Podcasts about culturally

Michael Pauly is a non-Indigenous man who reflects on his meaningful friendship with Aboriginal man Harry Penrith. Michael shares how Harry's stories, wisdom and friendship had a profound impact on his life, leading him to welcome Harry into his family and home. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Backyard Truth-Telling Series – Walyalup is a collection of stories from Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians that were shared in the backyards of heritage buildings all around Walyalup/Fremantle.  First Stories is a Centre for Stories project amplifying First Nations truth and voices across Western Australia, while creating spaces for truth-telling and truth-listening within and between First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities. In this collection, you will hear live recordings from people who spoke about difficult truths, hidden histories and reimagined futures, all reflections of their lived experiences of colonisation in Walyalup and beyond.We invite you to listen deeply and respectfully, honouring the truths and stories that others have so generously decided to share with us. This podcast was produced by Luisa Mitchell and Savannah-Travia Dann, and sound engineering and original music by Mason Vellios. Thank you for supporting our storytellers. This story remains the intellectual copyright of the storyteller. Please reach out to Centre for Stories or the storyteller themselves if you wish to use this story in another capacity.  These stories were produced in partnership with the City of Fremantle's Truth-Telling Program and made possible by generous funding from Lotterywest through the First Stories project.

Katrina Kell is a writer and visual artist who reflects on her family's colonial history. She explores the violent actions of her ancestors, including their journey with Menang men from Albany to Walyalup in 1833, confronting difficult truths held within her family history. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Backyard Truth-Telling Series – Walyalup is a collection of stories from Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians that were shared in the backyards of heritage buildings all around Walyalup/Fremantle.  First Stories is a Centre for Stories project amplifying First Nations truth and voices across Western Australia, while creating spaces for truth-telling and truth-listening within and between First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities. In this collection, you will hear live recordings from people who spoke about difficult truths, hidden histories and reimagined futures, all reflections of their lived experiences of colonisation in Walyalup and beyond.We invite you to listen deeply and respectfully, honouring the truths and stories that others have so generously decided to share with us. This podcast was produced by Luisa Mitchell and Savannah-Travia Dann, and sound engineering and original music by Mason Vellios. Thank you for supporting our storytellers. This story remains the intellectual copyright of the storyteller. Please reach out to Centre for Stories or the storyteller themselves if you wish to use this story in another capacity.  These stories were produced in partnership with the City of Fremantle's Truth-Telling Program and made possible by generous funding from Lotterywest through the First Stories project.

Matt Fatnowna is a queer, neurodiverse Yuwi and South Sea Islander young person, born in North Queensland. Having moved frequently throughout their life, Matt reflects on their relationship with place, identity and belonging, and what it means to search for a sense of ‘home' when no single place quite holds that meaning. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Backyard Truth-Telling Series – Walyalup is a collection of stories from Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians that were shared in the backyards of heritage buildings all around Walyalup/Fremantle.  First Stories is a Centre for Stories project amplifying First Nations truth and voices across Western Australia, while creating spaces for truth-telling and truth-listening within and between First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities. In this collection, you will hear live recordings from people who spoke about difficult truths, hidden histories and reimagined futures, all reflections of their lived experiences of colonisation in Walyalup and beyond.We invite you to listen deeply and respectfully, honouring the truths and stories that others have so generously decided to share with us. This podcast was produced by Luisa Mitchell and Savannah-Travia Dann, and sound engineering and original music by Mason Vellios. Thank you for supporting our storytellers. This story remains the intellectual copyright of the storyteller. Please reach out to Centre for Stories or the storyteller themselves if you wish to use this story in another capacity.  These stories were produced in partnership with the City of Fremantle's Truth-Telling Program and made possible by generous funding from Lotterywest through the First Stories project.

Rueben Hayden-Nelson has connections to Whadjuk, Ballardong and Njaki-Njaki Country. He reflects on the intergenerational impacts of the Stolen Generations and the challenges of navigating disconnection and identity. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Backyard Truth-Telling Series – Walyalup is a collection of stories from Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians that were shared in the backyards of heritage buildings all around Walyalup/Fremantle.  First Stories is a Centre for Stories project amplifying First Nations truth and voices across Western Australia, while creating spaces for truth-telling and truth-listening within and between First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities. In this collection, you will hear live recordings from people who spoke about difficult truths, hidden histories and reimagined futures, all reflections of their lived experiences of colonisation in Walyalup and beyond.We invite you to listen deeply and respectfully, honouring the truths and stories that others have so generously decided to share with us. This podcast was produced by Luisa Mitchell and Savannah-Travia Dann, and sound engineering and original music by Mason Vellios. Thank you for supporting our storytellers. This story remains the intellectual copyright of the storyteller. Please reach out to Centre for Stories or the storyteller themselves if you wish to use this story in another capacity.  These stories were produced in partnership with the City of Fremantle's Truth-Telling Program and made possible by generous funding from Lotterywest through the First Stories project.

John Mogridge is a Noongar man from Bibbulmun Boodja, with family connections to Yamatji and Yawuru heritage. John is reading a story from Wirrin Waangkinini, a book produced during workshops funded by Indigo Junction. In this story, John speaks to his deep love for family and reflects on the strength, guidance and influence of his Elders and parents. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Backyard Truth-Telling Series – Walyalup is a collection of stories from Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians that were shared in the backyards of heritage buildings all around Walyalup/Fremantle.  First Stories is a Centre for Stories project amplifying First Nations truth and voices across Western Australia, while creating spaces for truth-telling and truth-listening within and between First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities. In this collection, you will hear live recordings from people who spoke about difficult truths, hidden histories and reimagined futures, all reflections of their lived experiences of colonisation in Walyalup and beyond.We invite you to listen deeply and respectfully, honouring the truths and stories that others have so generously decided to share with us. This podcast was produced by Luisa Mitchell and Savannah-Travia Dann, and sound engineering and original music by Mason Vellios. Thank you for supporting our storytellers. This story remains the intellectual copyright of the storyteller. Please reach out to Centre for Stories or the storyteller themselves if you wish to use this story in another capacity.  These stories were produced in partnership with the City of Fremantle's Truth-Telling Program and made possible by generous funding from Lotterywest through the First Stories project.

Leanne Woods is a Whadjuk and Wongi woman with family connections to the Ballardong region. She shares her experiences of racism in the workplace and reflects on the challenges of navigating professional spaces as an Aboriginal woman. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Backyard Truth-Telling Series – Walyalup is a collection of stories from Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians that were shared in the backyards of heritage buildings all around Walyalup/Fremantle.  First Stories is a Centre for Stories project amplifying First Nations truth and voices across Western Australia, while creating spaces for truth-telling and truth-listening within and between First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities. In this collection, you will hear live recordings from people who spoke about difficult truths, hidden histories and reimagined futures, all reflections of their lived experiences of colonisation in Walyalup and beyond.We invite you to listen deeply and respectfully, honouring the truths and stories that others have so generously decided to share with us. This podcast was produced by Luisa Mitchell and Savannah-Travia Dann, and sound engineering and original music by Mason Vellios. Thank you for supporting our storytellers. This story remains the intellectual copyright of the storyteller. Please reach out to Centre for Stories or the storyteller themselves if you wish to use this story in another capacity.  These stories were produced in partnership with the City of Fremantle's Truth-Telling Program and made possible by generous funding from Lotterywest through the First Stories project.

Lakshmi Kanchi is an emerging prize-winning Indian Australian poet and storyteller with a passion for making poetry accessible. She reflects on the voices and stories that have historically been hidden in Australia and challenges idea about which stories are considered ‘Australian' today. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Backyard Truth-Telling Series – Walyalup is a collection of stories from Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians that were shared in the backyards of heritage buildings all around Walyalup/Fremantle.  First Stories is a Centre for Stories project amplifying First Nations truth and voices across Western Australia, while creating spaces for truth-telling and truth-listening within and between First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities. In this collection, you will hear live recordings from people who spoke about difficult truths, hidden histories and reimagined futures, all reflections of their lived experiences of colonisation in Walyalup and beyond.We invite you to listen deeply and respectfully, honouring the truths and stories that others have so generously decided to share with us. This podcast was produced by Luisa Mitchell and Savannah-Travia Dann, and sound engineering and original music by Mason Vellios. Thank you for supporting our storytellers. This story remains the intellectual copyright of the storyteller. Please reach out to Centre for Stories or the storyteller themselves if you wish to use this story in another capacity.  These stories were produced in partnership with the City of Fremantle's Truth-Telling Program and made possible by generous funding from Lotterywest through the First Stories project.

Tarita Aitkinson is a non-Indigenous woman who has lived in Western Australia since the age of six. She reflects on her childhood at Mogumber Mission, which she remembers as fun and carefree, and the gradual realisation that others who shared that time and place carried profoundly different memories and experiences. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Backyard Truth-Telling Series – Walyalup is a collection of stories from Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians that were shared in the backyards of heritage buildings all around Walyalup/Fremantle.  First Stories is a Centre for Stories project amplifying First Nations truth and voices across Western Australia, while creating spaces for truth-telling and truth-listening within and between First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities. In this collection, you will hear live recordings from people who spoke about difficult truths, hidden histories and reimagined futures, all reflections of their lived experiences of colonisation in Walyalup and beyond.We invite you to listen deeply and respectfully, honouring the truths and stories that others have so generously decided to share with us. This podcast was produced by Luisa Mitchell and Savannah-Travia Dann, and sound engineering and original music by Mason Vellios. Thank you for supporting our storytellers. This story remains the intellectual copyright of the storyteller. Please reach out to Centre for Stories or the storyteller themselves if you wish to use this story in another capacity.  These stories were produced in partnership with the City of Fremantle's Truth-Telling Program and made possible by generous funding from Lotterywest through the First Stories project.

Jaqueline Pelczar is a Polish, Austrian and Burgher Sri Lankan woman who reflects on her family history and her grandmother's immigration story. She explores the intergenerational impacts of the White Australia Policy, white privilege and Sri Lanka's history of colonisation. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Backyard Truth-Telling Series – Walyalup is a collection of stories from Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians that were shared in the backyards of heritage buildings all around Walyalup/Fremantle.  First Stories is a Centre for Stories project amplifying First Nations truth and voices across Western Australia, while creating spaces for truth-telling and truth-listening within and between First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities. In this collection, you will hear live recordings from people who spoke about difficult truths, hidden histories and reimagined futures, all reflections of their lived experiences of colonisation in Walyalup and beyond.We invite you to listen deeply and respectfully, honouring the truths and stories that others have so generously decided to share with us. This podcast was produced by Luisa Mitchell and Savannah-Travia Dann, and sound engineering and original music by Mason Vellios. Thank you for supporting our storytellers. This story remains the intellectual copyright of the storyteller. Please reach out to Centre for Stories or the storyteller themselves if you wish to use this story in another capacity.  These stories were produced in partnership with the City of Fremantle's Truth-Telling Program and made possible by generous funding from Lotterywest through the First Stories project.

Kristy Weston is a Bibbumun, Naaguja, Wardandi and Whadjuk woman who reflects on her Blak identity, motherhood and her journey of finding her place within community and culture. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Backyard Truth-Telling Series – Walyalup is a collection of stories from Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians that were shared in the backyards of heritage buildings all around Walyalup/Fremantle.  First Stories is a Centre for Stories project amplifying First Nations truth and voices across Western Australia, while creating spaces for truth-telling and truth-listening within and between First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities. In this collection, you will hear live recordings from people who spoke about difficult truths, hidden histories and reimagined futures, all reflections of their lived experiences of colonisation in Walyalup and beyond.We invite you to listen deeply and respectfully, honouring the truths and stories that others have so generously decided to share with us. This podcast was produced by Luisa Mitchell and Savannah-Travia Dann, and sound engineering and original music by Mason Vellios. Thank you for supporting our storytellers. This story remains the intellectual copyright of the storyteller. Please reach out to Centre for Stories or the storyteller themselves if you wish to use this story in another capacity.  These stories were produced in partnership with the City of Fremantle's Truth-Telling Program and made possible by generous funding from Lotterywest through the First Stories project.

Nicola Paris established CounterACT in 2012 and has extensive experience training people in civil resistance and grassroots campaigning. She reflects on the power of people working together to protect Country, sharing her experiences of community activism and the campaign to protect the Beeliar Wetlands in Perth. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Backyard Truth-Telling Series – Walyalup is a collection of stories from Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians that were shared in the backyards of heritage buildings all around Walyalup/Fremantle.  First Stories is a Centre for Stories project amplifying First Nations truth and voices across Western Australia, while creating spaces for truth-telling and truth-listening within and between First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities. In this collection, you will hear live recordings from people who spoke about difficult truths, hidden histories and reimagined futures, all reflections of their lived experiences of colonisation in Walyalup and beyond.We invite you to listen deeply and respectfully, honouring the truths and stories that others have so generously decided to share with us. This podcast was produced by Luisa Mitchell and Savannah-Travia Dann, and sound engineering and original music by Mason Vellios. Thank you for supporting our storytellers. This story remains the intellectual copyright of the storyteller. Please reach out to Centre for Stories or the storyteller themselves if you wish to use this story in another capacity.  These stories were produced in partnership with the City of Fremantle's Truth-Telling Program and made possible by generous funding from Lotterywest through the First Stories project.

