Powers at Play

In this episode, Mandie K interviews Gloria Blevins, the Executive Director of the Black Child Development Institute of Ohio (BCDI/BCI). 

They discuss the organization's mission to advocate for Black and Brown children, the systemic challenges these communities face, and the importance of education and awareness in addressing these issues. 

Gloria shares insights on the political landscape affecting child welfare, the misconceptions surrounding poverty and race, and concrete actions individuals can take to support their communities. The conversation emphasizes the need for collective action and understanding to create equitable opportunities for all children.

Drawing on his personal experience growing up in Lima, Ohio, home to a large oil refinery, and his extensive professional career in Washington, D.C., where he worked on national energy policy in Congress, Joe shares insights into the environmental, health, and economic impacts of fossil fuel reliance.

Mandie and Joe explore the urgent need to transition to clean energy to secure long-term economic stability for communities that currently depend on fossil fuels. They discuss the importance of bipartisan action, equitable access to information on climate change, and how local governments can lead the way in driving this transition.

This episode highlights the real-world effects of climate change, from extreme weather to economic and utility disruptions, and emphasizes the need for practical solutions that support sustainable economic growth. Whether you're in Ohio or beyond, this conversation offers valuable insights into building a future where clean energy and economic security go hand in hand.

In this episode of Powers at Play, Mandie Kijinski interviews Christina Mokwa, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse who has found healing and advocacy through psychedelic and medicinal therapies. Christina shares her journey with plant medicines like ayahuasca and psilocybin, as well as lab-created compounds like ketamine and MDMA, emphasizing the need to remove the stigma surrounding these therapies and recognize their potential as legitimate treatments for trauma.

The discussion delves into the lasting impact of childhood trauma on individuals and relationships, highlighting the importance of raising children who respect boundaries and treat others with kindness. Christina and Mandie also explore the concept of ethical non-monogamy, with Christina sharing her personal experiences and the significance of honesty and transparency in such relationships.

They further examine the historical context of marriage and its traditional role in limiting women’s roles and rights, advocating for a modern redefinition of these notions. The conversation also covers the role of plant medicines and earth medicines, such as psilocybin, in healing emotional wounds, stressing the importance of creating safe spaces for individuals to explore their trauma and reconnect with their authentic selves.

This episode offers a heartfelt and insightful look into trauma, healing, and the transformative potential of psychedelic therapies, encouraging open dialogue and understanding.

In this conversation, Nell Goza shares her journey from growing up in a conservative, religious household to finding her own voice and beliefs. Nell opens up about her fears as a young child of expressing views that went against the status quo of her family and upbringing and the deep pulls she felt to change her beliefs to protect children and women's rights, and their future. She reflects on her transition from being a professional dancer to becoming a parent and starting a parenting page on Instagram.

Mandie K and Nell dive into their shared passion for civic engagement and the challenges of parenting, exploring the importance of raising children with a sense of purpose amidst the messy reality of parenting. They discuss the rise of the tradwife movement, the intersection of religion and politics, and the importance of civil conversations and finding common ground.

Nell emphasizes the significance of voting, understanding the full scope of politics beyond just the presidency, and the need for diversity and empathy in leadership. She shares the challenges of navigating conservative family dynamics and offers advice for those in similar situations.

The conversation concludes with a call for "progress over perfection" and the power of community and advocacy, encouraging listeners to engage in meaningful dialogue and strive for a better future.

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In this conversation, Mandie K interviews Brittany Oldfield, a survivor of human trafficking.  Despite facing immense trauma and adversity, Brittany's resilience and determination to protect others shine through.

She highlights the importance of understanding the complexities of the conditioning, coercion, manipulation and force used by human traffickers.  She highlights the misconceptions and systemic barriers that exist around human trafficking and emphasizes the importance of believing and supporting survivors.

Brittany emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about the different forms of coercion used in human trafficking. 

The conversation highlights the lack of support and understanding from authorities and the continued challenges faced by survivors. 

Brittany concludes by highlighting the resources and organizations available to help survivors and the need for survivor-to-survivor support (ex: Thrive Peer Recovery Services).

She shares her own experience of finding healing and purpose through faith and peer support, and how she now works to advocate for other survivors and educate the public about human trafficking.

In this conversation, Mandie and Natalie discuss their different perspectives on abortion and reproductive rights.

Natalie holds a pro-life stance based on her Christian worldview, scientific evidence, and personal experience growing up in a large family. Mandie, on the other hand, believes in a woman's right to choose based on her interpretation of the Constitution, freedom of religion, and the right to privacy. 

They explore the intersection of ethics and morals, the role of government in regulating abortion, and the definition of rights.

Despite their differences, they emphasize the importance of respectful dialogue and finding common ground. They agree that science can provide facts but not moral standards, and that morality is a philosophical matter. 

Most importantly, they find common ground in the need for reform in adoption and foster care, transparency in contraceptive education, and informed consent for medical procedures.

In this conversation, Mandie K (Liberal) interviews Marshall Ariza (Conservative), a retired consultant with a background in economics and finance. They discuss the influence of elites and the necessity for transparency in media organizations, delving into topics of faith, the importance of questioning authority, and the value of diverse perspectives. The speakers share their personal experiences with Christianity, emphasizing the need to critically assess the foundations of one’s faith. They also explore the role of economics in society and highlight the lack of education and dialogue around fiscal policy. A continuous theme is the importance of authenticity in leadership and the need for leaders to be transparent and accountable.
The principal themes of the conversation include the significance of transparency and authenticity in discussions, the need for respectful dialogue that embraces diverse viewpoints, the role of questioning authority and holding decision-makers accountable, the historical importance of immigration in America, and the erosion of the country’s foundational principles. The discussion underscores the value of asking questions, listening to different viewpoints, and collaborating to uphold the principles of the Constitution and the Republic.

Tom H., a conservative, and Mandie K. a liberal discuss the importance of civic engagement and finding common ground. Tom shares his background as a chemist and IT project manager, as well as his involvement in education and activism. They discuss the need for transparency in tax money and the importance of making choices in government priorities. They also touch on the role of the Constitution, the difference between being a Republican and a conservative, and the influence of religion on government and morality. They explore the challenges of having productive conversations with people of different viewpoints and the need for diverse perspectives in policy-making. The conversation between Tom Hach and Mandie K explores the importance of a republic and the principles that sustain it. They discuss the role of religion in shaping the morals and values of a society, the need for tolerance and coexistence, and the potential dangers of majoritarianism. They also touch on topics such as abortion, gerrymandering, and the importance of freedom of speech. Despite their differing perspectives, they emphasize the importance of listening to each other and finding common ground in order to preserve the republic.

The conversation between Mandie K and Dr. Sheri Minor explores the controversy and division surrounding vaccines, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The speakers discuss their personal struggles and dilemmas regarding vaccine decisions for themselves and their children. They delve into the ethical theories of consequentialism and non-consequentialism, highlighting the tension between individual rights and the common good. The conversation also touches on the importance of trust in government and pharmaceutical companies, the role of vaccines in preventing disease, the regulatory processes for ensuring vaccine safety and efficacy, and the impact of misinformation and disinformation. The speakers emphasize the need for informed decision-making, access to credible resources, and respect for individual autonomy.