Elephant in the Room-Unboxed

Thick Descriptions and Respect Diversity Foundation

Elephant in the Room - Unboxed is a conversation that acknowledges, explores, unpacks and offers action opportunities regarding topics that historically was not discussed. This podcast offers different hosts and interviewees. The commitment is to talk, discuss and/or develop a plan AND do the work, together.

  1. 2D AGO

    The Weight of Wellness: Unpacking Anthropology, Activism, and Authentic Leadership with Dr. Kamela Heyward-Rotimi

    We are so happy to bring back new episodes for the “Elephant in the Room - Unboxed” podcast! In this episode, co-hosts Suzette Chang and Dr. Robin Miles sit down with practicing anthropologist Kamela Heyward-Rotimi, Ph.D., Executive Director, The Knowledge Exchange Research Group (KERG), for a powerful conversation about the intersection of anthropology, activism, and leadership. Dr. Heyward shares her origin story: from a pivotal moment with anthropologist Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole at Spelman College to navigating pushback against her "too political" and interdisciplinary research. She reflects on the lessons of "little Kamela," the complexities of trust in fieldwork across the African diaspora, and why auto-ethnographic methods and Native Anthropology are essential for ethical scholarship.  The conversation culminates in a deep exploration of a quote from Toni Cade Bambara’s The Salt Eaters, "a lot of weight when you're well", examining the responsibility that comes with healing and wellness, both personally and within community. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on disrupting traditional systems, owning your voice, and bridging the gap between higher education and public spaces.

    53 min

  2. MAR 2

    Anthropology as Liberation: Black Feminism, Education & Critical Thinking with Dr. Brendane Tynes

    In honor of Women’s History Month, we are thrilled to bring back a powerful conversation between two Black women anthropologists who are reshaping the way we think about education, identity, and community. In this episode of Elephant in the Room Unboxed, host Suzette Chang sits down with the Dr. Brendane Tynes as they talk about the crisis in the American education system, the deliberate attack on critical thinking, and the importance of reclaiming our narratives. Dr. Tynes shares her personal journey from being a first-generation college student in South Carolina to earning her doctorate, reflecting on the microaggressions and systemic racism she faced even as a high-achieving student. They explore the danger of putting people in boxes, the difference between Black feminism and womanism, and how anthropology serves as a vital tool for liberation and understanding the world around us. In this episode you can learn about: - The role of anthropology in developing critical thinking skills - Navigating spaces as a Black woman in academia and beyond - The difference between "politeness" and honesty in the South and "Charm City" - The public education crisis: Racism, resource inequality, and the illusion of "learning loss." Resources & Links: Follow Dr. Tynes’ work and listen to her podcast, Black Loved and Free, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or at blacklovedandfreepodcast.com. Thank you for our partner, Respect Diversity Foundation!

    54 min

  3. FEB 2

    Starting Uncomfortable Conversations That Matter with Suzette Chang and Dr. Noel Jacobs: Thick Descriptions and Respect Diversity Foundation Partnership

    What does it take to not just live side by side, but to truly understand, appreciate, and respect one another? Revisit foundational episode of "Elephant in the Room-Unboxed" on the partnership behind the podcast with Suzette Chang, CEO and Founder of Thick Descriptions, and Noel Jacobs, Executive Director of the Respect for Diversity Foundation. Suzette and Noel get radically personal, sharing the pivotal experiences that launched their life's work and flesh-out why these two organizations do this work meaning discussing, understanding and offering solutions for what it means to be a human being, to have human experiences and how humans can have quality lives in Oklahoma and around the world.

    37 min

  4. JAN 5

    Oklahoma's Education Past & Future with Dr. Judith Coker

    Join Suzette Chang of Thick Descriptions for a compelling conversation with educator and activist Dr. Judith Coker. From witnessing "white flight" and teacher strikes in 1970s Oklahoma to analyzing today’s political climate in education, Dr. C shares firsthand historical insight and urgent concerns about the state of Oklahoma’s schools. They delve into community trust, the power of local engagement, and why respectful, uncomfortable conversations are vital for change. This episode explores how anthropology can reshape learning and what it truly takes to build schools where every child and teacher can thrive.

