Meant For It

Since October 7, we have added more political content with a focus on the  war in Israel. We didn’t plan on making our podcast political but we couldn't be authentic without having the conversations we feel are so important, As we think about leading the lives that were meant for us, alongside careers, purpose, relationships and the things that make up a good life, politics is a part of our daily lives. Some weeks it's the appetizer and sometimes it is the main course. 

As we share in this episode, the  war in Israel and the tsunami of lies and hatred towards Jewish people galvanized thousands of activists, including us.  In this episode, we spoke with Jonah Platt and Dr. Logan Levkoff about their advocacy stories. We discussed challenging conversations about the war and the impact of activism on our personal and professional lives. As Sharon McMahon reminded us in a previous episode, no effort toward liberty is ever lost. Whatever contribution we can make towards the truth is worth every effort. We hope this conversation will encourage you to advocate for the cause closest to your soul.

https://www.jonahplatt.com

Listen to Jonah's podcast

Dr. Logan Levkoff

 

In this episode, we are honored to speak with Dumisani Washington, the founder and CEO of the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel Dumisani Washington is a gifted Pastor, musician, author,  speaker and a passionate advocate for the unity and solidarity between the Church and Israel. His  book, "Zionism & the Black Church: Why Standing with Israel Will be a Defining Issue for Christians of Color in the 21st Century," has sparked important conversations and inspired countless individuals to explore the connections between these communities. 

Dumisani shares his story, from a  devout Christian upbringing in Little Rock, Arkansas, to becoming a prominent voice in the intersection of Black and Jewish communities. Dumisan’s transformative experience during his first trip to Israel in 2012, which inspired him to establish his organization. This conversation  reminds us  of the  historical and spiritual ties between African American churches and Zionism, highlighting the deep-rooted connections through scripture, civil rights and music.

We discuss the historical alliances between Black and Jewish communities, particularly during the civil rights movement, and the current state of these relationships. 

We dip into the geopolitical landscape, examining the overwhelming influence of Soviet propaganda that led to the avalanche of  misinformation and anti-Semitic rhetoric we are seeing today across most media platforms and our college campuses.. Dumisani passionately advocates for a renewed sense of patriotism and unity among Americans.

Follow Dumisani here and on Instagram

 

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Quotes from our converation:

"The less we know, the more bondage we actually walk into."

"The spiritual nature of things remains alive, even long after the Pharaohs and Hitlers have passed."

"We are in a fight for global religious freedom."

"The immediacy of the hour is what really brought the whole black Jewish synergy to light."

"Our national security is at stake. Our religious freedom is at stake."

Sharon McMahon, America's favorite government teacher and bestselling author of "The Small and the Mighty." shares how she went from a classroom government teacher to a social media success with over a million followers on Instagram. Once you hear this episode you will understand why Shaon’s  nonpartisan videos on the electoral college and other political processes captured the hearts and attention of her followers and mass media.

You may not know that there is currently a  lack of standardized civic education across the United States. Each state decides how much time to allocate within their schools to teach about US Government and Civics. Yes, read that again and stop for a minute to consider the consequences of inconsistent and insufficient government education for American students. If students are not taught how to make change locally, statewide or nationally, or that their vote and participation matters, perhaps that explains a lot including why so many of us complain that the system is not representing us?

We talk about Sharon’s brilliant book,  "The Small and the Mighty," which profiles twelve unsung American heroes who made extraordinary impacts on history. One of the  heroes is Clara Brown, an enslaved woman who became a pioneer in Colorado, through sacrifice, faith and decades of hard work. 

We also discuss the current election and why the majority of Americans feel they are not represented by either candidate. Sharon offers suggestions for  electoral reforms and a multi-party system that would drastically change election outcomes.  Sharon recommends FairVote,  an organization working to  improve election systems at the state level. Do not miss this episode that will challenge you to think critically about your role in democracy and we guarantee will inspire you to get poltically engaged in what matters most to you.

