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The Glorious Mess

Education Podcasts

The Glorious Mess is for people who didn’t inherit a clean story. Mixed. Fostered. Raised in systems. Raised across cultures. Raised by people who loved you but couldn’t give you your origin. Hosted by Raymond Jordan Johnson-Brown, the show sits inside identity, memory, race, belonging, and the strange work of becoming yourself when you had to assemble the pieces. No self-help. No performance. Just lived experience, sharp conversation, and the honesty of building a self in public. If you’ve ever felt like the exception in your own family, you’re home. Welcome to the mess.

Location:

United States

Description:

The Glorious Mess is for people who didn’t inherit a clean story. Mixed. Fostered. Raised in systems. Raised across cultures. Raised by people who loved you but couldn’t give you your origin. Hosted by Raymond Jordan Johnson-Brown, the show sits inside identity, memory, race, belonging, and the strange work of becoming yourself when you had to assemble the pieces. No self-help. No performance. Just lived experience, sharp conversation, and the honesty of building a self in public. If you’ve ever felt like the exception in your own family, you’re home. Welcome to the mess.

Language:

English


Episodes
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Waking Up in Vegas | What Do We Blame Ourselves For in Early Sobriety?

2/15/2026
Send a text In this episode of The Glorious Mess, Raymond and Carla reflect on early sobriety, self-blame, and the stories we tell ourselves about responsibility when things fall apart. Raymond revisits a moment that still carries weight waking up in a hospital in Las Vegas and the fragile terrain of early sobriety, where shame can eclipse context and healing rarely follows a straight line. We talk about losing the social role that drinking once provided, the discomfort of no longer being the version of yourself others preferred, and the complexity of accountability when no story is ever one-sided. The conversation holds tension without rushing resolution, making space for humour, discomfort, and honesty. Messy, tender, and unresolved, exactly as promised. New episodes every month. Recorded at Virage Studios.

Duration:00:30:05

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The Collective Eye Roll | Why Are We Policing Each Other Instead of Power?

1/31/2026
Send us a text In this episode of The Glorious Mess, Raymond and Carla start with eye-rolling and somehow end up talking about power, disruption, and the politics of policing each other. We unpack how collective exhaustion shows up in the body, why eye-rolling isn’t dismissal but a somatic release, and how constant demands for composure blur the line between harm and discomfort. From post-holiday doomscrolling to everyday moral surveillance, we question who benefits when frustration is redirected toward individuals rather than systems. The conversation moves through call-out culture, respectability politics, and the quiet violence of compliance. We reflect on being labelled “disruptive,” why disruption is often necessary, especially in education, and how accountability can slide into surveillance when it loses its connection to imagination and care. Messy, embodied, and politically awake exactly as promised. New episodes every month. Recorded at Virage Studios.

Duration:00:31:51

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The Convenience Question | Why Do We Blame Individuals for Structural Problems?

1/15/2026
Send us a text In this episode of The Glorious Mess, Raymond and Carla start with squirrels and somehow end up talking about capitalism, environmental guilt, and the politics of convenience. We unpack why individual behaviour is so often blamed for massive ecological and social crises and how “do better” narratives can oversimplify problems that are actually structural. From reusable straws to lifestyle purity tests, we question who really benefits when responsibility gets pushed onto individuals instead of systems. The conversation moves through implicit bias, our grievances with disorganized advocacy, and how good intentions can still reproduce harm when they lack strategy, accountability, and imagination. We reflect on why movements sometimes eat their own, why clarity gets lost in performance, and what it means to want change without knowing how to hold each other through it. Messy, curious, and unexpectedly political exactly as promised. New episodes every month. Recorded at Virage Studios.

Duration:00:28:31

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The Obsession Question | Who Benefits From Men Wanting Us Like This?

12/17/2025
Send us a text In The Obsession Question, Raymond and Carla wade into the uncomfortable territory of desire, attention, and power and ask when being wanted starts to feel less like attraction and more like control. Why do some men continue to pursue even when there’s no response? How did attention become something we’re expected to manage or soften? And why does desire so often feel pressurized or unsafe? From Carla’s experience of persistent messaging to a broader look at feminism, state power, and how systems create dependency, this episode explores the myth of the perfect victim and the perfect enemy and what gets lost when harm is flattened into binaries. A little uncomfortable, very honest. New episodes every month. Recorded at Virage Studios.

Duration:00:30:42

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Invisible Rulers | How Much of the Story Are We Actually Getting?

12/1/2025
Send us a text In Invisible Rulers, Raymond and Carla wade into the messy question of who actually decides what we know and how much of the truth ever makes it out. What stories get told on the news? Which ones get buried? Who benefits from the way information moves? And how much of what we “know” is really just good marketing? From pop culture contradictions to Raya as a class filter disguised as a dating app, this episode examines the quiet power shaping our feeds and our beliefs. Then, we take it somewhere deeper: reframing psychosis as cultural insight, unpacking sleep paralysis as a global story, and asking why some forms of meaning-making are dismissed while others are celebrated. A little paranoid, a lot curious. New episodes every month. Recorded at Virage Studios.

