Badly Governed

ICE, White Nationalism, and Who Gets to Be American

When immigration, policing, and white supremacy collide, whole communities pay the price. This episode of Badly Governed breaks down how ICE raids, white nationalism, and the U.S. criminal legal system work together to target Black and Brown people under the banner of “public safety” and “border security.” We look directly at who gets labeled a criminal, who is treated as worthy of protection, and how state violence is justified through racialized fear. Our guest, Amy “Amy Mac” McDonald—content creator and host of the Foolish Optimist podcast- joins us to talk about the real‑life impact of immigration enforcement: unannounced raids, families living in constant fear, and neighborhoods reshaped by detention and deportation. Together, we examine how white privilege structures every step of this process and why dismantling that power is essential for any honest conversation about ICE, mass incarceration, and who truly gets to belong in America. Resources: Triolo, T. (2025). The empathy gap: It is Black and White. Self-published. Support the podcast: Donation: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted [https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted].. [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1pvOFk4a3oxZHN4d2o1aEhpUEY3MjhfU3c0Z3xBQ3Jtc0tsZVQ5cDZjMU8zRG9JNlpPM0V0cWV1UHB3ekE4VnpWTXhVZkt5RTJDM1pFRTZiSmxpUy1ST3NwQ2FRQW1OYmp1Z1NDWlk3ZDZWWlAwZVdYbWtDZzN1Mi1KVW84TzNLQmtsWVk1RjIxOG1LZHZhYXhTUQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.com%2Fdonate%2F%3Fhosted..&v=QUYZ9LyO0SI]. Buy something: https://lahensnet.creator-spring.com/ [https://lahensnet.creator-spring.com/] References: Pillai, A., Pillai, D., & Artiga, S. (2025, September 30). Health issues for immigrants in detention centers. KFF. https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/health-issues-for-immigrants-in-detention-centers/ [https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/health-issues-for-immigrants-in-detention-centers/] Pinedo, M., & Valdez, C. R. (2020). Immigration enforcement policies and the mental health of US citizens: Findings from a comparative analysis. American Journal of Community Psychology, 66(3–4), 427–439. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12464 [https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12464] Credits: Host & Executive Producer: Lydje Lahens Producer: Lydje Lahens Writers: Lydje Lahens and Amy McDonald Videographer: Anthony Schultz Digital Copy Editor: Lydje Lahens Social Media Graphics & Management: Lydje Lahens & Dream Big Web Developer: Lotin Enterprise (https://www.lotin.net [https://www.lotin.net]) Video Editors & Shorts: KINGRIQUOSUAVE Branding: Zozimus Keywords: #whiteprivilege #whitenationalism #whitesupremacy #ICEraids #ICEimmigrationraids #immigrationenforcement #deportationintheUnitedStates #familyseparation #immigrationandcriminaljustice #criminallegalsystemandrace #racialprofiling #antiBlackracism #racisminimmigration#Americancitizenshipandrace #BlackandBrowncommunities #stateviolenceandpolicing #abolitionistperspectivesonICE #podcastaboutwhiteprivilege #podcastaboutimmigration #socialjusticepodcast #BadlyGovernedpodcast #AmyMcDonald #FoolishOptimist

