We originally planned this conversation to be about productivity, and how to stay productive during these dog days of summer. However, rather than recording on Tuesday as has been our custom, we elected to press pause on the podcast, participating in #theshowmustbepaused an initiative started by Jamila Thomas and Brianna Agyemang. During our normal podcast time, we instead reflected upon ourselves and our work together. This podcast is the product of that conversation. We still tackle productivity, but we ask: what does it mean to be a productive ally right now? What does it mean to contribute productively to anti-racist efforts? And what is the most productive work for us to do with ourselves right now? Please give this podcast a listen and let us know what you think, and maybe offer what you think the best work is for you right now. 

In episode 6, we introduced and talked through what we referred to as our Principles of Community - Pandemic Edition. In that episode, we listed each one of our principles, provided a little context to each one, and talked about why we thought they were necessary. We posted that episode with a promise to release them for public viewing and comment. In this, our first bonus episode, Cheri and Paul officially release our Principles of Community for listener and community response and feedback, and acknowledge both the attempt, as well as the imperfections and potential shortcomings in these, our first-draft guidelines for community engagement. You can find the link to them on the Shared Spaces section of our website, and we would love to hear what you have to say about them upon further inspection.

Welcome to Spring! With social distancing in place and social routines disrupted, the changing of the seasons may not be so evident as they have been in past years. How have your routines changed over the past few months? When did you notice that the seasons have changed? What marks the coming of Spring for you? In this episode of This Most Unbelievable Podcast, Cheri and Paul talk about renewal, rebirth, new growth, and the opportunities that come with the changing of season from Winter to Spring. We talk about the purpose of Spring as a time to bring new opportunities, and reflect on how this podcast, throughout this first season, has paralleled the astronomical cycle. We also talk about the upcoming second season - Summer!

Today on the podcast, Cheri and Paul talk about one of the biggies that we both engage with on a pretty daily basis: resistance. But what is resistance? Is it an organized action against an oppressor? Is it the suppression of an urge or compulsion? Is it a feeling of discomfort when the narrative you have written for yourself conflicts with your known sense of present reality? Well, it can be all of those, and it could be something else entirely. Give this podcast a listen and let us know what the basis of your resistance is! We’d love to hear from you!

Asking the question “What if...?” can change the way we see the situations we face. As listeners probably know by now, Cheri and Paul love questions. Today’s podcast starts with the question: “What if...?” Together, they think through the "What if...?" of limiting beliefs, the stories we tell about ourselves, the foundational model of higher education, and the ways in which humans, as individuals, access and integrate information. We started this podcast in one place, and it led to some unexpected places! What is the "What if...?" that you ask yourself? Give this a listen and let us know! Enjoy!