Whose history gets told? In this episode, Dr. Lisa and Dr. Shaunna unpack the unsettling intersections of memory, commodification, and state-sanctioned narratives. From the newly opened Jonestown site in Guyana to the controversial signage reshaping U.S. historical landmarks through QR codes, we ask: What happens when sites of trauma become tourist attractions—or propaganda tools?

Word of the Week [1:15]: Commodification: We're not just talking about grains and fruit. Buying and selling can go too far. 

Phase 1 [5:25]: Guyana and the Jonestown Massacre: Dr. Lisa explores the ethics of opening the site to tourists. Unfortunately, this is the not the first time we have had to negotiate such a controversy. Amache, Sand Creek, and other National Parks point to a long history of shaping such narratives.

Phase 2 [25:39]: Deaf President Now!: Dr. Shaunna encourages us to study resistance by plopping down on the couch, grabbing the remote, and watching this documentary on Gallaudet University's fight. Four students led the charge for the first deaf president in the University's 122-year history.

Mentioned in the show:

Restoring truth and sanity to American History – Executive Order

May 20 order from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum

Backlash in Colorado as National Park Signs Urge Visitors to Report 'Negative' Views About America – KOAA News (Southern Colorado NBC affiliate)

The Site of the Jonestown Massacre Opens to Tourists. Some Ask Why - NYT

How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith

Deaf President Now! – Apple TV

A Movement that Changed History – Gallaudet University

In this special 200th-episode edition, we step back from our usual deep-dive format to reflect on the evolution of [un]phased unedited, celebrate what it means to hit this milestone, share lessons learned along the way, and peer into the trends shaping our next chapters. Fewer than 10% of podcasts ever reach 100 episodes -- and far fewer make it to 200. We've avoided the "podfade cliff"...so grab a glass of something and listen in. Hitting 200 isn’t just a number—it’s proof of persistence, community support, and our commitment to unedited conversations.

Mentioned in the show

Ezra Klein Show - Interview with Sarah McBride - NYT

[Un]phased podcast archive – 2023 and earlier

Time to unfurl the flags and ask: what is this love of country that smells suspiciously like control? 

Word of the Week [1:55]: Neoconservatism: In this episode, Dr. Lisa traces neoconservatism from its Cold War swagger to its present-day cosplay. 

Phase 1 [6:00]: Whose Patriotism? Dr. Shaunna queries the chest-thumping type of patriotism that tends to show up only when someone dares to question the status quo. 

Phase 2 [30:11]: Mankeeping: We zoom in on “mankeeping”, that exhausting emotional labor women perform to keep men emotionally soothed and ideologically unthreatened as they battle loneliness. Spoiler Alert: women are opting out, so soothe yourselves. We'll tell you why.

Come for the analysis, stay for the side-eyes, and wrestle with the questions.

Mentioned in the show:

Opinion | Trump awakens liberals’ patriotism - The Washington Post

Dodgers say Nezza is not banned from stadium for singing national anthem in Spanish – LA Times/MSN

Philadelphia Rally with Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz | Harris 2024 - Excerpt - YouTube

Kamala Harris’s Muscular Patriotism - New York Times

How Democrats are Reclaiming Patriotism – MSNBC

Mankeeping is why women are done with dating - Vice News

The Structural Decline of Men’s Social Networks - Stanford University

Mankeeping: Why Single Women are Giving Up Dating - The  Guardian

Den of Kings | Kirk Franklin, D.C. Young Fly, Devale Ellis, Kountry Wayne & Lou Young on Fatherhood - YouTube

Drs Gold and Ingarfield lament the seeming loss of critical thinking skills in the USA and what that could mean for democracy. They also delve into the multiple perspectives on Tyler Perry’s new movies to illustrate that two things can be true at once.

Word of the Week [1:18]: Both/And: The use of this colloquialism is growing in the U.S., "Two things can be true at once..." "Both/and" approaches are a fundamental framework for DEIB work.

Phase 1 [4:44]: Critical Thinking Deficits: Dr. Lisa was in full agreement when she saw a protestor’s signage, "Lack of Critical Thinking: The Other National Deficit." Dr. Shaunna challenges Dr. Lisa to think through what critical thinking is and how it teaching critical thinking is lacking in elementary education and beyond in the U.S. 

Phase 2 [29:09]: Divisive Art Imitates Life: Tyler Perry's Straw is a thought-provoking movie starring Taraji P. Henson as Janiyah Wiltkinson. Her character is to many, the stereotypical Black single mother living in low-income housing with a special-needs child. Dr. Shaunna wonders if this is a perpetuation of problematic tropes, an answer to Black actors' pay inequities, or an amalgamation of good, bad, and questionable?

