Determine Our Future

Quick link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aBhttps://determineourfuture.com/https://www.facebook.com/lparkerpierce@LParkerPierce#determineourfuturehttps://worldforumfoundation.org/https://mnaeyc-mnsaca.org/Listen to Episode 40: Code switching, with special guest Tiffany Grant, after this one!https://www.buzzsprout.com/1210403/8091948Kelly's book and online seminars Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

Quick link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aBhttps://determineourfuture.com/https://www.facebook.com/lparkerpierce@LParkerPierce#determineourfuturehttps://profkatiefoss.com/https://www.umasspress.com/9781625345288/constructing-the-outbreak/I'm so excited to have Dr. Katherine Foss back on the show! You'll remember Katie from Episode 36. Dr. Katherine Foss is a Professor of Media Studies at the School of Journalism and Strategic Media at Middle Tennessee State University. Dr. Foss teaches about health communication, television, and gender studies. Dr. Foss' book, “Constructing the Outbreak: Epidemics in Media and Collective Memory,” analyzes seven epidemics from the past 200 years, and describes how shifts in both medicine and journalism influenced the outcomes of those pandemics. Now that so much has changed in the past two years, not only because of the arrival of COVID, but how much the disease itself has changed, I'm excited to hear what Dr. Foss has to teach us. Katie's pronouns are she/her/hers, and so are mine. Let's jump in! Dr. Foss, Katie, thank you so much for joining me again!

Quick link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aBhttps://determineourfuture.com/https://www.facebook.com/lparkerpierce@LParkerPierce#determineourfutureSo I hadn't heard of the “zero waste” concept until recently. It's getting more popular, with the rise of zero waste shops and markets, the backlash against plastic bags in supermarkets and the rise of so-called “zero waste products.” I thought it would be difficult to figure out what to buy and what to look for, but once I started looking, it's actually pretty neat and not that hard to find out what you want to know. So I wanted to share some of the things I've learned with all of you. This episode builds on the things I talked about in E60, Let's save planet Earth, shall we? Go back and listen to that one, after this one.Finding out more ways to help the planet? It's a big job, but not too hard for us to tackle. Let's get started.Kelly's book and online seminars Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

Quick link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aBhttps://determineourfuture.com/https://www.facebook.com/lparkerpierce@LParkerPierce#determineourfutureIn honor of Black History Month, I'm excited to tell you about an extraordinary person. Who else in the same life could start as a slave in the 18th century, then commandeer a ship at the age of 23, to bring 17 passengers from slavery to freedom? Then, serve in the Civil War and be promoted to captain for their bravery and leadership? And they were not done- served in their state assembly, state Senate, then 5 terms in the US House of Representatives. This extraordinary, and not well-known Black historical figure, is former US Representative Robert Smalls.Ready to learn more? I definitely was; let's get started.Kelly's book and online seminars Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

Quick link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aBhttps://determineourfuture.com/https://www.facebook.com/lparkerpierce@LParkerPierce#determineourfuture@coops_changer on Facebookcentreforsocialintelligence on Instagramhttp://bit.ly/KellyCooperYT-CSIhttps://www.centreforsocialintelligence.ca/Kelly Cooper's book: “Lead the Change - The Competitive Advantage of Gender Diversity and Inclusion”Kelly Cooper is the CEO and founder of the Centre for Social Intelligence. You'll remember Kelly from Episode 58; I'm so excited to talk again! This has been Kelly's passion for over 10 years. Before that, environmental work led Kelly into her pursuit of harmonizing care of our environment, the pursuit of diverse, inclusive and open-minded workplaces, and showing executives that taking responsibility for their impact on the environment and diversity and inclusion will positively affect the bottom line of those workplaces. Kelly's pronouns and mine are she/her/hers. Kelly, thank you so much for joining me again!Kelly's book and online seminars Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

