Conscious Anti-Racism

Why is it important to be vulnerable, but also set boundaries, when communicating about uncomfortable topics?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, anti-racism educator, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism.

In this episode, Jill interviews John Neral, a certified professional coach. John explains some tips on how to receive feedback or correction if something you said or did is offensive. He discusses how his experience as a gay man has informed the way he approaches building trust and growing relationships across lines of difference.

John Neral helps mid-career professionals who feel stuck, undervalued, and underutilized SHOW UP to find a job they love or love the job they have. John's professional walk included a 25-year career in education and as a longstanding corporate consultant for Fortune 500 giant, Casio America, Inc. John is the host of "The Mid-Career GPS Podcast" and the author of SHOW UP – Six Strategies to Lead a More Energetic and Impactful Career and Your Mid-Career GPS – Four Steps to Figuring Out What's Next.

John is an avid game show enthusiast and professional bowler who won a title on the PBA Regional Tour. He lives outside of Washington, D.C., with his spouse and their rescue cat, "Amy Farrah Meowler," named because of their love of the television show "The Big Bang Theory."

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What does it mean to be trauma-informed? What are somatics? How does anti-racism work intersect with trauma, and what can be done to start healing that trauma?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, anti-racism educator, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. In this episode, Jill interviews Raina LaGrand, somatic trauma therapist, yoga teacher, and speaker/facilitator specializing in racial identity, trauma, relationships and embodiment. They discuss how racism, oppression, and colonialism integrate with trauma treatment as well as the grief associated with anti-racism work, and how to approach those feelings.

Raina LaGrand’s work is guided by a deep belief that the relationships we choose are opportunities to practice new behaviors and values that weren't available to us in our families of origin. In her practice, she primarily helps mixed race adults and interracial couples uncover who they are underneath their trauma so they can build healthy and meaningful relationships. She also provides coaching and courses for people of all identities.

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In what ways has the patriarchy stigmatized or sexualized women’s health? Why are women of color at even greater risk of traumatic medical events?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, anti-racism educator, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism.

In this episode, Jill interviews Dr. Angelica Whaley, a pelvic health physical therapist. They discuss how pelvic health physical therapy is a way to advocate for women, the statistics around how mental and physical abuse show up in pelvic health, and the importance of every woman being empowered around her own pelvic health. 

Dr. Angelica Whaley helps patients manage the biological, psychological, social, emotional, spiritual, and of course, physical contributions and manifestations to their symptoms so that we can partner along the journey to the other side of pain.

She obtained a BS in Kinesiology and Health Promotions from The University of Kentucky and a minor in Spanish, where she also committed to run track and field on scholarship. She went on to receive her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Northwestern University. She is a founding member of the Inaugural Global Health Committee and Black Student Committee.

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www.thepelvispro.com

@thepelvispro

@angee_licaa

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Why do some Jewish people oppose the policies of the Israeli government? Is there a difference in critiquing Israel and being antisemitic? Are all supporters of Israel’s policies inherently supportive of Jewish people?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism.

In this episode, Jill shares her own difficult journey as a white Jewish woman to oppose the Israeli apartheid occupation of Palestine and support liberation of Palestine.

She discusses her own upbringing and how that influenced her views about Israel’s role in the life of Jewish people and about Palestinian people. She shares her understanding of trauma and how it intersects with all forms of oppression, including the treatment of Palestinian people.

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What is relational neuroscience?

Why is self-compassion important in the anti racism space?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, anti-racism educator, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. In this episode, Jill interviews Sarah Peyton, a neuroscience educator whose book, The Antiracist Heart: A Self-Compassion and Activism Handbook, has recently been released.

They discuss the importance of grounded care and acknowledgment of everyone's experience, combined with a fierce invitation to participate and change. Sarah details how privilege impacts people’s brains and the importance of self-compassion to help navigate shame and guilt that comes with anti-racism work.

Sarah Peyton, Certified Trainer of Nonviolent Communication and neuroscience educator, integrates brain science and the use of resonant language to awaken and sustain self-compassion, particularly in the face of such difficult issues like self-condemnation, self-disgust, and self-sabotage.

