Law And Culture

In this episode, I'm joined by Sandy Foster as we dive into the Netflix documentary Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing. Together, we explore what would drive a mother to transform her pre-teen daughter into a YouTube sensation—and the disturbing consequences that followed. From cruel pranks to criminal investigations and civil lawsuits, the film raises urgent questions about exploitation...

In this episode, we meet the five winners of the 2025 Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, the nation's only juried prize focused on books that contribute to our understanding of race and diversity. What sets their works apart? Tune in and decide for yourself.

AI is everywhere! The latest social media trend is to create your own action-adventure hero using ChatGPT. Intrigued, I decided to hop on the AI bandwagon. In today's episode, I take you through my journey of creating a toy-like version of myself. Will you be inspired to do the same? Or does AI feel distant or even threatening?

For decades, sports mascots like "Chief Wahoo" and team names such as Redskins, Indians, and Braves have perpetuated harmful and inaccurate narratives about Indigenous cultures. In today's episode, we hear from a California public school teacher who wore feathers and waved a cardboard tomahawk while chanting gibberish in her high school trigonometry class—apparently, in an attempt to teach a chall...

In this episode, my guest, Sandy Forster, and I explore what has been called the "silver tsunami"—the phenomenon of people worldwide living well into their 80s and 90s. What does this mean for your family and lifestyle? Together, we delve into the realities of aging and how this stage of life can be joyful and provocative.

In this episode, my dear friend Sandy Forster joins me to explore the meanings of idioms, their origins, and how they have helped generations of people communicate. As you listen, feel free to join in as we test each other's knowledge of idioms. This episode is both fun and informative.

In America, families have many choices when it comes to educating their children. Of course, there is public school education. Less common options include private and parochial education. For most families, private and parochial school education is not an option because it would chew up a large chunk of their monthly budgets. Some families are able to use vouchers to help offset the cost of these...

In this episode, I speak with Lauren Marchaza, a parent in the Mentor Public Schools District who has been working to ensure her children receive a quality education that is compliant with state, federal, and local laws. Despite efforts from parents and school officials to provide a quality and lawful education, Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno has directed the Mentor school board to explain why the dis...

Meet Danielle Rivers Mitchell, owner of the trendy Madison Landis Bistro. Located on Barbados' south coast, the bistro offers a cohesive blend of American and Barbadian cuisine. In this episode, we talk about how Danielle went from life as an American originally from Alabama to being a restaurateur in the tropics. Let's listen and discover how Danielle's leap of faith brings culinary joy to so man...

In today's episode, we meet an American combat veteran who had to learn to walk again after her convoy was bombed in Iraq. This special forces veteran goes simply by the name "Jennifer." Jennifer's story embodies dedication, bravery, strength, and determination.

A few years ago, I attended an African Labour Law Society conference in Mauritius. While there, I had the opportunity to speak with professor and attorney Yvette Basson, who is a senior lecturer at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa. I am always intrigued by the similarities and differences in accommodation laws between the United States and other countries. Listen in as Professor...

In this episode, I study bravery through the courageous actions and words of three very different people. When have you had to be brave? What did you tap into to take action, even when the potential consequences of your courageous actions were real and often scary?

In June 1708, a Spanish galleon, the San José, was sunk by the British navy off the coast of Colombia. Almost 600 crew and passengers perished, and the treasure—estimated at billions of dollars today—was lost. Today, a 40-year debate rages over what country or people are entitled to the treasure (if it can be recovered). If recovery can occur, is it ethical to raise the remains of the ship, which...

In this episode, I speak candidly with Cleveland-based criminal defense attorney Clarissa A. Smith, who also manages her criminal defense firm. Smith discusses how she approaches representing each client and the need to recognize their individual humanity. She also shares her thoughts about the importance of accountability in the justice system.

In this episode, the U.S. Supreme Court addresses an Ohio case that could have broad implications for businesses facing backlash from employees who allege they are the victims of reverse discrimination.

In today's episode, I ask whether you note the similarities between Gisèle Pelicot (a modern day French grandmother and survivor of sexual assault), and Mamie Till-Mobley ( now deceased Afrivsn-American mother of Emmit Till who was lynched in 1955 because of his race).    These women's heroism occurred in what appears to be a different time and space from each other. Yet in each case, the women us...

In today's episode, I address questions I often get about being born in Germany, being an American citizen, and then becoming a citizen of Barbados during the pandemic. I also share why I chose to become a citizen of Barbados. I hope this episode will help you explore your own citizenship questions.

Today we delve into two cases that involve alleged harassment against employees who didn't "keep quiet" about who they are. They exercised their freedom of expression and it cost them their jobs. In one case, the employee showed tattoos at work and was reprimanded though other similarly situated employees also had tattoos but were not reprimanded. In the second case, the employee shared the result...

Welcome back to the podcast! In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Professor Fisher, a leading expert in environmental sciences and the author of " Saving Ourselves: From Climate Shocks to Climate Action ." With a background as a respected professor at American University and a world-renowned speaker, Professor Fisher shares her insights on practical steps everyday Americans can take to c...

In today's episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing Dennis Roberts, the director of Real Estate Development for the Cuyahoga Land Reutilization Corporation (Cuyahoga Land Bank). Roberts, who is also an attorney and realtor, is leading the Land Bank's efforts to transform the Circle East District, less than a mile from the world-renowned University Circle - a center of innovation in health care...

In 1997, Ohio launched its first school voucher program in Cleveland, which supporters claimed would allow students to escape the perils of attending schools in the underfunded Cleveland public school district. Since that time, the voucher system has been called unconstitutional as it cripples district schools by further limiting their finances. In today's episode, we hear from two Ohio educators...

On June 28, 2024, the United States Supreme Court ruled that courts may rely on their own interpretation of ambiguous environmental laws pertaining to clean water and air. Courts no longer have to defer to agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency to provide science- and evidence-based guidelines when interpreting these laws. The decision will likely have far-reaching impacts on policy...

The Affordable Care Act of 2010 provided employers and employees opportunities to reduce health insurance costs if employees participated in voluntary workplace wellness programs. However, voluntary participation came with a heavy and sometimes punitive reality for those who did not want to participate. So in 2022, AARP brought a lawsuit against Yale University alleging that Yale's workplace welln...

In this episode, we continue our discussion with attorney and legal scholar Dr. Cecile De Villiers (Ep. 7) on the topic of religious freedom in the workplace in the US and South Africa.

South African attorney and legal scholar Dr. Cecile De Villiers and I explore the changing landscape of religious accommodations for employees in the workplace. As an employer, should it matter whether the religion "requires" certain behavior? What is "undue burden on the business"? Join us for what promises to be an informative and entertaining discussion.