Shows
For the Love of Creatives: Unlocking the Power of Community#029: Becoming the Vessel: Finding Flow in Creative Destruction With Eric Breish"You've got to have the fire." These words from metal artist Eric Breish capture the essence of the creative journey—that inexplicable burning passion that pulls you back to your craft even after declaring "I'm done" just a day before.Eric's path to becoming a full-time artist winds through unexpected territory. From Marine Corps service to IT work to audio engineering, he eventually discovered his artistic voice through metal—creating three-dimensional works that challenge perception and evoke physical responses in viewers. What makes his art truly special is impossible to capture digitally; the way light reflects or abso...2025-06-301h 16
Collateral Cinema Movie PodcastPost-Holiday Edition: Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! Chrimbus Special DVD Review – Collateral Cinema: Director's Cut!Featured TV Special Review: Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! "Chrimbus Special" [Wikipedia] [IMDb]
PROMO: Retro Anime Podcast (@retroanime)
SHOWNOTES: Our Post-Holiday wrap-up is here on Collateral Cinema: Director's Cut! as Beau and Ashley cover the Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! Chrimbus Special (now on DVD). One of the strangest holiday specials to ever grace Adult Swim, the Tim and Eric Chrimbus Special was a delight for us to watch and discuss. Stay tuned for the Collateral Cinema At the Movies "2024 in Review" episode, as well as our upcoming anime content this m...2025-01-1347 min
Chatting About Change with Dr. Jim MaddoxHarnessing AI for Learning: A Conversation with Eric Zenor on Transforming Organizations with AI-Powered Knowledge SystemsMy guest on this episode is Eric Zenor, a learning and development expert and consultant with over 35 years focused on educational technology. Eric shares his wealth of experience working with integrating AI into the learning and development space. He shares the complexity of leveraging AI and the complexity of understanding and using AI and how it is rapidly changing the landscape of not just learning and development, but organizations in general. He shares how AI can be an accelerator and is enabling organizations to move into the space of being learning organizations. One great example Eric discusses is the pot...2024-09-1754 min
Backstage Pass PodcastGDA Podcast: ep. 30 - Eric Maddox: The Interrogator Behind Saddam Hussein's CaptureEric Maddox was a new interrogator in 2003 on his first deployment since 9/11 when he conducted over 300 interrogations which led to the capture of Saddam Hussein.
Upon completion of the mission and for his direct role in the special operation, Eric received the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Director’s Award, the Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star.
After having conducted over 2700 interrogations, Eric has mastered two things: adapting to new situations and environments and gathering the most accurate information so that the best decisions can be made.
Link to episode: http://bit.ly/gdapodcast30
Tr...2024-07-1041 min
Alpha 5 MethodDecisive Action: How Eric Maddox Helped Capture Saddam Hussein“That first week I realized everything I was taught as an interrogator wasn't going to work.” Our next guest, Eric Maddox sits down with Bruce Gradkowski and discusses how he had to pivot and decisively act to achieve his mission as a former special operations solider in Iraq. Eric was attached to a Task Force Special Operations team in Tikrit that was part of the Joint Special Operations Command and their sole mission was to track down the most wanted men in Iraq. Having interrogated well over 300 enemies, Eric helped collect intel that directly secured the arrest of th...2024-03-1949 min
Fascinating People Fascinating PlacesHow I found Saddam Hussein: Eric MaddoxIn this gripping episode, we delve into the remarkable story of Eric Maddox, the interrogator who played a pivotal role in the capture of Saddam Hussein. In 2003, as part of a Delta Force team operating under the Joint Special Operations Command, Eric embarked on a mission to track down Iraqi fugitives, including the elusive Saddam Hussein.
Through tireless dedication, daring raids, and conducting interviews with over 300 detainees, Eric's relentless pursuit led to the historic moment when Saddam Hussein was finally located and arrested on December 13, 2003.
Listen as Eric shares his experiences in Iraq and unveils...2024-01-1129 min
The Impactful Leadership ShowEmpathy Based Listening - Eric Maddox - The Impactful Leadership Show - Episode # 052Today’s guest served in the U.S. Army and Defense Intelligence Agency for 20 years and now teaches audiences worldwide in the art of Empathy Based Listening. Eric Maddox is an inspirational speaker, consultant, negotiation trainer, and the author of Mission: Black List No.1. Eric shares what leadership is really all about, how to truly listen to others, and ways to avoid common listening distractions.
Takeaways:
Leadership is not about driving others toward your vision. True leadership is empowering others to discover their talents and using them to reach a shared vision.
When building rela...2023-02-1735 minChatting About Change with Dr. Jim MaddoxDancing with Change and cultivating healthy organizations and healthy cultures: A fascinating conversations with Eric Lynn.My guest this episode is Eric Lynn, a consultant, facilitator, and coach, focused on cultivating healthy organizations and generating meaningful conversations about life, culture, and change. Eric is the creator of cultureQs, a Change and Integration Accelerator that that uses powerful questions to inspire participants to reflect on the foundations of their beliefs, attitudes and behaviors. Eric is also the author of the book, Dancing with Change: Cultivating Healthy Organizations. Eric and I discuss his passion and unique approach to doing meaningful organizational work, and he shares his unique international perspective, having lived and consulted on four different continents. Our d...2023-01-2355 min
Elevate Your LeadershipEric Maddox, Author, Speaker, and former US Army Interrogator who used empathy based listening to lead the search for Saddam HusseinIn this fascinating discussion, Eric Maddox shares why he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, a jumpmaster, and graduate of Ranger School. In 2003, he was sent to Tikrit, Iraq where he joined a Delta Force team who was searching for high value targets on the infamous Deck of Cards. After five months and over 300 interrogations, Eric was able to track down and eventually give the team the exact location of the spider hole in which Saddam hid. For this, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, the National Intelligence...2022-12-2053 min
Get Naked in Business PodcastCatching Saddam Hussein and Entrepreneurship with Eric MaddoxWHOA!! Are you ready to get naked and fired up with today’s guest, Eric Maddox?! Eric is a recipient of the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Director's Award, Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star, for his direct role in the capture of Saddam Hussein. Yes, that’s right...Saddam Hussein! Tune in to hear Eric and David talk about how Eric’s interrogation skills can be used in business and learn to become effective at utilizing those tools. Be sure to stay to the end to hear Eric tell the story of how his last 24 hou...2022-12-1233 min
