The Shift: Stories of Resistance + Resilience
The Shift: Stories of Resistance + Resilience
Podcast Description
The Shift began as a LinkedIn Live Audio Series in 2023. In 2025, after the 2024 election results, Mark Travis Rivera decided to refocus the series on the themes of resistance + resilience and to use the series as an opportunity to harness the power of stories to help us recognize our shared humanity. Mark Travis Rivera is the CEO + Founder of The Professional Storyteller, LLC, and serves as the host and producer of The Shift.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The series focuses on topics such as activism, community building, intersectionality, and the dynamics of power and economics. Episodes often explore significant issues affecting marginalized groups, for example, discussions on the role of Black women in democracy and the need for collective identity among communities.

The Shift is a podcast series exploring stories of resistance and resilience from activists, creatives, and leaders across industries who are boldly challenging the status quo. Through honest conversations and powerful storytelling, we uncover how people shift systems, narratives, and culture to create a more inclusive, just, and liberated world. If you believe in the power of stories to spark change, this is the podcast for you. It is hosted and produced by Mark Travis Rivera, CEO + Founder of The Professional Storyteller, LLC.
In this episode of The Shift, host Mark Travis Rivera opens up about his journey as a storyteller, exploring themes of resistance and resilience. He shares personal anecdotes about his identity, the impact of his disability, and how writing has been a refuge throughout his life. Mark discusses his early experiences in journalism, the challenges he faced, and the importance of representation in storytelling. The conversation emphasizes the power of stories to foster understanding and connection among diverse communities. In this conversation, Araya Baker and Mark Travis Rivera explore the significance of journalism and writing as tools for empowerment and community building, particularly for marginalized groups. They discuss the importance of personal narratives in fostering resilience and breaking cycles of oppression. The dialogue emphasizes the need for authenticity in artistic expression and the balance between faith and discipline in pursuing a creative career. In this conversation, Mark Travis Rivera and Araya Baker explore the themes of storytelling, personal growth, and the importance of authenticity. They discuss the journey of achieving personal goals, the inevitability of failure, and the significance of self-acceptance and worthiness. The dialogue emphasizes the need to honor one's calling in life while navigating the complexities of fame and identity.Connect with Mark:Sign up for Mark's NewsletterFollow Mark on Social MediaQuestions or comments?Email us at [email protected]. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/aspireLicense code: HH1UUNHIRJ7LUSVUDisclaimer Note: The captions in this video are auto-generated, and while we try to ensure accuracy, you may notice a typo or error. Thank you in advance for extending grace.

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