Embracing Joy: A Deep Dive into Cultivating Resilience and Authenticity
Release Date: 05/15/2024
Recentering Courage and Care in Education: A Conversation Dr. Todd Beer and Devin Moran
Culture Stew
What is the role academics play in institutions, especially in the classroom, when it comes to supporting students’ critical thinking around social issues? As we struggle with questions around free speech and what can or cannot be taught on campuses, how do educators navigate these issues, not necessarily from an administrative perspective, but from a student-focused one? Dr. Todd Beer is an Associate Professor and Chair of Sociology and Anthropology at Lake Forest College in Illinois, where his research spans globalization, social movements, environmental sociology, and climate...
info_outline
Reimagining Media Literacy
Culture Stew
In a media landscape shaped by algorithmic amplification, AI-generated content, and narratives that move faster than facts — credibility has become the scarcest resource in the room. Lyanne Alfaro is an award-winning journalist, a narrative advisor, and a former insider at some of the most influential institutions shaping how the world understands business, technology, and capital. Her latest venture, Project Reliable, is an independent initiative working at the intersection of narrative strategy, media posture, and ethical influence. In this conversation, Lyanne shares how we can engage in...
info_outline
Rethinking Patient Advocacy
Culture Stew
Dr. Leigh Ann Simmons wants to give women tools to better advocate for themselves at every stage of their health journey. As a medical practitioner and researcher, Dr. Simmons has published extensively on health disparities and is a leading scholar in promoting behavioral interventions to improve equity in health care. Dr. Simmons is a professor at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis and co-director of the Perinatal Origins of Disparities (POD) Center at UC Davis. She is the author of an upcoming book that will help women advocate for their care and help healthcare...
info_outline
Rethinking Community and Climate Justice with Collective Power
Culture Stew
“At the roots of Collective Power is the idea that we can do more collectively than we can do individually.” On this week's episode of the Culture Stew, Maria interviews Kelly and Christine Wyche, co-founders of Collective Power, an organization founded with the purpose of assisting underserved communities facing the challenges of climate change, aging infrastructure, and unsustainable lifestyle practices. Together, they explore how to imagine new infrastructures for sustainable living, scaling from book clubs to broader communities. We will get a sneak peak into their new book...
info_outline
Healing as Resistance: Food Justice as Activism
Culture Stew
How can the food we choose to eat, as well as the practices we use to source, prepare, and share our food, be a source of activism and liberation? Karina Sanchez (she/they) is a holistic health and wellness practitioner and food justice organizer. She co-leads Veggie Mijas Chicago, supporting plant-based education, mutual aid, and community programming for Queer BIPOC communities. Karina is an herbalism apprentice with Urban Growers Collective, a yoga teacher through the Latina Sweat Project, and an energy healing apprentice at Verde Holistic Wellness Studio, where she studies...
info_outline
Screaming Together for Liberation & Connection
Culture Stew
In this episode, Maria sits down with Manny Hernandez and Elena Soboleva, co-founders of Scream Club™, to explore what it looks like to create spaces where people no longer have to hold it all in. Manny, a men’s coach and breathwork practitioner, and Elena, a personal brand expert and community leader for women entrepreneurs, are aware of the impact of societal gender norms on mental health and wellbeing. Together, they share how their own lived experiences led them to build a community that challenges norms around silence, emotional suppression, and rigid gender roles,...
info_outline
Redefining Activism: An Intro to Season 7
Culture Stew
What does activism really mean? This season, we’re centering the idea that justice and equity are not only pursued through protests, but also through everyday actions that shape how we show up for ourselves, our communities, and the world around us. Whether it's teaching women how to advocate for their healthcare needs, buiding sustainable communities through homesteading, relearning ancient wisdom related to food, or collectively screaming over a body of water to promote mental wellbeing, our guests this season will demonstrate how activism takes many forms across disciplines and...
