into deeper musings and embodiment of the faith. At present, Cole is concerned with topics of dignity, lament, belonging, justice, rest, and liberation. Some thinkers who have formed her include James Baldwin, Thomas Merton, Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Julian of Norwich. This is part 3 of 4 episodes and today’s topic is on finding joy in the valley. Host: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Melendrez Guest: Cole Arthur Riley Guest Website: https://blackliturgist.com/ Guest IG/Twitter/Facebook: @blackliturgist Producer: Caleb Dea Social Media & Marketing: Jazzlyn Venkataya Designer: Cameron Stingley Admin Assistant: Alexandra Suarez Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com

In the Valley Series Our conversation on Lament & Justice will be primarily based on Dr. Soong-Chan Rah’s book Prophetic Lament. Lament, as Dr. Rah writes, is when we have to acknowledge that the world is not as it should be and that leads to various forms of suffering. Lament is profoundly lacking in the church and this has contributed to the ways injustices continue to happen. Rev. Dr. Soong-Chan Rah is the Robert Munger Professor of Evangelism at Fuller Seminary. He previously served as the Milton B. Engelbrestson Professor of Church Growth and Evangelism at North Park Theological Seminary. He is the author of The Next Evangelicalism (IVP Books, 2009); Many Colors (Moody, 2010); Prophetic Lament (IVP Books, 2015); co-author of Forgive Us (Zondervan, 2014); Return to Justice (Brazos, 2016); and Unsettling Truths (IVP Books, 2019). Rah is formerly the founding Senior Pastor of Cambridge Community Fellowship Church (CCFC), a multi-ethnic church living out the values of racial reconciliation and social justice in the urban context. He has previously served on the boards of World Vision, Sojourners and the Christian Community Development Association. This is part 2 of 4 episodes and today’s topic is on lamenting in the valley. Resources: https://www.tailored.coach/soongchanrah Host: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Melendrez Guest: Dr. Soong-Chan Rah Guest Socials: @Profrah on Twitter & Facebook Producer: Caleb Dea Social Media & Marketing: Jazzlyn Venkataya Designer: Cameron Stingley Admin Assistant: Alexandra Suarez Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com

In the Valley Series We are launching our second series of the season and it’s called “In the Valley”. We both are people of faith and believe in God and we aim to pursue and reflect God to others. Psalm 23 says that though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you are with me. We know that every person will be in the dark valley at some point, whether it be brief, extensive or for our entire lives. It can take the form of chronic illness, death, unfulfilled dreams, oppression, abuse, and many others. Valleys really are a journey and we want to acknowledge that plus share what we feel are important topics that can be helpful for wherever you are in your valleys. Especially for those pursuing justice, there will be lots of valleys. This is part 1 of 4 episodes and today’s topic is on suffering in the valley. We are welcoming back our friend and resident theologian, Emma, to help us understand what suffering looks like in the bible, the hope we have in God through our suffering, and the reality that it's a messy journey. Host: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Melendrez Guest: Emma Tautolo Producer: Caleb Dea Social Media & Marketing: Jazzlyn Venkataya Designer: Cameron Stingley Admin Assistant: Alexandra Suarez Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com

This episode serves as a great follow up to our last conversation about empathy, containment, and validation. The reality is that with so much happening in our world we are still hurting in many ways and are in need of healing. These two things, community and self-care, have come up a lot in conversations with friends who are in the pursuit of justice. We hope that this encourages you to lean into the community you’ve been given, to take care of yourself well, and to protect yourself from burnout. Host: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Melendrez Producer: Caleb Dea Social Media & Marketing: Jazzlyn Venkataya Designer: Cameron Stingley Admin Assistant: Alexandra Suarez Follow us on IG: @therolldownpodcast The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com

In this episode we will dive into the power of Empathy, Containment, and Validation and some of the science behind it. While lighter than previous episodes, it is still an important conversation as it affects our daily lives and relationships therein. We hope that this gives you helpful language for your experiences and courage to process in the trenches. We also hope that this encourages you to model Jesus in your love for your neighbor and overall pursuit of justice. LINKED RESOURCES Brené Brown “Empathy vs. Sympathy” video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw CREDITS Host: Alethea Lamberson & Matthew Melendrez Producer: Caleb Dea Social Media & Marketing: Jazzlyn Venkataya Designer: Cameron Stingley Admin Assistant: Alexandra Suarez FOLLOW US ON IG: @therolldownpodcast The Roll Down podcast is part of the Chasing Justice Podcast Network. To find out more, visit chasingjustice.com