This episode contains explicit language and adult themes.Quick link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aBhttps://determineourfuture.com/https://www.facebook.com/lparkerpierce@LParkerPierce#determineourfutureThis episode was pretty tough for me to get through; please stop listening if this episode is upsetting you. That is not what I mean to do, so I'm trying to balance between telling all of the truths that we know, while trying not to upset my listeners or cause them anguish. The reason I am trying to tell as many truths as possible, is because silence and cover-ups, as you will hear, is what caused Nassar to continue his behavior for so long in the first place. And although the title of this episode points to the FBI's delays, they are not the only organization to blame, as we will find out in this episode.We all know what Larry Nassar did in his 38-year career for USA Gymnastics, or USAG, while sexually abusing hundreds of young girls and women, one as young as 6 years old. USAG allegedly covered up Nassar's behavior; we'll hear about Steve Penny, the President of USAG at the time, and his alleged actions as he awaits trial.The FBI delayed their investigation into Nassar, and we don't have to say allegedly there, because there is a Department of Justice investigation and report to prove it. Nassar also worked for Michigan State University, where there is evidence of a cover-up for his actions there. MSU was forced to settle lawsuits and pay a fine to the US Department of Education for that institution's involvement in the cover-up of Nassar's crimes.How did so many organizations (USA Gymnastics, US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the FBI offices in both Indianapolis and Los Angeles, Michigan State University) get this wrong? Understanding that, is a big job. As tough as this episode was for me to research and talk about, let's get started.Kelly's book and online seminars Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

Quick link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aBhttps://determineourfuture.com/https://www.facebook.com/lparkerpierce@LParkerPierce#determineourfutureIn the first episode on the Determine Our Future podcast on this subject, E33, we found that debt prisons never actually disappeared in the United States. We'll review the origin story of debt prisons, and how different systems in the US today work the same way. Then, we'll see if there have been any changes. We'll also touch on the subject of private prisons, and how the Biden administration is trying to move away from the use of them, and how those private companies might have a little trouble letting go.Figuring how to get rid of US debt prisons? It's a big job. Let's get started.

Quick link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aBhttps://determineourfuture.com/https://www.facebook.com/lparkerpierce@LParkerPierce#determineourfuturehttps://thebirthdaysuitbooks.com/homehttps://www.facebook.com/thebirthdaysuitbookshttps://www.instagram.com/thebirthdaysuitbooks/Mandi Nuttall is the author of Birthday Suit Books: Yearly Guides to Easily Teach Children Ages 1 to 9 About Their Body and Sex, with Book 2 for older kids ages 10-18 coming in a few months. These books teach parents how, when, and what to say as they approach teaching all the difficult topics such as anatomy, sex, fertilization, pregnancy, safety, and more. These talks are so important as our children grow up; they encourage healthy communication between kids and adults and ensure that our kids feel comfortable asking us about anything. Thank you Mandi for joining me today!

Quick link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aBhttps://determineourfuture.com/https://www.facebook.com/lparkerpierce@LParkerPierce#determineourfutureA year into the Biden-Harris administration, I wanted to check in on how much progress has been made on racial equity issues, LGBTQ+ discrimination protections and other promises that the Biden-Harris campaign made before the now-infamous 2020 election.Figuring out what was promised and what is delivered? It's a big job. Let's get started.

Quick link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aBhttps://determineourfuture.com/https://www.facebook.com/lparkerpierce@LParkerPierce#determineourfutureShe's lived all over the world, but it is the lush emerald-green jungles and sun toasted sands of the Island that always call her home. Ari stands on the threshold of her future, but only she can decide where her story will take her next.Ari's journey to find her path of her own begins one spring on the Island. But as many things go, you cannot always choose what happens in life. Embarking on a decade-long journey of self-discovery, Ari works to find her place in the world, torn between the pull of her Island and the possibility of what lies beyond.But an unexpected encounter may change it all. Though Bird of Paradise is about the love of family, it is ultimately a story of romance, loss and finding.Let's jump in! Emily, thank you so much for joining me today. I can't wait to talk about the book that you co-authored with your mom, Marilyn Hughes.Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

Link to the full episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1210403/9183817

Quick link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aBhttps://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook page@LParkerPierce#determineourfuturehttps://www.gaynongay.com/https://www.youtube.com/gaynongayDOF listeners, I am so excited! I can't believe I get to sit down with James Barr, of A Gay and a Non-Gay podcast! James is proudly gay, an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and also an advocate for mental health issues and getting the help we need. James is also a radio DJ and a comedian. A Gay and a Non-Gay podcast is a hilarious podcast with James and Dan Hudson.Buy the ebook of "Bird of Paradise" for free on December 20th and 21st! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZYX339Z Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

