The DäBU

Today we share part two of our amazing conversation with Dr. Keila Lopez, as we explore the reality of COVID-19 in America and how the pandemic has underlined the inequalities that have been present for a long time. Keila's insight and wisdom are truly inspiring and eye-opening. To deepen our understanding of the topics discussed in part one of this series, we delve into more of Keila's philosophy, work history, and views on systemic racism as it pertains to healthcare in the US. If you have not yet listened to our first episode with Keila, be sure to go back and catch up on that! Today we hear about Keila's thoughts on the vaccine, social determinants of health, and so much more that you are not going to want to miss. We also get into the personal aspects of Keila's life, like her religious views, and the message she has about advocacy for minorities. Looking back on the last few unstable years in American and global history, it is these kinds of perspectives and conversations that need to see more light. Keila is a staunchly rational and committed scientist, deeply connected to her roots and community, and if ever there was a time that we needed dedication to truth and compassion, it is now. Make sure not to miss this passionate and illuminating conversation with this wonderful guest.

We are back with another great conversation, as we continue this amazing second season of the podcast! Today we are joined by the amazing, inspiring, and humble Dr. Keila Lopez, and we really cannot wait to share this episode with all of you, it is just that profound! Our focus is on the COVID-19 pandemic and how structural racism has impacted the reality of the last year and a half. Dr. Lopez answers some fundamental questions on coronavirus and COVID-19 before diving into more specific and scientific data around the vaccines, viruses, and the latest findings in healthcare. This conversation provides so much essential clarity and demystification, which are vital to all of us in the question to make better-informed decisions around our health and wellbeing. We also get to hear about some of Dr. Lopez's background, training, and early years in medicine, with a strong focus on what it took to succeed in a field historically stacked against women and people of color. Other themes that are explored during today's chat are health management and the determinant power of policy, the reach of structural racism within institutions, personal determination (or as Keila likes to call it 'perspiration over aspiration'!), and some illuminating thoughts on the way that scientific information evolves over time. This episode is essential listening on so many levels, so make sure to join as to hear it all!

As we get into the meat of our second season, we have another heavy hitter guest for all of you today! Kathryn McLay is the Chief Executive Officer at Sam's Club US and is an inspiring leader whose wisdom we cannot wait to share with our listeners. Kath was promoted to this position at the company just before the pandemic hit and we get to hear all about her journey leading up and during this period. Kath unpacks the strategies and actions that have helped her and the team manage and take advantage of the uncertainty we have all faced before we get into deeper thoughts on leadership, gender, and race. Our guest also talks about her earlier years, time spent at Woolworths in Australia, and the roots of her business and leadership philosophy. We like to think of Kath as a humble unicorn, someone firmly grounded in bringing authenticity and grace to her role. Listeners can expect to come away from this fantastic conversation with some wonderful insight into the inner workings of a high-level professional and her organization, as well as some inspiring ideas on what it takes to get the most out of a team during tumultuous times.

We are back with Season 2 and we promise this is going to be just as engaging and thought-provoking as the first, if not more so! We have a whole lot of special surprises in store for you with a star-studded lineup of guests sharing their life stories and perspectives on everything you have come to know and love about our content so far. To kick things off today, we are joined by none other than John Furner, the President, and CEO of Walmart US! This means that John is in charge of strategy and performance for more than 4700 stores, for the world's largest company! John was also the CEO of Sam's Club from 2017 to 2019, and his work and legacy there stand as a testament to the type of man he is. One of the most remarkable things about John is his journey with Walmart, starting out in 1993 as an hourly associate and working his way up and through as many positions as you can imagine, to his role in leadership today. Our guest has also spent time in China and Mexico during his career and we get to hear his reflections on the lessons these periods abroad provided for him. In our conversation, John talks about leadership in the current era, the impact of the conversation about racial injustice and the murder of George Floyd, and leaves us with a message about balancing reality and hope. So for all this and much more from a beacon of light in the business world, join us on The DäBU today!

