Shows
What Do You Mean By That?17: New Year of Actions + Why Getting Names Right Matters If you're a repeat listener to the podcast over the last almost SEVEN years, you know that sometimes, we've done seasonal arcs in which we focus on a topic or theme for the season. (And if you've just found us - hello!) This year, we're doing something different: a year-long focus on action, which is the third pillar of our listen, learn, and act framework. It moves us from "what can I do?" to "here's how I show up." We'll take the things that you've been curious about (but didn't want to ask about, maybe...
2026-01-1325 min
What Do You Mean By That?13: How to Have Difficult Conversations, featuring Dr. Bill Doherty, Co-founder of Braver Angels Are you a little worried about holiday conversations with your relatives and family members in this increasingly polarized political climate? You're not alone. Welcome to something new – a live discussion with our guest, Dr. Bill Doherty, co-founder of Braver Angels and a deeply experienced relationship therapist, coaching one of us (Sara) through how to have difficult conversations, not in theory, but with an actual extended family member who has differing political viewpoints from me. Nowadays, politics is personal. So, as much as it's tempting to bury our heads in the sand, these conversations are skills of...
2025-11-1845 min
What Do You Mean By That?10: Elie Mystal on Bad Laws, Big Truths, and How to Change the System This episode is a must-listen for anyone who's ever felt like legal talk is impossible to understand (👋 Sara included!). We're joined by Elie Mystal, brilliant legal mind, powerful truth-teller, and New York Times bestselling author of Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy's Guide to the Constitution, to break down the complex world of American law and what Democrats are doing all wrong (and can do better) in a way that's sharp, accessible, and even funny. 💥 He's back with a bold new book: Bad Law: Ten Popular Laws That Are Ruining America. If you're fired up about the st...
2025-10-0753 min
What Do You Mean By That?03: How to be Kinder (not Nicer), with Dr. Kelli Harding This is Sara, and I remember the time 20 years ago when I got schooled by a psychoanalyst. It must have been the fall, because I was supremely agitated that I was having to write, design, and send holiday cards out to a huge list of people all by myself, without the help of my fiancé. If you know me, you know that cards were a staple of my winter growing up, with cards from my parents' friends stapled onto long felt ribbons hanging down each doorway, surrounding us with love and smiling faces for weeks on end. The therapist a...
2025-07-0139 min
Harvard College Class of 2000: The PodcastHarvard College 2000 Podcast: Sara BlanchardJoin us as Dara talks to Sara Blanchard, an author, podcast host, life coach, and facilitator who focuses on building community and connection through conscious conversation. Sara talks about meeting Misasha Suzuki Graham in college and their work together on the Dear White Women podcast and Dear White Women: Let’s Get (Un)comfortable Talking About Race book and how she got interested in positive psychology and why she advocates for a portfolio life. Sara lived in Greenough and Dunster and was an East Asian Studies concentrator. We are also deeply grateful to Sara for sharing her podcast wisdom an...
2025-02-0723 min
What Do You Mean By That?263: How Are You Trump-Proofing Your Life? We've arrived in 2025, and assuming President-Elect Trump is inaugurated, this means he will be the first president to take office convicted of felony crimes. And since we know that an organization's tone is often set by its leadership, we can't help wondering: how will we see Trump's leadership impact the culture of the United States, and how will this play out in our collective futures? Let's be real about where we are in this moment in history, courtesy of the Atlantic: "According to a report last year by the Varieties of Democracy Institute at the...
2025-01-1428 min
What Do You Mean By That?262: Farewell 2024, Hello 2025 Tomorrow, we'll be wishing our loved ones "akemashite omedetou gozaimasu" - or, Happy New Year, in Japanese. If you're a long-time listener, you know that DEI work (or whatever we'll be calling it going forward) is personal to us. We're both the daughters of a Japanese immigrant parent and a white American parent each; the ideas of multiculturalism and difference are embedded in our DNA, and we were raised to have respect not only for our own diverse histories, but those of all others in the world - after all, we're each only one of 8 billion people in the...
2024-12-3123 min
What Do You Mean By That?243: High Five, Friends - Where We've Been and Where We're Going This week marks the FIVE-YEAR anniversary of the Dear White Women podcast! That means we've outlasted almost all the other podcasts out there… like ya knew we would. From those first few episodes released altogether on April 15, 2019, to now… it's been quite the ride. This year, in order to kick off year SIX (!!!) of the podcast, we thought we'd devote an entire shorter episode to talking about not only the past five years but what we have in store for the future and that shot of hope for all of us. What to list...
2024-04-0921 min
What Do You Mean By That?236: DEAR WHITE WOMEN – Happy New Year 2024 Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu! Happy New Year! We like to split this episode, one we have done every year at this time of year for the last four years, into two parts – reflections and projections. You'll want to listen so you don't miss how to stay involved in what's next for us, the podcast, and 2024 as a whole. What to listen for: Our history, identities, and what we've learned in 2023, including huge successes through the year How to submit ideas for episode topics in 2024 & book us for speaking gi...
2024-01-0232 min
What Do You Mean By That?230: Mixed Asians and Immigration: It's Not A Simple Story You heard us talking with Alex Chester-Iwata the other week on the show, who is third-generationJapanese American, and was the first family member in decades to visit Japan. So, maybe like some of you listening, she has no direct experience with immigration – your family feels like it's "always been here" in America. That experience that Alex has of being mixed Asian is really different than what Misasha and Sara grew up with, as daughters of Japanese immigrant parents - we grew up visiting our parents' extended families in Japan and feeling kind of at home in...
2023-10-1024 min
What Do You Mean By That?228: Multiracial Asians - It's Time to Get Personal DEAR WHITE WOMEN - Multiracial Asians - it's time to get personal Why is talking about the multiracial identity and deconstructing the misperception of the Asian monolith important and relevant to you listening, if you're not multiracial? Several things. Census information - over 10% of the population identifies as multi-racial, but will changing demographics be enough to combat racism? We don't think so. Belonging matters - and if we're to create a thriving society, how do we ensure that multi-racial people belong? Legislation - and why we are where we are as a co...
2023-09-1216 min
What Do You Mean By That?224: Evergreen, with Naomi Hirahara If someone talks to me (Sara) about summer reading, honestly, my brain first goes to fiction novels. I love them, and I have been noticing that if they're particularly well-written, I end up learning a whole lot about humanity. And the book we're highlighting for you today is just one of those phenomenal book experiences. We're excited to bring to you a book set in the era just after World War II and the incarceration of Japanese Americans on American soil. So many books talk about the experiences IN those camps, but we've seen very few op...
2023-07-1830 min
What Do You Mean By That?217: The Biracial Asian Experience in America If you're listening to this episode when it's released, we're now in May of 2023, which is also AAPI Heritage Month. There are a lot of names for this month, which is great, as there are also a lot of countries and ethnicities represented by the simple word "Asian". But one group of people that is often left out of the overarching Asian umbrella are the biracial Asians - and, given our own identities in this space, this is something that we experience regularly. So, to kick off AAPI Heritage Month from a perspective not often...