The World of Third Culture Kids - Reflection & Highlights

The World of the Third Culture Kid – BG Season 1 Episode 8 Reflection & Highlights What does it mean to grow up everywhere and belong nowhere? In this episode of Badly Governed, we unpack the reality of Third Culture Kids (TCKs); children of immigrants, expats, diplomats, military and missionary families who are raised between cultures, countries, and identities. We dive into how life “in between” shapes identity, belonging, mental health, friendships, family dynamics, school, and self‑worth, and why so many TCKs struggle to answer a simple question: Where is home? Perfect for anyone navigating cross-cultural childhood, diaspora life, global mobility, or raising kids across borders. Hashtags: #ThirdCultureKids #TCK #Diaspora #ImmigrantChildren #GlobalMobility #CrossCultural #Identity #Belonging #MentalHealth #BadlyGovernedPodcast #BG #Church #MiddleEast #India Support “BG*: Donation: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted [https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted]... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmQ2dEpUUERRZDJPRXJQTlJVQ2k2QnEwdkVSd3xBQ3Jtc0tsbzFOaWNPRVdoa0NyamJKbW5oRTNFNDFBR0E3N1BqUTdYamRHLVA2Qmh3MVV6RmZpTHlJUlhzRXlaWWFUaVhVY0JXbm9JVTJwNlk3c1g0OGJMWG5DVXFJd0JsVXZXYy1CSXluck9WbFBsSWJwNVpXSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.com%2Fdonate%2F%3Fhosted_button_id%3D8G2C3DRWHSV5S&v=q-JG4ttM6rg] Buy something: https://lahensnet.creator-spring.com/ [https://lahensnet.creator-spring.com/] Resources for Third Culture Kids, their parents, and adult TCKs. Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds – David C. Pollock, Ruth E. Van Reken, Michael V. Pollock. https://www.tckidnow.com/resources/books/ [https://www.tckidnow.com/resources/books/ ] Belonging Beyond Borders – https://www.adultthirdculturekid.com/my-book [https://www.adultthirdculturekid.com/my-book ] TCK Training – https://www.tcktraining.com [https://www.tcktraining.com ] TCKidNOW – https://www.tckidnow.com [https://www.tckidnow.com ] TCK Connect by Interaction International – https://interactionintl.org/programs/tck-connect/ [https://interactionintl.org/programs/tck-connect/ ] Third Culture Kids International (TCKI) – https://tcki.org/resources/ [https://tcki.org/resources/ ] TCK Resources – http://tckresources.com [http://tckresources.com ] Credits: Host & Executive Producer: Lydje Lahens Producer: Lydje Lahens Writers: Lydje Lahens and Clyde D’Mello Videographer: Anthony Schultz Digital Copy Editor: Lydje Lahens Social Media Graphics & Management: Lydje Lahens & Dream Big Web Developer: Lotin Enterprise (https://www.lotin.net [https://www.lotin.net]) Video Editors & Shorts: KINGRIQUOSUAVE Branding: Zozimus Keywords:

Healthcare in hostile times

Welcome to a new episode of "Badly Governed." In today's show, we dive into a critical conversation inspired by the 2024 U.S. election results and the timely book by Dr. Tiffany D. Joseph, "Not All In." This important book takes a close look at how race, immigration, and healthcare intersect, revealing the deep-rooted challenges that keep immigrant communities from getting fair healthcare, even with reforms. With a new president known for his anti-immigrant views, our chat with the author is set to be especially revealing. We'll discuss how today's political environment impacts these issues and what it means for immigrants nationwide. Get the book: https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/12819/not-all?srsltid=AfmBOoqmzIqhTpQE07WH7a9mU3RglztdTb4GQoW3N7SvSdk_vFmV3vFS [https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/12819/not-all?srsltid=AfmBOoqmzIqhTpQE07WH7a9mU3RglztdTb4GQoW3N7SvSdk_vFmV3vFS] Book Launch Party: RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/not-all-in-a-book-launch-with-professor-tiffany-joseph-tickets-1205021835749?aff=oddtdtcreator [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/not-all-in-a-book-launch-with-professor-tiffany-joseph-tickets-1205021835749?aff=oddtdtcreator] #PublicHealth #HealthEquity #PolicyMatters #ImmigrantRights #UndocumentedAndUnafraid #HealthcareForAll #NotAllIn #NoHumanIsIllegal #HealthForAll #EndHealthcareDiscrimination