Today we wrap up our Best of Season 1 series and while these subjects are more often upsetting and confusing than not, there is some light at the end of the tunnel, and we try our best to end things off on a high note. Here's to another great season of The DäBU Podcast in the near future and also celebrating what we have already achieved in this short space of time. We kick things off looking back at the recent final verdict in the trial of George Floyd's murder, taking some time to reflect on some different opinions regarding the weight of the result and then some reactions to the conviction of his killer. This takes us into some perspectives on the storming of Capitol Hill in January of 2021, Trump's role in these events, and the mind-boggling reactions of the armed forces to this terrorist attack. Other highlights we run back include segments on systemic racism in the police force, outwardly racist statements by political figures on the right, how misdirecting information can be when spread in certain ways, and some disturbing echoes of The Red Summer, that occurred over a hundred years ago. We finish off with our customary path to resolution segment, attempting to brighten the heavy mood that seems so prevalent in all things American these days, talking about the amazing example of Derek Black, as well as the inspiring story of an initiative to actually help homeless people instead of harassing them. So for all this and then some, be sure to join us for our season finale!

For this episode, we spend some time looking back at the highlights of our two-part series on masculinity and how we can begin to redefine it in more healthy ways for everyone. As you may remember from these two popular episodes, we used the striking example of Mike Tyson and his unique public persona to explore the conversation that has been evolving on masculinity and in particular the dangers of toxic masculinity. One of Mike's biggest messages is around his fear of vulnerability and this is an area we pay particular attention to. We start off remembering DMX, one of the most iconic and successful rappers to ever do it, whose recent passing at the age of 50 sent shockwaves around the world of hip hop and beyond. Perhaps it is fitting that we use this as an entry-point into today's topic, as DMX, birth name Earl Simmons, was one of the more complex examples of a modern man, with many difficulties and contradictions all centering around his messages of strength and hope. In the meat of today's discussion, we examine masculinity from many angles, drawing on biblical comparisons, contemporary ideas, and literary depictions to try and unpack what it means to be a man today, and more importantly, a good one. Towards the end of this show, we draw some interesting links between masculinity, patriarchy, white supremacy, and how this all ties back into fear and vulnerability. The central tenet of today's episode is around the essential part that vulnerability plays in a good form of masculinity and how important it is for us as a society to begin to shift the conversation in this direction. For all this and a whole lot more hard-hitting conversation and honest sharing, join us today!

We have reached the end of the first season of The DäBU Podcast and what a powerful experience it has been so far for ourselves! We hope it has been equally as impactful for our listeners too. There have been so many difficult but important issues covered and we decided to collect the best of them in a Four Part Series beginning with Part 1 today. The systemic racism that permeates all parts of American society urgently needs to be challenged, and as listeners have heard many times before, this is our mission in this show. We put a lot of careful thought into the issues we discuss here on The DäBU. The stories we share are not collections of anecdotal information but plain and simple facts. We kick things off on today’s show with the story of how the show started. We decided to take the conversations we were having in real life and put them on air so people of all backgrounds and racial groups could listen in and engage in our conversation. After that, you will hear sound clips from our past discussions on the show, as well as from across the internet, that highlight their main concerns about American society today. We get into police violence, discrimination in the workplace and healthcare system, and the weaponization of whiteness against Black people. We also touch on respectability politics, the different severities racism can take and the danger of the so-called minor forms, and the impacts of discrimination on the psyche of human beings across the racial spectrum. As always, we end off with a few paths to resolution, so please join us today for some of the most impactful moments of the show so far.

Welcome back to part two of our discussion about the January 6 insurrectionist protest. In today’s show, we continue to unpack events on the day of the storming of Capitol Hill. We also pull up several clips that demonstrate the continuation of systemic racism in America as well as a contrasting movement pointing toward a more equitable future for all. Our conversation begins with an appreciation for the exemplary policing Eugene Goodman demonstrated by diverting the January 6 mob. We then get discuss the role social media plays in pushing people with ‘benignly alternative’ beliefs toward groups like QAnon where they end up trying to overthrow the government. Next, we move onto a demonstration of the way systemic racism is still alive in the U.S today, using samples of interviews that highlight the racist views of white leaders. Our exchange moves to focus on the history of white-committed bloodshed against Black lives with no consequences and we connect this to calls from the GOP for no prosecutions to occur after the January 6 protest. Toward the end of the show, we consider some paths to resolution. These scenarios all demonstrate movements and actions in the U.S. that shine a light on the idea that while systemic racism is being perpetuated, some change for the better is occurring alongside it. We consider the decriminalization of homelessness in Austin, Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner's move to weed out corrupt ADAs and cops, and ex-white supremacist Derek Black’s comments about the power white people have to combat racism.