Follow us on Instagram at @meantforit and sign up for our newsletter here 

https://sharonmcmahon.com

Sharon's Podcast

Sharon's newsletter

Visit our website at www.meantforit.com,

email us directly at [email protected]

 Favorite Quotes from this episode:

"I think that you can love something while also knowing the truth about it."

"No work for liberty is lost; it changes the fabric of what the country is."

"Just do the next needed thing."

"We are reaping the harvest of what we have sown."

Practicing Judaism was the last thing Miriam Racquel Feldman ever wanted. In fact, it was something she denied, preferring instead to be a free spirit, and a citizen of the world.  After repeatedly rejecting her Jewish roots, Mriam found herself reluctantly following the love of her life to retrieve him from an “orthodox cult”. But that is not the fate that awaited Miriam.

In Miriam’s memoir,  “God Said What?!", you will follow the story of how a letter from a former boyfriend, who had joined a religious community in Israel, set Miriam on her life’s path.  Miriam shares the day-to-day stories and moments during her studies at a women's yeshiva, as she was slowly captivated and  drawn towards the beauty of an orthodox Jewish life.

Miriam also addresses some common  misconceptions about the role and treatment of women in orthodox Judaism as was portrayed in several popular Netflix dramas over the last couple of years. We discuss meanings behind some of the Jewish laws and traditions she practices, and the universal message of peace and kindness that transcends religious boundaries. Whether you're Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, or of any other faith, Miriam's story offers encouragement for anyone seeking a deeper connection to their spiritual path.

Drop in and say hello to us on Instagram @meantforit.

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Email us directly at [email protected]  - we do a happy dance  when we get listener emails .

Visit our website at www.meantforit.com

 

Top quotes from Interview:

"I went to a rabbi and showed him this letter. The rabbi looked at it and said, "Your boyfriend's in a cult.""

"I had totally rejected my Judaism. I thought if Jews blend in with non-Jews, there won't be antisemitism."

"I love having this spiritual way of looking at the world that is just beyond what I see with my physical eyes."

"Jewish prophecy says there will come a time of peace, and I believe we are evolving towards that."

"Chabad is very not insular. It's very out there, out there, out there all the time."

Tracy McCubbin is a professional declutterer, but what she really does is help people manage their relationship to stuff. When Tracy realized she had a talent for helping people organize their stuff, she turned it into dCluttefly, a thriving business. 

In our part 2 of our conversation with Tracy, we discuss the 7 emotional clutter blocks people us to  avoid their emotions or problems. We discuss some of the ways our society is rigged against our desire to buy less and how your home can become a more peaceful and joyful place when you remove the things that you don’t need. Whether  you are hanging on to the past, creating a fantasy life, feeling guilty about your purchases or feeling shame for not using the stuff you bought, Tracy can help. After 18 years helping people declutter their homes, Tracy has seen it all and can help people move past common emotional mistakes.

Tracy's book, Making Space Clutter Free: The Last Book on Decluttering You Will Ever Need

Hear how Tracy McCubbin took her biggest pyschic wound and turned it into her life's work. Tracy helps people destress, save money and. precious time.. If you want to focus on what you can control, buying less stuff is something you can immediately start doing to mprove your life. We aren't saying you shoudn't buy those shoes, or that item that makes you happy (yes, buy the shoes)  but be intentional about the things you buy so you can free up more of you precious time and money for things you will enjoy. That means don't get things you don't need because they are on sale, learn about the common clutter and shopping traps most of use to avoid loneliness, boredom or to seek joy in the wrong places.    Also, on a macro level, when we buy less junk, or things that we don't realy need, we add less garbage to our planet.  Collectively, we can shift how we spend our resources! 💪 We also discuss the most common emotional clutter blocks that trap people into buying more stuff , like when you buy a ton of gear for the fantasy life of being a biker, photgrapher, runner , but never even start the hobby or take the trip. Sound familar?    1 in 4 Americans has a clutter problem, so if this episode isn't for you please send it to a friend.  We also talk about how decluttering is a greatr small business or side job. Since 25% of Americans can't park in their garages due to their stuff, you will have job secucity.   Tracy is a decluttering queen!   https://www.instagram.com/tracy_mccubbin/

Meet DeNora Getachew, CEO of DoSomething.org, the largest online platform for youth activism. DoSomething.org, with its 1M  active users, gets young people aged 13 to 25 into volunteerism and activism. DeNora shares how the organization meets young people where they are, including finding them on gaming platforms (whatever works).

