Podcasts about LaGuardia Community College

TRIGGER/CONTENT WARNING: eating disorders, weightDina dishes with Quinn Haisley (they/she), a non-binary, queer, and neurodivergent eating disorder dietitian who shares her expertise in working with LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent populations.After originally majoring in philosophy for their undergrad degree, Quinn chose to shift gears and returned to school to study nutrition, receiving an associate's degree from LaGuardia Community College and an MS from New York University, where they also completed their dietetic internship.Quinn started working in the eating disorder field 5 years ago and now works full-time at their own private practice. Quinn is passionate about breaking out of the cookie-cutter eating disorder treatment model and bringing social justice into ED recovery.Learn more about Quinn at www.practiceerosnutrition.com and https://www.instagram.com/practice_eros_nutrition/.----Check out our podcast in video format on DishWithDinaTV: https://www.youtube.com/user/DishWithDina?sub_confirmation=1Join our mailing list to stay connected, stay informed, receive exclusive offers, and be a part of the DishWithDina community: ⁠https://forms.gle/932HAWCu1r42dPCo9If you enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others! You can also submit listener feedback or request to be a guest on a future episode by completing this form: ⁠https://forms.gle/EFYX7Gshbjx9cCKfA----DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this podcast is to entertain, educate, and inform, but it is not to be taken as medical advice. Please seek prompt, qualified medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician or health practitioner before starting a new fitness regimen, herbal therapy, or other self-directed treatment.

Host Jeff Yan continues the thoughtful conversation with Tonya Hendrix, Demitri Kapetanakos, and Dionne Miller from LaGuardia Community College on Digication Scholars Conversations.The dialogue explores the transformative power of experiential and liberal arts education, highlighting how it bridges classroom learning with real-world applications and community impact.The guests discuss developing a liberal arts identity, the importance of reflection and self-awareness, and the numerous pathways available to students through a liberal arts education.Dive into their innovative approaches, hear inspiring student success stories, and discover the extensive value a liberal arts education can offer.Creating an Integrative Student Liberal Arts Identity: A Reflection on the Process of Building an ePortfolio for a Community College Liberal Arts Program: https://dgmg81phhvh63.cloudfront.net/content/user-photos/IJEP/Article-PDFs/4-IJeP-404.pdfInternational Journal of ePortfolio: https://www.aacu.org/ijepFor more information about this podcast, please visit our podcast website using the link below: https://bit.ly/3MfBqboListen on Apple Podcasts using the link below: https://apple.co/3OkFVEnFollow us on Social Media!Twitter: https://bit.ly/3M9J7QtFacebook: https://bit.ly/3OgnIYwInstagram: https://bit.ly/3Mjm4D8Please visit our website at https://bit.ly/3IgGVFP

Host Jeff Yan engages in a profound discussion with Tonya Hendrix, Demetrios V. Kapetanakos, and Dionne Miller of LaGuardia Community College.They referenced the recently published paper in the International Journal of ePortfolio (IJep), which focuses on the value of creating an ePortfolio for a community college's liberal arts identity.The conversation explores the declining confidence in higher education, the critical role of liberal arts in fostering critical thinking and productive citizenship, and LaGuardia's extraordinary diversity.This insightful discussion challenges misconceptions about the liberal arts and underscores the transformative power of a diverse liberal education.Creating an Integrative Student Liberal Arts Identity: A Reflection on the Process of Building an ePortfolio for a Community College Liberal Arts Program: https://dgmg81phhvh63.cloudfront.net/content/user-photos/IJEP/Article-PDFs/4-IJeP-404.pdfInternational Journal of ePortfolio: https://www.aacu.org/ijepFor more information about this podcast, please visit our podcast website using the link below: https://bit.ly/3MfBqboListen on Apple Podcasts using the link below: https://apple.co/3OkFVEnFollow us on Social Media!Twitter: https://bit.ly/3M9J7QtFacebook: https://bit.ly/3OgnIYwInstagram: https://bit.ly/3Mjm4D8Please visit our website at https://bit.ly/3IgGVFP

A recent study from the Department of Labor found that "among college-educated immigrants, 44 percent of refugees and asylees experience education-occupation mismatch or are unemployed." Kit Taintor, Senior Director of US Policy and Programs at World Education Services (WES) and John Hunt, Assistant Dean for Pre-College Academic Programs at LaGuardia Community College, discuss the findings of the study and the program at LaGuardia Community College that helps immigrants integrate into the workforce.

Ari Richter is a visual artist and comics creator who's a professor of fine arts at LaGuardia Community College in The City University of New York. His debut graphic memoir is Never Again Will I Visit Auschwitz: A Graphic Family Memoir of Trauma & Inheritance. Co-hosts: Jonathan Friedmann & Joey Angel-Field Producer-engineer: Mike Tomren Never Again Will I Visit Auschwitzhttps://www.fantagraphics.com/collections/ari-richter/products/never-again-will-i-visit-auschwitz-a-graphic-family-memoir-of-trauma-inheritance Ari's websitehttps://www.aririchter.com/ Ari's professor pagehttps://lagcc-cuny.digication.com/fine-arts-program/ari-richter Amusing Jews Merch Storehttps://www.amusingjews.com/merch#!/ Subscribe to the Amusing Jews podcasthttps://www.spreaker.com/show/amusing-jews Adat Chaverim – Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, Los Angeleshttps://www.humanisticjudaismla.org/ Jewish Museum of the American Westhttps://www.jmaw.org/ Atheists United Studioshttps://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios

Sometimes theories of critical pedagogy can be quite abstract. What does it look like to front concrete practices in our approaches to this tradition? How do those practices change in the context of community colleges? What can radical community college educators teach us about radical teaching and learning broadly?Our July 2024 episode features three community college educators who co-edited the recent edited collection Humanizing Collectivist Critical Pedagogy: Teaching the Humanities in Community College and Beyond (Peter Lang 2024). This book is a must-read for teachers curious about the practical applications of critical pedagogy for crafting syllabi, building more democratic classroom structures, creating socially engaged classrooms, and fighting for more just and equitable educational systems. Sujung Kim is an interdisciplinary scholar of critical pedagogy of higher education who is currently a research associate with the Futures Initiative and Humanities Alliance at CUNY Graduate Center. Leigh Garrison-Fetcher is a linguistics professor in the Education and Language Acquisition Department at LaGuardia Community College. Kaysi Holman is the Director of People and Culture at the California-based educational equity nonprofit 10,000 Degrees. Sujung, Leigh, and Kaysi met in the context of their shared work with the Mellon-funded CUNY Humanities Alliance—of which Kaysi was a key creator and leader—where they worked graduate teachers and faculty on creating social justice oriented classrooms.CREDITSCo-hosts: Tina Pippin and Lucia HulsetherEditor and Audio Engineer: Aliyah HarrisSummer 2024 Intern: Ella StuccioTheme music by Lance Haugen and Aviva and the Flying PenguinsOutro Music: “hemlock hed” by AkrasisSupport us on Patreon!

This is part 8 of a special series focusing on the community of Honoring Our Experience, and their work with long-term survivors of the HIV/AIDS virus.Today on the podcast we're revisiting a conversation from Season 2, with Martina Clark. Author, Activist, and HIV survivor.Imagine being 28 years old, arguably at the beginning of your life, and told you have 5 years to live. With a sense of nothing to lose, Martina Clark, writer, teacher, and activist, dove into an activism that led her to becoming the first openly HIV-positive person to work for UNAIDS in 1996. She captured that life in her memoir, My Unexpected Life, a mix of personal story, travel, humor and an up-close look at the squishy underbelly of the United Nations that follows her personal journey—emotional and physical—interwoven with her professional path. It is an insider's view to the history of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, particularly as pertains to women. A native Californian, Martina teaches in the City University of New York system at Laguardia Community College where she empowers the next generation of young people to explore their passions to find their voice in the world.To learn more about Martina's work visit her website:martina@martina-clark.commartina-clark.comTo learn more about Robert Maggio, the composer of "Where Love is Love," our theme music, please check out his website.To learn more about Suzanne, visit her website. To learn more about the inspiration for this podcast, please check out Suzanne's memoir, Estrellas - Moments of Illumination Along El Camino de SantiagoFollow Suzanne on Social Media Instagram @suzannemaggio_author Facebook @ Suzanne Maggio author Twitter @ bottomofninth

Stephen Petrus, director of Public History Programs at LaGuardia and Wagner Archives at LaGuardia Community College and curator of “The Battle for Intro. 2: The New York City Gay Rights Bill, 1971 – 1986", talks about the work he and his students did in putting together a digital exhibit on the New York City Gay Rights Bill, which passed after a long fight between advocates and opponents, and Allen Roskoff, civil rights activist, president of the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, and the co-author of the nation's first gay rights bill, recalls his involvement in the bill and the activism that led to its passage.

Weijie(Jack) Tang graduated from NYU with honors in May 2021. He is now working at Zurich North America as an Underwriting Account Service Analyst.  In this special episode, created by one of our student podcast fellows, NYU student Ziyi Xu speaks with Weijie Tang, who shares his remarkable journey from a non-English speaking immigrant to a successful underwriting accounts service analyst at Zurich North America. Jack recounts his academic and professional challenges, from attending LaGuardia Community College to landing a prestigious job through effective networking and not traditional pathways. For a full transcript of this episode, please email ⁠career.communications@nyu.edu⁠.

Faculty from LaGuardia Community College discuss the Second Chance Act Improving Reentry Education and Employment Outcomes grant from the US Department of Justice to fund a comprehensive prison-to-college project at Queensboro Correctional Facility. Prof. Hugo Fernandez interviews Profs. John Chaney and Joni Schwartz-Chaney. For more information on the program and guests, visit Indoorvoicespodcast.com

Rod Dauphin joins us today to kick off this season's Formative! Rod is an educator and entrepreneur. He is the Education Services Director at Goldman Sachs 10,000 Businesses Initiative at Laguardia Community College. 8th-grader and co-host, Thibault, learns that in order to grow and challenge ourselves, we should be willing to make mistakes and fail. In this episode of Formative, Rod shares his practice of encouraging entrepreneurs to think like kids who are playful and willing to think outside the box and make a mess to find valuable ideas otherwise overlooked.

"The addition of our episode with Marc Antony Mendez makes him the third guest we have had who identifies as autistic, alongside Stephanie Persephone and Eddie Abreu. Marc is a young enthusiast of menswear, a budding writer and much more, and he spoke at length on this his and mine shared interest. One of the unique features of his episode is that he prepared answers to specific questions beforehand and, given the depth and beauty of his responses, I feel that his decision might have been the ideal one for this episode. I certainly hope you feel the same watching our episode." Marc's Bio ( Visit our show Facebook page for full bio.) Marc Anthony Mendez recently graduated from Laguardia Community College with an Associates degree in Human Services Mental Health. The reason why he majored in this field was because he was diagnosed at the age of 18 months with Autism. Marc was bullied for many years, but decided he would use that experience to help other people on the spectrum. Being on the Autism Spectrum has allowed Marc Anthony the ability to do public speaking, work as an advocate, and share his journey with Autism, while helping clinicians, parents. He spoke at the United Nations with delegates from Japan about an educational program named, “The District 75 Inclusion Program.”  Marc is a public speaker, has spoken about the negative treatment some children with Autism face on an everyday basis. Marc was a keynote speaker at Scholastic Bookstore, the Hilton Hotel, Parents for Inclusive Education, Young Adults Institute for people with disabilities, the Arise Coalition, and local public schools in New York City. He enjoys acting and had the opportunity to work for Tony Danza (the actor and sitcom star). Marc is currently writing an autobiographical novel, to guide other members of the Autism Spectrum on how to adapt with Autism and to gain their own sense of empowerment. January of 2020, Marc earned a job with YAI, and was a co- facilitator helping individuals on the spectrum to live independently. He recently graduated from Laguardia Community College with an associate's degree in Human Services: Mental Health. "Despite it all, I was the most improved student and received many awards due to my progress. My mother had to fight the department of education to open a classroom thanks to the Law of “FAPE” which is, Free And Appropriate public Education. By opening those classes I was able to attend Russell Sage Jr. High School. I enjoy the self investment that I do, whether it be cooking, reading, writing, clothing combinating, discovering new neighborhoods, editing my first novel, “Autisymbiosis”.  There have been many teachers in my life that influence me to be who I am, what I am. There is more than one influential person that empowered me, and those people are my God, my visions, both good dream and bad dream, my Mother, my Father, my Sister, my older cousin, my sister's boyfriend, my high school paras, my high school drama teacher, my acting mentor, my college statistic's tutor, every friend that I have ever had, my school crushes, every bully I have ever had, every rival I have ever had, and my Jr High School Inclusion teacher. I wish to personally thank you all and thank you to all advocates, special education teachers, guidance counselors, psychotherapists, and even all members of the disability and/ or learning difference community for your devotion to the better tomorrow.I want to continue to deliver hope, peace, and love.  You! Yes, you are my humanity and the sole reason why I fight for justice and fairness for all! Therefore, It does not matter what deck of cards you have been dealt, there is always a way to win ♠.” Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ eccentric.mendez3696 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majestic_mendez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ecentric_Mendez --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mitch-hampton/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mitch-hampton/support

"The addition of our episode with Marc Antony Mendez makes him the third guest we have had who identifies as autistic, alongside Stephanie Persephone and Eddie Abreu. Marc is a young enthusiast of menswear, a budding writer and much more, and he spoke at length on this his and mine shared interest. One of the unique features of his episode is that he prepared answers to specific questions beforehand and, given the depth and beauty of his responses, I feel that his decision might have been the ideal one for this episode. I certainly hope you feel the same watching our episode." Marc's Bio ( Visit our show Facebook page for full bio.) Marc Anthony Mendez recently graduated from Laguardia Community College with an Associates degree in Human Services Mental Health. The reason why he majored in this field was because he was diagnosed at the age of 18 months with Autism. Marc was bullied for many years, but decided he would use that experience to help other people on the spectrum. Being on the Autism Spectrum has allowed Marc Anthony the ability to do public speaking, work as an advocate, and share his journey with Autism, while helping clinicians, parents. He spoke at the United Nations with delegates from Japan about an educational program named, “The District 75 Inclusion Program.”  Marc is a public speaker, has spoken about the negative treatment some children with Autism face on an everyday basis. Marc was a keynote speaker at Scholastic Bookstore, the Hilton Hotel, Parents for Inclusive Education, Young Adults Institute for people with disabilities, the Arise Coalition, and local public schools in New York City. He enjoys acting and had the opportunity to work for Tony Danza (the actor and sitcom star). Marc is currently writing an autobiographical novel, to guide other members of the Autism Spectrum on how to adapt with Autism and to gain their own sense of empowerment. January of 2020, Marc earned a job with YAI, and was a co- facilitator helping individuals on the spectrum to live independently. He recently graduated from Laguardia Community College with an associate's degree in Human Services: Mental Health. "Despite it all, I was the most improved student and received many awards due to my progress. My mother had to fight the department of education to open a classroom thanks to the Law of “FAPE” which is, Free And Appropriate public Education. By opening those classes I was able to attend Russell Sage Jr. High School. I enjoy the self investment that I do, whether it be cooking, reading, writing, clothing combinating, discovering new neighborhoods, editing my first novel, “Autisymbiosis”.  There have been many teachers in my life that influence me to be who I am, what I am. There is more than one influential person that empowered me, and those people are my God, my visions, both good dream and bad dream, my Mother, my Father, my Sister, my older cousin, my sister's boyfriend, my high school paras, my high school drama teacher, my acting mentor, my college statistic's tutor, every friend that I have ever had, my school crushes, every bully I have ever had, every rival I have ever had, and my Jr High School Inclusion teacher. I wish to personally thank you all and thank you to all advocates, special education teachers, guidance counselors, psychotherapists, and even all members of the disability and/ or learning difference community for your devotion to the better tomorrow.I want to continue to deliver hope, peace, and love.  You! Yes, you are my humanity and the sole reason why I fight for justice and fairness for all! Therefore, It does not matter what deck of cards you have been dealt, there is always a way to win ♠.” Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ eccentric.mendez3696 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majestic_mendez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ecentric_Mendez --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mitch-hampton/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mitch-hampton/support

Keywords: institutional ethnography, linguistic justice, community colleges, social theories of writing, literacy. Dominique Zino and Maria Jerskey are professors at Laguardia Community College. Dominique teaches the full range of courses in the English Department's composition sequence and teaches regularly in interdisciplinary learning communities for first-year students. Her scholarship focuses on writing studies and writing program administration, currently appears in Teaching English in the Two-Year College and WPA Journal. Maria Jerskey is a Professor of Education and Language Acquisition at City University of New York's LaGuardia Community College and the founder and director of the Literacy Brokers Program, which promotes the publication practices of multilingual scholars at LaGuardia (and beyond). Also featuring the 2024 RhetCanada CFP. Follow @thebigrhet and visit www.thebigrhetoricalpodcast.weebly.com for more information on TBR Podcast.