2023-05-0238 min
What Do You Mean By That?214: Behind the Scenes: A Celebration to Kick Off Year FIVE of Dear White Women This week marks the FOUR YEAR anniversary of the Dear White Women podcast! From those first few episodes released altogether on April 15, 2019, to now… it's been quite the ride. This year, in order to kick off year five (!!!) of the podcast, we thought we'd devote an entire shorter episode to talking about not only the past four years but what we have in store for the future (you didn't think we'd end with four, did ya?). What to listen for: How the podcast has evolved since its start in April 2019 The st...
2023-04-1124 min
What Do You Mean By That?213: Why White Americans Turned Against Unions Most people that we know didn't grow up thinking about or knowing people who were involved in unions. Us too – until Sara married a union man. And it got us thinking… how have unions impacted all of our lives? Turns out, quite a lot. Here's one way: the length of the typical workday. Thank unions for 8 hours – because that didn't just magically happen out of the goodwill of employers. Unions campaigned for over 70 years to move the average workweek from 100 hours per week (!!) down to 40. At one stage, back in the 1950s, nearly one in three...
2023-04-0430 min
What Do You Mean By That?208: Negro League Baseball and MLB Today If you're listening to this episode around the time when it's being released, then you'll be listening to this right on the last day of Black History Month here in the United States. It should go without saying that Black History is American History, but we're going to say it anyway, and that it shouldn't be confined just to the shortest month of the year but instead should be taught to our kids every day of the year, and should be talked about by us as grownups by an equal amount. That said, it's important also to not just...
2023-02-2837 min
What Do You Mean By That?200: Big Plans for 2023Welcome to Episode 200 of our podcast, and welcome to 2023! Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu! (Happy New Year!) In our first episode of this new year, we want to reintroduce ourselves, give you a run of where we've been with our platform, and make sure you have an overview of what you can expect from us this coming year. As we're heading into yet another major election in 2024, if we want to build a community and country that actually looks out for ALL of us, there are things and people we need to know about so we can do things...
2023-01-0316 min
What Do You Mean By That?193: 100 Diverse Voices on Parenthood, with Jelani MemoryHey, so remember how last week we were talking about how we have hope? This is another conversation and way of thinking that gives me hope - in particular for anybody who knows children, knows new parents, or thinks they might eventually know folks who might want to stop reading the outdated encyclopedia that we call What to Expect when you're Expecting and flip over to a more contemporary, inclusive, humane book to learn about parenting. Misasha got the opportunity to speak with Jelani Memory recently on their Better Grownups podcast and we're thrilled to bring him bac...
2022-11-1528 min
What Do You Mean By That?189: The Book, ONE YEAR LATER!If you asked me (Misasha) at the end of 2021 how long it had been since we published our book, I would have told you 5 years, give or take 3 - because it felt like we had been thrown into this whirlwind of activity and PR and interviews and ALL OF THE THINGS about this book. So it seems impossible that just now marks the one-year anniversary of the publication of Dear White Women: Let's Get (Un)comfortable Talking About Racism! In honor of this one-year mark, we thought we'd sit down with each other to talk all things bo...
2022-10-1826 min
What Do You Mean By That?188: The Thread CollectorsHave you ever had your eyes glaze over when someone hands you a history textbook or walks you through a museum full of facts and dates? But then you hate yourself because you are smart and yet don't feel like you *know* things? I've been that person (it's Sara here) - which is why I'm absolutely thrilled to share this conversation with the authors of a fabulous historical fiction novel that taught me SO MUCH about American history and the Civil War in particular. We learned so much in reading this book, in particular about experiences that were never...
2022-10-1139 min
What Do You Mean By That?179: Fancy Asians, Jungle Asians, and the Model Minority MythHave you ever been that kid who tugged at the corner of your eyes, pretending to be Asian, or maybe even mocked people of Asian descent? In today's episode, Sara shares the story of when a little neighborhood boy did that to her. Sure, there might be some sweeping generalizations you can make about Asian people - a lot tend to have dark hair, more almond-shaped eyes - but the truth is, in America, people who fall into the broad bucket of "Asian" have among the largest differences of all the large groupings like White, or B...
2022-08-0911 min
What Do You Mean By That?176: Can I Say the N-Word? Absolutely Not. Here's Why.One question that comes up frequently enough from White, or non-Black, people to cause us to write not only a whole chapter in our book trying to answer it, but also record this podcast episode, is short but impactful: "Can I say the N-word?" The short answer is no. Absolutely not. The longer answer? Listen to this episode to hear not only why you should never be saying the n-word, but also why it's so important to educate our kids to never say it either. What to listen for: The history of how...
2022-07-1911 min
What Do You Mean By That?175: We're Still Talking About Slavery - and You Should Be, TooSo our book, Dear White Women: Let's Get (Un)comfortable Talking About Racism is broken into three sections: On Being White in America; On Being Black in America; On Being a Non-Black Person of Color in America. And here's the question we get when people see that structure: Why do we need to focus on the experiences of Black people in this country? In this episode, we tell you why - including sharing some things we all need to (re)learn, since it's not all taught in our schools. What to list...
2022-07-1211 min
What Do You Mean By That?171: On White PrivilegeAs biracial - Japanese and White - hosts of a long-running weekly podcast, we are very aware that, given how we look, we have, at times, benefited from White privilege. We are also very clear that this is a privilege that Misasha's Black husband will never once benefit from. Today's short episode dives into defining what White privilege is, explaining common misconceptions of the term, and what to do when we (or others) push back against accepting the truth about our privilege. Listen in and share this episode with a friend you think might be able to ta...
2022-06-1407 min
What Do You Mean By That?168: The Overground Railroad, with Candacy TaylorIn 2003, Misasha drove across the country from New York to Los Angeles with two of her law school girlfriends. In her words: "We were all Asian, and this was the time of SARS, so while they felt a LOT of eyes on us (and repeatedly joked, to ourselves, "no one cough, or we're never getting out of here", which wasn't so much of a joke as us trying to make light of a painful reality), we never felt like we couldn't stop at a gas station, or that we couldn't find a place to stay at night, or that...
2022-05-2446 min
What Do You Mean By That?Dear White Women, Please Come Home - with Kimberlee Williams and Debby IrvingYou know around here we love a good "Dear…" title, especially when it starts with "Dear White Women." That's why we were excited to sit down with this week's guests because Kimberlee's book title alone had us at "Dear White Women" (for obvious reasons, friends). Her full book title is "Dear White Women, Please Come Home: Hand Me Your Bias and I'll Show You Our Connection" and once we started reading it, we couldn't put it down, due to its unique format and powerful message. And this week, we have not only Kimberlee Williams, who is...
