In this heartfelt solo episode of Off The Beaten Podcast, host Dion McGill reflects on his military service in Afghanistan in honor of Veterans Day. He shares personal stories about his early reluctance to embrace the veteran identity, the bonds he built with Afghan soldiers, and the lessons he learned about shared humanity. McGill also explores the dangers of xenophobia and the enduring importance of solidarity, invoking the words of Fred Hampton. The episode closes with McGill’s reading of the St. Crispin’s Day speech, a moving tribute to camaraderie, sacrifice, and the unseen journeys of those who serve.

Hello Friends!

For this episode I had the opportunity to sit down with Ydalmi Noriega. Ydalmi is a Chicago transplant, as well as the Vice President of Programs and Engagement for the Poetry Foundation. After recently being labeled as a person who is redefining what poetry looks like, I had to sit down and pick her brain about her journey, and about the wide world of poetry. Enjoy! 

• Hispanic Executive: Ydalmi Noriega Is Redefining What Poetry Looks Like in America

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Hello Friends!

Resources: 

• Fatal Violence Against The Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Community in 2022 

Every time another school shooting or mass shooting happens, I am approached by people asking, "What can I do? What can we do?"  

So I wanted to take a moment to offer some actionable steps you can take in the face of this tragedy.  

State: 

UPDATE: Governor Pritzker has signed HB 4729, which will fund a statewide public awareness campaign to promote safe firearm storage. It's effective date is January 1, 2023. Feel free to send him a thank you!!!

Office of the Governor

Office of the Governor

Contact the Governor Online

Federal:

Reach out to your congressmen and let them know you want to see action now to prevent tragedies like the one in Uvalde Texas and that failure to do so could greatly impact your support of them in future elections. 

Congress: Find your Members

• Giffords: Courage to Fight Violence

• Changing the Beat of Mental Health: Amplifying Our Voice, Communities United

• Talking to Your Children about Tragedies in the News, Lurie Children's Blog

• Policies to Reduce Gun Violence in Illinois: Research, Policy Analysis and Recommendations, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Saying "Happy Memorial Day" always feels weird to me. However, allow me to offer my sincerest gratitude to all those who have loved ones you are remembering today.  I offer my thoughts on Memorial Day, and some of my favorite poetry that commemorates this day. 

Resources:

• In Flanders Fields by John McCrae

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I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Got something to say?

Give us a call and leave a voicemail: (708)465-1590

Email us: [email protected]

Also don't be afraid to slide into my DM's on any of the social media platforms. 

You can also support the podcast by Buying Me a Cup of Coffee. Every dollar donated goes into helping me make the podcast better. buymeacoffee.com/OffTheBeatenPodcast

Cover Photo by Alicia Schemel

Hello Friends! Recently, following an evening of violence that left one youth dead, Mayor Lori Lightfoot instituted a ban on youth at Millennium Park after 6pm Thursday - Sunday. She also moved the citywide curfew for youth from 11pm to 10pm. I had to offer my thoughts. 

Resources:

• Lightfoot sets earlier citywide weekend curfew

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I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Got something to say?

Give us a call and leave a voicemail: (708)465-1590

Email us: [email protected]

Also don't be afraid to slide into my DM's on any of the social media platforms. 

You can also support the podcast by Buying Me a Cup of Coffee. Every dollar donated goes into helping me make the podcast better. buymeacoffee.com/OffTheBeatenPodcast

Hello Friends! This episode I indulge in my sweet tooth while visiting with Leah Tibbs, owner of Cookies and Conversations, a small black female owned business I became a fan of during the pandemic. Cookies and Conversations brings people together in conversations while baking and indulging in super yummy cookies! 

Resources:

• Cookies and conversations

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Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any upcoming episodes. Also, please take a moment to rate and review OTBP on your favorite podcast app.

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Instagram / Facebook / TikTok / Website / Podchaser

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Got something to say?

Give us a call and leave a voicemail: (708)465-1590

Email us: [email protected]

Also don't be afraid to slide into my DM's on any of the social media platforms. 

You can also support the podcast by Buying Me a Cup of Coffee. Every dollar donated goes into helping me make the podcast better. buymeacoffee.com/OffTheBeatenPodcast

Hello Friends! Finally Off The Beaten Podcast has come back!  It was a long cold winter, but we've come out of hibernation and kicking off Season 4 by bringing you up to speed on one of the more significant adventures I've had since I last posted. 

Resources:

• 2022 UChicago Civic Leadership Academy 

• Le Paris Noir Instagram

• The Batman spoiler discussion 

Signup for the newsletter here: Off The Beaten Podcast Newsletter

Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any upcoming episodes. Also, please take a moment to rate and review OTBP on your favorite podcast app.

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I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Got something to say?

Give us a call and leave a voicemail: (312) 488-9068

Email us: [email protected]

Also don't be afraid to slide into my DM's on any of the social media platforms. 

You can also support the podcast by Buying Me a Cup of Coffee. Every dollar donated goes into helping me make the podcast better. buymeacoffee.com/OffTheBeatenPodcast

Hello Friends! I've been sitting on this episode forever, and I'm so excited to get this episode out, and what more perfect time, when people will be getting flowers and wreaths to decorate their homes for the holidays, as well as honey to sweeten your various holiday teas.

Resources:

• Chicago Eco House

Signup for the newsletter here: Off The Beaten Podcast Newsletter

Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any upcoming episodes. Also, please take a moment to rate and review OTBP on your favorite podcast app.

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Instagram / Facebook / TikTok / Website / Podchaser

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Got something to say?

Give us a call and leave a voicemail: (312) 488-9068

Email us: [email protected]

Also don't be afraid to slide into my DM's on any of the social media platforms. 

You can also support the podcast by Buying Me a Cup of Coffee. Every dollar donated goes into helping me make the podcast better. buymeacoffee.com/OffTheBeatenPodcast