Whatsjust presents Critical Conversations

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This episode is step four in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations and features Dr. Peter T Coleman, a professor of psychology and education at Columbia University and a renowned expert on constructive conflict resolution, intractable conflict, and sustaining peace. Dr. Coleman has authored or edited a dozen books, well over 100 scientific articles and chapters, is the recipient of various awards, and his work has been featured in media outlets such as The New York Times, The Guardian, Nature, Scientific American, PBS Newshour, and Harvard Business Review. His most recent book, The Way Out: How to Overcome Toxic Polarization (2021) focuses on breaking through the intractable polarization plaguing the U.S. and other societies.

 In this episode, we:

•  discuss the benefit of conflict
• explain how to navigate political discussions with family, friends, and strangers
• identify the importance of tolerance
• provide tools for conflict resolution

If you have any questions or comments you would like addressed in the  Q&A with Dr. Coleman, 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 :)

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Timestamps:
00:00 Intro

01:32 Insights from Dr. Peter T. Coleman on Conflict and Polarization

03:41 Understanding Polarization: Definitions and Implications

04:43 The Constructive Side of Political Differences

09:11 Personal Stories and the Power of Intention in Conversations

13:40 Dialogue vs. Debate: Strategies for Meaningful Conversations

20:23 The Role of Self-Awareness in Navigating Conflict

27:59 Practical Tips for Reducing Conflict and Enhancing Understanding

33:52 Exploring the Mind-Body Connection in Conflict Resolution

35:13 The Evolution of Human Conflict and Settlement

35:53 Navigating Political Discussions at Family Gatherings

36:48 Setting the Tone for Constructive Conversations

37:40 Conflict Resolution in the Classroom: A Case Study

39:41 The Challenge of Changing Minds and the Power of Listening

44:50 Complicating the Narrative: Beyond Two Sides

58:27 The Importance of Tolerance and Understanding in Conflict

01:01:14 Personal Interests Beyond Conflict Resolution

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This episode is step three in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations and features Dr. Todd B. Kashdan, a Professor of Psychology at George Mason University, and a leading authority on well-being, curiosity, courage, and resilience. He has published over 200 scientific articles, his work has been cited over 35,000 times, and he received the American Psychological Association's Award for Distinguished Scientific Early Career Contributions to Psychology. His books The Art of Insubordination,  Curious? and The Upside of Your Dark Side have been translated into over 15 languages. His writing has appeared in the Harvard Business Review, National Geographic, and other publications, and his research is featured regularly in media outlets such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, Fast Company, and Time Magazine. 

 In this episode, we:

• define curiosity
• identify ways to become more "psychologically flexible"
• discuss why curiosity is key to conversation
• provide tangible tools to cultivate curiosity

If you have any questions or comments you would like addressed in the  Q&A with Dr. Kashdan, 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) Intro

(02:39) The Journey from Panic Attacks to Curiosity

(08:35) Curiosity as a Tool for Personal Growth

(12:22) Cultivating Curiosity: Strategies and Insights

(17:13) Curiosity in Relationships and Social Dynamics

(24:27) Curiosity as a Lifelong Learning Skill

(29:22) Innovative Decision-Making Processes

(30:09) Exploring Psychological Flexibility

(35:54) The Power of Self-Distancing

(40:20) Curiosity as a Tool for Critical Conversations

(51:47) The Role of Curiosity in Understanding and Inclusion

(55:07) Three Captivating Things 

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This episode is step two in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations and features Dr. Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, with expertise in stereotyping and prejudice from the perspective of both target and perceiver, intergroup relations, and how these processes influence educational outcomes.

 In this episode, we:

• define the three elements of bias
• discuss the importance of bias in critical conversations
• examine how bias is an outcome of fear
• provide tangible practices to address personal biases

If you have any questions or comments you would like addressed in the Live Q&A with Dr. Hanson, 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:

(00:01:22) Defining Bias

(00:08:02) Rudy's Personal Story on Food Addiction

(00:14:27) Addressing Bias in a Safe Space

(00:15:12) Providing Grace During Critical Conversations

(00:21:17) Addressing Bias as a Skill to Hone

(00:31:02) Bias and Fear

(00:24:28) Science Behind Self-Awareness

(00:39:39) Cultural Associations

(00:44:19) Tangible Practices to Address Personal Biases

(00:46:49) Three Captivating Things 

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This episode is step one in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations and features Dr. Rick Hanson, a psychologist, senior fellow at UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, and New York Times bestselling author. His seven books have been published in 31 languages and include Making Great Relationships, Neurodharma, Hardwiring Happiness, and Buddha's Brain, with over a million copies in English alone. He's the founder of the Global Compassion Coalition and the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Studies. He's also the co-host of the Being Well podcast, which has been downloaded over 10 million times. His free newsletters have 250, 000 subscribers, and his online programs have scholarships available for those with financial needs.

