Episode 180: Alec Lefeber - Oshkosh City Council Candidate

Episode 183: Micah Troedel - Youth Leader

Get to know Micah Troedel. In this episode Micah Troedel, an insightful high school senior and president of the Black Student Union at Oshkosh West, talk about lighthearted topics like Troedel’s athletic pursuits and his love for English literature to a profound exploration of the literacy crisis affecting local youth. Troedel emphasizes that improving reading skills requires a community-wide effort, cultural shift, and increased representation in education so that students see themselves in their mentors. Through reflections on imposter syndrome, the importance of mentorship, and his personal journey as an Ethiopian adoptee, Troedel illustrates how leadership is rooted in the power to positively influence others. Ultimately, the text serves as a call for intentional investment in the youth to ensure long-term community growth and systemic change. If you would like to send questions, shoutouts, or stories to be played in a future episode, please leave a voicemail at 920-385-5073 or email: askthekosh@gmail.com.

Episode 182: Mahima Grover - Instructor of Yoga, Meditation & Dance

Get to know Mahima Grover. In this episode meet Mahima Grover, an Indian immigrant and entrepreneur in the Fox Cities who owns the M-Effect yoga and dance studio. The conversation explores Grover's diverse professional evolution from a corporate trainer and pharmacist in India to a community leader focused on holistic wellness through traditional practices. A significant portion of the text is dedicated to Grover’s philosophical breakdown of yoga and meditation, where she distinguishes between the physical "mat work" and the deeper pursuit of mind management and self-realization. Grover emphasizes the cultural values of openness and discipline, sharing personal anecdotes about overcoming adversity and the importance of finding inner peace amidst life's chaos. Ultimately, the source serves as an inspirational narrative on the power of consistency and detachment, encouraging listeners to move beyond their perceived limitations to discover their true potential. If you would like to send questions, shoutouts, or stories to be played in a future episode, please leave a voicemail at 920-385-5073 or email: askthekosh@gmail.com Links: * ⁠https://themeffect.org/ [https://www.uwosh.edu/]

Episode 181: Dr. Manohar Singh - Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

Get to know Dr. Manohar Singh In this episode of "The Kosh" podcast, Chancellor Manohar Singh of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, a leader who blends academic stewardship with a profound spiritual heritage. Chancellor Singh shares about his personal history as the youngest of seven brothers in India to his philosophical views on the limitlessness of human potential and the necessity of sovereignty and humility. Dr. Singh explores the transformative power of education, sharing that universities must serve as inclusive spaces that foster human connection and communal abundance rather than mere individual gain. Ultimately, the dialogue serves as a testament to the universality of love, illustrating how a leader’s diverse global experiences can inspire a resilient and unified community spirit within the Fox Cities region. If you would like to send questions, shoutouts, or stories to be played in a future episode, please leave a voicemail at 920-385-5073 or email: askthekosh@gmail.com Links: * https://www.uwosh.edu/ [https://www.uwosh.edu/]

Episode 180: Alec Lefeber - Oshkosh City Council Candidate

Get to know Alec Lefeber This episode of THE KOSH features Alec Lefeber, a multifaceted community leader and AI professional who provides a deep dive into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and local civic engagement. Alec explains his career in technology, where he translates complex technical concepts into accessible business tools, while also sharing his personal journey of moving to Denver and eventually returning to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to "plant roots." As a candidate for City Council, he articulates a vision for modernizing local government through technological infrastructure and proactive problem-solving. A significant portion of the dialogue is dedicated to the ethics of AI, specifically addressing the environmental impact of data centers and the tension between automated efficiency and the preservation of human creativity in art and music. Ultimately, the conversation serves as a reflection on the importance of community integration, intentional self-growth, and the necessity of maintaining a human-centric approach in an increasingly digital world. If you would like to send questions, shoutouts, or stories to be played in a future episode, please leave a voicemail at 920-385-5073 or email: askthekosh@gmail.com Links: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CH7MP52T]⁠https://www.alecforoshkosh.com/ [https://kimberlybarrettphd.com/]

Episode 179: Kimberly Barrett, Ph.D - Author of Rethinking Race

Get to know Kimberly Barrett, Ph.D. This episode of THE KOSH features Dr. Kimberly Barrett, a retired higher education executive and author who discusses her career in higher ed, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) , and her recently published memoir, Rethinking Race. Throughout the conversation, Kimberly reflects on the social construction of race, a realization sparked by her personal experience raising a biracial, multiethnic son whose physical appearance challenged her own preconceived notions of identity. She provides a sophisticated defense of higher education as a vital space for the humanization of difference, arguing that academic environments must remain courageous in teaching an unvarnished history to sustain a functioning democracy. Beyond systemic critiques, the dialogue explores the importance of community engagement through board service and the necessity of intentional parenting when navigating a racially stratified society. Ultimately, Barrett champions a philosophy of radical compassion and active love, suggesting that recognizing our shared humanity is the only effective way to dismantle systemic prejudice and foster a sense of genuine belonging. If you would like to send questions, shoutouts, or stories to be played in a future episode, please leave a voicemail at 920-385-5073 or email: askthekosh@gmail.com Links: * ⁠⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CH7MP52T]https://kimberlybarrettphd.com/ [https://kimberlybarrettphd.com/] * ⁠⁠ [https://bookshop.org/beta-search?keywords=Sierra+Burchby+]https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kimberly-barrett [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kimberly-barrett] * ⁠⁠https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rethinking-race-kimberly-a-barrett/1148671215?ean=9798897891351 [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Sierra%20Burchby]