This episode contains explicit language and adult themes.Quick link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aBhttps://determineourfuture.com/https://www.facebook.com/lparkerpierce@LParkerPierce#determineourfutureIn December 2021, the US House and Senate finally reached a legislative agreement that will help military sexual assault victims, mostly women, to have their cases actually prosecuted instead of being denied for a variety of reasons. This legislation has been worked on by many House Reps and Senators for over 20 years. The biggest change is that military commanders of the women who have been assaulted are not the decision makers any more for whether these cases should be prosecuted at all. These current procedures are not working, obviously, because why would you want someone with absolutely no legal, investigative, policing or criminal justice background deciding if they should bring charges against one of their subordinates? This makes no sense; who set up the military system this way? Anyway… understanding why it's been so hard to prosecute suspected rapists and sexual predators in the military, why the system stayed the same for so many years, and how we have failed the women in our country who have signed up to fight for it, only to have that system let them down? It's a big job. Let's get started.Buy the ebook of "Bird of Paradise" for free on December 20th and 21st! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZYX339Z Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

Quick link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aBhttps://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook page@LParkerPierce#determineourfuturehttps://www.commonculturecc.com/jonathan@commonculturecc.comAnother awesome interview is starting now, listeners! Jonathan Dumas is the founder and owner of CommonCulture Coaching & Consulting. Jonathan coaches, consults and facilitates with creativity and charisma, to help others be their authentic selves. Jonathan holds a Masters of Science in Organizational Psychology with a focus on Diversity and Leadership. This education helps to empower leaders to create equitable spaces for those around them. Jonathan also hosts a podcast called Real Talk with Dumas; on the podcast there are many meaningful and substantive conversations on society and culture. I would recommend Real Talk with Dumas to anyone who enjoys my podcast; it's a great fit.Jonathan's pronouns are he/him/his, and mine are she/her/hers. Let's jump in! Jonathan, thank you so much for joining me today.Buy the ebook of "Bird of Paradise" for free on December 20th and 21st! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZYX339Z Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

Quick link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aBhttps://determineourfuture.com/https://www.facebook.com/lparkerpierce@LParkerPierce#determineourfutureQuick intro: let's save planet Earth. I don't have all the answers, but I tried to put together as many recommendations as I could, so we all have more ways to reduce, reuse, recycle and all the other hacks. Let's jump in!Buy the ebook of "Bird of Paradise" for free on December 20th and 21st! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZYX339Z Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

This episode contains lots of explicit language.After episode update: https://www.sexdrugsandjesus.com/ebook/ for a free chapter from DeVannon's book!Quick link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aBhttps://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook page@LParkerPierce#determineourfuturedevannon@sexdrugsandjesus.comfacebook.com/SexDrugsAndJesus/twitter.com/TabooTopixlinkedin.com/in/devannonsexdrugsandjesus.comdownunderapparel.comDeVannon Hubert, my guest today, has had enough life experiences to fill several people's lifetimes. DeVannon has faced discrimination of multiple types, been affected by addition and multiple personal health crises, has served in the military during Don't Ask, Don't Tell while being a member of the LGBTQ+ community, has been a drug dealer, has been in jail, and has been homeless. DeVannon is an incredible person, and has so much to teach us about strength, courage, perseverance and survival under the worst of circumstances. DeVannon is also a podcaster, and has written Sex, Drugs, and Jesus, a memoir about all of these experiences and where they have led.Buy the ebook of "Bird of Paradise" for free on December 15th and 16th! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZYX339Z Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

Link to the full episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1210403/9049662Buy the ebook of "Bird of Paradise" for free on December 15th and 16th! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZYX339Z Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

https://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook group page@LParkerPierce#determineourfuture@coops_changer on Facebookcentreforsocialintelligence on Instagramhttp://bit.ly/KellyCooperYT-CSIhttps://www.centreforsocialintelligence.ca/Kelly Cooper's book: “Lead the Change - The Competitive Advantage of Gender Diversity and Inclusion”As we struggle through the social justice awakening of 2020, and figure out how to make positive changes while not stepping back into social norms that simply reinforce those racial and ethnic stereotypes and biases, we all need help and support. Kelly Cooper is the CEO and founder of the Centre for Social Intelligence. Kelly's company uses research and worldwide experience to create positive results, using each organization's powerful individuals and their influence to make significant shifts in workplace culture.Kelly's pronouns and mine are she/her/hers. Let's jump in! Kelly, thank you so much for joining me today.Buy the ebook of "Bird of Paradise" for free on December 20th and 21st! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZYX339Z Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

