Season 2, Episode 1: Growing Black Seeds with Dominique Cowling

Episode transcript

Dominique: we are in a global pandemic, uprising for Black lives. And seeing violence and brutality is not only incredibly traumatizing, but the way that vicarious trauma shows up in our nervous systems as well. And I'm always feeling like I'm asking the question, like what is the opposite of trauma, what’s the opposite of oppression and violence? And, you know, I think it's healthy relationships. I think that it is building safety, it is creating space for emotions and really seeing each other, co-creating a space.

[FADE OUT MUSIC AND INTO OUTSIDE VOICES INTRO MUSIC]

You’re listening to Outside Voices Podcast. We’re using our Outside Voices to redefine what it means to spend time outside and connect to nature. I’m your host, Sarah Shimazaki. Let’s get started.

[MUSIC ENDS]

Narration: We are BAAACK! Hello everyone, it has been a minute-- since February, to be exact. Which, considering everything that has happened in the world and in this country since then, is basically three years ago. We did need to take a hiatus, but I am SO excited to be behind the mic again bringing you fresh new episodes of Outside Voices. There is a lot in store for season two, which will exclusively feature Black voices, including Black creatives who will co-host and co-produce many of the episodes. More on that soon. These are stories and conversations with Black leaders, creatives, healers, activists, veterans, outdoor enthusiasts, all with special and important relationships to nature. As my dear friend Dominique-- who I will introduce very soon, I promise-- put it in the very beginning of this episode, you know, amidst the current uprising for Black lives and depictions of trauma, violence and brutality getting amplified in its wake, how can we find and center the opposite of that? What about Black joy? Tenderness, emotion and relationships? How about healing? And how do these things relate to a connection with the outdoors? Season two will explore allllllll of that. 

[MUSIC STARTS]

Sarah: Alright, so let's, uh, yeah, let's get into it. Oh, hello, fly friends.

Dominique: I hope that finds its way into the podcast

Sarah: You know, we're being flexible with nature, we decided to take it outside, so we're just gonna have to handle whatever nature hands us… mosquitoes and I mean, the temperature is lovely. It's, it's just mosquitoes, everything else is amazing. 

Dominique: That's right.

[MUSIC TRANSITION]

Narration: It’s a few hours from sunset on a warm, slightly smokey August evening in Chochenyo Ohlone Territory, or Oakland. I’m sitting at a picnic table across from Dominique, recorder placed strategically between us, face masks gently folded in our bags for the time being. We’re surrounded, hugged even, by a grove of redwoods and it’s the first time in awhile that I’ve felt a sense of peace. I’m grateful for this time in Redwood Regional Park, one of my favorite local parks and a welcome respite from the wildfire smoke and loud city noises where I live in Oakland.

You know, something I didn’t expect when I started podcasting-- how much I’d love asking people to introduce themselves, however they’d like. It’s always different, it’s always so wonderfully reflective of the person I’m chatting with. You’ll see what I mean.

Dominique: My name is Dominique cowling. It's funny because we always want to dive into the work we do, but I'm gonna share about who I am. 

I'm a sister of three people, incredible humans named Stephanie, Alex and Mikayla. I'm a daughter of Kathy and Larry cowling. granddaughter of Eva Marie Gilbert of john David Gilbert, Mamie cowling and LC Cowling [aka Pops]

I'm an open hearted, tender, wild femme. Yeah, and very rooted into collective liberation. So everything I do feels very connected to that mission. And I'm also Queer as hell.

Narration: I am honestly so thrilled to share this sweet little conversation in the redwoods with you all. Dominique and I met a few years ago through a yoga teacher training that was focused on the intersections of yoga, healing and social justice. She recently launched Black Seeds, offering one-on-one sessions for Black folks prioritizing their healing through a reconnection to nature. We’ll get to all of that soon and even get to experience a body awareness practice that Dominique will guide us through.

First, let’s rewind a bit to when Dominique was 9-years old-- that’s the age she started playing softball and traveling with her local league.

Dominique: We were always, you know, we went all around the country. And so we were in places like Kansas City, and we were in Colorado, we were in Texas and Utah. And so it wasn't necessarily like my earliest memories aren't rooted in with the trees. But it was more of like, the background that was always there. And you know, the super loud bugs and the humidity and you know, sometimes even tournaments had to stop because of lightning and thunderstorms and rainstorms. And so, I always felt really fascinated by the different climates around the country. And yeah, and just how that we really had to shift our schedule around nature versus, you know, we want to do this thing. So let's make it happen. It was like, let's slow down, but we'll keep everybody safe. And yeah, there's just a deep fascination around it for sure.