2022-05-0336 min
What Do You Mean By That?Inclusion on Purpose with Ruchika TulshyanWhile some things have changed in the 18 years since Sara was in corporate America, a lot of things - namely, DEI work, how we talk about DEI, what words we use, and the urgency with which (White) people view this - have remained the same. And while Misasha's first official role in DE&I was in 2007, she's spent a number of years living the reality of what it's like to not be 100% White in legal America. The conversations may have become more inclusive recently, but it seems like mindsets have not. This episode is for all...
2022-03-2244 min
What Do You Mean By That?Loveboat Reunion, with Abigail Hing WenFor those of you who grew up not seeing yourself in books, or for those of you who did, but want to understand what that may be like for others - this next episode is one you don't want to miss. Today, we're so excited to speak with Abigail Hing Wen, the author of both the New York Times bestselling book Loveboat Taipei and her newest book, Loveboat Reunion, and hear all about her writing journey, why she writes YA books, more about the characters in Loveboat Reunion, and why it's so important to have more Asian v...
2022-03-1533 min
What Do You Mean By That?A Kids Book About Racism, with Jelani MemoryAt the time that A Kids Book About Racism was published, there was no other book like this. There was no other book written FOR kids talking directly about racism, let alone a book that was written by someone who looked like Misasha's mixed-race kids. She still has that copy; they've read it as a family countless times, and the kids have read it themselves a ton since then. Since then, she's added about ten more A Kids Book About books to her family library. Today we have the true honor of talking with Jelani Memory, the foun...
2022-02-0844 min
What Do You Mean By That?Why We Need Critical Thinking Even More in 2022 Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu! Or, in English, Happy New Year! We kick off this first episode of 2022 by reintroducing ourselves, so you know who we are and where we're coming from as you listen to all the episodes to come (because you're following our show on your favorite podcast app, right?). But we also did that so we can begin engaging a skill that is urgent to focus on this year - namely, critical thinking. In today's episode, we dive into the booming economic statistics from the US and how that stands in stark contr...
2022-01-0421 min
Dear Asian Americans131 // Misasha Suzuki Graham // Author, Speaker, Podcaster // Dear White WomenMisasha Suzuki Graham, author, speaker, and podcaster, of the amazing duo behind Dear White Women, joins Jerry on Episode 131 of Dear Asian Americans to share her story of being a biracial Japanese American and the impact she wants to have on the world for her multiracial sons leveraging her privilege and platform. Be sure to check out her partner Sara's episode on 130!Meet Misasha, in her own words:"A graduate of Harvard College and Columbia Law School, I've been a practicing litigator for over 15 years, and am passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal...
2021-10-2655 min
F*ck Saving FaceEpisode 65: Fighting Racism with Sara & Misasha, Co-Hosts of the Dear White Women PodcastSara Blanchard and Misasha Suzuki, the incredible co-hosts of the award-winning podcast “Dear White Women" podcast, join me on today’s episode! The duo have recently launched a level-setting anti-racism book under the same name to get white people – particularly white women – to talk about the history of racism in America and take action. They've interviewed everyone from Dr. Shefali to author Qian Julie Wang. Join us as we dive into conversations about motherhood, being biracial (they're both of mixed Japanese and white heritage), and how to talk about the uncomfortable topics within their own families and broader com...
2021-10-2045 min
Emotionally Uncomfortable882: [LEADERSHIP] Motherhood & Racism {Interview with Sara & Misasha}"Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future, and renders the present inaccessible." -Maya Angelou A graduate of Harvard College and Columbia Law School, Misasha has been a practicing litigator for over 15 years, and is passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal profession as well as in her communities. She is a facilitator, writer, and speaker regarding issues of racial justice and children, and co-host of Dear White Women, a social justice podcast. Misasha, who biracial (Japanese and White), is married to a Black man, and is the proud mom o...
2021-10-2055 min
This Is My TruthEp. 134: Leaning Into Uncomfortable Conversations Around Race & Social Justice: A conversation with Sara & Misasha(Previously aired 8/27/2020)
Today I had the honor of having a conversation with Sara & Misasha, the co-founders of the social justice podcast, Dear White Women. In our conversation, Sara & Misasha get raw & authentic about their own experiences with racial injustice and why leaning into this conversation isn't always easy but is so important.
Dear White Women is an award-winning weekly podcast dedicated to easing you into real and uncomfortable conversations about racial and social justice. The show is co-hosted by two half-Japanese, half-White mothers with very mixed race children, who believe that when we learn about...
2021-08-1947 min
What Do You Mean By That?A Radical Awakening, with Dr. ShefaliEvery once in a while, we both read a book that makes us immediately text the other to say: have you read this? Isn't it amazing? That's what happened when we read A Radical Awakening. We were blown away by the revolutionary way of thinking and being that is suggested for women in this book, and were so deeply grateful to find that Dr. Shefali's energy and authenticity match her reputation. There's little else left for us to say, other than this is a can't-miss episode, and that you should go to Bookshop to order th...
2021-06-2322 min
What Do You Mean By That?One Year: An Intro to Our Summer of ActionWe're here, just over one year after the murder of George Floyd, with a question: now that we've spent a year in discussions centered on being more open about racism, systemic racism, and how we can be more anti-racist, what have we actually done about it? How do we feel? Where do we go from here, and more importantly - where should we collectively be moving as a country? Today's episode is a conversation - a reflection of what we've experienced last year collectively and personally, and most importantly, an introduction to our summer of action. Let's mov...
2021-06-0213 min
What Do You Mean By That?Asians at (Public) School, with Alan MakWe're kicking off a five-episode series that takes a deeper look into what it means to be Asian/Asian-American in this country - looking at the history behind anti-Asian discrimination, but also really talking about what being Asian means for us, and for our guests. Today we talk about all of that, and more, with Sara's dear old friend Alan Mak, who is the co-founder and CEO of Version Tomorrow as well as the managing partner of the well-known fashion brand Public School. This is a conversation not to be missed. Have questions, comments, or co...
2021-04-2848 min
What Do You Mean By That?Inauguration 2021We finally made it to the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. This day is about a break with Trumpism, a break from the direction that our country has steadily been heading for the past nearly five years, and the fact that the majority (it's a small one, but still a majority) of our country rejected that ideal in November. What this day is NOT though, is the end of Trumpism. It is not the end of hard work. We have seen violence that we could never imagine in the halls of our nat...
2021-01-2006 min
What Do You Mean By That?BYE, 2020!We've been waiting to record this episode . . . basically the whole year, or at least since early March. It's our annual wrap-up episode, except that just like everything else in 2020, it's not like how it was last year. Let's let this year go in style - prepare to reflect, laugh, and cheer the New Year along with us. Have questions, comments, or concerns? Email us at hello@dearwhitewomen.com What to listen for: Some highlights of our year (which included you as listeners!) and why we aren't picking a word of the year for 2021 (learned THAT...
