Let's Talk Elephants

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Lexie Engdahl has a complex relationship with her father, who is currently serving time in jail for an attempted homicide in a road rage incident. Lexie's dad is a Vietnam veteran who has struggled with PTSD his whole life as well. 

Some major topics discussed:
- the difficulty of growing up in a divorced household & the pressure to pick sides
- the nuance of people & how we all have lovable parts of us no matter who we are
- the importance of choosing forgiveness and love over resentment and hate
- the struggle of having older parents
- issues in the judicial system

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Natalie Dempsey had her daughter when she was 21 years old and has been navigating life as a single mom for the last 5 years. There are many stigmas/stereotypes attached to being a single mom, some good & some not so good. 

Some major topics discussed:
- the challenges of having a child while in a struggling relationship
- the sacrifices you have to make for a child, financially and emotionally
- modern society's lack of family values & the high divorce/separation rate
- how growing up in a divorced/separated household or witnessing a divorce/separation affects children
- troubles with dating when you have a child

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My guest today is my brother, Caden Farley. Having a brother that is so close in age to me has been like having an inside look into the way men's heads work. Caden has always been honest with me when it comes to advice on dating, men, their intentions, etc. because he's been in both long-term relationships and casual flings with women throughout his life. Obviously, his experience is one of many, but we can all recognize certain patterns within our own gender, so one experience is still a valuable one. 

Some major topics discussed:
- how a guy acts when he is genuinely interested in a girl vs. something casual
- different attachment styles (anxious vs. avoidant) and how they handle intimacy
- the way social media makes it difficult to commit because of the perceived limitless options
- how a guy can tell when a woman has respect for herself or not

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Jade Gutierrez is 23 years old and has practiced her faith for her entire life. Religion is something that has become less popular and more controversial amongst younger generations, but Jade has found a way to incorporate it into her life while still having fun and exploring herself. 

Some major topics covered:
- our differences in beliefs when it comes to the afterlife
- how she reconciles being Christian while also still engaging in some activities that have not been traditionally accepted in Christianity
- her experience with betrayal/infidelity & the importance of forgiveness regardless of religious denomination
- the difference between the ego and the soul

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Dawn Bailey, who also happens to be my grandma, got married at a very young age, before she really knew herself or her partner (my grandpa). They were married for 49 years, up until my grandpa's passing three years ago, and they struggled through a tumultuous relationship for a good part of their lives. He was the only person she had ever been with.

Some major topics covered:
- signs of a controlling and possessive partner
- how childhood development, abandonment issues, and attachment styles affect your relationships for the rest of your life (generational trauma)
- the struggle to find your identity when you are too lost in a relationship

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Savannah Tuttrup grew up with two parents that battled addiction. She moved from Iowa to Las Vegas when she was 24 years old with her younger sister, who she has been a parental figure to for her entire life. Savannah and her sister are only 9 years apart, so she took on the role of a parent as a child herself.

Some major topics covered:
- what it was like for her to witness her parents struggling with addiction
- the pressure of being a role model/guardian for a sibling
- how she has become better equipped to be a parent when she does decide to have kids

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Glen Simpson is the Senior Director at Community Ambulance and has been a part of the EMS community here in Las Vegas since 2004. He shares some of the struggles of maintaining good mental health in a career where you are constantly expose to trauma and stress. Glen was a first responder at the Route 91 mass shooting in 2017, and he shared an in-depth account of that night and the impact it had on him. 

Some major topics covered:
- some of the most tragic/impactful calls he's received over the years
- the struggle of remaining emotionally available for the other people in your life when you have to turn your emotions off for work
- the stigma around mental health & speaking up when you need help
- how, despite witnessing atrocities, he still believes that 99% of people in the world are good

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Rafael Arroyo is running for Nevada State Assembly in the upcoming 2024 election. He shares his vision for how he would be an ethical & effective representative if he were elected. Although Rafael is running under the Republican Party, he emphasizes the importance of representing ALL Nevada citizens. 

Some major topics covered:
- corruption in both the state & federal government
- what it looks like to fix a broken system
- differences between the republican & democrat parties
- his intentions behind running for office & what it takes to be a good leader

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Ameer Abdullah has played in the NFL for the last 9 years, having played for the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and currently plays for the Las Vegas Raiders. 

Some major topics covered:
- common stereotypes of pro athletes (unintelligent, superficial, bad with money, cheaters)
- the demanding nature of the job, both mentally and physically
- if race plays a role in choosing pro sports

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Rachel Macias has experienced two different instances of sexual assault: once when she was 7 and again when she was 16. 

Some major topics covered:
-how experiences of sexual assault/harassment affect sexuality
-the way trauma is non-linear & some days are more triggering than others
-the difficulty in trusting others after being assaulted
-losing faith in the legal system to handle sexual assault cases appropriately