#73 - Taking Action In The Wake of Tragedy: Robb Elementary School

Veterans Day 2025

In this heartfelt solo episode of Off The Beaten Podcast, host Dion McGill reflects on his military service in Afghanistan in honor of Veterans Day. He shares personal stories about his early reluctance to embrace the veteran identity, the bonds he built with Afghan soldiers, and the lessons he learned about shared humanity. McGill also explores the dangers of xenophobia and the enduring importance of solidarity, invoking the words of Fred Hampton. The episode closes with McGill’s reading of the St. Crispin’s Day speech, a moving tribute to camaraderie, sacrifice, and the unseen journeys of those who serve. 00:00 Introduction and Veterans Day Reflection 01:48 The Decision to Record an Episode 02:43 Revisiting Military Service Stories 07:14 Joining the Army: The Early Days 11:40 Deployment and Training Challenges 18:01 Life in Afghanistan 22:36 Memories of PRT Sharona and Bo Bergdahl 23:25 Dealing with Injury and Taking Responsibility 24:26 Life on the Base with Afghan Soldiers 25:49 Cultural Exchange and Learning 28:16 Reflections on Shared Humanity 34:00 Fred Hampton's Legacy and Modern Reflections 42:36 Veterans Day Reflections and St. Crispin's Day Speech 48:53 Outro and Final Thoughts   Thank you for listening. This was so fast, I didn't worry about all the social media stuff, but I will get back to that soon!

#75 - Talking Poetry and Life w/ Ydalmi Noriega

Hello Friends! For this episode I had the opportunity to sit down with Ydalmi Noriega. Ydalmi is a Chicago transplant, as well as the Vice President of Programs and Engagement for the Poetry Foundation. After recently being labeled as a person who is redefining what poetry looks like, I had to sit down and pick her brain about her journey, and about the wide world of poetry. Enjoy!    Resources: * Hispanic Executive: Ydalmi Noriega Is Redefining What Poetry Looks Like in America [https://hispanicexecutive.com/ydalmi-noriega-poetry-foundation/] * Block Club Chicago: Words of Wonder Literary Festival Bringing ‘The Best’ Creatives To The South Side Saturday [https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/07/27/words-of-wonder-literary-festival-bringing-the-best-creatives-to-the-south-side-saturday/] Signup for the newsletter here: Off The Beaten Podcast Newsletter [https://mailchi.mp/b072d05d3ad9/offthebeatenpodcast] Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any upcoming episodes. Also, please take a moment to rate and review OTBP on your favorite podcast app. Follow OTBP on Social Media: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/offthebeatenpodcast] / Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/OffTheBeatenPodcast/] / TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@offthebeatenpodcast] / Website [https://www.offthebeatenpodcast.com] / Podchaser [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/off-the-beaten-podcast-938018] I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Got something to say? Give us a call and leave a voicemail: (708)465-1590 Email us: beingsillyinthecity@gmail.com Also don't be afraid to slide into my DM's on any of the social media platforms.  You can also support the podcast by Buying Me a Cup of Coffee. Every dollar donated goes into helping me make the podcast better. buymeacoffee.com/OffTheBeatenPodcast [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/OffTheBeatenPodcast]

#74 - Reflecting on Pride Month

Hello Friends! While sitting and reflecting, it dawned on me I hadn't ever done an episode about Pride Month, which is a pretty big deal here in Chicago, so I took some time to reflect on some memories that tightly correlate in my head with the LGBTQIA+ community.  It's story time!!! Resources:  * Fatal Violence Against The Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Community in 2022  [https://www.hrc.org/resources/fatal-violence-against-the-transgender-and-gender-non-conforming-community-in-2022] * LGBTQ Community Speaks Out Following Deaths of Two Chicago-Area Black Trans Women [https://news.wttw.com/2022/04/03/lgbtq-community-speaks-out-following-deaths-two-chicago-area-black-trans-women] * State Representative Kelly Cassidy [https://www.repcassidy.com/] * Aurora Pride Parade 2022 Draws Hundreds After Almost Cancelled Over Revoked Permit Controversy [https://abc7chicago.com/aurora-pride-parade-2022-police-controversy-illinois/11952216/] * History.com: The Stonewall Riots [https://www.history.com/topics/gay-rights/the-stonewall-riots] * History.com: How The Mob Helped Establish NYC's Gay Bar Scene [https://www.history.com/news/how-the-mob-helped-establish-nycs-gay-bar-scene] * Full Moon Over The Stonewall: Howard Smith's Account of the Stonewall Riots [https://www.villagevoice.com/2015/06/26/full-moon-over-the-stonewall-howard-smiths-account-of-the-stonewall-riots/] * City Cast Chicago: Remembering Mama Gloria [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/remembering-mama-gloria/id1557798148?i=1000566946974]

