NEXT with Marcus Atkinson

On today’s episode of NEXT2.0, we bring you two unique interviews from the campus of Penn State Behrend. Segment One: In 2024, the residents of Erie, Pennsylvania, were treated to a spectacular celestial event as a total solar eclipse graced the skies above their city. Thousands of eager onlookers gathered in parks, rooftops, and open spaces, armed with special viewing glasses and cameras, to witness this rare cosmic alignment. Erie was bathed in an otherworldly darkness for a few precious minutes, creating a moment of collective awe and wonder. The 2024 total solar eclipse left an indelible mark on the memories of those who witnessed it, a reminder of the beauty and majesty of the universe that surrounds us. Segment Two: The Russia-Ukraine conflict is a complex geopolitical saga that has gripped international attention for years. Amidst ceasefires and diplomatic efforts, the conflict has persisted, with ongoing humanitarian consequences and diplomatic reverberations felt worldwide. It's a sobering reminder of the fragility of peace in the 21st century and the enduring struggle for stability in the region. In the second segment, we interview Ukrainian Parliament Member Oleksiy Honcharenko, who gives his firsthand perspective on the conflict.

Caitlin Clark, a rising star in women's basketball, embodies the fierce determination and talent that define the sport. Caitlin represents the pinnacle of athletic achievement as a standout player for the Iowa Hawkeyes and the top pick in the 2024 WNBA draft. In the context of race, Caitlin's success shines a light on the systemic inequalities that persist in sports, with many black athletes lamenting the unprecedented praise and attention being heaped upon her. Despite her undeniable skill, she faces barriers rooted in gender and race that impact opportunities and recognition. These disparities extend to the pay gap in women's sports, where WNBA players earn significantly less than their male counterparts in the NBA. Caitlin's emergence underscores the urgent need for change, not only in leveling the playing field for female athletes but also in addressing broader societal inequities that affect women of all backgrounds. Tune in today as we discuss Caitlin Clark, race, and pay equity on NEXT2.0.

Dr. Michelle LeBaron is bringing together insights from Neuroscience, the Arts, and Conflict Resolution studies to create new ways of helping individuals and communities to work toward reconciliation and building better lives and communities. On this episode of Next 2.0 Dr. LeBaron will share some of those insights. Chuck Cammarata interviewed Dr. LeBaron while at an inspiring conference in Asheville NC in March 2024. Michelle LeBaron is a Law Professor at the University of British Columbia and is an internationally recognized interdisciplinary scholar on conflict transformation, the arts, and resilience. Her current research is on two main areas: conflict across religious and worldview differences, and the role of the arts in developing stories and practices that promote reconciliation. She has written a bunch of books – “The Choreography of Resolution” (a great title BTW!) is the latest I think it is fair to call her a cultural bridge builder and I was enlightened and inspired by my conversation with her. If you want to contact her you can email her at the university. Her email is lebaron@allard.ubc.ca . And you can find her books on Amazon.com

In today's episode, we're taking a journey through the highlights of past episodes, revisiting the most intriguing discussions, groundbreaking insights, and memorable moments that stood out to us.

In recent months, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs has faced several legal battles, with lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault and trafficking. As a result of the "alleged" activity, homes belonging to Sean "Diddy" Combs in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by officials from US Homeland Security on Monday, 25 March. The raids were reportedly tied to sex-trafficking allegations leveled by different plaintiffs, the Associated Press reported, citing law enforcement sources. Months ago, NEXT discussed the legal complaint filed by R&B artist Cassie and wondered aloud if this would turn into a criminal complaint. This episode continues that conversation with an analysis of the raid. Tap in!

For the past decade, Dr. Julia Robinson Moore has been researching and uncovering the truth about burial grounds for enslaved people in churches and communities in and around here home in Charlotte, NC. Dr. Moore is an ordained Presbyterian pastor and as she traveled around preaching at various churches she noticed something about the cemeteries that are on the church grounds of so many churches. What she noticed was that the cemeteries had two distinct sections, one that was manicured and well maintained with beautiful stones and gardens where the white people were buried, and the other, which was largely unmaintained, overgrown and had fallen into disuse. These were the graves of slaves. As a tactic for reclaiming dignity and bringing together those whose ancestors were slave owners and those who were slaves she has begun working with churches to restore the slave cemeteries. She says that this work of hers is about building communities committed to truth telling and healing and racial justice and reconciliation. Julia is an ordained Presbyterian minister and an Associate Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at UNC Charlotte where she teaches courses in African American religion and racial violence in America among other things. She is the author of "Race, Religion, and the Pulpit... You will find her to be a gracious and gentle soul who is doing important work. It is rare to find a person who embodies as much beauty and dignity as Dr. Moore. If you want to find out more about her work you can contact her at through the University at email: https://religiousstudies.charlotte.edu/directory/julia-robinson-moore-dr-rob

Life is heavy these days – complicated and contentious and lots of us are struggling with simple things like – how do we talk to people – often people we love – who are on the other side of some of the most important issues of our time. Author and activist Gareth Higgins is our guest today. Gareth was born in Belfast in 1975, grew up during a time of violent conflict in northern Ireland. He writes and speaks about the power of storytelling to shape our lives and world, to bring peace and make justice, and how to take life seriously without believing your own propaganda. He has been involved in peace-building and violence reduction in northern Ireland by helping the residents of Northern Ireland address the legacy of conflict that drove the violence. Gareth owns a Ph.D. in Sociology from Queen’s University Belfast, and helped teach the world’s first graduate course in Reconciliation Studies at Trinity College Dublin. He also helped found the Wild Goose, New Story and Movies & Meaning festivals. He leads retreats in North America and Ireland; and he founded The Porch Magazine. To learn more about Gareth and his work go to https://www.garethhiggins.net/about

Donald Trump's history of offensive language toward Black people is deeply troubling and has sparked widespread condemnation. From referring to African nations as "s***hole countries" to repeatedly attacking Black public figures with derogatory terms, such as calling Congresswoman Maxine Waters "low IQ" and labeling athletes who protested racial injustice as "sons of B’s," Trump's rhetoric has been divisive and harmful. His recent language on the campaign trail has particularly troubled many voters. Marcus uses some of these comments as a prelude to next week’s Trump-Biden rhetorical analysis. Tune in for a humorous yet cautionary commentary on some of these comments.

The Katt Williams interview with Shannon Sharpe garnered widespread attention and a large viewership for several compelling reasons. Katt Williams is known for his unfiltered and outspoken nature, making the interview highly anticipated by fans eager to hear his unapologetic insights about the industry and some of its most successful comedians. The interview became a must-watch due to the fusion of two distinct personalities, the promise of candid discussions, and the potential for unexpected revelations. Was it journalism did Sharp simply provide a platform for Katt to “Spill the tea?” You be the judge. Marcus and guest host Marc Blount unpack the interview on today’s episode of NEXT 2.0.

Christian nationalism poses significant dangers as it intertwines religious fervor with political ideology, potentially undermining the principles of religious freedom, pluralism, and democratic governance. By conflating religious beliefs with national identity and policy objectives, it can lead to the marginalization of minority groups, the erosion of civil liberties, and the exclusion of diverse voices within society. Moreover, it often promotes an exclusivist worldview, fostering intolerance towards those who do not adhere to the brand of Christianity espoused by its proponents. In this episode, we’re joined by Chuck Nelson, Pastor at The Cross in Erie, and member of Erie City Council, and Drew Himes, Pastor at COTC, Adjunct Prof at Gannon U, Psychotherapist & EMS Instructor at Butler County Community College. Co-host Chuck Cammarata leads this fascinating discussion on what this is and where it’s headed.

When we talk about black history, one of the things that we forget is we are all living history, so we want to highlight those people that are laboring in our community. They are serving the community, especially with our young people and with our economic circumstances. The work continues and we want to shine the light on that a little bit today, so to that we’ve got three very special guests that are doing their fair share to leave Erie better than how they found it. Joining Marcus Atkinson in this episode of NEXT 2.0 is Bishop Frank Quinn, Mr. Jason Roberts, and Mr. Edison Nicholson.

