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In this episode, I’m joined by Lourdes A. Rivera, President of Pregnancy Justice and a leading voice in the fight to ensure that no one loses their rights because of pregnancy. Lourdes has spent over three decades advancing reproductive freedom, gender justice, and human rights through her work in law, philanthropy, and advocacy.

Together, we unpack what it means to live in a country where pregnancy itself can lead to punishment, and what that reveals about our broader criminal and political systems.

We dive into:

• Why and how pregnancy is being criminalized across the U.S.
• What it really means to be “pro-choice” in today’s legal and cultural landscape
• The impact of criminalizing substance use during pregnancy
• The realities of being pregnant behind bars
• What we can all do to protect reproductive freedom and dignity

This conversation will challenge the way you think about rights, justice, and the politics of care, reminding you of what’s at stake when we criminalize bodies instead of supporting them.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Lourdes A. Rivera and Pregnancy Justice
02:54 Personal Journey into Reproductive Justice
04:13 Defining Fetal Personhood
07:01 The Conflict of Rights in Pregnancy
10:53 Debunking the Crack Baby Myth
14:35 Public Health vs. Criminalization
18:31 Pregnancy in Jails and Prisons
21:55 The Criminalization of Pregnancy Loss
23:05 The Broader Implications of Reproductive Rights
23:48 Reproductive Justice vs. Pro-Choice
26:31 Impact of Ideology on Healthcare Access
28:33 Consequences of Criminalization on Families
30:18 Social Determinants of Health and Reproductive Justice
31:43 Criminalization of Pregnancy and Healthcare Needs
36:12 Legal Consequences of Pregnancy Criminalization
38:49 Community Action and Advocacy for Change
42:58 Challenging Pro-Life Narratives
44:56 Prioritizing Care Over Criminalization
48:59 Lourdes Outro.mp3

Credits:

Created and hosted by Abbie Henson
Edited by Isabelle Kerby-Mcgowan
Website by Sarah Lords

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In this episode, I’m joined by Alec Karakatsanis, a trailblazing civil rights lawyer, Founder and Executive Director of Civil Rights Corps, and author of Copaganda: How Police and the Media Manipulate Our News. Together, we pull back the curtain on how everyday headlines shape what we believe about crime, safety, and justice, and how those beliefs serve the powerful and not necessarily the public.

We dive into:

• How to spot propaganda hiding in plain sight
• Real, non-punitive approaches to addressing harm that actually work
• The ways police practices distort crime data to fit certain narratives
• Why mainstream media leans on fear to keep the criminal legal system intact

This conversation will change the way you read the news — and maybe even the way you see the world.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Copaganda and Its Impact

03:05 Defining Copaganda: Features and Implications

07:01 Challenging Perspectives on Propaganda

10:39 The Construction of Crime and Its Reporting

17:27 Understanding Harm: The Overlooked Crimes

22:17 Manufacturing Fear Through Media

28:22 The Punishment Bureaucracy: A Flawed Solution

35:02 Rethinking Safety and Community Solutions

40:10 Navigating Media Consumption Critically

Links:

What you need to start a court watch program

Democracy Now

Credits:

Created and hosted by Abbie Henson

Edited by Isabelle Kerby-Mcgowan

Website by Sarah Lords

Support Critical Conversations

I would love to hear your feedback, takeaways, comments, tips, and questions. Please feel free to text at the link above or email [email protected]. 

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And, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)

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Visit our website at https://www.abigailrhenson.com/podcast

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This episode features Dr. Jane Ward, professor and chair of Feminist Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and author of the recent book, The Tragedy of Heterosexuality. In this conversation, we explore the complexities of heterosexuality, its historical context, and the implications of gender dynamics in relationships. We discuss 

• The evolution of marriage 
• Exploring sexuality
• The commodification of relationship advice
• How to be a feminist

I would love to hear your feedback, take-aways, or comments. So pease feel free to text at the link above or email [email protected] And please follow Whatsjust on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get details on where and when the next live Critical Conversation is happening! 

And, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Critical Conversations

01:42 Understanding the Tragedy of Heterosexuality

06:06 Historical Context of Heterosexuality

10:00 Sexuality as a Choice

14:54 Queering Relationships and Gender Dynamics

19:53 The Misogyny Contradiction

21:50 The Heterosexual Repair Industry

26:41 Exploring Feminist Frameworks in Relationships

29:02 The Role of Men in Feminism

32:31 Navigating Sexuality and Gender Identity

36:40 The Importance of Values in Relationships

41:50 Feminism and the Dating Scene

46:36 Redefining Relationships Beyond Heteronormativity

51:51 Hope and Transformation in Heterosexual Relationships

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This episode features a live-recorded critical conversation between Abbie and Prentice Hemphill, a therapist, somatic educator, political organizer, founder of the Embodiment Institute, and writer of the recent book, What It Takes To Heal. In this conversation, we explore the intricate relationship between healing, justice, and the body, and discuss:

• Conflict as a catalyst for growth
• The fallacy of the mind-body split
• Healing as relational rather than individual 
• Visioning as a process to create our own paths and futures
• The importance of surrender in healing

I would love to hear your feedback, take-aways, or comments. So pease feel free to text at the link above or email [email protected] And please follow Whatsjust on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get details on where and when the next live Critical Conversation is happening! 

And, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Healing and Justice

05:37 The Mind-Body Connection

12:49 Embodiment and Its Practices

19:39 Intergenerational Healing and Relationships

27:47 The Process of Healing

35:00 Visioning and Personal Agency

40:28 The Role of Conflict in Growth

42:17 Surrender and Vulnerability

44:24 Trust and Risk in Relationships

46:15 Presence and Parenting

48:15 Authenticity vs. Attunement

51:44 The Power of Ease and Intention

54:06 Visioning and Actionable Practices

56:31 Riding the Edge of Change

58:03 Outrage and Its Impact

01:00:09 Decisiveness and Self-Trust

01:01:36 Surrender and Liberation

01:03:18 Desiring vs. Longing

01:04:59 Somatics and Decarceration

01:07:41 Hope in Conflict Resolution

01:11:12 The Intersection of Vision and Soul

01:12:47 Stress, Resilience, and Community

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This episode is step ten in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations featuring Steven Windisch, the Director of the Crime and Security Data Analytics Lab in the Terrorism Research Center at the University of Arkansas. Dr. Windisch's research breaks away from approaches limited to specific phases of the extremist’s life course, such as their period of incarceration. Instead, his research emphasizes the accumulation of risk factors (e.g., physical abuse) and life events (e.g., divorce) that occur during childhood, adolescence, or adulthood and how these experiences increase one’s susceptibility to accepting extremist beliefs. 

 In this episode, we:

• discuss risk factors to lead to extremism
• examine the role of compassion and exposure in creating change
• the importance of support systems in drawing people out of extremism
• tangible tools to aid and be open to change
  
  

If you have any questions or comments you would like addressed in the  Q&A with Dr. Windisch, please email [email protected] And please follow Whatsjust on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get details on where and when the Live Q&A is happening! 

And, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)

Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!

Timestamps:

04:26 Defining Change in Extremist Beliefs

12:21 Risk Factors and Pathways to Extremism

19:59 The Role of Compassion and Empathy

26:01 Challenges in Addressing White Supremacy

33:30 Navigating the Stigma of White Supremacy Upon Deradicalization

35:13 The Power of Kindness in Initiating Change

36:53 Personal Experiences with Change

38:36 Parenthood and Identity Transformation

40:17 The Process of Change and Openness

42:43 Challenges in Critical Conversations

46:10 Finding Common Ground in Difficult Dialogues

50:38 Supporting Change and Overcoming Stigma

59:16 Three Captivating Things

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This episode is step nine in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations featuring Barret Michalec, director of the Center for Advancing Interprofessional Practice, Education and Research (CAIPER), and an associate professor in the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Michalec’s research examines humility, empathy, and belonging, particularly within the healthcare field. 