info_outline
Bringing Joy to Change: A Conversation with Judy Oyedele
Culture Stew
In this episode of Culture Stew, host Maria Maroukian welcomes Judy Oyedele, founder and principal consultant of Joyedele Consulting. Judy is an organizational development practitioner and executive leadership coach with over a decade of experience helping leaders across sectors break out of the status quo and lead with clarity, ease, and strong boundaries. Judy shares reflections on her upbringing as the daughter of Nigerian immigrants in Texas and how early messages around worthiness and faith shaped her identity and resilience. She and Maria explore the evolution of self-worth beyond...
info_outline
“Rewriting the Wellness Script: Melanie Smith’s Holistic Path to Healing”
Culture Stew
In this live and in-person episode of Culture Stew, Maria sits down with the dynamic Melanie Smith, founder of Moves with Melanie, a health and wellness company based in Silver Spring, Maryland. With a powerful blend of pharmacy expertise, fitness instruction, and integrative nutrition coaching, Melanie shares her personal and professional journey one that took her from a military childhood to pharmacy school to a life changing pivot into holistic wellness. Maria and Melanie explore: How growing up as a “military brat” shaped Melanie’s go for it mindset The realities of burnout in...
info_outline
Healing Racial Trauma and Reimagining Mental Health with Dr. Monnica Williams
Culture Stew
This episode of Culture Stew dives deep into the intersection of race, mental health, and systemic change with special guest Dr. Monnica T. Williams, a renowned clinical psychologist, professor, and leading researcher in racial trauma and mental health disparities. Dr. Williams joins Maria to explore the profound impact of racial injustice on psychological well-being—and how culturally informed care can lead to healing and transformation. Together, they discuss the history and ongoing harm of structural racism in mental health systems, the promise of psychedelic-assisted therapies for BIPOC...
info_outlineIn this poignant episode of Culture Stew, host Maria Morukian engages in a profound conversation with Danne L. Johnson, Kai Stowers, and Wendy Moomaw. Together, they explore the multifaceted nature of joy, offering insights on how to cultivate resilience and authenticity in challenging times. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, the guests delve into the deeper dimensions of joy, discussing its intersection with self-awareness, societal pressures, and the pursuit of authenticity. From sensory experiences in nature to moments of self-knowing, they share practical strategies for reclaiming joy and resilience amidst adversity.
As the conversation draws to a close, Maria Morukian and her guests leave listeners with a powerful call to action. They invite listeners to embrace authenticity and cultivate joy as essential pathways to personal and collective empowerment. Encouraging listeners to explore their own joy practices and deepen their self-awareness, the guests emphasize the transformative potential of joy in navigating life's challenges. By reclaiming joy and embracing authenticity, listeners can embark on a journey of resilience, self-discovery, and meaningful connection with themselves and others.
Key Discussion Points:
Defining Joy: The guests explore the nuanced definition of joy, distinguishing it from happiness and positivity. They discuss how joy manifests in different aspects of life, from sensory experiences to moments of self-knowing.
Cultivating Joy: Sharing personal practices and reflections, the guests delve into how they cultivate joy amidst societal pressures and challenges. They highlight the importance of self-awareness, presence, and embracing authenticity.
Resilience and Self-Knowledge: Reflecting on the intersection of joy and resilience, the guests emphasize the role of deep self-knowing in navigating adversity. They discuss strategies for reclaiming power and resilience in the face of systemic barriers.
Guests:
Danne L. Johnson: An accomplished professional specializing in building inclusive cultures, Danne L. Johnson brings deep expertise in implicit bias and impactful training. She is the founder of Our Work LLC, a renowned DEIB firm.
Kai Stowers, MA, PCC: From a background in science to becoming a Leadership and DEI Consultant, Kai Stowers partners with leaders to foster inclusive teams. He holds a master’s degree in Organizational Psychology and Change Leadership from Columbia University.
Wendy Moomaw: A systems thinker and executive coach, Wendy Moomaw empowers leaders to navigate complex challenges with intentionality. She holds an MBA/MS Finance from the University of Maryland and is certified in various coaching methodologies.