What does the intersection of social justice and education mean for students and teachers alike? How might a holistic approach to learning be integrated into the system as it exists, and what impact could this have on contemporary issues? In this season's premiere, Mac Ellis explores education with Dr. Jason Hendrickson of LaGuardia Community College, including the evolution of the various perspectives and outlooks surrounding higher education as a concept, and different approaches toward obtaining and providing an education. Special thanks to Dr. Jason Handrickson for joining us!

Jayashree Kamblé and Tara Hickman of LaGuardia Community College discuss Jayashree's book, Creating Identity: The Popular Romance Heroine's Journey to Selfhood and Self-Presentation] (Indiana University Press, 2023).

Martina Clark was the first openly HIV-positive person hired to work for UNAIDS in 1996. She subsequently worked for the United Nations system for 20 years, advocating globally for the rights of people living with HIV. Her collaborative work also led to a mandatory HIV In the Workplace program internal to the United Nations system, facilitating platforms for freer dialogue and a more supportive environment for all personnel, including LGBTQ, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized populations. Clark holds a BA in International Relations and an MFA in Creative Writing and Literature. Currently, she is an adjunct for LaGuardia Community College (part of CUNY) where she teaches English 101 and Critical Reading to NYC public high school students earning college credits early. Her award winning debut book, My Unexpected Life: An International Memoir of Two Pandemics, HIV and COVID-19, was published in Octorber 2021.Thank you to BetterHelp for sponsoring this episode. BetterHelp is the world's largest therapy service, and it's 100% online. With BetterHelp, you can tap into a network of over 30,000 licensed and experienced therapists who can help you with a wide range of issues.Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/howtosurvivesociety Support the showThank you for listening to another episode of How To Survive Society.Thank you to BetterHelp for sponsoring this episode.BetterHelp is the world's largest therapy service, and it's 100% online.With BetterHelp, you can tap into a network of over 30,000 licensed and experienced therapists who can help you with a wide range of issues.To get started, you just answer a few questions about your needs and preferences intherapy. That way, BetterHelp can match you with the right therapist from their network, Then you can talk to your therapist however you feel comfortable, whether it's via text, chat, phone or video call. You can message your therapist at any time, and schedule live sessions when it's convenient for you. If your therapist isn't the right fit for any reason, you can switch to a new therapist at no additional charge.With BetterHelp, you get the same professionalism and quality you expect from in-office therapy, but with a therapist who is custom-picked for you, more scheduling flexibility, and at a more affordable price.Get 10% off your first month at https://www.betterhelp.com/howtosurvivesociety

Today on The Dominic Carter Show: Dominic discusses a disruption at the LaGuardia Community College graduation and the annual Pride Parade. Listen Now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S6E9 (episode #59): Ibrahima Souare on empowering community entrepreneurs In this episode, Ibrahima and Jeffrey discuss Ibrahima's immigration at a young age from Guinea, Africa and navigating his new home, his educational and career journeys, how he helps small businesses, the incredible number of acronyms in the non-profit and government worlds, and much more… Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Qs_Dcfs8Gis  Learn more: Host: Jeffrey M. Zucker Producer: Kait Grey Editor: Nick Case Recording date: 4/28/23 NYPACE: https://www.nypace.org/ https://www.instagram.com/nypacenews/ https://twitter.com/NYPACEnews https://www.facebook.com/NYPACE https://www.linkedin.com/company/2890448/ https://www.youtube.com/user/NYPACE Other resources: https://www.cityandstateny.com/power-lists/2021/10/2021-new-york-city-40-under-40/185868/ Bio: Ibrahima Souare is the Executive Director of NYPACE. Previously, Ibrahima worked as a Senior Community Development Officer at Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC NYC) where he was responsible for managing a portfolio of programs in economic development, affordable housing, health equity, and financial opportunity across the New York City local market. Ibrahima's pillar accomplishment while with LISC NYC was the successful launch and management of a small business relief & recovery fund that awarded over $1.1 million in direct grants to 112 minority owned businesses impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, he successfully advocated for funding and managed a network of 16 community-based organizations across New York City to provide ongoing technical assistance and business development support to small, women, and BIPOC owned businesses. Prior to LISC NYC, Ibrahima had served as Assistant Director at LaGuardia Community College's Procurement Technical Assistance Center, where he supported a number of small businesses to become responsible vendors for government agencies, and before that, he served as Business Development Associate working with MWBEs at New York State's Chief Economic Development agency, Empire State Development, where he led statewide efforts to increase utilization of MWBEs on procurements opportunities. Within each of his capacities, Ibrahima has intentionally positioned himself to support the launch, growth, and sustainability of small businesses and entrepreneurs access resources. In 2021, City & State, a renowned multimedia news organization, recognized Ibrahima as one of its distinguished honorees for the NYC 40 Under 40 Rising Stars. Ibrahima holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Lehman College, and a Master's degree in public administration from CUNY Baruch College's Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, where he was a National Urban Fellow. 40:18 - NYPACE

In this episode, host Chris Nguon has the privilege to be in community with Dr. Cory Greene, the co-founder of H.O.L.L.A., a nonprofit developed from the organizing work and political strategizing of people who served sentences in New York State Correctional Facilities. Cory is invested in developing, leading and implementing an-intergenerational youth led citywide and nationwide Healing Justice Movement. Cory (40 years old) was born and raised by a single mother in East Elmhurst Queens, NY, during a time when many mothers and urban communities were impacted by the crack epidemic. Cory's ancestors and elders hail from the struggles of delta Mississippi, and the historical reality of being Black in “America” Cory's experiences as a youth growing up in urban ghettos have contributed to his understanding of the systemic inequalities As a result, Cory has committed himself to a wide range of educational projects, healing, and grassroots movement building that seek to change existing conditions for youth of color and our communities. Cory earned his Associate degree in Liberal Arts Deaf Studies from LaGuardia Community College. Cory earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Psychology from New York University. Cory earned his doctoral degree from the Critical Social Personality Psychology program at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY), where his research efforts analyze the praxis of grassroots pedagogy and healing-centered youth organizing within a process of radical healing. This is one of the most powerful episodes of the CARMA Chronicles podcast and we are blessed to share it with you. One love. 

Imagine being 28 years old, arguably at the beginning of your life, and being given a terminal diagnosis.  My guest on the podcast today is Martina Clark, a writer, teacher, and activist who has spent her career fighting to make a difference in the lives of those affected with HIV/AIDs .Faced with a positive diagnosis at the young age of 28, Martina was told she had no more than 5 years to live. With a sense of nothing to lose, she dove into activism which led her on the unexpected path of becoming the first openly HIV-positive person to work for UNAIDS in 1996.  In her work as an AIDS activist she has traveled all over the world, sitting at some of the most powerful tables in the AIDS pandemic, dedicated to bringing the voices and experiences of people living and dying with the disease to those who had the power to make a difference.She captured that life in her memoir, My Unexpected Life, a mix of personal memoir, travel, humor and an up-close look at the squishy underbelly of the United Nations, My Unexpected Life  follows her personal journey—emotional and physical—interwoven with her professional path. Martina's memoir adds an insider's view to the history of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, particularly as pertains to women. Throughout, she draws parallels to the COVID pandemic­­–including her own long-haul bout with COVID.A native Californian, Martina teaches in the City University of New York system at Laguardia Community College where she empowers the next generation of young people to explore their passions to find their voice in the world. To learn more about Martina's work visit her website: martina@martina-clark.commartina-clark.comTo learn more about Robert Maggio, the composer of our theme music, please check out his website.To learn more about Suzanne, visit her website. To learn more about the inspiration for this podcast, please check out Suzanne's memoir, Estrellas - Moments of Illumination Along El Camino de SantiagoFollow Suzanne on Social Media Instagram @mamasuzanne Facebook @ Suzanne Maggio author Twitter @ bottomofninth

