In this episode we have esteemed T&T natives, Michele McIntosh Ross & Mikalla Hodges on set to discuss everything Trinidad & Tobago. Jason and I ask the ladies about their culture growing up on the island, what they love, what they miss, and what they can live without when it comes to Trinibago.
This episode blossomed out of the previous episode about black expats. Tameka made it clear that she prefers Trinidad as a place of refuge. It was prudent to have her close Trinibago friends on the podcast to give a relevant account of what it's like to live on the island.
If you want to learn more about Trini history, follow Dominic Kalipersad on IG
The best thing Trinidad and Tobago is known for is Carnival. Just the link out for more expansive information.
Interested about Trinidad and Tobago in general, click on this link.
In this episode, we explore the expat desires from a few perspectives. We discuss the individual research we conducted, where we'd like to live as an black expat and why. Tony chimes in to share his experiences in Mauritius and Paris. The panel mentioned places like Panama, Canada, Costa Rica, Trinidad & Tobago, Ghana, Spain, Germany, Scandinavia, Singapore, Mexico, and Portugal to live.
Important points divulged during the discussion were language barriers and being honest about why you're moving to another country and for how long. Lastly, the panel expressed how they would like to be seen in another country. The main answer: Human
Links to explore
Panama
https://youtu.be/2whTNvTF8KA?si=ExjEZDhm-sxKShUI
Best Countries for Black Retiree Countries
https://youtu.be/ac9YPdlvrh0?si=UMfBWxVUV_9f7fvz
Portugal
https://www.youtube.com/live/87hQwU2RaiU?si=8HoS05LqTk_xLMtb
Best Places for Black Families
https://youtu.be/ib8zTdU_DZE?si=oMEOKhQCY6kZ8uNP
Join us on this episode as we explore the world through the eyes of Rasheed Stevens, founder of the Youtube channel Underground Retail. Rasheed shares with us his passion for the history of fast food restaurants, vacant retail buildings, and the nostalgia of stores from the past.
Jason and I revel in this conversation because it ties so nicely with urban planning woes we are both familiar with. Rasheed also shares his predictions for the future based on the trends of today. Below are a few Underground Retail to dive into this world yourself and keep up with Rasheed's next projects.
Music by Music Unlimited from Pixabay
In this episode, our special guest, Matilda Larson, discusses her journey as a member of a First Nations tribe, going to college, and working her way into the field of community planning. With her we dive into the plight of those who live on reservations and the external threats to their ancestral lands. We also touch on Matilda's work in rural NY State and how she works to improve the quality of life through transit options. This episode will eventually lead into another episode about Matilda and her family and their experience sourcing all of their food locally and composting---stay tuned!
Name of Matilda's mom's clan: Qiwaghmii
Music by Music Unlimited from Pixabay
Join us on this episode about the Great Migration that many African Americans took between the 1910's and the 1970's. The heart of the conversation is about how trains were heavily utilized during this time period to assist with uplifting many African Americans out of Jim Crow to a better life up North and out West. However, in today's time, though there are more opportunities there are less ways of getting to them without the use of a car.
There's an extra bonus 15 minutes from an interview with Tameka's cousin Donaflyn Crawford. He gives a vivid description of his mother's travels during this time period.
Here are a few helpful links for reference:
Description of the Great Migration
Trains and the Great Migration
Maps of the Railroads During Great Migration
The Train that Carried the Great Migration
Maya Angelou, the Streetcar Conductor
Nancy Hanks Train from Atlanta to Savannah
Music by Music Unlimited from Pixabay
In this episode, we catch up with fellow planner Chris Silveira who is currently a transit planner in Snohomish County for Community Transit. He is the manager of the Swift BRT program and has had a myriad of experiences implementing transit solutions. We discuss transit planning from an east vs west perspective. We also touch on issues of funding, ridership, public trust, and the need for political support. Listen in to find out what transit friendly countries we would choose to work in if we had to go back & start our careers all over again!
Music by Music Unlimited from Pixabay
Gen-X series Part 2
Such a special episode speaking with my girl Ayanna Floyd. We explore her world beginning in Toledo, OH and journeying to Los Angeles, CA. We follow the ups and downs that black writers face, dating in Hollywood, and we dive into the notions of the Writers' and Actors' Strikes. There's also a bonus nugget where we discuss adoption and Ayanna's take on what prospective parents can sometime face.
Music by Music Unlimited from Pixabay
We're back! We've started off ending our hiatus with a welcomed conversation with my good friend Dr. Monica Minton. She talks about her walk through life as a Gen-X'er on a non-traditional path. We touch on being a single mom in high school, the education she obtained while working full-time , getting her Ph.D, taking care of her parents, as well as her unconventional path to love.
We plan to do more Gen X speaks conversations as we highlight a generation that's often overlooked but has a lot to say!
Atlanta Matchmakers (formerly Single Atlanta)
Music by Music Unlimited from Pixabay
This episode features special guest Haythem Shata, a civil engineer who has extensive expertise on the watersheds and stormwater management within Atlanta, GA. We take a deeper dive into how Atlanta developed along ridges and how the lowlands in between (and the people living there) suffered due to flooding and environmental injustices. We also touch on biosolids, water treatment centers & the high costs of infrastructure affecting transit projects. Here are a few links of interest:
Music courtesy of Music by Penguin Music
In this episode we dive into the A in STEAM with guest (and good friend) Shayla Johnson, owner of Scarlet Crane. She talks about her education and career journey at Georgia Tech and the Art Institute of Chicago. Shayla gives us insight into the world of the arts, how she's made a career of the arts, and what she would have done differently.
Georgia Tech School of Industrial Design
Music courtesy of Music by Penguin Music
In this episode we welcome my mentor Tony Abraham to talk about how to bridge the wealth gap in Black America. We all share our sentiments about education in the US, STEM vs STEAM, wealth gap, the black middle class, average students, trade schools, etc....We go around the world in this episode discussing how to change the lives of most Black Americans. Here are referenced links:
Music courtesy of Music by Penguin Music
In this episode, we look back on all of the various topics we touched in 2022. We also give some hints about 2023's lineup. Got ideas? Hit us up at nextstopbeststop@gmail.com
Music courtesy of Music by Penguin Music
January
Toxic Jobs….Toxic Minds
February
The Drama of Transit Planning
March
Do You Know Your Ancestors
April
Momma We Made It! Convo with Clarissa
May
Humans are Stupid
June
Handmaid’s Tale Continues
August
Three Transit Geeks Walk Into a Bar…
September
Tell Us How You Really Feel Mom
October
Do You Know Where Five Points Is?
November
Kidney Convo w/ Dr. Sheldon Shore
December
2022 Recap
In this episode, we interview my personal nephrologist, Dr. Sheldon Shore. He provides insights on chronic kidney disease (including kidney stones), treatment, & lifestyle management. Additionally, we speak about the insurance industry here in the US and how we should move forward in a manner that supports all involved parties.
Here are some links related to the episode:
In this episode, we crack open the history of Five Points in Atlanta. Many today know it as the nucleus of the MARTA transit system. However, in the past it's been so much more (slave auction site) than meets the eye. As developers eye Five Points and the remainder of south Downtown Atlanta for gentrification, we wanted our audience to know the perils of developing so rapidly that you don't understand/know the history of what's being changed.
New redevelopment of Five Points
Music courtesy of Music Unlimited
In these times where many are contemplating what history should be taught, I thought it was a great time to learn real history from the person I'm the closest to....my mom. In this episode, Mary gives us a glimpse into her past of growing up in the segregated South in the land of Jim Crow. She shares what it was like attending segregated schools and growing up as a sharecroppers' daughter.
I want this episode to encourage you to talk to your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and other elders in your family, no matter your race, creed, religion, etc... There are historic gems that only they can share....their experience is unique to them. Connecting with loved ones is one way to understand your history. Once you understand & know your history, no one can take that away from you---it's forever etched in your brain as much as it is in your DNA.
This episode is all about....you guess it---TRANSIT! So what does happen when three transit geeks walk into a bar? Take a listen and find out! We welcomed guests Bakari Height, MARTA Army colonel, and Jerrel Leonard, Regional planning manager in Charlotte, two professionals who share their experience as transit gurus.
MARTA Army connects:
In this episode we discuss the high-pitched current events about guns laws and abortion rights. We also briefly discuss the impact of less than impactful transit systems and what role it plays in the populace's reluctance to return to work.
Here are links that discuss abortion and the history of the anti-abortion movement:
White Supremacy & Anti Abortion
In this episode, we take time to reflect on current events and the craziness of the world. We recorded before the tragedy in Texas. Here are some links you may find helpful:
In this week's episode (our 10th) we have my best friend Clarissa Goodlett (@clarissagood) with us to discuss our time in college and our crazy travel adventures. We also discuss our experiences attending PWI's (Predominately White Institutions) as minorities.
Clarissa is currently the Communications Director at MDC in the Raleigh Durham area. She graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelors in Industrial Engineering and an MBA from UNC Chapel Hill. Clarissa has always worked in areas of advocacy and empowerment and continues to be a voice for those who lack visibility.
In this brief episode, we discuss Tameka's passion for Genealogy. We also include a snippet from our conversation with Lyn May, former press secretary for former Mayor Maynard Jackson, PBS host, and genealogy enthusiast.
Find your ancestors using the following links:
https://www.ancestry.com/
https://www.familysearch.org/en/