The U.S. government’s response to the January 6 storming of Capitol Hill by Trump supporters is one of the most significant examples of racial double standards from our current moment in history. In this episode, we discuss this issue, exploring contrasts in leadership styles between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Donald Trump, and contrasts in the federal response to protesters who occupy different racial and political groups seen in the U.S. today. We kick the show off by honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Our discussion covers his brilliance as a student, fearlessness in the face of so much hatred and danger, and strong gifts for oration. From there, we talk about recently hearing Professor Ibram X. Kendi speak and the powerful ideas to be found in his books. After setting the stage for what virtuous leadership can look like, we then cast our attention to Donald Trump and the tactics he used to incite the violent mob of insurrectionists. In this segment, our main point is about how it came to be that these protesters were able to accomplish what they did in a country with the most sophisticated military in the history of the world. Here we highlight the racial double standards behind largely peaceful responses to white mobs inciting violence in contrast to violent responses in the face of peaceful Black Lives Matter protestors, sharing different clips from across the media that elucidate this idea. Tune in today and be sure to join us for part one of this discussion.

Welcome back to the second part of our series on redefining masculinity. Masculinity is an intrinsic part of being human and is a quality possessed by men, women, and nonbinary gender identities. Over time, the essence of masculinity and femininity has devolved into toxic definitions, and our understanding of them has changed drastically. In today’s episode, we deconstruct the misunderstood narratives behind contemporary masculinity and femininity. We leave no stone unturned and explore various attributes associated with these traits, referring to insightful comments passed on by our valuable callers, notes from the Bible, and modern legends like Mike Tyson. We open the show by reflecting on Part 1 of the series, touching on Mike Tyson and how he has become the face of masculinity and manhood. After hearing about his appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show and Hot Box Podcast, we begin our journey across a broad range of topics within masculinity. Stay tuned and you’ll hear about the vulnerability and the ways it can empower you. Later in the show, we begin to (re)define masculinity, with our hosts providing personal anecdotes on the subject. As our conversation takes shape, we also take a look at the role of femininity and how it's understood by our different callers. Toward the end of the episode, we talk in detail about the role of fathers and how men need to practice positive affection. Be sure to join us in this enriching episode today!

Masculinity and manhood are human traits that are hugely misunderstood. Over time, the embodiment of these characteristics has changed, and men are acting out their manhood and masculinity through attributes like stoicism and never crying. In this episode, we take a gentle, yet truthful look at manhood and masculinity by appreciating and learning from boxing legend Mike Tyson. We take the time to explore his previous wrongdoing and challenging past before shining a light on how he overcame adversity and has grown as a person. Hear about how Mike disarms people in a room by exposing his insecurities, and why his bad-guy persona is just a facade. Stay tuned and we go deeper into his life, exploring his tough upbringing and how this frustrated his growth. Throughout this rich and meaningful episode, we play powerful excerpts from his interviews with Oprah Winfrey and Boosie, catching glimpses of Mike’s wisdom as we go. We also take calls and questions from our listeners and focus on topics like vulnerability and why courage cannot exist without it. So be sure to join us in the first of two parts of this important conversation.

Since it’s our mission to give our listeners what they want, we’ve brought you a standalone episode that covers different topics yet always comes back to the question, “What would you do?” We are in the third week of November and it is still not decided who will be the President of the United States after January 20th, 2021, and it’s all because Joe Biden and Donald Trump have both claimed victory. In this episode, we talk about election day, why the long lines pose a threat to the process, and why we think that candidates’ party affiliation should not be shown on the ballots. Just think about it: in this hyper-divisive political environment, people tend to stand by their party regardless of who the candidate is or what their policies are and, in this way, we elect presidents we really shouldn’t. We then take a deep dive into the origins of our existing electoral system, uncovering the systems of oppression and racism it was built on, and how the white slave owners in the South used the Three-fifths Compromise to maintain their positions of power. We reckon it’s time to change the system.

Cedric and Kojo will be make their popular WWYD (What Would You Do) segment available as stand-alone episodes based on the demand of their listeners. They are also introducing an opportunity for the listeners to be on future episodes. They are truly looking forward to your engagement with The DäBU Podcast. Reminder…Don’t bring your feelings to a fact fight!

