Stirring Up Shift

Taxes have a long history in this country, shifting further after the introduction of income taxes. Join me in this episode as we hash through the history of federal income taxes, their uses, and their effects in the country. Low taxes and little to no federal protections caused chaos and mayhem for the working classes across the country during the Industrial Revolution and "Gilded" Age, following...

The power of language, the framing and centering of beliefs and "identities" matter because of their impact on the rhetoric and discourse that influence and construct our society and culture. Join me as I dive into key reminders when going into this Tuesday's election surrounding the structuring of our state and federal governments, the importance of civic engagement for the democratic process and...

Over 2 years ago, Roe V. Wade was overturned by the US Supreme Court which opened the door for multiple states to pass abortion bans and continue to test the waters on the extent in which their governments can interfere in the privacy of women's reproductive rights and healthcare. More stories flood the media surrounding women turned away from hospitals and denied treatment, dying or almost dying...

Join me as we look into voter disenfranchisement through direct ways or from behind the scenes during the election process. Gerrymandering, Super PACs, and more. Participating in elections feels like a burden to many, more so now than ever, what have been some recently revealed causes? And longstanding practices? What are some small steps we can take to begin to stir up shift?   References/Recomme...

The discourse surrounding the celebration of Indigenous People's Day vs "Columbus Day" continues as the country denies reckoning with its own history of its founding. This history exists past and present as the fruits of colonization remain largely unacknowledged or blatantly ignored. The recentering of indigenous peoples in this narrative is crucial for our society to come to terms with the oppre...

Welcome back for the latest season! This episode lays the groundwork for later episodes as I utilize this message and practice of "Choosing Love." While it is quick to consider the transactional notion of this word and practice, I focus on continuing the effort and shift to re-envision what can be meant and taught surrounding this word and all connecting ideals. All forms of love are not something...

Have you ever wondered why some parts of health are easier than others or why others are able to have better health than you? It may not just be a you problem. Join me in the season finale as I discuss what is meant by the social determinants of health, what goes into them and examples, and what that means for us.    References/Resources:  Social Determinants of Health | Benton-Franklin Health Dis...

What is advocacy? What is activism? Why can protestors be so annoying? If you have thought or questioned this in light of current events, check out this week’s podcast as we cover the topic and famous movements throughout history.   Resources/References What is the Difference Between Advocacy and Activism? | Commons Library Activism Defined: What is Activism | Masterclass The History of Student Ac...

What’s up with maternal health and healthcare in the US? What is going on with EMTALA? While states with abortion bans be able to ignore this federal policy? Do you live in a maternity care desert? Why is the maternal mortality rate increasing in the US? If you’ve asked any of these questions or want to find out the answers, join me in this week’s podcast episode!

Agree or disagree, Roe V Wade has changed the landscape of healthcare in many states that support or oppose the decision — out of state travel bans, lawsuits for inadequate healthcare, and concerning statistics from states with restrictions or total bans. 

What does the military industrial complex and the militarization of our country’s police forces have in common? Did Kaepernick kneeling bother you? What about BLM? Join me in this week’s episode as I discuss this and so much more!

Have you ever wondered what was meant by the “military-industrial complex” or who popularized the term? Or how former-President Eisenhower is involved in the current affairs of our country? Join me as I discuss this and much more!    Resources/References: Military-Industrial Complex | Britannica Military-Industrial Complex | History.com Eisenhower Farewell Address Resources Eisenhower Farewell Add...

What is the current state of our criminal justice system? How do we compare to the rest of the world? What’s the prison industrial complex? Tune in to have your questions answered about a “crucial” system that helps maintain “law and order,” in our country and many more!   References/Resources: Prison Industrial Complex Definition | Merriam-Webster Prisoners in the US are part of a hidden workforc...

What do you think of when you hear behavioral health? Do you think of it’s close relative, mental health? Join me as I continue the discussion on mental health through behavioral health — what it means, some recent struggles and changes in the country and considerations for the future.    Resources/References Behavioral Health | Healthline Mental Health vs Behavioral Health | Healthline Behavioral...

Have you or someone you know struggled with mental health in the past or currently is? What is mental health? What does that even mean? Why should I even care?  If you said yes or asked yourself or someone else any of these questions, join me in my discussion on mental health, what we can do to support it, and why it is most important now more than ever to put in the work and address the mental he...

What happens in the home and community doesn’t necessarily always stay there, it can get carried around with a person into adulthood. Join me as I discuss adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). What are they? How can they happen? What are the risks and outcomes associated with them? How can we prevent them?  We know better, so, now, we all need to do better.   References/Resources/Recommendations:...

Come along as we explore the history of public health and a few of its biggest advances. Where did the idea of public health come from? How has it changed the world and changed with the world? Why were we asked to quarantine, isolate, and wash our hands?    Resources/References:  A Brief History of Public Health It Took Surprisingly Long for Doctors to Figure Out the Benefits of Handwashing | Hist...

Join me this week as we wrap up our Black History Month Episodes briefly highlighting Black Inventors and their inventions! Do you know who created the three-way traffic signal? What about the clothes dryer?     References/Resources: George T Sampson Dr. Charles Drew Richard Spikes Garret Morgan George Crum 8 Black Inventors Who Made Daily Life Easier | History Channel African American Inventors I...

Join me in this week’s episode as I discuss four accounts of the dark side of healthcare and medical experiments. Which case did you already know about? Which one surprised you the most?  1. The founding of modern gynecology 2. The “Immortal” Cells of Henrietta Lacks 3. Holmesburg Prison (Philadelphia, PA) 4. Arkansas Detention Center   Resources/References/Recommendations: Medical Apartheid: The...

Have you heard of these historical events: 1. The Overthrow of Hawaii’s Monarchy 2. Seneca Village, New York City 3. Oscarville, Georgia 4. The Battle of Blair Mountain 5. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study If not, come join me as I discuss these overlooked moments in America’s history. They may be regionally and locally known in their communities but to the larger public, they tend to be uncommonly know...

Join me as I discuss how whiteness or white racial identity extends beyond white supremacy and how we think of it. Episode 5 starts us off for Black History Month discussing how white supremacy is related to the social construction of race, white supremacy that goes beyond extremist hate groups. How whiteness and white supremacy sets the stage for the expectations and treatment of nonwhite persons...

Have you ever wondered what was meant when someone said that race is a social construct? What does this phrase mean? How does it impact me? Where does it come from? These are all questions I hoped to answer in this week’s episode as we continue to navigate and make sense of today’s world and political climate.    Resources The Origin of Race in the USA (Video) 220 Years of census data proves race...

This episode we discuss the contentious topic of patriarchy as the word stems from feminism to explain gender inequalities within certain societal structures, specifically a patriarchal one. However, despite common assumptions, the this structure is perceived as not only harming women but also poses as a detriment to men.    References:  Patriarchy Understanding Patriarchy | bell hooks Patriarchy,...

Today, in celebration of what would have been Dr. King’s 95th birthday, this year’s national holiday, we challenge the commonly retold aspects of his legacy and branch out to include the radical and most often unheard truths to his larger message and vision for the future of this country.    References:  Why We Can’t Wait Where Do We Go From Here Chaos or Community? Martin & Malcolm & Amer...

Welcome to season 2 of Stirring Up Shift!   This season’s first episode is all about escapism and how it can play a role in our lives and society as a means for us to shelter ourselves from uncomfortable realities whether it be our own or other’s. Facing the full truth is not easy but it can be done by each and every one of us when we look at and listen to alternatives to ourselves or what we are...