Quick link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aBhttps://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook page@LParkerPierce#determineourfutureOkay, listeners. So this is the third episode that I am devoting either partially or fully to the students that were defrauded by Globe University and the Minnesota School of Business, run by Terry Myhre. I am captivated by what is happening with this story because I have been hoping and hoping that the students would eventually get their fraudulent loans forgiven and their tuition reimbursed. Although they won't get that time back that they spent pursuing a degree that was not from an accredited university, I was hoping that they would at least get monetarily compensated. So did they? Listen and see. Also, I thought I would talk a little bit about student loan debt and some recent developments in that area from the Biden administration.Learning about student loan debt, loan forgiveness and more? It's a big job. Let's get started.Buy the ebook of "Bird of Paradise" for free on December 15th and 16th! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZYX339Z Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

This episode contains descriptions of violence and explicit language.Quick link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aBhttps://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook page@LParkerPierce#determineourfutureFrom the Statement of Solidarity published by the Asian American Leader's Table on 9/11/2021, Helen Zia and others talked about the need to create “a culture of abundance that assumes there is enough freedom, enough humanity for all of us.” This is Helen Zia's lifelong crusade- to fight for the rights of Asian people, the LGBTQ+ community and other marginalized groups. I'm excited to talk about another living legend who is a historical figure already and is still fighting for change. Learning about Helen Zia? It's actually not such a big job- Helen is pretty amazing! Let's get started.Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

https://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook group page@LParkerPierce#determineourfuture@letslearnaboutscience on Instagram and TikTokAs a parent to young children, I am so excited to talk to my next guest on Season 2 of Determine Our Future! Stephanie Ryan, Ph.D. is a chemist, a parent, and a social media influencer who creates superior educational products and content. Dr. Stephanie is passionate about learning through play. She can be found helping young kids explore the fascinating world around them.Dr. Stephanie earned her Ph.D. in the Learning Sciences and her M.S. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She earned her B.S. in Chemistry from Saint Mary's College. After earning her Ph.D., she wrote a book aimed at helping parents and children with math and science subjects at home.Her book, Let's Learn about Chemistry, was a finalist for the 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Award for Children's and Juvenile Non-Fiction division. The book was also on the short list for the 15th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards for Children's Non-Fiction and Picture Books, in the Preschool category. Stephanie is an expert in STEM for toddlers, kitchen chemistry, creating math and science activities for kiddos, and much more.Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

This episode contains explicit language.Quick link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aBhttps://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook page@LParkerPierce#determineourfutureOkay, so sometimes, dear listeners, I have lots of questions that I think would be fun to talk about. I write all these ideas down, and as I'm setting up my future episodes, I realize that these ideas are not enough for full episodes. So I wondered for a while what to do with them. At some point I just decided to put a bunch of them in one episode. In doing this, dear listeners, I hope you're not just being subjected to my mind's random meanderings. Or, if that is what this is, I hope at least it's enjoyable. Contact me on my website, determineourfuture.com, if it's not and let me know, okay?Continuing to learn all your life? It's a big job, but this one is fun! Let's get started.Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

Link to the full episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1210403/8940933Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

Quick link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aBhttps://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook page@LParkerPierce#determineourfuturehttps://www.heydaybooks.com/catalog/freedom-to-discriminate/Okay, DOF listeners, buckle up. We are about to learn so much about discrimination in the housing market in the US. Gene Slater has served as senior advisor on housing for federal, state, and local agencies for over forty years. Gene co-founded and chairs CSG Advisors, a long-time leading advisor on affordable housing. In the aftermath of the financial crisis in 2009, Gene helped design the program by which the United States Treasury financed homes for 110,000 first-time buyers. Gene has earned college degrees from Columbia, MIT, and Stanford. The book that I am excited to talk about today is “Freedom to Discriminate: How Realtors Conspired to Segregate Housing and Divide America.” This book is scheduled to be released this month, September 2021, and has rave reviews from experts in these fields. Let's jump in!Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

