Whatsjust presents Critical Conversations

Epizode

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  Pregnancy on Trial: The Criminalization of Reproduction with Lourdes A. Rivera 09.11.2025 51min

  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 where pregnancy itself can lead to punishment, and what that reveals about our broader criminal an...
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  Are We All Falling for 'Copaganda'? with Alec Karakatsanis 24.08.2025 48min

  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 necessarily the public. We dive into: How to spot propaganda hiding in plain sightReal, non-punitive approac...
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  How to Make Heterosexuality Less "Tragic" with Dr. Jane Ward 06.05.2025 53min

  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 Exploring sexualityThe commodification of relationship adviceHow to be a feministI would love to ...
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  How Healing Changes our Future, Present, and Past with Prentis Hemphill 22.04.2025 1h 16min

  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 growthThe fallacy of the mind-body splitHealing as relational rather than individual Visioning as a ...
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  Step Ten: Being Open to Change with Dr. Steven Windisch 16.06.2024 1h 5min

  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. Instead, his research emphasizes the accumulation of risk factors (e.g., physical abuse) and life events ...
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  Step Nine: Developing Empathy with Dr. Barret Michalec 09.06.2024 1h 12min

  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 field. In this episode, we: discuss the difference between empathy and sympathyexplore...
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  Step Eight: Releasing Defenses with Dr. Alison Wood Brooks 02.06.2024 55min

  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 published by Crown (Penguin Random House) in January 2025. Her research on the science of con...
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  Step Seven: Encouraging Vulnerability with Dr. Mariel Buqué 26.05.2024 1h 8min

  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 University's Irving Medical Center. Within this role, she focused on helping Black and Latine commu...
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  Step Six: Learning to Listen with Julian Treasure 19.05.2024 1h

  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 time. He is also an audio branding consultant who uses innovative biophilic soundscapes in retail ...
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  Step Five: Mastering the Power of Inquiry with Dr. Natalie Nixon 12.05.2024 53min

  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 INC. She is the author of the award-winning book, The Creativity Leap: Unleash Curiosity, Improvi...
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  Step Four: Creating Safety in Conflict with Dr. Peter T. Coleman 05.05.2024 1h 3min

  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 recipient of various awards, and his work has been featured in media outlets such as The New York ...
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  Step Three: Cultivating Curiosity with Dr. Todd Kashdan 28.04.2024 59min

  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 Association's Award for Distinguished Scientific Early Career Contributions to Psychology. His books The A...
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  Step Two: Recognizing Personal Biases with Dr. Mendoza-Denton 21.04.2024 51min

  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: define the three elements of biasdiscuss the importance of bias in critical conversationsexam...
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  Step One: Becoming Self-Aware with Dr. Rick Hanson 07.04.2024 59min

  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, with over a million copies in English alone. He's the founder of the Global Compassion Coalition and the Wellspr...
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  What Happened to You? with Dr. Bruce Perry 09.04.2023 56min

  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 traumahow our brains interpret stress and influence our abilities to cope If you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTu...
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  Can Self-Care Prevent Police Shootings? with Iya Affo 26.03.2023 52min

  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 dysregulationhow self-care can be used as a stress-prevention toolwhy it's important to teach police about historical trauma If you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTube series Office Hours with Abbie and Juwan please emai...
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  Are Credit Scores Racist? with Ashley Bell 12.03.2023 39min

  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 systemthe truth behind how credit scores are createdhow homeownership is a key component for racial equity If you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTube series Office Hours with Abbie and Juwa...
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  Can Prisons be Humane? with Dr. Jordan Hyatt 26.02.2023 46min

  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 modelhow the prison environment impacts correctional officerswhether it's possible for prisons to be humane places If you have any questions or ...
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  Should We Abolish Prisons? with Are Hoidal 12.02.2023 38min

  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 retributionhow to lower recidivism rates in the United Stateswhy treating incarcerated individuals with respect and dignity creates posit...
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  Can We Cure Violence? with Dr. Fredrick Echols 29.01.2023 48min

  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 pandemicwhy a "for us by us" approach to violence prevention is more effective than traditional criminal l...