We’re back for our quarterly check-in! This episode, Garland, Marissa, and Allison get real about how 2025 is treating them—emotionally, creatively, and professionally. The crew dives into the words of the year they each picked, how those intentions are holding up (or, in some cases, getting a remix!), and the rituals keeping them grounded in these all-over-the-place times.

From Topple-inspired metaphors for emotional balance to morning walks and “letting go” as a radical act, you’ll find sharp honesty and truly relatable reflections. We chat about how consuming less (media, content, even responsibilities) can actually help you do more of what matters. Plus, we cover what books, podcasts, and TV shows are getting us through—and why comfort viewing totally counts as self-care.

If you’re managing teams, scaling impact, or just trying to stay steady as the world wobbles, you’ll walk away with a healthy dose of community wisdom—and a reminder that you are so not alone.

• Quarterly Check-in Energy: Honest reflections on how “the 2025 of it all” is landing—balancing gratitude and struggle, creativity and overwhelm.

• Words of the Year Recap: The group revisits their chosen guiding words (like "anchor," "weave," "elevate," "impact," "release") and checks in on where those intentions are now.

• Emotional Grounding Rituals: Walks (headphone-free!), family time, and quiet routines that help anchor you amidst chaos.

• Letting Go as Power: Why releasing the need to control everything (including your kid’s forgotten shoes!) is the real flex.

• Input Diets: Reducing information overload; choosing lighter books, comfort TV, and creative projects over “shoulds.”

• Current Reads & Recos: History nerd alert, Gilded Age deep dives, rom-com reads, and nostalgia watches like ER and Survivor.

• Song of the Year: Musical mantras like “Defying Gravity,” “This Is Me,” and “Show Yourself”—and why the right anthem gives you courage to leap, even when your word of the year says otherwise.

• Community & Collaboration: The power of support, witnessing each other’s growth, and the magic that happens when you have people in your corner.

• Books:

• • The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron (plus real talk on the “input deprivation diet”)

  • Gilded Age histories (Allison’s pick: a book on the Rothschild women)

  • Buy Back Your Time (mentioned by Garland)

• TV:

• • ER (classic comfort watch)

  • White Lotus

  • The Pit (on HBO)

  • Survivor

  • Righteous Gemstones

• Media Approach: Intentional reduction in podcasts/news—prioritizing rest, fiction, and lighter entertainment as self-care.

• “Defying Gravity” (from Wicked)

• “This Is Me”

• “Show Yourself” (from Frozen II)

Check out the episode playlist—songs are linked in the show notes!

• How’s your year unfolding? Share your own words, mantras, or check-ins with us!

• Ready to go deeper? Join the Community Impact Collective and sign up for Garland’s newsletter https://prodigious-designer-8603.kit.com/2998145cf6

• Tag us with your reflections or what’s keeping you grounded right now:

• • Allison: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonsweiss/

  • Marissa: https://www.itsmemarissag.com

  • Garland:https://www.linkedin.com/in/garlandfuller/

• #Changemakers #CommunityImpact #ImpactDriven

Don’t forget to subscribe and invite a friend who needs a community pick-me-up!

“You don't have to choose between passion and progress. Together, we create change that lasts.”
— The ReImagining Community Team

Building legacies, together.

In this energizing episode, Garland Fuller dives into a radically authentic conversation with Bahni Turpin—acclaimed actress, community leader, and founder of the SoLA Food Co-Op in South L.A. Bahni shares her journey from artist to changemaker, breaking down how lived experience and community theater opened her eyes to food injustice and inspired tangible solutions.

From her roots in New York to establishing a home and purpose in South L.A., Bahni reveals what it really takes to build a member-owned food co-op in a city shaped by food deserts and systemic inequities. She opens up about the co-op building process, the setbacks and surprises, and the incredible community momentum fueling SoLA Food Co-Op today.

• Turning Challenges Into Action:
  Bahni’s journey is all about not waiting for "someone else" to fix the gaps you see. When big chains refused to invest in her neighborhood, she imagined something bolder: a store owned by—and for—the people.

• Power of the Cooperative Model:
  A co-op isn’t just a store—it’s a movement. Every household member gets a vote and a say in how the business serves the community, from the products on the shelves to profit sharing and long-term decisions.