Sarah: I like that, what you said about just having to change your plans for the environment, you were really, at the mercy of what nature was handing to you. Right. And so, yeah, I think that even that is like developing a relationship with it.

so it's cool that you're able to, to remember those moments of, Oh, we actually weren't able to have our softball game because there was a lightning storm and how it impacted what you were even there to do to slow it down. Like what you said.

Dominique: right? And what a difference from colonization, you know, coming in, I got an agenda, I want to do something and so we're gonna make it happen. Versus like, oh, what's happening around us and knowing we don't have control.

Sarah: So we're we're in the woods now. And I know that we've had conversations in the past where you've said that you feel really strong affinity with being in a forest. Do you have early memories that come to mind, or just even more recent ones that really solidified that relationship for you?

Dominique: Yeah. My immediate family, we didn't do a lot of hiking or in the woods. But my sister took me in high school. And I remember just being like, Oh, my God, you're so tall, but immediately feeling supported and protected and cared for. And I think at a young age, it was hard to feel that way. And, yeah, there was a deep sense of loneliness that I think that I was trying to understand. And being out here, there was just a strong connection immediately. And, even if it's not human protectors, it's like, it's reminders of like, nature also has this too, huh? Yeah.

I've been going on a full moon hike with this local eco therapist. And a question that she asked us was what elements raised you. And I just love that so much, because there were folks that grew up in New York. And, you know, it's a concrete jungle, but they remember being like, we traveled everywhere outside. And when I go back to my hometown in Benicia, I look around. I'm like, there were redwoods here everywhere. I didn't know what the name was. But there's one that's like, almost falling over our fence. And so it's like, they have been there, they have been supportive. And you think of maybe people that grew up in a place like San Diego, the ocean was what raised them. And it's incredible to think that you know, instead of just using it as a place of pleasure, which is completely great, and, and leisure and whatnot. But it also was like there's a reason why and there's something that is deep in our DNA as well.

Narration: I’ve actually been thinking about what elements raised me since this conversation, but I don’t want to take us on a tangent too far away.. so without explanation, here’s my answer: Ginkgo trees, redwood trees and raspberry bushes. Whew, I love that question. 

Anyway, I asked Dominique more questions about if and how her family and community spent time in the outdoors. Her answer: YES! Especially through barbeques and cookouts.

Dominique: that is so rooted in Black culture of being outdoors and being together and, you know, there's music, there's laughter there's playfulness there. Maybe people don't think that is outdoorsy, but, you know, there's a reason why we're outside. And it allows bigger gatherings. It allows people to like really show up as themselves fully and complex and be loud, be loud. Right, not policed for some reason 

Sarah: Using your outside voice.

Dominique: Right! I'm gonna use the term police and we were seeing certain things like what is it barbecue, Becky? But I think there's there's always been a natural relationship to nature. And sometimes we've gotten a little bit further away from it. 

Narration: Just a quick note, you probably already know the story of the white woman, virally known as BBQ Becky, who called the cops on a group of Black folks barbequing at a park. It’s not a new nor unfamiliar story, by any means, but it did happen here in Oakland, at Lake Merritt. It certainly begged the questions: who is the outdoors for and who gets to feel safe there? And by extension, who gets to call themselves outdoorsy?

Dominique: So particularly for the outdoors, I think about, as I mentioned earlier, like the cookouts and being barbecues, and thinking like those people are also outdoorsy. And, you know, it doesn't have to be an advanced rock climber, or doesn't have to be somebody that skis or is, you know, going to the snow every winter or anything like that, that's great, you know, and there's opportunity for all of us to communicate to nature differently. The people that are, you know, have like, that are doing herbal ism, that's also outdoorsy, that's also just building a different relationship with nature that also is connected to spirit that's also connected to source and, and doesn't cause more harm. You know, when you're holding that as well that, you know, the, the level of violence that has happened not only interpersonally but in an environment level. It's just holding it as a relationship holding it as like as a family member as a loved one. I think that could be outdoors, as well.

Narration: As I mentioned earlier, Dominique is currently working to help foster that reconnection between Black folks and the outdoors through Black Seeds.

Dominique: Yeah. So black seeds is my newest project, my baby. It really is centering black wellness and black healing. The purpose of it is to bring folks of the African diaspora into nature. And so it's a combination of some of the work that I've been doing for the last several years of mindfulness of meditation, of just again, reconnecting back and building a stronger relationship with nature and our surroundings. 