2020-12-3018 min
What Do You Mean By That?Beyond Ally to Everyday Activism, Featuring Miss Hawaii USA® 2020 Samantha NeylandWe are tired. You are tired. We see it in the stats, we hear it in your stories. This wasn't necessarily the episode we planned to air this week, but it's one we hope you listen to - especially when you tell yourself that things feel too hard. We'll be interviewing the current reigning Miss Hawaii USA® 2020 - Samantha Neyland - about her Juneteenth activism and what it was like being the first Black Teen Hawaii and Black Ms. Hawaii. We'll also talk way more personally about the impact Chadwick Boseman had on Mis...
2020-09-0942 minThis Is My TruthEp. 44: Leaning Into Uncomfortable Conversations Around Race & Social Justice: A conversation with Sara & MisashaToday I had the honor of having a conversation with Sara & Misasha, the co-founders of the social justice podcast, Dear White Women. In our conversation, Sara & Misasha get raw & authentic about their own experiences with racial injustice and why leaning into this conversation isn't always easy but is so important.
Dear White Women is an award-winning weekly podcast dedicated to easing you into real and uncomfortable conversations about racial and social justice. The show is co-hosted by two half-Japanese, half-White mothers with very mixed race children, who believe that when we learn about our nation’s history and...
2020-08-2747 min
What Do You Mean By That?Ask Me Anything: Including, Why Are You Called the Dear White Women Podcast?Since the influx of new listenership and followers ever since that awful weekend when Amy Cooper was exposed and George Floyd was murdered, we wanted to take this opportunity to re-introduce ourselves. We are Sara & Misasha, co-hosts of the podcast Dear White Women - where we aim to make it easy to enter uncomfortable conversations about racial and social justice. We're both daughters of a Japanese immigrant and White American, and we met over 20 years ago walking out of a racial identity meeting when we were undergraduates at Harvard. We've been great friends ever since, t...
2020-07-2246 min
What Do You Mean By That?Racism Against Asian-Americans During COVID-19 and How to Be An AllyUnless you've tuned out of the news altogether, you will have noted that our President has used language referring to the COVID-19 pandemic as "the China virus." How do you think that has impacted the Asian-American population in our country? The stats of hate crimes and discrimination are clear - 1700 incidents reported within six weeks of tracking. It's happening. If you're not Asian but want to do something, where do you even begin to be an ally? Have questions, comments, or concerns? Email us at hello@dearwhitewomen.com What to listen for: Misa...
2020-06-0338 min
What Do You Mean By That?Period Kits with Geoff DavisAunt Flo, shark week, that time of the month, your red-headed friend: whatever you call your period, menstruation is a natural bodily function that happens to 50% of the population. For the majority of us, we take our monthly supplies for granted. But what happens if you're homeless, or if you have to choose each month between purchasing groceries or paying for your feminine hygiene supplies? On today's show, Sara chats with Geoff Davis, Executive Director of Period Kits, who is helping to solve that dilemma by providing period kits and dignity to that vulnerable segment...
2020-05-2723 min
What Do You Mean By That?The Hard Conversations You Need to Have with Your Kids with Antonio WintPLEASE NOTE: This episode was recorded after Ahmaud Arbery's killing but before George Floyd's murder. Sara and Misasha are excited to welcome Antonio Wint to the show. Antonio is a neighbor, father, and black man in a position of leadership with a diverse employee base who happens to enjoy running. In light of everything, Sara and Misasha wanted to hear his personal experiences and thoughts on how to talk with kids about a sport that has potentially dangerous consequences for the black population. Listen in to this thoughtful conversation for tips on encouraging a...
2020-05-2045 min
What Do You Mean By That?Mental Health: Finding Meaning During a Time of Crisis with Dr. Sue VarmaSara and Misasha are pleased to welcome their special guest, Dr. Sue Varma, to the show to discuss the importance of mental health in these very challenging times. Listen in to this conversation that dives deeply into the psychological and physical effects that we're experiencing from the coronavirus pandemic, from many different perspectives. Dr. Sue Varma is a board-certified psychiatrist and practicing cognitive-behavioral therapist in New York City. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at New York University (NYU) Langone Health and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. She is the...
2020-05-1342 min
What Do You Mean By That?The School to Prison Pipeline: Six-Year Olds Don't Belong in HandcuffsHave you ever stopped to think about what the phrase, "school to prison pipeline" really means? What about who it affects? Chances are unless an issue affects you or your loved ones personally, it's not at the top of your priority list of concerns. Sara and Misasha have been tackling election issues, and this particular one took center stage during the first round at the Democratic Presidential Debates last July. If we fix our school system, we have a better chance of fixing the current prison pipeline. Listen in to this heart-wrenching exploration of the...
2020-05-0642 min
What Do You Mean By That?It All Starts Here: Educational InequalityIn today's episode, Sara and Misasha continue the election arc with studies involving the root causes of educational inequality. Join them to hear about educational inequality's inextricable link to income inequality, why it should matter to us all, what needs to be resolved first, best practices, and more! Show Highlights: Harvard Gazette profiled former Presidential candidate and popular two-term governor of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick, a Harvard undergrad who also graduated from the Law School in 1982, grew up a poor black school child in the housing projects of Chicago's South Side. The odds of escaping...
2020-04-2937 min
What Do You Mean By That?Ableism Part 2: The Whitewashing of DisabilityWhen you think of a disabled person, what image comes to mind? For example, do you think of a particular gender? Do you picture how they get around? How about their skin color? In today's episode, Sara and Misasha take on the subject of how both physical and mental disabilities impact people of color and everyone else who isn't white, cisgender, and economically advantaged. You'll also learn about #disabililtytoowhite and what you can do to support the work of disabled people of color who often do extraordinary work for very little pay. Don't miss this e...
2020-04-2243 min
What Do You Mean By That?Special Roundtable Episode: Running While BlackWe, Sara & Misasha, were honored to be featured on the podcast of a dear friend, Running Life: A Fitness Protection Production run by host Coach MK - and the content was so important and relevant that we are co-launching the show on both of our platforms today. We entered the conversation because as a running coach who isn't ever really "just" talking about the running, MK's social media feeds had been covered with call-outs, shaming anyone who violates the recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control recommending that everyone cover their faces every time they leave the...
2020-04-151h 21
What Do You Mean By That?Ableism, Part 1: How Just Being Aware Isn't Enough AnymoreThere's a lot of consequences out there for people who are fully functional but there are even more consequences for people who have disabilities right now. In today's conversation, Sara and Misasha bring you an enlightening and timely discourse on ableism, and how just being aware of it isn't enough anymore. They'll also be touching on the current COVID-19 pandemic, and what happens when you have a child with special needs when everyone is expected to stay home and you're not prepared for that. Get ready to look at the world in a whole new...