 

We discuss the core areas of focus for DoSomething.org: safety and well-being, equity and justice, and climate and sustainability. DeNora tells us about the impactful Camp Reboot program, which trains young people to become mental health advocates.. DoSomething.org makes activism accessible and actionable for young people, guiding them from curiosity to committed change-makers.

DeNora tells us about career as a legislative attorney to leading DoSomething.org, and her belief in the power of young people to drive real  change. If you're interested in youth activism, mental health advocacy join us as we explore how DoSomething.org is encouraging the next generation of leaders. And, if you are a DoSomething.org activist, we want to hear from you!  Drop us a message on IG or email us atL  [email protected] and tell us your activism  story.

Visit our website at www.meantforit.com,

and sign up for our newsletter here on substack. or email us directly at [email protected]  - we do a happy dance  when we get listener emails .

 

Zoom in to our conversation:

(02:33) How do you get to young people through volunteering and service opportunities

(04:00) Dosomething. org is the largest online platform for youth activism

(08:19) We have a million active users on our platform so far this year

(16:51) Camp reboot is training young people to be mental health upstanders

(25:03) Tell us who your earliest, greatest influences were

(30:05) A big component of our new platform will provide young people with opportunities to recommend programming

(32:12) Are there some books you think young people should read around social change

(33:16) If you could have a dinner party and invite four people, who would you invite?

 

In one of the most important and timely conversations on our podcast, Izabella Tabarovsky shares her research in tracing the roots of anti-zionism rhetoric to the Soviet Union. Izabella’s article,  “Zombie Anti-Zionism” for Tablet magazine shares the striking similarities between today's anti-Israel language and Soviet propaganda from the 1960s to the 1980s, revealing a dangerous connection that many are unaware of. Izabella explains how this rhetoric, which demonizes Zionism and Israel, has been meticulously and expertly transmitted to the West and passionately adopted by the global left. 

We discuss Izabella’s process of tracing the origins of anti-zionism to the communist party of the Soviet Union and cover some of the channels, major players, publications and methods that allowed it to infiltrate American society. Izabella’s research shows the explosive growth of this rhetoric after the 1967 Six day Arab-Israeli war.  When Israel won the war, the Soviet Union started to see that there was an Israeli and US alliance, with Zionists firmly aligned with the West against the USSR and its allies. Izabella shares the significant influence of Soviet propaganda, the role of third-world publications, and the geopolitical chess moves that led to the widespread, and highly successful adoption of anti-Zionist rhetoric as a “peace movement”.

Similarly to the discredited and fraudulent Protocols of the Elders of Zion, the anti-zionist rhetoric coming from the modern left, is an echo of Soviet led propaganda that equated zionism with fascism, colonialism, and portrayed zionists as traitors to their homeland. 

If you want to know the historical context of the propaganda around the Israel-Gaza war, and the origins of today’s anti-Israel, anti-zionist movements, do NOT miss this conversation, and please share it with a friend.

 https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/arts-letters/articles/zombie-anti-zionism

(08:26) Why did the Soviets invest such an incredible amount of resources into propaganda

(14:23) More people from the former Soviet Union know about Angela Davis than Americans do

(19:30) Mahmoud M. Abbas and the Soviet Union Connection

(24:21) How Anti zionist language came  from the Soviet Union

(31:51) Today's language is even more radical than we had in the seventies and eighties

Please stop by and say hello to us on Instagram @meantforit.

