Episode 40: When The Border Is You
What is a border, really? Is it just a political line on a map, or is it something more? In this episode, inspired by the resonant words of poet Suzanne Alexa Maria Penola, we explore the invisible—but deeply felt—borders that shape how people are perceived, welcomed, or rejected.
We unpack how these borders go far beyond immigration policy—they show up in classrooms with signs that say “You are welcome here,” yet echo with microaggressions. They appear in the way accents are judged, names are mispronounced, and cultural contributions are scrutinized. These borders are often upheld by systems, by language, and by people. Sometimes, as the poem suggests, “our borders are you.”
This episode invites you into a conversation about identity, personhood, and the audacity to claim space in a world that tries to divide and diminish. If you've ever felt “in-between,” this one's for you.