Pod Save the Rest of Us

In today's episode, we discuss trauma, racism, and steps to set people free from the hateful heart of racism and the harmful pain it inflicts on people of color. References are made to Isabel Wilkerson's important book, "Caste. The Origins of Our Discontents." This episode takes a personal exploration into the American caste system. A plea is made for a collective beneficence throughout humanity, urging each of us to appreciate the beauty in the world and the steps we can take to set everyone free!

In this interview, ALLY Panelist, Justice Stanley, interviews our own Podcaster, Elizabeth Stanley, who also happens to be her mother. The two discuss ALLYSHIP, as they acknowledge that we all can and should do more to keep showing up for people in marginal spaces and we need to do more for one another. Learn where to start and how to find your why.

Time to bang the drum. Time to take a stand. Time to talk about racism. Time to demand change. With our voices - With difficult conversations - With conviction. Be the change! Be an ally. Be persistent, as we ALL demand fairness! We need to quit failing to imagine what opportunities could be. We hear these charges and so many more, as ALLY Panelist, Jill Veglahn talks with her activist mentor, Dan Seaver of ManifestWorks.

This Stanford University power couple discuss Lisa Moore Rameé’s books (Good Kind Of Trouble and Something to Say). They also discuss their personal experiences with racism. While discussing hope for a better America, strategies are offered to ensure that we see the vaue of the humaneness of one another.

As part of the LISTEN portion of our Solid Ally series, please join us as we ride along with Rodney. Jump on board and listen as Rodney steers us through what it’s like to have grown up black in America and live as a black man in America today. If we all take the time to ride along to get a glimpse into the life of another, there is hope that we can spark a better understanding and remove some of the blind spots we have when we don’t share a lived experience.

Forged by the war in Cambodia, facing near starvation, and constant danger, Mony Nop at the the age of six, walked amid bombs and land mines from Cambodia to Thailand while more than two million of his fellow citizens were being slaughtered by the Pol Pot Regime during the Killing Fields of Cambodia. Mony and his family were devastated by war. Here is Mony Nop’s story and why he is running for Livermore’s Mayor.

As a part of our Learn series, we had author, Mike Nacimento, join our host, Elizabeth Stanley. In this episode you will hear their discussion about Mike’s article and his life journey. For our audience, Mike then shares his article, titled: “Why Sports, Race & Social Mobility Matter.” Through his words, Mike gives us a history lesson on the useage of sports as a vehicle for change in American society, but also a vehicle for vital change in one’s own agency.

LEARN The Origins of Racism. Coach Tony Green takes us in a learning journey. From this episode, we learn the origins of racism in America and how it is still plaguing its citizens today. This episode is both informative and interesting.

Today’s episode features Professor Kelly Musgrove a retired union City CA police Commander, who is now teaching at Central Oregon Community College. Hear why “There should be a reallocation of funding that moves the responsibility away from ‘law enforcement’ as responders to instances of mental illness, drug addiction, and homelessness

This is our ALLY - Accept Episode. In this episode you will hear Rodney talk with his friend - a lawyer and activist, Cherri Allison. Cherri has talked with, and learned from, some of the most revered world leaders, including The Dalai Lama, John Lewis and Angela Davis. Cherri used these great humanitarians’ guidance to carve out her career working in the judicial system. Her goal: CHANGE IT FROM WITHIN!

In this introduction, our panelist will share their story and what ally-ship means to them. You will hear each ALLY team member tell you why he/she/they needed to become a SOLID ALLY!

This episode is our first real conversation. We discuss timely racial justice topics and how we hope to bend justice in favor of truth and justice for all. This is our final introduction. No more talk, it is time to roll up the sleeves and do needed social justice work. We are finally off the sidelines now and officially in the SOLID ALLY GAME!

The love Megan has for her Marine aids in our understanding that every life journey is filled with opportunities to learn and to love. In this episode, Megan shares some of her gained life lessons. Megan also expresses the love she has for her Marine. A love that keeps her holding on to the life she has built with David. We met David this season in Episodes 10 and 11. This episode features Megan and some of her thoughts about a family's life in the military.

Here is part two of our David Series. Of course, if you have not listened to part one, you should do so now and then come back and see how David managed to leave the battlefield behind and rebuild his life in the image of all that he values.

This is David’s story of serving in the military and the impact it has on a family. David shares war details and how battle has left scars; many of which will never heal. This is David’s story of war, self-destruction, and finding his way back home.

