To be upstanders for others, we have to put on our own oxygen masks first—and keep putting them back on when they slip.

You are not weak for feeling overwhelmed.
You are not selfish for seeking joy.
And you are not alone.

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Email: theintrovertedupstander@gmail.com

Because strength can be quiet.
And courage doesn’t have to be loud.

Welcome to the very first episode of The Introverted Upstander. In this opening conversation, host Sasha Graham lays the foundation for what this podcast is—and what it isn’t. She’s not a political expert, historian, or extremist. But in a moment that feels urgent and overwhelming, she’s asking a deeply personal question: How do introverts show up courageously in times of injustice?

Welcome to The Introverted Upstander, my name is Sasha.

I am an American mom of three great kids who are in high school and college, married to the same wonderful guy since 2004.

I like audio books, and walking the dog and playing sand volleyball with my husband and our friends. I am a planner, in fact, I often enjoy researching and booking vacations as much as I enjoy going on them. I love doing 1000-piece puzzles and spending time with friends, preferably just 2 or 3 at a time.

I am also deeply, deeply concerned about what is happening in our country right now. But I have struggled with finding my own voice in an environment that always seems dominated by the loudest and the most extreme. How can I possibly implement action in a way that has any chance of helping, when I am far more comfortable reading a great book with a kitty snuggled on my lap? Is there a way for me to help without fundamentally changing who I am?

To be honest, I’m not sure, and it’s a little scary, but I have to do something, and I am betting that there are a lot of you out there who feel just like I do.

The Introverted Upstander is available now wherever you get your podcasts.