Feb 10, 2025
In this lively and wide-ranging episode of Off Color,
host Rebekah Henderson and co-host Samuel Gonzalez dive into
a whirlwind of topics—from personal updates and current events to
the role of art in social change. Midway through, they welcome
special guest Lynn Johnson, a queer Black theatre artist working on
a powerful new project supporting queer and trans youth in New
Mexico.
Whether you’re here for the sharp wit, deep dives, or the
celebration of community, this episode delivers candid
conversations and vibrant storytelling that fans of Off
Color have come to love.
Key Segments & Highlights
00:00 – 00:03 | Intro & Podcast Purpose
- Rebekah introduces Off Color, emphasizing discussions
around race, identity, politics, and wellness.
- Sam jumps in, highlighting the podcast’s broad scope: mental
health, physical health, diasporic identity—plus the occasional
chat about tacos!
00:03 – 00:05 | Celebrating Black History
Month
- Rebekah and Sam honor their ancestors and discuss the
importance of speaking their names as an act of remembrance and
empowerment.
- Rebekah reflects on her uncle, Herbert Henderson, and Sam calls
in her grandmother, Carolina, as spiritual anchors.
00:05 – 00:10 | Personal Updates & Life in the
Moment
- Rebekah shares her life as an artist/filmmaker juggling
creativity, parenting, and funding hurdles.
- Sam opens up about the stress of job-hunting vs.
entrepreneurship, trying to stay grounded amidst “wild and loopy”
times.
00:10 – 00:32 | News Deep Dive (AI-Generated
Segment)
- The conversation shifts to a surprisingly detailed (and
somewhat dystopian) AI-generated news briefing about Elon Musk’s
rumored involvement with federal financial systems (“DOGE”) and the
potential implications for privacy and democracy.
- They discuss how to stay informed without getting overwhelmed,
emphasizing collective action, critical thinking, and contacting
representatives.
00:32 – 00:34 | Reflecting on the State of the
World
- Sam experiences a mix of anxiety and amusement at the dire
predictions in the AI segment.
- Rebekah emphasizes the importance of focusing on
community-level action as a way to combat the paralyzing effect of
overwhelming news.
00:34 – 00:44 | Boycotts, Shopping, and Beyoncé’s
“Cowboy Carter”
- Rebekah shares her personal boycotts (Target, Walmart) and her
complicated relationship with big-box stores.
- A passionate discussion about Beyoncé’s (fictional) “Cowboy
Carter” album and the joy/frustration around her recent (imagined)
Grammy success.
- They reflect on the power of women artists supporting each
other across cultural lines.
00:44 – 00:53 | Black History in Everyday
Life
- Rebekah's son, wearing a Harriet Tubman hoodie, prompts a
touching anecdote about mixed family pride and public
perception.
- Emphasis on celebrating Black history every day, not just in
February.
00:53 – 01:15 | Interview with Lynn Johnson
- Sam introduces longtime friend and collaborator Lynn Johnson,
co-founder and Executive Director of High Desert Playback “Mic”
Theater for Social Change in Albuquerque, NM.
- Lynn describes Playback Theatre: an improvisational form where
audience stories are performed back on the spot to foster empathy,
community, and social justice.
- She spotlights Queer Futures Now (an alien play)—a
new, scripted show built from real-life stories of queer and trans
youth. It will tour rural areas, offering a creative curriculum for
families and allies to learn advocacy skills.
- Lynn discusses early pushback from a theater in Albuquerque
concerned about “neutrality,” highlighting the very real tensions
in supporting LGBTQ+ youth.
01:15 – End | Wrapping Up & Where to Find
More
- Rebekah reminds listeners of her documentary, Running with
My Girls, now streaming via Kanopy and on public television
(PBS/World Channel).
- Sam and Rebekah promise to have Lynn back for a deeper demo of
Playback Theatre and more conversation about making art amidst
societal upheaval.
How to Support & Further Engagement