21: Spotlight On Cultural Humility: The Process of Healing with Dr. R. Neil Siler

Today is a very special episode, as we look back on the tremendous contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, how he would feel about the changes we have made, and the current state of America 60 years later. Our expert guest is Dr. R. Neil Siler, who is here to share his wisdom and experiences on the impact of racial trauma on individuals, and to talk about ways we can move to a healthier state.

Dr. R. Neal Siler is pastor emeritus of the First Shiloh Baptist Church, Mechanicsville, VA. He is a clinician, spiritual director, and founder of The Healing Place Center for Counseling and Spiritual Formation. He is a University and Seminary in Toronto, Ontario, the Director of the Spiritual Direction Program and Director of D.E.I. Initiatives for Healing Care Ministries in Ashland, Ohio. He is a contributing author to UMI’s Pastor’s Precepts Commentary, the author of How I Got Over: Healing for the African American Soul and several other books and small group curricula. Much of his work focuses on the psychological and systemic issues that create pain and brokenness for African Americans and marginalized people. His wife Dr. Sharon E. Siler serves alongside him in ministry, and they delight in sharing life with two children, their spouses, and three grandchildren.

This episode with Dr. Siler is a much needed conversation about the state of our nation, while serving up a message of hope as we build a more equitable humanity.

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In this episode you’ll hear:

Dr. Siler’s take on the words of Dr. Martin Luther King and his dream [6:02]
How can we help people live beyond just the ideology of Dr. King and truly understand the purpose of what he had to stand for [8:59]
The reasons he believes that race not being addressed effectively in this country [11:44]
How we can promote moving towards the solutions, and what is currently working in the battle against racism [15:10]
Dr. Siler’s thoughts on taking race-based discrimination to heart in order to move forward with intention [19:28]
Actions steps for making a difference right now [27:10]
What we feel can be a path to true healing in America [29:11]
What cultural competency is, and isn’t, about [32:34]
How Dr. King would want us to show up as leaders in this movement of change that is needed [34:56]