 

Visit our website at www.meantforit.com,

and sign up for our newsletter here on substack. or email us directly at [email protected]  - we do a happy dance  when we get listener emails .

 

Quotes:

"What we hear on college campuses is not criticism, it's demonization of Zionism in Israel."

"The Soviets invested an incredible amount of resources into this propaganda."

"The Soviets had geopolitical interests in targeting Israel, and in targeting Zionism as an ideology."

"So today, essentially, the dividing line is that Zionists are people who believe that Israel has a right to exist."

"The Soviets completely redefined the word Zionism."

"For us, the United States most certainly was a force for good."

 

Jessica Tarlov, the co-host and only democratic voice on Fox News Channel’’s 🌟The Five ( a brave role to take on!) is back on our podcast to share her insights om Kamala's campaign and key issues most important to voters. Whether you agree with her or not, Jessica’s informed, moderate and balanced perspective is rejuvenating. Join us as we cover everything from foreign policy to domestic issues and the future of American politics. We think you will love Jessica as much as we do!

Our first podcast with Jessica from April 2024

Watch Jessica on The Five

Can you please share our podcast with a friend? 

Please stop by and say hello to us on Instagram @meantforit.

visit our website at www.meantforit.com,

and sign up for our newsletter here on substack. or email us directly at [email protected]  - we do a happy dance  when we get listener emails .

 

A few topics we covered:

• (03:53) Democrats are feeling relief about the candidate switch
• (16:01) It feels like the entire election is really a  personality vote
• (22:37) “Baruch” Shapiro came out early for Obama in 2008
• (25:37) How big money is corrupting democracy
• (32:16) Immigration issues
• (37:36) How Kamala is injecting optimism into the Democratic presidential campaign

In this life deeply soulful conversation we speak with  Nicole Avant to discuss her  tribute to her mom in her new book  "Think You'll Be Happy." We explore themes from Nicole’s book including living a life centered around  love of family, community, the arts, gratitude and serving others.

Nicole's mindset is an example of the power of  positive energy and the importance of being a blessing to others, no matter the circumstances. Nicole talks about her upbringing in a household filled with love, wisdom, and how she learned from so many wonderful people that were friends with her parents. Nicole’s parents, Clarence Avant and Jacqueline Avant were both extraordinary leaders in the music industry and in their communities. The Avant  home was a meeting place for some of America’s greatest artists and leaders such as Ella Fitzgerald, Maya Angelou, the Clintons and the Obamas. Despite her glamorous and successful life, Nicole remains humble and grounded, attributes she credits to her mother's teachings.

We discuss how Nicole intentionally turned a tragedy into a source of inspiration, the importance of traditional values and the impact of small acts of kindness. 

We know you will not forget the lessons Nicole shares on being good, spreading good, supporting people who are grieving and choosing to  be the blessing every day of your life. 

Nicole Avant https://thinkyoullbehappy.com

Nicole's father Clarence Avant

Clarence Avant, Mighty Engine Behind Black Superstars, Dies at 92

Please stop by and say hello on Instagram @meantforit. visit our website at www.meantforit.com, and sign up for our newsletter here on substack. or email us directly at [email protected].

Zoom in:

(00:00) Nicole Avant's new book is about love and gratitude

(05:22) The book is focused on grit, grace, and gratitude

(09:10) How your mother taught you to be the blessing

(16:20) This book really made me want to be a better friend

(22:13) You left your ambassadorship in the Bahamas to support your family

(27:08) In your book, you talk about bullying among children in today's society

(34:00) Your mom taught you to always be grateful. What are some of your favorite life lessons

(38:26) You talk a lot about energy and intuition in the book

(42:27) You talk about learning from your ancestors, and your father had incredible life story

(46:11) Investment in the arts

(51:35) Lessons from Nicole’s mom

(55:25) Paying it forward

(59:47) Lead with generosity that really is the message out of this book