Mentioned in the show:

Understanding — and Avoiding — Stereotypes About Black Women in the News – NBCU Academy

Straw Movie - Netflix

Critical Thinking Definition – University of Michigan

Edward M. Glaser, An Experiment in the Development of Critical Thinking, Teacher’s College, Columbia University, 1941

Dr. Lisa and Dr. Shaunna examine how leaders—whether championing change or propagating harmful rhetoric—shape our social landscape. This episode navigates the spectrum of community leadership, from NIMBY mentalities to overt displays of slurs, alongside the encouraging support of pro football leaders for LGBTQ+ visibility. 

Word of the Week – NIMBY [1:39]:
As progressive changes ripple through communities, many are quick to embrace progress—until it reaches their own neighborhoods, homes, or sacred spaces. Dr. Lisa unpacks the evolution of NIMBY, YIMBY, and related viewpoints.

Phase 1 – The R-Word [8:13]:
Dr. Lisa addresses the troubling comeback of a disparaging term, exploring its re-emergence, inherent meanings, and the impact when influential figures deploy such language without accountability.

Phase 2 – Prideful Football [25:28]:
Dr. Shaunna celebrates positive shifts in sports culture by spotlighting inspirational figures: New Orleans Saints’ defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, his brother Kameron’s transformation of his football camp into an LGBTQ+-friendly space, and Carl Nassib’s iconic No. 94 jersey with the Las Vegas Raiders—all signals of hope amid ongoing erasure.

Mentioned in the show

The ‘r-word’ is back. How a slur became renormalized – CNN

Donald Trump’s Next Diversity Target: People With Disabilities – The Nation

New Orleans Saints Player Launches LGBTQ Football Camp – KEEL

New Orleans Saints' Khalen Saunders Hosting LGBTQ-Friendly Youth Football Camp: 'Football Is for All' – People Magazine

Carl Nassib opens up on his football journey & coming out as NFL’s first Gay player – The Pivot

In this bonus episode, Dr. Shaunna and Dr. Lisa dissect the stark contrast between state-sanctioned military pageantry and grassroots dissent. They unpack the symbolic weight of the June 14th Army parade—rituals of authority and tradition —and explore how these displays are being quietly challenged by the rising tide of No Kings protests nationwide...auspiciously on the 47th President's birthday.

Join us as we unravel the layers of power: the carefully choreographed demonstrations of control versus the raw, unfiltered voices calling for a reimagined societal order. We ask: Who holds the crown when the emperor's clothes are stripped away?

If you're keen to delve deeper into the evolving dynamics of public power and resistance, this conversation is just the beginning.

If something has always been sour, can it ever be sweet? This week, Dr. Shaunna and Dr. Lisa dive into socio-political dynamics regarding being "closeted", handling the grief of today's. U.S. context, and the future of activism -- especially at graduation and commencement ceremonies.

Word of the Week [1:25]: Closeted: Pride Month in the U.S is well underway. Drawing inspiration from Rain Mendoza's feature narrative entitled, "Their Closet is Not Yours To Open", we look at the definition of "closeted" and highlight how society and institutions often mishandle the concept.

Phase 1 [6:09]: Hypernormalization: Ever had a feeling that the U.S. is broken, leadership is ineffective, and yet you have to carry on with your life as if all is well? There's a word for that! Dr. Shaunna defines hypernormalization, and also highlights how it may not be generalizable to all (or even MOST) American identity groups.

Phase 2 [28:57]: Commencement Concerns: There has been a noticeable trend of people are being banned from their graduations or having their diplomas withheld due to their identity or speech. A gay student was prohibited from attending her graduation and another student spoke about the Israel-Hamas war in their commencement speech without prior approval. Dr. Lisa shares observations from this scary trend of responses by schools, colleges, and universities.

Mentioned in the show

The Closet is Not Yours to Open – Facebook Post

Systems are crumbling – but daily life continues. The dissonance is real – The Guardian

Student banned from graduation after coming out online, lawsuit says - MSN

Scott Pelley Warns Graduates About the Threats to American Democracy - NBC

‘I’m willing to do it again’: The students who could lose their diplomas due to pro-Palestinian activism on campus – The Independent

Graduates speak their minds. Universities freak out – The Washington Post

University at Buffalo Graduation Turns Chaotic as Police Chase Student Holding Baby Son Onstage – People Magazine

Scott Pelley Warns Graduates About the Threats to American Democracy – The New Republic

Like an inspector checking the foundation of a home, Dr. Lisa and Dr. Shaunna query some foundational concepts of American life. IF we are exceptional, then we struggle to see how. IF there was an American Dream, is it now, and possibly has always, been difficult to attain. IF DEI is important to organizations, why are DEI professionals now in the unemployment line? 

