Episode 11: The Power of Freedom Dreaming: A Return to Imagination
In this deeply reflective episode of Living in 3D Power, Emma and I explore what it means to reclaim imagination as adults through the sacred practice of freedom dreaming.
Drawing from Dr. Shawn Ginwright’s The Four Pivots: Reimagining Justice, Reimagining Ourselves, the episode invites listeners to move from problem-loving to possibility-creating and remember that dreaming is not a distraction—it’s how we heal, reimagine, and rebuild. Through Emma’s storytelling, digital art, and wide-eyed creativity, we are reminded of the visionary wisdom children still hold—and how adults can return to that spark.
Together, we discuss how daily responsibilities can suffocate creativity, the spiritual nature of dreams, the role of curiosity in leadership, and the importance of preserving the imaginative gifts we often leave behind. Whether it’s sketching characters from another era or designing a comic book set in the 18th century, Emma shows us what it means to dream freely and without limits.
This episode will inspire you to:
*Keep an imagination journal
*Write your 3 “magic napkin” dreams
*Share a dream with someone who will believe in it as fiercely as you do
Chapters
01:32 – What Is Freedom Dreaming?
05:47 – Dreams as Divine Messages
07:41 – The Sacredness of Curiosity & Wonder
10:52 – The Joy of Creative Sparks & Art-Making
14:03 – The Challenge of Executing a Vision
20:19 – Reclaiming Purpose Through Creativity
21:41 – Peter Pan, Adulthood & Growing Out of Joy
22:33 – The Danger of Humdrum Work Lives
23:18 – Nurturing Creative Gifts in Children
24:15 – Shifting from Problems to Possibilities (Dr. Shawn Ginwright)
25:20 – What Freedom Means to a 10-Year-Old
29:47 – Envisioning a World That Honors Our Ancestors
32:13 – Consciousness, Community & Wake-Up Calls
34:28 – Afrofuturism, Ancestry & the Imaginative Power of Youth
38:00 – From Childhood Stories to Legacy Work
40:00 – Final Reflections: Dreaming as a Blueprint for Liberation
Curiosity Card Prompts for Reflection:
* What does it feel like in my body when I get excited about creating?
*Do adults stop dreaming and imagining? If so, why does this happen?
* What does freedom mean to me?
*What kind of world would honor the dreams of our ancestors?
*If I could create/write a future world, what would it look like?
* If I could teach the world one thing about dreaming and imagination, what would it be?
References
*Brienne Yvonne artist and designer
*Freedom Dreams: The Black Radical Imagination by Dr. Robin D. G. Kelly
*The Four Pivots: Reimagining Justice, Reimagining Ourselves by Dr. Shawn Ginwright
Connect with Me
Instagram: @natural_inclination
Youtube: @naturalinclination
TikTok: Amber Sessoms
LinkedIn: Dr. Amber M. Sessoms, NCSP
Bluesky: @ambersessoms.bsky.social
Facebook: Natural Inclination
Like, Comment, Share, Engage
If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who would love these conversations. Engage with the Curiosity Cards and ask the youth in your life about their experiences—you might be surprised by what you learn. Share your thoughts and reflections in the comments or on social media using #LivingIn3DPower. And, don’t forget to subscribe and stay tuned for next week’s conversation!
