
The Ben & Jamesa Podcast: Conversations About Community
Welcome to The Ben & Jamesa Podcast, where we explore conversations about community.
In each episode we challenge each other, and you the listener, to unlearn old patterns and build more compassionate, authentic connections in every area of life.
If you're new here, start with episode #137, “Start Here,” for an overview of our work and podcast. After that, dive into any episode that resonates with you as we break down how to move from control to genuine connection.
The Ben & Jamesa Podcast: Conversations About Community
Ep. 143: Why Do White People Love Violence?
This week, we explore how violence—whether in relationships, policing, or foreign policy—is normalized and often celebrated in white American culture. Drawing from our experience in domestic violence work, we unpack how control, blame, and force show up not just interpersonally but systemically. We also respond to a listener’s discomfort with the idea of Black joy, revealing how even joy can be seen as a threat within a culture built on control. Plus: a São João festival story and a sleepy fungi fact.