Whatsjust presents Critical Conversations

Send a text In this episode, I’m joined by Lourdes A. Rivera , President of Pregnancy Justice and a leading voice in the fight to ensure that no one loses their rights because of pregnancy. Lourdes has spent over three decades advancing reproductive freedom, gender justice, and human rights through her work in law, philanthropy, and advocacy. Together, we unpack what it means to live in a country...

Send a text In this episode, I’m joined by Alec Karakatsanis , a trailblazing civil rights lawyer, Founder and Executive Director of Civil Rights Corps, and author of Copaganda: How Police and the Media Manipulate Our News. Together, we pull back the curtain on how everyday headlines shape what we believe about crime, safety, and justice, and how those beliefs serve the powerful and not necessaril...

Send a text This episode features Dr. Jane Ward, professor and chair of Feminist Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and author of the recent book, The Tragedy of Heterosexuality . In this conversation, we explore the complexities of heterosexuality, its historical context, and the implications of gender dynamics in relationships. We discuss  The evolution of marriage  Explorin...

Send a text This episode features a live-recorded critical conversation between Abbie and Prentice Hemphill, a therapist, somatic educator, political organizer, founder of the Embodiment Institute, and writer of the recent book, What It Takes To Heal. In this conversation, we explore the intricate relationship between healing, justice, and the body, and discuss: Conflict as a catalyst for growth T...

Send a text This episode is step ten in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations featuring Steven Windisch , the Director of the Crime and Security Data Analytics Lab in the Terrorism Research Center at the University of Arkansas. Dr. Windisch's research breaks away from approaches limited to specific phases of the extremist’s life course, such as their period of incarceration. In...

Send a text This episode is step nine in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations featuring Barret Michalec , director of the Center for Advancing Interprofessional Practice, Education and Research (CAIPER), and an associate professor in the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Michalec’s research examines humility, empathy, and belonging, particularly within the healthcare...

Send a text This episode is step eight in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations featuring Dr.  Alison Wood Brooks , a Professor of Business Administration and Hellman Faculty Fellow at the Harvard Business School who was recently named a Best 40-Under-40 Business School Professor by Poets & Quants. Her book TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves will be...

Send a text This episode is step seven in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations  featuring   Dr. Mariel Buqué , an Afro-Latina psychologist and author of the best-selling book, Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma . She earned her doctoral degree in psychology at Columbia University, where she trained as a holistic mental health fellow within Columbia Univers...

Send a text This episode is step six in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations and features Julian Treasure , a top-rated international speaker and award-winning author on the power of sound and the skills of speaking and listening for both individuals and organizations. Julian’s five TED talks have been viewed more than 150 million times; one of them is the sixth most-viewed of all...

Send a text This episode is step five in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations and features Dr. Natalie Nixon , a creativity strategist and keynote speaker. She is valued for her accessible expertise in creativity, the future of work, and innovation. Natalie has been named among the top women keynote speakers by Real Leaders and BigSpeak and has features in Forbes, Fast Company, and...

Send a text This episode is step four in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations and features Dr. Peter T Coleman , a professor of psychology and education at Columbia University and a renowned expert on constructive conflict resolution, intractable conflict, and sustaining peace. Dr. Coleman has authored or edited a dozen books, well over 100 scientific articles and chapters, is the...

Send a text This episode is step three in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations and features Dr. Todd B. Kashdan , a Professor of Psychology at George Mason University, and a leading authority on well-being, curiosity, courage, and resilience. He has published over 200 scientific articles, his work has been cited over 35,000 times, and he received the American Psychological Associat...

Send a text This episode is step two in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations and features Dr. Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton , a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, with expertise in stereotyping and prejudice from the perspective of both target and perceiver, intergroup relations, and how these processes influence educational outcomes.  In this episode, we:...

Send a text This episode is step one in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations and features Dr. Rick Hanson , a psychologist, senior fellow at UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center , and New York Times bestselling author. His seven books have been published in 31 languages and include Making Great Relationships, Neurodharma, Hardwiring Happiness, and Buddha's Brain, wit...

Send a text Today's episode features New York Times best-selling author, neuroscientist, and developmental psychiatrist, Dr. Bruce Perry.  In this episode we discuss: why we need to start asking "What happened to you?" rather than "What's wrong with you? how relationships and connection can counterbalance the negative health impacts of trauma how our brains interpret stres...

Send a text Today's episode features Iya Affo, the founder of Heal Historical Trauma Culture Wellness Academy, and the International Historical Trauma Association.    In this episode we discuss: how trauma creates neurological dysregulation how self-care can be used as a stress-prevention tool why it's important to teach police about historical trauma If you have any questions or comment...

Send a text Today's episode features Ashley Bell, CEO of Readylife , a new Black-owned bank that is making homeownership more achievable for those often left out of the global economy.   In this episode we discuss: the racist history of the American banking system the truth behind how credit scores are created how homeownership is a key component for racial equity If you have any questions or...

Send a text Today's episode features Dr. Jordan Hyatt, an associate professor in the Department of Criminology and Justice Studies at Drexel University, where he also sits as director of the Center for Public Policy.   In this episode we discuss: a pilot program in a Pennsylvania prison that is attempting to emulate the Scandinavian prison model how the prison environment impacts correctional...

Send a text Today's episode features Are Hoidal, Senior Advisor for the Norwegian Correctional Service and recent author of The Norweigan Prison System: Halden Prison and Beyond . For 14 years, Are served as the prison warden at Halden prison, known to be the most humane prison in the world. In this episode we discuss: the importance of rehabilitation versus retribution how to lower recidivis...

Send a text Today's episode features Dr. Fredrick Echols, Chief Executive Officer of Cure Violence Global , a violence prevention organization. Prior to becoming CEO of CVG, Dr. Echols served as the Director of Health and Health Commissioner for the City of St. Louis and was a physician in the U.S. Navy. In this episode we discuss: the reason for the uptick in violence during the COVID-19 pan...

Send a text Dr. Carl Hart is a neuroscientist and professor of Psychology at Columbia University and is also the author of Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear . In this episode we: uncover the benefits of drug use debunk several myths including that (1) drugs destroy the brain, and (2) drugs cause violence and crime discuss the feasibility of drug legalization examine the i...

Send a text Dr. Alex Vitale is the author of End of Policing, a Sociology professor at Brooklyn College, and the coordinator of the Policing and Social Justice Project. He has spent the last 25 years writing about policing and consults both police departments and human rights organizations internationally. In this episode we: unpack the differences between the concepts of police abolition and poli...

Send a text This episode features a critical conversation with Dr. H. Jean Wright, the Deputy Commissioner for Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and the Director of the Behavioral Health and Justice division. In this episode, we discuss social determinants of health and specifically how the criminal justice system impacts the health of all those in contact with it. We also discuss tan...

Send a text In this episode, I’m joined by Stacey Torrance. Stacey was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole at the age of 14. Upon the supreme court ruling that sentencing children to life without parole was unconstitutional, Stacey was released after 30 years in prison. In this episode, we speak about how he maintained hope throughout his sentence, the harsh reality check he confro...

Send a text This critical conversation features Abd’allah Lateef, the Senior Strategic Advisor and Racial Equity Specialist at the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth. Sentenced to life without the possibility of parole as a child, Abd’allah was resentenced and released in 2017 after spending over 30 years in prison. In this episode, Abd’allah provides an intimate account of the effects of p...