In this candid and thought-provoking episode, Becky and Taina tackle the complexities of Thanksgiving—a holiday deeply rooted in colonialism and one that many now see as a day of mourning for Indigenous peoples. From exploring the history of the Land Back movement to dissecting the capitalist takeover of the holiday season, this episode is full of reflections, insights, and actionable ideas for listeners who want to align their celebrations with their values. Becky and Taina discuss ways to decolonize Thanksgiving traditions, support Indigenous rights, and rethink consumerist habits like Black Friday shopping. They also share personal anecdotes and commitments for making this time of year more meaningful.

Discussed in This Episode

• The history and myths of Thanksgiving
• The Land Back movement and its implications
• Why Thanksgiving is a day of mourning for Indigenous peoples
• Decolonizing Thanksgiving celebrations with small but meaningful actions
• Ethical considerations around Black Friday and consumerism
• How capitalism shapes Thanksgiving traditions
• Practical ways to support Indigenous businesses and organizations
• Intersectional feminism and its connection to Indigenous rights
• Teaching kids about the true history of Thanksgiving
• Small steps listeners can take to honor Indigenous communities

Resources Mentioned

• Native-Land.ca
• An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
• Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

In this episode, Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dive into strategies for building resilience, creating community, and thriving amidst social and political upheaval. They discuss creative resistance tactics, managing privilege in allyship, and ways to support mutual aid efforts at local and national levels. From anti-capitalist holiday shopping to the power of small, purposeful actions, this conversation is packed with ideas for meaningful change. Becky and Taina also explore how we can set boundaries with media and social media for mental health and make values-aligned decisions for the holidays.

Discussed in This Episode

• Practical ways to participate in mutual aid and community support
• Creative resistance strategies and preparing for social activism
• The impact of reducing news and social media consumption
• Leaving Meta and transitioning to BlueSky for more intentional engagement
• Anti-capitalist approaches to holiday spending and gift-giving
• Ways to support marginalized communities through direct action
• Managing privilege in social justice work and creating safe community spaces
• Using Signal and encrypted apps for secure organizing and resource sharing
• Insights from My Grandmother’s Hands on somatic healing and conflict management
• Reflections on Patricia Hill Collins' Matrix of Domination
  
  

Resources Mentioned

• Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
• My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem
• Black Feminist Thought by Patricia Hill Collins
• Bluesky
• Signal

In this episode, Becky and Taina discuss the ethical and environmental concerns surrounding artificial intelligence. Reflecting on the impact of AI on content creation and business, they dig into the unsettling future AI could bring if unchecked. From Google's Notebook LM to ChatGPT, they explore the role of ethics, climate change, and mindful usage in navigating AI’s complex landscape.

Discussed in This Episode:

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• Google's Notebook LM and its potential applications
• The ethics of AI in podcasting and content creation
• The environmental impact of AI, including water consumption
• AI's potential biases and limitations
• AI’s influence on social media and attention economy
• The need for mindful and intentional tech usage
• Personal and community-driven approaches to using AI responsibly

Resources Mentioned:

• Sophia Noble's Algorithms of Oppression: https://amzn.to/40xGvVu
• Google Notebook LM: https://notebooklm.google/
• ChatGPT: https://chatgpt.com/