Building Excellence with Bailey MilesEric Maddox - Former US Special Ops, Author, & Speaker On Finding Saddam Hussein & Empathy Based Listening#84: Eric Maddox is a public speaker, author, and former special operations soldier. He was member of a Delta Force Special Operations team that was part of the Joint Special Operations Command responsible for tracking down the most wanted men in Iraq. During his six month tour with this Delta Force team, Eric conducted over 300 interrogations and collected intelligence which directly led to the capture of Saddam Hussein.As a result, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Defense Intelligence Agency’s Director’s Award, and the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement. During his time working with the...2022-11-1458 min
Decidedly I Decision Tips for Business OwnersEp.46 HIGHLIGHT I Eric Maddox I Deciding to be an Empathetic ListenerThis episode is a highlight clip from this week’s full episode. To listen to the full episode, see yesterday’s episode or use this link: https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/50652157/download.mp3Special Ops Interrogator, Eric Maddox shares his method of empathy-based listening that he used in interrogations leading to the capture of Saddam Hussein. KEY TOPICS- Recognizing that multitasking and listening cannot coexist- Removing your personal agenda from conversations- Trust-building and partnership through listening- Seeking to understand the perspective of the individual you’re tal...2022-07-2114 min
Decidedly I Decision Tips for Business OwnersEp.46 I Eric Maddox I Deciding to be an Empathetic Listener: Frameworks from the Interrogator that Found Saddam Hussein (rebroadcast)Special Ops Interrogator, Eric Maddox shares his method of empathy-based listening that he used in interrogations leading to the capture of Saddam Hussein. KEY TOPICS- Recognizing that multitasking and listening cannot coexist- Removing your personal agenda from conversations- Trust-building and partnership through listening- Seeking to understand the perspective of the individual you’re talking with- Giving others permission for vulnerability with you- Gaining clarity on others’ feelings to make pure decisionsDON'T HAVE TIME FOR THE FULL EPISODE?Check out the 15-minute highlights: http...2022-07-2038 min
Decidedly I Decision Tips for Business OwnersEp.45 HIGHLIGHT I Eric Maddox I Deciding to Find Saddam HusseinThis episode is a highlight clip from this week’s full episode. To listen to the full episode, see yesterday’s episode or use this link: https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/50505484/download.mp3Special Ops Interrogator, Eric Maddox joins the show to share his story of working though nightly raids, endless interrogations, and top-secret conditions as he sought out to find Saddam Hussein as Lead Interrogator. This episode will provide detailed examples of empathy-based listening in practice within a high-stakes situation. Though not as dangerous as Eric’s, you find yourself in high-stakes situat...2022-07-1415 min
Decidedly I Decision Tips for Business OwnersEp.45 I Eric Maddox I Deciding to Find Saddam Hussein: An Empathy-Based Approach to Interrogation (rebroadcast)Special Ops Interrogator, Eric Maddox joins the show to share his story of working though nightly raids, endless interrogations, and top-secret conditions as he sought out to find Saddam Hussein as Lead Interrogator. This episode will provide detailed examples of empathy-based listening in practice within a high-stakes situation. Though not as dangerous as Eric’s, you find yourself in high-stakes situations in your business and leadership endeavors every day. How can Eric’s empathy-based approach alter the cooperation within your team?DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THE FULL EPISODE?Check out the 15-minute highlights from...2022-07-1354 min
Middle East Monitor ConversationsMEMO in Conversation with: Eric Maddox and Dalia ShurrabMEMO speaks with Eric Maddox and Dalia Shurrab to discuss the Palestine Podcast Academy initiative. The project connects Palestinians across Gaza, Jerusalem and the West Bank for training in podcast production and an extended mentorship programme.Eric Maddox is the founder and director of the Palestine Podcast Academy, and host and lead producer of Latitude Adjustment Podcast.Dalia Shurrab is a Gaza-based entrepreneur and a content marketing expert.2022-04-1552 min
The Business of MeetingsWhat You Gain from Empathy-Based Trust with Eric MaddoxWe have the pleasure of speaking to someone truly fascinating today! Eric Maddox is the person who led the team in the capture of Saddam Hussein. He has had a tremendous impact on the world and has received numerous prestigious awards for his achievements! In this episode, Eric tells his story, talks about his experiences, shares his methodology for the art of Empathy Based Listening, and discusses how that methodology allowed him to track down the exact location of the spider hole in which Saddam Hussein was hiding. We hope you enjoy listening to our con...2022-01-1146 min
Decidedly I Decision Tips for Business OwnersEp.9 I Eric Maddox I Deciding to be an Empathetic Listener: Frameworks from the Interrogator that Found Saddam HusseinThis week, Special Ops Interrogator, Eric Maddox joins the show for part 2 of a 2-part episode. In this episode, Eric shares his story of working though nightly raids, endless interrogations, and top-secret conditions as he sought out to find Saddam Hussein through the process of empathy-based listening.This episode will provide detailed examples of empathy-based listening in practice within a high-stakes situation. He shares effective methods of asking the “right” questions, following conversational breadcrumbs, building trust, and conquering your own relational pitfalls. Though not as dangerous as Eric’s experience, you find yourself in high-stakes situations in your busine...2021-11-0339 min
Decidedly I Decision Tips for Business OwnersEp.8 I Eric Maddox I Deciding to Find Saddam Hussein: An Empathy-Based Approach to InterrogationThis week, Special Ops Interrogator, Eric Maddox joins the show to share his story of working though nightly raids, endless interrogations, and top-secret conditions as he sought out to find Saddam Hussein as Lead Interrogator. This episode will provide detailed examples of empathy-based listening in practice within a high-stakes situation. Though not as dangerous as Eric’s, you find yourself in high-stakes situations in your business and leadership endeavors every day. How can Eric’s empathy-based approach alter the cooperation within your team?ABOUT ERIC MADDOXWebsite: ericmaddox.comInstagram: @eric_b_maddoxLinkedIn: http...2021-10-2754 min
Leaders & LagersEP. 101 - Eric Maddox/Yuzu LagerOn this week’s podcast we are joined by Special Guest Eric Maddox, a former US Army Special Forces Interrogator who conducted over 300 interrogations and collected intelligence that led to the direct capture of Saddam Hussein. He now consults with the corporate world on the lessons of Empathy-Based Listening. I share a glass of Yuzu Lager from the Kiuchi Brewery in Ibaraki-ken, Japan.Upon graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 1994, Eric Maddox joined the U.S. Army as an infantry paratrooper for the 82nd Airborne Division. After spending three years as a paratrooper, jumpmaster and a qualified ra...2021-10-0142 min
Undaunted.Life: A Man's Podcast by Kyle Thompson230 – BOTCHING AFGHANISTAN | Eric MaddoxIn this episode, we continue our Botching Afghanistan series, where we give friends of the show the ability to give their brief thoughts on the situation currently going on in Afghanistan. This episode features veteran, author, speaker, and interrogation expert Eric Maddox. Eric served three tours in Afghanistan and was part of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) team responsible for tracking down Saddam Hussein. Let’s get into it...