Quick link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aBhttps://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook page@LParkerPierce#determineourfutureSo short intro today, dear listeners. I wanted to dig into white collar crime, and why there is so much less stigma for the crime itself and those who are prosecuted and convicted of these crimes. It's also a mystery to me why these crimes are pursued with much less resources than other types of crimes. Also, perpetrators are punished with much less jail or prison time, if any, except in the most extreme cases, when there is a large public outcry. Learning more about white collar crime? It is a lot bigger job than you might think. Let's get started.Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

https://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook group page@LParkerPierce#determineourfuturesumis@earthlink.netwww.authorsumi.comAn article about The Good Boys, the movie Sumi and I talked about: https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/this-r-rated-comedy-about-12-year-old-boys-is-raunchy-vulgar-funny--and-surprisingly-sweet/2019/08/14/16f08d86-b954-11e9-b3b4-2bb69e8c4e39_story.htmlI'm excited to add to my knowledge- and of course your knowledge, listeners- of parenting issues and how to help our kids in any way we can. Sumi Mukherjee is on the show today! Sumi is a writer, activist and advocate that speaks on issues like antiracism, mental health awareness and prevention of abuse.Sumi has had speaking engagements with organizations around the US and in Canada. Sumi has spoken at Human Rights conferences, as well as at universities and colleges, schools, community events and youth conferences. We will talk about racism and antiracism in schools, and bullying based on racism and ethnic differences.Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

https://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook group page@LParkerPierce#determineourfutureFor a FREE copy of Shawn's book, The Winning Edge: https://shawnharper.cowww.ShawnHarper.org@ShawnHarper on Facebook@ShawnHarper075 on Twitter@shawnharperspeaker on InstagramAaron Shawn Harper, or Shawn to his friends, is one of the nation's leading motivational speakers. Shawn is a seven-year former NFL offensive lineman for the Rams, the Oilers, the Colts, and NFL Europe. Shawn conquered the business world after his football success by owning and operating American Services and Protection, a multi-million-dollar security services firm headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Shawn also speaks across the country, covering topics like overcoming adversity, building effective teams, and creating a winning culture.I'm interested to speak to Shawn about his areas of expertise, which are numerous, and also about his experiences in professional sports, and the differences in a few key areas between Shawn's time in the NFL and what players are experiencing now.Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

Link to the full episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1210403/8806791Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

Quick link to leave a review for me (it's so much easier now!): https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aBhttps://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook page@LParkerPierce#determineourfutureI feel like my bio subject for this week needs no introduction, and also the longest intro in the world! Josephine Baker was an entertainer, singer, dancer, actor, fighter and spy in the French Resistance, mother to twelve adopted children, Civil Rights activist in both Europe and the US, and incredible speaker and inspiration to the world. Let's get started, because a life lived this well, is going to take a while to tell.Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

https://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook group page@LParkerPierce#determineourfutureWhat are the life lessons I want to teach my kids? In my first Life Lessons episode, E11, I talked about how I want to teach my children to be good human beings, and make a positive difference in the world. In Part 2, E18, my close friend Jennifer and I talked about what we want to teach our children with our similar yet different perspectives, through their childhood, teen years and into adulthood.So I thought I would wrap up the topic, at least for now, with a Part 3. This is kind of all the odds and ends, but I still think each individual topic is important. I'll include resources for each of the topics I talk about today, so you can get yourself ready to teach your own kiddos.Raising children and making sure they have all the tools they need to make a great life? It's a huge job. We started in Episodes 11 and 18; let's continue.Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

Link to the full episode (E42): https://www.buzzsprout.com/1210403/8777819Link to the full episode (E43): https://www.buzzsprout.com/1210403/8789391Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

https://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook group page@LParkerPierce#determineourfuture@drkaraayers (Twitter)@karaayers (Instagram)kara.ayers@cchmc.orgDr. Kara Ayers, PhD, is the Associate Director and an Assistant Professor at the University of Cincinnati, at the college's Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. Kara is also the Director of the Center for Dignity in Healthcare for People with Disabilities, and a Co-Founder of the Disabled Parenting Project.Dr. Ayers works to teach others about disability identity and culture, bioethics, community inclusion, and reducing stigma for those with disabilities. Kara has spoken at the White House, and has given many media interviews on these topics. Kara also serves on multiple task forces and national and state coalitions related to improving outcomes for people with disabilities.Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

