Peter and Phil's Courageous Conversations

Last week,  Democratic legislators in Texas fled the state in search of federal assistance pushing back on anti-voting measures, and now grassroots groups in Texas are planning a Selma-to-Montgomery style march in the state. It's a great start.  However, knowing politics will continue to go on as usual, when and how do we as voters continue to hold our politicians accountable?  In t...

Hervis Rogers, of Texas, was arrested on charges that he voted in the 2020 Democratic primary while on parole. He could now face as much as 20 years in prison. This podcast is a discussion of that incident, recurring voter disenfranchisement, and possible solutions to this ongoing issue. Join Peter & Phil for another great discussion. 

This week Peter continues last week's conversation on religion, and Phil shares a story about his childhood experiences of 'being seen and not heard.'  They both point out how it's an uncanny parallel of how many minorities still feel (seen, but not heard) even into their adulthood.  Join us for another awesome courageous conversation!

Is it possible to create one's own truth? Should there be a separation of church and state? This week Peter & Phil continue their courageous conversation by touching on religion, the government, and the truth.  Join us!

 Peter & Phil break down the phrase "All men are created equal".  The phrase is supposed to represent the idea that everyone is free and not to be “deprived of life, liberty, or property" as indicated in our Bill of Rights.  However, how much of that phrase does our country truly honor and is America living up to that pledge?  Join us and share!

This week, Peter & Phil finish last week's conversation.  Peter asks Phil what he would do if he were president to counter today's political propaganda.  His answer: Teach civic's lessons!  Integrating Veterinary Medicine into the discussion, Peter & Phil also ask: Should colleges put mandatory civic's lessons into their curriculum? We'll answer all this and more in this wee...

Peter & Phil discuss the undermining of democracy and the disenfranchisement of the black vote through legislation. In current news, Phil & Peter react to (R) Senator Ted Cruz's tweet (shared last week regarding the Russian army), as well as touch on the relevance of the new psycho-political thriller series on Amazon, 'Them.'  Please listen & share. 

Alex Haley's Roots: The Saga of An American Family first aired in 1977.  It was a mini-series that followed Haley's ancestral lineage from the soils of Africa, into the shackles of American slavery.  In this episode, Peter & Phil discuss the series after Peter admits he's never seen it.  Join us, for another great discussion!  

What are some of the 'code words' the system uses to try to keep black people in their communities?  This week, Peter and Phil discuss a few, plus get into depth over the term, 'invading the suburbs' on a whole new level! The time to talk is now, so join us for another Courageous Conversation!

Peter & Phil discuss the resurgence of overt racism during the last few years.  How much has changed since the 'good ol'days' and why are some Americans so determined to get them back?  Is there any hope for true equality in the future?  Tune into this week's episode for the answer!  You won't want to miss it.  

Peter & Phil continue last week's conversation, revealing their emotions after the verdict of Derek Chauvin comes in for the death of George Floyd. Phil admits that just like Eric Gardner's mother, Gwen Carr, he's tired of glimmers of justice.  How exactly do we rectify a broken system? Find out how in this week's part two episode.  Like & Share!

Coverage of the death of George Floyd not only prompted global protests for police reform but was the catalyst for Peter & Phil's Courageous Conversations podcast nearly a year ago. On April 21, 2020, Derek Chauvin, the policeman who pinned George Flloyd down to the ground for nine minutes and twenty-nine seconds, was found guilty of his murder on all three counts.  This week's discussion...

Dr. Peter Weinstein and Phillip Nelson welcome Dr. Courtney Campbell to the conversation. This episode, they discuss what they are all currently doing to keep the courageous conversation going, education (past and present), and the role school plays in fighting the injustices and racism prevalent in America today.  Join us for another courageous conversation!  Like & Share!

March 13th, 2020 - Breonna Taylor , a Black medical worker, was shot and killed by Louisville police officers during a botched raid on her apartment.  In November of 2020, Missouri Congresswoman-elect Cori Bush wore a Breonna Taylor mask and was mistakenly called Breona by GOP members several times.  In this episode, Peter and Phil discuss that particular incident as well as last week's...

Dr. Peter Weinstein and Dr. Phillip Nelson discuss the current polarization and commercialization of the news.  Are we getting news or just opinions? Given that some news stations have gotten so far away from the facts,  will they ever be able to regain our trust again?  Let's discuss!  

To practice, or not to practice? To teach or not to teach? What motivates those entering the Vet Med profession? In this episode, Dr. Nelson expresses some regret for not going back to serve his community by opening up a practice but teaching instead.  Join us for the conversation!  

How do we keep our democracy a true democracy? Are your rights really secure? In this episode,  Peter and Phil discuss Robin DiAngelo’s theories ( the author of White Fragility ), the power struggle of the majority vs. the minority, and the role politics play in that struggle. Join us for another Courageous Conversation (& don't forget to like and share)! 

It's said those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.  Well, what happens when we actively try to erase it?  This episode, Dr. Peter Weinstein and Dr. Phillip Nelson touch on this subject and more!  Join us. 

Although schools were integrated in the 1960s, redlining (t he practice of denying a creditworthy applicant a loan for housing in a certain neighborhood ) was used to make sure blacks did not purchase houses in white subdivisions.  Public pools were also made private in an attempt to keep the color lines separate and work around the integration laws.  In this episode, Dr. Peter Weinstein...

From Jackie Robinson and Wilt Chamberlain to Mohammed Ali and Arthur Ash - sports figures made headway in the sports arena while simultaneously bringing social injustices to light.  In this episode, Dr. Peter Weinstein and Dr. Phillip Nelson reflect on some of their past sports heroes and discuss how they helped shape American society outside of their perspective sport.  Join us and plea...

This episode is dedicated to all heroes; from the Civil Rights era & beyond.  This week's discussion includes well-known heroes like Malcom X, Martin Luther King, and Medger Evers, to more personal ones like the hosts' fathers.  No one is off-limits in this part one episode and things get personal.   *Join the discussion and check back next week for part two!  

This week, Dr. Phillip Nelson and Dr. Peter Weinstein discuss the documentary 13th ; a film that explores the history of racial inequality in the United States and highlights how slavery transcended into what some have termed modern-day slavery .    When the nation's prisons are disproportionately filled with African-Americans, can we truly state that slavery no longer exists? How did we...

Dr. Peter Weinstein shares his childhood pet's names were "Blackey" and "Whitey" which creates an entire conversation about the meaning of words and the unintended implications behind them.   Dr. Phillip Nelson attests that sometimes words are just what they are on the surface, without having to dig too deep!  Join us for a more light-hearted episode this week and share with friends...

 Dr. Peter Weinstein and Dr. Phillip Nelson dive deeper into people of color's fear of the police from the 1960s to today.  This episode covers different views on the police, lawlessness,  and also entails an altercation Dr. Nelson saw between the freedom fighters and the police during (what was supposed to be) a peaceful protest.  Join us!

Dr. Peter Weinstein & Dr. Phillip Nelson delve deep into the Black Lives Matter Movement and further discuss how defunding the police (a phrase that came out of that movement) is viewed from both sides.  Join the conversation!