Episode notes and links: https://www.undaunted.life/podcast/ericmaddox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2021-08-2330 min
Don Wenner's Elite Impact PodcastEric Maddox Ep. 8 | Empathy Based ListeningToday we have Eric Maddox on the show. Eric Maddox is an American public speaker, author, and former special operations soldier. He was attached to a Delta Force Special Operations team that was part of the Joint Special Operations Command responsible for tracking down the most wanted men in Iraq. During his six-month tour with this Delta Force team, Eric conducted over 300 interrogations and collected intelligence which directly led to the capture of Saddam Hussein. Eric is a business consultant who teaches business leaders how to win trust through empathy-based listening.Three Things Listeners Will T...2021-08-1842 min
The Human Side of GreatnessBuilding Trust in Challenging Times - Conversation with Eric Maddox Part - 2Eric Maddox discusses the inside story of capturing Saddam Hussein. He shares his proven method of Empathy Based Listening to build better business leaders, develop deeper relationships, and cultivate trust in any situation. Teaching Business Leaders to Win Trust Through Empathy-Based Listening Techniques is what he does!Eric Maddox is an American public speaker, author and former special operations soldier. He was member of a Delta Force Special Operations team in Tikrit that was part of the Joint Special Operations Command responsible for tracking down the most wanted men in Iraq. During his six m...2021-07-2544 minThe Human Side of GreatnessBuilding Trust in Challenging Times - Conversation with Eric Maddox Part -1Eric Maddox discusses the inside story of capturing Saddam Hussein. He shares his proven method of Empathy Based Listening, to build better business leaders, develop deeper relationships, and cultivate trust in any situation. Teaching Business Leaders to Win Trust Through Empathy-Based Listening Techniques is what he does!Eric Maddox is an American public speaker, author and former special operations soldier. He was member of a Delta Force Special Operations team in Tikrit that was part of the Joint Special Operations Command responsible for tracking down the most wanted men in Iraq. During his six m...2021-07-2546 min
Better Place Project with Steve NorrisThe Future of News Media: A Conversation with Eric Maddox, Executive Director of Open Roads MediaAs reported by NPR, Forbes, Reuters and many others, Eric Maddox is the Executive Director of Open Roads Media and the Founder and producer of Virtual Dinner Guest Project. He completed his undergraduate studies in Philosophy and Classic Literature and his MA in International Conflict Transformation. After completing his graduate field research in the West Bank, Eric set up the very first Virtual Dinner Guest Project in Mexico in 2011. Since that time, Eric has traveled throughout the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and Europe to expand the network and the impact of The Virtual...2021-03-161h 13
The Great Man WithinListening Skills from The Interrogator who Caught Saddam Hussein feat Eric Maddox#204: Join our Facebook Group for Men: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheGreatManWithin “Ladies and Gentlemen, we got him.” - Head of US occupation in Iraq Paul Bremer These were the words spoken by Paul Bremer, Head of US occupation in Iraq on December 13th, 2003…after the successful capture of one of the world’s most elusive terrorists…Saddam Hussein. But for the years leading up to that crucial moment in American and world history, America’s special forces searched desperately for Saddam Hussein without luck. Fortunes for the pursuit...2021-02-0157 min
The Alpha Human PodcastEx-DIA Interrogator Eric Maddox: Hunting the Ace of Spades - The Capture of Saddam HusseinEric Maddox is a former U.S. Army Staff Sergeant, 82nd Airborne Infantry Paratrooper, Jumpmaster, and Qualified Ranger, who went on to become an interrogator and Chinese Mandarin linguist with the Defense Intelligence Agency. In 2003, Eric was assigned by the DIA to a Delta Force Special Operations team in Iraq, where he conducted over 300 interrogations and collected the intelligence which directly led to the capture of Saddam Hussein. As a result, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Defense Intelligence Agency’s Director’s Award, and the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement. He was later hired to work w/ the...2021-01-131h 57
Spirit of EQCandice Thomas-Maddox, PhD, Professor of Communication Studies, Ohio UniversityHow has COVID-19 affected the university setting?We talk with Dr. Candice Thomas-Maddox, Professor of Communication Studies at Ohio University-Lancaster, about how educators and students are navigating through these uncharted waters.Specifically, we talk about college and emotional intelligence. We tie this into how 2020 has impacted students' decisions and choices, and how improvement in decision-making can help navigate times of fast change.Some EQ areas we cover are Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation, Empathy, and Exercising Optimism through this education crisis.Dr. Candice Thomas-Maddox (Ed.D. - West Virginia University) is Professor...2021-01-1153 min
Latitude AdjustmentLast Censor in the Western WorldDavid Shanks is the Chief Censor for New Zealand. As his title implies he is responsible for determining what is and what is not fit for public consumption, what ratings should be applied to various media, as well as other less obvious details that highlight the elusive line between protected speech and speech that constitutes a danger to public safety. We first reached out to David’s office after the BBC highlighted a series of videos from the government of New Zealand encouraging parents to discuss online porn consumption and cyber bullying with their kids. One of the defining mo...2020-09-141h 16
Five Games for DoomsdayEric SummererThis weeks guest is host of The Dice Tower, audio book artist and voice of board gaming, Eric Summerer. We talk about celebrity, joining the dice tower and what makes a good voice actor...but which games did he choose? Support the show here. Can't Stop Marvel Legendary Quacks of Quedlinburg The Crew Merchant of VenusBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/five-games-for-doomsday--5631121/support.2020-09-071h 10
Latitude AdjustmentLive! On the Ground in BeirutThis episode is the audio version of a live video broadcast that aired on Friday, August 7th, featuring guests on the ground in Beirut, Lebanon. Our guests are Mohammad Hamoud, a Lebanese activist and humanitarian relief worker, and Rita Kabalan, a Lebanese-American photojournalist based in Beirut. On Tuesday, August 4th, a massive explosion rocked Beirut's port when tons of improperly stored ammonium-nitrate was ignited by a fire in a storage facility. Now, more than a week on from the explosion the death toll already numbers more than 200, with approximately ,6000 injured and hundreds of thousands left homeless. This m...2020-08-131h 19
Latitude AdjustmentRalph NaderRalph Nader is a five-time candidate for US president and a public servant who has improved the lives of Americans and of many people around the world through his 6 decades of work as a consumer advocate and civil liberties defender. We speak about the current status of civil rights protests, coronavirus, Palestine, corporate corruption, and about his new cookbook and the connection between our kitchens and the health of our communities. And we share a little about our own work on The Virtual Dinner Guest Project.2020-07-291h 05
Latitude AdjustmentOn the Ground in Idlib, SyriaIdlib, in northern Syria, is one of the few parts of the country that have not been recaptured by the Assad regime but nearly a decade of war has taken an extreme toll on its inhabitants, with Coronavirus, continued fighting, and economic collapse creating a perfect humanitarian storm that has left Idlib in its most desperate circumstances of the war, with millions facing imminent risk of starvation, exposure to the elements, and perhaps another mass movement of people from the region like the world has not seen since 2015. Nour Qurmosh grew up in Idlib and c...2020-07-201h 12
