Welcome to the Espresso Talk Today Podcast!
Where we go on an enriching journey through the heart of Black history, culture, and health. Our mission is to not just discuss but to connect, inspire, and illuminate.
Episode 45: The Power and Posture of Young Voters
Young people are a powerful group--especially in elections. In the United States, young voters (aged 18 to 29) make up more than half of eligible voters. This group is diverse, informed, intelligent, and focusing on the future. Yet many young people choose not to vote. Their reasons range from a lack of interest to disillusionment with the political process.
Episode 44: How to Live a Self-Empowered Life
What does self-empowerment mean to you? Do you feel self-empowered? In a world of white privilege and white supremacy, many African Americans feel dis-empowered and struggle with maintaining self-esteem. This show will introduce the elements of self-empowerment, the obstacles to self-empowerment, and how everyone can live a self-empowered life.
Episode 43: The Problem of Racist Friends
Friendships can be complicated. What happens if you discover that your friend holds racist views? Or homophobic views? Or sexist attitudes? Bias exists in every person. Yet racism, sexism, and anti-LGBTQ-ism take prejudice to a different and possibly dangerous level. Handling a racist "friend" is a difficult situation. It can create hostility or even a teachable moment about the perils of racism.
Episode 42: Premiere: ETT News Edition for September 2020
The premiere episode of the ETT News Edition! Senior Content Analyst Hans Hyppolite presents the major news events of the month. There is a lot of news happening these days! From elections to conflicts to Covid: How can we remember it all?
Episode 41: Pursuing Diversity and Inclusion in Corporate America
Fortune 500 Corporations are considered both financial powerhouses and leaders in social change. Yet corporate leadership is undeniably white and male. Today, there are only 4 African American (all male) CEOs. And most corporations have few--most have none!--African Americans on the Boards of Directors or in other executive roles. Following the killing of George Floyd in May 2020, many corporations pledged to work for racial and social justice and equity. Yet most of these white male-led businesses have yet to make meaningful changes in the advancement of people of color.
Episode 40: An African Folktale on Self-Determination
What does self-determination mean to you? What things threaten your right to self-determination? For people of color around the world, the right to self-determination is supreme yet has been undermined by colonialism, systemic racism, and economic inequality. Many Black and Brown people have fought--some successfully, others unsuccessfully--for their right to self-determination.
Episode 39: Surprising and Fun Ways to Learn Black History
History is boring, right? Wrong! If you like stories, romance, mystery, and drama then you will love learning history. But history is often taught only by memorizing names, dates, and death counts. Robin and Hans are continuing their discussion from last week's podcast show in which they discussed why history is still important.
Episode 38: Beyond Black History Month: We still need Black History!
No, it's not Black History Month but Black history is still important. Protests. Marches. Covid pandemic. Police violence. Systemic racism. These are not new in American history. Yet many people have forgotten how these events have had a regular presence throughout American (and perhaps world) history. Are we doomed to repeat the failures of the past? Have we learned how to approach these important issues effectively? Robin and Hans think that history is important but that it is not getting the attention needed to have an impact.
Episode 37: Defeating your Fear Meditation
This is the flagship podcast for the Wellness Time series! Many people accept the power of fear in their lives. Fear drives many of our big and small decisions. But fear can affect our mental and physical health causing depression, hypertension, anxiety, obesity, and many other chronic illnesses. Racism and police violence are two major causes of fear among people of color, making us more susceptible to chronic illness.
Episode 36: How and Why to Vote by Mail
The 2020 General Election in the United States is destined to be a historic moment in American history. Yes, the election is likely to be the most hotly contested electoral competition since the Bush-Gore election in 2000. The election process will be the defining feature and possibly affect the outcome. Because of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, mail-in (or no-excuse absentee) voting will be the most popular method of voting in the 2020 election. However, voting by mail is not new in the United States.
Episode 35: An Ancient Folktale about Kindness: Lord of the Cranes
Folktales are an ancient method of entertainment and teaching lessons. They are also a way of promoting and preserving cultural traditions. The Espresso Talk Today team loves this ancient art of storytelling and education to add a special flavor to its show.
