Reflections

Reflections

In today’s episode, Shaunna and Lisa reflect on the weight of June anniversaries — Pulse Nightclub (6/12) and the Emanuel 9 (6/17) — as well as the meaning of Juneteenth (6/19) in a moment that also saw the opening of the Obama Presidential Center (OPC).  Then, the green algae of the Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC is more than just a chemistry project gone wrong. They discuss the politics behind the no-bid contract which has become an expensive analogy for this entire Presidential Administration. Lastly, the Drs. reveled in laughter about Michelle Obama and President George W. Bush's Altoids exchange at the opening of the OPC, then wondered if we can ever find collegiality, kindness, and mutual respect like this in America again. Mentioned in the show Algae turns reflecting pool green after repainting. Here's why [https://www.npr.org/2026/06/19/nx-s1-5863044/dc-reflecting-pool-algae-green-trump] - NPR Researchers identify harmless algae behind bloom at Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool – [https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/politics/national-politics/researchers-identify-harmless-algae-behind-bloom-lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool/65-9efa82ff-0c3a-4e64-b5e5-4370abee61cc]WUSA9 George W. Bush and Michelle Obama Have Sweet Reunion, Complete With a Mint Moment [https://www.today.com/popculture/news/george-w-bush-michelle-obama-reunite-altoids-rcna350801] – The Today Show With a Wink, Obama’s Tan Suit Is Back [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/18/style/obama-tan-suit-stephen-colbert.html] – The NYT Obama moved to tears by wife Michelle's speech [https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly91eqyd0ko] - BBC Star-studded opening for Obama library in Chicago delivers implied rebuke to Trump [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/18/obama-library-chicago-trump] – The Guardian

Wildfire

The Drs. open this week's episode hot and unapologetic: a gender-reveal smoke bomb turned into a months-long inferno, a firefighter lost his life, and three companies suddenly write checks for more than $4 million. Then they pivot to the political tightrope -- authenticity vs. electability -- and ask whether moderates who vote with the sketchy are doing the right thing in the moment. Listen in for new language like "abromantic", the deeper implication of gender reveals around the globe, and the ethics of voting for a flawed candidate. Mentioned in the show: 3 companies agree to over $4 million settlement after deadly California wildfire [https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/08/us/california-gender-reveal-wildfire-settlement?utm_source=cnn_Evening+Newsletter+-+Monday%2C+June+8%2C+2026&utm_medium=email&bt_ee=Jj2OkjlAl49q2NFF1LFdeY6IZvNQleZT6fO2G1%2FX3evuOC76HJfZ6%2B9OE3LkDsN7&bt_ts=1780953546145] - CNN The Democrats’ Platner Problem [https://time.com/article/2026/06/08/the-democrats-platner-problem/] - Time 'What else are we going to do?' Maine Democrats divided over Platner, some stick with him reluctantly [https://abcnews.com/Politics/maine-democrats-divided-platner-stick-reluctantly/story?id=133656038] – abc News Yet More Damning Revelations About Graham Platner [https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/06/graham-platner-maine-populism-elections/687429/]  - The Atlantic The Graham Platner Dilemma [https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-graham-platner-dilemma/id1586269186?i=1000771285823]  - The Powers That Be Daily Podcast

Adaptive Intelligence

In this episode, Dr. Shaunna and Dr. Lisa examine language in a new way. First, they look at Elsa Mehary's provocative Instagram reel regarding what it means to be a polymath—someone with a wide range of knowledge or learning—and ask a provocative question: Are you a polymath, or just Black? It's always a good time to examine what’s celebrated as “genius” in one space that may be dismissed as “survival” in another. Later, Shaunna and Lisa pivot to immigration policy, reflecting on Jonathan Blitzer’s Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here and his recent New Yorker piece on how executive actions are reshaping who gets to become -- AND STAY -- American. They connect the dots between adaptive intelligence and survival systems—whether in identity, migration, or belonging. Tune in for a layered conversation about pattern recognition, the politics of brilliance, and the powers that affect immigrants.   Mentioned in the show For the Nation's Birthday, Making it Harder to Become American [https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/06/15/for-the-nations-birthday-making-it-harder-to-become-an-american] – The New Yorker Everyone Who is Gone is Here [https://bookshop.org/p/books/everyone-who-is-gone-is-here-the-united-states-central-america-and-the-making-of-a-crisis-jonathan-blitzer/d7d4a22ec001c9ff] – Jonathan Blitzer