Latitude AdjustmentLive! - Asylum Conditions in Greece and the BalkansThis show is the audio-only version of a live chat hosted on July 10th, featuring guests Milena Zajović from Are You Syrious?, Douglas Herman from ReFocus Media Labs, and Carmen Dupont from Lesvos Solidarity - Pikpa. You can catch our weekly-(ish) live chat discussions most Fridays on the Latitude Adjustment FB page, or you can check our Live Video Chats archive to watch and share them later. Also, we’d like to formally introduce the show’s new co-host, Laila Mokhiber! Be sure to catch our four-part podcast series including field reports from...2020-07-171h 11
Latitude AdjustmentGlobal Arms TradeThe global arms industry may only account for about one percent of global trade, but it’s important to note what that one percent is buying and the role that arms sales play in influencing other aspects of global trade and political relations. We speak with Frank Slijper in Groningen, The Netherlands, where Frank leads a project on the global arms trade for Pax, a global peace research and advocacy organization. Intro: Eric Maddox Interview with Frank Slijper (9:02-1:13:10) Closing Remarks: Eric Maddox (1:13:17-1:17:50)2020-06-271h 18
Latitude AdjustmentMinneapolis & Police BrutalityOn May 25th George Floyd was detained and murdered by police in Minneapolis, Minnesota, making him only the most recent high profile case of an unarmed African American dying at the hands of law enforcement in the United States. The killing was captured on camera by witnesses and massive protests erupted almost immediately, starting in Minneapolis and quickly spreading to dozens of cities across the US, in what have become the largest civil rights protests in over half a century, since the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. For this episode we speak to two young men in...2020-06-051h 58
Latitude AdjustmentGaza and CoronavirusWe speak with Dr. Sadi Nkhala about the implications of a coronavirus outbreak in the Gaza Strip. Gaza has presently been spared from the worst case scenario, but like many poor communities, and like many communities containing large numbers of refugees, it is uniquely vulnerable. Like the rest of Gaza’s 2 million inhabitants, Sadi has been living under the Israeli-imposed siege on the coastal territory since 2007.2020-05-2036 min
Latitude AdjustmentRefugee Crisis in Greece - AidThis is the final episode of a four-part series on the refugee crisis in Greece, undertaken in collaboration with Croation NGO, Are You Syrious. This episode features a range of perspectives from locals, internationals, volunteers, and founders on Lesvos and in Athens, including: Douglas Herman from Refocus Media Labs; Lesvos (7:14) Eric Kempson from the Hope Project; Lesvos (1:10:51) Salam Aldeen from Team Humanity; Lesvos (1:36:44) Myrto Symeonidou from Migratory Birds; Athens (2:01:49) Mania and Mado from Network for Children’s Rights; Athens (2:22:42)2020-05-012h 49
Latitude AdjustmentA Refugee Camp Based On SolidarityOriginally from Athens, Efi Latsoudi studied psychology and worked with a range of vulnerable communities before moving to Lesvos in 2001. Efi’s experiences and her story provide a historical perspective on the refugee crisis in Greece that we almost never get from traditional media. For starters, refugees didn’t start coming to Greece in 2015. That story starts much earlier, and many of the problems and tensions we are seeing today are a repeat of events that took place more than a decade ago. Efi Latsoudi began her work with refugees on Lesvos in the mid 2000’s but it was in 201...2020-04-141h 09
Latitude AdjustmentGreece- Refugees Tell Their StoriesThese are the personal testimonies of refugees from Moria Refugee Camp on the Greek Island of Lesvos and in Athens. These interviews were recorded in January and February as part of our collaboration with Are You Syrious. Much has transpired in Greece and in the world since we spoke, but their stories remain current and are in many ways timeless examples of what many of our parents, grandparents and neighbors endured before settling in our communities. As the Coronavirus bears down on the most vulnerable people it’s critical that we make space to hear and share their stories ra...2020-03-312h 13
Latitude AdjustmentSpecial Report from Greece & TurkeyMuch has changed in recent weeks since we left Greece, and before bringing you the personal testimonies and field interviews that we gathered from refugees, volunteers, Greek citizens, and stakeholders during our time in Lesvos and Athens in January and February, we wanted to touch base with some people on the ground in Greece and Turkey to get up to speed on the fast-changing situation in and between these countries. Douglas Herman a journalist and co-founder of Refocus Media Labs, a nonprofit organization that teaches media skills to asylum seekers. Douglas has been based on L...2020-03-142h 08
Latitude AdjustmentThe Protests - AlgeriaWhile it might seem like an obscure topic due to scant coverage in the Western press, a quick review of the facts makes it clear that we ignore Algeria at our peril. First of all, it’s Africa’s biggest country by land mass, and home to a population larger than Canada’s. It’s also home to Africa’s largest company, state owned oil giant Sonatrach, a major exporter of fuel to Western Europe. We dive deeper into the nuances and into the layered intrigues that define Algeria’s history, and what’s been happening since popular protests removed longti...2020-02-102h 05
Latitude AdjustmentAddicted. Incarcerated. Inspired. Elected.In May of 2019, Pittsburgh resident Bethany Hallam defeated a nearly 20-year incumbent to become Allegheny County Councilor at Large. She takes her seat in January, 2020. What's truly remarkable about her victory is the story that precedes it. Bethany watched the 2016 US presidential election from the Allegheny County Jail as an inmate and recovering heroin addict. She shares her journey from addiction, to incarceration, to her inspiration to run for local elected office in a metro area of over a million people. And I also take the opportunity to share a little about my own journey. It was h...2019-12-301h 47
Latitude AdjustmentThe Protests - ChileIn mid-October, 2019 protests broke out in Santiago, and spread across the nation in what quickly became the largest display of civil unrest in Chile since the Pinochet dictatorship. On October 25th an estimated 1.2 million people took to the streets of Santiago demanding Sebastián Piñera’s resignation. Hundreds of human rights abuse cases have been reported by individuals, human rights organizations, and medical professionals. We speak with three guests: American filmmaker and journalist Joshua Tucker, Chilean social researcher Lorena Ortiz, and Chilean Sociologist and professor Conrado Soto Karelovic.2019-12-182h 17
QuaxEp. 40 Interview with Eric Maddox: Interrogation, Saddam Hussein, and Empathy Based ListeningLucas interviews Eric Maddox about his interrogations during the 2003 Iraq war, and what we can learn from the methods he developed.Army Staff Sergeant Eric Maddox was and is an interrogator who served in 2003 in Iraq, in South East Asia, and other places around the world. He has more than 2700 interrogations under his belt, and an amazing story to tell us that delves into an aspect of health and wellness that we have rarely talked about, and that is listening and having healthy relationships. Eric has been awarded many decorations including the DIA director’s award, the legion of merit, th...2019-11-2753 min
Latitude AdjustmentThe Protests - IraqThe current protests in Iraq began at the start of October. Much like the ongoing protests in Lebanon, the protests in Iraq have largely been mobilized by youth, with no clear leadership, and with a decidedly anti-sectarian focus, with demands to address chronic unemployment, and to reform entrenched corruption and rule by political elites. They are also the largest protest in Iraq since the end of the Saddam Hussein regime. Unlike Lebanon, protests in Iraq have seen a heavy handed response from the government that has already led to more than 300 deaths. We speak with...2019-11-2140 min
Latitude AdjustmentThe Protests - LebanonSince mid October Lebanon has seen some of its largest protests in years, and in this a country where sectarianism has been institutionalized since the end of the 15-year-long civil war, it’s noteworthy that one of the issues that protestors are rallying against is sectarianism itself. We talk to activist and development professional Jad Sakr in Beirut to get more context on the causes and aspirations for these protests, as well as the many challenges to be overcome. This episode is the first in a series that Latitude Adjustment podcast will be putting out on...2019-11-211h 19
Latitude AdjustmentTransgender CommunityAdrien Lawyer is the founder and director of the Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico, an organization that “provides support, community, and connection to transgender, gender nonconforming, nonbinary, and gender variant people and their families through advocacy, education, and direct services.” For this conversation I wanted to avoid the trap of playing it safe by asking easy questions and settling for easy answers, and instead just let my confusion and my preconceptions hang out there and see what came back at me. Whether you identify as transgender, or as someone who is questioning, or as an a...2019-11-081h 37
Dreams ARE RealInternational Conflict expert Eric Maddox leverages film and food to inspire powerful dialogueEric Maddox embodies the idea that we should be brave enough to be radically curious. He grew up in the USA, earning an advanced degree in International Conflict Transformation. Eric lived in the West Bank, traveled the US-Mexico border, and conducted research which led him to launch The Virtual Dinner Guest Project. He inspirationally shares the power of connecting historically conflicted groups around the world, hosts the Latitude Adjustment Podcast, and leads Open Roads Media, a compelling nonprofit. About the Guest: Eric completed his undergraduate studies in Philosophy and Classic Literature and his graduate degree...2019-11-071h 15
Latitude AdjustmentZimbabweWhat comes to mind when you think of Zimbabwe? Perhaps a generic collection of images from the African continent? Wildlife, poverty, and despotism? Perhaps the rule of revolutionary icon and then dictator, Robert Mugabe, or the astronomical rates of inflation and illness and out-migration that have captured the scant bit of international publicity that the country has received in recent years? When I traveled to Zimbabwe as a 14-year-old the country changed how I viewed the world and my place in it forever, and while the country has endured much hardship since I visited back in 1992, it...2019-10-281h 23
Latitude AdjustmentThe Gulf's Dirty SecretThe Kafala or “sponsorship” system is used throughout the Gulf countries (as well as in Jordan and Lebanon) to monitor and organize migrant laborers, from recruitment abroad to their management upon arrival, and particularly in the construction and domestic work sectors. Under the Kafala system a migrant worker’s presence in a host country is linked entirely to their employer, with the effect that it’s not only difficult or impossible to switch jobs, but all elements of their daily lives from access to their passports, their freedom of movement, their living conditions, their ability to leave the coun...2019-10-121h 11
Latitude AdjustmentAfricaTown, Alabama (2 of 2)In this second of a two-part conversation I talk to Major Joe Womack (USMC-retired) about AfricaTown. Now part of Mobile, Alabama, AfricaTown was founded by survivors of the last slave ship to bring Africans to the US. And the shipwreck was just discovered in 2019. Joe Womack was born and raised there and now he is leading a fight to prevent its ongoing exploitation and pollution by toxic industries. It’s a story that goes to the heart, not only of the Deep South, but of America’s failure to reconcile itself to the darkest chapters of its history. It’s also...2019-09-261h 00
Latitude AdjustmentAfricaTown, Alabama (1 of 2)In this first of a two-part conversation I talk to Major Joe Womack (USMC-retired) about AfricaTown. Now part of Mobile, Alabama, AfricaTown was founded by survivors of the last slave ship to bring Africans to the US. And the shipwreck was just discovered in 2019. Joe Womack was born and raised there and now he is leading a fight to prevent its ongoing exploitation and pollution by toxic industries. It’s a story that goes to the heart, not only of the Deep South, but of America’s failure to reconcile itself to the darkest chapters of its history. It’s also...2019-09-2646 min
Latitude AdjustmentGaza Sky Geeks & Women in PalestineDalia Shurrab is the Communication and Social Media Coordinator at Gaza Sky Geeks. We talk about the challenges of running the first tech hub in the Gaza Strip and the status of women's rights in Palestine.2019-09-131h 11
Latitude AdjustmentArmenia, Armenians & Armenian-ness (2 of 2)In this second half of our two-part conversation with Nareg Seferian we speak about the Armenian Genocide, the modern state of Armenia, the Armenian diaspora, and Armenian identity. Nareg Seferian received his education in India, Armenia, the United States, and Austria. Nareg served on the faculty at the American University of Armenia for three years, and he is currently pursuing his PhD at Virginia Tech's School of Public and International Affairs in the Washington, DC area. His research and writing has focused on diverse aspects of Armenian politics and society, at the national and regional level, as we...2019-08-2953 min
Latitude AdjustmentArmenia, Armenians & Armenian-ness (1 of 2)In this first half of our two-part conversation with Nareg Seferian we speak about the Armenian Genocide, the modern state of Armenia, the Armenian diaspora, and Armenian identity. Nareg Seferian received his education in India, Armenia, the United States, and Austria. Nareg served on the faculty at the American University of Armenia for three years, and he is currently pursuing his PhD at Virginia Tech's School of Public and International Affairs in the Washington, DC area. His research and writing has focused on diverse aspects of Armenian politics and society, at the national and regional level, as we...2019-08-291h 14
Nowhere To Go But Up#13 Eric Maddox Schools me on Iran & The Middle EastIn this episode I learned quite a bit about Iran, and the role the United States & Israel play in determining how foreign policy is made in the Middle East. I also learned how a lack of curiosity by people in the West, could play a part in why things never change in this part of the world. Eric is the host of "The Latitude Adjustment" Podcast. This has become one of my favorite Podcasts'. This Podcast has allowed me to travel to places I would probably never have gone , through the stories he brings of the people l...2019-08-251h 16Nowhere To Go But Up#13 Eric Maddox Schools me on Iran & The Middle EastIn this episode I learned quite a bit about Iran, and the role the United States & Israel play in determining how foreign policy is made in the Middle East. I also learned how a lack of curiosity by people in the West, could play a part in why things never change in this part of the world. Eric is the host of "The Latitude Adjustment" Podcast. This has become one of my favorite Podcasts'. This Podcast has allowed me to travel to places I would probably never have gone , through the stories he brings of the people l...2019-08-251h 16
Latitude AdjustmentKashmirOur guest this week is a young Kashmiri woman currently living in Mumbai. Situated in a mountainous region between India and Pakistan, Kashmir has been a nominal part of India since shortly after India and Pakistan both gained independence from the British in 1947. It’s also India’s only Muslim majority state and was the battleground in two separate wars between India and Pakistan and several armed conflicts between the two nuclear-armed rivals, including one limited engagement earlier this year. Under article 370 of the Indian constitution Kashmir was guaranteed broad autonomy, including a separate constitution, and...2019-08-171h 33
Latitude AdjustmentStateless - Myanmar's Rohingya PeopleIn 1982 the Myanmar (Burmese) military government passed a citizenship law that effectively stripped the Rohingya community of their nationality overnight. They’ve been stateless ever since, and subject to institutionalized discrimination and coordinated persecution that has greatly restricted their movement and their access to jobs and education. In August of 2017 Myanmar’s military began an offensive to drive many Rohingya out of their homes in Rakhine state, with the result that roughly 900,000 refugees have fled the country, with reports of widespread and coordinated attacks utilizing arson, rape, and mass killing that bear signs of genocide. Refugee camps in n...2019-08-031h 20
Latitude AdjustmentThe Fulani People - Conflict in Mali (2 of 2)For this second half of our conversation we discuss the ongoing inter-communal violence in Central Mali, the features of Jihadist movements in the region, the prospects and barriers to peace, and the regional and geopolitical implications of these factors and why you should take notice of what's happening in the Sahel. Dougoukolo Ba-Konare is a clinical psychologist and teacher of Fula Language and Societies at the National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations in Paris, and a founding member of Kisal (an organization working on the promotion of human rights in the Sahel. 2019-07-2246 min
Latitude AdjustmentThe Fulani People, A Culture of the Sahel (1 of 2)The Fulani are an ethnic group of around 40 million people who inhabit Africa’s Sahel region, the transitional biozone that spans the African continent from the Atlantic to the Red Sea and where the sands of the Sahara gradually give way to the savanna of central Africa. Traditionally a pastoral nomadic culture, they have long experienced tensions in some of the communities they call home, and are often treated as outsiders. Some of these conflicts have made international headlines recently, most notably in central Mali, where Jihadist groups and a lack of governmental authority have left communities vulnerable, and wh...2019-07-2156 min
Life as Leadership: Where Leaders Gather to Grow TogetherThe Surprising Power of Empathy-Based Listening with Eric MaddoxEric Maddox is the Army interrogator who, while attached to a Delta Force team in Iraq, collected the intelligence which led to the capture of Saddam Hussein. He subsequently became the first civilian interrogator for the Defense Intelligence Agency and went on to conduct over 2700 interrogations. Eric has repeatedly been able to influence those who have zero trust in him, to make the decision to give him information, even more than he asked, without using torture. Eric honed his systematic methods of creating influence in hostile environments but has found they are equally as useful in building or retaining relationships...2019-07-0931 minLife as Leadership: Where Leaders Gather to Grow TogetherThe Surprising Power of Empathy-Based Listening with Eric MaddoxEric Maddox is the Army interrogator who, while attached to a Delta Force team in Iraq, collected the intelligence which led to the capture of Saddam Hussein. He subsequently became the first civilian interrogator for the Defense Intelligence Agency and went on to conduct over 2700 interrogations. Eric has repeatedly been able to influence those who have zero trust in him, to make the decision to give him information, even more than he asked, without using torture. Eric honed his systematic methods of creating influence in hostile environments but has found they are equally as useful in building or retaining relationships...2019-07-0931 min
Latitude AdjustmentAfghanistan - Living With the US OccupationBasir Bita spent his childhood as a refugee in Iran and moved back to Afghanistan in 2003, which means he has spent his entire adult life living under the US occupation. He currently lives in Kabul where he works as a peace activist and as a consultant monitoring and evaluating risk factors for corruption. We discuss the current peace talks between the US and the Taliban, and what he has learned talking to people from across Afghanistan’s ethnically diverse society. Also be sure to check out our previous conversation with Abdoul Saboor who fled Afghanistan after th...2019-07-081h 06
Latitude AdjustmentHong Kong Protests - Local PerspectivesIn June more than 2 million Hong Kong residents took to the streets to protest a proposed law that could see residents of the global financial center subject to extradition and criminal prosecution in China, undercutting the delicate "one country, two systems" policy that was to remain in place for 50 years after the 1997 handover from the British. Today, on the anniversary of the handover, the protestors stormed and occupied the Hong Kong legislature. For this show we speak with two guests: a professor of cultural studies in Hong Kong whose research focuses on youth activism, and an anonymous...2019-07-011h 11
Latitude Adjustment95 Years Old & On Hunger StrikeSally-Alice Thompson is a World War 2 veteran, a peace activist, a New Mexico resident, and at 95 years old she just started her first hunger strike to bring an end to US sanctions and for US support for sieges that are pushing children into starvation and depriving populations of their basic needs. Sign the Petition and Learn More. 2019-06-2320 min
Latitude AdjustmentSudan- Massacre in Khartoum (2 of 2)This segment of our two-part interview with Dahlia Al Roubi was recorded on Tuesday, June 4th, the day after the current government crackdown began against protestors in Khartoum. As of this episode roughly 100 people have been killed by government forces, with reports that scores of bodies have been dumped into the Nile. As of June 6th, Sudan’s membership in the African Union has been revoked. Sudan’s military council has suspended talks with protestors and unilaterally called for elections to be held within 9 months. The forces spearheading this apparent massacre appear to be the RSF or “Rapid...2019-06-0641 min
Latitude AdjustmentSudan- Women in Revolution (1 of 2)For this first part of a two-part conversation, we talk to Sudanese activist Dahlia Al Roubi about the what it was like growing up under the regime of recently deposed dictator Omar Al Bashir, how the current revolution swept Sudan, starting in December of last year, the challenges of weighing the purity of revolutionary principles against the practical constraints of time and competing interests, and about the role of women who took a leading role in the street protests but who now appear to be left out of the negotiations. Dahlia and I recorded this first part...2019-06-061h 35
Latitude AdjustmentAre You Syrious?Have you ever watched a humanitarian crisis unfolding on the news and witnessed the subsequent failure of leaders to lead, and thought to yourself, "I wish I could get some friends together and just do something to make this better?" That's what Milena Zajović and a few of her friends in Croatia did when the largest refugee crisis to hit Europe since World War 2 came to their borders in the Summer of 2015. That initial impulse lead to the creation of Are You Syrious?, a nonprofit that focuses on field work, integration, and advocacy for refugees in the Ba...2019-05-221h 34
Latitude AdjustmentBringing Palestine to the USFaisel Saleh was born the 11th of 11 children in the West Bank town of El Bireh after his parents fled from their home near Jaffa (near Tel Aviv) during the 1948 war. Those events created the state of Israel and what 700,000 Palestinians and their millions of descendants refer to as “The Nakba”, or the catastrophe. Faisal come to the US in 1969 to pursue his education, later becoming a successful entrepreneur. Last year he founded the Palestine Museum US, in Woodbridge, Connecticut, the first museum of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. In addition to providing a space to shar...2019-05-091h 05
