The Purple Pawedcast

Today's episode features Mx. Crys/ta Song, a Speech Language Pathologist and vocalist who is also Board Co-Chair of Queer Oriented Radical Days of Summer (QORDS).  Crys/ta and I talk about such topics as why the South should not be discounted as a political forum, how we cannot help but be part of humanity, and obscure William Makepeace Thackeray quotes.

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REFERENCES:
Follow Crys/ta Song on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mx.singasong/
QORDS website:  https://qords.org/
Follow QORDS on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Qords/
Follow QORDS on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/qords_camp/
Transcend NYC Chorus:  https://www.transcendsings.org/
“Braiding Sweetgrass:”  https://milkweed.org/book/braiding-sweetgrass
Quote from “The Crow:”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6sz0mgQL_A

  • (00:00) - Opening credits
  • (00:37) - Show opening
  • (01:32) - Introducing Crys/ta Song
  • (02:31) - The beauty in pure vocal sounds
  • (06:11) - Applying sound to the human experience
  • (09:52) - Genderless choir
  • (12:23) - Music Theory for Cis/Het White Dudes
  • (15:11) - Gendered Voice for Cis/Het White Dudes
  • (20:59) - Healing through community connections
  • (27:15) - Chosen family is different from the labels we adopt
  • (31:07) - Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children
  • (35:55) - Stay aloof or be in the human community?
  • (43:12) - Why it's worth investing in the South
  • (49:44) - Transformation during Queer Oriented Radical Days of Summer
  • (57:10) - Can QORDS help youth with recalcitrant parents?
  • (01:01:41) - Finding Crys/ta in the Universe
  • (01:03:21) - Show closing
  • (01:04:54) - Closing credits
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Creators and Guests

Host
Amethysta Herrick, Ph.D.
Scientist, storyteller, and professional overthinker of all things identity. Also, I happen to be a transgender woman.

What is The Purple Pawedcast?

Welcome to The Purple Pawedcast, where we unpack the complexities of gender, identity, and what it truly means to be human—without the academic jargon (okay, maybe just a little, but only the fun kind).

Curated by Amethysta Herrick. Ph.D., this pod is where science, philosophy, and lived experience collide to challenge assumptions and spark new perspectives. Whether you’re here to explore your own identity, stay informed on the latest research, or just enjoy a deep dive into the human experience, we deliver thoughtful, engaging, and refreshingly honest discussions. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just real conversations about who we are and how we navigate the world. Dive in, stay curious, and let’s rethink identity together.