Uncle Clive Morrison is a Noongar Elder who was born in Narrogin. Through his songs and stories, he reflects on his experiences navigating the world as a Noongar man and shares deeply personal reflections on his experiences with alcoholism and as a member of the Stolen Generations. ABOUT THE COLLECTION: Backyard Truth-Telling Series – Walyalup is a collection of stories from Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians that were shared in the backyards of heritage buildings all around Walyalup/Fremantle.  First Stories is a Centre for Stories project amplifying First Nations truth and voices across Western Australia, while creating spaces for truth-telling and truth-listening within and between First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities. In this collection, you will hear live recordings from people who spoke about difficult truths, hidden histories and reimagined futures, all reflections of their lived experiences of colonisation in Walyalup and beyond.We invite you to listen deeply and respectfully, honouring the truths and stories that others have so generously decided to share with us. This podcast was produced by Luisa Mitchell and Savannah-Travia Dann, and sound engineering and original music by Mason Vellios. Thank you for supporting our storytellers. This story remains the intellectual copyright of the storyteller. Please reach out to Centre for Stories or the storyteller themselves if you wish to use this story in another capacity.  These stories were produced in partnership with the City of Fremantle's Truth-Telling Program and made possible by generous funding from Lotterywest through the First Stories project.

The Australia-Filipino Community Services and Dementia Society of the Philippines' continued collaboration has greatly improved diagnosis and quality of care and life for Filipinos living with dementia in Australia. - Sa patuloy na pag-uugnayan at tulungan ng Australia-Filipino Community Services mula Australia at ng Dementia Society of the Philippines napahusay at napabuti ang diagnosis at kalidad ng buhay ng mga Pilipino nabubuhay ng may Dementia sa Australia.

Cape Talk, Views and News presenter, Clarence Ford, chats to Jonathan Hoffenberg of The Parent Centre about Heritage Day conversations and how parents can raise culturally curious kids. Views and News with Clarence Ford is the mid-morning show on CapeTalk. This 3-hour-long programme shares and reflects a broad array of perspectives. It is inspirational, passionate and positive. Host Clarence Ford’s gentle curiosity and dapper demeanour leave listeners feeling motivated and empowered. Known for his love of jazz and golf, Clarrie covers a range of themes including relationships, heritage and philosophy. Popular segments include Barbs’ Wire at 9:30 am (Mon-Thurs) and The Naked Scientist at 9:30 on Fridays. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Views & News with Clarence Ford Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 09:00 and 12:00 (SA Time) to Views and News with Clarence Ford broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/erjiQj2 or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/BdpaXRn Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode, Dr Ramas McRae joins us to recognise International Week of Deaf People and the International Day of Sign Languages. He explores how communication access and inclusion influence the wellbeing of Deaf people, and shares ways speech pathologists can support inclusion and be effective allies. Dr McRae participates in this conversation using Auslan. We encourage you to access the video version, presented in Auslan and English, also with captions. You can view this at https://youtu.be/UFQsiyhZWm0 Content warning: This episode features topics that some viewers and listeners may find distressing. It includes discussions of exclusionary practices, mental health difficulties, and suicide. If this content brings up difficult feelings for you, please reach out to: • Lifeline at 13 11 14 • Beyond Blue at 1300 22 4636 • 13 YARN at 13 92 76 (support for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander individuals) Special thanks to Genevieve Cassin for interpretation during this episode. Resources: Dr McRae's publications: https://ramasmcrae.com/publications International Day of Sign Languages: https://www.un.org/en/observances/sign-languages-day International Week of Deaf People: https://wfdeaf.org/international-week-of-deaf-people-2026/ SPA resources: Culturally responsive speech pathology practice: https://speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/resource?resource=1097 Speech Pathology Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of lands, seas and waters throughout Australia, and offers our respect to Elders, across all times and places. The Speak Up podcast recognises the central role of yarning and oral storytelling in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, how this translates to knowledge translation, and that colonisation has interrupted these practices of Language and knowledge sharing. The Speak Up podcast acknowledges the need for truth-telling and deep listening, the central role that Language plays in connecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People with Culture, Country, and Community, and the interwoven nature of health, and social and emotional wellbeing. We recognise that the Traditional Owners of the Lands across Australia have been here since time immemorial, and that their sovereignty over this land, was never ceded. Free access to transcripts for podcast episodes are available via the SPA Learning Hub (https://learninghub.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/), you will need to sign in or create an account. For more information, please see our Bio or for further enquiries, email speakuppodcast@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au Disclaimer: © (2026) The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited. All rights reserved. Important Notice, Please read: The views expressed in this presentation and reproduced in these materials are not necessarily the views of, or endorsed by, The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited (“the Association”). The Association makes no warranty or representation in relation to the content, currency or accuracy of any of the materials comprised in this recording. The Association expressly disclaims any and all liability (including liability for negligence) in respect of use of these materials and the information contained within them. The Association recommends you seek independent professional advice prior to making any decision involving matters outlined in this recording including in any of the materials referred to or otherwise incorporated into this recording. Except as otherwise stated, copyright and all other intellectual property rights comprised in the presentation and these materials, remain the exclusive property of the Association. Except with the Association's prior written approval you must not, in whole or part, reproduce, modify, adapt, distribute, publish or electronically communicate (including by online means) this recording or any of these materials.

What if true healing is really about retrieving lost pieces of the soul?Join me and discover the shamanic path with Shaman Fotoula Adrimi.In this episode of F.A.T.E., I sit down with shaman, intuitive, and author Fotoula Adrimi to explore the ancient practice of shamanism — what it is, how it works, and how shamans connect with spirit guides, ancestors and "helping" spirits to unify your soul lost thru trauma, past lives and the unseen worldFotoula's journey began as a child in Greece, where she learned  that shamanic healing was part of her own ancestral lineage. Culturally this tradition had been passed down through the men in her family until Fotoula became the first woman to carry it forward.We explore the her path to becoming a shaman, the ancient teachings and how soul retrieval is an ancient path to heal yourself and your life. Within Fotoula's shamanic tradition, trauma can cause parts of our soul or essence to separate from us — pieces that can remain connected to another time, experience or realm. Through shamanic journeying, and the help of spirit guides, the practitioner seeks to find those lost pieces, retrieve them and reunite them with the whole.We also explore spirit guides, ancestral healing, spirit attachments, the unseen world, reincarnation, symbols, synchronicities and the ancient belief that nature itself is alive, conscious and communicating with us.And things get personal when our conversation turns to Hekate — the ancient Greek goddess associated with the underworld, transformation, the Earth and the dark moon.In this episode:• What shamanism actually is• Fotoula's journey into shamanism• Her ancestral shamanic lineage• Becoming the first woman to carry her family's tradition• How shamans work with spirit guides and helping spirits• Soul loss and soul retrieval• Retrieving and reintegrating lost pieces of the soul• Trauma and spiritual disconnection• Spirit attachments and energetic protection• Ancestors and generational healing• Hekate, the underworld and the dark moon• Symbols, synchronicities and messages from nature• Reincarnation and the journey of the soulFotoula is the author of The Golden Book of Wisdom: Ancient Spirituality and Shamanism for Modern Times, exploring shamanic teachings surrounding life, death, forgiveness, destiny, soul retrieval, spirit guides, reincarnation and awakening.These conversations explore spiritual traditions, beliefs and personal experiences and are not intended as medical or mental-health advice.Welcome to your F.A.T.E.BUY HER BOOK:The Golden Book of Wisdom: https://a.co/d/00MFfgLnWebsite:ISIS School of Holistic HealthInstagram — Fotoula:@fotoula.adrimi_shamanismYouTube — The Shamanic School Scotland:@The.Shamanic.School.ScotlandFacebook — Fotoula:Fotoula Adrimi on FacebookFacebook — ISIS School of Holistic Health:ISIS School of Holistic Health on FacebookSubstack:Fotoula Adrimi — Shamanic Teachings*************LEAVE A RATING**** FOR THE SHOW*******Please leave a RATING or REVIEW (on your podcast listening platform) or Subscribe to my YouTube Channel. Click on link below to follow the show. https://linktr.ee/f.a.t.e.podcast*********CONTACT THE SHOW VIA EMAIL BELOW************ Email: fromatheismtoenlightenment@gmail.com

Jon Hansen, host and executive producer of the Block Club Chicago Podcast, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Jon has details on: Your Guide To Devon Avenue: Where To Eat, Shop And Spend The Day: Though commonly known as “Little India,” the West Ridge street is a hub for a diverse […]

learn to say "One, please"

Two First Nations-owned literary organisations have recently launched the First Stories Collective, a national network for storytelling and publishing. Delivered in partnership by Blak & Bright and Magabala Books, the Collective will deliver professional development opportunities, reduce financial barriers, and provide culturally grounded pathways for First Nations Australians. The Collective aims to promote visibility in an industry where fewer than 1% of staff identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, according to the 2022 Australian Publishing Industry Workforce Survey. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to my series where I grade the cities I've lived in on whether they are defying gentrification. We are tackling one of the poster children of American gentrification, Washington, DC, with my new rubric. You can listen above or read more below.How Do I See Gentrification Affecting DC?So much has been written about how gentrification has affected DC. I want to honor all of that writing and scholarship, and continue to sharpen my own writings and analysis about such topics, like this article I wrote for Greater Greater Washington almost a decade ago, upon the release of Derek Hyra's book Race, Class, and Politics in the Cappuccino CityMuch of that prior scholarship uses the looser definition of poor people being replaced by rich people, which allows for Black wealthy people to replace white poor people, which is outlined in this Capital B Atlanta article that I analyzed a few weeks ago. DC has been run by a Black mayor since the 1970s. Beloved “mayor-for-life” Marion Berry has stated that he didn't intend for improvements that he made to the city, some of which could be construed as gentrification, to actually be gentrification.However, he and others didn't anticipate how mass Black job loss, underpayment, and undervaluing of properties that cause many forms of Black wealth to be taxed, directly by the government and indirectly by other forces of society, would affect our ability to thrive past the Civil Rights Movement and into the late 20th and early 21st century.In addition, blame for gentrification in DC has also been lazily applied to certain infrastructure improvements that don't cause gentrification elsewhere, i.e., the bike lane, which in Greensboro, my hometown, has existed in Black and poor neighborhoods for years, and those communities have not seen dramatic change.That being said, my rubric puts numbers on my feelings and how people feel about neighborhood change. The concept of defying gentrification already alludes to Black people being able to thrive even though they pay more in rent. It asks us to examine if Black students are doing well in their schools amidst all these changes. It asks us if Black business exists as an ecosystem of commerce, not a token of capitalism.Yes, without apology, this rubric grades how well Black folks can thrive in the regions I've spent time on the ground. And with Black folks being the most marginalized in large metro regions, as shown in study after study, this is how I landed where I landed.Grab your favorite beverage as I outline how I graded DC, and pop over to the full rubric to understand how I graded DC. (Scroll down to the PS section on that post to get back here)First of all, my number twos, the things we are doing great at:* Spiritual spaces of all faiths that affirm and delight in Black, disabled, feminist, and/or queer lives* Comprehensive public transit exists for more than just paratransit users* Bookstores and Libraries that affirm all authors and all readers* Parks, playgrounds, waterfronts, and other natural resources/outdoor activities not closed off to the public* Black, LGBTQ, disabled, and feminist community centers and events* A way to get out of town that's not your personal vehicle (if you even have one).* Art and creative spaces for all skill and desire levels* Culturally competent non-medical hair and body careThat's a lot of things. And it only scratches the surface of how these spaces and amenities make gentrification less of a downer. However, we do have to talk about what got ones and .05s and why those things can negate everything above.What got a one?* Thriving entrepreneurship and gainful employment are available to more than white, straight, able-bodied, wealthy people.* Wraparound medical care* Food that provides both joy and basic nutritional needs in all neighborhoods* Schools that affirm Black children K-12, no matter their ability level or perceived behaviorEverything that is a two, starts to care less if you're hungry, sick, broke, and your kids are being mistreated.In DC, only some neighborhoods have these vital things. Only some neighborhoods have some of the 2s as well, but those 2s are nice-to-haves; these 1s are vitals. And now to the thing we all need: shelter.DC scored a 0.5, like all cities, on its housing measure. While there are efforts to support homeownership, to support renters who fall behind on rent, and to rapidly re-house families, these programs have all seen budget failures over the last 2-4 years, during a time when shelter saved lives above and beyond what's normally needed, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.If these avenues had worked, I'd be writing this post from DC, instead of Baltimore.This is why this rubric is still very personal and very biased. However, every researcher brings a bias to the table. The way we get away from that bias is by inviting you, the public, to share your thoughts and to take our surveys for yourself. You can do that for DC by pressing the button below. You can also comment and let me know what you want added to the rubric.https://form.jotform.com/262383869171063And you can come by next week to see how I graded Baltimore and how I see Baltimore's gentrification showing up!Until next time,KristenPS: Come journal with us if gentrification and related land/propery based trauma has you down this coming Thursday from 8-10 pm Eastern. RSVP here.PPS: I have a number of books on DC's gentrification in my Bookshop.org store. Support me as you build up your knowledge of gentrification in DC. Get full access to Defying Gentrification with Kristen Jeffers at theblackurbanist.substack.com/subscribe

Linda Wesp joins host Catherine Glass to discuss how clinicians can deliver culturally safe, gender-affirming healthcare across all areas of practice. From informed consent models and trauma-informed care to supporting patients who are transgender and gender-diverse, this episode explores practical approaches to improving healthcare experiences and outcomes. Timestamps: 01:03 – The historical timeline of gender-affirming care 04:49 – Gender-affirming care outside of specialist clinics 07:06 - Breaking down misconceptions of gender-affirming care 09:25 – Informed consent models 13:30 – Culturally safe care 17:59 – Listening to transgender youth 20:36 – Creating trauma informed environments

The Lindsay Clancy trial is technically about criminal responsibility. Culturally, it has become a referendum on almost everything else.A jury unable to agree has been scrutinized from outside the room. Patrick Clancy has been scrutinized for rebuilding his life and forgiving Lindsay. Prosecutors are being questioned about a first-degree murder strategy that Lindsay's attorney says never included a plea offer.Tony Brueski asks what these reactions have in common.We dislike uncertainty.We want the jury to agree. We want psychiatric experts to give us one clean answer. We want Patrick to grieve in a recognizable way. We want “justice” to mean something obvious.This case refuses to provide any of that.And maybe that is why the public response has become nearly as revealing as the legal fight itself.END LINKSListen Anywhere You Get Podcasts: https://pod.link/1655749292Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod?sub_confirmation=1Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/Tik-Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspodX Twitter: https://x.com/tonybpodCheck out Robin Dreeke's Master Class http://masterclass.com/robindreeke This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.#LindsayClancy #TrueCrimeToday #PatrickClancy #LindsayClancyTrial #JuryDeadlock #CriminalResponsibility #PostpartumPsychosis #TrueCrimeEthics #TrueCrimeNews #TonyBrueski

Welcome back to my series where I grade the cities I've lived in on whether they are defying gentrification. This week, my beloved hometown, Greensboro, North Carolina, is the first to get a deep dive. Before we get into said dive, I want to note that this will be one of the most biased of my reviews, because of my relationship with said city. I did my best to give the town the number grade of 67, and stop there. But I was just on the ground, speaking on how we can do better in our city with food and public resources, while a police shootout happened down the street where five officers shot at a man, who was later pronounced dead. That's not gentrification, but gentrification does have something to do with how our city is perceived and how violence happens. So, let me go ahead and get into that.How does gentrification show up in Greensboro?In Greensboro, Guilford County, and surrounding areas, it looks like public housing removal, but also land densification, without affordability and subsidization of newer homes for existing people. And now, with the state having to approve our budget, this could look a lot worse when it comes to what is valued and if people have value just for living, not for their property and its location. Folks who have been struggling to make ends meet and keep a home can SOMETIMES resort to violence. But being pressured to keep food on the table and clothes on backs is a silent violence, and yes it can kill.So what grade did I give Greensboro?First up, take a look at the original report card for the full criteria. I scored on a 28-point scale, then divided the 19.1 by 28 to get the classic number grade of 71% for Greensboro.Now to walk through how I graded each point, with a specific emphasis on two things that stood out during my last visit, housing and schools.Greensboro scored a 0.5 on my housing measure which I've listed here for clarity: Basic housing that doesn't exceed 30% of one's income at the poverty level and for those under the area median income.2- Housing that meets and exceeds these standards, happily and fully.1- Housing that meets these standards, but begrudgingly and with an outside emphasis on mixed-income areas and market-rate areas, without ensuring those who need housing and have no or low income are housed.0.5- People who can pay for housing are unhoused, and of course those who can't are unhoused by default.In just that short time I was home, I saw a whole empty swath where Smith Homes, a housing project that was adjacent to my childhood home, was gone. Grassed over with a backhoe in the middle of the acreage that also used to include significant tree cover and streets. I know there are rebuilding plans, but whatever is supposed to be built is not even groundbroken and off schedule, and is only tagged as affordable, which may not mean subsidized. Most folks wouldn't understand the difference, but developers do and exploit that to build homes that may be more affordable than the current market rate, but not equitably priced to people's actual incomes or lack thereof.I also saw so many folks camped in wooded areas. Which isn't a problem if people want that. However, it looked like an extension of the neglect that has been going on in town for years, belied by a 2010-2020 government and nonprofit partnership to end homelessness that still meets, but is struggling to meet all the needs of folks.I don't know what kind of resources to offer here, besides folks understanding that not every house is going to break completely even, but again, we have a conservative General Assembly controlling our budget, so things are suddenly looking bleak for affordable and subsidized housing relief.I will say, continue to be kind to our homeless population, and if you can offer housing, please consider it. Also, be mindful that downtown is a centralized, clustered area that does offer some benefits to people, and not everyone who is sitting or walking around is a danger to you or completely unresourced.I also want to add that this is a problem in every city, but at the moment, considering what it used to be, we are in crisis. Now, to the thing that stood out next, my school measure. It's listed in the report card as follows:Schools that affirm Black children K-12, no matter their ability level or perceived behavior.2- Every school, no matter who runs it or how much that might put a target on their backs, believes that Black children can thrive. This investment in Black kids reaps across all children, as in many schools, they are the most marginalized.1- Only a handful of schools, and they are ones you have to apply to and/or pay for, are affirming of Black children.0.5- No schools affirm Black children, and they may be terrorizing them and contributing directly, without shame, to the school-to-prison pipeline.I would give our county school system a 1.5. Only because not only did I see homes in addition to the public housing community torn down; my third elementary school, Archer, is torn down. My first, Wiley, may also be torn down, and I don't have the heart at the moment to confirm and see yet another empty lot of memories leveled. My second, Peck, is now also a middle school, but they do have adequate space, in theory, but folks have told me they are overcrowded. All three of these schools serve a majority student population of color and sit in neighborhoods that are majority people of color. Black students are the majority of those students of color.I felt extremely affirmed as a child, and my mom wasn't the only Black teacher or principal even at a white-majority school. But North Carolina is now a world of school vouchers for private and tuition-based religious and charter schools. Some of these schools don't have the mandate to treat all children well. And many of these students have to travel extra time to get to their school, even on the school bus. Our countrywide district is battling that misdirection of state funding, changes in federal funding, and a lack of money for building maintenance. I think some of the buildings will be replaced and reopened, but only if the money is there for it. We also have a former student running the district for the first time, who believes in its power for all students, but who has their hands tied in so many areas.Other areas where Greensboro scored under a 2 are as follows:* Thriving entrepreneurship and gainful employment are available to more than white, straight, able-bodied, wealthy people. (1)* Wraparound medical care (1)* Food that provides both joy and basic nutritional needs in all neighborhoods (1)* Public transit exists for more than just paratransit users (1)* A way to get out of town that's not your personal vehicle (if you even have one). (1)Most cities also score 1s on these measures, but for a Southern city that claims it's beyond racism and classism and even queer/transphobia, some of these measures are not where they need to be. Here, we can continue to increase funding for entrepreneurship, especially in communities of color, supplementing what health insurance doesn't cover in humane ways, increasing funding and headway for public transit and non-car interstate travel; and making sure every neighborhood has access to and training on how to prepare fresh foods.And finally, let me share with you the things we get 2s on* Art and creative spaces for all skill and desire levels* Culturally competent non-medical hair and body care* Spiritual spaces of all faiths that affirm and delight in Black, disabled, feminist and/or queer lives* Bookstores and libraries that affirm all authors and all readers.* Parks, playgrounds, waterfronts, and other natural resources/outdoor activities not closed off to the public.* Black, LGBTQ, disabled, feminist, and other community centers and community events.This wasn't always the case for several of these points, even when we had better housing and schooling options. This is what is attracting college students to come and stay and folks like me to consider splitting more of our time between Greensboro and the cities that helped us build our careers. Oh, and Happy Pride Greensboro and happy 20th anniversary of the parade and festival this weekend!Final ThoughtsWe have to fix our housing crisis. We have to start printing more newspapers again(I didn't grade this, but the empty News and Record lot downtown was one of the last things I saw before I got on the train). We have to get those schools rebuilt and reopened, even if the headcount is smaller. If we don't, everything else that I've graded above will fall by the wayside.I'm rooting for you, because last weekend just confirmed that I'll never stop loving my hometown, even if she's not the right fit for me right now.Next up on the city grades, my most recent town is Washington,DC. Its housing situation and school situation are different, but you'll find out why its core grades are almost the same for different reasons.Meanwhile, if you're a citizen who would love to learn more about how my Defying Gentrification framework can help you be a concerned and caring citizen, planner, REALTOR, or developer, I'm doing another one of my workshops. It will be right here on Substack, and all paid annual members will have access. I'll have a date set in the next newsletter. I also can tell you that I'll be launching a mastermind later this year, for those of you who come to the workshop and want to do even more deep work so that you can get your professional credits like AIA, AICP, and other licensures. Email me at theblackurbanist@gmail.com if you are curious and want to help me shape that offering.Our next free journalling group for victims of gentrification and other land-based traumas meets again on Thursday, September 17, from 8-10 pm Eastern. Come listen to some music and do some guided journaling and storytelling. Register here.Until next time,Kristen Get full access to Defying Gentrification with Kristen Jeffers at theblackurbanist.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. Sarai Ambert-Pompey opened Libélula Primary Care in Boise, Idaho. "Libélula" is Spanish for dragonfly, chosen for transformation. One year in, she joins Dr. Maryal Concepcion to talk about what changed when she left the VA for Direct Primary Care.Her path is unconventional: CompUSA and GameStop, Sony PlayStation reviewer training, oncology research at OHSU, then internal medicine residency in Boise. At the VA she joined a Primary Care Center of Excellence and helped launch the Boise Clinical Resource Hub, delivering clinic-to-clinic telehealth to rural sites across the Northwest, then trained physicians in telemedicine through the Ada County Medical Society during the pandemic.In this episode:Why time is the intervention - patients arrive never having been told their A1C goal, their blood pressure goal, or what their medications are for. Longer visits keep high ER utilizers out of the ER.Culturally responsive care in Idaho - Boise is predominantly white, but farming communities and employers like Micron bring diversity the traditional system was never built to serve. Healthcare trauma can take several visits to overcome before a patient consents to a blood draw.Telehealth done right - her top three: screen whether the visit is appropriate, build an emergency protocol and know your state's consent law, and actually perform a physical exam on video. Most clinicians skip that last one.How to vet an EHR - test customer service response time first, ask about interoperability, run a full patient walkthrough instead of the salesperson's highlight reel, get pricing broken out line by line, ask how an AI scribe stores data, and watch for 12-month contracts.Community as marketing - she launched a Walk with a Doc chapter before the clinic opened. Chamber involvement, immigration medical exams, and one paid social promo that returned its investment in a week.Leaving the system - 15 pounds lost, sleep restored, weekends back. "I tell anyone who will listen: I wish I had done it earlier."Mentioned: IN -PERSON DPC SUMMIT COMING IN OCT 2026! Illinois DPC Summit, first week of October, open to out-of-state physicians - register at caradirectcare.com/summit · Walk with a Doc · Latino Conservation Week · Idaho Hispanic Chamber of CommerceFree DPC startup checklist, the Physician Owner's Planner, and the DPC Toolkit Magazine: mydpcstory.com Leave a voice message for the show: mydpcstory.com/contact Follow @mydpcstory · Leave a 5-star review on Apple PodcastsCONGRATULATIONS Dr. Oropeza!!!! Learn more about Oropeza Family Health at https://oropezahealth.com/ Get your copy of the Physician Owner's Planner today at mydpcstory.com/library Learn more about Hint Summit at: https://go.hint.com/45zknvf Support the showGET your FREE MONTHLY BUSINESS TOOL DOWNLOADBecome A My DPC Story PATREON MEMBER! SPONSOR THE PODMy DPC Story VOICEMAIL! DPC SWAG!FACEBOOK * INSTAGRAM * LinkedIn * TWITTER * TIKTOK * YouTube

Welcome to Day 2940 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2940 – Wisdom Nuggets – Proverbs 3:29-35 Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2940 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2940 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Curse on Oppression and the Honor of the Humble – Walking in Friendship with the King On our previous podcast, on Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty-Eight, we explored Proverbs chapter three, verses twenty-one through twenty-eight. We discovered how hanging on to common sense and discernment brings unshakeable peace, sound sleep, and divine security during unexpected storms. We also learned the vital mandate of neighborly integrity—refusing to delay when we have the power to do good to someone in need today. Today, as we step onto Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Forty of our ongoing trek, we arrive at the conclusion of Proverbs chapter three, focusing on verses twenty-nine through thirty-five. In these seven closing verses, Solomon completes his royal instructions on social ethics and divine covenant reality. He shifts our gaze from doing good to our neighbors, to actively refraining from harm, violence, and contentious conflict. Then, he pulls back the cosmic veil, showing us how the supreme King of heaven evaluates human pride and humility! Having spent over fifty years focusing on and studying Biblical wisdom, and having accumulated seventy years of life experiences—watching reputations built and destroyed, seeing family lineages thrive or crumble, and observing the ultimate end of arrogant oppressors—I am eager to walk through these powerful verses with you today. Let us open our hearts to the first logical pair of prohibitions regarding our daily human interactions, as recorded in the New Living Translation, grouping together the connected thoughts found in Proverbs chapter three, verse twenty-nine, and verse thirty. Don't plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you. Don't pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm. Look at the solemn ethical boundaries Solomon sets around our daily relationships! In verse twenty-nine, he commands, "Don't plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you." The Hebrew word for plot is charash—which literally means to plow or manufacture! Solomon warns against secretly manufacturing evil schemes against those who live right next door in quiet vulnerability and trust. Then, in verse thirty, he addresses contentious behavior, warning: "Don't pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm." The Hebrew word for picking a fight is riv—referring to legal disputes or aggressive verbal warfare. Solomon exposes a dark flaw in human nature: the temptation to exploit a trusting neighbor or stir up unnecessary drama simply to exert power. This connects directly back to what we studied in Proverbs chapter three, verse twenty-seven and verse twenty-eight, where we were commanded not to withhold good when it is in our power to act. Here, Solomon shows us the opposite side of the coin: a wise person never weaponizes their power to harm those who trust them! Over my seventy years of living, I have observed that trust is a fragile, sacred currency. Once you betray the trust of a neighbor, a business partner, or a friend, you fracture a relationship that may take decades to repair. The narrative now deepens, moving from covert scheming to the temptation of envying open oppression, weaving together the logical thoughts found in Proverbs chapter three, verse thirty-one, and verse thirty-two. Don't envy violent people or copy their ways. Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers his friendship to the godly. Look at the urgent warning in verse thirty-one: "Don't envy violent people or copy their ways." The phrase "violent people" translates as ish chamas—a man of ruthless, predatory aggression! This links us right back to the warning we examined in Proverbs chapter one, verses ten through nineteen, where a gang of violent men tempted the youth to join their predatory ambush for quick riches. Culturally, ruthless people often appear to win in the short term. They cut corners, intimidate others, seize power, and amass wealth. Solomon commands us: do not envy them, and under no circumstances copy their methods! Look at the staggering cosmic reality Solomon reveals in verse thirty-two to explain why: "Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers his friendship to the godly!" In the Hebrew text, a person who is "detestable" is an to'evah—an abomination, something utterly repulsive that cannot exist in the holy presence of God. Now, consider this through the Ancient Israelite divine-council worldview! In the heavenly court, where Yahweh sits enthroned surrounded by His celestial council, the ruthless oppressor who builds an empire through violence is viewed not as a successful leader, but as a repulsive outcast whose ways violate cosmic order. But look at what Yahweh offers to the "godly"—those who walk in integrity! He offers them His sod—His intimate friendship and secret counsel! In ancient royal courts, to be admitted into the king's sod meant sitting in his private cabinet. The ruthless man gets temporary plunder, but the humble, godly trekker is admitted into the divine council room, walking as an intimate friend of the King of the cosmos! In my fifty years of studying wisdom, I can assure you that no amount of worldly wealth or power can ever compare to walking in friendship with Almighty God. Solomon now expands this cosmic verdict from individual lives directly into the family home, as recorded in Proverbs chapter three, verse thirty-three. The Lord curses the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. Consider the long-term contrast presented in this single verse! The text contrasts the bayit—the house or household—of the wicked with the home of the righteous. The curse of Yahweh is the spiritual reality of divine opposition resting upon a household that builds its foundation on violence, deceit, and oppression. That house may look like a luxurious mansion on the outside, but its foundation is rotting from spiritual decay. In stark contrast, Yahweh "blesses the home of the righteous!" The word for "home" here is naveh—which refers to a peaceful dwelling, a meadow, or a resting place where a shepherd leads his flock. In my seven decades of life, having raised a family and watched generations grow, I have seen this spiritual law proven time and again. A home built on the fear of the Lord, covenant loyalty, and daily integrity becomes an oasis of peace, safety, and joy, passing down a rich spiritual legacy to children and grandchildren. But a home built on ruthless ambition and covert wickedness eventually collapses under the weight of its own curse. The narrative reaches its ultimate climax as Solomon contrasts how God responds to human pride versus human humility, combining the logical thoughts in Proverbs chapter three, verse thirty-four, and verse thirty-five. The Lord mocks the mockers, but is gracious to the humble. The wise inherit honor, but fools are burdened with disgrace. Look at the divine irony in verse thirty-four: "The Lord mocks the mockers, but is gracious to the humble!" The "mockers"—the letzim—are those arrogant scoffers who laugh at moral boundaries, mock the fear of God, and look down on others. Solomon reveals that Yahweh turns their own arrogance back upon them! This verse is so crucial that both Peter and James quote it directly in the New Testament, declaring that "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble!" When a person walks in pride, the Almighty King sets Himself in active opposition against them; but when a person bows in humility, Yahweh pours out an endless river of unearned favor and grace. Solomon closes the entire third chapter of Proverbs with verse thirty-five: "The wise inherit honor, but fools are burdened with disgrace!" In the Hebrew language, the word for honor is kavod—which means heavy, weighty, enduring glory! The wise person, who walks in the fear of the Lord, inherits a heavy, lasting legacy of dignity that withstands the test of time. But the fool, who relied on self-conceit and violent shortcuts, ends up carrying a crushing burden of disgrace—qalōn—a shameful memory that blows away like dust. As we complete our trek through Proverbs chapter three today, take time to reflect on the two paths set before you. Are you maintaining integrity in your...

No city (or metro region) is defying gentrification. All of them are failing at it.I feel that in my bones and soul when I step out of my creative studio and into a world where the train might be cancelled after I made the 15-20 minute walk to the station, and I can only get to McDonald's on foot within 5 minutes.A world where my younger cousins in school may not be valued because they're Black, but maybe they have a good doctor, an amazing community recreation center, and someone to make their hair look dope? I know they probably don't say dope for any reason anymore, but still, we are all aging and growing on this round planet with dwindling water together.That's why I decided to take cities back to school this fall and grade their performance! I did a more qualitative measure of this back in 2018-2019, and now I want to put a number on this work, so you all can more easily measure your city's progress and improve on areas that would be graded “needs improvement” on a traditional report card. A version of this report card is also in The Defying Gentrification Playbook.I graded the six metros/cities I've lived in (Greensboro; Washington, DC; Baltimore; Kansas City; Raleigh; Durham) and four cities I would consider living in (Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Atlanta) I counted the core city elements and included adjacent counties if they behave as suburban satellite business districts and villages, not just the legacy city limits and their central business districts. Still, my 13 rubric points for metro regions may not be your 13.However, as a scholar of cities for nearly two decades and a multiply marginalized person as a regular human in cities for 40 years, I feel like my rubric covers everything.I've created a JotForm survey to capture cities and specifically metro regions I haven't been able to include in this series and to test the validity and reliability of my rubric so that this measure can be expanded. I also added a block so that you can tell me what I missed, so it can be added in. My rubric is very US-centric, but a lot of what I'm grading is affected by US federal law. I'd love to see how a Vienna or Hong Kong or London would look in my metric. That's where this survey comes in. Take the survey.Over the next few weeks, as I celebrate my tenth anniversary of dropping everything and moving from Kansas City to Washington, DC, out of my own volition, on the assumption that I could thrive in the District, I'll share my personal grades of cities/regions I've lived in or frequently visited. Over time, I'll update the grades based on what you've told me.This is our bridge between our Black August series on what I can control as a Black queer feminist disabled urbanist, the elders that guide me spiritually, and the on-the-ground facts of what is and isn't present in a city that tickles my Black queer feminist disabled urbanist spidey senses!Now let's get to those things I'm grading on!What's On The Report CardJotform will not let me give cities zeros in its automatic grade setting. It's very similar to my retired middle school teacher mom, who always stopped her Fs in her classroom grades at a 60. Her logic is that a 0 is hard to recover from, but a 60 is fixable. 0.5 signals fixable, but needs fixing.As I mentioned at the beginning, no city achieved a perfect score. The highest grade achieved was a 78, a low C, and the lowest grade was a 67, a high F. The average grade is a 73, which is a low D. Not failing, but barely passing. You'll have to come back in subsequent weeks to find out which cities failed and why. But I will tell you this week what I graded them on, in no special order of importance:Art and creative spaces for all skill and desire levels2- Both amateur and professional artists have somewhere to go that fulfills their need for creativity and a livelihood for their work.1- Only amateur or only professional artists have somewhere to go to practice their art and craft. There's also no real pipeline between the two types of artists, and professional artists are often not homegrown.0.5- No art at all, at least not in visible spaces.Thriving entrepreneurship and gainful employment are available to more than white, straight, abled, wealthy people.2- Both thriving entrepreneurship and gainful (above a living wage based on the MIT calculator) employment are present in folks who aren't straight, white, cis, male, and have family wealth1- Only one or the other is present in non-straight, white, cis, male, and family wealthy folks. Tokens are made of the few people who stand out, because it's not normal; it's extraordinary.0.5- Nobody is working or owning businesses besides the straight white cis male with family wealth. Or others are working, but for under a living wage.Wraparound medical care2- Yes, with a care center that's not a hospital, with all specialties present or able to be referred in-house, an urgent care and pharmacy that are open 24 hours, and accept all insurances and genders.1- Yes, the care center is there, but it's not all inclusive of hours, specialties, genders, and insurances. Or there's just a hospital.0.5- No hospital, no care center.Culturally competent non-medical hair and body care2- You have hair salons for all textures, hair care for all textures in all of your beauty supply stores, and you have practitioners of all types of non-medical or quasi-medical body care sensitive to all skin types and tones and sizes.1- You have these spaces, but they have documented issues with diverse hair types, skin tones, and body sizes0.5- No spaces will even accept a non-white, skinny, straight-haired person into their establishmentsFood that provides both joy and basic nutritional needs in all neighborhoods2- The food is fun and nutritious1- The food is fun or nutritious, not both0.5- There's no food at all. This is not a food desert; this is apartheid.Public transit exists for more than just paratransit users2- Public transit of all types runs for 24 hours a day1- Public transit exists, but outside of paratransit, there are restrictions on its timing, where it takes people, and what type of vehicles/trains there are.0.5- Even disabled folks can't get transportationSpiritual spaces of all faiths that affirm and delight in Black, disabled, feminist and/or queer lives2- All faiths have somewhere to go where their gender, sexual orientation, skin color, size, national origin, and their politics are affirmed and loved in the pursuit of good morality or a divine presence. These places also honor that there are different faiths, or lack thereof, and that's ok. These places respect a gray area, but have clarity on right and wrong that doesn't dehumanize people.1- Some houses of faith behave like the above, but they are few and far between, making it harder for people to plug in and for the communities to have a positive impact on the community.0.5-Houses of faith are all hateful, dogmatic, and even actively terrorizing those that don't believe in their tenets.Schools that affirm Black children K-12, no matter their ability level or perceived behavior.2- Every school, no matter who runs it or how much that might put a target on their backs, believes that Black children can thrive. This investment in Black kids reaps across all children, as in many schools, they are the most marginalized.1- Only a handful of schools, and they are ones you have to apply to and/or pay for, are affirming of Black children.0.5- No schools affirm Black children, and they may be terrorizing them and contributing directly, without shame, to the school-to-prison pipeline.Bookstores and libraries that affirm all authors and all readers.2- Specialized bookstores and libraries exist, and the regular ones honor books that aren't written by white, straight, cis, and male authors.1- Only specialized bookstores and libraries exist, or the regular ones are hostile to readers that aren't white, cis, straight, or male.0.5- No bookstores or libraries exist at all, except for maybe an aisle in Walmart, Target, Dollar Tree, or Dollar GeneralParks, playgrounds, waterfronts, and other natural resources/outdoor activities are not closed off to the public.2- These resources and activities are free and open to the public.1- These outdoor resources have a price tag, or they are partially operated by private entities.0.5- They don't exist at all or are all privatized with no kind of public accessBlack, LGBTQ, disabled, feminist, and other community centers and community events.2- All community centers and events understand that communities overlap and could need support services and culturally competent activities and vendors. They also provide safety for their primary audience of people, while being welcoming.1- Community centers and events for specific groups exist, but they don't serve others or understand intersectional identities or the need for core community safety.0.5- No community centers at allBasic housing that doesn't exceed 30% of one's income at the poverty level and for those under the area median income.2- Housing that meets and exceeds these standards, happily and fully.1- Housing that meets these standards, but begrudgingly and with an outside emphasis on mixed-income areas and market rate areas, without ensuring those who need housing and have no or low income are housed.0.5- People who can pay for housing are unhoused, and of course those who can't are unhoused by default.A way to get out of town that's not your personal vehicle (if you even have one).2- You have an airport that flies internationally, a train station that can take you to all corners of your country and possibly into others, and you have rental cars, rideshares, bikeshares, and trails connected to other cities.1- You have a handful of the above, but not everything0.5- You have none of this besides private vehiclesWhat else stood out with these cities and their initial gradesMost cities had perfect scores on the following measures:* Art and creative spaces for all skill and desire levels* Culturally competent non-medical hair and body care* Spiritual spaces of all faiths that affirm and delight in Black, disabled, feminist and/or queer lives* Bookstores and libraries that affirm all authors and all readers.* Parks, playgrounds, waterfronts, and other natural resources/outdoor activities not closed off to the public.This is not surprising in that these are the easiest things for any city to provide, often without political pushback, although some libraries are under fire for being so diverse, equitable, and inclusive.This is also in line with how movements and lifestyle changes that emerged and became more mainstream during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic have affected and stuck with certain sectors of society, like houses of faith and arts spaces.No city scored above 0.5 on housing, because most cities, even the most progressive ones in the spaces above, meet the standard that warrants a 1. This is a measure I am most looking forward to your feedback on. Same with community centers. I've heard some community centers really struggle with how to be in community and properly handle conflict resolution and intersectional identity. This might actually go down because of things you share with me.In the meantime, Greensboro, my beloved hometown, is up first on a deep dive analysis. I'll be sharing its scores and sharing specific places that fill in the gaps, along with city-specific ways the gaps that aren't filled can be filled.Your city might be a failure now, but by the end of this, it will be a winner!Before you go…I'm bringing classifieds back! All you need to know about how this will work, plus an order form, is right here in the application. All ads will follow my announcements in this section of the newsletter and can start running as soon as the next newsletter. I also have a solid editorial calendar in place through the end of the calendar year, so we can talk about ideal placement too!I am currently in Greensboro for a panel on my colleague and friend Marrianne LeGrecco's book on food justice in Greensboro, Everybody Eats. We'll be at Scuppernong Books on Elm Street this afternoon from 4-6 pm.If you want my guidance on anything, especially on how to respond to ads in the classifieds, I'm booking 90-minute strategy sessions! This is a great way to have me help you plan something, namely your career or funding strategy, and they are rebookable!Thanks to everyone who came to the inaugural Making New Fantasies: A Defying Gentrification Workshop, which we decided to do on every third Thursday as a virtual journaling workshop around processing what cities do and don't do for us. Registration is free, and you can register at this link. Join us in September if you want encouragement to write your own stories and make your own plans to make your community better.Get The Defying Gentrification Playbook full-color PDF for just $19.99Finally, for one last time, grade your city!Until next time,Kristen Get full access to Defying Gentrification with Kristen Jeffers at theblackurbanist.substack.com/subscribe

Food insecurity affects millions across Bangladesh, and aid organizations increasingly recognize that culturally appropriate food packages improve both acceptance and long-term nutritional outcomes for vulnerable communities. Learn more at https://www.lotus-ministry.org/post/lotus-ministry-s-food-relief-in-bangladesh Lotus Ministry Trust City: San Francisco Address: 1355 Post St Website: https://www.lotus-ministry.org/ Email: lotus.ministry.trust@gmail.com

SUBSCRIBE AND ADD US ON ALL PLATFORMS@CULTURALLYDISTINCTPODCASTFacebook page:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...Applehttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Instagram:https://instagram.com/culturallydisti...Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/6du7xit...IHEARTCulturally Distinct Network | iHeartYoutube   / @culturallydistinctpodcast  

If a Chinese colleague ever tells you 再说吧 ("let's discuss it later"), don't put it back on the agenda. This is the series finale of The Art of Maybe, a 6-part breakdown of the real Mandarin phrases Chinese people use instead of a flat refusal. (New here? Start with Episode 1: 也许 — or listen to the full compilation, linked below.)Phrase 6 of 6: 再说吧 (zài shuō ba) — "Let's discuss it later"Situation: Someone raises a politically charged or premature topic in a group setting — one likely to cause division or derail the wider agenda.The Western instinct is usually to address it head-on: "Let's talk about this now while everyone's here." We value putting cards on the table and reaching alignment through open debate — Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing. In China, alignment doesn't work that way: it's built through the continuous exchange of goodwill, Guanxi, not a single moment of confrontation.In Mandarin: 这个问题比较敏感,我们以后再说吧 (Zhège wèntí bǐjiào mǐngǎn, wǒmen yǐhòu zài shuō ba) — "This issue is rather sensitive — let's talk about it later."再说吧 (口头禅, a common colloquial expression) literally translates as "let's discuss it later." Culturally, it means something closer to "let's never bring this up again." If someone says it to you, that's your answer.That's all 6 phrases in The Art of Maybe. If you want the whole series back-to-back with full context, check out the complete compilation episode, linked below — and if this changed how you think about "No" in Chinese, the deeper psychology behind why it works is one download away.Want to understand why this works? These six phrases are the practice — but the psychology behind them is the real skill. On my website, I've created a free 23-page guide, Chinese Thinking: Three Levers to Positively Influence Behavior in China, that breaks down how Face (面子), Pragmatism (现实), and Superstition (迷信) work together to explain Chinese behavior — and how to cooperate with it instead of fighting it. Download it free at genejhsu.com.

Matt and Nic are back for another week of news and deals. In this episode:  Who is the main character in AI? Why are people so mad about datacenters? Sherrod Brown is back and he's running against AI Are datacenters being built with Flock? Culturally scarce goods and dinosaurs are rallying The SEC starts to fill the gap left by the Clarity Act FinCEN ends beneficial ownership reporting The CFTC charges a $400m Ponzi operator Are there successful Ponzi schemers? Is Bitcoin at risk from miners transitioning to AI? The collapse of the diamond market 

Beginning at a young age, Brenden felt compelled to become an accountant in order to relieve his parents of their financial burden. Now he's the founder of MasterTalk where Brenden refers to himself as "a public speaker, communicator and facilitator." Brenden is the first in his family's lineage to complete higher education.  My guest currently lives in Montreal Canada where he purchased a home for he and his mother in order to eliminate two mortgages. Culturally, as the first born, he had inherent responsibilities, including being very protective of his mother. Unfortunately his father, who passed away in 2019, was affected by  alcoholism and made things challenging around the home.  Both parents worked hard as factory workers, but just couldn't make ends meet. Brenden, who says, he was always good with numbers, studied accounting and got great jobs out of college and was eventually able to pay off all outstanding debt. Brenden admires and loves his mother tremendously. He says, "my mother has a very different life now than what she struggled through in the last ten years. Culturally, "you don't just walk away from your partner or family member who is struggling. You continue to support them and provide for them.  My #1 priority was making sure everyone was safe," says Brenden. Sri Lanka, is an island country located in South-Central Asia, and Brenden shares stories of both his parents who grew up in Sri Lanka. His mother is the youngest of a large family and she loved to tend to the family garden.  She married at 30 years old and immigrated to Canada.  His mother taught her son many wonderful life lessons including  his story that he shares about the $10 bill he found on the ground. Vijee hoped that her son understood that " even if we don't have a lot, we have a lot more than other people do and always be generous and lead with that generosity." After years of studying to be an accountant, then technology consultant, he was able to shift into doing what he really loved. He felt all of his steps in life where important. "That first step was absolutely necessary to get to the person I am today." Kumarasamy continues, " I got out of survival mode later in life and started to focus on the bigger picture of what I could do to serve the world" Brenden's Youtube channel is full of wonderful videos with professional advice for improving ones public speaking skills. He is self taught and wants everyone to understand that it wasn't easy in the beginning. He practiced hundreds of times before he felt he was ready. He was very fearful of launching that first Youtube video. He talks about trying to reach out and help many with public speaking skills and says "that when you care about others and only want to add value, you'll be able to overcome any fear/obstacle in the service of others."     MASTERTALK: https://www.mastertalk.ca/ YOUTUBE MASTER CHANNEL-"MASTERTALK"-https://www.youtube.com/@MasterTalks ROCKSTAR COMMUNICATOR WEBSITE: https://www.rockstarcommunicator.com/?r_done=1 LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?fetchDeterministicClustersOnly=false&heroEntityKey=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_profile%3AACoAABrmbRABNB9-E_3DuEEVBO0EIaIuSnmoIH8&keywords=brenden%20%F0%9F%8E%A4%20kumarasamy&origin=RICH_QUERY_SUGGESTION&position=0&searchId=a6724d6a-158d-4b1a-a818-839e6be2c6da&sid=DHE "Should Have Listened To My Mother" is an ongoing conversation about mothers/female role models and the roles they play in our lives. Jackie's guests are open and honest and answer the question, are you who you are today because of, or in spite of, your mother and so much more. You'll be amazed at what the responses are.Gina Kunadian wrote this 5 Star review on Apple Podcast:SHLTMM TESTIMONIAL GINA KUNADIAN JUNE 18, 2024“A Heartfelt and Insightful Exploration of Maternal Love”Jackie Tantillo's “Should Have Listened To My Mother” Podcast is a treasure and it's clear why it's a 2023 People's Choice Podcast Award Nominee. This show delves into the profound impact mother and maternal role models have on our lives through personal stories and reflections.Each episode offers a chance to learn how different individuals have been shaped by their mothers' actions and words. Jackie skillfully guides these conversations, revealing why guests with similar backgrounds have forged different paths.This podcast is a collection of timeless stories that highlight the powerful role of maternal figures in our society. Whether your mother influenced you positively or you thrived despite challenges, this show resonates deeply.I highly recommend “Should Have Listened To My Mother” Podcast for its insightful, heartfelt and enriching content.Gina Kunadian"Should Have Listened To My Mother" would not be possible without the generosity, sincerity and insight from my guests. In 2018/2019, in getting ready to launch my podcast, so many were willing to give their time and share their personal stories of their relationship with their mother, for better or worse and what they learned from that maternal relationship. Some of my guests include Nationally and Internationally recognized authors, Journalists, Columbia University Professors, Health Practitioners, Scientists, Artists, Attorneys, Baritone Singer, Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist, Activists, Freighter Sea Captain, Film Production Manager, Professor of Writing Montclair State University, Attorney and family advocate @CUNY Law; NYC First Responder/NYC Firefighter, Child and Adult Special Needs Activist, Property Manager, Chefs, Self Help Advocates, therapists and so many more talented and insightful women and men.Jackie has worked in the broadcasting industry for over four decades. She has interviewed many fascinating people including musicians, celebrities, authors, activists, entrepreneurs, politicians and more.A big thank you goes to Ricky Soto, NYC based Graphic Designer, who created the logo for "Should Have Listened To My Mother".MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SHLTMM PODCAST:Link to website and show notes: https://shltmm.simplecast.com/ and https://www.jackietantillo.com/Or more demos of what's to come at https://soundcloud.com/jackie-tantillo Listen wherever you find podcasts: https://www.facebook.com/ShouldHaveListenedToMyMotherhttps://www.facebook.com/jackietantilloInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/shouldhavelistenedtomymother/https://www.instagram.com/jackietantillo7/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-tantillo/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@ShouldHaveListenedToMyMother

EMOTIONALLY DRUNK ON YOU A Deeper Investigation Into Whether Insecure Attachment and Codependence Turn Love Into an Emotional Substance We Use to Escape Ourselves With Special Guest Dr. Allen Berger SYNOPSIS A lover can enter your bloodstream without ever touching your body. One text settles the panic. One unanswered call restarts it. A warm tone restores your worth. A distant look sends your identity into free fall. No chemical entered the system, yet the entire internal climate changed. What, then, have you been consuming? Human beings rarely describe romantic attachment as intoxication. Culture gives it prettier names. Passion. Loyalty. Devotion. Chemistry. Ride-or-die love. Yet beneath some of these celebrated experiences lives a dangerous emotional arrangement: another person has become responsible for producing the inner condition you cannot yet produce, tolerate, or sustain for yourself. Their attention becomes medicine. Their approval becomes evidence that you matter. Their availability becomes protection against abandonment. Their need for you becomes proof that you deserve to exist. Their obedience becomes peace. Once love carries this burden, relationship stops functioning as an encounter between two free human beings. It becomes a private emotional economy in which one person must keep paying so the other person does not collapse. Attachment theory helps explain how early bonds can shape the adult nervous system's expectations of closeness, separation, safety, and loss. Codependence adds another layer. A person may manage, rescue, fix, please, monitor, sacrifice, or overfunction in order to maintain access to emotional security. The behavior can look loving from the outside while fear quietly writes the contract. The anxious partner may call control “connection.” The avoidant partner may call emotional disappearance “freedom.” The rescuer may call indispensability “service.” The self-erasing partner may call surrender “commitment.” Every strategy attempts to solve the same unbearable problem: how can I keep another person from awakening feelings I do not know how to live with? Dr. Allen Berger's concept of emotional sobriety attacks this arrangement at its foundation. His work challenges the hidden belief that personal peace depends upon people, places, and circumstances behaving according to our private rules. “I am okay if you call.” “I am okay if you stay.” “I am okay if you understand.” “I am okay if you choose me.” These conditions turn another person's freedom into a threat. Could emotional sobriety begin when “I am okay if” finally loses authority? This does not require emotional coldness, radical isolation, or the fantasy that mature adults need nobody. Human beings require connection. The deeper question concerns governance. Who governs your inner life when someone disappoints you? Who controls your identity when affection gets withdrawn? Who becomes responsible for calming the fear that existed before the relationship began? Clinical maturity may involve learning to experience jealousy without surveillance, loneliness without self-erasure, uncertainty without interrogation, disappointment without retaliation, and grief without turning loss into proof of personal worthlessness. Philosophically, emotional sobriety confronts our understanding of love itself. Can love remain love when it demands psychological captivity? Can intimacy survive without control? Can commitment retain meaning when fear serves as the lock? A partner who cannot leave has not necessarily chosen you. A partner who must constantly regulate you has little room left to meet you. Culturally, many communities teach people to endure emotional dependence as evidence of loyalty. Men may learn to hide dependency behind authority, possession, silence, or rage. Women may receive praise for transforming self-neglect into service. Family systems can reward the person who carries everyone while quietly punishing the same person for developing a self. Under these conditions, codependence can wear the clothing of morality. Metaphysically, the topic reaches even further. What happens when consciousness seeks completion through possession? Can another person ever provide permanent shelter from an interior world you refuse to inhabit? Perhaps every attempt to make someone else the source of your emotional stability places sacred responsibility in human hands that cannot carry it. Tonight's investigation enters the space between love and dependency, support and self-abandonment, care and control, attachment and intoxication. Are you loving your partner? Or are you drinking them? And when the emotional supply runs low, who do you become?

EMOTIONALLY DRUNK ON YOU A Deeper Investigation Into Whether Insecure Attachment and Codependence Turn Love Into an Emotional Substance We Use to Escape Ourselves With Special Guest Dr. Allen Berger SYNOPSIS A lover can enter your bloodstream without ever touching your body. One text settles the panic. One unanswered call restarts it. A warm tone restores your worth. A distant look sends your identity into free fall. No chemical entered the system, yet the entire internal climate changed. What, then, have you been consuming? Human beings rarely describe romantic attachment as intoxication. Culture gives it prettier names. Passion. Loyalty. Devotion. Chemistry. Ride-or-die love. Yet beneath some of these celebrated experiences lives a dangerous emotional arrangement: another person has become responsible for producing the inner condition you cannot yet produce, tolerate, or sustain for yourself. Their attention becomes medicine. Their approval becomes evidence that you matter. Their availability becomes protection against abandonment. Their need for you becomes proof that you deserve to exist. Their obedience becomes peace. Once love carries this burden, relationship stops functioning as an encounter between two free human beings. It becomes a private emotional economy in which one person must keep paying so the other person does not collapse. Attachment theory helps explain how early bonds can shape the adult nervous system's expectations of closeness, separation, safety, and loss. Codependence adds another layer. A person may manage, rescue, fix, please, monitor, sacrifice, or overfunction in order to maintain access to emotional security. The behavior can look loving from the outside while fear quietly writes the contract. The anxious partner may call control “connection.” The avoidant partner may call emotional disappearance “freedom.” The rescuer may call indispensability “service.” The self-erasing partner may call surrender “commitment.” Every strategy attempts to solve the same unbearable problem: how can I keep another person from awakening feelings I do not know how to live with? Dr. Allen Berger's concept of emotional sobriety attacks this arrangement at its foundation. His work challenges the hidden belief that personal peace depends upon people, places, and circumstances behaving according to our private rules. “I am okay if you call.” “I am okay if you stay.” “I am okay if you understand.” “I am okay if you choose me.” These conditions turn another person's freedom into a threat. Could emotional sobriety begin when “I am okay if” finally loses authority? This does not require emotional coldness, radical isolation, or the fantasy that mature adults need nobody. Human beings require connection. The deeper question concerns governance. Who governs your inner life when someone disappoints you? Who controls your identity when affection gets withdrawn? Who becomes responsible for calming the fear that existed before the relationship began? Clinical maturity may involve learning to experience jealousy without surveillance, loneliness without self-erasure, uncertainty without interrogation, disappointment without retaliation, and grief without turning loss into proof of personal worthlessness. Philosophically, emotional sobriety confronts our understanding of love itself. Can love remain love when it demands psychological captivity? Can intimacy survive without control? Can commitment retain meaning when fear serves as the lock? A partner who cannot leave has not necessarily chosen you. A partner who must constantly regulate you has little room left to meet you. Culturally, many communities teach people to endure emotional dependence as evidence of loyalty. Men may learn to hide dependency behind authority, possession, silence, or rage. Women may receive praise for transforming self-neglect into service. Family systems can reward the person who carries everyone while quietly punishing the same person for developing a self. Under these conditions, codependence can wear the clothing of morality. Metaphysically, the topic reaches even further. What happens when consciousness seeks completion through possession? Can another person ever provide permanent shelter from an interior world you refuse to inhabit? Perhaps every attempt to make someone else the source of your emotional stability places sacred responsibility in human hands that cannot carry it. Tonight's investigation enters the space between love and dependency, support and self-abandonment, care and control, attachment and intoxication. Are you loving your partner? Or are you drinking them? And when the emotional supply runs low, who do you become?

What happens when silence becomes the primary source of sex education?For many Black and Brown women, conversations about sex, HIV, healthy relationships, and reproductive health were never truly conversations at all. Instead, they were often replaced with silence, fear, shame, or brief warnings that focused more on avoiding consequences than understanding our bodies, protecting our health, or making informed decisions.Silence has consequences.When accurate information is absent, misinformation often fills the gap. Myths replace science. Fear replaces understanding. Shame replaces curiosity. As a result, generations of women have entered adulthood carrying unanswered questions about sexuality, consent, HIV prevention, testing, reproductive health, and emotional well-being.This isn't simply an individual issue—it's a public health issue.The Legacy of SilenceAcross many communities, discussions about sex have historically been viewed as inappropriate or taboo. Parents often believed that avoiding the conversation would protect their children. Faith communities sometimes emphasized abstinence without providing comprehensive education about healthy relationships or disease prevention. Schools varied widely in the quality of sexual health education they offered, leaving many young people without accurate or culturally relevant information.For Black and Brown women, these gaps are often compounded by systemic inequities, healthcare disparities, and historical mistrust of medical institutions.The result is not just a lack of information—it is a cycle of silence that can influence generations.HIV Is More Than a Medical DiagnosisAlthough tremendous advances have been made in HIV prevention and treatment, stigma continues to be one of the greatest barriers to education, testing, and care.Too often, HIV conversations are framed around fear rather than facts.People living with HIV continue to face judgment, isolation, and misinformation despite decades of scientific progress. These stigmas discourage individuals from seeking testing, discussing their concerns openly, or accessing life-saving healthcare.When shame becomes stronger than education, everyone loses.Why Black and Brown Women Need Culturally Responsive EducationHealth education is most effective when people can see themselves reflected in the conversation.Black and Brown women deserve educational spaces that recognize the realities of culture, family expectations, faith traditions, historical trauma, gender dynamics, and healthcare inequities. Conversations about HIV should never exist in isolation from these broader experiences.Culturally responsive education recognizes that prevention is not simply about information—it is also about trust, representation, communication, and empowerment.When communities feel seen and respected, people are more likely to engage with healthcare, ask questions, seek testing, and advocate for themselves.The Role of FaithFaith has long served as a source of resilience, hope, and healing within Black communities.At the same time, many faith communities continue to wrestle with how to discuss sexuality in ways that are compassionate, truthful, and rooted in both spiritual values and public health.Faith and education do not have to compete.Churches, ministries, and faith leaders have tremendous opportunities to become places where conversations about HIV, healthy relationships, mental health, and wellness can occur without shame or condemnation.Breaking the silence does not weaken faith—it strengthens communities.The Role of Social WorkersAs future and current helping professionals, social workers occupy a unique position in addressing HIV stigma and improving health equity.Our responsibility extends beyond providing resources.We educate.We advocate.We challenge stigma.We promote culturally responsive care.We empower individuals to make informed decisions while respecting their values, identities, and lived experiences.Whether working in schools, hospitals, community organizations, mental health settings, or public health, social workers help bridge the gap between education and access.Healing Begins with Honest ConversationsBreaking cycles of silence starts with a single conversation.Families can begin asking questions without judgment.Schools can provide accurate, inclusive education.Healthcare providers can practice culturally humble care.Faith communities can create spaces where compassion replaces shame.Communities can normalize HIV testing, encourage preventive care, and support those living with HIV with dignity rather than stigma.Education is not about encouraging risky behavior.Education equips people to make informed, healthier decisions.Reflection QuestionsTake a moment to reflect on these questions:* How was sexual health discussed in your family or community?* What messages about HIV did you receive growing up?* How has culture influenced the way you think about sexuality?* What role should faith communities, schools, families, and social workers play in breaking the silence?* What conversations are we still afraid to have?Final ThoughtsSilence has shaped generations of conversations about HIV and sexual health—but it doesn't have to shape the next generation.By replacing fear with knowledge, stigma with compassion, and silence with honest dialogue, we create healthier families, stronger communities, and more equitable health outcomes.Healing begins when we choose conversation over silence.Together, we can create communities where education is accessible, questions are welcomed, and every person has the knowledge they need to protect their health and support the health of others.About This PresentationThis article is based on “The Hidden Cost of HIV Silence for Black and Brown Women,” a TEDx-inspired educational presentation by Aiysha Ansah exploring the intersection of HIV awareness, cultural silence, faith, public health, and social work.Disclaimer: This presentation is TEDx-inspired and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by TED or TEDx. The views expressed are those of the presenter and are intended to encourage education, thoughtful dialogue, and community awareness.If this conversation resonated with you, consider sharing it with someone who may benefit. Sometimes one honest conversation can become the beginning of healing for an entire community.In Bravery,Aiysha AnsahThanks for reading The Rooted Productions™! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit therootedwithaiyshaproductions.substack.com/subscribe

National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, Sue-Anne Hunter, opened the Garma Education Forum with a keynote speech on day one of the festival.

On this Iron Sights episode recorded live on the vendor floor at TTPOA Conference, Scott Howell sits down for a collab with the TTPOA Podcast hosts Brandon Hernandez and Matt Smith. Their guests are Brad Ortiz, Director of Sales for the Law Enforcement Division at Silencer Shop and former officer, and Dewayne Manson, Project Manager at the American Warrior Association, to dig into the thing the Law Enforcement community has been slow to confront: the compounding weight of moral injury, and why the reactive system built to support officers is failing the people who need it most.The conversation goes deep on what moral injury actually is, how it differs from PTSD, and why the officer who has never been in a critical incident can be just as broken as the one who has. Brad and Dewayne walk through what a culturally competent clinician actually looks like, why baseline brain and blood health mapping belongs in the academy, and how the American Warrior Association's R3 program is embedding proactive resilience training directly into TTPOA's regional structure, the first partnership of its kind nationally.But this episode isn't just about mental health. It's about identity. What happens to the guy who IS the job when the job ends? Brad gets personal about his own struggles stepping away from full-time law enforcement, Dewayne shares the moment his teenage son had to pick him up after a DUI, and Scott connects it all to the broader truth that your calling and your identity are not the same thing, and that confusing the two is costing officers their health, their relationships, and sometimes their lives before and after retirement.The back half gets into the business world and how everything these men learned going through doors, managing teams, and serving their communities translates directly into relationship-based sales, leadership under pressure, and building something that outlasts the badge. If you've ever told yourself you're not capable of anything outside law enforcement, this one is going to challenge that story hard.In this episode:• Moral injury is NOT PTSD: it is the cumulative damage caused when you perpetrate something, fail to prevent something, or are ordered to act against your moral compass, and it compounds silently over an entire career without a single critical incident ever being the trigger• Culturally competent clinicians are practitioners who have lived the lifestyle or are married to someone who has: Dewayne walked out of his first VA appointment when the counselor opened with pronouns, then found a female therapist married to a 20-year infantry veteran and experienced a completely different outcome• The American Warrior Association's R3 program is building proactive resilience frameworks inside agencies, including regional resiliency coordinators, vetted clinician networks, and fully funded Warriors Refuge retreats where flights and lodging are free to eligible officers and spouses• Brad Ortiz's Sound Off program at Silencer Shop donates $2 per purchase to a vetted nonprofit fund, and every individual officer purchase routes through silencershop.com where buyers work directly with Brad and Chris• The inflection point analogy: moral injury deposits are made silently every shift, just like compounding interest, and what looks like a single critical incident blowing up is actually the hockey-stick moment on a years-long accumulation nobody was tracking• Social media pile-ons after a justified OIS caused Brad more lasting moral injury than the shooting itself, a blind spot no clinician or debrief ever addressed until he found the right cultural fit in counseling• Baseline blood panels and brain mapping done at the academy level would give officers a before-and-after reference for physiological change across a career: the greater endocrine system and brain health are being completely ignored while TRT gets all the attention• The law enforcement skill set transfers directly into business leadership: problem-solving under pressure, decision-making without perfect information, ownership of mistakes, and relationship-first sales are all things operators have already built on the job, they just don't recognize it as a resumeChapters:0:39 Iron Sights mission statement and welcome2:02 Introducing Brad Ortiz and Dewayne Manson2:49 Brad's background: The Uncommon Line podcast9:40 American Warrior Association programs overview11:43 Resilience training inside TTPOA: the first of its kind12:08 What moral injury actually is and why it's not PTSD14:20 Culturally competent clinicians: Dewayne's personal story31:52 Compounding critical incidents over a career38:37 Social media pile-ons as a hidden source of moral injury44:55 Identity vs. calling: challenging how officers define themselves1:12:18 Relationship-first sales, legacy brands losing ground, and the business parallel1:21:46 How to access AWA, R3, and SoundOff resourcesMentioned:Brad Ortiz — Director of Sales for the Law Enforcement Division at Silencer Shop, former law enforcement officer and fugitive investigator, and former host of The Uncommon Line podcast, joined as a guest to discuss the SoundOff program and the AWA partnership.Dewayne Manson — Representative of the American Warrior Association, infantry veteran who served in Afghanistan and contracted there through 2020, shared his personal journey through moral injury and recovery as context for AWA's R3 program.Matt Smith — Co-host of the TTPOA podcast with 21 years on SWAT, co-hosted this live conference episode alongside Scott Howell and competed in the TTPOA shooting competition the day prior.Brandon Hernandez — Region 7 Director and Director of Training for TTPOA, co-host of the TTPOA podcast, referred to on air as the celebrity of the group when a passerby stopped to greet him.Anna Heil — Associated with the American Warrior Association, attended a TTPOA show in St. Louis and briefed other state organizations on the AWA partnership afterward.Chris — Works alongside Brad Ortiz at Silencer Shop on the SoundOff individual officer program, mentioned as a direct point of contact buyers will reach at soundsoftshop.com.Neil Noakes — Former Chief of Police of the Fort Worth Police Department, cited as an example of a career officer who, when asked how many critical incidents he had been on, simply said he had lost count.Simon Sinek — Author and speaker known for the concept of finding your 'why,' referenced when Brad Ortiz challenged every officer in the room to examine the deeper reason behind their career and identity.

Is that a training montage I feel coming on? Or perhaps an inspiring dialogue between lovers? Oh wait, is it actually one of the greatest payoffs in all of cinematic history! That's right it's time for the FINAL round of Rocky III, but do us a favor, and be sure that you listen to our other Rocky Episodes too! Podcast Link: https://sho-dependent.captivate.fm/listenSocials!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shodependentpod/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shodependentpod

As brands try to make their campaign dollars stretch farther, they're looking to culturally resonant marketing that creates engagement—comments, likes and shares—and results in sales gains. Calvin Klein's Spring 2026 campaign with actress Dakota Johnson is an example of how the clothing brand is using content to 'game the algorithm,' according to Jonathan Bottomley, global chief marketing officer of Calvin Klein and executive VP, group consumer and brand strategy at parent company PVH Corp. Not only did the provocative campaign attract 26 million views on Instagram, but it also helped create a single-digit increase in women's underwear sales and a double-digit increase in women's denim sales, Bottomley said, noting that 30% of Calvin Klein's audience is actively engaged on Instagram. By cultivating such engagement on social media, the brand is building a sense of virality, he said. On the podcast, Bottomley also discusses the role of community and product-led marketing, as well as how Calvin Klein is evolving its brand messaging to connect with Gen Z consumers. Dig deeper -https://adage.com/brand-marketing/aa-winners-losers-calvin-klein-jeopardy-seafood-city-rei-david-campbells/ -https://adage.com/events-awards/cannes-lions/aa-cmo-marketing-trends-budgeting-ai-measurement-agencies/

For leaders who can feel the landscape shifting, yet sense they have reached an invisible ceiling and are ready to engage from a fully unified system instead of only their mind. Celinne didn't schedule this conversation. She dreamt it — woke up knowing she and Leanne needed to talk, and the two of them tuned in to what wanted to be shared and when. Leanne is an Archeologist of the Soul and New Earth Architect, one of Celinne's mentors who has supported her embodiment, effectively enabling her to live a life aligned with her soul. Her path of remembrance was realised through the Andean and Amazon Shamanic traditions after years of living deep in the African wilderness with nature as her primary teacher. Over the last two decades Leanne has guided thousands through soul embodiment and this is her third appearance on the show. Her read on this moment is that humanity crossed a threshold in early June 2026 and our evolutionary trajectory as a species accelerated by about a hundred percent. What's being asked of us now is to close the gap between soul and physicality — which is why so many capable people are losing jobs, ending relationships, and relocating across the planet without being able to explain their decision. In this conversation, Leanne and Celinne explore what embodiment means once you strip the word of its fluff: the earth team of physical, mental, and emotional bodies learning to follow the soul's lead. You'll hear why the body is the barometer of the soul, how discernment sharpens once those bodies come into coherence, and what New Earth leadership looks like when a business is built as a torus instead of a pyramid. ON THIS EPISODE: 02:04 Meet Leanne Edwards and the accelerated evolution she says began in early June 2026 05:56 Understand the earth team — physical, mental, emotional bodies, and who's meant to be driving 08:44 Trace how early imprint and inherited story keep the soul from fully landing in the body 16:53 Learn why the body is the barometer of the soul, and what issues in our tissues are telling us 27:00 Hear what keeps aware, intelligent people on the hamster wheel long after they've seen it 39:47 Discover why all beliefs are limiting, and what opens when you drop the filters 52:23 Explore discernment as a superpower, and how to audit everything you ingest 1:08:41 Reframe the planet as source rather than resource, and what that changes about how you build 1:31:25 Listen to how the soul escalates its invitations when we keep ignoring them KEY IDEAS: ✨ Your bodies are a team that the Soul leads: Leanne's framing is that there's no hierarchy between the physical, mental, and emotional bodies — they require coherence, and are here to follow the leadership of the soul rather than the programming from an outdated education system, societal programming, cultural conditioning, and dysfunctional family dynamics. ✨ The body is the barometer of the soul: Discomfort, dis-ease, and illness often point to memory of past trauma or suppressed emotions that have been stored in our biological blueprint that are still informing the present. Our past informs the present until it is resolved, it literally keeps underwriting the present, and the loop repeats in personal and professional relationships alike until distortion is brought to coherence, ✨ Embodiment enables Discernment As the bodies come into coherence, intuition amplifies and so does the capacity to tell truth from noise. Celinne describes feeling the carrier wave under someone's words, the way a musician hears a note go slightly off key. ✨ The planet is source, not resource: Leanne's reframe changes the architecture of how we build. New Earth business runs as a torus rather than a pyramid, regenerative for everyone involved, and every decision gets tested against one question: is my action conducive to life? RESOURCES: Leanne resides in the Great Mystery, for from the not-knowing we may access the all-knowing. Culturally fluid from many decades walking this earth on the fringes of the main-stream-matrix, while her Red Road path of remembrance was of the Andean and Amazon traditions it was a years of living deep in the African wilderness that awoke her Shamanic Soul into what has evolved into a life of service to our planet and humanity, specializing in Embodiment and Evolution. As an Archeologist of the Soul and New Earth Architect, Leanne's clarity of vision and innate capacity to see in the dark (unconscious) has supported 1000's through the journey of Soul embodiment (HomoLuminous) into self-sourcing-sovereignty and actualization of their AVATAR (HomoGalacticus), restoring an individual's innate technology as a strong and secure multidimensional pillar of our New Earth. Earthwalk Global | Foundation of Embodiment & Mastery of Multidimensionality | Guardians of Gaia | Facebook | Youtube | Instagram

The original Supergirl debuted in DC Comics' Action Comics #252 in May 1959, the very first live-action adaptation, the feature film Supergirl, starring Helen Slater, was released in theaters in 1984 which saw Kara, superman's cousin from Krypton who goes to earth herself in order to recover the lost Omega Hedron which is a power source for the planet .............. so its been a while for a live-action take of the Madain of might you might say. Over the decades there have been various uses of Supergirl, most notably the CW take on the character when they were doing ALL those Arrowverse shows at the time, where Melissa Benoist starred as Kara Danvers (Kara Zor-El) in the hit superhero television series Supergirl, which aired on The CW from 2016 to 2021 Now HERE WE ARE coming off the heels of SUPERMAN 2025, and we have the second film from DC Studios, certainly and 'interesting' choice for your second film out of the gate (as some people thought), Nah I'm sorry gang THAT title still belongs to DC's next film CLAYFACE, gee a BATMAN villian solo film with (as far as WE know) NOT a BATMAN in sight, that sounds vaguely familiar .................. but hey we will get to THAT in October  SUPERMAN 2025 felt %100 percent like it was ripped right from the pages of the comic book, but it was EXACTLY a return to the core to what SUPERMAN is, and the point of SUPERMAN, and (most importantly), the reliability of SUPERMAN, which lets be HONEST has not really been struck on the BIG SCREEN since Christopher Reeve, looking back on it through the lens of our cinematic movie year 2026, history was written LOL LOL LOL LOL hahahahahaha the DC brand had begun its collective healing. Course WE would assume ALL is well then going from here On the latest episode of Injustice vs Elesworlds Podcasters of BOTH Worlds, your hosts David Senden and Kyle Wagner talk SUPERGIRL 2026, the GOOD, the BAD, the DISCOURSE of it ALL, and hey THAT got terribly TRAGICALLY overblown, regardless of what thoughts are on the film itself, or its OVERALL impact of the budding DC universe there if only ONE rule ....................... THERE WILL BE NO MILLY ALCOCK SLANDER !!!!!!!!!!!!! Movies. Movies are a beautiful Blink SNAP shot Moment in Time Assessment of where we are culturally, and its TRAGICALLY sad THAT Supergirl is a cautionary tale of that, THAT shouldn't be the case AT ALL A new Injustice vs Elesworlds Podcasters of BOTH Worlds starts RIGHT NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

LW1514 - Where You Draw the Line We are fast approaching that point where each of us need to draw the line about our involvement with AI and photography. Come to think of it, we may have already passed the line, at least for some of us. At what point do you call an AI generated image a fake? At what point does the involvement of AI mean the image is no longer artwork? No longer photography, no longer yours? What amount of AI are you willing to accept as you create your work? Culturally we are struggling with these issues, but individually we can make immediate decisions for ourselves about where we want to draw the line for our work All previous episodes of our weekly podcast are available to members of LensWork Online. 30-day Trial Memberships are only $10. Instant access, terabytes of content, inspiration and ideas that expand daily with new content. Sign up for instant access! You might also be interested in. . . Every Picture Is a Compromise, a series at www.brooksjensenarts.com. and... "How to" tutorials and camera reviews are everywhere on YouTube, but if you're interested in photography and the creative life, you need to know about the incredible resources you can access as a member of LensWork Online.

What's the best part about being single?  According to one study, it may actually help you live longer!Anna has been getting ads for “Culturally 30+ bars”. A dream for women who are too old to party with those in their 20s. Producer Sophia discusses the ways she knows she is in a cultural 30+ club.  Ravens wife, Alicia, was very embarrassed he had a book overdo at the local library. He is currently being shamed for it. Anna and Raven discuss what embarrassing things their significant others do. What does yours do that mortifies you? When micro-management follows you home!  What are the dumb rules you've dealt with due to being a part of an HOA?IS ANNA ZAP OUT OF LINE? Her husband Paul was being blocked in to a parking spot by a car that was running with the doors open! Her husband Paul claimed he could move the car. Anna thinks he was insane for that. He was dead serious.  When someone knocks on the bathroom door, and you're using it, how do you respond?  It happened to Anna the other day, and she was so surprised that she yelled out something completely ridiculous!After more than years of marriage, Anna's husband rarely does anything that surprises her.  But after finding something in his Chinese takeout, Anna couldn't believe his reaction! Couples Court:  Paul's mother struggles financially and for the third time this year has asked to “borrow” a thousand dollars. Jessica says that every time they give to her mother-in-law, she never pays it back and it's coming directly out of their savings account. She says it's time to tell her that this is the last time they can bail her out financially, but her husband says that his mom has always been there for him. She was a single mom, and they need to do everything in their power to continue helping her for as long as they can. Whose side are you on?

What's the best part about being single?  According to one study, it may actually help you live longer!Anna has been getting ads for “Culturally 30+ bars”. A dream for women who are too old to party with those in their 20s. Producer Sophia discusses the ways she knows she is in a cultural 30+ club.  Ravens wife, Alicia, was very embarrassed he had a book overdo at the local library. He is currently being shamed for it. Anna and Raven discuss what embarrassing things their significant others do. What does yours do that mortifies you? When micro-management follows you home!  What are the dumb rules you've dealt with due to being a part of an HOA?IS ANNA ZAP OUT OF LINE? Her husband Paul was being blocked in to a parking spot by a car that was running with the doors open! Her husband Paul claimed he could move the car. Anna thinks he was insane for that. He was dead serious.  When someone knocks on the bathroom door, and you're using it, how do you respond?  It happened to Anna the other day, and she was so surprised that she yelled out something completely ridiculous!After more than years of marriage, Anna's husband rarely does anything that surprises her.  But after finding something in his Chinese takeout, Anna couldn't believe his reaction! Couples Court:  Paul's mother struggles financially and for the third time this year has asked to “borrow” a thousand dollars. Jessica says that every time they give to her mother-in-law, she never pays it back and it's coming directly out of their savings account. She says it's time to tell her that this is the last time they can bail her out financially, but her husband says that his mom has always been there for him. She was a single mom, and they need to do everything in their power to continue helping her for as long as they can. Whose side are you on?

The Southern Sierra is the quieter, less-traveled tail end of California's Sierra Nevada range — running from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks down through the Kern River drainage to where the range finally peters out into the Tehachapi Mountains. It's a land of dense pine forests, hidden granite formations, deep river canyons, and small mountain towns like Kernville, Springville, and Porterville tucked into its foothills.For climbers, this region is a genuine treasure trove that remains largely under the radar. The Needles are the crown jewel — a cluster of striking granite spires rising out of pine forest above the Kern River, home to some of the finest crack climbing in California. Dome Rock offers accessible multi-pitch classics. Deeper into the range you find places like The Fin at Castle Rock, Homer's Nose, Hermit Spire, and countless other obscure formations that have been quietly developed over decades by small groups of locals. The rock is high-quality granite, often steep, often demanding, and almost always uncrowded.Culturally, the Southern Sierra has always attracted a specific kind of climber — someone drawn to first ascents, comfortable with long approaches, willing to work for solitude, and less interested in the spray culture of more famous destinations. The area saw a renaissance in the late 1970s and early 1980s when climbers from Los Angeles started making pilgrimages up to Kernville and Porterville, discovering that the Needles and surrounding formations offered climbing that rivaled anything in Yosemite — just without the crowds. Patrick Paul found himself right in the middle of this renaissance and became a pioneer in his own right, establishing 54 first ascents across the Southern Sierra over his 50 year career.In this conversation we go back to Patrick's tumultuous upbringing and how a single trip to Joshua Tree became the catalyst for an entire life pivot — one he's convinced saved his life. We dig into stories from his years on the rock, including run-ins with icons like Randy Leavitt, Lynn Hill, and Fred Beckey, and several close calls: an earthquake mid-approach, expanding flakes on Homer's Nose, and a moment when his main partner Richard Leversee saved Patrick from certain death when Patrick leaned back away from an anchor without being tied in.#livinglegend #firstascentsHelp Support The Show & Unlock The Ad-Free PodcastResourcesSome of Patrick's stories can be found in this book:Patrick's Facebook

Every year, 200,000 veterans leave the military and more than half can't get hired. But this isn't just a veteran story. It's a story about everyone whose talent the system was never built to see.AETHEON co-founders Marie Gill and Gina Jeneroux join Ashish Kothari to unpack one powerful idea: we don't have a talent problem, we have a problem translating real human experience into language employers can recognize. Across veterans, women returning to work, caregivers, and students, there is no shortage of capability. What's missing is the ability to see it, articulate it, and validate it.They explore why skills are the new currency of work, why the language women use on resumes quietly costs them interviews, how real-world skills validation beats keyword-screening, and the audacious idea that could change how every company makes workforce decisions: putting human capital on the balance sheet.What You Will Learn:People in transition don't need more talent. They need translation: a way to turn what they've lived into language the world can recognize and value.Veterans' skills are real. The hiring system just has no language for them.Skills without context are just labels. Proficiency level, recency, and complexity are what turn a skill into a signal employers can act on.Cutting people to fund AI often destroys more value than it saves. The 90% left behind only need to drop 1% in productivity to wipe out the gain.People appear on the income statement as a cost. Never on the balance sheet as an asset. Until that changes, they'll keep being the first thing cut.Students can now graduate with a skills transcript, not just a degree. Every experience, from babysitting to campus leadership, becomes a named, validated asset.Episode Chapters:0:00— Why military experience is often misunderstood in hiring0:22— Veterans transition out with real talent, but the market doesn't see it0:54— The “jump master in the army” example1:09— Many people don't have the language to explain their skills1:30— Translating experience into a form employers can understand2:05— Life experiences shouldn't be left off resumes or LinkedIn3:04— Leaning into what people enjoy and celebrate about themselves13:33— Women often downplay their abilities on resumes and LinkedIn14:02— Culturally, women are expected to fit a certain mold, and when they don't, people don't know how to read their value49:12— Life experiences must be captured and promoted to tell the story of skills and proficiencyResources:Connect with the GuestsLinkedIn: Marie GillLinkedIn: Gina JenerouxRecommended viewing: Aetheon The skills operating system for the future of workConnect with the HostLinkedIn: Ashish KothariWebsite: Happiness SquadBook: Hardwired For HappinessYouTube: Happiness Squad ChannelIf this conversation sparked something for you, please subscribe and leave a review, it takes 30 seconds and helps more people discover the show.

Every generation in history has experienced stereotypes in the workplace. The best leaders and teams are intentional about how they are engaging with Gen Z in growing their organizational culture.  For Full Show Notes Visit https://www.jasonvbarger.com/podcast/engage-gen-z-culturally/ Jason explores how the best leaders, teams, and organizations are engaging with Gen Z culturally to be better and strengthen their organizations for the future . Please rate and review the podcast to help amplify these messages to others! Summary: With Gen Z recently passing baby boomers to comprise nearly 25% of the workforce—and scaling toward 30% by 2030—multigenerational alignment has become a defining mission for modern businesses . In this episode of The Thermostat, Jason V Barger targets the cultural disconnects that frequently emerge between legacy management tiers and the incoming generation . He outlines why relying on lazy generational typecasting or stereotypes ultimately stalls progression, challenging executives to replace institutional judgment with strategic curiosity . This conversation moves beyond standard leadership platitudes to provide real-world context for Gen Z's unique workplace expectations . Jason analyzes how digital nativity, pandemic-stunted development, and an era of acute social division have combined to shape this demographic's baseline perspective . Rather than navigating these shifts with rigid, top-down enforcement, Jason breaks down the core organizational values Gen Z actively targets: deep structural meaning, flexible workplace wellness, radical pay transparency, and collaborative mentorship . Essential listening for C-Suite executives, HR directors, and team leaders focused on cultivating high-performance environments, this episode offers a practical blueprint for turning a shifting generational demographic into a massive cultural competitive advantage . Episode Notes & Timestamps: Intro: Jason introduces the importance of engaging Gen Z culturally to future-proof organizational frameworks . Stepping Back to Move Forward: A look into 335+ past catalog episodes focused on aligning communication, trust, and leadership mindsets . The Workforce Shift: Examining the demographic transition as Gen Z (born 1997–2012) expands to 25% of the active workforce on its way to 30% by 2030 . Deconstructing Stereotypes: Naming the standard corporate labels—including laziness, quiet quitting, and entitlement—and why perpetuating them isolates talent . Context Over Criticism: Analyzing the generational ecosystem, from true digital nativity and instant-delivery normalcies to pandemic-disrupted skill building . Embracing Skepticism: How growing up amidst mass violence and political volatility has trained Gen Z to question corporate insincerity and demand proof of alignment . Pillar 1 - Meaning & Purpose: Why Gen Z values corporate mission heavily, often choosing a more purposeful culture over higher compensation . Pillar 2 - Holistic Wellness: A discussion on mental health awareness, flexible scheduling, and why high-performing environments must prioritize work-life integration . Pillar 3 - Radical Authenticity: Demanding pay transparency, shared operational goals, and leaders who can be trusted on an everyday basis . Pillar 4 - Mentorship vs. Micromanagement: How to satisfy Gen Z's thirst for developmental coaching without relying on autocratic power and control . Culture Stewardship: Reaffirming that culture is not an administrative add-on, but a non-negotiable strategy that fuels downstream execution . Diagnostic Closing Prompts: Jason shares strategic questions to ponder regarding how to bring curiosity instead of judgment to multigenerational team building . Key Takeaways for Leaders: Mentorship over Management: Swap top-down autocratic commands for proactive, side-by-side coaching to fulfill Gen Z's distinct demand for active skill-building . Purpose-Driven Strategy: Elevate your cultural retention by explicitly connecting daily workflows to a transparent corporate mission that holds real societal meaning . Intergenerational Curiosity: Maximize your team dynamics by training legacy leadership to approach generational differences with structural context rather than sweeping typecasts . Listen to the full episode and access show notes at: https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/engaging-gen-z-culturally/ Bio: Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture . He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization, and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement . The show features interviews with business leaders from a variety of industries, as well as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice . Connect: Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger Make Your 2026 Effective! Book Jason with your team at https://www.jasonvbarger.com Like or Follow Jason

The world changed abruptly in the early 1990s when the Soviet Union collapsed seemingly overnight, and the American Empire moved into a new era of dominance. Culturally, the music was fantastic, and things were good, but starting to change for the worse with the push of gangster rap, the emergence of global terrorism, and the deregulation of industries. The Gulf War kicked off during the first days of 1991 and has never stopped. George H.W. Bush wrapped up loose ends with the murder of Danny Cassolero by his Enterprise group, then ignored the ending of the Franklin Scandal he helped to create in order to take out Reagan.---Macroaggressionswww.Macroaggressions.ioMerch StoreLink Tree Video ChannelsRumble | YouTube | BrighteonActivist PostNewsletter Sign UpAudiobooksHypocrazyThe Octopus of Global ControlSupport Our SponsorsReplace Your Mortgage: www.WipeOutYourMortgageNow.comGround Luxe Grounding MatsC60 Power | Promo Code: MACROChemical Free Body | Promo Code: MACROWise Wolf Gold & SilverLegalShield: www.DontGetPushedAround.comChristian Yordanov's Health ProgramThe Dollar VigilanteNesa's Hemp | Promo Code: MACROAugason Farms

Isaiah 30:17 uses the imagery of a banner on a hill to describe visibility, identity, and the reality that what is lifted up becomes a symbol others recognize and respond to. In this devotional, Lynette Kittle reflects on the meaning of the American flag as a national symbol and explores how honoring it connects to gratitude for freedom, sacrifice, and heritage. She emphasizes the flag not just as fabric, but as a representation of unity, history, and the values a nation seeks to uphold. Highlights Isaiah 30:17 uses “banner” imagery to represent identity and visibility. The American flag is presented as a symbol of freedom and national unity. Flags historically represent leadership, belonging, and shared values. The U.S. flag reflects the history and sacrifices tied to national freedom. Symbols can serve as reminders of heritage and collective responsibility. Gratitude for freedom can lead to reflection on God’s providence. National symbols often carry emotional and cultural significance. Honoring heritage can encourage unity and respect within a nation. Join the Conversation Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons? Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/ Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Why Honoring Our Flag Pleases God By Lynette Kittle Bible Reading: “A thousand will flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you will all flee away, till you are left like a flagstaff on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill.” - Isaiah 30:17 Individuals and groups have stomped on it, carried it upside down, cut it up, and burned it, yet our nation’s flag keeps on flying and representing to many around the world, even if not to some in the United States, a sign of hope and true freedom. On this 250th Anniversary of the birth of our nation, our American flag is a worldwide symbol of freedom on this earth. Hands down, it is considered the most recognizable flag in the world as a symbol of freedom. When we honor our flag, remembering its history of how God led Christians to establish it, we honor God, because He is accredited with the birth of our nation. “Of course, it’s just a symbol,” notes Dr. Jerry Newcombe, Executive Director of Providence Forum, “but it’s a powerful one. To me, it represents the American story - self-rule under God.” Many who disrespect and spit on our flag do so because they hate the history ascribed to it and our nation’s long-held slogan of being “one nation under God.” Newcombe believes we should honor our flag because it honors God and our country. “A lot of blood was shed defending that flag,” he explains, “and it represents the freedom we enjoy.” Flag Day, celebrated each June 14th, commemorates the day our Continental Congress adopted the original American flag in 1777, made official in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson. Growing up, many of us in the United States memorized and recited The Pledge of Allegiance, a pledge “written by a Baptist minister in the 1890s, with the ‘under God’ phrase added in the 1950s,” notes Newcombe. The Purpose of Flags Used primarily throughout history in warfare to announce battles and identify troops, national flags still play a role in distinguishing friend from foe. Culturally, the flag symbolizes power and leadership, carried during military processions and announcing dignitaries. They represent the people and beliefs behind them, of the hands that hold and carry them, and the buildings where they are flown. Flags also serve to draw together and rally people for unified causes, flown to signal, decorate, and display in parades and at events. As well, flags declare ownership, borders, and jurisdiction in homelands and foreign lands. Nations around the globe use them to communicate to the masses the loss of leaders and the mourning of national tragedies and disasters. The United States flag drapes the caskets of our fallen military heroes and veterans when they are being transported from the combat zones to home and at their funerals. The Meaning Displayed in America’s Flag America’s flag has 13 red and white stripes, each representing the original 13 colonies that began our nation, along with 50 white stars set on a blue background representing our current 50 states. There is significant meaning within the American flag’s design, as the Founder of Providence Forum, Dr. Peter Lillback notes. Each color displayed on the American flag has a definite meaning, with red standing for hardiness and valor; white for purity and innocence, and blue for perseverance, justice, and vigilance. Unlike some believe, even though Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag, the design is accredited to one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence, Francis Hopkinson. Our American Flag Stirs Hearts Our American flag is a vital piece of America’s history, representing freedom for all, known to stir the hearts of its patriotic citizens. It’s a symbol that has inspired our nation through many troubles and conflicts, standing for life, liberty, justice, and freedom for all. In honoring it, we please God by recognizing the godly heritage it represents throughout the history of our nation and the world. Intersecting Faith & Life:Did you grow up reciting The Pledge of Allegiance before school each morning? If so, has it impacted your life? In what ways? If not, what are your thoughts on the American Flag? Further Reading:A Prayer to Honor What Our Nation’s Flag Represents Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Alan's Soap https://AlansSoaps.com/Todd Honor John's memory and the legacy he created for Ian and Alan with Alan's Artisan Soaps “John's Favorites” bundle.  Get one bar of each of his favorites for only $28.99. Bulwark Capital https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comBe confident in your portfolio with Bulwark! Schedule your free Know Your Risk Portfolio review. Go to KnowYourRiskPodcast.com today. Renue Healthcare https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit https://Renue.Healthcare/Todd Bonefrog https://BonefrogCoffee.com/ToddGet the new limited release, The Sisterhood, created to honor the extraordinary women behind the heroes.   Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE at:The Todd Herman Show - Podcast - Apple PodcastsThe Todd Herman Show | Podcast on SpotifyWATCH and SUBSCRIBE at: Todd Herman - The Todd Herman Show - YouTubeMagic Math is back in the Los Angeles Mayoral election stage play. I'll explain what I mean…Episode links: - Me: Why do you think Karen Bass has such a high likelihood to win?LA Voter: It seems like all the places where they don't have voter ID these people win. - “You guys wanna see how safe and secure mail in voting is?” American receives 4 mail in ballots and 3 of them are for people who don't even live at the address - Insane - Last night, I watched one single election batch of nearly 25,000 votes get distributed to every single LA Mayoral candidate except for Spencer Pratt.  Remeber Wisconsin? “You're saying every last vote broke for Biden? — there was not a Trump vote in there— that doesn't look right— even the bluest city you're gonna have someone voting for the other party.” - -  JUST IN — LEADING gubernatorial candidate in California, Steve Hilton, just revealed the Secretary of State says it will be 35 DAYS until the results are in.  HILTON: "On the Secretary of State's website, today, 35 DAYS, that's the plan!"  "It is in absoulte shambles, a humiliation for California, it's making our state a laughing stock. "India 640 MILLION, they do it in a DAY!" - People ask why the CA vote-counting process takes so long. @Elex_Michaelson of @CNN explains it clearly here. But the short answer is the state values participation plus thorough scrutiny of ballots over speed. - "For whatever reason, the late mail-in votes in key races tend to pull Dems ahead"Hmm, I wonder why - WOW… DANA BASH REALLY JUST SAID THIS ON CNN: “Republican votes tend to be counted CULTURALLY first. Then once the votes that are there legally it looks different.” -

What does it take to build a brand that enters the culture? In this episode of the Pursuit Series, brand strategist Emily Hickey talks with Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler about how they transformed SoulCycle from a single studio into a phenomenon. They revisit the early decisions that shaped the brand, the clarity of purpose that fueled its growth, and the instincts that helped them know they were onto something larger than a workout. Along the way, they reflect on finding inspiration at different stages of life and the value of trusting your own instincts. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices