Look at this Mess!

Look at this Mess!

By Kait KenelEducationParentingKids & Family
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Look at this Mess! episodes

  • I'm Back!

    Uhhm Hiii! It's been about 3 years since I published an episode! Whoa. Okay, quick catchup before I start getting back into the podcast game :) 

    11 min
  • A Deep Dive into the Texas Heartbeat Act

    In this episode, I revisit the conversation on abortion, specifically in the United States, given the implementation of the Texas Heartbeat Act, otherwise known as the abortion ban in the State of Texas. In this deep dive I am prioritizing a fact-based discussion, and ask that the audience try to suspend feelings of anger and anguish, in an effort to promote a productive dialogue. This is challenging, and I can understand that, but if we are led exclusively by anger and raw emotion, we are not able to effectively address the issue at hand, nor prioritize those impacted by it. Have a listen, and let me know your thoughts by reaching out to me in one of the following ways:

    Episode Sources:

    • Abortion (PAID) workshop - https://education.sharonmcmahon.com/products/master-class-abortion-in-the-united-states
    • Podcast - https://www.pantsuitpoliticsshow.com/show-archives/2021/9/3/texas-puts-a-bounty-on-abortion
    • Bill SB8 "Texas Heartbeat Act" - https://legiscan.com/TX/text/SB8/id/2395961
    • The Prague Study - https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1016/S0968-8080%2806%2927219-7
    • Mainstream media news - https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/03/us/what-is-texas-abortion-law-as-equals-intl-cmd/index.html

    Until next time,
    xo Kait

    53 min
  • Blogging, Motherhood & Abortion as Self-Care/Love with guest host Taryn Spence

    I invited my friend and previous guest, Taryn Spence, to join me on the podcast once again. This time we opted for a non-structured open discussion and let our interests guide us. We begin by catching up with Taryn about her new blog on Medium.com, one of the creative outlets she is pursuing. We also discuss some of the struggles and triumphs of parenting small children, and finish up with an open discussion about Taryn's decision to seek an abortion for the primary reason that it was the best choice for her body and her life, right now. Tune in to this lengthy chat, and if you have any thoughts or feedback you can reach me in one of the following ways:

    Episode links:

    • Podcast resource - https://minimalish.teachable.com/p/podcasters-roadmap
    • Taryn's latest blog post - https://spencetm86.medium.com/bodily-autonomy-an-opinion-piece-3eb712a8882a
    55 min
  • Being over-sensational is hurting your cause

    In this episode I focus on the recent appearance of content on social media that is over sensationalizing the current residential school burial ground investigations. I discuss where I've seen this content, and the process of my own waves of emotion associated with it. I offer my opinion on how this content affects public opinion on this very emotional issue, and the way it gaslights individuals over social media. If you have thoughts you'd like to share on this topic (or any others) you can reach out in the following ways:

    Until next time,
    xox Kait

    26 min
  • Parenting Pep-Talk

    In this episode I discuss how our eldest has been experiencing some volatile emotional dysregulation recently, and offer some of the thought I have about why this happens and how I am trying to respond. I admit, I am far from perfect, but I do my best to lean into the gentle and empathetic parenting approaches I have been trying to learn since my kiddos were little. Have a listen, and if you have any input you'd like to share, you can reach me in the following ways:

    Until next time,
    xo Kait

    29 min
  • Duty to Consult, Indigenous Monitoring in Archaeology, and other projects with guest Jordan Jamieson!

    In this episode I interviewed my friend Jordan Jamieson who is a Lead Field Liaison Representative (FLR) for the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. I asked him to break down for us where the Duty to Consult originated from, what the FLR role is, and why it's important to the practice of CRM Archaeology. We also discussed some projects Jordan has undertaken on his own that will serve to enhance education across community lines, and develop further consultation, support, and exercising Indigenous rights within Archaeology, Culture, and Heritage. If you have any input and/or questions you can reach me in the following ways:

    You can find Jordan at:

    • mr.sauga93 (Instagram)
    • I can also put you in touch with him if you prefer

    Until next time,
    xox Kait

    59 min
  • Abs really are not all they are cracked up to be. Really.

    In this episode I discuss my changing body, my feelings on those changes, and for the first time I outline some of the things I did not "love" about my body when it was objectively the fittest it has ever been. If you have thoughts on this, or want to offer a perspective that I have not captured here, you can reach out to me in the following ways:

    Until next time,
    xox Kait

    37 min
  • Confessions of an Archaeomom

    In this episode I discuss the problems I am facing with my work in real time and how I am navigating a difficult financial and career situation. I explore how the cost of childcare can and does negatively impact specifically mothers entering or re-entering the work force. I also discuss the challenges I am facing in attempting to make lateral moves to a more suitable career track job/industry. If you have a similar story you want to share about, or even some advice, please feel free to reach out to me in one of the the following ways:

    Until next time,
    xox Kait 

    38 min
  • "We cancelled Canada Day; What's next?"

    In a follow-up to last weeks episode, I reflect on what I've seen go on in the past few days surrounding the Indigenous solidarity movement. There has been a lot of activism taking place, and while I think this is great, I want to offer some cautions, context, and draw some connections between standing up for Indigenous communities and dismantling deep-seated racist, colonial mindsets. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns about this episode, or if you would like additional resources (some listed below) you can reach me in the following ways:

    Resources I cited/extras to guide you:

    • U of A Indigenous Canada course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/indigenous-canada
    • Truth and Reconciliation Report: http://trc.ca/assets/pdf/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf
    • Indian Act: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/i-5/
    • more on the Indian Act: https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/the_indian_act/
    • more on the Indian Act: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Act
    • Anishnaabe World: A Guide to Building Bridges Between Canada and First Nations by Roger Spielmann
    • The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King

    Until next time,
    xox Kait

    23 min
  • Can/should you celebrate Canada Day in 2021?

    In this episode I discuss my own journey of disengaging from Canada Day, offer my views on the cancellation of Canada Day (now and in the future), and discuss the importance of early and routine exposure to Indigenous issues for Canadians. I recommend the book, When We Were Alone by David A. Robertson, as a good resource for families to spark some dialogue about Residential Schools, and encourage parents to begin thinking about what their children's formal education looks like in order to be strong advocates for culturally competent curriculums. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns you can reach me in the following ways:

    In this episode I also drew upon the following sources:

    • Evidence Not in a Form Familiar to Common Law Courts: Assessing Oral Histories in Land Claims Testimony after Delgamuukw v. B.C., by Andie Palmer &
    • The Truth and Reconciliation Commission - http://trc.ca/assets/pdf/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf

    Until next time,
    xox Kait

    45 min

About Look at this Mess!

From the publisher's feed

A show dedicated to celebrating unconventionality and living life in the messy middle. Coming at unconventionality from a number of different angles, this show focuses on both living life in…