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Law and Culture
LATEST EPISODES | ARCHIVE 1 2 3
Episode 16: Tackling the Bad Guys
How Two Determined Women Changed History
In today's episode, we discuss the similarities between Gisèle Pelicot (French grandmother and survivor of sexual assault) and Mamie Till-Mobley (mother of Emmit Till). The heroism of these two women occurred in a different time and space. Yet, they both used their respective voices and legal systems to achieve landmark cultural changes.
DECEMBER 31, 2024 | 28 MIN 11 SEC
Episode 17: Reverse Discrimination Based on Age and Sexual Orientation
In this episode, the US Supreme Court addresses an Ohio case that could have broad implications for businesses facing backlash from employees who allege they are the victims of reverse discrimination.
JANUARY 21, 2025 | 22 MIN 46 SEC
Episode 18: Crime, Front Page Headlines, and Accountability
A Look at Criminal Justice in Ohio
In this episode, I speak candidly with Cleveland-based criminal defense attorney Clarissa A. Smith, who also manages her criminal defense firm. Smith discusses how she approaches representing each client and the need to recognize their individual humanity. She also shares her thoughts about the importance of accountability in the justice system.
JANUARY 28, 2025 | 33 MIN 46 SEC
Episode 19: Whose Booty Is it?
The Sunken Spanish Galleon San José and its Treasures
In June 1708, a Spanish galleon, the San José, was sunk by the British navy off the coast of Colombia. Almost 600 crew and passengers perished, and the treasure—estimated at billions of dollars today—was lost. Today, a 40-year debate rages over what country or people are entitled to the treasure (if it can be recovered). If recovery can occur, is it ethical to raise the remains of the ship, which is the watery grave of so many people?
FEBRUARY 4, 2025 | 18 MIN 48 SEC
Episode 20: What Happens When We Stop Being Scared?
In this episode, I study bravery through the courageous actions and words of three very different people. When have you had to be brave? What did you tap into to take action, even when the potential consequences of your courageous actions were real and often scary?
FEBRUARY 11, 2025 | 20 MIN 34 SEC
Episode 21: Employment Equity in South Africa
Justice and Progress for Individuals with Disabilities
A few years ago, I attended an African Labour Law Society conference in Mauritius. While there, I had the opportunity to speak with professor and attorney Yvette Basson, a senior lecturer at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa. I am always intrigued by the similarities and differences in accommodation laws between the United States and other countries. Listen in as Professor Basson explains workplace disability accommodation in South Africa and how the South African legal system seeks to provide equity for individuals working with disabilities.
FEBRUARY 18, 2025 | 13 MIN 11 SEC
Episode 22: From Combat to Catwalk
How an American Special Forces Soldier Overcame Injury to Model on a Global Scale
In today's episode, we meet an American combat veteran who had to learn to walk again after her convoy was bombed in Iraq. This special forces veteran goes simply by the name "Jennifer." Jennifer's story embodies dedication, bravery, strength, and determination.
FEBRUARY 26, 2025 | 29 MIN 16 SEC
Episode 23: How Her Faith Propelled Her
Meet Danielle Rivers Mitchell, owner of the trendy Madison Landis Bistro. Located on Barbados' south coast, the bistro offers a cohesive blend of American and Barbadian cuisine. In this episode, we talk about how Danielle went from life as an American originally from Alabama to being a restaurateur in the tropics. Let's listen and discover how Danielle's leap of faith brings culinary joy to so many.
MARCH 4, 2025 | 36 MIN 15 SEC
Episode 24: Executive Orders and Public School Education
What Law Governs?
In this episode, I speak with Lauren Marchaza, a parent in the Mentor Public Schools District who has been working to ensure her children receive a quality education that is compliant with state, federal, and local laws. Despite efforts from parents and school officials to provide a quality and lawful education, Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno has directed the Mentor school board to explain why the district is not complying with President Trump's executive orders to reshape America's schools.
MARCH 11, 2025 | 26 MIN 23 SEC
Episode 25: What Next? The Future of Public Education
In America, families have many choices when it comes to educating their children. Of course, there is public school education. Less common options include private and parochial education. For most families, private and parochial school education is not an option because it would chew up a large chunk of their monthly budgets. Some families are able to use vouchers to help offset the cost of these non-public options. In this episode, I look at school vouchers, executive orders related to mandates from the federal government about education, and of course the children at the very center of the debate.
MARCH 18, 2025 | 20 MIN 58 SEC
Episode 26: Do You Know Your Idioms?
In this episode, my dear friend Sandy Forster joins me to explore the meanings of idioms, their origins, and how they have helped generations of people communicate. As you listen, feel free to join in as we test each other's knowledge of idioms. This episode is both fun and informative.
MARCH 25, 2025 | 27 MIN 4 SEC
Episode 27: The Silver Tsunami
Aging Populations Around the World
In this episode, my guest, Sandy Forster, and I explore what has been called the "silver tsunami"—the phenomenon of people worldwide living well into their 80s and 90s. What does this mean for your family and lifestyle? Together, we delve into the realities of aging and how this stage of life can be joyful and provocative.
APRIL 1, 2025 | 37 MIN 27 SEC
Episode 28: Teaching with a Tomahawk
For decades, sports mascots like "Chief Wahoo" and team names such as Redskins, Indians, and Braves have perpetuated harmful and inaccurate narratives about Indigenous cultures. In today’s episode, we hear from a California public school teacher who wore feathers and waved a cardboard tomahawk while chanting gibberish in her high school trigonometry class—apparently, in an attempt to teach a challenging math concept. Why would an educator resort to such methods? Let’s listen and learn more.
APRIL 8, 2025 | 33 MIN 10 SEC
Episode 29: ChatGPT and Becoming My Very Own Action Adventure Hero
AI is everywhere! The latest social media trend is to create your own action-adventure hero using ChatGPT. Intrigued, I decided to hop on the AI bandwagon. In today's episode, I take you through my journey of creating a toy-like version of myself. Will you be inspired to do the same? Or does AI feel distant or even threatening?
APRIL 15, 2025 | 21 MIN 13 SEC
Episode 30: Unsilencing Their Stories
In this episode, we meet the five winners of the 2025 Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, the nation’s only juried prize focused on books that contribute to our understanding of race and diversity. What sets their works apart? Tune in and decide for yourself.
APRIL 22, 2025 | 16 MIN 40 SEC
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