 In this episode, we:

• discuss the difference between empathy and sympathy
• explore how to build emotional resilience
• define the concept of emotional contagion
• provide practical exercises for building empathy
  
  

If you have any questions or comments you would like addressed in the  Q&A with Dr. Michaelec, please email [email protected] And please follow Whatsjust on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get details on where and when the Live Q&A is happening! 

And, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)

Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!

Timestamps:

02:57 Understanding Empathy vs. Sympathy

03:26 Empathy in Critical Conversations

04:35 Empathy in Leadership

05:22 Judicial Empathy and Bias

07:58 Emotional Contagion in Clinical Settings

09:35 Building Emotional Resilience

13:47 Empathy Exercises and Practices

19:54 Innate Empathy and Adversity

25:02 Empathy, Vulnerability, and Humility

35:54 Expanding Empathy Beyond In-Groups

39:52 Understanding Limits and Vulnerability

42:39 The Science Behind Empathy

44:46 Empathy in Healthcare

48:34 Measuring Empathy

57:52 Practical Exercises for Building Empathy

01:04:34 Empathy and Decision Making

01:08:16 Three Captivating Things

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This episode is step eight in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations featuring Dr. Alison Wood Brooks, a Professor of Business Administration and Hellman Faculty Fellow at the Harvard Business School who was recently named a Best 40-Under-40 Business School Professor by Poets & Quants. Her book TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves will be published by Crown (Penguin Random House) in January 2025.

Her research on the science of conversation has been published in prestigious academic journals, including the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, and Psychological Science, as well as in popular media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The New York Times, Scientific American, and Harvard Business Review. 

 In this episode, we discuss:

• how to build a secure identity
• the power of hedging and receptive language
• mechanisms for holding accountability in conflict
• ways to move away from small talk 
• tangible tools to release defenses in conversation
  
  

If you have any questions or comments you would like addressed in the  Q&A with Dr. Brooks, please email [email protected] And please follow Whatsjust on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get details on where and when the Live Q&A is happening! 

And, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)

Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!

Timestamps:

02:11 The Influence of Being a Twin

04:40 Exploring Self-Talk and Its Impact

06:32 Defining Conversation and Defensiveness

08:24 The Complexity of Conversations

10:29 The Dance of Communication

16:01 Navigating Sensitive Topics

19:39 Layers of Conversation Conflict

27:15 Building a Secure Identity

29:46 The Power of Receptive Language

32:21 Personal Reflections on Defensiveness

35:07 Accountability in Conversations

38:45 Navigating Difficult Conversations

44:41 The Art of Deep Conversations

51:28 Practical Tools for Better Conversations

54:48 Three Captivating Things

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This episode is step seven in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations featuring Dr. Mariel Buqué, an Afro-Latina psychologist and author of the best-selling book, Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma. She earned her doctoral degree in psychology at Columbia University, where she trained as a holistic mental health fellow within Columbia University's Irving Medical Center. Within this role, she focused on helping Black and Latine community members overcome trauma and build better health; a mission she continues to carry into her consultation with health organizations and Fortune 500 companies. 

 In this episode, we discuss:

• why breaking the cycle of trauma is imperative for connection
• the impact of inflammation on physical health and mental wellbeing
• the impact of prolonged crisis on our DNA
• the relationship between ancestral knowing and epigenetics
• tools to heal intergenerational trauma

Don't forget to check out the bonus episodes that feature an audience Q&A and the Soundbath led by Dr. Buqué. And please follow Whatsjust on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get details on where and when the Live Q&A is happening! 

And, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)

Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!