Duration:00:32:07

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Gay Parents & Getting Sober | Is Sobriety Just Another Kind of Coming Out?

11/15/2025
Send us a text In Gay Parents & Getting Sober, Raymond and Carla sit down for an honest, funny, and unexpectedly tender conversation about the families that shaped them and the clarity they’re choosing now. What does it mean to be raised by gay parents? What does it mean to be raised by deeply religious Jamaican foster parents? And how does sobriety force you to look back at those stories with new eyes? From coming out (in all its forms) to unlearning chaos, this episode explores the truths we inherit, the ones we run from, and the ones we finally claim as our own. A little messy, a lot real. New episodes every month. Recorded at Virage Studios.

Duration:00:33:39

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The Echo and the Other | Can We Really Live With the Far Right?

10/31/2025
Send us a text In The Echo and the Other, Raymond and Carla sit down for a light but honest conversation about radical pluralism — the idea that we can live together across deep difference. Can we really coexist with those whose beliefs cause harm? From the far right to influencer culture, this episode explores how social media turns opinion into certainty, and how we might still find ways to listen, reflect, and stay human in the noise. A little messy, a lot real. New episodes every month. Recorded at Virage Studios.

Duration:00:31:09

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Dreaming in a Political World

4/7/2025
Send us a text In this episode of The Glorious Mess, we hold nothing back. From rising polarization to the fragility of the systems we live in, we dig into the current reality of Canadian politics and why it's more urgent than ever to stay awake and engaged. No system is perfect, but as we imagine and build alternatives, we also reckon with where we are right now. And then… we dream. We explore the quiet language of dreams—what they reveal about our fears, our futures, and our relationship to a world in flux. Tune in for raw truth, wild imagination, and a little chaos. Because dreaming is political. #TheGloriousMess #CanadianPolitics #Dreamwork #Activism #ImaginationAsResistance

Duration:00:53:06

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Making Change Possible

3/3/2025
Send us a text In this episode of The Glorious Mess, we dive into what's been unfolding in the world and explore how we can show up in support of collective care and change. We take a look at adrienne maree brown’s work on organizing, collective transformation, and Emergent Strategy, while also checking in on what’s happening in our own little universes. Tune in for reflection, connection, and a bit of messy magic. 🎧 Listen now and join the conversation! 📲 Follow us on Instagram @theonlygloriousmess

Duration:00:52:30

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State of the World

2/3/2025
Send us a text In this episode, we take a moment to reflect on the state of the world—unpacking our thoughts on the political landscape in the U.S. under the Trump administration and drawing comparisons to what could unfold here. We dive into how we imagine paths forward, how to engage in conversations with people we don’t always agree with, and ways to reclaim our power in an era that often feels overwhelming. Tune in for a raw, reflective, and thought-provoking discussion on navigating uncertain times. 🎧 Listen now and join the conversation! 📲 Follow us on Instagram @theonlygloriousmess

Duration:00:38:51

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All About Moms

1/6/2025
Send us a text In this episode of The Glorious Mess, titled All About Moms, we’re celebrating the women who raised us with love, laughter, and a little bit of chaos. We start by introducing our moms and sharing our favorite things about them before diving into a hilariously cringeworthy icebreaker: our most embarrassing childhood stories. What begins as a lighthearted roast quickly transitions into deeper reflections on the moments that shaped us, the advice we’d give our younger selves, and the untold truths about motherhood that deserve more attention. Join us for a heartfelt and dynamic conversation about family, growth, and the messy beauty of the relationships that make us who we are. Follow @theonlygloriousmess for more updates, and don’t forget to rate and subscribe! ✨ #GloriousMessPodcast #AllAboutMoms #FamilyStories #TheMessyMiddle

Duration:00:59:26

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Agree to Disagree

12/3/2024
Send us a text In this episode of The Glorious Mess, we kick things off by sharing our roses and thorns—moments of joy and challenge from the past week. What starts as light reflection quickly grows into a heartfelt discussion on the complicated nature of family and chosen family. From there, we dive into a thought-provoking debate: whose responsibility is it to establish and uphold boundaries? Should we communicate them explicitly, or is it up to others to recognize and respect them? Spoiler alert: we don’t all agree, and that’s where the magic happens. Join us for an honest and dynamic conversation about connection, conflict, and the messy but meaningful moments where differing perspectives collide. Follow @theonlygloriousmess for more updates, and don’t forget to rate and subscribe! ✨ #GloriousMessPodcast #MentalHealth #FamilyMatters #Boundaries