As a young and adventurous teenager, Steven decided to go skateboarding and this one decision changed his life forever. We met Steven’s girlfriend in Season two, “Wheelchair Jedi.” You may recall, they are building a life together. In this interview, Steven shares this beautiful -though challenging- life with us We learn about Steven’s journey to find meaning and love in his life. This adventure-seeking young man only believes in the limits he sets for himself. This is Steven’s story of facing his life on wheels.

From outgoing and energetic, to dark and contemplating suicide. This is Brenda’s story of finding light and love at the end of her very long dark journey. After too many concussions, this competitive athlete found herself suffering a deep and dark depressive state. So low was Brenda, that she feared she would never find her light that once shined brightly in her life. This is Brenda’s very honest discussion of her battle with depression, which does not stand a chance against her relentless beautiful spirit. Hear how Brenda finds light even in the very dark spaces of her mind.

Many athletes will find this story to be all too familiar. In this episode, EJ, a college basketball superstar, shares his journey from the hardwood to happiness. After his college career and all the accolades had faded, EJ was not so certain that he could find his next love. Finding joy beyond the basketball arena was trying, but the search brought him a family and work palace that he loves and anchors him.

These two Los Angeles Film Industry Moguls dared to be the change they wanted to see in the Media Production World. As founders and owners of SHE TV Media, a production company, Meredith and Natalie are thriving in a very competitive industry and they are doing so on their own terms.

In this story you will hear how Vanessa is able to take her tumultuous childhood and unfulfilled adult professional life and use these forces to help her manifest her own happiness. This is a story of spirituality and finding that we have enough strength to create our own contentment.

We have often wondered how someone, with an extraordinarily difficult life journey, can find so much to love. In Ed’s story, you will learn, that despite abandonment, loss, and many more life hardships, Ed still chooses joy and laughter over hate and despair.

This is an inspirational story of Saint, who’s transformation helped him go from unsure to unwavering. Saint spent a lifetime feeling “off,” but now, at long last, he feels just right. it's our pleasure to introduce to you, Saint Hall.

In Episode One, we introduced Peter, the stay at home dad. In his interview, Peter stated that he was able to attain his dream job, because his Katie, wife, (“a Saint”) fully embraced his dream. In this episode, you are able to hear Katie’s side of the story, as she explains how marriage, truly, is a partnership.

We open this season with a conversation I had with Peter, a man who decided he simply MUST leave the rat race and follow his dream. He grappled with quitting his lucrative job, to pursue his non-traditional job. In his noble pursuit to be happy, Peter became a stay at home dad.

Given that we are all hunkered down - sheltered in place - it seems likely that most of us are taking stock in who and what we value. Once free, what do we really want to do with our precious time? Throughout Season Three, you will hear ten stories of individuals who, on their life’s path, realized that, maybe, just maybe, the road less traveled, was the difference their lives needed.Welcome to Season Three!

This is a story of loss of a brother, hope for lessons learned and forgiveness. This is also an understanding that grieving is a life-long process, which has no true end.

A mere 16 -year old, grapples with assault and the realities of gentrification in her urban City, while using the power of spoken words to reminds us me that even when we hurt, we still we still have power and that together we may cry, but we can triumph as well!

As research tells us, when a child sees violence, a child knows violence. Steph grew up in a violent household, but she beat the odds. Instead of violence, Steph helps people escape their life difficulties.

Jamie grew up knowing her parents were different and, as an only child, their care would someday be her responsibility. Growing up, Jamie wondered if she would be ready. When that day came, Jamie proved she was more than ready, but unprepared for how amazing this responsibility has been for her.

Diabetes, heart problems, pregnancy complications, no problem. These are the thoughts of Kate. She takes her health complications in stride. She is living proof that life can be quite challenging, but they do not have to be life defining.

Michelle was a loving and giving member of the LDS church. Her whole identity was understood through this religious affiliation. Michelle cherished her Mormon community unconditionally, until she learned the church’s love was not the same.

This story sounds like a movie plot, a very dramatic movie plot. Unfortunately for this survivor, the contents are very real. Abuse and loss of a child; how can one cope? But this survivor does cope and she has managed to create a loving family along the way.

Chloe was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome when she was nine-years old. Since then she has spent her time defying people’s expectations of her. She went from resource classes to UC Davis and she did so despite being told she couldn’t.

This is a story of a family’s loss and the trials and tribulations that ensued. More-over, this is story of how a family can gain so much from tragedy, especially an enduring love for one another; flaws and all.

While merely trying to navigate high school, Ashley and her family were in a fatal car accident. The tragedy forced Ashley and her family to adapt. Ashley not only adapted, she made sure to flourish.