I took a week off and was in Mount Shasta. And like, just was feeling something brewing inside of me. And when I came back into Oakland, I sat for like 25 minutes, and was just like, okay, please something come through, you know, and it felt like my spirit guides were like, you've been sitting on this for a while, like, just do it. And so yeah, it came to me and it has been a project that I've been sitting with for a long time. But I also had an equally long list of trainings, I felt like I needed to do so it's, it's funny, I don't want to gender it. But it feels like femmes and women, there's something around like, once I'm ready, then I can do the thing. Once I have that training or that education, then I'll go even though, you know, I've been a nature counselor before for young people on the autistic spectrum. I taught that dynamic mindfulness in the school. So it's something that I had in me, you know, the longer version and maybe more context is, we are in a global pandemic, uprising for black lives. And seeing violence and brutality is not only incredibly traumatizing, but the way that vicarious trauma shows up in our nervous systems as well. And I'm always feeling like I'm asking the question, like what is the opposite of trauma was the opposite of oppression and violence? And, you know, I think it's healthy relationships. I think that it is building safety is creating space for emotions and really seeing each other co creating a space and so

And so to offer something different, and it's in person, we get to regulate nervous systems, we get to allow space for grief, for rage for confusion for all of the other emotions that our ancestors weren't able to identify. And so at the core of it, it's emotional healing, and it's also being able to see each other's wholeness and oneness. And even coming into this work, I've or this project, I noticed for myself, like, there's such a breakdown between that hierarchy of like, facilitator teacher, I'm offering something, but the difference is we are really just peers, and we're co creating something together, you know, the conversation is always very organic, and very Virgo, so I have an agenda. And it may shift as well based on who the person is and what they're bringing, because we all bring different. Our different lived experiences. Black people are not monolith. monolith, like people are not monolith. And just reminders of like, our experiences are going to look very different. And there's room for all of that intersectional identities to be present. So it's just amazing to have folks from different demographics age, my first session was with an elder, a queer elder, incredible healing medicine person. I have queer and trans people that come through gender non conforming people, mixed race black people, and they have different experiences as well. And so it's really giving space to people's full experience of humanity is what I like to say.

Sarah: Thank you. That's great. Yeah. And you know, I think we're gonna dive into a little more about what what that session what a session would be looks like and even get some little practice from you. But I just want to talk a little bit more about those experiences that you mentioned that led to the creation of black seeds. And I think we've talked about this before, too, just “oh, there's one more training I need to do before I'm able to start this venture.” Right. And I had similar feelings with the podcast too, like I did do training before, you know, before launching, and I thought, “there's all these steps that need to be taken before one can be considered a podcaster.” And then, you know, it's just so wild, when you see, especially in a lot of spaces, definitely the podcasting world, mostly white men. But that's the case with many spaces. And so just that feeling of like, you know, having the energy of a mediocre white man, right, that you can feel entitled to just do it when you're not ready.

Dominique: [Laughs] Now I’m a master. And pay me.

Sarah: Yeah, but also like, having the energy and the entitlement of a mediocre white man, but then all the breadth of experiences that you have. And like you mentioned, it was already in you, right. So tell me a little bit more about what those experiences were that made you more than qualified to do something like this?

Dominique: Oh, my goodness. This is an uncomfortable conversation or a question I feel sometimes it's really sitting back in honoring the thing, the the education or whatever has led you to this this time. And it doesn't even have to be the formal education, it can just be like existing in the world, you know? Or even jobs, but I will give it to them.

When I first finished my yoga teacher training, I moved to Cape Town for a little bit. They had an environmental education program, also yoga in the schools, and just incredible. So EarthChild project, everybody check them out. And we did a hike club that really stood out for me. And it made me think of, you know, it was young people from the townships, and there was just this natural way of seeing folks being in the worlds, you know, and what a difference between being in schools where it's telling us really like, there's more of that management of stay put, you know, or you are getting out of line, or you're doing something that is that you're you're not behaving the way that we want you to. And, and so, you know, just that volunteer experience felt really, really strong for me and led me to an organization called youth outside. It wasn't the direct service that I was hoping for. But the work that they were doing around environmental justice, and are continuing to do is is incredible, and very profound. And so that really like built up this idea of like, pushed me in the direction of maybe like radicalizing the way that I see the outdoors and just the environmental fields. So that was really great to go there. That led me to go into an organization called seeds of awareness. And so I was doing as I mentioned, nature counseling, and Joaquin Miller Park, and then also mindfulness with young people in elementary school. And at the same time, I was teaching yoga as well. And so that was some of like, the work I was doing. But realizing that in order for me to hold space, which I am committed to doing in the world, I also needed to find the place that I could really relax and support my well being. And that was in the trees that was in the redwoods. And that was focusing on my breath. It was focusing on my body and how I'm feeling and my emotions and all of those things. So it was it was my own personal healing and then also kind of slowly finding my way into the Eco therapy kind of understanding and field. Hmm.