This episode contains descriptions of violence and explicit language.https://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook group page@LParkerPierce#determineourfutureOkay listeners, I get that this is pretty arrogant of me, to suggest that I have the answer to the entire policing system in the US, when so many experts are already working on this, and people are so divided politically as to whether there is a policing problem at all. But I have been thinking about this for a while, and listening to experts, and reading tons of materials on these issues. I'm also trying to come at this from a place of common sense, which I will explain later on in the episode. I'm also trying to approach these issues from a perspective of trying to help society's members before jail or prison comes into the picture, because I think it's clear that just throwing a ton of people into prison isn't helping anyone, law-abiding citizen or not. Prevention is a better solution than punishment. So, come on this fanciful ride with me, where we figure out a utopian system of policing in the US, which ironically, doesn't involve as much policing as you might think is needed.Trying to redo the entire US policing system? It's a big job. Let's get started.Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

https://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook group page@LParkerPierce#determineourfuturemarcia@miptm.comhttps://www.politicaltheologymatters.comhttps://www.politicaltheologymatters.com/mediahttps://www.politicaltheologymatters.com/blogNational Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 (24/7 operation; in English, Spanish, 200 more languages)https://humantraffickinghotline.orgThe Reverend Dr. Marcia Ledford is so many things! Marcia is a Civil Rights attorney and an Episcopal priest. Marcia's ministry is located in southwest Detroit, and includes a large Latinx population. Marcia is a lesbian and is proud to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and has been with her partner for 32 years, legally married for 7 years.Marcia has founded a mission called Political Theology Matters, LLC; in this mission, Marcia helps others develop their public theology mission and helps to broadcast messaging for greater social justice. I can't think of anyone better than a Civil Rights attorney, member of the LGBTQ+ community and a priest, to educate us on all these matters. Marcia and my pronouns are she/her/hers.Click this link to leave a review: https://lovethepodcast.com/lzH7aB

https://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook group page@LParkerPierce#determineourfutureMy second favorite performance of Amanda's (after the Inauguration performance): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGo3lZM3jjwIt's a little different for me, and also incredible, to talk about someone who is in their early 20's and already making their positive and important mark on American history and really the history of the world.Amanda Gorman is the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate. Amanda's poem, “The Hill We Climb” and Amanda's impassioned and powerful reading at President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris' 2020 Inauguration, moved the country and inspired so many people to continue to push for positive change in racial equity and other social justice issues. I'm so excited to talk about Amanda Gorman and while talking about her past, to wonder about how much else Amanda could possibly accomplish.Trying to do justice to such an amazing person and their accomplishments? It's a big job. Let's get started.Season 2 Pre-roll: Listener ChallengeHow to leave a review for DOF: https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-leave-a-review-on-apple-podcastsMore great instructions on how to leave reviews: https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews Season 2 promotional info, post-roll

https://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook group page@LParkerPierce#determineourfuturehttps://365diversity.com/As we talked about in the last episode, Dr. Kimya Nuru Dennis is an activist, sociologist and criminologist, educator, and researcher. Dr. Dennis founded 365 Diversity, which provides results-based services for decision makers in K-12 schools, colleges and universities, businesses, and for-profit and non-profit organizations. This is Part 2 of our interview.Let's jump in!Season 2 Pre-roll: Listener ChallengeHow to leave a review for DOF: https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-leave-a-review-on-apple-podcastsMore great instructions on how to leave reviews: https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews Season 2 promotional info, post-roll