Episode 34: In the Footsteps of John Lewis: Student Activists fighting for a Better World
Representative John Lewis inspired a nation and more than one generation. He left a legacy of courage, activism, and non-violence. Young people and students are now picking up the torch and working for a better and more equal world. These young activists are working for civil rights, environmental justice, indigenous peoples' rights, women's rights, LGBTQ rights as well as leading the Black Lives Matter movement. In this exciting and informative episode, Hans (recently finished graduate studies) and Ben (second-year university student) discuss how John Lewis has inspired them and how student activism appears today.
Episode 33: The Case for Harvard to Return Slave Photos
For more than 200 years, Harvard University has been profiting from the photos of an enslaved man (named "Renty") and his daughter. Their descendants want the photos returned and they are taking the powerful university to court. Many universities are finally admitting their participation in and profit from African slavery. A few universities are making reparations; others are only making apologies. What will Harvard do?
Episode 32: How Elder Law Protects and Empowers Senior Citizens
The fastest-growing demographic worldwide is the senior population. People are living longer and more are staying healthy as they age. Yet age-related illnesses like dementia, stroke, heart disease, and diabetes are realities for some senior citizens and their families. With this growing population has arisen an area of law that is dedicated to protecting and empowering older adults. This is Elder Law. Through advanced planning, older adults can prepare for these illnesses, which can leave them both physically and mentally incapacitated. Elder law provides tools that can allow older adults and their families to make financial decisions, prepare for incapacity, make medical decisions, and protect their home and other assets. In this important episode, Doug (yeah, he's back!) and Robin discuss the needs of older adults and how to protect their interests.
Episode 31: The Growing Controversy of Wearing Masks to Stop Covid-19
The Covid-19 pandemic has a new star on the scene: the mask. In the midst of fear and isolation during the lockdown as well as people wondering who the virus will target next, scientists, policymakers, and ordinary people are looking for solutions to the COVID pandemic. The mask is being touted by many as an easy way to stop the spread of the illness. Many countries have made wearing the mask mandatory in stores, restaurants, and other indoor venues. For this reason, some people believe that the requirement to wear a mask infringes on their individual rights. Americans and Europeans share many ideas and values but they sharply diverge on the government's power to mandate masks.
Episode 30: How to Decolonize Educational Systems Now
Systemic racism is widely recognized and is (finally) being fought and dismantled. Around the world, people are protesting against racism and racial violence. Education is one important area in which racism is recognized and also being attacked. Leading the movement against racism in educational systems are students of color who are feeling empowered to fight for an education that acknowledges and supports them. This has led to examining educational curricula, questioning who decides the boundaries of knowledge, and critiquing power systems that maintain white supremacy. In this unique discussion, Robin and Ben question how to decolonize educational systems.
Episode 29: How the Black Lives Matter Movement Began and Why
Since George Floyd's murder, Black Lives Matter has received a lot of attention from many sources: media, politicians, athletes, and ordinary people. And it is (finally!) receiving a lot of understanding from the White community. But Black Lives Matter did not just emerge on the scene following Mr. Floyd's horrific murder. It actually formed in 2013 following the murder of 17-year old Trayvon Martin by a self-proclaimed and armed community volunteer in Florida who labeled him as a thug. Black Lives Matter has since been organizing, marching, protesting, and working tirelessly since that time to make the world understand that Black lives are threatened every day. No Black life is safe.
Episode 28: Who are America's Black Founders?
America's original Founders--Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, and others--were revolutionaries and resisters. They created a new nation but also a new relationship between the government and the people. Yet there were omissions, problems, conflicts, and racism. They never reached a clear decision on slavery, the rights of women, or the rights of the indigenous populations. Work remained to be done. America's new Founders were also revolutionaries and resisters but they were more committed to the Republican ideals of equality, freedom, and individual rights for all people. They are often not revered like the original Founders but their accomplishments were arguably greater, definitely more egalitarian.
Episode 27: All Oppression is Wrong: The Neglected Struggles of the Black LGBTQ Community
We are celebrating Pride Month. Pride Month is so important because it acknowledges huge change for the LGBT+ community, as well as the wider societal implications. This is positive and powerful. Yet the LGBT+ community still faces discrimination, hate, and violence. And the Black LGBT+ community experiences these problems at a higher rate but with less access to legal recourse and support.
Episode 26: A Nigerian Fable on Gratitude
Gratitude can be taught and learned in different ways. "The Hunter and the Antelope" is a fable from Nigeria in which different animals teach the importance of gratitude to a crocodile. The fable is presented by Elder Mellanese in honor of Juneteenth. But the story is interesting and important throughout the year!
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