Rage to Heal

Many academics – especially Black and brown women and queer people – are conditioned to suppress and deny their anger. In this interactive audio series from the BBQ+ Pedagogy Lab, you'll access your rage as a potent tool for change. Listen to Dr. Nicole Truesdell's story as you embark on a self-guided journey, answering reflective questions about your relationship with anger and creating a personal Rage to Heal playlist. This process is especially helpful for those wrestling with their position in academia or considering making a change.

Listen below, or find us on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify.

Looking for episode transcripts? You can access them through the Simplecast page.

Share your Rage to Heal playlists on Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #RagetoHeal!

Rage to Heal is written, created, and hosted by Dr. Nicole Truesdell with the support of the BBQ+ Pedagogy Lab. Produced by Ronald Young Jr. of ohitsBigRon studios. Music by The Mysterious Breakmaster Cylinder.

Workbook

Download the Rage to Heal workbook, or use your preferred writing method to complete the exercises instead.

Mobile-friendly, interactive workbook version coming soon!

  • 1) Select the Download workbook button to open the PDF in your browser.

    2) Use the download icon (down arrow) at the top or bottom of the PDF screen to save the PDF to your computer.

    3) Open the workbook file – it should open in your computer’s default PDF reader program. Tip: You can download Adobe Reader for free if you don’t already have a PDF reader program on your computer.

    4) Don’t forget to re-save the PDF file each time you write in it!

  • Please note: The workbook will work better on a computer. If you prefer to use a mobile device, you can try one of these options below.

    1) Select the Download workbook button to open the PDF in your mobile browser.

    2) In your browser, hit the Share button.

    OPTION 1:

    If you have the Google Drive app installed (requires Google account):

    3) In the Share menu, select the Drive button to upload the PDF to Google Drive.

    4) Open the PDF in Google Drive.

    5) At the bottom, tap Fill out form. (If you don’t see this option, this method may not work for you.)

    OPTION 2:

    If you don’t have the Google Drive app, or if the above instructions don’t work:

    3) In the Share menu, select Save to Files (or similar).

    4) Save the PDF to your phone’s drive.

    5) Open your phone’s file manager app or downloads folder to access and fill out the workbook.

Episode One:
Inviting Anger In

In the first episode, you’ll explore how you feel about your anger. Anthropologist Dr. Nicole Truesdell shares how her rage guided her to take action in a situation that initially left her speechless. You’ll hear how a song helped her connect her anger to its root cause as you begin building your own Rage to Heal playlist. You’ll start to recognize when your anger is a compass trying to guide you to your truth, a way to access your full humanity.

Nicole’s playlist: “Gunpowder and Lead” by Miranda Lambert (2007)

Episode Two:
Permission Slip

As you continue learning how to fully feel your anger, you first need to grant yourself permission to be vulnerable with yourself. Invite yourself into this reflective space by writing yourself a permission slip, and keep building your Rage to Heal playlist.

Nicole’s playlist: “Easy On Me” by Adele (2021)

Episode Three:
Our Stories

In this episode, you’ll get in touch with the story of who you really are, moving beyond the constructed narrative you present in institutional spaces. Nicole rewrites her biography, sharing how her story of external success in academia kept her separated from deeper truths.

Nicole’s playlist: “Mad” by Solange (2016)

Episode Four:
The Body

Many of us are trained to value the mind over the body and soul. Nicole shares how her body, tired of being ignored, finally forced her to acknowledge her feelings about her “dream” job. You’ll start to access your embodied wisdom and explore how your body can guide you through change.

Nicole’s playlist: “Praying to a God” by Mr. Probz (2018)

Episode Five:
The Soul

In this episode, you’ll consider your soul – your inner voice, your core – and how you define that for yourself. Nicole describes how the institutional categories of the academy displaced her own sense of self and how she found her way back to her core essence.

Nicole’s playlist: “Gut Feeling” by Ella Mai ft. H.E.R. (2018)

Episode Six:
The Mind: Where Chaos Resides

When our minds internalize oppressive realities, we can wind up rationalizing our own exploitation. In this episode, you’ll challenge the limits of your mind and question the institutionally-generated chaos that keeps you working against your core self.

Episode Seven:
Self Study: Bringing It All Together

The last episode of this series is a self-study program that brings together all the work you’ve done so far. You’ll continue to explore your anger and your relationship with yourself while working with your playlist, writing a new biography, and building yourself a sacred space. Nicole shares a revelation that rocked her foundations but finally awoke her to her full humanity, as you consider what truths you might be awakening to, too.