Summer Reflection Series - Episode 3: From Conflict to Connection with Todd Culp
Release Date: 08/07/2024
Reimagining Sustainable Economies
Culture Stew
Veryl Pow is a movement lawyer at the who practices at the intersection between solidarity economics, housing decommodification, and land liberation. An activist first, Veryl's politics developed from his grassroots organizing experiences in resistance movements that spanned Third World solidarity to abolitionist campaigns; and has since expanded to prefigurative worldmaking movements that attempt to transform social and economic relations from profit accumulation, extraction, and atomization to care, cooperation, and mutual aid in the here and now. The Sustainable...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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,...
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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...
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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...
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“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_outlineIn the third episode of our Summer Reflection Series, Todd Culp shares his experiences in conflict zones around the world. Learn how authentic connections and embracing change can bridge divides and promote peace. Todd's stories highlight the universal nature of humanity and the power of genuine communication, reminding us of the importance of seeing beyond differences to find common ground.
From Conflict to Connection: A Journey with Todd Culp
In this Illuminating episode, we delve into the fascinating world of conflict zones with Dr. Todd Culp, a distinguished professor of political science and history. With extensive research spanning regions like the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and even Ireland, Todd’s journey provides a rare glimpse into the realities of violence, terrorism, and the pursuit of peace.
Todd Culp’s Biography:
Dr. Todd Culp’s journey began in 1993 during the first Palestinian Uprising in the Middle East. He resided in the West Bank, conducting interviews with militant groups such as Islamic Jihad and Hamas, seeking to better understand the turmoil surrounding him. His experiences have since taken him to regions where terrorist attacks and violence are all too common. Notably, he interviewed Irish Republican Army (IRA) members, including an assassin serving a 284-year prison sentence.
Apart from his research and teaching, Todd actively collaborates with peace activists, committed to confronting the ongoing violence in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. He often leads educational tours into these conflict zones to provide a firsthand look at the harsh realities of these battles.
Key Takeaways:
The Universal Nature of Humanity: Todd highlights the remarkable power of travel in breaking down cultural barriers and discovering the shared human experience. No matter the culture or politics, humor and laughter serve as bridges that connect us all. Authentic human connections can be formed when we are willing to laugh at ourselves and look beyond differences.
The Call for Authentic Voices: Todd emphasizes the importance of taking risks to be an authentic voice for peace and humanity. While his own experiences may sound extreme, he encourages listeners to recognize that there are countless ways to make a difference. Small acts of involvement, such as supporting peace activists, can have a significant impact.
The Value of Embracing Change: Todd highlights the inherent risk in life and how embracing change can lead to a more meaningful existence. In today’s often sterile and protected environments, stepping outside one’s comfort zone can provide a deeper sense of purpose. It’s a reminder that beauty can be found in the midst of ugliness, and pressure can lead to inspiring heights.