Latitude AdjustmentOn the Ground in YemenWe hear very little about the war that is taking place in Yemen, which is now in its fifth year. And we hear even less about this war in the words of Yemeni’s themselves, and far less still from those who are still in Yemen. This episode represents a small effort to address this disparity. Adel Hashem is the director of Human Needs Development in Sana’a, and organization that is working on the ground to deliver food, medical, and education support to the Yemeni people. Though the war in Syria, and other regional conf...2019-05-0139 min
Latitude AdjustmentOut of Options - Syrian & Yemeni in MalaysiaWhile much has been written about the "refugee crisis" coming to Western shores, we rarely hear about the long standing crises across the Global South, where 85% of the world's forcibly displaced people's have been forced to seek refuge. Hashed had to flee Yemen after his father was killed, and what followed was an odyssey that has taken him from Djibouti, to India, to Malaysia, where his struggle is far from over. Hassan is from Syria, and he also wound up in Malaysia, after his work visa in the UAE expired and the Emirati government threatened...2019-04-1754 min
Latitude AdjustmentWe Need To Talk About FGMFatma Naib won a Peabody Award in 2017 for her film, “The Cut”, which she and her team completed for Al Jazeera English on the subject of Female Genital Mutilation. FGM is a non-medical procedure that involves partial or radical removal of young women’s genitalia, and while widely practiced in parts of Africa and the Middle East, is neither limited to these regions nor defined by theology or religion. The practice is typically linked to a right of passage, sexual purity, or as a marker of cultural identity (or all three), and its impact on the lives of tens of mil...2019-04-071h 07
Latitude AdjustmentMalta & Refugees in the MediterraneanMaria Pisani PhD is a Maltese citizen, lecturer, former head of office for the International Organization for Migration on Malta, and co-founder and director of Integra Foundation. As the EU’s smallest and southern-most member state Malta has long been on the front lines of one of the busiest and the deadliest migratory path on earth, where more than 14,000 people have lost their lives since 2014, attempting the crossing from North African shores to the EU. We discuss Malta’s role in this discussion, the features of Maltese policies and how they have shifted over the years, and the moral, poli...2019-03-3143 min
Cultural Differences & Cultural Diversity in International Business116: Eric Maddox from Virtual Dinners to Open RoadsFrom virtual dinners to open roads projects with Eric Maddox. Listen here to the Culture Matters podcast on International Business.2019-03-2639 min
Latitude AdjustmentDemocratic Republic of the CongoThe DRC remains an enigma to many in the West, and for a variety of reasons. Whether it’s the lack of coverage, the singular focus on violence and poverty, or the silent bigotry that informs many Western attitudes towards the fortunes of Africans more generally, many of the roots causes of the people’s suffering continues to go ignored while aid money pours in, resources pour out, and little changes to improve the lives of the people. Murhula Zigabe is one example of many stories that we don’t hear about much in the Congo. He’s from the east...2019-03-231h 20
Latitude AdjustmentEpisode 27: Protester. Prisoner. Student. Syrian WomanThis month marks the 8th anniversary of the popular demonstrations in Syria that ultimately led to the war. Assil Alnaser's story takes us from the early days of those protests to her harrowing experiences as a prisoner, and then her escape and her struggles to find a home and a future in Jordan and Turkey, and later in the US, where she was subjected to the "Muslim Ban" twice after winning a scholarship. Assil's story provides a needed reminder of how the conflict in Syria started, it forces us to confront the double-victimization that many women face from their...2019-03-111h 11
Latitude AdjustmentWestern SaharaWestern Sahara is one of the world's forgotten occupations. In 1975 Spain ended its nearly century-long colonization of Spanish Sahara, leaving the territory to be overtaken by Moroccan and Mauritanian forces. Under the leadership of the POLISARIO front the Sahrawis continued their guerilla war for self determination. In 1979 Mauritania withdrew and Morocco moved in to claim the rest of the territory now known as Western Sahara. The war continued until 1991, until a UN-brokered ceasefire with the promise of a referendum on independence for Western Sahara that never came. Morocco continues to occupy Western Sahara, transferring its citizens to the territory...2019-03-0154 min
Latitude AdjustmentResearching Sex WorkKimberly Walters completed her PhD research in India, and her current project focuses on humanitarian interventions into the lives of women who sell sex in South India. We examine the competing narratives, political interests, and funding priorities that distinguish campaigns for the rights of sex workers from those that focus on abolition and rehabilitation. And we discuss how the very institutions which are supposed to be rescuing women from trafficking end up incarcerating, exploiting, and oppressing them further. This episode is a must listen no matter your level of familiarity with this subject, as donors can find themselves unwittingly...2019-02-201h 03
Latitude AdjustmentMuslim in America & RefugeesIsra Chaker is a force of nature, and we were lucky to get a few minutes to interrupt her whirlwind of advocacy, public speaking, and campaign organizing on issues ranging from Islamophobia and bullying, to refugees and asylum seekers, to the so-called “Muslim Ban” imposed by the current US administration. We talk about her experiences growing up as a Muslim in the US in the aftermath of September 11, and how she confronted the bullying she faced in school and the role this played in setting her on her current path. We also discuss her campaign to highlight the lives and...2019-02-1435 min
Latitude AdjustmentReporting IndiaMeena Menon is the author of three books, and her reporting career has seen her covering a broad range of topics in India, and also took her to Islamabad, Pakistan as the correspondent for The Hindu. We discuss her experiences as an Indian reporting from Pakistan as well as India-Pakistan relations, the suicides of tens of thousands of Indian farmers since the 1980’s and the colonial legacy of the cotton industry, the 1992-93 sectarian riots in Mumbai, and her thoughts on the upcoming general elections in India, the world’s largest democracy. Latitude Adjustment is 100% listener supported. Show...2019-02-071h 00
Latitude AdjustmentTraditional Survival Skills“Know more. Carry less.” That’s the philosophy behind the Boulder Outdoor Survival School where Eli Loomis teaches traditional and primitive survival skills (the knowledge and techniques used by indigenous peoples as opposed to military training). For its most intense course, BOSS takes students out on a 28-day trek through the Utah desert, where they learn to forage and survive with little more than a knife and a blanket. Eli also spent two seasons conducting marine biology research in Antarctica. When he’s not immersed in extreme outdoor environments Eli teaches university courses in Biology and Ecology in Washi...2019-01-301h 12
Latitude AdjustmentAnonymous in IranWe hear a lot about Iran in the Western press and from Western politicians, but we rarely seem to hear from the Iranian people themselves. This week’s episode is the first of what we hope are many efforts to try and correct that omission. Our guest is a young woman who is a documentary photographer from Tehran. Be sure to check the post for this episode on the Latitude Adjustment website for more resources. You'll also find instructions for how you can answer her question from the end of the show.2019-01-221h 05
