Culture Stew Maria Morukian

In this episode of Culture Stew, hosts Maria Morukian and Roger Moreano meet with Veronica H. Moore, a dedicated professional with a profound passion for enhancing educational experiences and fostering inclusive environments.
Veronica shares insights from her diverse background, spanning leadership, program development, and community advocacy. She discusses the importance of mental, physical, and emotional well-being in enacting social change, highlighting the power of nature and community building.
The conversation delves into Veronica's journey of self-discovery, the impact of early messages on her life choices, and her commitment to advocating for others. She shares the inspiration behind her children's book, "Rosie's Special Gift," which celebrates kindness, empathy, and the transformative power of nature.
Listeners gain valuable insights into nurturing personal wellness practices and finding one's place within advocacy efforts. Veronica emphasizes the interconnectedness of wellness, disruption, and social justice, urging listeners to prioritize self-care to better serve their communities.
To learn more about Veronica H. Moore and her work, visit her website at VeronicaHMoore.com.
 

Empowering Mental Wellness: A Conversation with Dr. Dominique Pritchett

In this episode of Culture Stew, hosts Maria Morukian and Roger Moreano engage in a dynamic conversation with Dr. Dominique Pritchett, a mental wellness strategist, speaker, therapist, and podcast host. Dr. Pritchett's extensive expertise spans from clinical psychology to social work, guiding organizations and individuals towards prioritizing mental wellness and emotional intelligence.
Themes Explored:
Empowerment Through Identity: Dr. Pritchett shares her journey of self-discovery, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's identity and advocating for oneself amidst societal challenges, particularly for Black women.
Manifestation and Hope: Delving into the power of hope and manifestation, the conversation highlights how envisioning possibilities and setting intentions can lead to transformative change, both personally and professionally.
Navigating Challenges with Purpose: Through anecdotes and insights, Dr. Pritchett discusses strategies for navigating systemic barriers, maintaining balance, and fostering resilience in the face of adversity.
 
Tune in to gain invaluable insights into mental wellness, empowerment, and effective advocacy from Dr. Dominique Pritchett on Culture Stew.
Learn More about Dr. Pritchett: https://www.dominiquepritchett.com/ 

Join us for a dynamic discussion on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace in this episode of Culture Stew. Our guest, Dr. Carol Parker Walsh, CEO and Strategic Advisor of Carol Parker Walsh Consulting, is here to share her expertise and insights.
Dr. Parker Walsh's impressive credentials include a J.D., Ph.D., and nearly three decades of experience in law, academia, and executive leadership. As an award-winning master-certified executive coach, personal brand strategist, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation.
In this episode, Dr. Parker Walsh dives into the importance of fostering inclusive workplace cultures, strategies for overcoming resistance to DEI initiatives, and the transformative power of coaching for professional growth. With her Fearless: The Career Rebel Academy and extensive training catalog, she's empowering professionals to drive innovation and create inclusive environments.
In this podcast, we discuss:
Embracing Authenticity: Explore the importance of authenticity in the workplace and its role in cultivating inclusive cultures.
Overcoming Resistance: Discover strategies for addressing resistance and advancing DEI efforts within organizations, even in the face of challenges.
Coaching for Growth: Uncover the transformative potential of coaching in promoting self-reflection and professional development, especially in the realm of DEI leadership.

Learn more about Dr. Parker Walsh - https://www.carolparkerwalsh.com/

In this episode of Culture Stew, hosts Maria Morukian and Roger Moreano engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Ayanna F. Brown. Dr. Brown shares insights into her upbringing, highlighting the powerful messages she received at an early age. They delve into the importance of Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) in education, discussing its evolution over time and its impact on student well-being and academic success. The conversation also explores the challenges facing DEI work, including misinformation and intra-community dynamics. Dr. Brown emphasizes the need for institutions to develop cultural competence and institutional will to create lasting change toward equity and inclusion.
Key Areas of Discussion:
Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT): Dr. Brown defines CRT as an approach that goes beyond cultural competency to encompass critical consciousness and sociopolitical responsibility. She highlights the importance of understanding students as complete human beings and fostering a sense of communal responsibility within education.
Challenges to DEI Work: The discussion addresses political attacks rooted in misinformation and intra-DEI challenges. Dr. Brown emphasizes the need for effective communication to clarify what DEI entails and how it benefits everyone. She also explores the dynamics within the DEI community and strategies to address them.
Creating Lasting Change: Dr. Brown emphasizes the importance of developing cultural competence and institutional will within organizations to advance equity and inclusion. She advocates for consistent assessment and data collection to inform proactive actions toward greater equity, safety, and cultural responsiveness.
Visit Dr. Ayanna F. Brown's website, https://thought-spectrum.com/about/,  to learn more about her work and listen to the full podcast episode for further insights!