INTRODUCTION: Martina Clark was the first openly HIV-positive person hired to work for UNAIDS in 1996. She subsequently worked for the United Nations system for 20 years, advocating globally for the rights of people living with HIV. Her collaborative work also led to a mandatory HIV In the Workplace program internal to the United Nations system, facilitating platforms for freer dialogue and a more supportive environment for all personnel, including LGBTQ, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized populations. Clark holds a BA in International Relations and an MFA in Creative Writing and Literature. Currently, she is an adjunct for LaGuardia Community College (part of CUNY) where she teaches English 101 and Critical Reading to NYC public high school students earning college credits early. Her award-winning debut book, My Unexpected Life: An International Memoir of Two Pandemics, HIV and COVID-19, was published in October 2021. INCLUDED IN THIS EPISODE (But not limited to): ·      A Deep Look Into Living With HIV/AIDS·      How COVID-19 And HIV/AIDS Are Connected·      Specific Implications For Women Living With HIV/AIDS·      Castro Street In The Mid 80's·      Doctoral Disrespect·      The Benefits of HIV/AIDS·      The Importance Of Maintaining A Positive Perspective·      Implementing Changes At The United Nations·      Disease Does Not Discriminate ·      Why It's Easier To Talk To Homeless People & Children CONNECT WITH MARTINA: Website: https://martina-clark.com/homeBook: https://martina-clark.com/buy-my-bookLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-clark-2735719/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martinaclarkwriter/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MartinaClarkPenFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MartinaClarkWriter/YouTube: https://bit.ly/3IsGEjt CONNECT WITH DE'VANNON: Website: https://www.SexDrugsAndJesus.comWebsite: https://www.DownUnderApparel.comTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sexdrugsandjesusYouTube: https://bit.ly/3daTqCMFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/SexDrugsAndJesus/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sexdrugsandjesuspodcast/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TabooTopixLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devannonPinterest: https://www.pinterest.es/SexDrugsAndJesus/_saved/Email: DeVannon@SDJPodcast.com  DE'VANNON'S RECOMMENDATIONS: ·      Pray Away Documentary (NETFLIX)o  https://www.netflix.com/title/81040370o  TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk_CqGVfxEs ·      OverviewBible (Jeffrey Kranz)o  https://overviewbible.como  https://www.youtube.com/c/OverviewBible ·      Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed (Documentary)o  https://press.discoveryplus.com/lifestyle/discovery-announces-key-participants-featured-in-upcoming-expose-of-the-hillsong-church-controversy-hillsong-a-megachurch-exposed/ ·      Leaving Hillsong Podcast With Tanya Levino  https://leavinghillsong.podbean.com  ·      Upwork: https://www.upwork.com·      FreeUp: https://freeup.net VETERAN'S SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS ·      Disabled American Veterans (DAV): https://www.dav.org·      American Legion: https://www.legion.org ·      What The World Needs Now (Dionne Warwick): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfHAs9cdTqg INTERESTED IN PODCASTING OR BEING A GUEST?: ·      PodMatch is awesome! This application streamlines the process of finding guests for your show and also helps you find shows to be a guest on. The PodMatch Community is a part of this and that is where you can ask questions and get help from an entire network of people so that you save both money and time on your podcasting journey.https://podmatch.com/signup/devannon  TRANSCRIPT: Martina Clark[00:00:00]You're listening to the sex drugs and Jesus podcast, where we discuss whatever the fuck we want to! And yes, we can put sex and drugs and Jesus all in the same bed and still be all right at the end of the day. My name is De'Vannon and I'll be interviewing guests from every corner of this world as we dig into topics that are too risqué for the morning show, as we strive to help you understand what's really going on in your life.There is nothing off the table and we've got a lot to talk about. So let's dive right into this episode.De'Vannon: Martina Clark is the author of My Unexpected Life, an International Memoir of two Pandemics, h i v, and Covid, 19. Now this book goes into great detail with regard to Martina Struggle living with H I V, surviving an Abusive Marriage, and her great efforts to establish an H I V awareness culture within the United Nation.Talk about a task, right? join [00:01:00] Martina and I as we travel in time from the Castro District in San Francisco in the 1980s, all the way up to the present days. We discussed life with H I v specific implications for HIV positive women and so much more. Hello, are you beautiful souls out there? And welcome back to the Sex Drugs in Jesus podcast. I'm your host Davanon, and I have of me today the wonderful and lovely Martina Clarke and this diva here. Is a, is a woman after my own soul. She has a history of H I V. She's also overcome Covid 19, and I have had to deal with those both.She wrote a book called My Unexpected Life, an International Memoir of two Pandemics, h i v, and Covid 19. And that is what we are here to discuss today. H I v. And Covid 19. Martina, how are you my dear? Martina: I am. I am well. How are you? [00:02:00]De'Vannon: I am fan. Fucking fantastic. Awesome. You know, after having lived through two diseases, which do come to kill you, what can I possibly have to complain about?You know, I'm here, I'm queer. I've got a bright pink beard going on because it's Mardi Gra down here right now. And, you know, I'm in, I'm in the season. And you know, you know, you know, how are, how are you? I read your book and everything for fuck's sake. How are you? , ? Martina: I, you know, I think I'm kind of the same. I think we are both virus overachiever and considering all that we've been through, I, you know, I'll complain cuz sometimes it's fun, but I really can't complain.I'm here. Getting ready to turn 59 in a few weeks and never thought that would happen. And it's all good. I feel like I'm the luckiest person alive. De'Vannon: Right. And y'all, so in this, in this interview, I hope to give you some [00:03:00] deeper insight into, H I v, you know, how it affects you mentally and emotionally and everything like that.Mm-hmm. , what Martina can offer that I cannot is that she was around and dealing with this back in San Francisco, you know, when all the shit started to hit the fan. Really, you know, I got H I V like in 20, like 10 years ago, 20 11, 20 10, or some shit, a far cry from what was going on back, you know, in the nineties and eighties and things like that.So I'm super excited to talk to her. . You know, I've never had anybody on my show who came quite out of this era. Oh wow. Okay. Great. A side note before we get started, because I noticed like everything, when I was researching you and some of your images, I saw a repeat of what looked to be like dragonfly earrings.Yes. Wondering what this is . Martina: Yeah. And you I have them on right now. Exactly. . So, I thi this particular pair of [00:04:00]dragon dragonfly earrings I got in Cambodia of all places and I saw them in the hotel lobby where I was staying. And I tried to never buy stuff like in the hotel stores cause I wanna find the actual artists and support them directly.But I just fell in love with them and I thought the hell that I'm gonna buy 'em and I wear them every single day. I've had them. Probably 15 years and somebody told me that when you see a dragonfly in nature, it means that the ecosystem is in good shape. So for me, I like to wear the dragonfly is partly cuz I think they're pretty, but partly because it makes me feel like maybe my own little personal ecosystem is in good shape and I need all the help I can getSo that's what they mean to me. De'Vannon: That is so beautiful and it reminds me, I was, a couple of years ago, I was looking out my backyard and there's a stream that runs back there and there was a swarm of [00:05:00] thousands of dragon flies. Oh, wow. The, the only time I've seen is in my life. I used to catch him. You know, as a kid, but I don't catch insects anymore.I just want them to be free. Yeah. But but it was like thousands of them and they happened to, to show up as the sun was setting at a certain angle and it reflected off of all of their wings sign. Oh my god. And Martina: it . Wow. That must have been De'Vannon: amazing. It is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen in my life.In I can imagine You're here, here for the dragonfly. Now that's the beautiful stuff. Let's get into the, the gritty part of this. So the cover of your. Absolutely titillating. I'm always interested in people's book covers, you know, and what it means. One thing that, so the cover of her book y'all, is like, it looks like a passport.Mm-hmm. her very emotionless passport photo. You know, they don't like you to smile in those photos. They want you to look like a goddamn statue. So you pulled off your statue esque look. Very [00:06:00] well. Thank you. She's got like a Covid virus. She's got like h I v Now you have Venezuela. It's the only country that I see on there.You have 18 September, 1996. Was that the day you found out you had H I V. And was that the country you were in or what is the significance of Venezuela and that date? Martina: That is an excellent question that nobody has ever asked me. So the reason for Venezuela is total random. Okay? It has nothing to do with anythingBasically I had an idea of the cover that I wanted and I sent some pictures of passport, actual pages of my passport to the woman who did the ultimate design and they came up. The, the variations on the stamps and why they selected Venezuela, I cannot tell you. I guess it just happened to [00:07:00] fit, but I actually found out that I had H I V in 1992 in may I think of 1992 for some bizarre reason.I don't know the exact date that I tested positive, which I find extremely weird. , but I haven't committed it to memory. Or maybe I blocked it, I don't know. But yeah, it was in 1992 when I found out. So I was in San Francisco and that is when that journey began for me. De'Vannon: Now she was 28 years old when she found out.Mm-hmm. . I'm gonna read a snippet. From your book, I do love story time and there are two snippets that I'm gonna read throughout this interview here. So if I may, yeah, of course. Thank you. Okay, so this snippet here, y'all, this is Martina now. She says, unnerved by my memories of the men. Who died in those years, neighbors who left for the hospital and never [00:08:00] returned the relentless funerals I found myself reliving the grief of decades past history was repeating itself again, far too many.Did not heed the warning. Now. In this snippet here, she's tidying up this book as Covid 19 is beginning and COVID 19 is causing you to be triggered about what was going on back in 1992. Right? So, and then while I'm reading this, I'm having all these poses, flashbacks, and I'm just, you know, you know, I'm right there with you in New York back in the dance hall scene and in pose it was only three seasons, but my God, it felt like years of, you know, so many funerals, so many people died, you know, watching poses.If you haven't seen pose people, I don't know what you're doing with your life. Martina: Forget on it. De'Vannon: So, yes. And, and Martina is in New York right now. That's where she lives. And so all of this is just [00:09:00] really coming together for me right now in a super emotional way. So, so tell us about how you felt when you got H I V and what was going on, and then how did C O V I D trigger this for you?Sure. Martina: So when I found out that I had H I V. , I felt like my life had just been erased. And I remember I was, I got the news on the phone, which is not how you're supposed to get it. You're supposed to get it from an intellectual person in real life. But I got the news on the phone and I was standing in a kitchen and I just stared at a cabinet and it's like a white kitchen cabinet.And I, I felt like that was my life. It was just a blank slate. And not necessarily in a good way, but that everything I had ever done. , it just didn't matter anymore cuz I had this new thing that I was gonna have to deal with. I had never seen another woman with H I v I probably had, but I didn't register that I had.And [00:10:00] despite living in San Francisco, which in the eighties and nineties was, you know, really hard hit by H I V and AIDS pandemic, I just still felt very, very alone. I knew plenty of people with H I V, but not another woman. But before all of that happened in 1992 I actually lived on Castro Street in the mid eighties.Yeah. And yeah, Castro Street. If you don't know, San Francisco is the hub of the most fabulous gay neighborhood, perhaps on the planet, I don't know. But certainly in San Francisco. And I lived there at the, really, at the height of the AIDS crisis, and there were. sirens all the time and ambulances going by and funerals, and it was just a constant state of sort of survival and grief.And yet in the midst of this extraordinary community who was always like, we're gonna be better than this. We're gonna be bigger than this. We're gonna, we're gonna still be fabulous and [00:11:00]wonderful. And when. going through the beginning of Covid. I live in Brooklyn, in New York City, which was the epicenter for this pandemic.And so it was similar in a sense that there was just a constant stream of ambulances going by and people were dying. And I'm, I'm a teacher now and my students were telling me these horror stories of one student's mom died and the family didn't even know where her body was. For like weeks and I mean, just trauma that is unbearable for anybody.And it was on such a scale that I was really triggered and I, I mean, nobody knew what to anticipate as we went into the covid epidemic, but our pandemic, I should say. But I, I was really triggered and I found myself like back on Castro Street. Seeing [00:12:00] apartments for rent, knowing that probably the person inside who had lived there before died, you know, or yard sales.There were yard sales all the time, which it was just, it was so much to handle, to know that there was so much death going on around you. And then to go through this again was was overwhelming to say the slightest least De'Vannon: bit. Two pandemics in a lifetime. . Yeah. You know, when, when Covid came out, you know, they were saying like, you know, we hadn't seen anything like this since, I think 19 you know, the early 19 hundreds when there was a Spanish flu?I believe it was right, but. But if, but if truth be told for people dealing with H I V we have seen it before . Martina: Yes, exactly. Exactly. Yeah. No, we've lived through it and, and I'm in touch with a lot of long-term survivors of H I V and we all were just like, Ugh, this feels too real. Too [00:13:00] close. Too much. Yeah.De'Vannon: And so, I hear you when you say that you found out over the phone, that is so not the way to do it. When I found out they didn't even bother to call, they left the voicemail. Oh my gosh. I re, I retrieve my positive diagnosis from a voicemail and so , so it, it is just, and this was only 10 years ago, so it's sad to see that healthcare and the way they deal with H I V has not evolved, you know?Yeah. Back in those days telling people over the phone, in my case, leaving a voice. You know, it makes me think that some doctors who deal with H I V patients just don't respect us, you know? And just don't consider us be human enough to treat with common dignity and decency. . Yeah, Martina: I agreed. De'Vannon: Totally agree.HIV people, you did it to yourself. It's all your fault. So you, you deserve what happened to you. So we'll just drop the shit on the, we'll just call you and whatever. Martina: Yeah. . Yeah. No, agree. [00:14:00] Agree. I don't understand why we haven't gotten past . De'Vannon: Yeah. Stigma. Now, when you found out, you said you, you stared at the, at the furniture, you know, and you felt like your life, everything was at that point, didn't matter.They said that they gave you five years to live. Mm-hmm. . How did it feel to hear a doctor try to, and clearly we're far past five years now, , you know, thank God for that. Yeah. And you, but how did it feel to have someone tell you, look, you got, what is it, 60 months left f ? Do with it what you will , you know?Martina: Yeah. I never thought of it in terms of months. It, it just felt, again, it, it, it definitely felt dismissive. I mean, in, in retrospect, I look back and I think, okay, this doctor was also navigating this territory and probably didn't know what to [00:15:00] say, and that was his best assessment. Right. But at the time, I, you know, I was 28 years old.I felt like, that's it, you know, my life is over. And and he kept telling me to relax and to, you know, don't stress , just, you know, be as calm as you can. Don't stress about things because stress is bad for you. So relax and try and get lots of rest. . It's like, fuck you. You know, you just told me I've got five years to live.I'm gonna maybe make it to 33 if I'm lucky. Right. And I'm not Jesus, so I don't want that end, you know? Right. I don't wanna go down that path. So I yeah, I just felt like my life was over and. because there was no treatment yet that didn't come till like 1996. I think that is what launched me into becoming an activist, cuz I felt like, you know, if I am gonna die, at least I can try and make something out of this [00:16:00] to help somebody else, or at least make myself feel better about myself, , or, I don't know make me feel like I had a purpose.and so I didn't really focus on myself as much as I think maybe I should have, but it was sort of what I needed to do. I just needed to stay in my mind, stay one step ahead of the virus cuz there was no other option at that point. De'Vannon: I think you did better than me. I was too self-absorbed and too concerned about me.I thought I was just gonna like die in a few months cuz I didn't have, they didn't tell me I had five months. They didn't tell me anything after. Forgot the voicemail. I never talked to anybody and I just went down this whole bad spiral. The only person I knew who had H I V died at like 24 ish, and I just saw him triple up into like this husk of a person covered with boils and sores.Mm-hmm. . And I thought, okay, well, you know, that's where it's headed. And so [00:17:00] but hearing you speak. You know, tells me what I should have done. You know, I should have taken the microscope off of me and had I focused on trying to heal other people than I would've gotten healed myself, you know? Which is how I usually would deal with, cuz I had a strong history of volunteerism, but I was not volunteering during this time because I had gotten kicked out of church.For not being straight. And so I had stopped all of my philanthropy and public service work, so I wasn't in that vein of operating like I usually would have been. Mm-hmm. . So I didn't even think about that. And so, So people, when we get sick, if anybody out there contracts, h i v, here you have it, , don't find a way to help somebody else.That way you don't get o overly self-absorbed with your own nightmarish fantasies about what you think are going to happen. I like to talk about this because sometimes people. Get H I v and people are [00:18:00] like, oh, there's medicine for it now you can just fix it. That that doesn't take away the mental mind fuck of being invaded by something that you can't get rid of and that, you know, desires to take your life.It doesn't matter how far technology has come, the mental health aspect of it is still is real today as it was back in the Castro days. Martina: Absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah. No, I think that that is it's so important to, to highlight because people. , it's really not that big a deal now. You know, it's, it's so what?You take a pill every day and if you're probably fine, you'll probably have a regular lifespan. But that is so minimizing the reality, and it's just kind of bullshit because yes, there's medication and thank God it exists. And we're very lucky compared to so many people who are not here to even talk about this now.but the truth is you still have your body fighting this thing constantly. Research is showing that [00:19:00] for long-term survivors, it ages your body just because you've been fighting it for so long. So like in theory, I'm 12 years older physiologically than my actual age, and so I. 70 . So I'm now magically older than my siblings, which is kind of weird But then as you say, like all of the, the social dynamics and the mental health and the, you know, psychological, it's like you just still don't know. And the thing is, we still don't know, you know, we know that the medications are working so far so good, but we're the. Sort of cohort of people being studied to see if this medication actually works.I don't know, you know, maybe in another 10 years you're gonna be like, oops, it's as good as it gets. And that's, you know, it stopped working. Now, I don't know. And I don't know, like with Covid, you know, this is something I think about a lot was did I get c o because I have h I [00:20:00] V and I was more vulner. or when I got covid, did I not have a worse case because I'm also taking medication for H I V, which is not the same medication, but sort of in a similar family of fighting viruses.I don't know. You know? And it is a constant like just. every day. Not every day. Maybe after 31 years of living with H I V I don't think about it necessarily every single day, but I do think about it regularly, like, is something else going to go wrong tomorrow because I have H I V, you know, do I really have a full life to look forward to?Am I gonna live to 80 or 90? And of course, nobody knows how long they're gonna live, but I really, nobody knows how much h I V is actually still doing damage to. despite having the medications. Mm-hmm. like it's keeping us alive, but is it really you know, are we, are we actually still at a hundred percent?Like everybody likes to [00:21:00] pretend that you take the pill and you're good to go. You know? There's so much more to it, as you say. Yeah. De'Vannon: There's so much more to it and there's so many different medicines because everybody's body. reacts differently to different mm-hmm. things. No Doctor gives you a guarantee that medicine is going to work.They always have that same disclaimer, like, we're gonna try this. Hopefully it works. If this doesn't work, then we'll switch you to a different medicine. You hope and pray that your body doesn't grow a tolerance to whatever medicine that you are. Mm-hmm. . And you hope and pray that you don't get exposed to a different strand of it that could cause the virus within you to mutate, so mm-hmm.it's not just like a home free thing. It still has to, it still is a conscious. Yeah. I wanna give a word of caution too when people, you know, if you should happen to get H I V or hepatitis, I also, you know, have a history of Hepatitis B as well, you know, to be careful that you don't let it turn into anger.Mm-hmm. , when I was a teenager, this guy that I was. Dating, you know, he was like the same person who died of H I V or AIDS [00:22:00] was the same one. He was running around trying to intentionally give it to people. Mm. Because what happened with him is he got it and like me, I thought I was just gonna die. And I blamed myself.He got mad and he went out and tried to kill as many people as he could, you know, so, So just be careful, you know, your emotions that I like, we, we, Martina and I cannot overstate the emotional implications, you know, that can happen to people. Mm-hmm. . Now the last snippet that I have that I wanted to read talks about Different perspective on it.For, for instance, this is the panglossian outlook as you describe it in your book in the panglossian is just a very fabulous word that doesn't speak of mermaids or unicorns or the never ending story like you might think. It just means like a, a super optimistic person. . So , [00:23:00] so, so So the snippet reads, people living with the virus sometimes, say H I V, is a gift because it requires a long, hard look at yourself and your life.You take account of where you stand, it forces you to contemplate your mortality. Perhaps still, I've swapped my gift for a nice pair of shoes and so. after I settled the fuck down and realized I wasn't going to die, now we're talking what, four felonies and three trips to jail later. Because I really went off the deep end.I realized, you know, I gotta get healthy now. I have to, like, I started to like eat better, or at least think about it, you know? Mm-hmm. ways. And so for me it did turn into a gift. After I got my head back on straight . It was so funny to read. You say, you know, I'll take the pair of shoes.[00:24:00]did you find any benefits? I mean, Martina: you know, I, I, I always say that I would clearly, I would like, I'm sure everybody would like to have had a life without h I v. I would like to have tried that one out, but I would also be a liar if I said I didn't have some benefits because, because of the fact that I had h I v and it was just, you know, sort of the timing and my particular set of skills in life and all of these things converged and I ended up having a career for more than 20 years with the United Nations, which I don't think I would ever have been able to even fantasize about.You know, it just, it all unfolded because I had H I V and through that, Traveled the world. I have met extraordinary people from all walks of life in all kinds of places, and I wouldn't trade that for anything. I have been so [00:25:00] blessed to, to be able to go places and like, be in the company of the people who actually live there, you know, not get on a, a tour and ride around in a bus and wave at the, at the locals.You know, I actually got to be with the people who live in all of these places and. a little bit understand what they were going through and know that like their journey with H I V was different for certain reasons. or despite having living, being living in different totally different countries, we actually have a lot of things in common, you know, that sort of stuff that you realize.There's so many things that connect us as human beings. And when you're dealing with something as traumatic and big as h I v, a lot of those things they become super important and it no longer matters. You know, where you're from, what language you speak, what you look like, any of that. It's just like this common shared life experience and.to have had so many of those experiences is just, I feel like I am the [00:26:00] richest person on the planet in terms of life experience. Not quite as rich in terms of money, but that's okay. . And so things like that. I definitely got a lot of great, you know, not pairs of shoes, but a lot of great other gifts,De'Vannon: hey, perspective is everything. A person can have so much in front of them and focus on a few things that they don't have and forfeit all the good stuff that they do have. Yeah. And then, you know, it's all about perspective. Millionaires kill themselves, you know? Yeah. It's not about money, you know, it's about not getting tricked into over focusing on the, on the, what you don't have, and being happy for what you do have.Agree. Yeah. Now before we dive deeper into the United Nations, the last question that I had about your more like personal life was do you ever think about like, where you got h i v from, you know, how you contracted it, who gave it to you, or [00:27:00] you got it from a needle? Like, do you ever think about that or do you have closure on that?Martina: Excellent question. I. Sort of forced closure on it. The truth is, I don't know a hundred percent where I got H I v. I am certain it was from a sexual encounter, unprotected sex. Only cuz I never did any drugs that involve needles cuz I'm afraid of needles. And we'll leave it at that. Not that I didn't try on plenty of other stuff, , , but that was not myThat was not my, my method of choice, party De'Vannon: on, party on, but . Martina: But none of none of those things would've put me at risk for h I V except for maybe not being in my best mental frame of reference to make good choices. But I don't know for sure. I have a pretty good idea of where and when I was exposed, and that's [00:28:00] as much as I'll ever know.And I, you know, I think one of my friends told me a story once, she's from Uganda, and she said that when a snake gets into your house, the first thing you think about is not, gosh, how did the snake get in the house? . Hmm. Let's ponder that. No, what you think about is how do I get that snake out of my house and get it away as far away as possible, so it's not gonna come back.Right. You're not thinking about like, how does it get in? That's sort of a, a luxury to think about in a way when you have to fight, you know, the virus is very much a real live living thing in your body. That's the thing that's more important to worry about. At least for me that has held true that I sort of, I've pondered it and probably more at the beginning, but as time has passed, like it doesn't matter.I have it. I gotta deal with it and move forward. [00:29:00]De'Vannon: Oh, to move forward. Some days it's easier. Some days it almost seems impossible, but move forward, we must move forward, we shall.No. I have one more question before we move on to the un. Okay. In your book, I was reading, and you're very, very transparent about how you, while you didn't judge like the gay men or anything like that in according to your head knowledge, you really didn't think as being like a, a straight woman, that it was something that you were at risk for, you thought.I believe in your book, you said you thought you were like immune to it or like it could not impact you. So what do you have to say to people to this day who might still be laboring under the delusion that it's, you know, a disease for those people over there? Or , you know? Martina: Yeah. Well I think I mean, we can take a lesson from Covid.A virus does not care who you are, what you look like, or you [00:30:00] know how you get it. They just want you to get it and live in your body and mess things up. So anybody can get H I V. It's has nothing to do with who you are. If you're a good person, a bad person, or you're smelly or you have green eyes or left-handed.It has nothing to do with any of that stuff. It is a virus and anybody can get it, and I think that in this country, . I mean, certainly in 2023 we barely hear about H I V at all anymore. It's my perception. And that's even as somebody who's in the world of H I V right? It's just, it's not like out there in the public discourse like it used to be.And I think that that's like on one hand you don't want to alarm people unnecessarily. Blah, blah, blah. But at the same time, I don't think that we're giving people an accurate reflection of the fact that it could be any, anybody. You know, it's a [00:31:00] virus. Anybody can contract it given the correct circumstances.And globally, more than half of the people living with H I V are women. . And I think most people don't know that either. There is a perception to this day that it is just a gay man's disease, which is complete nonsense. It is a human being's disease, and I think that's a really important thing. And again, if we can learn anything from Covid, it is that viruses do not discriminate and neither should we.De'Vannon: No, we absolutely should not. And. . So, so let's shift gears to the, to the UN here. So you were the first openly H I V positive person you worked for UN AIDS in 1996. Mm-hmm. . How does that feel? Martina: It feels like, and, and it's sort of what prompted me to write the book is that I feel like I [00:32:00] own this little teeny, tiny piece of the history of the AIDS pandemic.And if I didn't tell the story, nobody would or could, cuz it's my story. I look back at it now as an extraordinary sort of privilege to have had that, that position at the time. It felt like a nightmare cause I, you know, I was hired to have my job. NGO liaison. So I was the person who linking all of the nonprofits around the world working on h i v to our program, which is a huge job all by itself.But what I felt my job was, was to be sort of the voice of reason in-house and call everybody to task on the work and say, you're not considering the needs of people living with H I v. You're just thinking of this as a scientist, or you're thinking of this as. Communication specialist, but you're not considering What are our needs in our job at U N A S is to serve people with h i v first and foremost.And so I was sort of like the in-house [00:33:00] act up yelling and screaming all the time. And it was a, it was a crazy job. It was so hard. And I put a lot of that pressure on myself, but it was also kind of weird because as the first person, , I felt like some of my community thought that I had sort of sold out and gone to the, to the UN more as a self-serving, you know, this is a great job and it was.It was a great job. Had a nice salary. I moved to Switzerland. You know, all of these extraordinary things happened, but I was sort of alienated from my community in a way cuz I was the only person there. And it took a while to sort. Earn their trust again, that I was doing something that was actually helpful to them because I think they were also watching me seeing like, okay, is she actually gonna be there and do what she's supposed to do and stand up for all of us?Or is she just gonna sort of settle in and go, cool, [00:34:00] I like this big salary, I'm just gonna float coast, not really do the job that I could be doing. So it was, it was really. , it was a lot to take on. And this is just four years after I'd found out I had H I V and I hadn't really processed it all internally like I probably should have.But again, I just sort of like launched myself into space to take on this huge job. And it was a lot. But again, I look back at it now all these years later and I just feel like I was really lucky and. above all, hope that I did the right stuff and made sure that in those early days of unaids, which very much changed the way the UN responded to the pandemic, that I helped to keep them honest a little bit.Do De'Vannon: you feel like any of the policies you created [00:35:00] impacted not just the organization within the United Nations? Do you think any of those, any of your work filtered down? are most, you know, local communities. Martina: I, I do. And I would say not so much the work at unaids, but the next sort of big job that I had with the UN was a few, few years later with UNICEF and I was the h I V in the workplace coordinator.I don't know what my title was, but that was my job, was to make sure that UNICEF had an h i v in the workplace program for all of the countries where we work. and that means implementing programming so that all of the personnel who work in any given office were getting education around H I V. That ultimately morphed into a UN system-wide program.So the entire UN system in, you know, 160 countries where we work, and tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of [00:36:00] people ultimately were exposed to those trainings because it was a mandatory program. and that I know made a difference because the way we were approaching it was, you know, you have to go through this training and maybe you feel like you don't need this training because you're, you don't perceive you have any risk of getting H I V, but we wanna make sure that you know how to educate the other people in your life and your kids and grandkids and so on and so forth.So it trickled down in that way, into communities. . Which was amazing. I also know that it helped in the sense that our program staff, like for example, somebody who worked in the accounting office in one country, she was afraid to have people who were hired to work for us come to her office to collect their checks cuz she was just didn't want people with h I V in her office cuz she just mm-hmm.wasn't, you know, educated. [00:37:00] Right. . And so it was holding up program work and once we started doing the training, she's like, oh, okay, now I realize I have nothing to worry about. I am not at risk. They can come to my office. They're just picking up a check. It is not a big deal. It allowed the work to move forward and for her to be more comfortable and in turn other people in the office to be more comfortable.And you know, it's, it sort of sounds like a little tiny nitpicky example, but it actually ended up making a big difference for the programming in that. and it also, we were finally sort of modeling what we were supposed to do as a un. And so we were able to influence governments and local businesses and say, look, we have an H I V in the workplace program.You should too. Can we help you set one up? . And so I know that, you know, it clearly hasn't fixed everything by any means, but it made a difference, at least a small difference in lasting ways. And that program is like officially [00:38:00] doesn't have a team dedicated to it anymore cuz it's been going for so long.But I know that the work is still happening and country offices are still doing trainings and making sure that we have. Respect also for our own personnel living with H I V, and it's really changed the whole way that the UN approaches staff wellbeing. It made it easier for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer people to be out in the office, which is a huge thing.Maybe they couldn't be in their own lives, but at least in the family of the United Nation system, it's better than it was. It's still not perfect. , but all of that work like made the UN a better employee, in my opinion. De'Vannon: I think I would concur with your opinion because it sounds like your work, like you said, they don't have dedicated teams, but it's been around for so long.It's some [00:39:00] it's, it almost sounds like it's been ingrained into the subconscious culture of. In. So is it its own living organism? I mean, there's nothing more you could ask for. I mean, what an honor and a compliment . Martina: Yeah, yeah. No, no, absolutely. And it, it's, I'm really, really proud of that work. . I feel like I was so lucky to be a part of the team that did the work.And again, I was like one of the people holding everybody accountable and saying, you know, we need to have the right priorities. And it was really hard to do because the UN is such a big bureaucracy, but we did it and it's, as you say, it's, it's ingrained into the culture now and De'Vannon: Oh, beautiful. And I wanna give a shout out to unicef, who you mentioned, and they do great work for kids.Yeah. Globally. That is, that's my favorite nonprofit of all the nonprofits and all the nine realms [00:40:00] because Cause I just, I just fucking love children. And they're just so like, , it's just simple to talk to a kid. Mm-hmm. , you know, when I, when I get tired of grown up bullshit and faking this, and they feel like they have to do this, I go talk to one of two people, either homeless people or a child, because mm-hmm.they don't have a, they're, they have no motivation to be anything other than what they are. And I used homeless before, and so that's where I got this, this, this from, you know, extended. , you know, conversation with homeless people, which I used to talk to 'em before became homeless. But those two, I just go fucking find me a, a fucking seven year old to talk to, just to get some common damn sins from them.Yeah, yeah, Martina: absolutely. De'Vannon: Absolutely. And so [00:41:00] did you ever come across any like opposition that you, when you were trying to. two cuz really what you were trying to push was love and open-mindedness to an organization that's already supposed to stand for that. And we all know it doesn't matter what church somebody goes to run to or what.Nonprofit that has a big ideal that it stands for. Those bitches are there at work because they're trying to get paid primarily. Mm-hmm. completely different. If you've been somebody who has gone through something that your organization services, but your main reason is to get paid, people go to church to save their own souls, they're not going there to help you.They're gonna help themselves. Mm-hmm. . And so, so when, so when they're confronted, with somebody who has H I V or somebody who is the polar opposite of them. Then there's that gut check moment. Okay, so you work for the un, you are all about hu you know, human service, you know, helping people. Or you go to your church or whatever, supposed to be about the same thing.Now will you close the door in their face? You [00:42:00] don't wanna give them a check, you know, so you, so you know the. You know what your company stands for. You know, you recited the creeds and the core values, but when it came down to it, you couldn't deliver . So it's all great when it's an idea, but when you actually have someone in need standing in front of you, Then what the hell do you do?This person you had to help them do what they signed up to do. . Mm-hmm. . That's very, very big of you. . Cause you, you could have gone in there and cussed the bitch out, you know, and been like, what the hell is your problem? But you took the high road and you showed you shared love. I just wanted to point that out, that that's, this is a really, , you know, a stretch for you to have to do this.F E U N, of all places . Martina: So, yeah. Yeah, I mean, I I tried really [00:43:00] hard to always come at it with love and understanding that, you know, everybody, not everybody knows all the stuff that we know about H I V. . And if you're hired as an accountant, that is, you don't have a background in public health. You know, why would you know all of this stuff?Right? So I was sort of trying to be compassionate that everybody's learning this information at some point for the first time, and maybe I'm the person teaching them for the first time. But I can also tell you , had my moments . I, on my, on my very last training that I did for UNICEF before I, I left I was doing this workshop and it was in the middle.which is a tricky region to talk about anything around sex to start with. And it was specifically, we were, we had a people from countries that were in conflict. So these [00:44:00] people already are like, I have so much to think about. H I V in the workplace is really the last thing on my mind. So they were like, maybe okay to be there.They're not really against it, but at the same time they're like, why is, why do I have to do this? and then one woman. I said, we're gonna talk about how we're gonna get condoms in your offices, because that was one of the mandatory principles of our workplace program is that even if you have 'em in a basket in the kitchen, Where it's in a closet next to the, you know, to the sugar packets, and only the staff knows that they're there.They have to be somewhere, because if we don't make them available, then staff who are afraid to go to the store and buy them themselves, or they can't, for whatever reason, you know, we make sure that at least they're available and hopeful. breaking down the stigma associated with condoms, right? So I had one woman in this one training who basically said, we can't do that because it just promotes immoral [00:45:00] behavior of it, it increases the immoral behavior of bad people, basically, is what she said.I was just like, woo.I lost it and it was my last training and I had told them at the beginning that this would be my last training and I was leaving UNICEF to go on and do other things. And at that moment I took off my glasses and I said, I didn't tell you why. , I'm leaving unicef. But part of why is cuz I can't listen to people like you anymore.And everybody else in the room was just like, oh, no, she didn't. No, she didn't. Oh my God. and I, yeah. I was just like, oh Lord, what did I just do? But at the end of the day, , the other people in the room were like, thank you so much, because she is a pain in a neck and she's always fighting us on this condom issue.And you [00:46:00] have the luxury that at the end of the week you get on a plane and you leave. , you don't have to work with her anymore, but you've said to her what? We can't. And so apparently the fact that I kind of blew up on this woman ultimately was helpful. But I also, you know, I was just like, I can't, I can't make up these stories anymore.I can't pretend to be nice to you when you are being ridiculous. It's like, it's not up to you. You, we have to do this period, end of. Figure it out. And she eventually, she sort of said, okay, I morally I can't contribute to this, but I will not fight it, and I will put my energy into other parts of the work and let other people focus on that part because I, I'm not comfortable with it.And I'm like, , okay. There's a team in every office if you're not gonna take on that part, but you will not block it. I can live with that. And I had that, that was probably the worst one. But I've had, had a lot of other [00:47:00] moments where there was another guy in Venezuela who was basically blaming the H I v rates In Columbia, or no, on in ve I can't remember which direction.But in any case, he's, he was, I guess he was from Venezuela working in Colombia, and he was blaming the rates of H I V in Venezuela, on Colombians being bad, dirty people. And I also called him out and I was like, HKI, use me . And I yelled at him in a meeting and he was mortified. And I, I guess the next day he said, you know, that woman from u n a, she's short, but she's mean.And I felt like, good, I did my job . You know, he heard me and he, he heard me. That's what mattered. People De'Vannon: like them. Both of them are stupid bitches, you know? It just is what it is. And they're also. , they carry the spirit of a [00:48:00] bully. Yeah. You know, who are just, they're consumed with their own point of view and as far as they're concerned, if you don't see any given thing like them, then you are wrong.And that, and that's just the end of it for them. And they keep pushing people around and pushing people around till someone does like you. And I think our homegirl miss Elektra from Pose would. Quite impressed with the read, cuz you basically read them for Phil and nobody has ever read anybody quite like a lecture, Vo and so , you know, and they keep, they keep badgering and abusing people until somebody slaps them across the fucking face, metaphorically speaking, you know, like you did, you know, gonna.and evolve are they're gonna just lean more into it. Yeah. That you can't do. Yeah. But Godammit, sometimes shit needs to be said. This is why I had to leave the workplaces. I can't deal with dumb bitches like that and not say something. I'm like, oh, hell no. Maybe it's my P T S D or [00:49:00]whatever. But, you know, veterans, us veterans with ptsd, T S D, we not gonna take no shit off of you.You like bet you said what? Oh, no, no, no. . Like . Yeah. Martina: No, absolutely. Absolutely. And, and you know, at the end of the day, if we don't stand up and say something, you're doing a disservice to other people. You know? I think it is, like, for me, I felt like it, it is my duty. I am in a position where I can talk back to this person.because of my, you know, sort of my role in the system. The other people in this room cannot, cuz they're not in the same position. And if I don't, then I have let them all down. De'Vannon: Right. And so I think you did well. So, so, so y'all, her book is like, like you mentioned earlier, you know, you got to live. , you know, with these people we're talking about cultural infusion, you know, reading through it is kind of like a very detailed travel guide.You know, you mentioned like your Ugandan friend. I, I [00:50:00] appreciated the story you had in there. About your time. It's like you're asleep and you're thinking a hut, and they come in there, they wake you up to go look at the stars and you gotta shake your shoe out to be sure no scorpions or whatever. You gotta put your shoes on, you gotta step on any snakes.You know, it's like, it's like going from, you know, country to country and place to place, but deeper. It's not just look at all the pretty, but this is what's like, what's really going on. I did a missions trip to The Bahamas years ago. . And what struck me was that, you know, all the brochures and everything, crystal, Clearwater beaches and everything, but when we got back there into the schools where these people live and everything, abject, poverty, you know?Mm-hmm. never spoken of, you know, and all the brochures and everything like that. And I felt, I like lied to and just like, like I wasn't giving the whole truth. And like those people hadn't been marginalized cuz they're not talked about. Mm-hmm. . And so what I love about your book is that you give. , you know, the realness, you know, in all of these different places.So it's a, [00:51:00] so who, who, who is your target audience for, for your book and what do you hope people gain from it? Martina: This is a million dollar question. I. . I'm still trying to figure this out because like my initial thought was obviously people who work in the UN will find it interesting cuz they've had a similar experience.I think people with H I V will find it interesting because they have had a similar experience. Mm-hmm. . Beyond that, I feel like it's the target AR audience is probably just people who care about the world. which I would love to think was everybody, but is not actually everybody , but people who care about the world, who are curious how the UN works who have survived some other traumatic thing.It doesn't have to be h I V but dealt with another life-threatening disease or, you know, just some other traumatic event where you feel like in that moment you're not gonna get through it, but in the end you are.[00:52:00]and I guess what I really hope people take away from it, to me the most important thing is that everybody knows that they can do something to make the world better, even if it is just smiling to somebody or holding the door for somebody that you don't have to hold the door for or being kind to, you know, the person who looks like they're having a really shitty day and saying, can I help you?Do you need something, you know? Little tiny acts of kindness all add up. And if we all did more of them, then I think the world would be a better place. But but also that, you know, the little things matter, but that don't be afraid to take on bigger things too, that we can all make a difference in the world.I really, truly believe that. De'Vannon: I concur and I think like one of the opening quotes in your, in your book was from, [00:53:00] I wanna say maybe Gandhi. And it was like if you don't, if you think you're too small to make a difference, try sleeping, you know, next to a mosquito. Yeah. That's sad. Lama Lama. Sorry. Yeah.Yeah. So. And so, so I thought that that was very interesting. Y'all, her book, you know, the woman's been through a lot. You know, the, there's an abusive marriage, there's a fostering of a believe a teenager, you know, there's a lot more than just H I V and AIDS and traveling. It's a very, very transparent read that I feel like can touch you on many different levels.You know, whoever may be listening. So then the last two questions that we have. Mm-hmm. , turn the floor over to you for your last words. We're gonna talk about. Is there any sort of specific h I V AIDS implications just specific to women that you might like to talk about? Martina: Oh, that's a good question. So I think for women the whole issue around reproductive [00:54:00] health is a huge one that, you know, for, for many women, younger women, they wanna have children and to know.In 2023. That is something that women can do safely if they're in good care and they're very affordable treatments to, to ensure that the baby is not born with h I v. They work and in North America, Western Europe, almost no babies are born with H I V anymore. So that is really a positive thing. And obviously parenthood involves two people generally, but.For the woman carrying the child. That's a really important thing to know. I think that h I v probably impacts women throughout our lives, you know, as we go through menopause and other things as well. But there's not as much research as we'd like on all of that. But I think. Probably the most important thing for women is to think about [00:55:00] the reproductive health issues and just to make sure that they don't let their doctors say, well, this works in men.It's fine for you. Make sure that you learn as much as you can, and don't hesitate to call 'em out on it and say, but are you certain, have there been research studies involving women or has this only been tested on men? Prove to me that this is gonna work for me in a smaller body. If, like in my case, I'm, I'm five four, I'm a smaller person than a six foot man, right?So I need to have the empowerment to know that it's okay to ask my doctor, are you sure this is also going to work for me in the same way and prove it, you know, sort of like, don't just say yes, show me the data, sort of thing. I think that's really important. And I think also that the stigma is different in the sense that people still don't understand that women get H I V.And so there's a lot of like slut [00:56:00] shaming associated with the diagnosis where people assume if you've got h I v, you must be some sort of awful, terrible sexual being and how dare you and it's your fault. And I suspect that happens with everybody that gets H I V, but I know that it happens with women in a, in a very specific kind of way.And and just know if that happens, if you get H I V and you're a woman, that that's not true. You are a human being. It's a virus. and don't, don't believe the stories that people tell you about yourself. Believe your own story.De'Vannon: Like, like, Lord, help me like, like Mama RuPaul says, unless they pay in your bills, pay them bitches. No mind. Yeah. Unless they pay in your bills. Pay them bitches. No mind. Cause people always got a fucking opinion about every goddamn thing besides themselves. . And then, so then the last thing, world AIDS Day stood out to me, my research to [00:57:00] you of you, this, this, this, this has been the case since December 1st, 1988.And so is there anything you'd like to say about World AIDS Day and what that means to you? Ooh Martina: You know, it's kind of like. At this point, it's I think it is a day that we kind of do lip service to the pandemic. And while I think it's great that people do events on World AID'S Day to focus our attention, make sure that it is being talked about in our communities I think people need to remember that there are the other.What, 364 days of the year that we're all still living with H I v. And you know, I thought about this yesterday with, with Valentine's Day. I was explaining to somebody who's from another country about Valentine's Day here, and I said, you know, it's, it's sort of a cute. cheesy holiday and we like heart-shaped candy if we like candy.But it's also complete nonsense because [00:58:00] if you love somebody, you don't have to wait till February 14th to tell them that. Right. . It should be a daily thing. And I think the same for World AIDS Day that I I have a real. Love hate relationship with the day. Like part of me wants to support activities and events.Part of me hates the day and wants to just, you know, skip it and talk again on December 2nd cuz I don't wanna think about it cuz it's not a, it's not a joyful day. It is it's a day of a somber remembrance to me. You know, it's remembering all the people who aren't here to celebrate it or not to observe it.I should say, not celebrate, but that's my feeling on world eight's day. Yeah, De'Vannon: I can imagine that it would be triggering, excuse me, like triggering as hell. So, So everyone make up your own damn mind about World Aids Day? I'm kind of over like pretty much every holiday at this point. Yeah. Cause [00:59:00] they're either fake or overly commercialized or whatever the hell the case may be.So I'm just like, just fuck it all. And so in terms of holidays, but still show love to people on every day. Exactly. Whether it's Christmas or you know, and, and give a damn about Jesus. Even if it's not Easter . Yeah. Who the fuck exactly. Fucking bunnies. I don't want to get started on that. . It is almost Easter.And so, so thank you so much for coming on the show. Any last words that you have? Wait a minute, y'all. Her website is martina clark.com. I'm gonna put all this in the show. The book again, is My Unexpected Life at an international memoir of two Pandemics, h i v, and Covid. 19. She's on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, you name it, she's there.All of this will go in the show notes as always. So, Thank you for being such an incredible [01:00:00]guest. If there's any last words you'd like to say to the world, say it and then you'll close us out with that. Martina: Oh my goodness. No pressure. I would just say thank you and, and again, thank you for all that you're doing, for putting good stuff out into the world.I really appreciate you and for the listeners, you know, you can be one of those people who puts good stuff out into the world. So do it. Thank you so much.De'Vannon: Thank you all so much for taking time to listen to the Sex Drugs and Jesus podcast. It really means everything to me. Look, if you love the show, you can find more information and resources at SexDrugsAndJesus.com or wherever you listen to your podcast. Feel free to reach out to me directly at DeVannon@SexDrugsAndJesus.com and on Twitter and Facebook as well.My name is De'Vannon, and it's been wonderful being your [01:01:00] host today. And just remember that everything is gonna be all right. 