Latitude AdjustmentThe Catalonia CrisisTxell Donyate is an Italian, French, English, Spanish, Catalan and Finnish linguist. And while she’s lived in Barcelona since 2014, she’s originally from the Comunidad Valenciana just to the south of Catalonia. She offers a unique outsider/ insider perspective on the independence movement in Catalonia. In October of 2017 the regional government of Catalonia held a referendum and then declared independence from Spain. This measure was quickly stopped by the central government in Madrid which invoked Article 155 of the Spanish constitution, stripping Catalonia of its autonomy, sacking the regional government, and imprisoning several ministers and prominent activists, whil...2019-01-141h 29
Latitude AdjustmentNo Name KitchenBruno Morán is from Asturias, Spain, and is a co-founder of No Name Kitchen, an NGO that provides food, sleeping bags, basic necessities, and a community space for refugees in transit along the Serbian and Bosnian borders with Croatia. In addition to providing basic services, No Name Kitchen has also become a primary point of contact for those who have been pushed back from the Croatian border, and as a result the organization has found itself involved in documenting and sharing the growing number of reported abuses by the Croatian border police against those who are s...2019-01-0546 min
Latitude AdjustmentEscape from AfghanistanAbdul Saboor worked with the US military in Afghanistan before having to flee the country after receiving death threats and having several friends and family members killed by the Taliban. What followed was an overland odyssey across Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, the Balkans, and back and forth across the EU, until he was able to claim asylum in France, where he currently lives. Along the way he endured prison, forced labor, beatings, deportations, and kidnapping. His is one of the more remarkable stories of resilience that I have come across in my years of traveling and working in the Middle...2018-12-251h 03
Latitude AdjustmentTrafficked to the USRosine Hounakey is from Togo, but was trafficked to the US at 13 years old and forced to work for free on both coasts of the US, and later into a coerced marriage, until she was freed with her two young sons as the result of an ICE raid when she was 17 years old. Rosine then had to go through foster care in various American cities, waking up at 5am every day to take her kids to school before completing high school herself, after years with no formal education, having taught herself English along the way. ...2018-12-162h 08
Latitude AdjustmentYupik AlaskanYaari Walker is a member of the Yupik tribe, and originally from the town of Savoonga on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska. She now resides in Anchorage, Alaska, where, in addition to being an activist, author, and entrepreneur, she works at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Yaari has been on a journey, as a survivor of physical abuse, substance abuse, and incarceration, to recovery, writing a book, starting a business in Native Medicinals, activism, and going back to college to study Psychology. We cover a lot of issues facing indigenous communities in Alaska, North America, and around the world, as...2018-12-081h 52
Latitude AdjustmentWheelchair World TravelCory Lee started Curb Free With Cory Lee, a travel blog for people who use wheelchairs and with accessibility needs. So far he's been to 6 continents and also tours as a public speaker. Aside from accessible travel we talk about Spinal Muscular Atrophy, the importance of self-advocacy, educating the public about wheelchair access, working for Obama's inaugural committee, navigating the complex relationships with caregivers, college life, riding a specially adapted camel, why Washington, DC is great for access, and more. Be sure to go to the link for this episode at LatitudeAdjustmentPod.com for more resources and...2018-11-281h 36
Latitude AdjustmentEnvironmental JournalismApril Reese is an environmental journalist based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, though her reporting has taken her all over the US, and around Australia where she drove clear around the continent. April explains the challenges of maintaining professional distance from subjects that impact all life on earth, and we discuss why it seems to be so difficult to get people to care about the one issue that matters more than anything else... the environment. Be sure to check out April's recent piece in Popular Science that covers the top science policy issue in every US state...2018-11-221h 32
Latitude AdjustmentMexicoI caught up with David Vrabo in Tijuana after his vehicle was taken away by the Mexican authorities upon crossing the border from California. We talk about pretty much everything you’d want to know about Mexico, from the stories he heard from migrant laborers while he was working as a press translator, the disappearances and mass graves scattered throughout Mexico, the complex realities of narco-trafficking and corruption in Mexican politics and law enforcement, and his 4,000 km bike ride from Mexico through Central America. We also get into the history and current events in Central America, from the caravan cu...2018-11-123h 03
Latitude AdjustmentSquat the PlanetMatthew Derrick is the founder of Squat the Planet, an "online community for misfit travelers". Starting out as a personal travel journal StP has evolved into an online community of anarchists, travel punks, train hoppers, and people from all walks of life connected by a commitment to "travel by any means necessary". Matt and I talk about his travels and what he envisions for the future of StP. Also be sure to check out my appearance on the Squat the Planet Podcast. 2018-10-281h 18
Latitude AdjustmentJade Saab - Canada, Class Consciousness, Communism & FascismIn the second half of our conversation Jade and I talk about the politics around being a "passport baby" in Canada, and the framing of immigration and citizenship in Canadian politics. Then we dive into political philosophy, discussing classical liberalism, various forms of communism, class consciousness, fascism, and some of the common distortions and misperceptions around these concepts. And Jade provides a reading list. Be sure to check out his TED talk on the post for this episode at LatitudeAdjustmentPod.com And be sure to follow my interview on the Squat the Planet Podcast. If you miss...2018-10-211h 56
Latitude AdjustmentJade Saab - Lebanon (1 of 2)I speak with Lebanese political writer, Jade Saab, about growing up in Lebanon, the country's struggle to balance institutionalized sectarianism with democracy, post colonial history, the Civil War, the 2015 garbage crisis, notions of direct democracy, and more. In the second half of our interview (episode 11) we'll discuss Jade's recent move to Canada, the framing of immigration in Canadian political discourse, and I try to understand how Communism and Fascism work. Jade Saab's Writing Eric Maddox on Squat the Planet Podcast Latitude Adjustment Podcast website 2018-10-141h 32
Latitude AdjustmentAnarchist Librarian of Slab CityCornelius Vango, is a traveler, musician, artist, and the genderqueer anarchist librarian of Slab City. Cornelius recently finished hitchhiking across Alaska with their dog Satan, and I caught up with them in Fresno, during the last segment of their long bus drive back to the Southern California desert. Latitude Adjustment website (with links to podcast platforms) Cornelius Vango YouTube channel Squat the Planet 2018-10-061h 51
Latitude AdjustmentEnergy JusticeBorn in Sri Lanka to Sri Lankan parents, Shanil Samarakoon spent his early childhood in Malawi, before moving to Sri Lanka as an adolescent. He’s currently pursuing his PhD in Energy Justice in Australia, while bouncing between Malawi and Sri Lanka for his nonprofit work with Empower, an organization that helps local communities form cooperatives to take the lead in determining their development priorities, especially around sustainable energy use and solar power. We also discuss the legacy of Sri Lanka's long civil war, contemporary politics in Australia as they relate to energy and immigration policies, and Shanil walks me t...2018-09-301h 34