2020-04-0843 min
What Do You Mean By That?COVID-19: Not Exactly Making Things Better on the Immigration Front, Either!In today's episode, Sara and Misasha share how COVID-19 has had a much bigger impact on the rights of immigrants in the United States and detainees at the border than what they originally thought. Listen in to learn more about immigration, as it a key issue in this election year. Sara and Misasha bring you compelling information on those that are being held at our border, discuss the alarming public charge rule and other legislation that may be making its way down the pipeline. Show Highlights: In early March, the Trump Administration announced that...
2020-04-0145 min
What Do You Mean By That?52: What Happens When You're Sick and Poor: Healthcare in the United StatesSara and Misasha continue with their income inequality arc in today's episode, with a special focus on what happens when you're sick and poor. Their recent exploration into income inequality issues is part of their deep dive into election issues. If you haven't yet listened to the last couple of episodes, links are provided so that you can have a greater understanding of the bigger picture. Join Sara and Misasha in this journey into the lives of those who are unable to take sick days when sick due to financial or logistical hardships, and the...
2020-03-2539 min
What Do You Mean By That?Coronavirus: How Sheltering in Place Can Make Us Better HumansThis episode addresses our mental well-being in the face of the dramatic changes that have taken place over the last week. Join Sara and Misasha as they offer encouragement during this time of "social distancing" and the fear that is developing around it. Show Highlights: Sara leads a brief meditation and mindfulness exercise on gratitude. Shifting your mindset to "I get to do this" instead of "I have to do this" can make a big difference in the way you feel. Pointers from Dr. Sue Varma: Limit your news sources. We need something to...
2020-03-1847 min
What Do You Mean By That?Why Aren't Black Kids Playing Baseball?Welcome to the 50th episode of the Dear White Women Podcast!! Thank you for all your comments, feedback, and support. Please continue sharing this podcast with your friends and family members, especially those with whom you need to have these uncomfortable conversations. On today's episode, Sara and Misasha continue the income inequality arc with the topic of kid's sports. Have you ever paused to consider the racial makeup of the athletes that we watch on TV? And in what sports? Furthermore, have you ever taken a look at why it is the way it is...
2020-03-1154 min
Allobee RadioEp. 41 - A Conversation on Race with Sara & Misasha from Dear White Women PodcastSarah and Misasha are the hosts of the Dear White Women Podcast. Dear White Women is a weekly podcast that believes that everyone is different AND everyone has value. They believe that it is our responsibility to learn, through (sometimes) uncomfortable conversations, about our nation’s history and look more deeply at our personal experiences with race, identity, and happiness — because we each have the power to influence our communities. Co-hosts Sara & Misasha are Harvard grads who have been best friends for over two decades. They’re smart, real, funny, and ready to make change. Join us for the...
2020-03-0951 min
What Do You Mean By That?Why Are We Talking About Income Inequality When The Economy Is Strong?You may have not thought about income inequality but it is definitely a big issue heading into this election season. A new survey released in January by the Pew Research Center found that economic inequality is a concern with voters and not just liberals. Americans across the board today see income inequality as a bigger problem than illegal immigration, which is the issue that Donald Trump rode to the White House in 2016. On today's episode, Sara and Misasha cover the good, the bad, and the ugly on this topic that has the power to...
2020-03-0446 min
What Do You Mean By That?So What's the Big Deal with the Primaries, Anyway?We're less than one week away from Super Tuesday! In today's episode, Sara and Misasha talk about why the primaries are so important and why your vote matters, especially this election year! They will also cover what the deal is with Super Tuesday, what happened in Iowa and why that matters, and take a look at what the primaries really mean for our Presidential election. Listen and learn during this informative Q&A session laced with Sara and Misasha's punchy commentary! Show Highlights: Q: When does primary season begin and how long...
2020-02-2631 min
What Do You Mean By That?The Changing Face of Insurance: Why You Should CareFrom the recent women's rights / reproductive issues arc, Sara and Misasha segue today into yet another big issue to consider in the upcoming election, and that's the subject of health insurance. Good insurance coverage is not the reality for the majority of Americans. And for those who DO have it, what would you do if you lost your coverage? With this episode, Sara and Misasha will bridge the gap between reproductive rights and health care into the next arc of income inequality. Recently, Trump's administration lashed out at the state of California that...
2020-02-1937 min
What Do You Mean By That?Dr. Jenn: An Abortion Provider Answers the Hard QuestionsIn a continuation of the dialogue on women's rights, Sara and Misasha sit down to have a special conversation with Dr. Jennifer Conti ("Dr. Jenn"), who is not only an obstetrician-gynecologist but also an abortion provider. Although an uncomfortable and often contentious subject to discuss, it is an important one in the arc of women's rights. Listen to this informative narrative for an understanding of different perspectives as Dr. Jenn addresses misperceptions and answers questions we all have but may have been too uneasy to ask. Show Highlights: Dr. Jenn not only...
2020-02-1244 min
What Do You Mean By That?Molly Ryan - Kills Enemy: Tireless Indigenous Rights ActivistTRIGGER WARNING: Abuse and addiction references. Often times, women of color aren't represented properly or advocated for when dealing with the justice system. They're typically dismissed, wrongly accused, and ignored altogether. Molly Ryan - Kills Enemy not only endured severe physical, sexual, and emotional trauma but has endured years of ignorance from the justice system. As an indigenous woman raised in a white family, Molly has a unique perspective of how culture and parenthood impact the lives of children. As a mother of children who are also trauma survivors, she's seen how abuse drastically alters t...
2020-02-0546 min
What Do You Mean By That?Recorded Live: The 2020 Womxn's March DenverWomen are often dismissed or silenced when coming forward in the public eye with their pain, particularly women of color. We've adopted this matriarchal mindset that women's trauma, experiences, and emotions are invalid, but we need to come together as women to break that perception, now more than ever. Sara and Misasha dissect how the justice system has wrongfully unacknowledged women of color, along with special guest, domestic violence, sexual assault, and sexual abuse survivor, Mary Ryan. Mary reveals her personal experiences as a trauma survivor, and how the justice system has consistently dismissed her case. T...
2020-01-2947 min
What Do You Mean By That?Let's Talk About RightsThe progress of obtaining and maintaining women's rights is not linear. Reproductive rights in the United States are focused on efforts to get and defend the legal right to abortion, and these efforts are led by predominantly white women. What little information is provided about women of color with regard to reproductive rights tends to center on the abuses they have suffered and represents only a partial history. Most of the reproductive health organizing done by women of color in the United States has been undocumented, unanalyzed, and unacknowledged. They will be unpacking the book...