Today I have the beautiful Martina Clark, she is an Author, Activist, Educator, Grateful Aunt, and occasional Singer. Martina Clark was the first openly HIV-positive person hired to work for UNAIDS in 1996,  At the age of 28, the doctors told her she had 5 years to live.  Back then we didnt know anything about this epidemic and so many lost their lives either due to shame, lack of knowledge and/or care.  We have come a long way today in healthcare for HIV.  With nothing to lose, Martina dove headfrist into activism. Her book, My Unexpected Life: An International Memoir of Two Pandemics, HIV and Covid-19 follows her personal journey both emotional and physical along with her professional career after her diagnosis. Martina got Covid-19 in early 2020 and it really did a number on her system.  She is fighting and thriving throughout that too!  She reflects on her long  haul bout with the second pandemic (Covid) while also reflecting on her experiences, her full passport all with an in-curable disease. She is stubborn and determined and an inspiration!  While anyone who alone had the initial diagnosis would of just stayed in that diagnosis and wallowed, she got up and lived and lived she has! She subsequently worked for the United Nations system for 20 years, advocating globally for the rights of people living with HIV. Her collaborative work also led to a mandatory HIV In the Workplace program internal to the United Nations system, facilitating platforms for freer dialogue and a more supportive environment for all personnel, including LGBTQ, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized populations. Clark holds a BA in International Relations and an MFA in Creative Writing and Literature. Currently, she is an adjunct for LaGuardia Community College (part of CUNY) where she teaches English 101 and Critical Reading to NYC public high school students earning college credits early. You can read about her journey here: https://martina-clark.com/home Love you!