She teaches and lectures internationally and is the author of the Your Resonant Self-book series. She is also the co-author alongside Roxy Manning, Ph.D. of The Antiracist Heart: A Self-Compassion and Activism Handbook.

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What are common mistakes that educators make when trying to address systemic racism and oppression? How do we better address education systems so that they support the success of people of all identities?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, anti-racism educator, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. In this episode, Jill interviews Nadia Bennett, founder of an education consulting firm that leads the way for schools to become anti-racist learning environments through culturally-relevant leadership development and mentorship. They discussed the common mistakes made in the education space in the name of anti-racism, and the importance of making people feel safe in order to do the deeper work of anti-racism.

As a proud Black female entrepreneur, Nadia Bennett currently leads her team at When Brown Girls Lead™ to make sure all students are receiving the equitable education they deserve.

Her passion for championing change was strengthened during her time at Dillard and Howard Universities, where she received her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s in Education Administration and Policy. In addition to supporting anti-racist environments in education through her current work, she is also pursuing her doctorate degree. When she is not helping make impactful change across the country, Nadia keeps her mind primed by enjoying time with friends, reading and traveling internationally. She has also been known to binge watch a show or two.

What is the concept of a “beloved community”? What does a nonviolent approach to communication look like when bridging differences in opinions?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism.

In this episode, Jill interviews Dr. Roxy Manning, a Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, certified Center for Nonviolent Communication (CNVC) trainer and author of her new book ‘How to Have AntiRacist Conversations’.

They discuss Dr. Manning’s experiences of occupying different marginalized identities and her realization that she was keeping others “comfortable” at her own expense. She details the importance of people having a chance to tell their stories and understand that their needs matter.

Dr. Roxy Manning brings decades of service experience to her work interrupting explicitly and implicitly oppressive attitudes and cultural norms. Dr. Manning has worked, consulted, and provided training across the US with businesses, nonprofits, and government organizations wanting to move towards equitable and diverse workplace cultures, as well as internationally in over 10 countries with individuals and groups committed to social change. She also works as a psychologist in San Francisco serving the homeless and disenfranchised mentally ill population.  

She is the author of How to Have AntiRacist Conversations: Embracing Our Full Humanity to Challenge White Supremacy and the co-author with Sarah Peyton of the companion text, The Antiracist Heart: A Self-Compassion and Activism Handbook.

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What impact does social media have on racism and anti-racism? How do traditional media sources gatekeep whose voices are heard?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, anti-racism educator, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism.

In this episode, Jill interviews Dr. Rob Eschmann, a distinguished writer, educator, filmmaker, and scholar. They talked about the impact of technology and online communication on our understanding and responses to racism. He also elaborated on the activism of everyday people who are challenging how racism operates.

Dr. Rob's recently published book, When the Hood Comes Off: Racism and Resistance in the Digital Age, delves into the transformative impact of technology and online communication on our experiences and responses to racism.

His expertise encompasses educational inequality, community violence, social media, and youth well-being. By shining a light on the mechanisms of racism, Rob aims to raise consciousness and promote resistance efforts. 

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Savage Inequalities: Children in America's Schools by Jonathan Kozol

What is neuro-linguistic programming?

How can it be useful in the anti-oppression space?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, anti-racism educator, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism.

In this episode, Jill interviews Dr. Maiysha Clairborne, Master Coach and Trainer of Neurolinguistic Programming and the co-author of Conscious Anti-Racism: Tools for Self-Discovery, Accountability and Meaningful Change. They take a deep dive into neuro-linguistic programming, how having a ground communication skill set when doing anti-oppression work is key, and how NLP can be applied to people with different identities.

Dr. Maiysha Clairborne is an Integrative Physician, Master Coach & Trainer of Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), Hypnosis & Time Line Therapy®, & founder of the Mind Re-Mapping Co. Through her trainings, Dr. Clairborne helps individuals and organizations minds achieve mindset & communication mastery by teaching them how to eliminate negative thinking, faulty beliefs, and ineffective behaviors so that they can be trauma responsive in their communications & interactions with others. Stay tuned for a new course coming soon.

