Race Matters / Holding Breath

06.07.25
Trees reflect in a body of water in Tommeginne Country, the ancestral lands of Jody, where they can breathe most deeply
Aired on 06.07.25, 10:00am

“Breath. Something we all have in common, yet most take for granted” 

An invitation to listen in, attune to, hold breath and be in solidarity with those in our community living with Long Covid. In collaboration with Dr Poppy de Souza, we bring you stories gathered from her Holding Breath exchange and from the Race Matters community, reflecting on their experiences and responding to: what do we carry with us? what do we leave behind? Together, these voices bring collective wisdom, and offer ways of living with/in embodied discomfort and crip ways of moving through the world. 

Continue to learn more about Poppy’s work, and to listen in solidarity and connect with Long Covid in our racial justice struggle: 

Holding Breath project

Jenna Bitar’s essay in Sick Times “Instead of supporting people with Long Covid, our government funds a genocide” 

Still Here podcast from The Sick Times

Breathing 4 Justice - exploring the intersections of long Covid and disability justice (U.S.)

The Colour of Long COVID series, supported by the Disability Visibility Project

This episode was facilitated by, co-produced and edited by Samantha Haran. Scripting, piano composition, invitations and co-production by Poppy de Souza. Supervising production and creative contributions by Shareeka Helaluddin. Graphics for our community call-out by Judy Ko, arranged by Sehej Kaur Sehmbhi. Image is from contributor Jody Haines, from Tommeginne Country, their ancestral lands where they can breathe most deeply. 

With gratitude to all those who contributed to this episode and gave us the trust to uplift your narratives of Long Covid, and our love to those impacted by its grief and loss.

More Episodes

Tracklist

Mayari
Australia
Fever Dream
Holding Breath
An intimate voice note exchange part of Dr Poppy de Souza's Holding Breath project between Jody and Poppy
Dominique Fils-Aimé
Room to Breath
Holding Breath
Contributions from the Race Matters listening community sharing their letters, poems, wisdom through Long Covid. Sharings from Nas, Jacqui, Bridget, and Kayla.
The Sick Times - Jenna Bitar
A reading from Jenna Laila Bitar from The Sick Times: Instead of supporting people with Long COVID, our government funds a genocide
Holding Breath
An intimate voice note exchange part of Dr Poppy de Souza's Holding Breath project between Farida and Poppy.
Shabaka
Breathing