Elease A. Wiggins, the multidimensional powerhouse speaker, whose numerous titles range from a widely received author, college professor, personal-development coach, philanthropist and mother.As a mom of two, Elease has managed to earn two undergraduate degrees in public administration and business management, respectively, as well as a post-graduate degree in urban studies. Elease's passion for empowering others has led her to hold various positions in academia, such as the former adjunct professor of sociology, at LaGuardia Community College within the City University of New York. Elease currently serves as the adjunct professor of “Psychology, Sociology & Success” at Bergen Community College. In addition, she also serves as a Counselor/Broker for the Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program at the Bergen County Job Center in Bergen County New Jersey.Her Book : “A Farewell to Welfare: 25 Strategies to Freedom, Independence, & Prosperity”.www.afarewelltowelfare.comMy Goal is to Decrease My Client's Trauma & Increase Their ResiliencyFollow me on Instagram @happy_singlemompodcast Thank you Maya Issac for letting me use her song: when I get there

In episode 12 of Volume 4 Greg talks life, love, the universe, and all things music with author, educator, and podcaster DR. CANIDCE ROWSER!!!Candice Rowser, D. A. began her career as an educator in late 2005 with the New York City Department of Education as a Substitute Teacher. She was a part-time faculty member of the City University of New York (CUNY) from 2008 until 2018, first as a Continuing Education Teacher at LaGuardia Community College and later an Adjunct Assistant Professor. From 2009 until 2010 Dr. Rowser taught at Westchester Community College, State University of New York (SUNY). From 2010 to 2018, she taught college level courses at three CUNY campuses including Kingsborough Community College, Hunter College, and Bronx Community College. Dr. Rowser taught briefly at her alma mater, St John's University, following her graduation in 2010. She taught African-American history part-time at Fordham University for the 2018-2019 academic year. The courses she has taught include: World History, World Politics, African History, African-American History, European History, American Government, and Politics of Economics.Dr. Rowser studied at St. John's University completing the Doctor of Arts Modern World History program which provided her interdisciplinary training. She was exposed to anthropology, sociology, political science, economics, and religious studies and learned how these fields contribute to the knowledge and grasp of historical events. Her Master's degree in Africana Studies from the University at Albany, SUNY has also allowed her to examine the experiences of Africa's peoples, both on the continent and in the Diaspora, through various fields of study. Her research interests include global human rights, particularly the experiences of marginalized communities. In early 2018 Dr. Rowser shifted her love for learning and teaching to another forum - the podcast. In the Facts Before Fiction Record she includes lectures from her courses also. With this podcast she can respond to the emerging gaps in learning and share with a wider audience. She provides her listeners with commentary on contemporary issues that they have found equally enlightening as the lectures. With this platform she has built on her interest in politics and women's roles in the government with a focus on African-American women.FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DR. ROWSER BY VISITING THIS LINKSUPPORT THIS SHOW

This concludes our conversation with the outstanding group of ePortfolio scholars and practitioners, AAEEBL ePortfolio Association. Kindly fill out the Visibility of Labor survey here: https://bit.ly/mapepsurvey Our Guests: Elizabeth Clark, Professor of English at LaGuardia Community College, The City University of New York Megan Mize, Director of ePortfolios & Digital Initiatives at Old Dominion University Peter McLellan, Educational Analyst at Oxford College of Emory University Sarah Zurhellen, Assistant Director, Writing Across the Curriculum Program Professional Consultant, Writing Center Appalachian State University Collectively, they are part of the AAEEBL Digital Ethics Taskforce, https://scalar.usc.edu/works/aaeebl-digital-ethics-principles-v2 AAEEBL is an ePortfolio-based professional association: aaeebl.org During the conversation, a number of "principles" were mentioned - Digital Ethics principles in ePortfolio V2: https://scalar.usc.edu/works/aaeebl-digital-ethics-principles-v2/index Strategies for applying these Digital Ethics principles: https://scalar.usc.edu/works/aaeebl-digital-ethics-principles-v2/principle-1-support DEIBD: https://scalar.usc.edu/works/aaeebl-digital-ethics-principles-v2/principle-5-deibd-diversity-equity-inclusion-belonging-and-decolonization Accessibility: https://scalar.usc.edu/works/aaeebl-digital-ethics-principles-v2/principle-5-access-to-technology Visibility of Labor: https://scalar.usc.edu/works/aaeebl-digital-ethics-principles-v2/principle-13-visibility-of-labor Privacy (21:40) https://scalar.usc.edu/works/aaeebl-digital-ethics-principles-v2/principle-6-privacy For more information about this podcast, please visit our podcast website using the link below: https://buff.ly/3SWPJDV Listen on Apple Podcasts using the link below: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digication-scholars-conversations/id1538850043 Follow us on Social Media! Twitter: https://buff.ly/3SXhzQH Facebook: https://buff.ly/3T0FtdZ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makelearningvisible/ Digication is a technology platform powering the most innovative ePortfolio programs in K-12 and higher education. Please visit our website at https://buff.ly/3rMBqWy #DigicationScholars #ePortfolio #DIgitalEthics #AAEEBL