Sarah: I love that. That journey, because there's all these different threads, right? There was the mindfulness and yoga and those practices like bodily awareness, but then there's that component of wanting it to be outside, right because that's very much that element that you are adding into it

Dominique: right. I think that there is there's something about stepping into studios, that you automatically go, “oh, am I wearing the right thing? Do I fit here?” And there's something the opposite of when you're in nature and you look around, you're like, “Oh, yeah, I definitely fit here.” And I think for me, when I step into trails, I'm like, “Oh, yeah, the wildness that also lives within my heart, too. I have capacity for so much.” And it's just a reminder there.

Narration: Now a regular part of her self care, Dominique feels privileged to be able to drive to and spend time in local parks and trails 3-4 times a week.

Dominique: I want to like just pause though, for a moment. It's not as accessible for everybody. I do have a car, I live local, I don't know, any other accessible trail. So there's things I still want to hold, you know. But being able to step into the park, there's a first breath that you take that feels like the vitality that like shoots in and energizes and also calms at the same time. It's, it's incredible. And I noticed even with the intakes that I have, either through phone or zoom, there's the folks are really curious around like, what are we going to do? What does it look like? And I love that question. Because it's the sessions itself are actually the opposite of like, how do we come back into ourselves? How do we slow things down? How do we remember that our breath is actually an inner resource for us. And so yeah, when I come here, I can breathe deeper, I am reminded that I am a part of these trees, and I am a part of the earth and I'm a part of the wind, the water, a fire that's also in my belly. So it reminds me that those elements that are around me, are also within me as well. It feels like the most divine thing. And you know, oftentimes we think of divinity in the sky, but it's also in the earth too. It's in the gritty, it's in the interconnected roots, it's in the communication that's happening, that's protecting the tree that may be diseased, it's, you know, so it's like, coming back in here, is also allowing me to have that subtle body connection with everybody else. And it also humbles the beep out of me, you know, like, the ego is getting real big, come to the woods and look around, they have been here for hundreds, even thousands of years. Tell me more about your 30 plus years and what you know. So that wisdom that comes from the trees and that support that comes from the trees, and that ability to look at how deeply rooted you can be and then also lifting up towards the sky is, that's just that like sacred energy that exists. 

That isn't going to abolish the police state. But it also is going to remind us that we're worthy of something even deeper. Even in this time where people are, are awakening to what's happening. And so, yeah, there's something about that pause of like, oh, wow, this exists, too. It's not beyond me. And I think that things would would really shift Hmm,

Sarah: yeah, like broaden our imagination that we can build a better world, because I think a lot of the times, you mentioned abolish the police, like people feel that their only option and a lot of conflict is to call the police, right. And like, our imaginations aren't bigger to think that there's a community or a way of being with each other that is not just about enforcement and about like, you know, calling the authorities, right? So I can see that connection of seeing, oh, there's a bigger picture here. So there's an expanse in which our imagination can enter.

Dominique: Right? And that's using a different part of our brains that we're not as used to doing that creativity and that deep trust in each other, and that safety of, oh, you're gonna be here, you know, and I think that there's a lot of ancestral practices, that's not perfect, so I'm not trying to like ruin romanticize those things. But, you know, there has been, I'm gonna butcher it. But there's been certain traditions that they use the stars for so many things, and they use the trees for so many things. And so it's like, it's not beyond us to really imagine a world that looks different. That is just is rooted in people power and rooted in seeing one another's fullness.

Narration: We’ll be right back.

[AD]

Narration: This episode was brought to life with support from our partners at Youth Outside. Youth Outside centers the voices and leadership of communities that have historically been shut out of outdoor experiences and the environmental movement. They shift resources to and build power within Black, Indigenous, and communities of color, who have long been excluded from spaces and conversations that impact their experiences with nature. 

