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 ..read more

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 questi ..read more

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 ha ..read more

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 ccofficehours@gmail.com And, as always, please review ..read more

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 ccofficehours@gmail.com And, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :) To st ..read more

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 ccofficehours@gmail.com And, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you k ..read more

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 cco ..read more

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 questio ..read more

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 spa ..read more

Dr. Carl Hart is a neuroscientist and professor of Psychology at Columbia University and is also the author of Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear. In this episode we: uncover the benefits of drug use debunk several myths including that (1) drugs destroy the brain, and (2) drugs cause violence and crime discuss the feasibility of drug legalization examine the importance of harm reduction efforts, including drug testing provide listeners data to support the argument for alternative solutions to preventing harm and violence If you have any questions or comments that you ..read more