The final day of voting is tomorrow, so today we continue the conversation we started last week about the importance of doing so, especially for people of color. In this episode, we talk about many different examples of institutional racism in America as a way of emphasizing the importance of taking action to create a more fair and equal society with your vote. We start with a clip from Little House on the Prairie, where the character Solomon articulates his wish to be white rather than Black, using this to springboard our conversation about institutional racism. It is important to recognize that the society Solomon lived in which made him feel that way was architected by white leaders who shouldn’t be celebrated. We talk about some examples of white anti-state terrorism in America, making the point that these groups were not penalized to nearly the extent they would have been had they been Black, this being due to systemic racism. We use a bunch of other examples to highlight institutional oppression today, including an experience Kojo had in court after finding out he was one of a group consisting predominantly of people of color who had to appear that day. From there, we bring up the topic of the myth of Black racism, using a clip from a lecture by Dr. Joy DeGruy where she elucidates how racism is defined by an intersection of race and power. In today’s show, we also talk about the idea that while we cannot judge if one is racist in their heart or soul, their actions and language can be used as a measure. Apathy toward the suffering of people of a different race than you is a form of racism from this perspective. So tune in and hear some of the facts, and stay with us until the end where we present a line of action you can take to help change things. Exercise your right to vote, stay educated, and if today’s show struck a chord with you, you’re on the right track.

With the 2020 Presidential Election drawing closer, we thought it only be fitting to continue our race and racism series, this time delving into issues like dog-whistling and voter suppression. We kick off the show with a clip from Lee Atwater, a well-known Republican Party consultant where he talks about ways to enforce racism without being able to say the N-word. This leads into a discussion on dog-whistling—the use of covert, coded language, which by all accounts appears neutral but is loaded with racist rhetoric. Terms like ‘inner-city’, ‘God’s country’, ‘suburban’, and ‘urban’ are all widely used to invoke images that foster division and fear. These insidious displays of racism are very much alive and well in today’s United States, and another common, furtive racist tactic is voter suppression. While it may be easy to relegate voter suppression to a time passed, it is incredibly prevalent and naturally disproportionately affects communities of color. We look at a study of Harvard students taking the 1964 Louisiana Literacy Test and the correlations it has to the obstacles that voters still currently face. Some of these new and improved voter suppression tactics include limited absentee ballot drop-boxes, like in Texas, prohibitive ID laws that exclude 21 million people from voting, and subtle ‘watchful eyes’ under the guise of preventing voter fraud. All elections are significant, but this might arguably be the most important one of many of our lifetimes. Your vote absolutely does count, regardless of what you have been led to believe. If it didn’t, why would so many people be trying to stop you from voting? While we acknowledge the very real obstacles that are placed in the way of the Black and community of color’s way to vote, we encourage you to get out there on election day to have your say on the future of the country.

If you have a dream, you have to guard it at all costs, and there are few people as fiercely protective over their ambitions as Kojo Mensah-Bonsu. In this all-access episode, we get to know this incredible man, brother, son, husband, and friend. As a quintessential leader, Kojo is compassionate, trustworthy, loving, and endlessly competitive. While he is never been afraid about pursuing his personal aspirations, he understands the role he plays in contributing to the greater cause. Kojo’s relentless pursuit of excellence is truly what separates him from the pack, and throughout this show, where we celebrate him, we see this trait showing up time and again. We take it all the way back to his childhood, growing up in London, falling in love with comic books, and ultimately discovering basketball. As a natural-born athlete, Kojo could have pursued several sports, but the challenge of basketball, a sport he discovered relatively late in life, kept him coming back. Simply playing basketball was never going to be enough for Kojo — He wanted to make it all the way. He shares the incredible story of his arrival in at a camp in America, and how he threw away the return ticket to London because of his dogmatic devotion to his dream to play Division I basketball. We hear when he realized that his biblical lessons were being actualized, what sparked his antagonist mindset on the court, and the role that coaches and friends have played in getting him to where he wanted to be. Kojo’s unique life story shows us that hard work, intent, and focus can get anything done. This is just part one, and there’s still a whole lot more to come…Tune in to Part 2!