In Season Two, we introduce to our listeners 10 women who have had many struggles along their life’s paths. Despite their challenges, their protective factors have helped them soar and inspire others. We hope season two brings you as much hope and inspiration as it has for us.This season we are excited to introduce ten women who are continuously fighting the odds and manage to succeed anyway. These strong women seem to always thrive despite negative circumstances.So get ready, Listeners. As always, thank you for taking this journey with us!

Maya Dusenbery, in her book, “Doing Harm,” examines  the prevailing gender bias throughout the health and medical profession. As Dusenbery states, “The people making the key decisions about funding, where resources go, what gets taught to the next generation of doctors, and who is hired and promoted are still over-whelming white men.” This statement and many more are expressed in this extra special bonus episode.

A befitting ending to a season dedicated to women’s issues and, in keeping in line with our theme, women who inspire us, our Engineer, Karyn Castro, turns the tables on our Podcaster, Coach Elizabeth Stanley. Learn how Coach has been an extraordinary role model to so many young ladies. In this episode you will realize the effect we can all have by being more open and welcoming to others.

In 2018, the fight for quality women’s health care continues and it won’t be fully addressed UNTIL more women become voters. UNTIL women become Members of Congress and until women become medical professionals. In her book, “Doing Harm, Maya Dosenbery, valididates this claim. For this Women’s Health Episode, Dosenbery’s book is a backdrop to the realities of Women’s Health. We also turn to Dr. Flavia Bustero, the Assistant Director of General For Family, Women’s and Children’s Health Through the Life-Course, World Health Organization. Lastly, our episode offers sage advice and understandings from Dr. Lori Mancuso, a Whole Health Practitioner, working to bring women the health care they deserve.

In sticking with the theme of inspirational women, we interviewed Tina Harris. Tina is the founder and owner of the company, Solid Lotion Bar. The risk she took to start Solid was what led us to start Pod Save the Rest of Us. Enjoy this conversation!

In this episode we wanted to focus on people who unselfishly give to others and those, who, by their very own character, inspire us to do better. Those individuals who have earned our respect and model true success. We interviewed Kathy Brown, who is/has been a mentor to many, including our own podcaster, Elizabeth Stanley.

Episode 6 addresses police force, most specifically, when used against people of color. This episode examines the plight of black mothers, fearful of the systemic police bias against their family members. Through a series of interviews, we shed a light onto this issue. For Episode 6 you listen, we interviewed two black police officers and we learn from their training and experience. We also interviewed two mothers who have black children. You will hear their concerns and their hopes.

This Part Two of our gun violence investigations. We speak with two veteran educators; one is a high school teacher and the other an elementary school principal. We further dive into this topic by interviewing two police officers offer their opinions regarding arming our teachers on school campuses. In this episode you will also hear from a YouTube employee express how she felt when she learned her friends were under attack.

Episode 4 examines our youth's ENOUGH IS A ENOUGH MOVEMENT. We speak to a community college Student Walk out Organizer and a high school student who participated in her school's student walk out on March 14th. For this episode we also attended a March for Our Lives Community event and learned first hand why adults were attending the March, but more importantly, why our children felt a strong need to let people know, they are energized and focused on ending gun violence in our schools and in our communities.

Title Nine Part Two: Campus Assaults. Title Nine encompasses 37 words intended to keep our campus safe and fair, in order to ensure every child can equally access a quality education. Through two sexual assault survivors’ interviews, we reveal the sad reality: Too often our campuses are not safe!

Title IX has been in the news lately when, in fall of 2017, Secretary of Education, Betsy Devos, turned back an Obama era guidance on how schools must handle sexual assault under the 1971 federal law, Title IX (nine). We revisit the initial implications of Title IX and how 37 words have change the lives of all female in the classrooms and in the sporting arenas. We interview professionals who reveal how their lives were personally impacted by the passing and implenting of the federal mandate, Title IX.

We head to the 2018 Women’s March to interview people on the ground. We visit with mother and nurse, Ann Marie, and get her take on why the March is important and why Ann Marie wanted her three children to participate. We also, interview Jay Marie, a political activist who feels the Women’s March, and subsequent movements, need to open up to include all people.

In season one, Pod Save the Rest of Us covers issues impacting women in today’s political environment. Each week we interview guests that tell the story of how everyday Americans are reacting to current events and how their individual lives have been effected. Additionally, we aim to tell the story of individuals that have felt excluded and forced to the periphery of these hot topics.