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What is crisis diversity? In what ways did 9/11 impact the Muslim community?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, anti-racism educator, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. In this episode, Jill interviews Evelyn Alsultany, an associate professor in the Department of American Studies and Ethnicity. They discuss the lived experiences of growing up as the child of an Iraqi-Muslim immigrant. Alsultany examines the troupes of “good” vs “bad” Muslims in the media, and how crisis diversity can be a detriment to wider DEI efforts.

Evelyn Alsultany is a leading expert on the history of representations of Arabs and Muslims in the US. media. She is a professor in the Department of American Studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California’s Dornsife College. Professor Alsultany has served as an educator and consultant for Hollywood studios (Netflix, Amazon, NBC Universal) and co-authored criteria, the Obeidi-Alsultany Test, to help Hollywood improve representations of Muslims.

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How has sport activism changed in recent years? Are there pitfalls to major corporations pushing social justice efforts?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, anti-racism educator, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. In this episode, Jill interviews Dr. Shaun Anderson, an internationally recognized scholar, proud HBCU graduate, and award-winning professor at Loyola Marymount University. They explore the history and future of athletes and activism.

As a sought-after expert regarding sport and social issues, he has worked with recognized organizations such as MLB, PBS, ADL, Nike, ESPN, and lectured at several universities. As a scholar, he examines how sport has influenced business, politics, and society. He is also the founder of CSR Global Consulting, LLC, which assists organizations in developing and implementing their social responsibility initiatives. He received his BA from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in Mass Communication, an MSMC from Arkansas State University in Journalism, and a PhD from West Virginia University in Communication Studies (under a W.E.B. DuBois Fellowship).

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What is emotional labor? How can white women honor their own experiences and frustrations with sexism while also acknowledging and discussing the broader context of the emotional labor Black people expend when educating white people about racism? How does whiteness cause harm in movements such as feminism, which have historically excluded Black women? 

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. In this episode, Jill uses a recent social media post that she saw to highlight the dangers of white women using the term ‘emotional labor’ without acknowledging the broader context of the harm and danger that Black people face (historically and currently) as they undertake the emotional labor of educating white people about racism. She discusses how movements such as feminism have historically been racist, and how important it is for white women to recognize opportunities to amplify the work of Black women. 

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What is the importance of safety in creating true inclusivity?

What questions can we ask to foster collaborative forward movement in conversations about race?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. In this episode, Jill interviews Eva Medilek, a Certified High-Performance Coach, International Speaker, #1 Best-Selling Author, and Cultural Inclusivity Trainer. They discuss the proper framework to open space for intimate conversations about race and how listening to understand is more important than being correct.

Eva specializes in helping busy professionals have more money, time, and success without sacrificing health, well-being and relationships in the process. As a keynote speaker, Eva shows you how to generate the energy needed to reverse the burnout we experience from trying to do it all. 

Her radio talk show, What’s Important Now; Making Time for What Matters Most brings to light hot topics and guests that focus on important matters facing us today.

She uses her personal experiences along with her leadership, relationship and high-performance training to teach you how to have it all without sacrificing it all.

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How does whiteness impact what we think is ‘normal’?

How does our sense of what is ‘normal’ impact the way we interact with others?

How does ableism show up in work, spiritual, and interpersonal spaces? 

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. In this episode, Jill discusses how whiteness intersects with ableism, and how what we think is ‘normal’ is the lens through which we experience the world and interact with others. She shares some of her own experiences with the arrogance of ableism and some ways to break free from behaviors that might be harmful to others.

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What is the difference between cultural competence, cultural humility, and cultural safety?

Why is it important to incorporate all three while trying to connect to individuals across differences?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. In this episode, Jill interviews Dr. Raj Sundar, a family physician and community organizer. They discuss what healthcare professionals can do to improve cultural safety and in what ways they might be unknowingly causing harm in their patient care.

Dr. Raj Sundar is currently working as a full-spectrum family medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente Washington. In addition to his clinical duties, Dr. Sundar serves as the Associate Medical Director of the Burien Medical Center, where he oversees the care of over 17,000 patients and is the leader of the Health Equity Action Team (HEAT), a group of over 500 members who are committed to promoting healthcare equity through forums and community organizing. 

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What is whiteness, and why must we examine it?

How does whiteness relate to white people?

How does our racial identity impact what we are taught about ourselves? 

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. In this episode, Jill discusses whiteness. She shares some of her own experiences as she discusses the importance of examining one’s own whiteness and how whiteness impacts the world around us - on an interpersonal and a systemic level. Jill also shares resources that can help white people on this journey.

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What has society lost because of racism? How can white people take ownership of their past and move forward?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. In this episode, Jill interviews Martha Caldwell, the co-founder and vice president of learning and development at iChange. They discuss the myth of the Zero-Sum Game and how everyone benefits from equity. Martha gives advice on approaching racist actions of family and friends. She also explains ways to keep yourself accountable when confronting racism and the need for organizations to have top-level people trained in equity work.

Martha is a co-founder and vice president of learning and development at iChange. She draws on the power of story to make the impact of social identity visible. Her approach synthesizes elements of social and emotional intelligence, inquiry learning, and identity formation research. She served on Emory University’s consulting team for the Dalai Lama’s Social Emotional and Ethical Learning curriculum and designs and facilitate DEI programs for the National Center for Civil and Human Rights..

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What are the components of a sincere apology? Why is it important that we do internal work to regulate ourselves before giving an apology?
What distinguishes a sincere apology from one that causes even more harm?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. In this episode, Jill discusses how to restore integrity and give a sincere and authentic apology. She discusses the need to do the internal work to reflect on the harm that was done, to process emotions that come up during that self reflection, and to feel regulated as we show up for an apology in order for it to be the most impactful. She discusses some of the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of giving apologies, some tools for regulating our emotions, and the power of restoring integrity.

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What inspiration can we draw from the history of the civil rights movement? How is perfectionism holding us back?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. In this episode, Jill interviews Dr. Frieda Millhouse-Jones, a published author, practicing physician, and social justice activist. They discuss how racism and mental health crises intersect to lead to inequity in access to healthcare and  lower recognition of eating disorders in Black people. Dr. Frieda notes how traumatic experiences during childhood can inform learning and connection.

Bio: Frieda Millhouse-Jones M. D. is a practicing primary care physician in Atlanta, GA. After guiding her two daughters through complex mental health issues, she has found passion and purpose in sharing her experience with others. Her advocacy and writing include the intersection of perfectionism, racism, and mental health. Her articles have appeared in both KevinMD and Your Teen Magazine. She has recently published her first book entitled “Afro Puffs Held High”.  It is based on her own story of early childhood adversity. She has another book that is planned for release later this year.

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How do we measure the effectiveness of diversity trainings?
How can we expect people in dominant culture to have tools of introspection and accountability and resilience when they’ve never had to develop them?
What responsibility do white people have to take on some of the discomfort and trauma of racism?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. In this episode, Jill discusses her critique of a recent NY Times article that asked the question: What if Diversity Trainings Are Doing More Harm Than Good? She discusses the need for members of dominant culture to do the inner heart and soul work in order to make true progress in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, the ways that racialized trauma impacts the success of DEI work, and the two missing components of most DEI trainings.

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If kids aren’t talking about race, does it mean they aren’t noticing? When is the right time to have a conversation with your kids about privilege and racism? How can white parents teach their kids about race and center voices of color?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. In this episode, Jill spoke with Ellie Axe, the director of Story Starters, an organization that teaches families how to talk to kids about racism and works with early educators to help them teach about racism. They discussed Ellie’s own journey finding her voice in social activism, the pitfalls of doing anti-racism work as a white woman, and the importance of centering voices of color when learning about racism and developing anti-racism curricula. Ellie shares some insightful advice for parents wanting to address racism with their kids and the importance of learning together with your kids.

Bio: Ellie joined Story Starters as a co-director in the summer of 2018 and became Director in March 2020. She has over 15 years of experience building system-wide change through organizing in faith-based and secular institutions. After a number of years as an organizer, Ellie pursued an MBA at the Simmons School of Management. Most recently, Ellie was the Director of Operations at JOIN for Justice where she guided the strategic planning process, supporting the organization to pursue its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Ellie lives in Newton, MA, with her husband and their two daughters.

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How can Artificial Intelligence be used to promote health equity?

How does the history of racism in the United States impact the representation of marginalized people in healthcare research?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. In this episode, Jill interviews Dr. Irene Dankwa-Mullan, Chief Health Equity Officer and Deputy Chief Health Officer at IBM Watson Health. They discuss her work at the intersection of healthcare, public health, and technology, which uses artificial intelligence to personalize healthcare for individuals within a larger system. Dr. Dankwa-Mullan highlights the importance placed on minimizing human bias in AI programs so it can successfully promote health equity.

BIO: Irene Dankwa-Mullan MD MPH is a nationally recognized industry physician and scientist, health equity thought leader, scholar, and author with over 20 years of diverse local-regional, national, and global leadership experience in primary care, healthcare systems, businesses, and the community. She is a member of the IBM Industry Academy, a selected community of pre-eminent leaders to drive innovation and engage in cutting-edge work. She is the lead scientific editor of the first authoritative resource textbook ‘The Science of Health Disparities Research’ designed to identify research questions, guide collaborative and participatory efforts with communities to promote health equity.

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In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. Trigger warning as this episode does discuss acts of harm being committed against a Black woman. In this episode, Jill discusses her recent travel experience as she witnessed a Black woman being harassed by a flight attendant and eventually kicked off the airplane, for doing nothing wrong. She discusses the ways that racism, white supremacism culture, and bias all contributed to the woman being mistreated and harmed, and she also discusses ways that people of all identities can use whatever privilege they may have in order to stand with marginalized communities and individuals.

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What does it mean to be trauma informed?
 How might the trauma of medical training manifest into social and physical threats within the doctor/patient relationship?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. In this episode, Jill interviews Dr. Kemia Sarraf MD/MPH, a medical educator and leader in trauma-informed education and coaching. They delve into the relationship of trauma and racism as chronic exposure to toxic stress. Dr. K explains how to notice trauma reactions within ourselves and how that can impact how we interact with others. She discusses that it’s important to notice these responses and how to hold space without judgment.

Bio:

Dr. Kemia Sarraf founded Lodestar in 2016, responding to a growing need for trauma-responsive subspecialty coaching methods for physician colleagues who were reporting high levels of severe burnout, vicarious trauma, and moral injury.

Dr. K serves as adjunct faculty at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in the office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Her work includes bringing a trauma-informed lens and trauma-mitigation approach to Justice, Equity and Anti-Racism work. She co-leads several national initiatives, bringing her unique paradigm and focus on leadership development onto the creation of trauma-responsive systems and cultures that better support learners at every stage of their medical training, and throughout their careers.

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Contact her at kemia@lodestarpc.com

What is the difference between trauma and stress? How do trauma and racism intersect? How does trauma impact our ability to engage in work that feels uncomfortable, and what can be done to mitigate it?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. In this episode, Jill discusses trauma and how it can impact anti-oppression work. She discusses the difference between stress and trauma, the different ways that trauma reactions show up, and how the fear of social threat can hinder our ability to engage in meaningful anti-racism and anti-oppression work. Jill also shares 3 ways to mitigate the impact of trauma to allow for true progress on a personal and societal level.

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What is reproductive justice?

What is community care and how is it essential for social change?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. In this episode, Jill interviews Ukwuoma Ukairo from ARC Southeast, a reproductive justice organization that serves the southeast. Ukwuoma talked about the origins and evolution of reproductive justice, the importance of community care, and how Roe was *never* enough to protect reproductive rights. She also shared some incredible ways to support the movement and how to stay hopeful in these difficult times.

Bio: Ukwuoma Ukairo (she/they) is a Maryland native occupying space in the Muscogee land known as Atlanta, Georgia. She joined the Access Reproductive Care- Southeast team in July 2021 as a Programs Associate and recently transitioned into her current role of Caller Engagement Coordinator. She also leads Plan B: Southeast, the organization's rapid-response emergency contraception program. While she's not working, she's a yoga instructor and an avid reader.

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What is toxic positivity? How does it show up (and cause harm) in spiritual and wellness spaces?
Why is it good to allow ourselves to feel the whole range of emotions, even the ‘negative’ ones?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism.
In this episode, Jill discusses the concept of toxic positivity, which is all too common in the spiritual and wellness communities. She shares common examples of toxic positivity and how she’s perpetuated it herself, why it’s important to avoid toxic positivity and allow ourselves to feel the full range of human emotions, why toxic positivity is harmful, and what we can do to combat it.

What are the culture, challenges, and contributions of Asian Americans? Why is the model minority myth a tool of anti-blackness?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. In this episode, Jill interviews Terry Park PhD, the founder and CEO of Maum Consulting, LLC, an Asian American Studies-based educational consulting business offering JEDHI (justice, equity, diversity, healing, inclusion)-minded online courses, curriculum assistance, and professionalization engagements. They discuss the importance of integrating mind, body, and spirit and how those are disintegrated in the process of assimilation, which causes people to lose access to their ancestral wisdoms. Park expresses how whiteness was a door that he kept hitting but couldn’t open; he realized this when he was a kid and thus avoided everything Asian. Listen as they make the connection between racism and intergenerational trauma.

Dr. Terry Park previously served as a faculty member at seven higher education institutions, including Harvard University, Wellesley College, the University of Maryland, College Park, Miami University, and San Quentin State Prison. Included on the list, “Inspiring Activists: Trailblazers and leaders in the community and in the struggle for social justice” by former San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim, Terry has participated in several national and community-based Asian American organizations across the U.S., including a stint as Executive Director of Hyphen magazine, an award-winning national print- and web-based publication on Asian American culture, politics, and arts. Raised in San Jose, California, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Seoul, Korea, Terry's free time includes getting to know his new home of Columbus, OH, scaling gym walls and pub menus, learning to make ice cream, and enjoying walks with his spirited mixed-breed rescue puppy, Miles.

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**This is an encore episode originally released in December 2020**

What does it mean to practice radical self-love? What are the downfalls of the term “anti-racism”? What is the importance of community in the fight for social justice?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. In this episode, Jill interviews Ruby Sales, a human-rights activist, public theologian, and social critic. This conversation addresses the interpersonal conflict of minorities hating everything about themselves that isn’t white and actively running away from their ethnic identities in order to claim whiteness. They dive into ways for other marginalized and oppressed cultures to claim their own identities without minimizing the realities of Black and indigenous peoples in America.

BIO:

Ruby Nell Sales is a nationally-recognized human-rights activist, public theologian, and social critic, whose articles and work appear in many journals, online sites, and books. Under the tutelage of Professor Jean Wiley, Sales joined the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in the 1960’s as a teenager at Tuskegee University and went to work as a student freedom fighter in Lowndes County, Alabama. Sales serves as the founder and director of the SpiritHouse Project. SpiritHouse roots its work today in exposing the extrajudicial murders of African-Americans by White vigilantes and police.

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Why are minoritized groups not monoliths? How can growing up in multiracial environments shape one’s perspective on society?

In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism. In this episode, Jill interviews Jay McAllister, an active participant and board member of CollaborAction, a theater company designed to use art as a medium to raise awareness and evoke change in the world around issues such as systemic racism, gender inequality and other difficult to discuss topics.

They discuss his journey to finding his voice about race related issues and his unique challenges to use his platform for change.

Jay McAllister is an extremely driven and intentional entrepreneur. At the age of 19, he cracked the code and founded Paragon Tech, a technology firm that for the last decade has enabled law firms and professional service organizations to eliminate an average of 10 hours from their staff's workweek, while increasing their revenue by 60%. Simplifying technology creates teams that are highly effective.

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In this series on healthcare and social disparities, Dr. Jill Wener, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist, meditation expert, and tapping practitioner, interviews experts and gives her own insights into multiple fields relating to social justice and anti-racism.
In this episode, Jill discusses perfectionism as a characteristic of white supremacy culture and some of the ways it can manifest in ourselves and in our society, particularly in healthcare. She talks about Self-Compassion as the antidote to perfectionism, and she shares several ways to practice self-compassion and resources to learn more about it.

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