Welcome to the Wellbeing and career world podcast, I am delighted to be chatting with the first openly HIV-positive person hired to work for UNAIDS in 1996. She subsequently worked for the United Nations system for 20 years, advocating globally for the rights of people living with HIV. Her collaborative work also led to a mandatory HIV In the Workplace program internal to the United Nations system, facilitating platforms for freer dialogue and a more supportive environment for all personnel, including LGBTQ, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized populations. Clark holds a BA in International Relations and an MFA in Creative Writing and Literature. Currently, she is an adjunct for LaGuardia Community College (part of CUNY) where she teaches English 101 and Critical Reading to NYC public high school students earning college credits early. Her award-winning debut book, My Unexpected Life: An International Memoir of Two Pandemics, HIV and COVID-19, was published in October 2021 and the audio version is available from January 2023.   Martina answers some of the questions asked below during the podcast or answers questions as part of the conversation. I gave a brief introduction about your background, Can you let listeners know more about your background? What is HIV? What are the some of the symptoms you experienced if any prior to your diagnosis? What is the test to diagnose HIV?How did you feel when hearing the result? What about friends and family, did you have support?What about your employment status at the time, was there fear and or Ignorance? How are you now? Is it possible to live a normal live with HIV and are treatments available to manage any associated symptoms?What did your work involve within the United Nations system? What is the squishy underbelly of the United Nations? What is the attitude in today's world towards individuals who are living with HIV? Can Society do more to educate ourselves on HIV and the affect it has globally? What can listeners expect from your Book: My Unexpected Life: An International Memoir of Two Pandemics, HIV and COVID-19? Contact Martina: Website: https://martina-clark.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MartinaClarkWriter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MartinaClarkWriter/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-clark-2735719/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MartinaClarkPen Purchase book: https://martina-clark.com/buy-my-book   Disclaimer: This podcast and website represents the opinions of Wellbeing and Career World and our guests to the show and website.  The content here should not be taken as medical advice, financial advice, career advice, Life coaching, sports coaching, and is for informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions or Aviation/Aerospace Employer, Employer, lawyer Regulator, organization for questions related to you. Views and opinions expressed in the podcast and website are our own and do not represent that of our places of work. While we make every effort to ensure that the information we are sharing is accurate, we welcome any comments, suggestions, or correction of errors. Privacy is of utmost importance to us. This website or podcast should not be used in any legal capacity.  No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast or website. In no way does listening, reading, emailing or interacting on social media with our content establish a, coaching session, employment interview, wellbeing advice, employment advice, doctor-patient relationship. financial advice. Wellbeing and Career World is based in Dublin, Ireland. If you find any errors in any of the content of this podcast or blogs or would like to get in contact , please send a message to wellbeingandcareerworld@gmail.com This podcast is owned by "Wellbeing and Career World Podcast” If at any time you want to play or stop the podcast, it is at your own discretion. The podcast may contain conversation or opinions you may find unsuitable or against your opinions or beliefs, if you feel you may be uncomfortable, stressed, anxious, worried, concerned, upset, insulted by any of the podcast, we recommend you do not listen to the podcast.

In this #Holiday special of the #DigicationScholars Conversations with members of The Association for Authentic, Experiential, & Evidence-Based Learning (AAEEBL), special task force; our host, Jeffrey Yan, and the outstanding team of featured educators chat about Digital Ethics. There are so many guiding principles that ground the use of ePortfolios. Listen to one of the best conversations about it, to date. Our Guests: Elizabeth Clark, Professor of English at LaGuardia Community College, The City University of New York Megan Mize, Director of ePortfolios & Digital Initiatives at Old Dominion University Peter McLellan, Educational Analyst at Oxford College of Emory University Sarah Zurhellen, Assistant Director, Writing Across the Curriculum Program Professional Consultant, Writing Center Appalachian State University Collectively, they are part of the AAEEBL Digital Ethics Taskforce, https://scalar.usc.edu/works/aaeebl-digital-ethics-principles-v2 AAEEBL is an ePortfolio-based professional association: aaeebl.org During the conversation, a number of "principles" were mentioned: https://scalar.usc.edu/works/aaeebl-digital-ethics-principles-v2/principle-3-practice https://scalar.usc.edu/works/aaeebl-digital-ethics-principles-v2/principle-1-support https://scalar.usc.edu/works/aaeebl-digital-ethics-principles-v2/principle-5-deibd-diversity-equity-inclusion-belonging-and-decolonization https://scalar.usc.edu/works/aaeebl-digital-ethics-principles-v2/principle-5-access-to-technology https://scalar.usc.edu/works/aaeebl-digital-ethics-principles-v2/principle-13-visibility-of-labor Kindly fill out the Visibility of Labor survey here: https://bit.ly/mapepsurvey For more information about this podcast, please visit our podcast website using the link below: https://buff.ly/3SWPJDV Listen on Apple Podcasts using the link below: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digication-scholars-conversations/id1538850043 Follow us on Social Media! Twitter: https://buff.ly/3SXhzQH Facebook: https://buff.ly/3T0FtdZ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makelearningvisible/ Digication is a technology platform powering the most innovative ePortfolio programs in K-12 and higher education. Please visit our website at https://buff.ly/3rMBqWy #DigicationScholars #ePortfolio #DIgitalEthics #AAEEBL

Cory Greene is a formerly incarcerated co-founder and Healing Justice Organizer with How Our Lives link Altogether! (H.O.L.L.A!). He is invested in developing, leading and implementing an intergenerational, youth-led, citywide and nationwide Healing Justice Movement. Cory (39 years old) was born and raised by a single mother in East Elmhurst Queens, NY, during a time when many mothers and urban communities were impacted by the crack epidemic. His ancestors and elders hail from the struggles of delta Mississippi, and the historical reality of being Black in “America.” Cory's experiences as a youth growing up in urban ghettos have contributed to his understanding of systemic inequalities. As a result, Cory has committed himself to a wide range of educational projects, healing, and grassroots movement building that seek to change existing conditions for youth of color and our communities. Cory earned his Associate degree in Liberal Arts Deaf Studies from LaGuardia Community College and his Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Psychology from New York University. He earned his doctoral degree from the Critical Social Personality Psychology program at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY) where his research efforts analyze the praxis of grassroots pedagogy and healing-centered youth organizing within a process of radical healing. Cory serves as a research associate and leader on numerous participatory action research (PAR) projects. Cory is an organizer with the Formerly Incarcerated Convicted People and Family Movement (FICPFM), a national movement led by formerly incarcerated leaders to change the public policy landscape of criminal justice (punishment). He is also a national organizer with the Education Liberation Project, engaging in a national project to uplift Prison Abolition through an educational toolkit. He is a 2013 National Science Foundation Predoctoral Fellow, 2013 Ford Foundation Doctoral Fellow, 2016 Echoing Green Fellow and 2017 Camelback fellow. Cory's organizing work, humanity and analysis has been featured in critical documentaries such as Ava Duvernay's 13th, From Prison to NYU, and most recently, H.O.L.L.A!'s Healing Justice Movement Documentary “We Came to Heal.” Cory has been married since he was 21 years old, a total of 18 years. He attributes knowing how to love and understanding of the importance of interpersonal journeying to his wife. Cory is a father who attributes his work, motivation and success to his son's existence.You can find out more about H.O.L.L.A here.We want to thank Paper Monday for the interviews and portraits, Jo Barratt and Dike Godstime for the audio engineering and Maria Tan from House of Thriving for co-producing this podcast season.

SummaryDaniel is joined by Tim Dalal of Lifetime Brands. Tim is a longtime commercial photographer based in New York City. After an entire career running his own commercial studio, he took on a position as Adjunct Photography Instructor with LaGuardia Community College, along with a role as managing senior photographer with Lifetime Brands. Tim's experience and observations on the industry make him uniquely suited to discuss with me what the future of the commercial photography labor force might look like. Key TakeawaysWith the current iteration of e-commerce creative production becoming a more mature industry, the need exists for some standards in terms of training, terminology, and compensation for experience. This might look similar to cousin industries like film production, where there are distinct requirements to earn the title of the role you inhabit. Imagine Senior Photographer is a standard role that means the person inhabiting that role has attained a certain level of experience as an e-commerce photographer. Something like a governing body of e-commerce creative talent can pay dividend to both employers and employees for a variety of reasons. Continued education for creative talent can also be a mission of this type of arrangement. CreditsProduced by: Creative Force - creativeforce.ioEdited by: Calvin Lanz Sound - clsound.netHosted by: Daniel Jester - danieltjester.com

Carrie Conners is a poet, writer, and professor of English at LaGuardia Community College; her latest book Laugh Lines: Humor, Genre, and Political Critique in Late Twentieth Century American Poetry explores how American poets since the 1950s engage humor as a political and aesthetic tactic. In this conversation, we talk about the language games of standup comics from George Carlin to Dave Chappelle, and trace the wider shifts in poetry, comedy, and political culture since the invention of the atomic bomb. We also examine how Carrie navigates these ideas in her own poetry, with excerpts from her two excellent collections, Luscious Struggle (2020) and Species of Least Concern (2022). Subscribe to Nostalgia Trap for bonus content, including our newest podcasts GENDER TRAP w/ Yasmin Nair and CAMPUS TRAP w/ Ryan Boyd: patreon.com/nostalgiatrap

In this Pride Month podcast, we hear from the director and associate director of the CUNY LGBTQI+ Consortium, which advocates for and celebrates the CUNY LGBTQ community. Director Jacqueline Brashears (she/hers), a.k.a. Dr. Unicorn, is a biology professor at LaGuardia Community College. She is an LGTQ advocate and trans woman who has blogged about her transition. Associate Director JC Carlson (they/them) is a student life events manager and LGBTQI+ programs coordinator at Queens College. In 2018, they founded CUNY Pridefest, which returns to Queens College this year on Friday, June 10. Brashears and Carlson discuss the history and recent expansion of the CUNY LGBTQI+ Consortium, which began at Queens College in 2017. The consortium now includes 14 CUNY campuses across all five boroughs. The CUNY Graduate Center is the latest campus to join the consortium and is collaborating with CLAGS: The Center for LGBTQ Studies to host a program during Pride Month. Listen in to learn more.

Ralph McDaniels Talks Video Music Box Documentary, Early Nas, Jay Z And The Evolution Hip-Hop MediaRalph McDaniels (born February 27, 1962) is a music video director, DJ and VJ. He co-created and co-hosts the music video program Video Music Box with Lionel C. Martin. After interning at WNYC, and subsequently becoming a radio engineer, he created Studio 31 Dance Party, a television show revolving around recordings of music performances.[ This show would transform into Video Music Box. McDaniels studied communications at LaGuardia Community College and later started the video production company Classic Concepts with Video Music Box producer Lionel Martin. He now works for the Queens Library for Outreach Services

Kathleen talks with Molly Rosner, Director of Education Programs at the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives at LaGuardia Community College, about her book, Playing with History: American Identities and Children's Consumer Culture.

In September, TikTok surpassed over a billion monthly users. And the app is fundamentally changing how creators reach an audience online. This week, how TikTok is changing our relationship with media. We'll hear from a TikTok creator about how he's staying relevant. A professor reveals how TikTok's impacting childhood development. And a look at TikTok's stronghold on the music industry. Guests: Gohar Khan – TikTok creator who provides college admission tips and advice @Goharsguide, and CEO and Co-founder of Next Admit. Jaime Riccio – Communications and media studies professor at LaGuardia Community College, City University of New York. Dan Whateley – Media reporter for Business Insider. Click here to find more of his reporting. Disrupted is produced by James Szkobel-Wolff, Zshekinah Collier, and Catie Talarski. Our interns are Abe Levine, and Dylan Reyes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Lang, professor of urban studies at LaGuardia Community College, CUNY and the author of “Striving for Sustainability on the Urban Waterfront," on the Newtown Creek Alliance.

New York's community colleges are an essential part of not just the education sector, but the overall workforce, as they provide low cost education and training to thousands of New Yorkers each year. As we head into the school year, we spoke with Kenneth Adams, president of LaGuardia Community College, about how the school recovers after Covid, the ways it could benefit from the Biden infrastructure bill, and what he sees for the school and its students going forward.

Cynthia Tobar, Head of Archives at Bronx Community College, talks with Molly Rosner, Assistant Director of Education Programs at the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives at LaGuardia Community College and Summer Walker, a student in la Guardia’s Commercial Photography program, about their project Portraits of an Epicenter: NYC in Lockdown.

Pablo Avila, Associate Director of ePortfolio and Digital Learning at LaGuardia Community College, discusses how they have harnessed ePortfolio as a venue for students to take ownership, become agents in their learning, develop their professional and academic identities, and instill a sense of campus community. The ePortfolio is not simply a course or program requirement, it’s a “place where the student is thinking about ‘Who am I?’; ‘Who am I becoming?’; and, ‘How do I get there?’” 

Pablo Avila, Associate Director of ePortfolio and Digital Learning at LaGuardia Community College, discusses how they have harnessed ePortfolio as a venue for students to take ownership, become agents in their learning, develop their professional and academic identities, and instill a sense of campus community. The ePortfolio is not simply a course or program requirement, it’s a “place where the student is thinking about ‘Who am I?’; ‘Who am I becoming?’; and, ‘How do I get there?’” 

A compassionate educator, Clarence Chan, engages diverse and underserved students at LaGuardia Community College in Queens, NY.

A compassionate educator, Clarence Chan, engages diverse and underserved students at LaGuardia Community College in Queens, NY.