2020-01-2244 min
What Do You Mean By That?Presidential Powers and Women's RightsParticularly relevant now that we're in the 2020 election year is the subject of rights, namely reproductive ones and others that directly affect women. That's what Sara and Misasha will be diving into on this episode, along with a brief coda to their recent 3-part series on the Criminal Justice System, and that is what the President has the power to change with regard to criminal justice versus what he or she needs Congress to help with. You'll definitely want to listen in to this food-for-thought as you reflect on the upcoming election. Finally...
2020-01-1542 min
What Do You Mean By That?Ji Seon Song: Understanding and Navigating the Juvenile Legal SystemSara and Misasha's guest today is Ji Seon Song, a former juvenile public defender. Join them in this fascinating - and often heartbreaking - journey inside the juvenile legal system. Ji Seon Song went to Columbia as an undergrad and also to Columbia Law School. Her scholarship currently focuses on criminal and juvenile justice. Ji Seon's research explores the intersection of the criminal and juvenile justice systems and different institutions and areas of law. Her current project examines policing and hospitals. In addition, Ji Seon has been active in local, regional, and national jus...
2020-01-0845 min
What Do You Mean By That?2020 Vision: A Glimpse of Things to ComeSara and Misasha take a break from the election issues to bring you a little 2020 vision to welcome in the new year and the new decade! Listen in as they chat about how they envision the coming year and decade will be! In appreciation for your support of the podcast, Sara and Misasha have a gift for you! It's a Spotify Playlist, "DWW Podcast Best of 2019" Please enjoy it! Show Highlights: Sara and Misasha share their personal visions for the next decade. Misasha's word for 2020 is "power" and describes what...
2020-01-0117 min
What Do You Mean By That?Race & Politics: How to Talk with Your Family Over the HolidaysSara and Misasha bring you a special holiday episode involving how to talk about race and politics over the holidays. When we gather as families, we tend to avoid spending our time talking about hot-button issues, especially around the holidays. Nobody wants a heated argument, but we may be missing out on opportunities to share opinions and get people talking about topics that are not ordinarily shared by those with the same viewpoints. Show Highlights: Addressing different beliefs begins with us talking to our families, educating them and showing them kindness and...
2019-12-2518 min
What Do You Mean By That?Special 3-Part Series: Criminal Justice: 15 Going on 28, Part 2Sara and Misasha bring you the second part of their Criminal Justice series and another big issue affecting the 2020 Presidential election. This episode focuses on the juvenile. Pause for a moment and think about someone you know that's a juvenile. Maybe you think of your kid, or maybe you think of yourself at 13. What were you like? Did you ever make any poor choices? Listen in for a shocking history lesson and find out how old laws are impacting our children in the court system even today. Show Highlights: Being 13...
2019-12-1842 min
What Do You Mean By That?Special 3-Part Series: Criminal Justice: Jaw-Dropping Stats You Should Know About Part 1Welcome to the first installment of a 3-part series where Sara and Misasha cover topics such as DWB, or driving while black, eye-popping traffic-stop statistics, and an overview of our criminal justice system. You'll even get to hear Sara rap! Congratulations to Dear White Women Podcast, who was recently awarded "Best Episode" for the Inaugural Colorado Podcast Awards for the Crystal Echohawk episode! Show Highlights: Sara and Misasha discuss the anxiety of being pulled over while driving. If you're driving while black, there's a strong likelihood that you'll be stopped, asked to step out...
2019-12-1149 min
Emotionally Uncomfortable624: Race, Identity, & Common Ground {Interview with Sara & Misasha}"Parents are the ultimate role models for children. Every word, movement, and action has an effect. No other person or outside force has a greater influence on a child than the parent." - Bob Keeshan Sara & Misasha are the co-hosts of Dear White Women, a social justice podcast exploring race, identity, happiness, and more in the United States. Our personal drive to leave this world a better place for our children became the impetus for this show, and each episode builds on our shared core beliefs in the humanity of all people and that we r...
2019-12-0950 min
What Do You Mean By That?The Enemy of My Enemy is My FriendYou may not be familiar with the subject of today's show, but he is a senior advisor for policy for President Donald Trump. Sara and Misasha are going to be digging deep into Stephen Miller, who has facilitated and created a lot of the Trump administration policies, both domestic and foreign. They're also going to be discussing his beliefs, which are largely rooted in racist and anti-immigrant ideology. Listen in to learn more about the people who are in power in our current government. Show Highlights: Stephen Miller is descended from immigrants...
2019-12-0446 min
What Do You Mean By That?Election 101: Why Your Vote Does MatterIf you've slept a night or two since Civics class, be sure to listen in to this part of their Election Bootcamp series as Sara and Misasha bring us all up-to-date on the electoral vote, how the voting process works, and why your vote DOES matter. Show Highlights: The Presidential election is less than a year away, and the primaries begin early next year. An election for President of the United States happens every four years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The next Presidential election will be November 3rd, 2020. The election...
2019-11-2739 min
What Do You Mean By That?Election Bootcamp Kickoff: How the F* Do I Make Sense of What's Coming in 2020?Join Sara and Misasha in the Election Bootcamp Kickoff! They've got questions, and they have some answers, and they're not speaking as Democrats, Republicans, or unaffiliateds, they're just focusing on the issues that this country is facing. Are you fired up yet? Listen in for some passionate, thought-provoking conversation! Show Highlights: Sara gets put in the hot seat with some election questions! Misasha points out that at the time this episode was recorded, there were a lot of unknowns, such as the impeachment inquiry. It's difficult to not know what's going to...
2019-11-2039 min
What Do You Mean By That?Special 3-Part Series: Domestic Terrorism: Then and Now Part 3On today's episode, Sara and Misasha close out their 3-part series on Birmingham, hate in this country, and why you need to vote in 2020. Warning: explicit content, not meant for younger ears. Show Highlights: Misasha provides a detailed look at an altercation after a minor accident between a white teacher and a black parent in a racially diverse school parking lot in the Upper Darby School District in Philadelphia. The teacher berates the parent and eventually lobs the n-word. Sara points out that there's nothing that a black person could say to a white...
2019-11-1341 min
What Do You Mean By That?Special 3-Part Series: Domestic Terrorism: Then and Now Part 2In Part 2 of a special series on hate and violence in the United States, Sara and Misasha continue the dialogue with Charleston, and how we normalized hate in 2015 and going forward, as seen in Charlottesville, Pittsburgh, Poway, El Paso, and Gilroy. Join Sara and Misasha as they discuss Dylann Roof and the church massacre that set off this current resurgence of hate in a way that we haven't seen in this country since the Birmingham bombings in 1963. Show Highlights: Roof was caught immediately and, unlike the Birmingham bombers' extreme delay of justice, put on...