Youth Outside’s work seeks to build a more equitable and sustainable outdoor and environmental movement for the benefit of all people and our planet.

To learn more about Youth Outside, and find out how you can get involved, please visit youthoutside.org

[END AD]

Narration: And we’re back. So, we were chatting with Dominique about her newest project, but I wanted to know more about her current, full-time job and how that also led her on the path to Black Seeds.

Dominique: So my current title and position is the Healing Justice Program Manager at Community United Against Violence. And mostly our community members know it as CUAV. We are an LGBTQIA anti violence organization that has been around for 40 years. And really started as a grassroots organization. And what was happening and I just learned this, like really nuanced thing. Irish Americans were also law enforcement. And they were being they were upset of seeing the influx of queer and trans people and the Castro. And so they would really come in and start to brutalize and harm our communities. And so the origin story, it's always been abolitionists, it's always been, “how do we keep each other safe?” So started with working around like safety and self defense and whistles and certain things that we can really start to communicate what's going on when law enforcement is coming to do their thing against us. And then after that, we started to work with intimate partner violence and domestic violence. And so hate violence was also in there as well. And so now what we do, of course, forty years, it looks really different. What we do now is we have our services, of course, so support groups that work with building different wellness skills. I'm really focused on healthy relationship skills and building. Also, peer counseling is something that we do. And you also have a leadership program. So folks that have been with us for many years, they start to do like press conferences, and they talk about their stories and they really build up and support community in a different way, which is really incredible to witness. And so yeah, we work specifically with survivors of violence, domestic violence, hate violence and police violence. I also want to mention that our coalition work is a really big as well. So it's not only having survivors come to us, and we work with folks on their healing journey. But it also working to create conditions so that this isn't happening again. And so we have certain organizations that we work with that support abolitionist work and shutting down jails, detention centers, prisons. And so we know who's gets criminalized. And we're really trying to work through that visioning and dreaming of something that's different, where we really are safe, and we really are just seeing the world that we want to live in. That's just and that's equitable. And yeah.

Sarah: Amazing and tell me a little bit more about how that led to the creation of black seeds. Yes. 

Dominique: Yeah, so working at CUAV. I was bringing a lot of the healing modalities that I had beforehand, into our programs and into just the counseling sessions that I was doing. And I, I felt like something else was missing, like I wanted to bring, again, the outdoors, something that was like, we also just need a different environment versus like a counseling room. And I'll be honest, San Francisco's demographic has shifted. And so we hadn't been seeing a lot of Black folks, for many reasons. And it was just one of those things like I can't keep seeing my community in a certain way, like I want to just offer my services in a different kind of environment. And then going back to that idea of like, healthy relationship skills and building was really, at its core. And I remember even just one of our programs at CUAV, where we just asked, what is the type of relationship you would want to be in? And not necessarily, it doesn't have to just be romantic, right? When we talk about relationships, they can be abundant, and they can be whole and love. And some of the answers were just so brilliant. And that just really inspired me, in many ways it planted the seed. I just think it can be a fuel, it can really be nourishing of somebody really seeing you and build any type of support in that way?

Sarah: Is there anything else you want to bring into this journey that you've kind of like, brought aside and in terms of the origin story of Black Seeds, anything else that contributed to its birth? planting? Or it's sowing? That's the right term? Right? Yeah. sowing the seed?

Dominique: Oh, yeah. I think what feels alive in my heart right now is thinking about my own mental health and the ways in which I didn't prioritize it. And it also led to that sense of isolation and disconnect, even from my own community. Whewf and it's painful. And for folks that have experienced mental health and are now really experiencing and really having to grapple with it. I feel for a lot of people, and it is so much more common than we think. And there's still stigma even when people you know, we're wearing the like, “therapy is cool.” When we talk about it, there's still this sense of like, something might be wrong with us. But I feel like this project has really allowed me to show up in a way where I can be honest with the folks that show up too, you know, I remember even just like on an intake somebody being like, no, but really, how are you like, I don't want that other stuff. I don't want that fluffy thing like Be honest. And as somebody that like wears many hats as a facilitator that is hard to let go. And so what also has contributed to this work is, when you let that guard down When you allow softness to be there, it also what CUAV has done too is radicalize me but also softens. And that's when we can really build and make some things really happen and push movements forward, you know, and so at the center and at the heart is healing justice. And it really is being able to be honest with where we're at, you know, and I think about white inferiority complex and the ways in which it disconnects us from spirit, it disconnects us from our hearts, and disconnected from our emotions, our mind, you know, and when we really decolonize and slow down and, and really see one another, let that guard down. There's some magic that can happen. Really, really truly. So. I think to answer your question, in this long winded way, like my own disconnection and my own sadness, you know, I used to just be in my room and like, cry all by myself and be like, okay, you can build yourself up. But that like, what is that saying, just pull yourself up by your bootstraps is dead, like we need to stop. That individualism is no longer helpful. It's never been, but it's like, even more, so we need each other. We need that interdependence?