This week on Movement Guidance we have Karin Tatsuoka. Originally from Japan, she studied Photography at LaGuardia Community College while continuing her training in dance. While in New York, she was invited to join House of Amazon by Amazon Mother Leiomy Maldonado. After graduating she trained in Dana Foglia's Mentorship Program. Her credits include 2 Chainz, Ariana Grande, J Balvin, Bebe Rexha, Demi Lovato, Major Lazor, and many more.    Thank you to our sponsor Apolla Performance! To try a pair of shocks, head over to the link in our bio on Instagram to order your shocks today! Also, check out our sponsor Dancing Disc! Use promo code “Movement15” at checkout to get 15% off of your order.  For more information go to www.dancingdisc.com.   Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram: @movementguidance

"You're far less likely to be shot as a black man in New York City than as a white man in Tulsa." - Peter Moskos In this episode, Meghan talks with Peter Moskos, a professor of law and police science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice who also happens to be a former Baltimore City police officer. They discuss the media's role in public perceptions of policing, the various definitions of "defund the police, the impact of ubiquitous cameras and viral videos and what big city police departments get right that smaller ones tend to get wrong. Peter also talks about the death of George Floyd and shares his theory about what the other officers on the scene might have been thinking as they watched the events transpire. Professor Peter Moskos (A.B. Princeton, PhD Harvard) is chairperson of the Department of Law, Police Science, and Criminal Justice Administration at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. He is the director of John Jay College's NYPD Executive Master's Program and a former Baltimore City Police Officer. In addition to his primary duties at John Jay College, Moskos is a faculty member in CUNY's Doctoral Program in Sociology, has taught introductory criminal justice classes at LaGuardia Community College in Queens, and is a Senior Fellow of the Yale Urban Ethnography Project. Moskos is the author of three books: Cop in the Hood, In Defense of Flogging, and Greek Americans. In 2011 he was recognized as one of The Atlantic Magazine's "Brave Thinkers" of the year. Visit his website at www.petermoskos.com

This week I speak with Jermaine Rowe- we had a great conversation about the cultural value, codification and The Children form the Blue Mountain. This is EP23 of #MikesMomentOf … Code of Culture with  @jermainerowe Links  https://linktr.ee/aelsean or in my Bio.  Also michaelseanharris.com/podcast   #Jamaica #Myths #Superstitions #Folklore #Proverbs #culture #musicaltheatre #dance   BIO: Born in Spanish Town, Jamaica,  Jermaine pursued a B.A in Broadcast Journalism at University of the West Indies. He danced with the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica and was awarded the Primer Award for Cultural Excellence, The Tommy Pinnock Award for Dance, and the Prime Minister for the Youth Award in Excellence.    Jermaine gained a scholarship to study at the Alvin Ailey School of Dance in New York. He then became a member of the Dance Theatre of Harlem ensemble.    Credits include; Broadway: “The Lion King”  and “Fela”. Regional: “M’lima’s Tale” “Man of La ”Macbeth”, “Titus Andronicus” "Noon Day Sun", “Batboy”.   T.V and film:  Amazon Prime’s “Bwoy”,  Netflix “Freedom" and was an original cast in the National Theatre Live "Fela!".  Opera: “Il barber de seville” and “The tales of Hoffman”   Jermaine has an MFA in Theatre at Sarah Lawrence College.  He was a recent semi-finalist for the Eugene O’Neils 2019 Summer Musical Theatre New-Works Festival with The children from the Blue Mountain presented at LPAC in the summer of 2019 . Original works : “A dream on an island”“Mom’s Eulogy” and “Solitary”   Jermaine is also an Adjunct Professor in Acting at the Laguardia Community College.

Professor Richard Brown is a philosopher at the City University of New York. In particular he is a Professor in the Philosophy Program and an Adjunct Professor in the Psychology Program at LaGuardia Community College. His work is focused on the philosophy of mind, consciousness studies, and the foundations of cognitive science but he also has interests and projects in the philosophy of language, meta-ethics, philosophy of physics, logic and the philosophy of logic, as well as the history of philosophy. Today we talk with Prof Brown about his work on the consciousness of emotions and "representations of representations"! For more details go to our landing page HERE. Please leave a review! (Reviews are fabulously important to us! On your podcast player you should find an option to review at the bottom of the main page for the podcast - after the list of available episodes) - Here's a link for iTunes.   Thanks for listening! Support this show by subscribing to The Science of Psychotherapy (You can support us by subscribing to our magazine for less than a $1/week) Please leave an honest review on iTunes and please subscribe to our show.  You can also find our podcast at: The Science of Psychotherapy Podcast Homepage If you want more great science of Psychotherapy please visit our website thescienceofpsychotherapy.com

Our guest this week is Katina Rogers, co-director of the Futures Initiative at The Graduate Center, CUNY. She is also the co-director of the CUNY Humanities Alliance, which was created in 2015 to support humanities education at LaGuardia Community College and prepare Ph.D. students for careers as faculty members and higher education leaders. With a new $3.15 million grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the alliance is expanding to encompass three additional CUNY community colleges: Borough of Manhattan Community College, Guttman Community College, and Hostos Community College. Rogers is about to publish her first book, "Putting the Humanities Ph.D. to Work: Thriving in and Beyond the Classroom", and in this wide-ranging conversation, she touches on the hot topics of current discourse about universities in America.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY TASTYCHOPS.NET - DOPE SAMPLES, HAND SELECTED, CHOPPED AND PROCESSED BY ERASERFASE, DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX, EVERY SINGLE DAY. On this episode, I'm joined by Mark Tavern (marktavern.com) to talk about his thoughts on Artist Management, the evolving state of the music industry as a whole, strategies for artists to build their fanbases, the importance of understanding the business of music as an artist, and a range of other topics... Mark has unique experience and a wealth of knowledge to draw his conclusions from, and he drops a lot of very valuable bits of information throughout this podcast. Definitely an episode that will bring you value if you are curious at all about the business side of music. Mark Tavern is an artist manager, consultant, educator, administrator, and arts advocate with more than twenty years of music business experience. In addition to running his own management company, Tavern currently teaches music business at LaGuardia Community College and before that, at the Institute of Audio Research. Prior to 2012, he worked at major record companies including Universal Music Group, SONY Music Entertainment, and BMG Entertainment, taking part in more than 200 recordings, a dozen Broadway cast albums, and numerous reissue projects, including the GRAMMY®-winning 24-CD box set The Duke Ellington Centennial Edition. For more information and insider tips about the music business, visit his website. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/tastychops/support

Join me for a discussion with Michael Rodriguez, an artist at Laguardia Community College, as we discuss all things art. *note* the audio for this one was recorded on my desktop microphone and so is not the greatest, sorry! -but the video has lots of art in it :)* Michael’s website

On this very, extra, super special episode of the Nursing Home Abuse Podcast, LaGuardia Community College students Zilla Tofte and Mariuxi Moran take over as hosts of the show. Zilla and Mariuxi ask us questions as part of a school project (in collaboration with the Gardiner-Shenker Fellowship) on nursing home abuse and fraud. Among other things, we talk about the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, journalist Edith Evans Asbury, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, and Qui Tem. Please be sure to check out Zilla and Mariuxi's podcast on the project, The Endless Fight!!!

Kelsey Shwetz is a Canadian born painter who lives and works in Ridgewood, Queens. She completed the Advanced Painting Intensive at Columbia University, and has been a guest lecturer at UCLA, Pratt Institute, and Laguardia Community College. Kelsey has exhibited in New York, Germany, Miami, Toronto, and Montreal and was awarded fellowships at the Vermont Studio Center and CanSerrat Residency in Barcelona. Publications featuring her work include: Maake Magazine, ArtMaze Magazine, Whitehot Magazine, and the Globe and Mail. Her most recent solo exhibition was in the spring of 2018 at Brethren Gallery in New York. Kelsey stopped by Brian’s studio to talk about her start in Canada, moving to the US, building community, leterary influence, future color and much more. S&V is sponsored by Golden Artist Colors.

Careful when you listen to this one, because we have accessed your headphones! Not only will we release what you were listening to (you have good taste ;)) to your closest 11 friends, but we will also send your facial reactions when you hear that Micheal Jordan sold tagless tees as Hitler, why Donny Merona donated money to LaGuardia Community College, and how nothing feels better than that first vomit… We want $19… We only take bitcoin… So please Google bitcoin and tell us how that works.“Was it too much chili, or was it too much dog?”#Dadspirins

    Jevan Hutson: How Racism in Online Dating Affects Economic Opportunities (Ep. 176) Jevan Hutson joined Joe Miller to talk about how racism in online dating affects economic opportunities. Bio Jevan Hutson (@jevanhutson) is a Gregoire Fellow at the University of Washington School of Law, where he researches technology policy, social computing, surveillance and privacy, and data ethics, and is an editor for the Washington Journal of Law, Technology & Arts. Jevan currently works for the Technology & Liberty Project of the ACLU of Washington, where he advocates for algorithmic accountability in government and restrictions on government use facial recognition technologies. He previously worked for Nintendo of America, Miller Nash Graham & Dunn, and Boeing. Jevan holds an MPS in Information Science and a BA in History of Art & Visual Studies from Cornell University, where he was a Research Assistant in the Social Computing Lab and Social Media Lab. Resources What Dating Apps are doing to Fight Bias by Jevan Hutson (Axios, 2019) Debiasing Desire: Addressing Bias and Discrimination on Intimate Platforms by Jevan Hutson, Jessie G. Taft, et al. (University of Washington School of Law, 2018) Custodians of the Internet: Platforms, Content Moderation, and the Hidden Decisions that Shape Social Media by Tarleton Gillespie News Roundup US took down Russian troll factory during 2018 election Several U.S. officials said last week that they blocked the Internet Research Agency’s internet access as the Russian troll factory attempted to interfere with last year’s midterms. The Washington Post reports the operation was the first of its kind after the president and Congress bolstered cybercommand last year. Donald Trump approved the operation.  YouTube disables comments on videos featuring minors YouTube has disabled comments on videos that include minors under age 18. The move comes after pedophiles were lurking in comment sections directing users on where to access suggestive images of children. FTC wins fraud case against company that hired fake Amazon reviewers The Federal Trade Commission has won a case against Cure Encapsulations for paying a third party to write Amazon reviews of a supplement called garcinia cambogia. The drug is known to cause acute liver failure. It’s the first-evern case of its kind. Among other reviews, fake reviewers wrote that the supplement “literally stops fat from forming” rated it an average 4.3 out of 5 stars. Cure Encapulastions is now liable to pay a $12.8 million fine. FTC fines TikTok The Federal Trade Commission has fined China-based social media company TikTok $5.7 million because before it merged with Musical.ly, Musical.ly illegally collected the names, emails, pictures and location data of kids under 13. The U.S. hasn’t fined TikTok for anything that happened after the merger. TikTok has over 1 billion downloads – 100 million here in the U.S. – and is seen by many experts as legit Facebook rival. California AG Becerra looks to expand privacy California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is looking to improve his state’s privacy law that’s set to take effect next year by allowing private individuals to sue companies for damages. The current bill as written allows individuals to take legal action only after giving companies 30 days to correct violations. Nevada Sen. Cortez Masto takes on racial ad targeting Catherine Cortez Masto -- the Democratic Senator from Nevada -- is taking on racial ad targeting in a new bill that prohibits companies like Facebook from targeting on the basis of race. Propublica found back in 2016 that Facebook allows advertisers to exclude racial groups from certain campaigns—a practice which continued at least until the end of 2017. Twitter suspends Jacob Wohl Twitter suspended far-right activist Jacob Wohl for allegedly attempting to influence the 2020 presidential election by creating fake accounts purporting to support divisive candidates like Howard Schultz. Previously, USA Today had quoted Wohl as saying that he was planning to create “enormous left-wing online properties”. Wohl says it was just an “intellectual exercise”.  New FTC monopoly task force The Federal Trade Commission has established a new task force designed to look specifically at tech sector monopolies. The task force will boast 17 staff attorneys and be based in the competition bureau. Airline seatback monitors have cameras Some passengers on a Singapore Airlines flight shared a viral video showing the seatback video monitors in front of them had cameras in side them. Another passenger shared a picture of a similar camera he found on an American airlines flight. United and Delta followed up saying their screens also contain cameras. All four airlines say the manufacturer ships that screens that way for potential future uses, but that currently the cameras are disabled.  Currently. One of the manufacturers—Panasonic—told BuzzFeed that it would never activate the cameras without consent from the airline.   New York governor Cuomo wants Amazon back So as you know, Amazon backed out of plans to build out one of its new headquarters locations in Long Island City.   And now, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is like [new edition clip] [PAUSE] Love is HARD! [PAUSE] Representatives from some 70 powerful New York organizations took out a full-page ad in the New York Times to publish an open letter to Amazon Founder & CEO Jeff Bezos. Signatories included National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial and the NAACP’s New York State Conference and Astoria Chapter and the Presidents of the Queensbridge Houses and Astoria Houses Tenants Associations—corporate signatories included Ken Chenault and others. The State University of New York’s Chancellor also signed the letter, as did the Chancellor Designee of the City University of New York and the President of LaGuardia Community College. Several unions also signed. In the letter, the signatories characterized the public debate that followed the announcement as “strident”. It’s pretty hard to pass up an opportunity to add your name to a full-page letter in the New York Times. Whether anyone has carefully evaluated the upsides of the deal for every day New Yorkers isn’t clear. No word yet from Amazon. Events of Note House Energy & Commerce Hearing “Inclusion in Tech: How Diversity Benefits all Americans” Wed., 3/6 2019 @ 10:30am 2322 Rayburn Federal Communications Commission “Symposium on Media Diversity” Thurs., 3/7 2019 @ 9AM-5:30PM 445 12th St., SW

In this episode of The Gotham Center podcast “Sites and Sounds,” Steve Lang talks about the Newtown Creek Alliance, a group of neighborhood activists advocating for environmental rehabilitation and increased recreational use of this notoriously polluted waterway running through Long Island City, Greenpoint, Sunnyside, and East Williamsburg. As you’ll hear, the organization has done much to revitalize this formerly inaccessible Superfund site, but is struggling, like other communities around the world, to reclaim the formerly industrial shoreline without paradoxically closing it off to residents through gentrification. Lang, a sociologist who’s been studying these efforts is a professor of urban studies at LaGuardia Community College, CUNY. For more podcasts like this, and for more Gotham Center programming, visit us at GothamCenter.org and sign up to our mail list. Thanks for listening.

Irwin Leopando is Associate Professor of English at LaGuardia Community College, (CUNY) in Queens, NY. He is the author of the book we discuss in this podcast, A Pedagogy of Faith: The Theological Vision of Paulo Freire (Bloomsbury, 2017). Leopando came to study Paulo Freire (1921-1997) in graduate school classes with his dissertation director, Ira … Continue reading "Freire and Faith: Part One of a Conversation with Irwin Leopando" The post Freire and Faith: Part One of a Conversation with Irwin Leopando appeared first on Nothing Never Happens.

Justin Rogers-Cooper stops by to talk about Amazon’s impending invasion of Long Island City, Queens, where he works as a professor of English at LaGuardia Community College. Our conversation explores the psychotic evil of Jeff Bezos, the corrupt city leaders who are laying out a $3 billion red carpet for him, the larger structures of capitalism and consumerism driving Amazon’s power, and what all of this means for the future of New York City and the planet.

Born and raised in the village of Harlem and in the Bronx, NY, Bishop Darren A. Ferguson is known as a leader for this generation – a preacher, teacher, singer, motivational speaker and social activist. He serves as the Pastor of the Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Arverne (Far Rockaway). He currently serves a Campus Life Manager of the Multicultural Exchange (ME) at LaGuardia Community College - some of the Programs in his portfolio include the Black Male Empowerment Cooperative (BMEC), the Crear Futuros Mentoring Program and a program he created for students who are formerly incarcerated.  

Justin T. Brown is the executive director of CLAGS: The Center for LGBTQ Studies at The Graduate Center. He is also an assistant professor of health sciences at LaGuardia Community College, CUNY where his teaching primarily centers on courses in public health and human services. His collaborative research focuses on addressing health inequities among persons of color, LGBTQ, youth, and those populations at the intersection. Brown completed his doctoral training with a health concentration in the Critical Social-Personality Psychology program at The Graduate Center, CUNY in 2017.

Many working artists today define a creative path by not just limiting it to what gets made in a studio. Dahlia Elsayed discusses enlarging the scope of your practice and how your day job makes you a more expansive artist. Dahlia Elsayed is a visual artist and assistant professor of humanities at LaGuardia Community College, City University of New York. Her work is exhibited widely and was the subject of recent solo shows at Aljira, a Center for Contemporary Art, in Newark, New Jersey, and at the 12th International Cairo Biennale in Egypt (both 2010–11).