#73 - Taking Action In The Wake of Tragedy: Robb Elementary School

Every time another school shooting or mass shooting happens, I am approached by people asking, "What can I do? What can we do?"   So I wanted to take a moment to offer some actionable steps you can take in the face of this tragedy.   State:  UPDATE: Governor Pritzker has signed HB 4729 [https://files.constantcontact.com/000383c1801/a5ff17fb-e4a1-4c54-afb1-e26264409896.pdf?rdr=true], which will fund a statewide public awareness campaign to promote safe firearm storage. It's effective date is January 1, 2023. Feel free to send him a thank you!!! Springfield Office of the Governor 207 State House Springfield, IL 62706 Phone: 217-782-6830 [tel:2177826830] or 217-782-6831 [tel:2177826831] Chicago Office of the Governor James R. Thompson Center 100 W. Randolph, 16-100 Chicago, IL 60601 Phone: 312-814-2121 [tel:3128142121] or 312-814-2122 [tel:3128142122] Contact the Governor Online [https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/gov/contactus/Pages/VoiceAnOpinion.aspx] Federal: Reach out to your congressmen and let them know you want to see action now to prevent tragedies like the one in Uvalde Texas and that failure to do so could greatly impact your support of them in future elections.  Congress: Find your Members [https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member] Education & Resources * Giffords: Courage to Fight Violence [https://giffords.org/] * Radiolab Presents: More Perfect - The Gun Show [https://radiolab.org/episodes/radiolab-presents-more-perfect-gun-show], WNYC * The Trace: Investigating Gun Violence in America [https://www.thetrace.org/]   Supporting Strong Communities * Changing the Beat of Mental Health: Amplifying Our Voice [https://www.healingthroughjustice.org/_files/ugd/7de017_24ae0dbf2403443bbd898cb19e085a60.pdf], Communities United   Support and Prevention * Talking to Your Children about Tragedies in the News [https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/blog/talking-to-your-children-about-tragedies-in-the-news/], Lurie Children's Blog * Helping Your Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting [https://www.apa.org/topics/gun-violence-crime/shooting-aftermath], American Psychological Association * Terrorism and Violence [https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/terrorism-and-violence], The National Child Traumatic Stress Network * Healing Circles [https://healingcirclesglobal.org/grief/] * Talking to Children about the Shooting [https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources/tip-sheet/talking_to_children_about_the_shooting.pdf], The National Child Traumatic Stress Network * Helping Youth after Community Trauma, Tips for Educators [https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources/tip-sheet/helping_youth_after_community_trauma_for_educators_final_explosions.pdf], The National Child Traumatic Stress Network * Talking to Children: When Scary Things Happen [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mc8dsD-AYBupNgXeI97BrVmKvoGWQrgw/view], Program for Prevention Science, University of Colorado at Boulder * Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 * Firearm Safety Toolkit [https://files.constantcontact.com/000383c1801/fbda6804-4b66-4096-8eb6-e6504261560d.pdf?rdr=true]   Research * Policies to Reduce Gun Violence in Illinois: Research, Policy Analysis and Recommendations [https://www.jhsph.edu/research/centers-and-institutes/johns-hopkins-center-for-gun-violence-prevention-and-policy/_archive-2019/_pdfs/jhsph-gun-violence-in-illinois.pdf], Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health * Public Health On Call Series: Gun Violence Prevention [https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2022/public-health-on-call-series-gun-violence-prevention], Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health * Chicago Firearms Report [https://urbanlabs.uchicago.edu/programs/chicago-firearms-report], UChicago Urban Labs * Lurie Children's infographic on firearm data in Illinois [https://files.constantcontact.com/000383c1801/19d832e3-c55b-4bbd-903b-136e44d5ba9e.pdf?rdr=true]

Memorial Day 2022: Poetry and Remembrances

Saying "Happy Memorial Day" always feels weird to me. However, allow me to offer my sincerest gratitude to all those who have loved ones you are remembering today.  I offer my thoughts on Memorial Day, and some of my favorite poetry that commemorates this day.  Resources: * In Flanders Fields [https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47380/in-flanders-fields] by John McCrae * The St. Crispin's Day Speech from Henry V [https://poetrysociety.org.uk/poems/the-st-crispins-day-speech-from-henry-v/] * Military Times - Honor The Fallen: SGT Joshua Harris [https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-sgt-joshua-w-harris/3738854] * Military Times - Honor The Fall: SSG Jason Vasquez [https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-staff-sgt-jason-a-vazquez/3738815] * SGT Simone Asia Robinson 33rd IBCT Memorial [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpeLJpx9_3Y] * St. Crispin's Day Speech by the Cast of 'Band of Brothers' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mf6Y4c6yylA] * Poem: The Answer by Lt. J. A. Armstrong  [https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/spotlight-primary-source/world-war-i-poems-%E2%80%9C-flanders-fields%E2%80%9D-and-%E2%80%9C-answer%E2%80%9D-1918?gclid=Cj0KCQjw1tGUBhDXARIsAIJx01nc_OPXEt5tc0Y4cbos1jUE9pd_dIIAI5GPVrqF0-X_ucqDJ0m3pZAaAn8nEALw_wcB] Signup for the newsletter here: Off The Beaten Podcast Newsletter [https://mailchi.mp/b072d05d3ad9/offthebeatenpodcast] Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any upcoming episodes. Also, please take a moment to rate and review OTBP on your favorite podcast app. Follow OTBP on Social Media: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/offthebeatenpodcast] / Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/OffTheBeatenPodcast/] / TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@offthebeatenpodcast] / Website [https://www.offthebeatenpodcast.com] / Podchaser [https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/off-the-beaten-podcast-938018] I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Got something to say? Give us a call and leave a voicemail: (708)465-1590 Email us: beingsillyinthecity@gmail.com Also don't be afraid to slide into my DM's on any of the social media platforms.  You can also support the podcast by Buying Me a Cup of Coffee. Every dollar donated goes into helping me make the podcast better. buymeacoffee.com/OffTheBeatenPodcast [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/OffTheBeatenPodcast] Cover Photo by Alicia Schemel [https://www.instagram.com/captain.ali_/]