Sarah: Yes, yeah. And it reminds me of something you said earlier around, when you have these one on one sessions, you're creating something together, you don't have that, Oh, I'm providing you with a service. And I'm the expert. And I'm giving this thing to you. It's like, Oh, my, I need this too. Or, you know, this space is something that we're experiencing together and that we both need, like, we need each other in this space here in nature. So yeah, it makes me think about just breaking down even that like server-receiver relationship.

Dominique: Absolutely, and I definitely have learned that from CUAV, you know, with the peer counseling model. It's uncomfortable, because there are folks that want and I know that within myself too, is, I want advice, give me the answer. But one of the frameworks that we have is self determination. And I think that's just along the lines of decolonization. We have that wisdom within us, we have some deep knowledge and understanding and we've been surviving. So, you know, sometimes we just need reflection, we need a mirror to be like, yo, you already have this in you. And so yeah it's one of those reminders that we're still on this journey. And, you know, who is it that says, healing is nonlinear and we're gonna consistently be on this path, this path for a while, it's a lifelong journey. And it's, we're not going to do it alone. It also is incredible to have somebody next to us too, like, I got you, you gonna be alright, even in the messiness even in your joy even in, you know, whatever. You're still worthy.

Sarah: Let's talk about what those sessions are like. So I know you said earlier that people always ask what do we do and so what that tells me is that each session is probably vastly different from each other. But if you and I you know, we're in the woods now, if you were to like start a session, what are the first things maybe you pay attention to observe before you conduct or create that space?

Dominique: Yes, every session is very different. Which is funny though, because there are some main like big markers that I want to hit. But yeah, we step in together.

we first acknowledge the land that we're on, we do. So the original stewards of this land, we invite in spirit guides, ancestors, angels, whatever really resonates with people. I like to say we give them a moment to meet, you know, on this plane, we may know each other as humans, but let's make sure we're all good when the ancestors show up too. And then we do an intentional check in, because as I mentioned, it's important to have that holistic understanding of what's going on for us, especially in this time where it's, it's heavy, and I think giving space to that is incredibly important. So we do that cute stuff. And then we get onto the trail together. And I invite people to slow down a lot more than most are comfortable. So we tap into the senses, you know, what are you noticing? What are some of the things you're hearing? What are you smelling? You know, the mask kind of prevents it. But we really allow that space to drop into the present moment. You know, I even notice for myself, when I'm in trails, I'm like, I want to go, you know, you just want to get to the end and conquer something. And so there's some discomfort that shows up for some people. And I like that, like 5% let’s reel it back, let’s slow down even more, you know, and tap into the heart. There's a moment where we, you know, we talked about trees and what kind of relationship you have to trees. Some people aren't aren't wanting to hug and that's completely okay. But we do some kind of ritual around trees. And then continued back onto the path, we do a meditation or some kind of form of stillness. So I know meditation isn't everybody's cup of tea. And that's completely fine. For many reasons, right? Like trauma can really allow us to, it's hard to find stillness. So I understand that. But yeah, we'll do either a meditation or stillness, or even a self massage, I do a little bit of a reading to people when we walk back, and then, do another little check in of what may be present, and then close things out in that same area. And I'm giving, the briefing, but there's a lot that comes forth and the conversation and that takes us into different directions. There's a little bit of knowledge I have around nature, so I bring that in, but it really isn't about just dropping, you know, and then these trees are this and like scientific names, which I should learn, and I don't know how necessary it is sometimes. And so there definitely is a fluidity around what we're talking about. And there's some people that just want silence, which is so incredible to have, you know, the silence of, it's the opposite of being in a city and having to work and, you know, produce and have the right words for something. So it gives space for so many different for an opportunity to just exist and just be Hmm.

