You may pick it up from our voices as you start listening in: we’re overjoyed about this episode with Matthew Reynolds (he/they).
He dives right into realness and authenticity. This conversation brought us tears from the realness of what he shares and laughs over silly stuff. Processing and listening as we talk together.
Based in Hawaii, Matthew currently works with groups of people (organizations and open groups) on developing their Equity Lens and Trusted Circles to develop humanity-led equity, connection, and thought in facilitated safe(r) spaces. He has wide-ranging talents and skills, with experience ranging from high school education to multimedia performance art, and he brings it all into his work in DEI.
“Over the last fear for four or five years, I should say, I've been called a change catalyst, an equity seeker, a belonging builder, a warrior of justice, a liberation and freedom guide, human spirit amplifier, but I think the one that I really have been embracing lately is that I'm a world creator, here to help create a world that is humanity led.” — Matthew Reynolds
The kind of person Matthew admires is the person who steps into their fear of looking into the mirror and really looks to find their authentic self beyond what’s been imposed on them by others.
“‘How much of my thinking is my thinking?’ The folks who are willing to unpack that are the people that I'm impressed with.” — Matthew Reynolds
What he’s focusing on is the four C’s: curiosity, creativity, collaboration, and connection. He’s intentional about including FAILs: first attempts in learning. He deeply cares about balancing mind, body, and spirit.
The younger generation, and especially the queer community, Matthew notes, is challenging the binary mindset and embracing the complexity of identity beyond rigid labels. This shift dismantles oppressive systems and also fosters a deeper connection with the earth.
“I’m in this so that seven generations from now they can look back and giggle a little bit about it and be like, ‘Oh wow, look how we used to treat each other’.” — Matthew Reynolds
"It's important to bring a story. It's important to craft your story in your own words, but also have a way to activate people."— Vivian Acquah
"The power of connection is immense. When we talk, read, and connect with each other, it's like a whirlwind of emotions and ideas."— Marjolijn Vlug
Be prepared to hear perspectives and ideas that you haven’t heard before. Get ready to listen to a warm, authentic human being and his views. Connect with this episode and learn much more about what Matthew believes in, what led him to where he is now, and how he inspires us to fill our cup to overflow.
About Matthew Reynolds, Speaker | Equity Consultant | Author:
With over 15 years as a teacher in secondary education, Matthew is passionate about disseminating knowledge. As a powerful speaker, consultant and author, Matthew helps audiences shift their consciousness, create belonging, and build a better world for all of humanity.
Connect with Matthew Reynolds via
Resources & references in this episode:
Biggest Fullest and Brightest: Shifting the Consciousness of Humanity by Matthew Reynolds. Found on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Download The Five Steps To Crafting Your Equity Lens PDF and join Matthew’s email newsletter.
The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story, a collection of essays from the journalism project created by Nikole Hannah-Jones, has also been turned into a six-part documentary series.
Stamped From The Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, a non-fiction book about race in the United States by the American historian Ibram X. Kendi
The danger of a single story, a TedTalk by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The How: Notes on the Great Work of Meeting Yourself by Yrsa Daley-Ward, "a compilation of essays, poems, heartfelt musings, and earnest advice that provides a 'nudge toward' finding your voice"
Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience, a book by Brene Brown and accompanying list of emotions
Finding your spark: Matthew Reynolds on Embracing Authenticity