In February 2018, Erie’s Public Schools embarked on a stakeholder-driven strategic plan. Many of the goals and benchmarks declared in that plan had a target year of 2024 to accomplish those goals. COVID-19 presented many unforeseen challenges for the nation and our local community. So where are we today? Are the students better prepared? How can the community do its part to ensure student success? Co-host Marc Blount and guest Danielle Randall helped us unpack these critical questions. Today, on NEXT 2.0.

You are about to enjoy our first Community Crossover Edition of NEXT 2.0. On this episode of NEXT 2.0 Marcus is in studio with Rob Davis and Martin Long, hosts of the podcast, Let's Fail. You may be wondering what a community crossover edition is. It's real simple. We've got a show, they've got a show. And this will air on their platform and ours.

When citizens have a voice in library decision-making, it builds trust and strengthens relationships between the library and the community. Citizens are more likely to support a library that values their input and actively seeks to address their needs and concerns. Like many places throughout the country, the public library in Erie, PA, is becoming a constant battleground around book banning and privatization. Today, a concerned group of citizens is speaking out about an arrangement to lease library space to a faith-based, private institution on the heels of protests around diversity and inclusive representation. Is it beneficial to the citizens and the right thing to do? Tune in and listen.

In this episode of NEXT 2.0, Marcus reflects on the recent MLK Junior Day in Erie, Pennsylvania. He discusses the annual march, charitable dinner, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s message of pride and empowerment for the African-American community. Marcus highlights the contributions of the African-American community in Erie and their commitment to making a positive impact. The script concludes with a clip from Bishop Curtis Jones Sr. discussing efforts to establish an African-American museum in Erie, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and preserving black history. The host expresses gratitude to individuals and organizations contributing to the community and encourages listeners to join in discussions about the future of their communities and democracy.

To the dismay of many, Erie Mayor Joe Schember votes to appoint Mel Witherspoon to a vacant city council seat. None were more disappointed than former Council appointee Susannah Faulkner who publicly opposed this action. Chuck Cammarata sits down for a one on one interview to hear her thoughts and concerns for how this all played out. Today, on NEXT2.0.

In 2024, many compelling news stories are poised to shape the global landscape, influencing political, economic, and social trajectories. Societal conversations around equity, justice, and human rights are expected to evolve, focusing on addressing systemic issues and fostering inclusivity. The Trump trials and the 2024 election will undoubtedly be etched in the annals of history, leaving a profound impact on American politics and the global landscape. The trials, whether legal or political, surrounding former President Donald Trump will be scrutinized for their implications on accountability, executive power, and the resilience of democratic institutions. The aftermath of these trials will likely shape public trust in the rule of law and influence future political discourse. The regulation of A.I., transgender legislation, and more. This is 2024, the year in PREview, on this episode of NEXT2.0.

There are a lot of favorite holiday movies and tv specials, but one stands out for our host and millions of others, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Marcus gives his fun and informative take on things we bet you didn’t know about adapting this storied animation into a primetime holiday event, and the movie spawned from its source material. Pour a glass of eggnog and enjoy this holiday special on NEXT 2.0

Behind every show host is a supportive team. Today on NEXT 2.0, meet the interns who helped shape the 2.0 season of the NEXT journey. Meet the partners of the East Side Renaissance, the neighborhood nonprofit that houses the Publix Voice’s studio that co-produces and records 2.0. We discuss not just the rebranding but what the holidays mean in each of their households. This episode is dedicated to all this episode's guests and their families, WQLN- PBS-NPR's tireless staff, and all our loyal listeners. Happy Holidays! Enjoy.

In this season of holiday cheer, we often witness the goodness on display. From constant utterances of good cheer to charitable acts and contributions, Christmas just seems to bring the best out of humanity. However, far too often, organized religion has had the opposite effect on society. Its adverse history is fraught with conflict, intolerance, and oppression. Throughout centuries, various religious beliefs have been wielded as instruments of power, leading to countless wars, persecution, and discrimination. In the minds of many, religion has woven a complex tapestry of human suffering, division, and intellectual suppression, highlighting the dark side of the influence that organized faith has had on societies throughout history. Today, Marcus and Chuck Cammarata are joined by community advocate Tamara Johnson to take on this polarizing topic.