UPDATE: We accidentally uploaded the unedited version - oops! It's fixed now.

Introducing our first [OFF TOPIC] episode, where Van and Alyssa just talk about life in front of them (or behind).  This longer episode touches on several somewhat related (not really) topics that are really meant for Van and Alyssa to catch up with one another since our 1-2 month-long break. Why does resiliency spell toxicity in New Orleans? What does Alyssa miss about car life? Can personal principles be that significant in the next career step? How do relationships change as time goes on and we learn new lessons about ourselves and others? 

This episode was sponsored by NOLA Skyline Event Center - still the perfect venue for your next special occasion! Follow them @nolaskylineeventcenter or visit their website.

Official Redbubble Store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/UnpackingthePod 

New episodes every Thursday! Click here to access our Official Unpacking the Pod Linktree for socials, submissions, and more!

This week, we look at self-expression vs conformity, specifically as it pertains to fashion. Is there a reason that kids' clothing styles are encouraged to be more expressive than that of adults? Does conformity itself offer its own outlet of expressive freedom? Can we ever separate ourselves from the entity that is the Fashion Industry? Check out this episode to explore these questions with Van and Alyssa.

This episode was sponsored by NOLA Skyline Event Center - the perfect venue for your next special occasion! Follow them @nolaskylineeventcenter or visit their website.

Find our research for this episode here in our Google Doc.

Official Redbubble Store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/UnpackingthePod 

New episodes every Thursday! Click here to access our Official Unpacking the Pod Linktree for socials, submissions, and more!

We dive into the taboo topic of psychedelics and why it's considered taboo. Van and Alyssa share their own experiences and stories about hallucinogens and entheogens, and possible ways society can benefit from embracing them for their healing and psychotherapeutic uses. They discuss how the stigma originated, how it's perpetuated today, and how we can look at them as cultural cornerstones of ancient civilizations and indigenous practices.

This episode was sponsored by NOLA Skyline Event Center - the perfect venue for your next special occasion! Follow them @nolaskylineeventcenter or visit their website.

Find our research for this episode here in our Google Doc.

Official Redbubble Store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/UnpackingthePod 

New episodes every Thursday! Click here to access our Official Unpacking the Pod Linktree for socials, submissions, and more!

Van and Alyssa discuss the crisis facing the unhoused and how difficult it is for that community to rebuild. Is homelessness a "normal" part of society? Is there such a thing as a world without homelessness? We share our thoughts and the potential solutions that can address society's perspective of aiding the homeless.

Support these local NOLA organizations:

NOLA Community Fridges @nolacommunityfridges

Southern Solidarity @southern_solidarity

*These organizations have not sponsored us. We are promoting these organizations of our own volition*

Other links mentioned during the show:

Earth Wrinkles @earthwrinkles

www.brhelps.org

Traditional Wicca: A Seeker's Guide

Tourist pens letter to New Orleans: 'Your City Has Lost Its Way'

Official Redbubble Store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/UnpackingthePod 

New episodes every Thursday! Click here to access our Official Unpacking the Pod Linktree for socials, submissions, and more!

Welcome to Season 2 of Unpacking the Human Condition!

We're excited to get this new season started with some new changes. Van and Alyssa talk about the new changes coming for this season. 

Official Redbubble Store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/UnpackingthePod 

Podcasts are published every Thursday! 

Click here to access our Official Unpacking the Pod Linktree for Twitch channel, socials, submissions, and more!

What does it mean to respect your elders? What does respect look like? What impacts can it have on the youth? Find out as we unpack this week's topic of the human condition!

 

Join our live Twitch shows every Monday 8 pm CST!

Click here to access our Official Unpacking the Pod Linktree for Twitch channel, socials, submissions, and more!

Welcome to our Pride Month special! This month, we are celebrating our individual truths and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community. Join us and our special guest William Morrison as we discuss the history of Pride, what it means to us, and how we can fight for a more progressive future. 

William Morrison @andquirks

The Crossroads Podcast @crossroadsthepodcast

Williams's personal recommendations for LGBTQ+ representation in media

Join our live Twitch shows every Monday 8 pm CST!

Click here to access our Official Unpacking the Pod Linktree for Twitch channel, socials, submissions, and more!

When was the last time you watched a foreign film? It probably helped you peak into someone else's culture, but what did you understand from it? In this special solo stream, Van discusses the significance of consuming diverse media and possible reasons why it's not that popular in the U.S.

Join our live Twitch shows every Monday 8 pm CST!

Click here to access our Official Unpacking the Pod Linktree for Twitch channel, socials, submissions, and more!

In this episode, we discuss how food acts as a medium of human connection. We use it as a tool to share our stories, express our values, and give insight to our traditions and cultures.

Join our live Twitch shows every Monday 8 pm CST!

Click here to access our Official Unpacking the Pod Linktree for Twitch channel, socials, submissions, and more!

In this episode, we discuss the irony, personal impact, and cyclic nature of beauty standards, specifically as it applies to gender. 

Join our live Twitch shows every Monday 8 pm CST

Official Unpacking the Pod Linktree for socials, submissions, and more!