2019-11-0633 min
What Do You Mean By That?Special 3-Part Series: Domestic Terrorism: Then and Now Part 1Join Sara and Misasha as they take a look back in time. This is the first part of a special three-part series, starting with the church bombings in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963. Just two months before President Kennedy's assassination, the Birmingham church bombings occurred, and four young girls lost their lives. That long-ago act of terrorism has implications in what has gone on in more recent years. What do moments like this in history do to our psyche? Listen in to find out more. Show Highlights: September 15, 2019, marked 56 years since these four young...
2019-10-3023 min
What Do You Mean By That?Crystal Echohawk: Transforming Relationships with Native American CultureSara and Misasha are so excited to bring you a conversation with Crystal Echohawk on today's podcast. Crystal is an advocate for Native American culture and respect and has a passion for building understanding and getting to know others. This episode is a perfect companion piece to Episode 29, Halloween and Cultural Appropriation, so if you missed that, please go check out the link provided. Crystal is a member of the Kitkehahki Band of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, a mom, and Executive Director of IllumiNative, a national, native-led, non-profit organization born out of the "Reclaiming Native Truth...
2019-10-2348 min
What Do You Mean By That?Halloween and Cultural AppropriationOn today's episode, Sara and Misasha hash out why a sexy Pocahontas is never a good idea for a Halloween costume. If you and/or your children are planning to participate in any school, work, or community events related to Halloween this year, you may want to take a moment and consider the concept of cultural appropriation while you're picking out that costume. Listen in to hear their takeaway on this deeply delicate subject. Show Highlights: Sara and Misasha discuss the "I Am Not A Costume" campaign put together by the Laurier Students' Public...
2019-10-1640 min
What Do You Mean By That?Shanicia Boswell: Black Moms Blog and Changing PerspectivesCreating a space within a space to positively replay black parenthood was the vision of today's guest. Sara and Misasha get to chat with Shanicia Boswell about her unique perspectives as a black parent, and how there's something for everyone on her popular blog. Shanicia Boswell is a self-described serial entrepreneur, best known for her Black Moms Blog, where she talks about parenting, culture, and lifestyle from a black mom's point of view. She also has a company called the Self Care Retreat, where she takes women to international retreat destinations to release, relax, and unwind. Shanicia...
2019-10-0951 min
What Do You Mean By That?Hispanic Heritage Month: Recognizing the Humanity in EveryoneEvery year, between September 15 - October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month is observed and celebrated by millions of families. Sara and Misasha unpack the history behind it, and the reason it's a painfully awkward event this year. They will also discuss ways that this month might promote some great, yet uncomfortable, conversations around recognizing the humanity in everyone. Show Highlights: Hispanic Heritage Month was created back in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week from legislation sponsored by Representative Edward Roybal of Los Angeles, and signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, and runs from September 15 - October 15...
2019-10-0231 min
What Do You Mean By That?School Lunches: Why Kids Are Going HungryJoin Sara and Misasha as they "dish" on school lunches: affordability, why kids are going hungry, and a public comment period that's open until September 23rd, 2019. Federal assistance may potentially be cut for 500,000 kids, so what happens to lunch if that happens? Finally, you don't want to miss Sara and Misasha sharing their favorite childhood school lunches, as well as what their kids eat! Show Highlights: There are high numbers of children who rely on breakfast and lunch at school because they don't get fed at home. At the end of July, Pennsylvania officials came under...
2019-09-1830 min
What Do You Mean By That?Kibi Anderson: The Significance of HairSara and Misasha sit down with Kibi Anderson and explore the topic of HAIR! Growing up in a country like America, where a lot of standards of beauty are not centered around African culture and African qualities, has a profound influence in the black community. Join us as we examine and understand how significant hair is in our development. Kibi is a black woman, which is relevant to today's conversation, a storyteller, and has worked in the media and entertainment space for the past 20 years. Currently, Kibi is working for a show called Red Table Talk and...
2019-09-1145 min
What Do You Mean By That?Hair & Identity: Don't Touch the HairOur hair is undeniably connected to our identity, but what does it mean when random people feel compelled to touch the hair of another, without asking permission? Why do we perceive this as a threat? Why must we be made to feel "other" by someone's words and actions? Today, we are going to be discussing hair and identity: black hair, its history in the United States, discrimination around black hair, and why you shouldn't touch someone's hair on the playground. Show Highlights: Misasha recounts the mental chatter and overwhelming emotional response at people touching...
2019-09-0422 min
What Do You Mean By That?Caster Semenya: When Protecting Women Hurts WomenThroughout history, women have consistently faced more scrutiny in the public eye. While we've made tremendous progress, we've also made detrimentally large steps backward. Caster Semenya, an Olympic gold medalist, is one of the many women who can attest to the direct discrimination and violation females face in sports. As an athlete, Caster has experienced years of double-standards, invasive medical examinations, and unnecessary intervention throughout her career. Today, Sara and Misasha discuss the issues with the way gender is treated and evaluated in sports and why we should all take action. This episode is packed wit...
2019-08-2821 min
What Do You Mean By That?The Alphabet Rockers: Making Music that Makes ChangeCreating an atmosphere that celebrates and encourages individuals no matter their race, gender, sexual orientation, or political views is the vision we are all collectively striving to achieve. The Alphabet Rockers have taken the initiative to expand that vision and bring social and racial awareness to classrooms. Today's interview with band member, Kaitlin McGaw, unpacks the importance of implementing a diverse perspective at a young age and how to facilitate that as a parent and administrator. Misasha, Sara, and Kaitlin dive into what it really means to be representative of diversity and a multicultural narrative. Join us f...
2019-08-2150 min
What Do You Mean By That?Hate at School: How to Help Your Child CopeToday, we're going to be sharing some reports with you, such as this one released just this year by the Southern Poverty Law Center, titled "Hate at School". Teachers told SPLC in informal surveys that in many cases, Trump's name was being invoked or his words parroted by children who were harassing others based on race, their ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation. They noted a disturbing uptake in incidence involving swastikas, derogatory language, nazi salutes, and confederate flags. Children of color reported that they were worried for themselves and for the safety of their families. ...
2019-08-1447 min
What Do You Mean By That?Who Controls History?Did you take the information in your textbooks as the be-all and end-all of everything when you were in school? Have you ever really thought about that? Have you ever wondered who actually controls history, especially in our schools, and online? In past episodes of the podcast, we have often discussed the diversity of narratives in this country, and the importance of understanding the viewpoint of the minority. Today, we are asking a very interesting question. We would like to know what happens when the institutions that we take for granted to educate us, or the places w...
2019-07-3126 min
What Do You Mean By That?Raising Black and Bi-Racial Children as a White Mom with Debbie ScheerRaising kids can be really hard at times. And as a white mom raising black kids, it's a uniquely challenging experience. Debbie Scheer is Sara and Misasha's guest on the show today. Debbie is a humorist, a speaker, an MC, and a woman-about-town in Denver. She has presence, intelligence, observational skills, and she's also a white mom raising two adopted boys, one black, and one bi-racial. The Dear White Women Podcast is not just about race, identity, and discussions around who we are, and how we show up in the world. It is about having di...
