Practicing Connection

Send us Fan Mail

Explore practical ways to cultivate deep respect in your personal and professional interactions. This practicast introduces “1-2-4-All,” a practice rooted in community development principles, designed to amplify every voice and promote meaningful collaboration. Learn how genuine listening and collective reflection can empower individuals and create stronger connections within groups.

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

Send us Fan Mail

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.

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

Send us Fan Mail

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

Send us a text

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. 

Send us a text

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.

Send us a text

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

Send us a text

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)

Send us a text

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

Send us a text

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

Send us Fan Mail

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