I think what comes up for me around like the memorable experience during Black seed session is, yeah, my first session and walking in together, and this person was in their 60s. And immediately was like, Oh, this reminds me of the South. And it almost transported us back into the deep south. And, you know, first session, I wasn't expecting that, and the deep understanding and knowing of that intergenerational trauma that is working through us. And I remember, even after our session close, I gave some treats afterwards. And they were like, you know, there's something about this younger generation that is reaching back to get that wisdom, but then also is bringing their own moving things forward. And so I think about like, what is it John Lewis that said, we need to pass the baton. And so in some ways, it's like, there's so many folks that are doing that right now. And being like, yeah, of course, we honor those that have come before us. Of course, there's no, there's no way we cannot. And we have our own unique voices, too. And so that really stood out to me, and I think I was probably crying because but it was really affirming to feel that and they also suggested doing a group of elders to and I was just imagining, the storytelling that could happen and the deep healing that can come from that too.

During the time of enslavement, it really was labor, we were outside, being forced to work under ridiculous conditions, harsh conditions, not only from the environment, but folks that owned and controlled human beings, Black human beings, and that that's in our DNA still. And I don't want to just paint a picture that it was only just labor like, there also was healing that happened, you know, there's churches in the woods as well. And there's so many books that I have just been so grateful for to understand that history as well. So yeah, there was ways in which, you know, there was healing that was happening, there also was this sense of connection that was happening, there was an understanding of like, where do we put certain plants, how is it going to really grow. So that was already in us, you know, that wisdom. And then there also was like, escaping, you know, and that's real. We've had several conversations on our hikes together, or walks together. And folks are really aware of it. We've had big dogs on the trail as well. And oh, there's an ancestral connection to that, you know, of, you know, dogs were out to find enslaved African folks, our ancestry. And so healing that feels very profound, it feels like there's an opening to something that I don't even know if I have language for some times. But being able to reclaim spaces that aren't rooted in our labor that isn't rooted in the production and doing and violence and harm is. Oh, yeah, I, I don't even know if I have the words right now. I really don't know, but there's an opening, there's an opening, I see it in people's faces, I see it in people's body language, from the start of our session to the end of it. And I'm always interested in like ripple effects, you know, so of course, the one hour, one and a half hours, it tends to go a little longer, isn't going to just change some of the other levels of trauma that may be present. But it may spark something, and it may start an inspiration. You know, I have one person I've been working with who reached out to me and was like, I went camping for the first time. And then a couple weeks later was like, I'm going surfing now. Like, I just started it just open and open, open like that onion effect, you know, let's just keep going. What else is there? Like? Where have we stopped ourselves? Like, there's accessibility things. And there's also like a psyche thing that happens too, where it's like, oh, we're not that's not for us. And so can you imagine what could happen if we really were like, Oh, wait, there's no limit, like we can be anywhere. And we are everywhere? Like folks are global?

And so what stands out for me is leaving space and room for people that communicate with nature very differently, you know, and kind of circling back to that idea of barbecues and cookouts and also can be outdoorsy. There might be alcohol involved, but that's okay. There's still a connection to the environment and navigating what is present, you know?

Sarah: I appreciate that you brought in those healing stories, too. And it's not just because the trauma is like, very, very real, and like very violent and, and, and horrific. And I love that you also brought in that there was some healing that happened at the same time.

Dominique: I wanted to send the book to you..Rooted in the Earth. And so it was focused just on Black folks in nature. And that's where I was like, Oh, my gosh, this makes sense.

Sarah: Yeah. Or even just like, I know, I don't know if this is directly related. But when you were saying that what I envisioned was the song like singing and still laboring, but like connecting through song, right? Yeah. That was the vision that came to my head.

Dominique: Right, that resilience and, and there's so much regulation that happens with singing. Mm hmm. You know, that? Yeah. [Laughter, fade out]

[MUSIC]

Dominique: I actually had a vision too, around building a curriculum like a healing curriculum that focuses on the five elements. And what's really helpful for me and my own personal journey and opening up to other people is when we see other folks as elements, it can really be helpful, you know, somebody in your life and you're like, Okay, there's a fire element right here, this is agitating me in a certain way, what can you learn? What are the things that you can actually dive in deeper and do your own transformation. And so I'm interested in building out a curriculum around that,

Healing retreats could be really great in certain areas. So even like plugging locations and going in and like really diving deep one with one another. Oh, my gosh, one of the big ones for me is centering, or having a center that is surrounded by redwood trees. And this center is like really focused on organizers and activists and movement leaders that can really come and rest and really, you know, re energize themselves and allow that inspiration to come from around it's with the trees with, with the wind with the sun with all of those different elements again. Can you imagine if people were rested and pushing this movement forward? You know, cuz burnout is a real thing is a real thing. And so. Yeah, so a center would be amazing to have.

