In this episode, I am back with Allie in person AND in New York! We chat about oversharing vs self-isolation as subconscious ways to avoid abandonment, FOMO, the panopticon of BeReal, and what friendship means to us! As always, I hope you enjoy.

In this episode, Bazil Frueh and I discuss Rupi Kaur and the trend of ”instapoetry” and minimalism in art. We also delve into our personal connections with poetry, commodification of collective trauma, the importance of humanizing representation, and the future of AI art.

The very first episode of this podcast featured a conversation between my mom and I about the nuanced relationship between parents and children when it comes to mental health. Over two years later, we decided to have another conversation and reflect on what has changed. We spent a lot of the episode looking back at this time last year, when I was in the hospital to receive mental health treatment in the midst of a time when everything seemed to be going right in my life. During that season and since, we have both seen firsthand the lack of infrastructure we have to take care of our mental health epidemic, and we spoke about how difficult it can be for a parent to watch their child leave home for college after such a fragile period. This episode was very vulnerable, and I hope you all listen with grace. Sending love as always.

In this episode, Allie and I are back to discuss the Broadway play “The Book of Mormon” and the boundaries it crosses with satire, specifically related to race. We analyze the play as a vehicle for validation of implicit biases and caricatures, and we also touch on ways the play has been received parallel to certain comedy specials where “comedic value” can serve as a protection against the critical lens. We hope you enjoy!

In this episode, Allie and I are back again to discuss Netflix’s new Jeffrey Dahmer series and the broader conversation around romanticization and humanization of serial killers. Later in the podcast we also dive deeper into why we have an inclination towards graphic images and ”True Crime,” and when the tendency to seek graphic images or stories is ethical, if ever.

In this episode, my very favorite person Allie Maher and I discuss the feminine image. Is the new wave sexual liberation truly liberation, or just rebranded misogyny and objectification? How are Girlboss feminism and Bimbo feminism related? Is Brandy Melville an undercover MLM (joking, but...)? Why are ED’s culturally accepted forms of self harm? We talk about these questions and more, and also offer some cheeky banter too:) Hope you guys enjoy!

Rainbow Mosho is a name you need to know. Someone who is an artist, entrepreneur, autism-advocate, NFT creator, and more...at age 14. In this episode, we explore her and her mom’s journey moving to America to search for effective care, trying to work through a school system that often doesn’t advocate for children with disabilities, using art as a way to overcome challenges, how creativity helped her regain speech abilities, diving into NFT’s, opportunities, and future goals. Hearing Rainbow’s insightful comments on the nature of healing trauma and connecting with others is touching, and she is truly one of the strongest and smartest voices I have heard. This episode is so very powerful, and I am excited for you all to hear it.

Do you find yourself not really wanting to get into a relationship because you’re too independent? Or maybe constantly worrying if your friends or your partner will begin to resent you or be upset with you? In this episode we are talking about ATTACHMENT STYLES! How they form in early childhood, the science behind them, how to tell them apart, and ways to try to grow closer to the coveted ~secure attachment style~. I loved learning about this and am so very excited for you all to hear it! SOURCES: https://studiousguy.com/john-bowlby-attachment-theory/ https://www.verywellmind.com/mary-ainsworth-biography-2795501 https://womanisrational.uchicago.edu/2020/12/08/mary-ainsworth-and-the-strange-situation/ https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=160&v=QTsewNrHUHU&feature=emb_title https://www.attachmentproject.com/blog/four-attachment-styles/ https://www.attachmentproject.com/blog/disorganized-attachment/

Growing up you’ve probably heard a lot about stranger danger and how to prevent kidnapping, but it seems that often times the media conflates kidnapping and sex trafficking as a lot more interconnected than they are. In this episode, I wanted to dive into the origin of human trafficking in the Transatlantic Slave Trade, and how racism forced and continues to force minorities into sex trafficking through emotional manipulation and complex power structures that ultimately make it a lot more nuanced than media tends to show. We’ll also dive into the PBS Frontline documentary that follows a victim of sex trafficking named Kat and the investigation, trauma, and healing process she had to go through as a result of her experience. This one took a lot of time, and I hope you guys will give it a listen! SOURCES: https://polarisproject.org/myths-facts-and-statistics/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_trafficking_in_the_United_States https://www.americanbar.org/groups/human_rights/human-trafficking/trafficking-legislation/ https://sf-hrc.org/what-human-trafficking http://centerforchildwelfare.fmhi.usf.edu/kb/humantraf/sextrafficfacts.pdf https://www.justice.gov/humantrafficking/what-is-human-trafficking “Sex Trafficking in America” PBS Documentary

The Tennessee Student Voter Act was a bill created by students, for students. It’s main goal is to better inform students of resources regarding registration and voting. In this episode, Matthew Maroney, a recent Hume-Fogg graduate and cofounder of the bill, speaks on the surprising accessibility of politics, the process of developing the bill and moving through the General Assembly as young person, and different aspects of local government that make it a conducive environment to institute change. We also discuss what allows elected officials to use strategy over actual political knowledge and what advice he has for young people looking to get involved. Though the bill was killed, Katie Walker and others are looking to reintroduce an edited version again this year, one I hope you all will look into and consider supporting.

DISCLAIMER** This episode was recorded days before the release of the decision regarding Roe v Wade, and we would also like to give a TW as rape, incest, abortion, and other sexual matter is discussed in this episode. Chloe and I originally recorded this episode to come out next weekend, but in light of the recent SCOTUS decision I felt it was important to release it today. While we do not delve too far into the laws regarding abortion, we spend time discussing the importance of comprehensive sex education, contraceptive use/access, and the nuance of abortion care as well as emotional treatment. All of these issues intermingle to push the brunt of the burden of unplanned or unwanted pregnancy on historically marginalized communities in our nation and perpetuate cyclic poverty. This episode serves to provide resources and knowledge to everyone regarding sex education and related issues, and I hope this episode is as helpful and educational to you all as it was to me, especially right now. **Show Note: Plan B does not work during ovulation, as its main job is to delay ovulation.

It’s likely that you’ve heard about sexual assault or rape in college. The problem is treated by several universities as a norm to adjust to, not a problem to solve. When Sarah Mehany saw this problem being swept under the rug at her university, she decided she no longer wanted to be quiet. Especially in circles of Greek Life, we see a culture of secrecy and brotherhood formed that can help to create environments where these issues aren’t addressed, and in some cases allowed to propagate. The differences in expectations between those identifying as men and women on these campuses tends to put this burden on women to “protect themselves,” a statement we’ve seen raise red flags in recent years. This episode is so crucial, and I’m excited for you all to listen. Sarah also gives tips for those who want to make a difference in their own communities, and I hope you’ll take that message to heart.

In this episode, me and several of my fellow recent graduates discuss on our feelings leading up to graduation, emotions on the day of, and the reflections that we put into messages for both our past and future selves. This episode means so much to me because of the vulnerability our class cultivated in the midst of tumult both in our lives and in our nation, and these people are so very special to me. I hope you enjoy these reflections and these beautiful peoples’ hearts as much as I do. Contributors include: Malik Waters, Eric Luong, Cameron Adams, Sophie Cracraft, Lucy Nelson, and Macey Gooverich

In this episode, Audrey Hines was gracious in her vulnerability in sharing her story of mental health struggles, addiction, recovery, and what that entailed in terms of advocating for oneself through the infrastructure of mental healthcare in the United States and dealing with stigma in college. In these discussions, the reasons why so many are unable to get the help that they need and deserve became incredibly emphasized and apparent through her experiences and things she witnessed on her journey. Recently on social media, there have been a lot of stories told about various wilderness therapy programs that have detailed many negative experiences, and, in this episode, Audrey detailed her own perspective on her positive experience in the program she attended, as well as why it may not be a feasible option for some. We discuss the logistics of the program, daily tasks, procedures for counseling, pros and cons, and more. This episode is touching and fascinating, and I absolutely cannot wait for you all to hear it!

In this episode, Malik Waters and I caught up almost two years later on the discussion about racism in education we had in the summer of 2020. We speak on the continuities (or lack thereof) in advocacy for black rights, why we are still having ”firsts” like Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic SCOTUS confirmation, and the stigma surrounding black men and mental health. As two high school seniors venturing into a new environment and way of life this coming fall, we also discuss fears surrounding college and the way Malik is eager to break down barriers as a black man seeking a career in the field of mathematics. Stick around until the end to be able to hear some of Malik’s thoughts on our Wordle obsession and his record breaking Word Hunt career, as well:) Hope you guys enjoy this one!

In this episode, Julia Halterman and I discussed the importance of athletes giving space for their mental health--even if it means stepping away from the sport, whether that be for a season or forever. Through looking at the ways obsessive behavior and ”never stop” mentality ruin the minds of athletes, we were able to analyze the situations that left us in some of the most difficult situations we’ve faced. We hope this conversation helps to amplify the stories of athletes that we’ve seen emerge recently in media, and we are excited for you all to listen.

A couple weeks ago I was forced to face one of my biggest fears--becoming a (legal) adult. In this episode, I wanted to unpack our obsession with 18, the reasons we may hang on to childhood, combatting negative emotional cycles, and ultimately what it means to change. PS! I also received a very special gift on my birthday that I share with you all in this episode in hopes that it will give you all the same support it gave me:)

WELCOME TO SEASON 3! In this episode, Ava Doyle gave a vulnerable description of her experience in the special education system. We talked about the mental and physical abuse that can sometimes occur in these programs, the social stigma children learn at a young age, and the problems with being taught your identity in early education systems. Ava also discussed the inspiring connections and positives she’s received, as well as what we can implement both in legislature and our own interactions to make special education a safer place for everyone.

Grief is intangible...at least that’s what textbooks will tell you. However, grief’s manifestations are incredibly tangible, and yet they’re also incredibly complex and diverse. In this episode, I wanted to make grief even more tangible through precise descriptors that help to give names, expectations, and solutions to the nuances of grief without minimizing its intricacies. Why are the 7 stages of grief problematic? What is important about the subjectivity of grief? How is grief changed or stalled based on overlapping events? What can you grieve? This conversation is so relevant always, but especially now, and I’m so excited to share it with you!

In this episode, I wanted to reflect on the year by talking about 10 lessons I have learned, 10 hopes for 2022, and 1 word that I want to hold onto as we move into the new year. True to form, it got a little deep, it got a little funny, and it got a little vulnerable. I hope you all enjoy!