About That Life

Do you ever feel powerless in the face of an atrocity? Well, that never stopped George Washington Williams, a Black man who went from being a “barely literate” veteran to a crusader who exposed a genocide in the Congo and nearly toppled a king. Garrison and activist Mohammed Elnaiem discuss how we can learn from someone who let his faith and love for Black people around the world guide his actions. Who’s a defiant person you think we should feature on the show? Or do you have a story about someone who inspired you to be “about that life"? Leave us a voicemail at 814-326-2866.  Support the show by subscribing on Substack Show Notes Guest: Mohammed Elnaiem Want to learn more? Read: George Washington Williams: A Biography History of the Negro Race: 1619-1880 King Leopold’s Ghost Watch: King Leopold’s Ghost More on the crisis in the Congo: Friends of the Congo Congo Week (Oct 18-24, 2026) Follow Garrison YouTube TikTok Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 1 - The Future According to Octavia Butler Sci-Fi author Octavia Butler seemed to have predicted our dystopian present over 30 years ago. But can her understanding of history help us change our future? Garrison and Erika Alexander (actor and futurist) discuss the power of radical imagination and the lasting impact of her work. Who’s a defiant person you think we should feature on the show? Or do you have a story about someone who inspired you to be “about that life"? Leave us a voicemail at 814-326-2866.  Support the show by subscribing on Substack. Guest: Erika Alexander  Want to learn more? Read: Kindred  Parable of the Sower Parable of the Talents  Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler  Watch: Octavia Butler: A Cautionary Tale Octavia Butler Interview with Julie Dash Follow Garrison Hayes: YouTube TikTok Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lessons from the defiant ones– past and present. Coming August 26, 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices