Send us a Text Message.Send us a Text Message.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, Improvisation and Intuition at Work, and her firm, Figure 8 Thinking, was named among the top women-led innovation firms by Core 77. In this episode, we discuss:the influence of inquiry on innovation and creativity different question typologies  how the power of inquiry distinguishes the rule-makers from the rule-followerstangible tools to enhance your inquiry skillsIf you have any questions or comments you would like addressed in the  Q&A with Dr. Nixon, please email whatsjustpod@gmail.com. Don't forget to follow Whatsjust on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get details on where and when the Live Q&A is happening! And, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!Timestamps: 00:00 The Power of Silence and Inquiry00:28 Introducing Critical Conversations Podcast01:12 Step Five: Mastering the Art of Asking Questions01:28 Spotlight on Dr. Natalie Nixon: Creativity and Inquiry02:05 Exploring Inquiry with Dr. Nixon04:05 Personal Reflections on Inquiry and Relationships05:35 Embracing Ambiguity and the Unknown07:35 The Role of Questions in Expanding Creativity12:19 Inquiry as a Tool for Connection and Empathy17:29 Cultural Contexts and the Art of Asking21:56 Silence, Confidence, and the Inquiry Process40:03 Practical Steps to Cultivate Inquiry51:55 Wrapping Up and Looking AheadSupport the Show.

Send us a Text Message.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 Times, The Guardian, Nature, Scientific American, PBS Newshour, and Harvard Business Review. His most recent book, The Way Out: How to Overcome Toxic Polarization (2021) focuses on breaking through the intractable polarization plaguing the U.S. and other societies. In this episode, we: discuss the benefit of conflictexplain how to navigate political discussions with family, friends, and strangersidentify the importance of toleranceprovide tools for conflict resolutionIf you have any questions or comments you would like addressed in the  Q&A with Dr. Coleman, please email whatsjustpod@gmail.com. Don't forget to follow Whatsjust on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get details on where and when the Live Q&A is happening! And, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:32 Insights from Dr. Peter T. Coleman on Conflict and Polarization03:41 Understanding Polarization: Definitions and Implications04:43 The Constructive Side of Political Differences09:11 Personal Stories and the Power of Intention in Conversations13:40 Dialogue vs. Debate: Strategies for Meaningful Conversations20:23 The Role of Self-Awareness in Navigating Conflict27:59 Practical Tips for Reducing Conflict and Enhancing Understanding33:52 Exploring the Mind-Body Connection in Conflict Resolution35:13 The Evolution of Human Conflict and Settlement35:53 Navigating Political Discussions at Family Gatherings36:48 Setting the Tone for Constructive Conversations37:40 Conflict Resolution in the Classroom: A Case Study39:41 The Challenge of Changing Minds and the Power of Listening44:50 Complicating the Narrative: Beyond Two Sides58:27 The Importance of Tolerance and Understanding in Conflict01:01:14 Personal Interests Beyond Conflict ResolutionSupport the Show.

Send us a Text Message.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 Art of Insubordination,  Curious? and The Upside of Your Dark Side have been translated into over 15 languages. His writing has appeared in the Harvard Business Review, National Geographic, and other publications, and his research is featured regularly in media outlets such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, Fast Company, and Time Magazine.  In this episode, we:define curiosityidentify ways to become more "psychologically flexible"discuss why curiosity is key to conversationprovide tangible tools to cultivate curiosityIf you have any questions or comments you would like addressed in the  Q&A with Dr. Kashdan, please email whatsjustpod@gmail.com. Don't forget to follow Whatsjust on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get details on where and when the Live Q&A is happening! And, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!Timestamps:(00:00) Intro(02:39) The Journey from Panic Attacks to Curiosity(08:35) Curiosity as a Tool for Personal Growth(12:22) Cultivating Curiosity: Strategies and Insights(17:13) Curiosity in Relationships and Social Dynamics(24:27) Curiosity as a Lifelong Learning Skill(29:22) Innovative Decision-Making Processes(30:09) Exploring Psychological Flexibility(35:54) The Power of Self-Distancing(40:20) Curiosity as a Tool for Critical Conversations(51:47) The Role of Curiosity in Understanding and Inclusion(55:07) Three Captivating Things Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.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 conversationsexamine how bias is an outcome of fearprovide tangible practices to address personal biasesIf you have any questions or comments you would like addressed in the Live Q&A with Dr. Hanson, please email whatsjustpod@gmail.com. Don't forget to follow Whatsjust on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get details on where and when the Live Q&A is happening! And, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!Timestamps:(00:01:22) Defining Bias(00:08:02) Rudy's Personal Story on Food Addiction(00:14:27) Addressing Bias in a Safe Space(00:15:12) Providing Grace During Critical Conversations(00:21:17) Addressing Bias as a Skill to Hone(00:31:02) Bias and Fear(00:24:28) Science Behind Self-Awareness(00:39:39) Cultural Associations(00:44:19) Tangible Practices to Address Personal Biases(00:46:49) Three Captivating Things Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.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 Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Studies. He's also the co-host of the Being Well podcast, which has been downloaded over 10 million times. His free newsletters have 250, 000 subscribers, and his online programs have scholarships available for those with financial needs. In this episode, we:define mindfulness and self-awareness and contrast the twodiscuss the importance of self-awareness in critical conversationsunpack the science behind self-awarenessprovide tangible practices to becoming more self-awareIf you have any questions or comments you would like addressed in the Live Q&A with Dr. Hanson, please email whatsjustpod@gmail.com. Don't forget to follow Whatsjust on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get details on where and when the Live Q&A is happening! And, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!Timestamps:(00:00:00) Defining Mindfulness and Self-Awareness(00:09:11) Why Self-Awareness is Important in Critical Conversations(00:12:39) How Self-Awareness Creates Joy(00:16:26) How Self-Awareness Cultivates Connection to Others(00:17:18) Horizontal vs. Vertical Self-Awareness(00:21:38) Self-Awareness and Vulnerability(00:24:28) Science Behind Self-Awareness(00:35:13) Self-Awareness in the Face of Adversity(00:40:09) Tangible Practices to Enhance Self-Awareness(00:55:29) Three Captivating Things Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.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 copeIf you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTube series Office Hours with Abbie and Juwan please email ccofficehours@gmail.comAnd, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)To stay up to date on all of the latest announcements, be sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.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 traumaIf you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTube series Office Hours with Abbie and Juwan please email ccofficehours@gmail.comAnd, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)To stay up to date on all of the latest announcements, be sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.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 equityIf you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTube series Office Hours with Abbie and Juwan please email ccofficehours@gmail.comAnd, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)To stay up to date on all of the latest announcements, be sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.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 placesIf you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTube series Office Hours with Abbie and Juwan please email ccofficehours@gmail.comAnd, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)To stay up to date on all of the latest announcements, be sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.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 positive outcomeswhether the Halden model can be incorporated into the abolitionist agendaIf you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTube series Office Hours with Abbie and Juwan please email ccofficehours@gmail.comAnd, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)To stay up to date on all of the latest announcements, be sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.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 legal modelshow our social context impacts our healthhow to reach equity in the health, wellness, and safety spaceIf you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTube series Office Hours with Abbie and Juwan please email ccofficehours@gmail.comAnd, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)To stay up to date on all of the latest announcements, be sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.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 usedebunk several myths including that (1) drugs destroy the brain, and (2) drugs cause violence and crimediscuss the feasibility of drug legalizationexamine the importance of harm reduction efforts, including drug testingprovide listeners data to support the argument for alternative solutions to preventing harm and violenceIf you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTube series Office Hours with Abbie and Juwan please email ccofficehours@gmail.comAnd, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)To stay up to date on all of the latest announcements, be sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.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 police reformdiscuss the social and financial costs of policingexamine existing community-based and state-led interventions beyond policing that are found to enhance public safetyprovide listeners data to support the argument for alternative solutions to preventing harm and violenceIf you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTube series Office Hours with Abbie and Juwan please email ccofficehours@gmail.com And, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)To stay up to date on all of the latest announcements, be sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.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 tangible ways to create a healthier society, including healing circles and restorative practices. If you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTube series Office Hours with Abbie and Juwan please email ccofficehours@gmail.comAnd, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)To stay up to date on all of the latest announcements, be sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.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 confronted upon returning home, his experiences with restorative justice, and how proximity and conversation can challenge assumptions and contribute to the healing process. If you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTube series Office Hours with Abbie and Juwan please email ccofficehours@gmail.comAnd, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)To stay up to date on all of the latest announcements, be sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.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 prison on the mind, body, and soul. As a means of moving forward, we discuss how public safety can and should be achieved by restoring community rather than seeking retribution.If you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTube series Office Hours with Abbie and Juwan please email ccofficehours@gmail.comAnd, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)To stay up to date on all of the latest announcements, be sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.This episode features Michael A., a teaching assistant at the University of Kent in England and motivational speaker. Michael was incarcerated at the age of 16 and spent 12 years in the UK prison system and was released in the summer of 2020. In this episode, we speak on how police action can instigate criminal engagement, what it was like to be incarcerated and released during a global pandemic, and how the prison experience incites PTSD.If you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTube series Office Hours with Abbie and Juwan please email ccofficehours@gmail.comAnd, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)To stay up to date on all of the latest announcements, be sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.This critical conversation features Dr. Rashawn Ray, a fellow at The Brookings Institution, and a Sociology Professor and the Executive Director of the Lab for Applied Social Science Research at the University of Maryland.  In this episode, we discuss some of the public health issues stemming from racism. Dr. Ray also presents some tangible solutions to America’s policing crisis, including abolishing qualified immunity, implementing insurance policies and malpractice liability for individual officers, and providing officers with housing subsidies to live in or around the communities they patrol.  If you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTube series Office Hours with Abbie and Juwan please email ccofficehours@gmail.comAnd, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)To stay up to date on all of the latest announcements, be sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.This episode features Kamilah Newton, a writer, advocate, and previous participant of Justice Home, an alternative to incarceration program hosted by the Women’s Prison Association. This episode exposes the unique gendered experience of the criminal justice system, highlighting the cycle of victimization and the pervasiveness of trauma that the majority of justice-involved women experience. Kamilah speaks about what it is like being a mother to Black children in America today, what it is like being a co-parent to an incarcerated father, what her personal experience was like with the criminal justice system, and how to think critically about what safety means and what victims need from first responders.If you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTube series Office Hours with Abbie and Juwan please email ccofficehours@gmail.comAnd, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)To stay up to date on all of the latest announcements, be sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.This week's critical conversation features Michael Fischer, a writer, activist, and advocate. Michael was incarcerated for 2 years in upstate New York and in this conversation, we speak about how social connections significantly impacted his opportunities upon re-entry, how his whiteness and the location of his arrest impacted his experiences with the criminal justice system,  how to hold individuals accountable and increase public safety without relying on prisons, and how the binary constructs of "violent" and "nonviolent" offenders are detrimental to the pursuit of equity and justice. If you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTube series Office Hours with Abbie and Juwan please email ccofficehours@gmail.comAnd, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)To stay up to date on all of the latest announcements, be sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!Support the Show.