In part two of our all-access episode with Kojo Mensah-Bonsu, we get straight back into it, taking stock of his story so far, where he is now finally living out his dream of playing Division I basketball at a top-tier university. A late pre-season injury put Kojo out of the game of basketball but into the game of life, where he learned some enduring lessons about being thoughtful and understanding people’s true intentions. As we discussed in part one, Kojo has always understood his role serving others and the greater good, and this is clear in the way he has lifted his siblings up and paved the way for them. His devotion to helping his brother, Pops, make it to the NBA highlights his abundant mindset and the pride he takes in seeing his loved ones win. One of those nearest and dearest to him is his wife, Noel, whose will and focus continue to blow Kojo away. We hear about how their love story and the universal forces that brought them together. Kojo also, bravely, shares the story of his son, Noah’s passing, the impact that this had on him, and how they keep his memory alive today. Moving over to his professional life and his transition from basketball to the professional world, we discover the tough lessons Kojo learned about asking for help and how his arrogance got in his way. Learning to be a student and seek out help has been a gamechanger in propelling him forward. Towards the end of this incredible discussion, Kojo reflects on his main takeaways, including holding onto your dreams at all costs, not allowing faith and fear to exist in the same space, and the importance of being self-aware. Wrapping up, we ask, “What Would You Do?”, where we hear Kojo’s take on humbling yourself to get to the top. Don't miss out!

Cedric & Kojo are continuing the series of episodes focusing on racism in America. They use this conversation to look at the Jacob Blake shooting, comments from leaders, and the roots of the issues we are still witnessing. As incidents of police brutality and the fruition of institutionalized racism continue to surface, it would seem impossible to deny the reality of what the country is facing. And yet many people, including some in high-profile positions, refuse to acknowledge the issues. Disturbing views expressed publicly by sheriffs and politicians do not come from nowhere. These are individuals elected or endorsed by the public. What does this say about American society? We look at the infamous speech that David Beth made in response to the pursuit of a group of shoplifters, and the implications and explicit racism of his choice of words when referring to the suspects. With so much doom and gloom, the light that is provided by progressive leaders and those who stand up against the wrongs of the past and present, is that much more impactful. We hear from a handful of public officials who weigh in on the plight in which we find ourselves. This episode is peppered with the sobering and inspiring perspective of Doc Rivers, who remains an important touchpoint for us here at The DäBU Podcast. Listen in with us today to hear it all, as we ask, 'What Would You Do?'

Cedric and Kojo are back at it again. Kojo interviews Cedric and does a masterful job of highlighting key milestones and character traits Cedric exhibited along the way. Cedric embodies the true character of a journeyman and took “The Road Less Travelled.” Cedric will talk about being the “Golden Child” and the “Golden Privilege” he received in the first 14 years of his life. Cedric’s grandmother Johnny Clark was instrumental during this time of his life. You will also hear about Cedric’s mother Sylvia Donovan coming to get him after she was married and how the first attempt did not go according to plan. The “Golden Child” was not being taken away that easy and someone (who Cedric will not disclose) made it know that they had a gun and Cedric’s mom would not be leaving with him and his brother Chris. Cedric’s desire was to be a Division 1 Basketball player, but after his tryout with the Men’s Basketball Team, he was relegated to being a practice player for the Women’s Basketball team. He built a bond with former NBA basketball player Michael Dickerson. Cedric worked out with Michael every day and got a front row seat to the pedigree of the team that later that year became the 1997 NCAA Basketball National Champions. The persistence Cedric had when he arrived at Washington State University is unheralded. Cedric articulates how grateful he was for Coach Kevin Eastman and Coach Paul Graham and the opportunity they each provided. It is clear that Cedric was not going to take “No” for an answer, but Cedric was also willing to do what others would not do as well as cultivate an undeniable value proposition. You will also hear about Cedric’s accent from Hourly associate making $7.50 to an Officer within two Fortune 500 Organizations. Cedric continues to show gratitude to leaders that took time to mentor and sponsor him along the journey. No surprises here, but Cedric activates the same level of persistence in the corporate setting and he articulates clear character traits that translate in any competitive setting. Finally, there is much needed topic surrounding the validity of Webster’s Definitions of Racism and Servitude. Kojo delivers a compelling argument that you will not want to miss! “What would you do?”