Word of the Week [0:53]: American Exceptionalism: Harkening back to the thoughts of Alexis de Tocqueville, the idea that the U.S. is fundamentally unique compared to other nations -- both in its development and purpose is almost laughable given the current context. 

Phase 1 [4:54]: American Dream or Nightmare?: Inspired by real estate investor Prada Jones, Dr. Shaunna leads a conversation about the changing the American Dream. The hosts ponder whether it should be redefined using 13 new characteristics or is no longer a useful concept altogether.

Phase 2 [25:05]: Unemployed DEI Professionals: Recently, NPR published a lengthy mixed methods research report speaking to the experience of DEI employees who have lost their jobs over the last two years – a massive 2600 people. Dr. Lisa shares what she learned from this report including the toll it is taking on the people who are (or were) able to make a living in DEI strategy.

Mentioned in the show

The American Dream Feels Dead: Here’s What’s Replacing It – Yahoo News

Verizon ends DEI policies to get FCC's blessing for its $20 billion Frontier deal - NPR

Corporate America's retreat from DEI has eliminated thousands of jobs - NPR

We may be unintentional and theoretical pyromaniacs. In past episodes, Dr. Lisa and Dr. Shaunna have both suggested burning racism, patriarchy, and all form of -isms to the ground like White Hot (ep. 16) , Burn It Down (ep. 48), and Pilot Light (ep. 179). But in today's episode, they’re talking about an all-consuming fire that illuminates how the racial divide in the U.S. is still strong. The recently destroyed plantation mansion and SCOTUS hearings about nationwide injunctions on birthright citizenship illustrate their point. 

Word of the Week [1:20]: Schadenfreude: This German word describes how folks respond with glee to others’ misfortune. There is a lot of this going around right now.

Phase 1 [7:24]: Nottoway "Resort": The largest antebellum mansion in the South originally built by John Hampden Randolph's sl@ves burned to ashes. The sugar baron's plantation was a total loss and there are plenty of African Americans who celebrated. White Americans on the other hand romanticized the mansion, the grounds, and even the trees rarely mentioning the loss and grief to Indigenous peoples and African lives.

Phase 2 [25:10]: Birthright Citizenship by State: At the time of this recording, at least three federal district court judges had placed a nationwide hold on the Executive Order limiting birthright citizenship. Dr. Lisa thought this case was settled by SCOTUS over 120 years ago in United States vs. Wong Kim Ark, but immigrants and naturalized citizens are waiting on a definitive answer. Unfortunately, the recent SCOTUS case turns on the legality of the  nationwide injunction not the redefinition of the 14th Amendment.

Mentioned in the show

Supreme Court Justices appear divided in birthright citizenship case - NPR

Fire destroys Nottoway Plantation House in Louisiana - CBS News

As Nottoway Plantation Burns, The Ancestors, And Social Media Rejoice - Black Enterprise

Why Many Celebrate The Burning Of Largest Southern Plantation - Medium

Nation's largest remaining antebellum plantation burns to the ground - Axios New Orleans

4 Takeaways From the Citizenship Case (That Was Really About Injunctions) - NYT

No clear decision emerges from arguments on judges’ power to block Trump’s birthright citizenship order – SCOTUSblog

What judges have said about birthright citizenship and nationwide injunctions - PBS News

This week, the Drs discuss the ongoing drama emanating from the Whitehouse and ways we can each resist the foolishness. Your steps don’t have to be big to have an impact, and staying educated on the unprecedented levels of corruption is one place to start. In-depth knowledge of cryptocurrency is not required!

Word of the Week [1:20]: Resistance: Although this is not an unfamiliar word, the nuance of how allies can demonstrate resistance is infrequently discussed. Like a menu, we all can choose what works best for us.

Phase 1 [3:11]: Corruption: Every political party in every phase of U.S. American history has had some degree corrupt activity. Yet, the egregiousness of the current administration has us all pulling important concepts out of our high school civics and political science textbooks. Emoluments, divestment, or fraud sound familiar?

Phase 2 [23:04]: Silver Linings: It's tough to find silver linings these days, but there are a few. Salt Lake City, UT and Boise, ID both adopted official city flags with pride-themed colors, performers boycott Kennedy Center performances, a retired Navy Commander raises money to make Naval Academy-banned books free for midshipmen...so what happens when so many seemingly small pushbacks accumulate?

Mentioned in the Show

Trump's meme coin dinner takes crypto self-dealing to a whole new level - MSNBC

The Most Corrupt Presidency in American History - The Atlantic

Trump told investors to ‘buy’ on social media hours before his tariff pause rose stocks, raising questions about manipulation – PBS News

Salt Lake City and Boise make pride flags official city emblems, skirting flag ban laws - ABC News

Some ‘Les Mis’ cast members plan to boycott Trump’s attendance at Kennedy Center performance next month – CNN Politics