Some podcast apps may not display links from our show notes properly, so we have included a list of links at the end of this description.

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A Black Feminist, activist, professor, and author, Loretta J. Ross has spent five remarkable decades in activism. She’s deprogrammed white supremacists and taught convicted rapists the principles of feminism and it’s worked because the power of her message comes from who she is and what she’s lived through.

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In this episode, Loretta is joined by CIIS Women’s Spirituality professor Dr. Alka Arora for a powerful and inspiring conversation about her life’s work and her latest book Calling In, a memoir-manifesto-handbook about how to rein in the excesses of cancel culture so we can truly communicate and solve problems together. Loretta discusses how using conversation instead of conflict—by focusing on your shared values over a desire for punishment—is the more strategic choice if you want to make real change.

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This episode was recorded during a live online event on April 2nd, 2025. You can also watch it on the CIIS Public Programs YouTube channel. A transcript is available at ciispod.com. To find out more about CIIS and public programs like this one, visit our website ciis.edu and connect with us on social media @ciispubprograms.

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We hope that each episode of our podcast provides opportunities for growth, and that our listeners will use them as a starting point for further introspection. Many of the topics discussed on our podcast have the potential to bring up feelings and emotional responses. If you or someone you know is in need of mental health care and support, here are some resources to find immediate help and future healing:

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-Visit 988lifeline.org or text, call, or chat with The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 from anywhere in the U.S. to be connected immediately with a trained counselor. Please note that 988 staff are required to take all action necessary to secure the safety of a caller and initiate emergency response with or without the caller’s consent if they are unwilling or unable to take action on their own behalf.

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-Visit thrivelifeline.org or text “THRIVE” to begin a conversation with a THRIVE Lifeline crisis responder 24/7/365, from anywhere: +1.313.662.8209. This confidential text line is available for individuals 18+ and is staffed by people in STEMM with marginalized identities.

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-Visit translifeline.org or call (877) 565-8860 in the U.S. or (877) 330-6366 in Canada to learn more and contact Trans Lifeline, who provides trans peer support divested from police.

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-Visit ciis.edu/ciis-in-the-world/counseling-clinics to learn more and schedule counseling sessions at one of our centers.

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-Find information about additional global helplines at befrienders.org.

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LINKS

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Podcast Transcripts: https://www.ciispod.com/

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California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) Website: https://www.ciis.edu/

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CIIS Public Programs YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ciispublicprograms

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CIIS Public Programs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ciispubprograms/

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Mental Health Care and Support Resources:

https://988lifeline.org/

https://thrivelifeline.org/

https://translifeline.org/

https://www.ciis.edu/ciis-in-the-world/counseling-clinics

https://befrienders.org/