How They See Us

Live with Pride in 2025

In this powerful Pride Month episode of How They See Us, host Denise Herd is joined by the ever-fabulous Patrick Bouquett and Jason Grisell, President & CEO of The Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis. Together, they unpack the rising wave of anti-DEI sentiment, harmful legislation targeting LGBTQ+ communities, and the weaponization of the word “woke.” Through sharp insight and personal truth, this conversation cuts through the noise to explore what it really means to be visible, vocal, and unafraid in 2025. 

Freedom Remembered - Pt. II: Preserving Indiana’s Black Heritage

In Part II, Eunice Trotter dives into the rich but often overlooked history of Black Hoosiers and the fight for historic preservation in Indiana. She and Denise discuss why remembering Black history at the local level is critical, and how preservation is not just about buildings—it’s about honoring lives, legacies, and the stories that shaped our communities.

Freedom Remembered - Part I: The Legacy of Juneteenth w/ Eunice Trotter

What does Juneteenth really commemorate, and why has it taken so long for the full weight of that history to be recognized? In Part I, Denise is joined by Eunice Trotter, Director of Indiana Landmarks’ Black Heritage Preservation Program, who joins us to explore the national significance of Juneteenth, its roots in delayed freedom, and how the legacy of emancipation continues to shape American identity.

Pt. II: Stress, Strength and Mental Health w/ Studio G Fitness

Denise is back at Studio G Fitness for the second half of our powerful How They See Us conversation on stress, strength, and mental health.
In this episode, Denise Herd continues the conversation with Gena Brown and Pat Trowers-Johnson, diving into the beauty standards that hold women back from the gym, how Black women navigate fitness and hair care, and why what we put into our bodies matters just as much as what we do with them.

Pt. I: Stress, Strength and Mental Health w/ Studio G Fitness

In honor of #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, our host, Denise Herd, sits down with Studio G Fitness owner Gena Brown and group trainer Pat Trowers-Johnson to discuss stress, strength, self-care, and what it means to prioritize your health in every way.
From gym anxiety and beauty standards to nutrition and mental clarity, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Women Supporting Women

In this episode, Denise deep-dives into topics impacting women daily: physical health, mental health and bodily autonomy. 

Special Episode: How They See Us - Post Election

Badassery Life host Kelly Young invited our very own Denise Herd and Angie Carr Klitzsch of Women4Change Indiana to discuss How They See Us as white women, black women, women in the LGBTQ+ Community, and Immigrant Women - and what it means to move forward together following the election results. It was a raw, honest and unfiltered conversation you won't want to miss. Tune in now!

Unspoken rules: Why we code-switch

Join host Denise Herd as she dives deep into the complex world of code-switching, uncovering why so many of us adapt our language, behavior, and even appearance to navigate different spaces.
This episode examines the personal and cultural impacts of code-switching, revealing what it says about societal norms and expectations. From exploring shifts in self-expression to discussing the significance of legislation like the CROWN Act, Denise unpacks the forces that shape how we present ourselves.

Celebrating Black Business Month

August is National Black Business Month, and supporting Black-owned businesses is more important than ever. Did you know that Black business ownership is up by almost 30% on pre-pandemic levels, with Black women starting businesses at a higher rate than any other group? 
In this month’s episode of How They See Us we spend time talking with Chesia Torrence, owner of The Silver Center, Indianapolis’ premier event space. We discuss the highs and lows of business ownership, obstacles Black business owner face and the importance of having a transition plan.

The Changing Landscape in the LGBTQ Community

This month we are highlighting our LGBTQIA+ friends on our social media platforms, and for our HTSU conversation, we would like to talk about then and now through the eyes of older and younger members of our LGBTQIA+ communities. What has changed? What's the same? What is the quality of now versus back in the day? How has legislation hurt or helped?