Send us a textMany people play bigger by working to better the lives of those who may have been forgotten by society. The most transformative work often happens in places most of us will never visit — but its effects ripple far beyond their walls.This episode of Shift Out Loud features 2018 CNN Hero of the Year finalist Ellen Stackable. Ellen is the Executive Director and co-founder of Poetic Justice, a non-profit organization that has helped over 4000 people incarcerated in women’s detention centers the opportunity to process trauma, rewrite personal narratives, and heal through restorative writing and creative arts. Our thoughtful conversation digs into unconscious biases, racial justice, isolation, code-switching, and the power of storytelling and community to change lives. Tune in as we discuss how Ellen became interested in the carceral system, the role that hip-hop played in her first programs, and the importance of trauma-informed practice.Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover:What Ellen experienced as a member of the Mercy Farm cult and how she healed after breaking freeHow the AIDS epidemic profoundly shifted her perspective and her pathHow Poetic Justice adapts their programs for different groups and institutions  Guest bio: Ellen Stackable is the Executive Director and co-founder of Poetic Justice, which offers restorative writing and creative arts programs to individuals incarcerated in women’s prisons and jails in Oklahoma, California, Oregon, and Tijuana, Mexico. In 2018, she was one of 10 finalists for CNN Hero of the Year. In 2019, she received the Courage Award given by the University of Oklahoma. In 2024, she was a recipient of the Newsmaker Award from the Tulsa American Women in Communication.Timestamps:01:41  Intro03:01  Meet Ellen Stackable06:19  Joining & leaving a cult10:03  The AIDS crisis14:03  Returning to Tulsa17:50  Mercy Farm reunion21:36  Carceral system & the Tulsa Race Riot24:37  Healing through writing27:03  Building curriculum32:45  Code-switching & distance learning36:28  Creating shifts for others40:46  Shift to Poetic Justice44:57  CNN Hero49:28  What’s nextLinks:Ellen Stackablepoeticjustice.orgLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ellen-stackable-11480684Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: exceptionalleaderslab.com Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Find more information at tracyspears.com For insights that will help you play bigger in your life, work, and community, visit my resource library: tracyspears.com/blog—Connect with me:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tracylspears Facebook: facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker Twitter: @tracylspears Instagram: @tracylspears If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game and step into their fullest potential. Watch these episodes on Youtube! Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, and ring the bell for notifications so you never miss an episode!

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