• Building From the Ground Up:
  Bahni shares honest reflections on how long the process can take and why showing up at farmer’s markets, collaborating with local growers, and hustling for grants matter. This is grassroots, solutions-first work.

• Disrupting Food Deserts by Design:
  The episode unpacks how systemic issues shape food access in Black and Brown communities—and how local, collective ownership can change the narrative for future generations.

• Collaboration in Action:
  The SoLA Food Co-Op journey is packed with stories of partnership—working with local farmers, coffee roasters, and organizations birthed from the Black Panther legacy—to ensure the co-op reflects and uplifts the neighborhood.

“If you’re noticing [a problem], that’s all that needs to happen for something to start changing.”
— Garland Fuller

“What if the community owned the store—what if I didn’t have to be the owner?”
— Bahni Turpin

“A co-op isn’t for sale to the highest bidder. It’s about legacy, voice, and staying power for our communities.”
— Bahni Turpin

• Interested in joining SoLA Food Co-Op?

• • $200 membership per household—for a lifetime of ownership, voting power, and community impact.

  • Visit https://www.solafoodcoop.com/ to join or donate.

• Connect in person:

• • Meet the team at their booth at the farmer’s market on the first and third Saturdays at Slauson & Crenshaw (5730 Crenshaw, 10am–3pm).

• Support their fundraising goal:

• • They’re working toward $5M to open their doors debt-free and keep the power in the community. Every donation and membership matters.

• Bring your creativity:

• • Volunteers, connectors, and cheerleaders are always needed! If you’re passionate about food justice, this is your space.

• Community Services Unlimited – Local partner and organic produce provider

• California Center for Cooperative Development – Check out their annual conference for anyone interested in building co-ops

• Aura Cafe & Life in a Bottle – Supporting local food entrepreneurs

• Bahni’s go-to community soundtrack? “Love Train” and Marvin Gaye’s hits—because building together is always better with a soundtrack.

Want more actionable inspiration?

• Subscribe to ReImagining Community for more stories that move you to act.

Let’s reimagine what’s possible. Together.
Tag us with your thoughts or questions! #Changemakers #CommunityImpact #CollaborationOverCompetition

Links & Contact Info:

• SoLA Food Co-Op Membership/Donation page: https://www.solafoodcoop.com/join

• Garland Fuller Newsletter & Community Impact Collective: https://prodigious-designer-8603.kit.com/2998145cf6

• Social: @solafoodcoop, @bahni_turpin, @garlandfuller

Building legacies. Together. See you in the community!

We’ve reached the end of an incredible first season of ReImagining Community! In this special finale, Garland Fuller and Marissa Garza look back on the moments that shaped the season, the conversations that challenged and inspired us, and the powerful ways our community is growing.

More than just a recap, this episode is about honoring the stories, connections, and impact that have come from building this space together.

🔥 Kicking Things Off (00:01:07)
Garland and Marissa reflect on what it took to launch this podcast, the energy behind each episode, and the deep sense of purpose fueling this work.

🌟 Season Highlights
A look back at the moments that sparked big ideas, new perspectives, and real action—from leadership lessons to the power of storytelling in community building.

💡 Lessons from Our Guests
We revisit key takeaways on cultural intelligence, navigating change, and balancing personal and professional growth.

💭 Personal Growth & Big Reflections
Garland and Marissa open up about how this season has shaped their own understanding of leadership, creativity, and the evolving nature of community work.

🚀 Looking Ahead to Season 2
What’s next? We’re building on this momentum with fresh conversations, deeper engagement, and even more ways for you to be part of the journey.

🎶 Season Playlist Drop
Here's a playlist of all of the songs that moved and inspired our guests this season: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/74GIZUo0A7R0atmcPmvEz7?si=R6XQu5hqTZ-jN_WuH5uv1g

📩 Join the Movement

• Be part of the Community Impact Collective—a space for changemakers building lasting impact. https://communityimpactcollective.mn.co/
• Subscribe to Garland's newsletter for insights on leadership, strategy, and community-driven action. https://prodigious-designer-8603.kit.com/2998145cf6

💬 Your Turn: What Stuck With You?
What moments from Season 1 resonated most with you? Let us know—we’d love to hear your takeaways!

To every listener, guest, and supporter—thank you. This podcast is about reimagining what’s possible when we come together with intention, and we’re just getting started. See you in Season 2!