The Hidden Bias in American Art

In this episode of "Badly Governed," the focus is on social justice, specifically addressing the disparities in sexuality and representation of Black women in American art. Guests Allan Sousa, curator at Black Walls Gallery, and PHIA, a Boston-based multidisciplinary artist, join the discussion. Despite some progress, Black women remain significantly underrepresented in U.S. museums, contributing to harmful stereotypes like the Mammy, Jezebel, and Sapphire. These stereotypes distort the true experiences of Black women, leading to social exclusion and mental health challenges linked to discrimination. Black women artists are actively reclaiming their space and challenging these portrayals, but they still face considerable barriers. This conversation examines the impact of these disparities on social well-being, mental health, and cultural representation in the art world. Resources Pilgrim, D. (2012). The mammy caricature. Ferris State University. Ferris State University. https://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/mammies/ [https://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/mammies/] YouTube Video: Black Feminist Thought by Patricia Hill Collins. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2teqoyPe3TU [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2teqoyPe3TU] Jim Crow Museum. (n.d.). Jezebel Stereotype. Jim Crow Museum. Available at: https://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/news/jimcrow/jezebel/index.htm [https://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/news/jimcrow/jezebel/index.htm] Baptist News Global. (n.d.). Jezebel is one of three common racial slurs against all Black women and girls. Available at: https://baptistnews.com/article/jezebel-is-one-of-three-common-racial-slurs-against-all-black-women-and-girls/ [https://baptistnews.com/article/jezebel-is-one-of-three-common-racial-slurs-against-all-black-women-and-girls/] Springer. (2022). The Jezebel Stereotype. https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-3-319-77827-6_620 [https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-3-319-77827-6_620] • Jim Crow Museum. (n.d.). Sapphire Stereotype. Jim Crow Museum. https://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/news/jimcrow/sapphire/index.htm [https://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/news/jimcrow/sapphire/index.htm] Skeptic Ink. (2015). Mammy, Jezebel, Sapphire, or Queen: Stereotypes of the African American Female. http://www.skepticink.com/lateraltruth/2015/02/18/mammy-jezebel-sapphire-or-queen/ [http://www.skepticink.com/lateraltruth/2015/02/18/mammy-jezebel-sapphire-or-queen/] Credits: Host & Executive Producer: Lydje Lahens Producer: Lydje Lahens Writers: Lydje Lahens, Alan Sousa, Sophia Dubuisson Videographer: Anthony Schultz Digital Copy Editor: Lydje Lahens Social Media Graphics & Management: Lydje Lahens & Dream Big Web Developer: Lotin Enterprise (https://www.lotin.net [https://www.lotin.net]) Video Editors & Shorts: Luis Romero and Anthony Schultz Branding: Zozimus Keywords: #ArtAndIdentity #BreakingStereotypes #BlackWomenInArt #SocialJusticeInArt #RepresentationMatters #ReclaimingNarratives #ArtAndSexuality #MentalHealthThroughArt #DiverseArtVoices #ArtAgainstDiscrimination

The Untold Truth of Trans-Cis Relations

We dive into the relationships between transgender and cisgender people. We're unpacking the challenges faced by nearly 1 in 5 individuals (NTDS, 2020; USTS, 2022) in various areas like healthcare, societal concerns, adverse childhood events (ACEs), and mental health. But we're not just throwing numbers at you. This episode is all about real stories and feelings. We're sharing personal experiences that highlight these communities' daily struggles and victories. We'll also explore how society and different life experiences shape this complex dynamic between transgender and cisgender groups. Join us on this journey to better understand what these folks go through. This podcast is all about creating empathy and opening up a conversation. We want to find solutions that make our world more inclusive for everyone. So, let's break down the walls together and build a community based on understanding, kindness, and unity. Because, in the end, it's about real people, their stories, and the connections that bind us all. References: Barbee, H., Deal, C., & Gonzales, G. (2022). Anti-Transgender Legislation-A Public Health Concern for Transgender Youth. JAMA pediatrics, 176(2), 125–126. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.4483 [https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.4483] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8955456/ [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8955456/] https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/teens/all-about-sex-gender-and-gender-identity/what-do-transgender-and-cisgender-mean [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/teens/all-about-sex-gender-and-gender-identity/what-do-transgender-and-cisgender-mean] https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/web/RCMD/studies/37888 [https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/web/RCMD/studies/37888] https://www.ustranssurvey.org/ [https://www.ustranssurvey.org/] Credits: Host & Executive Producer: Lydje Lahens Producer: Lydje Lahens Writers: Lydje Lahens & Damian Lima Videographer: Anthony Schultz Digital Copy Editor: Lydje Lahens Social Media Graphics & Management: Lydje Lahens & Dream Big Web Developer: Lotin Enterprise (https://www.lotin.net [https://www.lotin.net]) Video Editors & Shorts: Luis Romero and Anthony Schultz Branding: Zozimus Keywords: #Transgender #Cisgender #LGBTQ+ #GenderIdentity #Diversity #Inclusion #Empathy #SocialJustice #HealthcareEquity #MentalHealthAwareness #AdverseChildhoodEvents #CommunityBuilding #HumanStories #PersonalExperiences #SocietalChallenges #Understanding #Kindness #Unity #Intersectionality #Advocacy #BreakingBarriers #Dialogue #Acceptance #Authenticity #NormalizeLGBTQExperiences