The Stir 716: Freedom Starts Here
- Jazzy T
- Jul 7
- 3 min read
What does independence really mean—and how do we reclaim it in a world designed to keep us dependent?
Welcome to The Stir 716, a bold new podcast where education meets conversation.
Hosted by three powerhouse women, this show dives deep into the issues shaping our communities from the womb to the tomb.
Meet the new hosts on the JazzCast Pros Network:
📊 Your Cool Cuz’n Kim – A fierce health equity strategist and researcher dedicated to dismantling systemic barriers in Black and brown communities.
🔥 Mrs. T aka The Spark – An educator, advocate, and community leader who believes true independence starts with freeing your mind.
🩺 Natasha aka The Doc – A licensed healthcare professional and private practice owner committed to helping others claim autonomy in their health and wellness.
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Every episode of The Stir 716 brings lived experience, professional expertise, and unapologetic truth to the forefront—from education and housing to food justice, healthcare, and systemic equity. But this isn’t just commentary. It’s a call to consciousness.
As the podcast officially launches on Tuesday, July 8th, the first episode sets the tone with a question that runs deeper than politics or parades:
🎧 What Does Independence Really Mean?
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify , Pandora, or iHeart Radio
Nelson Mandela spoke often about the idea of freedom starting in the mind:
“To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
What does independence look like for women in a society still shaped by patriarchal norms?
How can we reconcile national “freedom” holidays with the lived realities of marginalized communities?
And most importantly—what can you do today to reclaim your independence in mind, body, and purpose?
🧠 EDUCATION: Independence Starts in the Mind
Mrs. T reminds us that liberation isn't just about policy—it's about perspective.
Bob Marley famously said: “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; none but ourselves can free our minds.”
As an educator, she challenges listeners to ask:
Are our public school systems truly designed to raise independent thinkers?
What would it look like to raise children to question, create, and lead instead of just follow?
💡 Practice Tip: Encourage critical thinking at home. Don’t just ask your kids what they learned in school—ask them what they think about it. Read books that challenge the status quo. Study Black and Indigenous history beyond the curriculum.
💊 HEALTHCARE: Respecting Patient Autonomy
The Doc speaks from the front lines of medicine and mental health. Her journey through divorce and launching a private practice taught her that freedom sometimes comes in the form of reclaiming your voice.
“You have to build your own independency. You have the freedom to make those choices and decisions.”
💡 Practice Tip: Be an active participant in your health. Ask your doctor questions. Seek second opinions. Explore holistic approaches that align with your values. Your body is not just a case—it’s yours.
📚 HEALTH EQUITY: Independence Is Systemic, Too
Cool Cuz’n Kim breaks down the societal myths surrounding "strong independent women"—especially Black women. She reminds us that for generations, independence has been denied, discouraged, or demonized.
“Independence for me is divorcing myself from people’s opinions... and operating in my God-given authenticity.”
From financial literacy to faith-based freedom, Kim's work in health equity uncovers the systemic roots of co-dependency—on institutions, on relationships, on approval.
💡 Practice Tip: Do a SWOT analysis of your own co-dependency. Where has it helped you? Where has it held you back? What systems, relationships, or narratives are you still relying on—and how can you begin to free yourself?
As Kim puts it,
“Fear has been the common denominator with a lot of systems and oppressors when those that are being oppressed want to exercise their independence.”
🔁 Reflection Questions for the Stirred
What are some ways you can become more independent?
In what ways has independence scared you?
Where in your life have you confused co-dependency with connection?
What’s one small step you can take this week to reclaim your voice, your power, or your peace?
📣 Join the Conversation
You’ve entered The Stir 716.
🎧 Leave a comment or review on
📩 Email your thoughts to: thestir@powershift.live
📱 Follow on Instagram @thestir716
🌐 Website: www.thestir716.com
This is more than a podcast—it’s a platform for power, healing, and truth.
Whether you're an educator trying to inspire free thinkers, a healthcare provider pushing for patient autonomy, or simply someone searching for your own definition of freedom,
The Stir 716 was made with you in mind.
So let’s stir it up—together.
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