 In this episode, we:

• define mindfulness and self-awareness and contrast the two
• discuss the importance of self-awareness in critical conversations
• unpack the science behind self-awareness
• provide tangible practices to becoming more self-aware

If you have any questions or comments you would like addressed in the Live Q&A with Dr. Hanson, 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:

(00:00:00) Defining Mindfulness and Self-Awareness

(00:09:11) Why Self-Awareness is Important in Critical Conversations

(00:12:39) How Self-Awareness Creates Joy

(00:16:26) How Self-Awareness Cultivates Connection to Others

(00:17:18) Horizontal vs. Vertical Self-Awareness

(00:21:38) Self-Awareness and Vulnerability

(00:24:28) Science Behind Self-Awareness

(00:35:13) Self-Awareness in the Face of Adversity

(00:40:09) Tangible Practices to Enhance Self-Awareness

(00:55:29) Three Captivating Things 

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Today's episode features New York Times best-selling author, neuroscientist, and developmental psychiatrist, Dr. Bruce Perry.

 In this episode we discuss:

• why we need to start asking "What happened to you?" rather than "What's wrong with you?
• how relationships and connection can counterbalance the negative health impacts of trauma
• how our brains interpret stress and influence our abilities to cope

If you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTube series Office Hours with Abbie and Juwan please email [email protected]

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

To stay up to date on all of the latest announcements, be sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!

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

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Today's episode features Iya Affo, the founder of Heal Historical Trauma Culture Wellness Academy, and the International Historical Trauma Association. 

 In this episode we discuss:

• how trauma creates neurological dysregulation
• how self-care can be used as a stress-prevention tool
• why it's important to teach police about historical trauma

If you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTube series Office Hours with Abbie and Juwan please email [email protected]

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

To stay up to date on all of the latest announcements, be sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!

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

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Today's episode features Ashley Bell, CEO of Readylife, a new Black-owned bank that is making homeownership more achievable for those often left out of the global economy. 

 In this episode we discuss:

• the racist history of the American banking system
• the truth behind how credit scores are created
• how homeownership is a key component for racial equity

If you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTube series Office Hours with Abbie and Juwan please email [email protected]

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

To stay up to date on all of the latest announcements, be sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!

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

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Today's episode features Dr. Jordan Hyatt, an associate professor in the Department of Criminology and Justice Studies at Drexel University, where he also sits as director of the Center for Public Policy. 

 In this episode we discuss:

• a pilot program in a Pennsylvania prison that is attempting to emulate the Scandinavian prison model
• how the prison environment impacts correctional officers
• whether it's possible for prisons to be humane places

If you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTube series Office Hours with Abbie and Juwan please email [email protected]

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

To stay up to date on all of the latest announcements, be sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!

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

Support the show

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Today's episode features Are Hoidal, Senior Advisor for the Norwegian Correctional Service and recent author of The Norweigan Prison System: Halden Prison and Beyond. For 14 years, Are served as the prison warden at Halden prison, known to be the most humane prison in the world. In this episode we discuss:

• the importance of rehabilitation versus retribution
• how to lower recidivism rates in the United States
• why treating incarcerated individuals with respect and dignity creates positive outcomes
• whether the Halden model can be incorporated into the abolitionist agenda

If you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTube series Office Hours with Abbie and Juwan please email [email protected]

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

To stay up to date on all of the latest announcements, be sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!

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

Support the show

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Today's episode features Dr. Fredrick Echols, Chief Executive Officer of Cure Violence Global, a violence prevention organization. Prior to becoming CEO of CVG, Dr. Echols served as the Director of Health and Health Commissioner for the City of St. Louis and was a physician in the U.S. Navy. In this episode we discuss:

• the reason for the uptick in violence during the COVID-19 pandemic
• why a "for us by us" approach to violence prevention is more effective than traditional criminal legal models
• how our social context impacts our health
• how to reach equity in the health, wellness, and safety space

If you have any questions or comments that you would like addressed in the YouTube series Office Hours with Abbie and Juwan please email [email protected]

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

To stay up to date on all of the latest announcements, be sure to subscribe to the weekly newsletter!

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

Support the show