Richard Lieberman is the head of the La Guardia and Wagner Archives, which just happens to be housed at LaGuardia Community College, my home campus. In this interview, we touch on a lot of great topics, ranging from the importance of faculty-led projects, to Wikipedia, to Ed Koch’s mayorship. If these seem like disparate strands, then you’ve never met Richard, who masterfully ties together the strands of history.

Life in Manhattan means walking.  Spine specialist, Dr. Wanda Lopez shares the story of a New Yorker who wants to be able to walk pain-free in Central Park again. Dr. Wanda Lopez is a board-certified Manhattan chiropractor who has been in private practice for nearly 30 years. She specializes in conditions of the spine, hands and feet. Dr. Wanda believes it's crucial to treat the whole person and address the role that stress, work and exercise can play in the body's wellbeing. Her practice is dynamic and innovative, focused on helping patients make a prompt recovery She has been involved in yoga and in numerous sports, including squash, cycling, basketball, softball and volleyball, which inform her treatment of fitness-conscious patients and competitive athletes. She has a bachelor's degree in Chemistry and Biology from Notre Dame of Maryland University and a Doctorate in Chiropractic from New York Chiropractic College. She is certified as a Cox Technic practitioner and in Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Manipulation (IASTM). To keep her work and techniques up-to-date, she regularly attends professional seminars Early in her career, she was an adjunct professor of human anatomy and physiology at LaGuardia Community College in New York. Born in Puerto Rico, Dr. Wanda has spent all her professional career in New York City. She is fluent in both English and Spanish. Her office is located at 120 East 56th Street in Midtown. Resources: 1-212-319-3433 drwanda@gmail.com   Find a Back Doctor

On this month’s Study With the Best: Religion and Spirituality through the CUNY lens. Michael Prettyman is a Hunter College grad who also went to Harvard Divinity School, and we look at his most recent church commission. Shamanism in New York City is thriving and we look at it through the eyes of the former director of the Center for Alternative Health at LaGuardia Community College. John Jay’s Noe Dinnerstein talks with us about music and spirituality; Reporter Ari Goldberg visits with Doyal Gauranga, a a student at Hunter College and Program Director of the Bhakti Center; and Professor David Orenstein of Medgar Evers College explains what humanism means and its relationship to the New York Society for Ethical Culture.

Mwata Nubian has achieved national and international acclaim as Founder and Artistic Director of Nubian Messengers - Ancient Future Ensemble...Percussionist, Conjunto Nuevo Milenio: Panamanian folkloric ensemble...Dummer, Amirikanke Kultural Arts Company: West African and Diaspora drum and dance ensemble...Drummer, Harambee Dance Company: West African Dance and Drum Company, 199 to 2007...Drummer, Purelements: African-American Dance Company...Drummer, Creative Outlet Dance Theater of Brooklyn: African-American Dance Theater...along with being a Kwanzaa presenter and practitioner, Member of the Schomburg Research Center, NYC...Member of Citywide Coalition of Behavioral Health for the Black Elderly...Member National Association of Black Social Workers..Member of AARP and a member of the Brooklyn based Park Slope Food Coop.. Mwata Nubian recieved a BA from SUNY at Stony Brook...a MSW from Hunter School of Social Work..is a former Adjunct Faculty - Hostra Community College and LaGuardia Community College...and Adjunct faculty advisor - Hunter School of Social Work: September 2006-2013... Born in Colon, Panama, Mwata Nubian migrated to Brooklyn, NY in 1964...along with being a husband and father...He is currently the operations manager for Fort Green Council...which is the largest Black non-profit in NY State providing senior center services....His responsibilities include supervising and training managers, staff and volunteers of the agency..He has worked in the field of aging for over 37 years, In NYC government, non-profit and academic settings..he has also worked in the field of addiction services as an administrator/program, educational and vocational development... 

Like many of my favorite guests, I met Jesse Schwartz when we were both doing our doctoral work at the CUNY Graduate Center. He's now a professor of English at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, Queens, and joins me here to share his journey from hippie bum to distinguished intellectual. Along the way we talk about California and New York, the politics of academia, the allure of psychedelia, and the weird shades of American countercultural experience. It's a long strange trip...

Stephen Joseph was commissioner of health of New York City from 1986-1990. Already considered one of the most challenging public health jobs in the United States, Joseph took the position when New York City was at the epicenter of the AIDS crisis. While Joseph was supported by the Koch Administration, he faced opposition from the public and activists over issues such as disease reporting, contract tracing, education, and the needle exchange. In this podcast, Joseph discusses the differences between the New York and the San Francisco models and the political implications of estimating the numbers of people infected with the AIDS virus. Joseph details what he considers the pivotal moment in the rupture between the gay community and the Koch Administration.     This oral history with Dr. Joseph was conducted by students at LaGuardia Community College as a part of the Koch Scholars program run by the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives. You can read the transcript in its entirety here:  http://www.laguardiawagnerarchive.lagcc.cuny.edu/FILES_DOC/Koch_FILES/ORAL_HISTORY/08.100.0039V0039.PDF

Stephen Joseph was commissioner of health of New York City from 1986-1990. Already considered one of the most challenging public health jobs in the United States, Joseph took the position when New York City was at the epicenter of the AIDS crisis. While Joseph was supported by the Koch Administration, he faced opposition from the public and activists over issues such as disease reporting, contract tracing, education, and the needle exchange. In this podcast, Joseph discusses his support of the needle exchange as a means to stem the spread of AIDS amongst intravenous drug users and the subsequent public resistance to the program. ​   This oral history with Dr. Joseph was conducted by students at LaGuardia Community College as a part of the Koch Scholars program run by the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives. You can read the transcript in its entirety here: http://www.laguardiawagnerarchive.lagcc.cuny.edu/FILES_DOC/Koch_FILES/ORAL_HISTORY/08.100.0039V0039.PDF  

The world of good urban advocacy is still often dominated by a white male voice. One of our goals for Third Wave Urbanism is to bring to the forefront the many varied voices that aren't necessarily highlighted in conferences and panels, the news, and publications. One of those voices over the years in New York City has been Helen Ho, a longtime activist for safe cycling in the city and currently the Director of External Affairs at LaGuardia Community College in the great borough of Queens. As a New York native, Helen talks about her experiences living and working in the city and field of bicycle advocacy as a minority woman, including her work with the Biking Public Project - an initiative that aims to "expand local cycling advocacy discussions by reaching out to underrepresented bicyclists around New York City including women, people of color, and delivery cyclists". Helen can be found on Instagram and Twitter as @ helenshirley and you can find more information about the Biking Public Project at http://bikingpublicproject.tumblr.com/. As always, you can find us on Twitter @ thirdwaveurban. On Instagram and Twitter, you can find Katrina posting photos as @ think_katrina and Kristen's commentary @ blackurbanist. Our website is thirdwaveurbanism.com, and you can find us on all major podcast platforms. And if you like this, please give us a rating! We're dedicated to continuing discussions like these, and would love to hear what you think.

Today a future without schools. Instead of gathering students into a room and teaching them, everybody learns on their own time, on tablets and guided by artificial intelligence.    First, I talk to a Ashok Goel, a computer scientist who developed an artificially intelligent TA named Jill Watson and didn’t tell any of his students she wasn’t a human.     Then I talk to two people building future, app based educational systems. Jessie Woolley-Wilson from DreamBox explains what adaptive learning is, and how it can help create a better learning experience for kids. She also talks about all the data they collect on kids to better serve them (data we’ll come back to later in the episode.) Along with Jessie, Julia Stiglitz from Coursera explains how this kind of self-directed learning can extend into the college and post-college world.     Jessie and Julia see a future with these kinds of learning apps that could be more democratic, more creative, more fun and more effective. But there are some downsides too. Neither of them see apps or algorithms replacing teachers, but there are other organizations and projects that do.     In 2013, a guy named Sugata Mitra won the TED Prize which comes with a pretty healthy million dollar check. He won this prize for his work on what he calls “A school in the cloud.” Mitra founded this organization named Hole in the Wall, where he went around the slums of India and installed these kiosks that children could use and play with. His whole thesis is that students can be taught by computers, on their own time. Without teachers. Here’s his TED talk.    And this Hole in the Wall thing is one of the classic examples that a lot of people working on education apps point to to show that kids don’t need teachers to learn. Kids are naturally curious, they’re going to want to seek out information, you don’t have to force them into a tiny room to listen to a boring teacher.    But we talk to some people who question that narrative. Audrey Watters, who runs the site Hack Education, says that projects like Hole in the Wall often don’t last. Nearly all the kiosks that Mitra set up are abandoned and vandalized, she says, and when you look at footage and images of the kiosks you can see that older, bigger boys dominate and push the smaller boys and girls out.     And get this to a question that came up with literally every person I talked to for this episode. What is the purpose of school? Is it to teach content? Or is it to teach students how to relate to one another, how to empathize, how to think, how to be good citizens? Nobody really knows. But we talk about it on the episode!    We also talk about some of the other downsides of these systems. Jade Davis,  the associate director of digital learning projects at LaGuardia Community College in Queens New York, tells us about her concerns that algorithms might pigeonhole Kids who might not take to the system immediately. Kids like her own.     In the end, we talk about whether or not these kinds of solutions are really for everyone. Or if they’re just going to be used on poor, disadvantaged kids. Because, are Harvard students really going to be taught by robots? Probably not.     Bonus: Listen to the very end for a fun surprise.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dahlia Elsayed is a visual artist, writer, and professor at LaGuardia Community College. She told me all about her youth in New Jersey during the Reagan years, her take on the punks vs. hippies rivalry, and the philosophy behind her striking visual style.

Sam Roberts of the New York Times speaks on labor history at the unveiling of the 2016 Working People calendar, outlining important labor milestones from the Tompkins Square Blood or Bread Riot of 1874 and the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire of 1911 to the more recent Occupy Wall Street movement and formation of the Working Families Party.  Roberts notes the steep decline in unionization and the importance of labor unions in NY history and political culture.  The 2016 Working People calendar is produced in partnership between the City University of New York, the New York Times in Education program and the New York City Central Labor Council, and is designed by the LaGuardia and Wagner Archives of the LaGuardia Community College.

This month’s Study With the Best focuses on stories from the community colleges. We’ll look at stories from LaGuardia Community College, Queensborough Community College, and Borough of Manhattan Community College.

They could starve in India or work like slaves on the sugarcane plantations of British Guiana; that was the choice for thousands of Indians who left home from 1838-1917. One was journalist Gaiutra Bahadur’s great-grandmother Sajuria, who, pregnant and alone, immigrated in 1903. Bahadur seeks her story in Coolie Woman: An Odyssey of Indenture. Indenture provided cheap labor after Britain abolished slavery, and the indentured weren’t treated much better than slaves. Women had it worse, as victims of domestic violence. The abolition of indenture was “the first significant victory” for Indian nationalism, Bahadur tells a LaGuardia Community College audience.

Trace Mayer explaining the Future of Bitcoin and why it will succeed. This event was hosted by CRYPSA at LaGuardia Community College is one example of what a P2P community can achieve.

Justin Rogers-Cooper is a professor of English at LaGuardia Community College, as well as one of the best friends I made while studying at the CUNY Graduate Center through the Bush and Obama years. Justin always impresses me with his uncanny ability to synthesize complicated historical and political ideas into an understandable, compelling, often disturbing super-narrative. Our conversation in this episode covers lots of stuff: his childhood in Ohio, the serious social problems associated with grade-school bullying, the centrality of race in reading U.S. history, the "surveillance state" mentality of social media, leftist infighting in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo massacre, the hope for action on climate change, the implications of the Ferguson uprising, and much more.

Minerva Ahumada is a professor of philosophy at LaGuardia Community College. In this episode, we talk about her youth in Mexico, her unexpected move to the United States, and how a Japanese version of "The Little Mermaid" (with a radically different story than the U.S. version) helped reify her interest in narrative ethics, philosophy, feminism, and radical politics.

Although the popular stereotype of "kids these days" has them staring apathetically at their phones, more concerned with selfies than politics, my experiences with young people at CUNY often give the lie to that idea. After a semester spent reading and writing about climate change, the students in Justin Rogers-Cooper's English 101 course at LaGuardia Community College were heavily engaged, and more than ready to share their thoughts. I sat down with the class and listened to harrowing stories about Hurricane Sandy, ideas for shifting the political conversation about climate change, and their fears and hopes for the future of life on planet Earth.

Claudia Moreno Parsons is a professor of English at LaGuardia Community College, and also the wife of your humble host. Since I've spoken to so many guests about the different people that made an impact on their lives, I thought that, for the podcast's 30th episode, it would be appropriate to speak with someone who's had a profound impact on my life. Claudia talks with me about her childhood in South Brooklyn, how books came to be so important to her, and how working with Ammiel Alcalay at the CUNY Graduate Center helped give shape to her work while fueling her intellectual imagination. 

My conversation with Jayashree Kamble, a writer and English professor at LaGuardia Community College, was an opportunity to talk about popular culture, an intense and rich subject of study that, at least in my experience, is often met with some resistance in graduate history departments. Jayashree discusses her early education in India, how she decided to move to Minnesota for graduate school, and all about the main focus of her work studying popular romance fiction. What do those books and other pieces of media have to tell us about race, politics, identity, and ideology? Jayashree's answers to these questions gave me a mind-blowing glimpse into the profound ways that popular culture can function in our lives.

Nichole Shippen is a political theorist and professor at LaGuardia Community College in Queens, New York. We talked a bit about her youth in a small rancher town in Wyoming, and how she navigated the particular cultural landscape of such a space. Our discussion focuses mainly on race, identity, and class structure in America, as we try to situate events in Ferguson, Missouri within a wider political and historical continuum. Her book Decolonizing Time: Work, Leisure, and Freedom will be published this fall. 

My friend Justin Rogers-Cooper, a professor of English at LaGuardia Community College in Queens, New York, recently invited me to campus to record a "live" podcast with his students. The course was designed to help students consider, and prepare for possible participation in, the profession of teaching. Talking to bright young undergraduates about the "nuts and bolts" of pedagogy was a fascinating experience that offers a unique perspective on what 21st century college students value both in and out of the classroom. The range of backgrounds and experiences presented in this series of clips captures some of what I value most about CUNY itself: an engaged, diverse student body with deep insights into the world around them.

As we continue our journey through the halls of LaGuardia Community College in Queens, New York, I stop to talk with Christine Marks, a professor of English whose work focuses on intimate structures like identity, gender, food, and the body. Our conversation includes Christine's less-than-ideal experience as a high school exchange student from Germany, her eventual return to the United States, and her work with American novelist and essayist Siri Hustvedt. 

Stafford Gregoire wasn't always a professor of English at CUNY's LaGuardia Community College. His past as a bike messenger in New York City during the early 1980s, riding the streets and avenues with a cast of characters out of a Hubert Selby, Jr. novel, set him on an intellectual journey that continues now in the halls of higher education. Stafford's stories touch on racial identity, gentrification, class politics, and the role that art can play in moving us toward both political and personal transcendence.

On Episode Two of The Nostalgia Trap, I finally get the opportunity to meet and chat with Laura Tanenbaum, a professor of English at LaGuardia Community College whose work I've enjoyed on Jacobin, her own blog The Golden Notebooks, and in some of the most rewarding Facebook political battles of the past year. Laura and I talk about her years growing up in Chicago among a science-oriented family, her complicated feelings about 90s culture and films like Fight Club, and her interdisciplinary approach to teaching and writing.