The Odyssey

Before your listen, take your SAT... Spoiler Alert: If you plan to see The Odyssey this podcast has spoilers. Alert: This episode mentions how control manifests in faith communities Think: Hopefully, this episode will make you think!   This week, we have a thoughtful, sometimes funny, but always honest conversation about why we believe what we believe — and who gets to tell us what’s true. We discuss social proof, and how it may be a low-key form of group think because millions of followers don't equal expertise. Then we move on to spiritual control, and how childhood faith patterns can follow us into adulthood. Anxiety, perfectionism, spiritual OCD and other symptoms can remind us of how spirituality can be used to control rather than to liberate. Finally, we talk about the overwhelming outrage that bubbles up when fictional characters are cast in ways that interrupt homogenous and exclusionary thinking. Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy, Elliot Page as Achilles, and Quinta Brunson as Betty Boop are some of the most recent examples of how creative license can tick people off. Loved the conversation or want to keep the work going? Subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and tell a friend who needs to hear this. If this episode landed for you, share one insight on social and tag us — we’ll repost the best reflections. Mentioned in the show The Hidden Wound: Intersecting Spiritual Abuse and Racial Trauma in African American Faith Communities – Black Crescent Wellness Foundation [https://crescentwellnessfoundation.org/the-hidden-wound-intersecting-spiritual-abuse-and-racial-trauma-in-african-american-faith-communities/] The right’s outrage over Elliot Page’s casting in ‘The Odyssey’ obscures Achilles’ own queerness [https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/05/the-rights-outrage-over-elliot-pages-casting-in-the-odyssey-obscures-achilles-own-queerness/] Quinta Brunson to Develop and Star in ‘Betty Boop’ Feature Film From Fleischer Studios and Fifth Chance Productions [https://variety.com/2026/film/news/quinta-brunson-betty-boop-movie-1236754550/] - Variety The Absurd Misunderstanding Fueling the Debate Over The Odyssey [https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/05/the-odyssey-musk-nolan-nyongo/687288/] - The Atlantic Why Can’t Elon Musk Shut Up about Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey [https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/elon-musk-christopher-nolan-the-odyssey] - Vanity Fair Christopher Nolan Has Been Dreaming of The Odyssey for More Than 20 Years [https://time.com/article/2026/05/12/christopher-nolan-odyssey-interview/] - Time The Odyssey Trailer [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_bKjZeJBBI]

Michael, Money, and Mayhem

Before your listen, take your SAT... Spoiler Alert: If you plan to see Michael, the movie, this podcast has several spoilers. Alert: This episode mentions a high-profile legal case. All acts are alleged while the case is pending.  contenT Warning: We also discuss various forms of abuse.  Although several movies and mini-series have come before, we were excited to reflect on the latest movie, Michael. It features Jaafar Jackson, nephew of the icon himself as well as many high profile African American stars. We take a sonic time-travel from Jackson 5 in the 1960s to the Bad tour of the 1980s. We also pose some serious questions about what constitutes abuse. Then, we turn to a jaw-dropping legal settlement between the government and the…government. The president of these DIVIDED States of America has created an anti-weaponization fund of 1.8 Billion (with a B) dollars to address alleged "lawfare" by the Biden Administration -- making us revisit the definition of gaslighting as part of the optics and mechanics of political theater. If you liked this episode, subscribe, leave a rating, and tell a friend who loves movies and messy headlines.  Mentioned in the show Nia Long, Colman Domingo and Jaafar Jackson On ‘Michael’ Biopic and Jackson Legacy [https://www.forbes.com/sites/dominiquefluker/2026/04/22/nia-long-colman-domingo-and-jaafar-jackson-on-michael-biopic-and-jackson-legacy/] - Forbes Making Michael [https://www.essence.com/of-the-essence/making-michael-the-movie/] – Essence They Don’t Make Celebrities Like Michael Jackson Anymore [https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026/05/michael-movie-box-office-success/687186/] – Jemele Hill, The Atlantic Justice Dept. Sets Up $1.8 Billion Fund That Could Funnel Money to Trump Allies [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/us/trump-irs-lawsuit.html] - NYT DOJ rolls out nearly $1.8B ‘anti-weaponization fund’ as part of Trump’s IRS settlement [https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/18/trump-irs-lawsuit-settlement-00925801] - Politico Judge questions legal basis for Trump's $10 billion case against IRS [https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/federal-judge-questions-basis-trumps-10-billion-irs-lawsuit-rcna341984] – NBC News