The Outsider Within

Bridging Divides: Ethics, Education, and Policing with Dr. Brad Lehmann

Outsider Within introduces guest Dr. Brad Lehman, Assistant Professor at VCU’s L. Douglas Wilder School and former police officer/sergeant, to discuss the gap between ethics training and real-world decision-making in criminal justice. Lehman describes realizing in his first week of patrol that academy and classroom preparation did not equip him for nuanced community, cultural, and human situations, and he emphasizes situational, relational teaching that adapts to learners’ experiences. The conversation addresses distrust of police, especially Black community members, and the need to lean into honest discussions about history, systemic issues, and terms like “thin blue line,” “protect and serve,” and culture blindness. Lehman highlights procedural justice and community listening, and he notes growing concerns about federal policing and immigration enforcement. He concludes that policing training should include deeper community and historical understanding alongside legal instruction.

Sink or Swim?: AI's Ripple Effect in Education: A conversation with Dr. Anastasia Berg

In this episode of Outsider Within, we speak with Dr. Anastasia Berg, a UC Irvine philosophy professor and author of a New York Times op-ed, about why basic AI use is harmful for students. Berg argues that AI influences students’ linguistic and cognitive development, undermining mastery of concepts, interpretation, inquiry, and communication, with implications for self-governance and democratic participation. She warns that AI and other technologies can reduce attention spans and worsen inequalities, hurting underprivileged students the most, while elite institutions maintain “real” literacy. Berg suggests creating AI- and technology-scarce times and spaces within K–12 and higher education, so students can first develop core skills that, in turn, support responsible AI use.

Making GOOD Trouble: A conversation with Dr. Shirley Steinberg & Dr. William McCorkle.

In the aftermath of the murder of Minneapolis resident, US citizen and poet, Renne Good, at the hands of an ICE paramilitant, we talk with internationally renowned critical scholar, Dr. Shirley Steinberg, and immigrant advocate and immigration scholar, Dr. William McCorkle, about the political and social ramifications of her death. This podcast originates at ODU, and we recognize all the good that Renee contributed amid the tragedy of her loss, and to celebrate a life that was truly a brilliant light, not only at ODU but within her family and community.   A note from the hosts and producers:  As we were preparing this episode to air, ICE/CBP murdered another American citizen, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a Veteran’s Administration ICU nurse, while he was assisting another protester. Mr. Pretti was shot in the back while restrained on the ground, posing no threat. We dedicate this episode and our efforts to his memory and the legacy of his care and quiet strength.  May we always be prepared to make good trouble in the face of tyranny and oppression.

"Invasion Alert! Battle Fake News with Killer Critical Media Literacy"

How do you spot fake news in a world full of misinformation? The Outsider Within team unpacks critical media literacy with insights from Elise Gravel’s book, "Killer Underwear Invasion," offering practical tips for families and educators to think critically and check their sources. Tune in for real talk, book recs, and tools to fight disinformation!

Comics, Research, and Resistance: A Conversation with Dr. Sally Pirie

In this episode of The Outsider Within, we sit down with Dr. Sally Pirie, an anthropologist, visual artist, and professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Dr. Pirie shares her groundbreaking work in comics-based research, exploring how comics can democratize knowledge and make complex ideas accessible without oversimplifying them. She discusses her passion for normalizing gender diversity, her experiences as a mother of a transgender child, and the intersection of advocacy, scholarship, and creativity in her work. From her journey as a professional cartoonist to her pioneering work in comics-based research, Dr. Pirie offers insights into the power of art as a tool for resistance, storytelling, and truth-telling. She also offers practical advice for aspiring comic researchers and reflects on the importance of advocating for marginalized voices during challenging times. Whether you're an academic, artist, or advocate, this episode is sure to inspire and ignite your creativity.Tune in to hear how Dr. Pirie is reshaping the boundaries of research and making space for new ways of knowing.