The oursociallandscape's Podcast

I interview a few people to hear their thoughts on the upcoming election.

Irish poet and theologian Pádraig Ó Tuama joins me to discuss the role of poetry, lament, and rage in conflict resolution. Padraig has been the director of the Corrymeela Community, Ireland’s oldest peace and reconciliation organization, and in 2011 he co-founded the storytelling event 10 by 9, where 9 people have up to 10 minutes to tell a true story about their lives, related to themes which cha...

A conversation about race, politics, and writing with Ward Churchill, American Indian activist and former chair of the Ethnic Studies Department at the University of Colorado.

This combines a two-part post on what it might look like to "defund the police".

Patterson Hood of the Drive-by Truckers joins me from Portland, Oregon, to discuss his music and the state of affairs in America.   Included music: Disappear, Puttin’ People on the Moon, What it Means, (Something’s Got to) Give Pretty Soon, Saturday Night Special, Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More, Homefront, Heathens.

A discussion with Mike Jetty and RT White about Indian mascots in light of the Washington Redskins changing their name.

A discussion of the current state of America as we revel in Independence Day mythology.  "Almost Independence Day" by Van Morrison plays behind...

Jacksonville-based artist and Professor Dustin Harewood joins me to discuss the role of art in our current civil unrest and potential cultural change that could emerge.

American Indian activist and educator Dr. Shane Doyle joins me from Bozeman, Montana, to discuss the current civil unrest in the U.S. and the overlap with Native issues.  

My thoughts on the civil unrest and protests erupting around the country.  Marvin Gaye's "Inner-city Blues" starts the episode, and Bob Marley finishes it with his song "War", which was from a speech by Emperor Haile Selassie.

A discussion of Memorial Day and suggestions to truly honor the fallen.  The music is Sunday Bloody Sunday and Surrender by U2.

This post was published after the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, an African American man jogging in Brunswick, Georgia, came to national attention.

An essay about giving in this time of need, with Neil Young singing "Heart of Gold".

This week's blog post is an interview with Penny Devine, Professor of Psychology at the Florida State College at Jacksonville, where we discuss the psychological and sociological implications of Covid-19.

My thoughts upon hearing the news that John Prine had died from Covid-19 complications.

Two shorter posts on the Coronavirus are combined into one with the first dated March 12th and the second March 23rd.  The episode features Matthew Halsall's "Finding Our Way".

Examining the relationship between human inequality and environmental issues.

The case for the United States shifting to a view of health care being a right instead of a privilege.

A plea to end the use of Native American mascots in team sports.