Duration:00:39:33

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Creative Chaos

11/4/2024
Send us a text In this episode of The Glorious Mess, Raymond and Bronwynn dive into the transformative power of creativity as a tool for self-discovery and therapy. They explore how creative expression can shift brain function and enhance mental well-being, setting the stage for a journey through dance, writing, and visual arts. Each segment highlights how these forms of expression bring emotional release, mental clarity, and physical benefits—helping us all navigate life’s ups and downs with a bit more grace. Whether it’s Bronwynn sharing her experience with dance as a medium for vulnerability and self-expression, or Raymond reflecting on the grounding effects of journaling, this episode invites listeners to embrace creativity in its many forms. Together, they discuss how creativity offers healing in the small, imperfect moments, and encourage us all to explore these practices for a deeper connection to ourselves. 🌟 Don’t Miss Out! 🌟 Follow us on Instagram @theonlygloriousmess for more content and updates! New episodes drop the first Monday of every month at 6 PM EST. #GloriousMessPodcast #Creativity #MentalHealth #SelfDiscovery #PodcastCommunity

Duration:00:36:38

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Seasoned Jambalaya

10/7/2024
Send us a text In this episode of The Glorious Mess, Raymond and Taylor dive into the power of disidentifying with labels, exploring how this act can help reclaim autonomy in a world that often reduces complex experiences to simplistic terms. They discuss the limitations of mental health diagnoses and healing routes, shedding light on how these approaches can miss the uniqueness of our individual journeys. With a little bit of everything sprinkled in, this episode is a true jambalaya of thought-provoking topics, from navigating chaos to redefining personal identity. 🌟 Don’t Miss Out! 🌟 Follow us on Instagram @theonlygloriousmess for more content and updates! New episodes drop the first Monday of every month at 6 PM EST. #GloriousMessPodcast #MentalHealth #Identity #HealingJourneys #PodcastCommunity

Duration:00:44:32

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Back to Fall Stress

9/2/2024
Send us a text In this episode of The Glorious Mess, we dive into the stress that often accompanies the fall season. As the days get shorter and the demands of work, school, and personal goals ramp up, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Join Raymond, Bronwynn, and Taylor as they explore the societal conditioning around fall, how it impacts our mental and emotional well-being, and what we can do to cope. 🌟 Don’t Miss Out! 🌟 Follow us on Instagram @theonlygloriousmess for more content and updates! New episodes drop the first Monday of every month at 6 PM EST. #GloriousMessPodcast #FallStress #SeasonalAnxiety #MentalHealth #PodcastCommunity

Duration:00:54:04

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Let's Talk About Sex, Baby

8/6/2024
Send us a text In this week's episode we dive into the intimate and often complex topic of sex, focusing on our personal relationships with it and the intersections of queerness. We share our own stories, including our experiences of losing virginity, and discuss how societal norms and cultural backgrounds can shape our understanding of sex. Our conversation covers the importance of communication, consent, and exploring one's identity. We also provide practical advice on navigating these conversations, especially within the queer community. 🌟 Don't Miss Out! 🌟 Follow us on Instagram @theonlygloriousmess for more content and updates! New episodes every other Monday at 6 PM EST. #GloriousMessPodcast #Season3 #JoinTheFamily

Duration:00:54:08

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Shame Spiral

7/22/2024
Send us a text In this week's episode of The Glorious Mess, we explore the universal experience of shame and discuss how taking our power back begins with talking about it truthfully with others. We dive deep into our own shame stories and offer practical tips and strategies to help process and overcome shame. 🌟 Don't Miss Out! 🌟 Follow us on Instagram @theonlygloriousmess for more content and updates! New episodes every other Monday at 6 PM EST. #GloriousMessPodcast #Season3 #JoinTheFamily

Duration:00:43:17

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Medical Madness

6/24/2024
Send us a text In this week's episode, we delve into the complex relationship of substance use and our journeys towards establishing a "healthier" connection with substances. We navigate the nonlinear paths through shared laughter, medical challenges, and more. 🌟 Don't Miss Out! 🌟 Follow us on Instagram @theonlygloriousmess for more content and updates! New episodes every other Monday at 6PM EST #GloriousMessPodcast #Season3 #JoinTheFamily

Duration:00:50:27

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I'm Not The Imposter, You Are

5/27/2024
Send us a text In this week's episode, we're joined by special guest Vanessa Lalonde, a trauma-informed creative coach and embodiment expert. Vanessa takes us on a deep dive into the intricacies of imposter syndrome. Together, we explore our own personal experiences with imposter syndrome and how it seeps into various aspects of our lives. Join us as we unravel the layers and uncover insights on navigating this common yet complex phenomenon. 🌟 Stay Tuned! 🌟 Follow us on Instagram @theonlygloriousmess for more content and updates! New episodes every other Monday at 6 PM EST. #GloriousMessPodcast #Season3 #ImposterSyndrome #JoinTheConversation

Duration:01:00:30

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Party Girls Never Die

5/13/2024
Send us a text In this week's episode, we delve into the complex relationship of substance use and our journeys towards establishing a "healthier" connection with substances. We navigate the nonlinear paths through shared laughter, medical challenges, and more. If you or someone you love is in need of support, please visit: https://shorturl.at/gDFO7 🌟 Don't Miss Out! 🌟 Follow us on Instagram @theonlygloriousmess for more content and updates! New episodes every other Monday at 6PM EST #GloriousMessPodcast #Season3 #JoinTheFamily

Duration:00:54:04