Off The Beaten Podcast Dion McGill

Hello Friends!
For this episode I had the opportunity to sit down with Ydalmi Noriega. Ydalmi is a Chicago transplant, as well as the Vice President of Programs and Engagement for the Poetry Foundation. After recently being labeled as a person who is redefining what poetry looks like, I had to sit down and pick her brain about her journey, and about the wide world of poetry. Enjoy! 
 
Resources:

Hispanic Executive: Ydalmi Noriega Is Redefining What Poetry Looks Like in America
Block Club Chicago: Words of Wonder Literary Festival Bringing ‘The Best’ Creatives To The South Side Saturday
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I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Got something to say?
Give us a call and leave a voicemail: (708)465-1590
Email us: beingsillyinthecity@gmail.com
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You can also support the podcast by Buying Me a Cup of Coffee. Every dollar donated goes into helping me make the podcast better. buymeacoffee.com/OffTheBeatenPodcast
 

Hello Friends!While sitting and reflecting, it dawned on me I hadn't ever done an episode about Pride Month, which is a pretty big deal here in Chicago, so I took some time to reflect on some memories that tightly correlate in my head with the LGBTQIA+ community.  It's story time!!!
Resources: 
Fatal Violence Against The Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Community in 2022 
LGBTQ Community Speaks Out Following Deaths of Two Chicago-Area Black Trans Women
State Representative Kelly Cassidy
Aurora Pride Parade 2022 Draws Hundreds After Almost Cancelled Over Revoked Permit Controversy
History.com: The Stonewall Riots
History.com: How The Mob Helped Establish NYC's Gay Bar Scene
Full Moon Over The Stonewall: Howard Smith's Account of the Stonewall Riots
City Cast Chicago: Remembering Mama Gloria

Every time another school shooting or mass shooting happens, I am approached by people asking, "What can I do? What can we do?"  
So I wanted to take a moment to offer some actionable steps you can take in the face of this tragedy.  
State: 
UPDATE: Governor Pritzker has signed HB 4729, which will fund a statewide public awareness campaign to promote safe firearm storage. It's effective date is January 1, 2023. Feel free to send him a thank you!!!
Springfield
Office of the Governor207 State HouseSpringfield, IL 62706Phone: 217-782-6830 or 217-782-6831
Chicago
Office of the GovernorJames R. Thompson Center100 W. Randolph, 16-100Chicago, IL 60601Phone: 312-814-2121 or 312-814-2122
Contact the Governor Online
Federal:
Reach out to your congressmen and let them know you want to see action now to prevent tragedies like the one in Uvalde Texas and that failure to do so could greatly impact your support of them in future elections. 
Congress: Find your Members
Education & Resources
Giffords: Courage to Fight Violence
Radiolab Presents: More Perfect - The Gun Show, WNYC
The Trace: Investigating Gun Violence in America
 
Supporting Strong Communities
Changing the Beat of Mental Health: Amplifying Our Voice, Communities United
 
Support and Prevention
Talking to Your Children about Tragedies in the News, Lurie Children's Blog
Helping Your Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting, American Psychological Association
Terrorism and Violence, The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Healing Circles
Talking to Children about the Shooting, The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Helping Youth after Community Trauma, Tips for Educators, The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Talking to Children: When Scary Things Happen, Program for Prevention Science, University of Colorado at Boulder
Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
Firearm Safety Toolkit
 
Research
Policies to Reduce Gun Violence in Illinois: Research, Policy Analysis and Recommendations, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Public Health On Call Series: Gun Violence Prevention, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Chicago Firearms Report, UChicago Urban Labs
Lurie Children's infographic on firearm data in Illinois
 

Saying "Happy Memorial Day" always feels weird to me. However, allow me to offer my sincerest gratitude to all those who have loved ones you are remembering today.  I offer my thoughts on Memorial Day, and some of my favorite poetry that commemorates this day. 
Resources:
In Flanders Fields by John McCrae
The St. Crispin's Day Speech from Henry V
Military Times - Honor The Fallen: SGT Joshua Harris
Military Times - Honor The Fall: SSG Jason Vasquez
SGT Simone Asia Robinson 33rd IBCT Memorial
St. Crispin's Day Speech by the Cast of 'Band of Brothers'
Poem: The Answer by Lt. J. A. Armstrong 
Signup for the newsletter here: Off The Beaten Podcast Newsletter
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Follow OTBP on Social Media:
Instagram / Facebook / TikTok / Website / Podchaser
I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Got something to say?
Give us a call and leave a voicemail: (708)465-1590
Email us: beingsillyinthecity@gmail.com
Also don't be afraid to slide into my DM's on any of the social media platforms. 
You can also support the podcast by Buying Me a Cup of Coffee. Every dollar donated goes into helping me make the podcast better. buymeacoffee.com/OffTheBeatenPodcast
Cover Photo by Alicia Schemel

Hello Friends! Recently, following an evening of violence that left one youth dead, Mayor Lori Lightfoot instituted a ban on youth at Millennium Park after 6pm Thursday - Sunday. She also moved the citywide curfew for youth from 11pm to 10pm. I had to offer my thoughts. 
Resources:
Lightfoot sets earlier citywide weekend curfew
16-year-old boy shot dead in Millennium Park had big plans for his family and for his music 'if I make it to 21'
Lightfoot's curfew rollback clears committee amid opposition from all sides
Chicago Institutes 10pm weekend curfew for minors after violence downtown
The Marshall Project: The Curfew Myth
A Lollapalooza Loophole in Lightfoot's Curfew To Crack Down On Crime Has Youth Asking: Who Is Downtown For? 
Chicago History Museum: What is Redlining? 
Twitter: Ald. Andre Vasquez, Political Account
Signup for the newsletter here: Off The Beaten Podcast Newsletter
Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any upcoming episodes. Also, please take a moment to rate and review OTBP on your favorite podcast app.
Follow OTBP on Social Media:
Instagram / Facebook / TikTok / Website / Podchaser
I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Got something to say?
Give us a call and leave a voicemail: (708)465-1590
Email us: beingsillyinthecity@gmail.com
Also don't be afraid to slide into my DM's on any of the social media platforms. 
You can also support the podcast by Buying Me a Cup of Coffee. Every dollar donated goes into helping me make the podcast better. buymeacoffee.com/OffTheBeatenPodcast
 

Hello Friends! This episode I indulge in my sweet tooth while visiting with Leah Tibbs, owner of Cookies and Conversations, a small black female owned business I became a fan of during the pandemic. Cookies and Conversations brings people together in conversations while baking and indulging in super yummy cookies! 
This episode was recorded in the kitchen of Cookies and Conversations, which was super exciting. Be sure to check C&C and let Leah know OTBP sent you! 
Resources:
Cookies and conversations
French Pastry School
Documentary: Kings of Pastry
Beena David Episode
Side Practice Coffee
Vanille Patisserie
Semicolon Bookstore
Lemonade Land
Crema Shop
Lacuna Lofts
Garrett’s Popcorn
Signup for the newsletter here: Off The Beaten Podcast Newsletter
Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any upcoming episodes. Also, please take a moment to rate and review OTBP on your favorite podcast app.
Follow OTBP on Social Media:
Instagram / Facebook / TikTok / Website / Podchaser
I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Got something to say?
Give us a call and leave a voicemail: (708)465-1590
Email us: beingsillyinthecity@gmail.com
Also don't be afraid to slide into my DM's on any of the social media platforms. 
You can also support the podcast by Buying Me a Cup of Coffee. Every dollar donated goes into helping me make the podcast better. buymeacoffee.com/OffTheBeatenPodcast