    45 min

  5. 12/03/2025

    Creating Space for Black Sustainability with Sheri Dickerson

    In this episode, host Dr. Noel Jacobs sits down with Reverend Sheri Dickerson, a pillar of the Oklahoma City community and executive director of Black Lives Matter OKC. They dive into an essential and often uncomfortable conversation about what it truly means to create and sustain space for Black communities. Moving beyond abstract ideas, they discuss the historical erasure of Black success in Oklahoma, from Deep Deuce to Greenwood, and the ongoing challenges of gentrification, health disparities, and systemic barriers.

    41 min

  6. 11/10/2025

    White Supremacy and White Priviledge with Jill Nagle

    In this episode titled "White Supremacy and White Privilege” Jill Nagle talks about White Supremacy Mythology and the importance of understanding how history produces our mindsets and learning to move beyond them to enjoy greater clarity, sovereignty, and effectiveness at stopping harm and transforming injustice. A longtime student and teacher of transformation and evolution, Jill Nagle's background includes Untraining White Liberal Racism with Robert Horton, Challenging White Supremacy with Sharon Martinas, and multicultural alliance building with the National Coalition Building Institute. She founded Evolutionary Workplace, Wisdom of The Body: Beyond Talk Therapy, and cofounded of Awake Parent Perspectives. In this episode, she and Dr. Noel Jacobs, Health Service Psychologist and Executive Director of Respect Diversity Foundation in Oklahoma City, unpack the meaning behind White Supremacy Mythology, its effect on people’s mindset and how we can deal with it as a society.

    40 min

  7. 10/13/2025

    Unpacking Oklahoma's Past: History, Legislation and Path Forward with Bailey Perkins Wright

    In this episode, Bailey Perkins Wright defines why history matters to understanding the present and shaping the future, highlights significant moments in Oklahoma’s history and laws that feed into modern disparities, and unpacks recent legislation that has consequences to progress (specifically HB1775). Listen now to learn what we can do collectively and systemically to move us to progress.   The host is Gulnaz Tabynbayeva - Marketing Assistant at Thick Descriptions, Community Engagement Exchange Fellow, and gender equality advocate.  Guest is Bailey Perkins Wright - Womanist, public policy advocate, and adjunct professor at a local community college. As an advocacy and governmental affairs professional, she’s dedicated to shaping state and federal public policy decisions and strengthening civic engagement in Oklahoma.

    42 min

  8. 09/01/2025

    Cultural Anthropology and the Power of "Clear and Confident" Voice with Rena Cook

    In this month's episode, we revisit the conversation about cultural anthropology and the power of projecting a "clear and confident voice" with vocal authority and teacher, Rena Cook. Graduate student and budding anthropologist, Veda Pai, gets in depth and personal with Rena about language, projection and techniques. Explore how clear and confident projection enhances interpersonal relationships and cultural understanding. Rena Cook - a TEDx speaker, author, trainer, coach, and the founder of Vocal Authority, a training consultancy serving corporate clients including attorneys, politicians, teachers, sales teams, and CEOs, who want to use their voice in more commanding and authentic ways. She is a Professor Emerita at the University of Oklahoma School of Drama.

    51 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Elephant in the Room - Unboxed is a conversation that acknowledges, explores, unpacks and offers action opportunities regarding topics that historically was not discussed. This podcast offers different hosts and interviewees. The commitment is to talk, discuss and/or develop a plan AND do the work, together.

Information

  • Creator
    Thick Descriptions and Respect Diversity Foundation
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Thick Descriptions and Respect Diversity Foundation
  • Show Website
    Elephant in the Room-Unboxed