Timestamps:

02:32 Understanding Intergenerational Trauma: Definitions and Dynamics

04:46 The Role of Vulnerability in Healing and Connection

10:57 Challenging Traditional Therapy: Beyond Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

14:21 The Inflamed Mind: Rethinking Depression and Healing

16:44 Holistic Approaches to Mental Health: A New Paradigm

25:15 The Power of Ancestral Wisdom and Resilience

34:06 Confronting the Mental Health Crisis with New Perspectives

35:19 The Impact of Prolonged Crisis on Our DNA

35:35 Breaking the Cycle: Why It's Essential for Critical Conversations

35:45 Understanding Our Nervous System's Response to Stress

37:23 Reprogramming Our Bodies for Better Conversations

41:14 Introducing DRIVE: A Tool for Navigating Difficult Conversations

46:22 Exploring the Questions of What Happened to You

47:39 The Importance of Contextualizing Intergenerational Trauma

51:48 Ancestral Knowing and Western Medicine: Bridging the Gap

55:33 Practical Steps for Addressing Intergenerational Trauma

01:02:33 Breaking the Cycle Beyond Procreation

01:05:32 Three Captivating Things

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This episode is step six in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations and features Julian Treasure, a top-rated international speaker and award-winning author on the power of sound and the skills of speaking and listening for both individuals and organizations. Julian’s five TED talks have been viewed more than 150 million times; one of them is the sixth most-viewed of all time. He is also an audio branding consultant who uses innovative biophilic soundscapes in retail and hospitality spaces.

 In this episode, we discuss:

• the difference between listening and hearing
• the impact of noise on our relationships and conversations
• the power of music and sound in shaping behaviors
• the perfect setting for critical conversations
• tools to harness the art of listening

If you have any questions or comments you would like addressed in the  Q&A with Julian Treasure, please email [email protected]. Don't forget to follow Whatsjust on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get details on where and when the Live Q&A is happening! 

And, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)

Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!

Timestamps:

01:20 Julian Treasure: The Sound Expert

06:01 Understanding Listening vs. Hearing

09:27 The Personal Nature of Listening

18:21 The Impact of Listening on Critical Conversations

29:22 The Power of Context in Communication

31:16 The Unseen Impact of Noise Pollution

32:21 How Sound Affects Us: A Deep Dive

35:14 The Power of Music and Sound in Shaping Behavior

36:47 Crafting the Perfect Setting for Critical Conversations

38:48 The Art of Listening: Enhancing Interpersonal Communication

48:04 Exploring Silence and Its Varieties

56:46 Three Captivating Things

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This episode is step five in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations and features Dr. Natalie Nixon, a creativity strategist and keynote speaker. She is valued for her accessible expertise in creativity, the future of work, and innovation. Natalie has been named among the top women keynote speakers by Real Leaders and BigSpeak and has features in Forbes, Fast Company, and INC. She is the author of the award-winning book, The Creativity Leap: Unleash Curiosity, Improvisation and Intuition at Work, and her firm, Figure 8 Thinking, was named among the top women-led innovation firms by Core 77.

 In this episode, we discuss:

• the influence of inquiry on innovation and creativity different question typologies  
• how the power of inquiry distinguishes the rule-makers from the rule-followers
• tangible tools to enhance your inquiry skills

If you have any questions or comments you would like addressed in the  Q&A with Dr. Nixon, please email [email protected]. Don't forget to follow Whatsjust on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get details on where and when the Live Q&A is happening! 

And, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)

Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!

Timestamps:

00:00 The Power of Silence and Inquiry

00:28 Introducing Critical Conversations Podcast

01:12 Step Five: Mastering the Art of Asking Questions

01:28 Spotlight on Dr. Natalie Nixon: Creativity and Inquiry

02:05 Exploring Inquiry with Dr. Nixon

04:05 Personal Reflections on Inquiry and Relationships

05:35 Embracing Ambiguity and the Unknown

07:35 The Role of Questions in Expanding Creativity

12:19 Inquiry as a Tool for Connection and Empathy

17:29 Cultural Contexts and the Art of Asking

21:56 Silence, Confidence, and the Inquiry Process

40:03 Practical Steps to Cultivate Inquiry

51:55 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead

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