2019-07-2446 min
What Do You Mean By That?When Does Character Matter? Case Studies of Tiger Woods and LeBron JamesHave you ever thought about why character matters? And have you ever wondered what it is that makes people influential and powerful? Today we're talking about Tiger Woods and LeBron James, two very influential people who have been in the news a lot, and they were recently named by Time Magazine as two of the 100 most influential people of the year. The bigger question to ask is really why everyone seems to be okay with Tiger Woods now that he's won the Master's again, even though he treats women poorly and he repeatedly cheated on his wife? A...
2019-07-0332 min
What Do You Mean By That?Black Maternal Healthcare: Racial Disparities in the US Healthcare SystemAre you aware of the racial disparity that exists in the US healthcare system? And did you know that some people are actually dying unnecessarily as a result? Today, Sara talks to Dr. Monique Rainford, an OB/GYN from Jamaica, who recently did a phenomenal TEDx talk, called America's Maternal Nightmare, about black maternal health in America. In her talk, Dr. Rainford peeled back the layers and very clearly revealed the disparities that exist within the US healthcare system, particularly when it comes to black maternal health. According to statistics, the health of African American women is...
2019-06-2635 min
What Do You Mean By That?Equal Pay Day: The Reality of Gender ParityAs women, it's important for us to advocate for other women, but it's difficult for us to do that if we're unaware of other women's experiences. According to statistics only 62% of Americans even believe that there is a pay gap between men and women, but data shows there is. When it comes to women's equality there seems to be a lack of awareness all across the board. Today, Sara and Misasha discuss the current issues with equal pay, discrepancies women experience in the workplace, and the need to take collective action. To learn more about what you c...
2019-06-0525 min
What Do You Mean By That?09: Understanding the Minority Experience from Those Who Live ItWe all have our own preconceived notions - it's part of being human, but how we choose to challenge and question those biases is what's important. Today's episode contains interviews with three individuals with unique narratives, who have experienced the backlash of others' misperceptions. Brittany, Brandon, and Golnaz all have distinct differences in their stories but also share an array of commonalities. To hear more about Brittany, Brandon, and Golnaz's experiences as minorities join us for this interview on Dear White Women. Show Highlights: Most common misunderstandings people have when they meet Brittany What wearing a sca...
2019-05-2934 min
What Do You Mean By That?Micro-Aggression: What It Is and How We Can Combat BiasWe've seen a major shift to becoming more accepting as a society over the years, but implicit biases and micro-aggressions still occur more often than you'd think. Today, Misasha and Sara discuss what makes up a micro-aggression and how to identify words or actions that may be unintentionally offensive. It's important that we all grow in our awareness and continue to reflect on our own views by acknowledging any potential biases we may have. This episode talks about the vitality of not invalidating others' experiences and how we can help others become more aware of their own i...
2019-05-2220 min
What Do You Mean By That?07: Unpacking the Psychology Behind Implicit BiasHave you ever had a thought that didn't feel completely your own? Have you ever had to counter your initial reaction to a situation? It's likely that those ideas were stimulated from your subconscious and they are trying to protect you. But from what? Today, Sara and Misasha discuss the psychology behind implicit bias and the impact of our unconscious thoughts. To hear more about the role bias plays in society and how to reprogram your own subconscious tune into this episode of Dear White Women. Show Highlights: Diversity training and overcoming unconscious bias What...
2019-05-1522 min
What Do You Mean By That?Mental Health Month: History, Current Events and Marginalized GroupsMental illness is a topic that society is becoming more comfortable talking about, but there is still a stigma that prevents many people from getting the help they need. Individuals who don't struggle with generalized mental illnesses may have a more difficult time empathizing or grasping the idea of mental illness. Since May is Mental Health Month, Sara and Misasha are going to help shed some light on mental illness and how marginalized groups treated differently are more prone to experience struggles getting the treatment they need. This episode is purely acknowledging the uniqueness in everyone's narrative...
2019-05-0829 min
What Do You Mean By That?The College Admission Scandal: White Privilege, Affirmative Action + How We Define Success with Adebisi AdebowaleToday's episode includes special guest, coach and scholar, Adebisi Adebowale. Adebisi joins Sara and Misasha in a discussion regarding the college admissions scandals. They share their thoughts on what these transgressions mean in regards to white privilege, society's definition of success, and how to approach large scale misconduct. To hear more thoughts about the impact of these scandals and how we can take affirmative action, tune into this episode of Dear White Women. Show Highlights: Different perspectives on the college admission scandal The problem with approaching life with a mindset of entitlement The unlikelihood of students bein...
2019-05-0127 min
What Do You Mean By That?Intersectional Feminism: What It Is and Why It MattersPracticing feminism is something most women are proud to participate in, but white women, in particular, tend to be unaware of how exclusive feminism itself can truly be. Intersectional feminism is a term that isn't widely used, but should be widely practiced. Today, Sara and Misasha discuss what it means to be an intersectional feminist and why practicing it is so important. To better understand the history and impact of intersectional feminism and how you can implement it into your own life, tune into this episode of Dear White Women. Show Highlights: The history be...
2019-04-2430 min
What Do You Mean By That?Why White People Should Care: The Women's Movement and Societal SystemsWhile women have come a long way in regards to rights and gaining positions of influence, the fight for women's equality is still ongoing. Although, when it comes to feminism it's easy to dismiss the fact that it's not only a matter of sexism, but a matter of racism. Today Sara and Misasha discuss what it looks like to be completely bought into women's rights, the influence women have in society, and how we can implement that into our own lives by empowering others. If you're passionately curious about making an impact to better the lives of w...
2019-04-1725 min
What Do You Mean By That?Why White People Should Care: History, Science + Current EventsThe issues with race, sexism, and overall inequality are still very prominent in our current political climate and society as a whole. While it may not be the most comfortable issue to address, Sara and Misasha discuss the importance of acknowledging and combating these injustices. They also discuss the necessity that white people should care about these issues by highlighting history, science, and current events. Tune into this episode of Dear White People to hear more about the structural imbalance we're all experiencing societally and how you can make a difference in combating today's racial inequalities.
2019-04-1725 min
What Do You Mean By That?Starting Challenging Conversations.......It's important to have conversations regarding race, gender, minorities, etc. Unless we as a society choose to acknowledge these uncomfortable but prominent issues, they will never just resolve on their own. It's easy to blow these things off or to feel powerless, but at the core, all of these issues start with people deciding to make a difference. Today, Sara and Misasha introduce Dear White People by starting conversations that challenge our thoughts, brings purpose, and leaves you with meaningful ideas to reflect on. To gain a deeper understanding of the influence of your role in society a...
2019-04-1709 min