Episode 158: Indigenous Wisdom Conversations: Writing as Liberation with JR Rice
Mar 04, 2026In this episode, Juliana — apprentice to Julia and guest host — sits down with JR Rice, a Black man, writer, teacher, event host & curator, and spoken word artist, born and raised in Oakland, California. JR works with students navigating homelessness, immigration pressure, incarceration, and trauma — and he meets them there through the radical act of storytelling.
This conversation moves through what it means to teach identity through writing, why vulnerability has to come from the teacher first, and how story has always been the way humans pass down what matters. JR also speaks honestly about his own path — being fired for trying to unionize, living with bipolar disorder, a serious heart procedure that changed how he moves through life — and what he's learned about legacy, self-care, and not giving up.
- JR's debut novel Broken Pencils — available on Amazon and at local bookstores
- Upcoming poetry collection I Was, Am, and Will Be — out June 2025
- JR's website: jrrice.com
- JR on Instagram & TikTok
- Get your free guide: 10 Questions to Ask Your Soul Self
- Enroll in The Magical Papers
- Schedule a free Cafecito y Chisme Call with Julia
- Learn more about Master Alma Class (MAC) sessions
- Connect with us on Instagram and Facebook