https://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook group page@LParkerPierce#determineourfuturehttps://365diversity.com/I'm excited to kick off the first interview of my second of Determine Our Future! Dr. Kimya Nuru Dennis is an activist, sociologist and criminologist, educator, and researcher. Dr. Dennis founded 365 Diversity, which provides results-based services for decision makers in K-12 schools, colleges and universities, businesses, and for-profit and non-profit organizations. On the 365 Diversity website, the training is described as getting outside of the organization's comfort zone and challenging normalcy, power majorities, and decision makers. Today we will talk about these topics, as well as what police departments and health organizations have in common.Kimya has a Ph.D. in Sociology from North Carolina State University has been faculty at multiple colleges and universities across the US. Kimya connects with schools, businesses, and organizations around the world and speaks extensively on these topics and others. Kimya and my pronouns are she/her/hers.Let's jump in!Season 2 Pre-roll: Listener ChallengeHow to leave a review for DOF: https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-leave-a-review-on-apple-podcastsMore great instructions on how to leave reviews: https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviews Season 2 promotional info, post-roll

https://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook group page@LParkerPierce#determineourfutureHi my wonderful DOF listeners! Welcome to Season 2; I'm so excited to get back into my podcast, and share and interact more with my listeners. I have exciting episodes coming up, including more interviews than in Season 1.W.E.B. Du Bois was a sociologist, a historian, a Civil Rights activist, a prolific author, and more. His education, research and many writings influenced generations of Americans and helped to bring Civil Rights to the consciousness of many people. Du Bois' ideas were different than some peers at the time, but no less important and thought-provoking.I'm excited to kick off Season 2 of Determine Our Future by talking about the life of, and lessons from, this incredible historical figure. It is a big job. Let's get started.Season 2 promotional info, post-roll

How to leave a review for DOF: https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-leave-a-review-on-apple-podcastsMore great instructions on how to leave reviews: https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewshttps://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook group page@LParkerPierce#determineourfuturetsgrant22@gmail.comTiffany Grant is a Business Consultant for First Children's Finance, supporting child care providers, Center Directors, and owners on the business side of child care. Tiffany is also an independent trainer and coach for early childhood professionals; trainings include early childhood trauma, African American Vernacular English, understanding behaviors in children, and how to support families suffering from trauma. Tiffany also a board member of the MnAEYC-MnSaca child care agency.Season 2 promotional info, post-roll

How to leave a review for DOF: https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-leave-a-review-on-apple-podcastsMore great instructions on how to leave reviews: https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewshttps://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook group page@LParkerPierce#determineourfutureI hope that my podcast episodes have given my listeners as many proven facts as possible, and not my opinions without anything to back them up. But I will admit that my personal political leanings are pretty much Democrat, somewhat liberal. Sometimes I just can't understand why some politicians say and believe the things that they do.In this episode, I would like to highlight some members of the GOP (that means Good Ole Party) that are disagreeing with their establishment's White supremacist views and the new radical direction the party has taken. In my opinion, the Republican Party has been hijacked by “he who shall not be named,” and most of the current, still loyal to him, members still don't know what to do about it.Trying to understand where the Republican party is headed? It's a big job. Let's get started.Season 2 promotional info, post-roll

This episode contains language that you might find offensive.DOF survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9M2287Lhttps://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook group page@LParkerPierce#determineourfutureIn the modern English language, there are more than a million total words. There are about 170,000 words in current use, and 20,000-30,000 words used by each individual person. When I think of those facts, this episode talking about maybe 10-20 words in the English language and whether we should be using them, is a little funny. But I still think it's important to talk about these words because, despite what we said on the playground when we were little, words can hurt us. Words can hold groups back, insult people with every use, and send messages we may not even mean to send. So let's talk about these words I've chosen to discuss, and examine what they really mean and how people think of them. Determining what words really mean? It can be a big job. Let's get started.Season 2 promotional info, post-roll

How to leave a review for DOF: https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-leave-a-review-on-apple-podcastsMore great instructions on how to leave reviews: https://ratethispodcast.com/guides/where-can-people-leave-podcast-reviewshttps://determineourfuture.com/Determine Our Future's Facebook group page@LParkerPierce#determineourfutureNikki Giovanni is a prolific poet and writer, who has written so many books, poetry collections, audio works and even children's books. She is currently a Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech, and has won numerous awards and accolades for her works. Her work as a Civil Rights activist is shown in her creative works, and her poetry can be both appreciated and learned from. Let's learn more about Nikki Giovanni and what she has to teach us.Season 2 promotional info, post-roll