In this engaging episode, podcast hosts Maria Morukian and Roger Moreano delve into a multifaceted conversation with Scott Tharp, an esteemed scholar-practitioner and educational interventionist. With a rich background in social work, curriculum design, and program evaluation, Scott shares profound insights into the early messages and values that have shaped his personal and professional journey.
Early Messages and Values: Scott reflects on the pivotal messages from his upbringing, including the emphasis on seeing the best in people and the profound impact of learning about hope and resilience during his undergraduate years. These formative experiences laid the groundwork for his commitment to social justice and his belief in the transformative power of education.

Political Nature of Education: Delving into the political landscape of education, Scott discusses the inherent politicization of educational practices and the importance of critically examining the choices made as educators. He highlights the necessity of framing educational work not as partisan politics, but as a means to challenge power structures and foster critical thinking in academic settings.

Social Justice as a Process: Scott unpacks the concept of social justice as a dynamic process rather than a fixed goal, emphasizing the importance of continual learning, unlearning, and growth. Drawing from his expertise in curriculum design and program evaluation, he advocates for a nuanced understanding of activism within academia and beyond. Scott Tharp is an active scholar-practitioner and educational interventionist, with research interests focusing on the development and assessment of social justice education curriculum and pedagogical practices. He has published scholarly articles in prestigious journals such as the Journal of Transformative Education, Multicultural Education, Multicultural Perspectives, and Whiteness in Education. Scott is also the author of two influential books: Doing Social Justice Education: A Practitioner's Guide for Workshops and Structured Conversations (2020) and Decoding Privilege: Exploring White College Students' Views on Social Inequality (2022).
Currently serving as the Associate Director for Academic Program Review and Assessment at the University of Illinois Chicago, Scott enhances students’ educational experiences by partnering with academic degree programs, institutes, and centers to regularly assess student learning and implement campus-wide review processes. With a Ph.D. in Curriculum Studies from the University of Illinois Chicago, an M.S.W. from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, and a B.A. in Sociology and Philosophy from Elmhurst College, Scott also holds an appointment as Affiliated Faculty in the MSW Program at DePaul University. His expertise extends to serving as an assessment mentor for the Higher Learning Commission's Assessment Academy and his prior leadership role on the national leadership team for NASPA’s Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Knowledge Community as the co-Chair for the Professional Development.
Through engaging dialogue and thoughtful reflection, Scott and the podcast hosts navigate complex topics with depth and nuance, offering valuable perspectives on fostering inclusivity, challenging dominant narratives, and driving meaningful change in education and society.
Learn more about Scott:
Doing Social Justice Education - Book
Decoding Privilege - Book
Friere deep cuts - Article 

The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and the speaker.
 

In this episode of Culture Stew, hosts Maria Morukian and Roger Moreano engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Diana Cutaia. Together, they explore the intricate layers of identity formation, challenging gender norms, and reimagining success through the lens of peace-building. Join us as we unravel the threads of identity with Diana Cutaia.
 
Navigating Personal and Cultural Messages: Diana Cutaia shares insights into how the messages she received from her family, culture, and upbringing shaped her understanding of identity and her role in the world. Growing up as a middle child amidst trauma, she developed a keen awareness of her surroundings, which evolved into a valuable skill for her work.
 
Challenging Gender Norms and Expectations: Reflecting on her experiences as a CISgender woman, Diana discusses the pressures to conform to narrow gender stereotypes and the struggles she faced in finding her authentic self. Rejecting societal norms, she embarked on a journey to redefine what it means to express femininity and masculinity.
 
Coaching Peace: Redefining Success and Building Empathy: Through her initiative, Coaching Peace, Diana strives to transform the narrative surrounding sports and cultivate environments of compassion, respect, and understanding. By challenging traditional coaching methods rooted in competition and aggression, she advocates for a holistic approach that fosters empathy, equity, and genuine connection.
 
This episode delves into the complexities of identity formation, the importance of challenging societal norms, and the transformative power of fostering peace and empathy in communities. Join us as we unravel the threads of identity with Diana Cutaia.