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Discover practical ways to create more welcoming and inclusive environments in your personal and professional life. The episode introduces "The Welcome Wagon," a simple practice inspired by community development principles, offering steps for personal reflection and group collaboration to foster a culture of belonging. Explore insights on the power of connection and small actions that can lead to meaningful change.

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If you enjoy our podcast please consider joining us for the Military Family Readiness Academy this August.

The Academy, a series of free, interconnected webinars and podcast episodes focused on a central theme. This year's theme is Building Community Capacity to Support Military Family Well-Being.

For more information on dates, times, and how to register for free visit oneop.org/mfra

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Amy Rodick, Director of the Office of Military Family Readiness and Policy for the Department of Defense, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of community connections and how service providers and families can contribute to a stronger Military Family Readiness System. 

As an Army veteran and military spouse, Amy brings a unique perspective, sharing real-world strategies for service providers to successfully engage with the Military Family Readiness System at the local level. 

Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://oneop.aweb.page/practicing-connection-newsletter

If you enjoy our podcast please consider joining us for the Military Family Readiness Academy this August.

The Academy, a series of free, interconnected webinars and podcast episodes focused on a central theme. This year's theme is Building Community Capacity to Support Military Family Well-Being.

For more information on dates, times, and how to register for free visit oneop.org/mfra

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In this episode, Jessica is joined by Dr. Anne Phibbs, founder and president of Strategic Diversity Initiatives. With over 25 years of experience in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion goals, Anne shares her insights on finding your voice as an ally. Jessica and Anne discuss the nuances of allyship, the difference between being an ally and engaging in allyship, and how to avoid becoming a social justice “savior.” Anne also shares the challenges that hinder consistent allyship and the role of privilege in leading DEI efforts. 

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In this episode, Jessica is joined by Dr. Anne Phibbs, founder and president of Strategic Diversity Initiatives. With over 25 years of experience in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion goals, Anne shares her insights on building accountability and managing pushback in DEI efforts. Jessica and Anne discuss the importance of accountability in DEI work, how to hold others accountable without shaming or blaming, and strategies to integrate accountability into organizations effectively. Anne also addresses the concept of pushback, providing examples and discussing its prevalence in today’s DEI landscape. Tune in to learn practical practices for challenging pushback and fostering a more inclusive environment.

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This episode dives into a powerful tool for effective allyship: emotional intelligence. Join us as we explore how understanding and managing our emotions can enhance our ability to support and advocate for others. With insights from Dr. Anne Phibbs, a seasoned expert in diversity, equity and inclusion, we’ll uncover practical strategies to boost our emotional intelligence and become better allies.

Links:
Emotional Intelligence Handout

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In this episode of Practicing Connection, Jessica and Dr. Anne Phibbs discuss social identities, privilege, and allyship. They explore how social identities are shaped by social forces and the importance of terms like ‘marginalized’ and ‘underrepresented.’ The conversation delves into understanding privilege, its impact on social equity, and the need to recognize and address privileges. Anne highlights the importance of self-evaluation, challenging privilege, and creating safe spaces for open discussions, suggesting a practical framework of notice, reflect, and act for personal growth and advocacy. 

Links:

Power and Privilege Wheel Handout (PDF)

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How has the conversation around diversity, equity, and inclusion evolved since 2019?
In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Anne Phibbs, Founder and President of Strategic Diversity Initiatives, explores the dramatic shifts in DEI work over the past five years. From the racial reckoning following George Floyd's murder to current pushback against DEI initiatives, Dr. Phibbs offers valuable insights for family service providers navigating these changes. She discusses the impact of demographic shifts, the importance of sustainable DEI practices, and why diverse teams consistently outperform homogeneous ones.
Whether you're new to DEI work or a seasoned practitioner, this episode provides practical perspectives on building more inclusive services while maintaining resilience in the face of resistance.

Links

• The urgency of intersectionality - Kimberlé Crenshaw

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In this episode, Bob and Jessica explore the value of using a systems lens in community work, highlighting the interconnected factors that influence local development.

Jessica reflects on her experiences working with different groups on local issues, from business growth to health concerns, and shares tools and processes to foster understanding and collaboration within groups. These approaches help participants share their lived experiences and identify commonalities and differences, which can lead to more inclusive and effective solutions.

Links
We Make the Road by Walking
Cycle of Praxis

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In this episode of the Practicing Connection podcast, hosts Jessica and Bob explore the concept of balancing the "big picture" with "small actions" in their work and personal lives. 

The episode delves into a practice inspired by adrienne maree brown's book Emergent Strategy, focusing on how simple, individual actions contribute to larger systemic changes over time. Bob guides listeners through a reflection on the interconnectedness of issues and the role each person plays in creating change, no matter how small their actions might seem. The discussion highlights the importance of patience and acceptance in the face of complex challenges, encouraging listeners to embrace both their being and creating in the journey toward collective progress.

Links

• Worksheet: Applying the Community Capitals Framework (CCF) with Military Families
• 2024 MFRA: Economic Readiness and Military Family Well-Being
• Emergent Strategy
• Sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://oneop.aweb.page/practicing-connection-newsletter

If you enjoy our podcast please consider joining us for the Military Family Readiness Academy this August.

The Academy, a series of free, interconnected webinars and podcast episodes focused on a central theme. This year's theme is Building Community Capacity to Support Military Family Well-Being.

For more information on dates, times, and how to register for free visit oneop.org/mfra

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In this episode of the Practicing Connection podcast, hosts Jessica and Bob explore the Community Capitals Framework, a powerful tool from community development that can enhance your work with military families. They discuss how this framework, developed by Jan and Cornelia Flora, identifies seven types of capital—natural, cultural, human, social, political, financial, and built—and how these capitals can be leveraged to build resilient and supportive communities for military families.

Jessica and Bob dive into practical examples, such as the Stronghold Food Pantry at Fort Leavenworth and the collaborative efforts at Malmstrom Air Force Base, to illustrate how different capitals can be strategically utilized. They also share insights from books like "Strategic Doing" and "Holding Change," which offer valuable perspectives on asset-based approaches and the importance of small-scale changes in group facilitation.

Links

• Strategic Doing
• Holding Change
• Community Capitals Framework
• Spiraling-Up: Mapping Community Transformation with Community Capitals Framework
• Feeding Military Families with Stronghold Food Pantry CEO Monica Bassett
• An Ecosystem of Military Family Support with Nicola Winkel
• Partnering on Early Education for Military Kids
• Coming Together to Support Military Families in Military Bay, USA
• Reconnecting with Nature: Health and Well-Being for Military Communities