Episode 75: Understanding a Chosen Family

“Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile & who love you no matter what.”

As we grow older and explore the world we live in, especially in college and the years beyond, we come to reexamine our relationships and the status they hold. Our values develop, our priorities shift and our definitions of love and friendship might also change. In this process, many of us establish chosen families - those without biological ties with whom we share strong bonds of affection and trust. This week we welcome Qossay Alsattari to discuss our expectations and opinions on the concept of a chosen family and its function in our lives.

Episode 74: The Atrocity in Flint

“Walters (a Flint mother) says her 5-year-old son has developed speech issues and a compromised immune system since the water crisis began. ‘There is no trust there anymore.’”
— Joshua Berlinger and Joseph Netto, CNN
“So why was this the state of Michigan’s responsibility and not that of the elected leaders of the city of Flint? Because Snyder had trumped local decision-making by installing an emergency manager under a controversial state law that allows the governor to usurp democracy. And like many issues of inequity in Michigan and nationwide, there’s a racial component — it’s been invoked primarily in the state’s poorest and blackest cities.”
— Scott Martelle, The LA Times

With so many factors to manage in our daily lives, many of us might forget about the integral role health and systems of government both play. For the people of Flint, Michigan, deliberate neglect, mistrust and abuse of power have led to an atrocious water poisoning at the hands of politicians. Over the course of the past few years, democratic abilities were withheld from citizens and those who protested water discoloration and taste were told the situation was under control. Only now, after details have come to light, has public discourse taken this issue into consideration. Regardless, certain damage has been done to both the people of Flint and their trust.

Episode 73: The 2016 State of the Union

“To imitate the hatred and violence of tyrants and murderers is the best way to take their place.”
— Pope Francis to Pres. Barrack Obama
“That’s the America I know. That’s the country we love. Clear-eyed. Big-hearted. Undaunted by challenge. Optimistic that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word. That’s what makes me so hopeful about our future. I believe in change because I believe in you, the American people.”
— Pres. Barrack Obama

A country, like any larger system, group or society, should take the time to reflect on its growth, progress and flaws every so often. That is one of the principles behind the State of The Union Address. The American people (like those watching elsewhere) hear about the status of the country from the standing President. Our conversation this week focuses on the tone President Obama took, the attention he gave to certain issues, those he declined to discuss and the values behind his speech. It should be noted that we do not comment from a place of political expertise but rather social observation.

Episode 72: The Culture Surrounding Women in Comedy

“I’ve said this before, that, when you’re in school and you’re the class clown, men are really good at making fun at other people and women are really good at making fun of themselves.”
— Amy Poehler
“I may sound like a megalomaniac, but I feel like I’m equipped to become a great, memorable comedian, if I keep working my ass off and staying at the pace I’m at, and I feel a responsibility to do that because of the women who have done it before me, and the ones who need to do it after me.”
— Amy Schumer

While issues of gender take many forms in our society, some more nuanced than others, cultural bias and opinions are particularly evident in performative spaces and professions. This week we welcome Olivia Sanabria to discuss the relationship between female comedians and culture. What are our underlying expectations and pre-conceived notions of femininity and how do they relate to the societal commentary and entertainment found within comedy? How do confidence, personal voice and critical, resistant response relate to the field of comedy?

Episode 71: "What Are Your Plans After College?"

As seniors in college, many of us have to grapple with the predictable and agonizing questions about our post-graduate experiences, plans and goals. Although these conversations are invariably personal and rife with uncertainty and hesitation, we find ourselves frequently cornered nonetheless. This week, we welcome Yara Farahmand to explore the various dynamics within these questions, proper responses and how we might best juggle these inquiries for peace of mind and self-confidence.