Narration: There’s telling and then there’s showing, right? I asked Dominique if she could show us what a session with her might include and so she’ll be graciously guiding us through a body awareness practice for the next 8 minutes. You may be listening to this podcast in your car or on a walk or while washing the dishes, which is completely fine, and I invite you to just take a pause and listen to Dominique’s voice, and take whatever serves you and your body right now

Dominique: So the invitation is to find a comfortable position for your body. And that's in this moment, it can be standing, it can be lying down, it can mean seated. And of course, you have the option to have eyes opened or closed based on how you feel. And we'll just take this moment to notice your breath that feels comfortable and soothing for you. So notice the inhales and maybe the movement in the body that is corresponding with that inhale. And then as you exhale, notice, maybe a softening and grounding back into the earth. Let's do a few more rounds like that, if that feels good to you, inhaling fully and through the nose. and exhaling just out the mouth, allowing yourself to soften, inhaling fully, and exhaling to release. Last one, if that works for you. And I invite folks to start to tap into that energy of gratitude for not ignoring any sense of pain or grief or heartache or even rage in this moment. But offering it your breath. And really, we're just creating a larger capacity for it all. Inhaling that sense of gratitude and exhaling to allow even more capacity to be alive, what it means to be in this world, in this body. And then when you're ready, we're going to be doing a bit of a body scan. So just simply noticing if there's any areas that are feeling tense. If there are any areas that are feeling a little bit more open and safe. continue breathing into those spaces. And when you're ready, starting to think about doing a mental scan. So how are the thoughts in this moment?The brain is gonna do what it is trained to do. And that's all right. Allowing the thoughts to come in and simply pass away either like the gentle wind or breeze or the clouds in the sky. And then when you're ready, tapping into more of the emotional landscape of where you're at. So if you had a personal weather report, what would it be? Knowing you were that powerful to have your own landscape on whether the elements are within you within your divinity as well. And if it feels good to close out with some breath work, you may wish to inhale for a count of four. And exhale for a count of eight. Inhaling 44321 exhaling for 87654321. Inhaling 4321 exhaling 87654321. And for the next 15 seconds, if it feels comfortable to continue with that breath, you can play around with those numbers. Inviting more softness, grounding, intimacy with yourself. I'm going to ring the time. So let's follow the time until you can no longer hear it. When you're ready, maybe opening your eyes reorienting around the space that you're in. If there's any organic, natural body movement, twists or stretching. Please honor yourself by giving your your body what it needs is craving. And then when that feels complete, go be great. Thank you.

Narration: My dear friends, podcast listeners, Outside Voices community, that was the lovely Dominique Cowling, we’ll include her social media handle, website, venmo, ways to support her on our website and on our Instagram, here are her last thoughts for anybody who may be interested in working with her-- shoutout to Black folks in the Bay Area.

Dominique: if there's even just a little bit of curiosity around what it would be reach out to me, if there is some skepticism of like, I don't really do hiking, I don't do reach out, you know, so I want to see to the people that are completely that have always been interested in nature, but haven't really said it. Or, and then of course, the people that are like, yeah, I've been out here, you know, I'm not I'm very familiar with it. But I often want to speak to those that are that feel like it's not for them. But there's something inside of you that is saying otherwise.

Sarah: Thank you so much. It was such a joy to chat with you. And I'm really excited about this. To be able to share everything you've been doing and creating with the rest of the world a little bit more. You're already sharing it.

Dominique: I appreciate you so much friend and how you show up in the world and I just adore you. I adore you, I adore your heart. I know that's okay.

Sarah: I gotta take off the headphones because it's just all amplified, the emotions Thank you so much.

Dominique: Yeah, this was dope!

[FADE OUT AND INTO OUTRO MUSIC]

Narration: It feels good to be back, doesn’t it? Thank you, as always, for listening to our humble podcast, season two is all about amplifying Black stories so keep listening and be sure to support Dominique and Black Seeds

You probably already know by now that our logo and cover art was designed by Brooklyn Bell. Our music performed by Olivia VanDamme and produced by Jamison Blue Stegmaier

All credits, links and resources can be found on our website: www.outsidevoicespodcast.com

You can also follow us on Instagram, @Outsidevoicespodcast

Outside Voices Podcast is a project by Resource Media. This episode was brought to life thanks to support from Youth Outside.

Until next time.