Opinion: By Little Podcast: A Guidebook for Social Impact
Thamarrah Jones and Courtney Kelly, a dynamic communications duo based in Asheville, have recently launched a captivating podcast called By Little. This narrative-style show aims to explore how ordinary individuals can contribute to making the world a better place. By Little features in-depth discussions with social impact leaders who are tackling some of society’s most pressing challenges, ranging from climate change and homelessness to the mental health crisis and social inequity. The issues that By Little tackles are certainly formidable, but so are the guests who grace the show.
In the debut episode of By Little, listeners are introduced to Leon Benson and Dr. Emily Crain, Psy.D., who shed light on the mental health repercussions of incarceration and reentry into society. Benson, also known as El Bently 448, is a philosopher, artist, and musician who spent an astonishing 25 years in prison, with 10 of those years being in solitary confinement for a crime he did not commit. Dr. Crain, on the other hand, is a psychologist and mental health consultant at InnerCity Weightlifting in Boston, MA, where she works with individuals impacted by the criminal-legal system.
What sets By Little apart is its ability to weave together firsthand accounts, research, compelling storytelling, and intentional sound design. The show’s first episode, titled “Love Letters to the World from Prison,” fearlessly exposes the realities of mass incarceration while also inspiring listeners to take meaningful action against this issue. By Little’s creators, Jones and Kelly, aspire to transform despair and overwhelm into hope and action through their podcast. Their ultimate goal is to provide an everyday guidebook for social impact.
Jones emphasizes, “We want to go beyond simply raising awareness about problems. Our aim is to show people how they can actively contribute to finding solutions.” By Little offers a refreshing counterpoint to the bleak news cycles that dominate today’s headlines. Kelly explains, “With most news outlets bombarding us with stories of tragedy, inequity, and injustice, it’s easy to feel powerless and believe that there’s nothing we can do to address the world’s problems. But that’s not true. Our podcast will delve into these issues and figure out how we can overcome them.”
The name of the podcast, By Little, reflects the creators’ belief in the power of small, informed steps towards positive change, especially when taken collectively. Jones and Kelly draw inspiration from the Tanzanian proverb, “Little by little, a little becomes a lot.” They aim to celebrate the social impact work already being done while also encouraging listeners to carry the baton forward.
By Little releases new episodes every other week on popular podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Substack. In addition to the podcast, By Little also offers bi-weekly essays on Substack that complement the show. Each month, two podcast episodes and two essays will focus on a specific issue. The episodes will highlight the work of individuals who are addressing that particular problem, while the essays will provide evidence-based action steps for readers to follow suit. This way, listeners get both inspiration and a roadmap for taking action. While the podcast episodes are free, the essays are available through a paid subscription on Substack.
Jones brings prior experience in podcasting through her show, As It Should Be, which garnered a nationwide audience. She is not only the co-creator of By Little but also a seasoned marketing strategist and writer with a decade of experience in helping brands engage diverse audiences. Kelly, on the other hand, has over five years of experience as a writer, brand strategist, and communications professional. Her work has been featured in renowned outlets such as Psychology Today. Both co-creators share a passion for social impact work and are excited to build a vibrant community of activists through By Little.
In a world often plagued by despair and a sense of powerlessness, By Little offers a glimmer of hope. It reminds us that even small actions can lead to significant change when we come together with purpose. By Little is not just a podcast; it’s a guidebook for social impact in our everyday lives.
URLs of referenced businesses:
– By Little podcast: [https://podnews.net/podcast/ias5p](https://podnews.net/podcast/ias5p)
– By Little paid subscription: [https://bylittle.substack.com/67477308?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2023-08-31](https://bylittle.substack.com/67477308?utm_source=podnews.net&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=podnews.net:2023-08-31)
https://podnews.net/press-release/by-little