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. Jul 1

    Leading Through Storytelling: Community, Justice & The Power of Micro-Moments with Carlos Moreno, MPA

    In this episode, Suzette Chang and Dr. Robin Miles sit down with Carlos Moreno, who shares how listening to elders in Tulsa’s Greenwood District shaped his understanding of history beyond the 1921 Tulsa Massacre, and why stories of Black and Latino innovation (from internet pioneers to his own grandmother) deserve to be told. He reflects on the Terence Crutcher case, the criminal justice system’s entanglement with poverty, and the quiet power of small acts, like hiring two neighborhood kids to weed a garden, to rebuild community trust. A conversation about how anthropology, leadership, and everyday choices can create the world we want to live in. Carlos Moreno, MPA is a community affairs analyst at Family & Children's Services, serving the Recovery Services Division which works closely with Oklahoma criminal justice system and community partners to reduce the negative impacts of incarceration. Carlos also works as a local historian & journalist in Tulsa, and is the author of two books: The Victory of Greenwood and A Kids Book about the Tulsa Race Massacre. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Administrative Leadership in 2017 and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree with a focus on civic technology in 2020 from the University of Oklahoma. He serves on the board of Tri City Collective, Urban Coders Guild, and the World Stage Theatre Company.

  2. Jun 4

    Libraries as Cultural Laboratories: Storytelling, Trust, and 21st-Century Leadership with Dr. Larry White

    What if your local library isn’t just a quiet place for books, but a living cultural lab? In this episode, hosts Suzette Chang and Dr. Robin Miles sit down with Dr. Larry White — former CEO of the Metropolitan Library System in Oklahoma City, storyteller, and veteran library leader — to explore how public libraries preserve identity, build trust, and help communities adapt. From serving Afghan refugees with sewing machines to redesigning library spaces for Vietnamese neighbors, Dr. White reveals how observation, storytelling, and cultural anthropology are transforming libraries into dynamic third places. Plus: why a library card might be the most powerful tool you’re not using.

  3. May 6

    Making the World Safer for Diversity: Finding Community, Serving Leadership, and the Secret Sauce of Applied Anthropology with Dr. AJ Faas

    In this episode of Elephant in the Room Unboxed, hosts Suzette Chang and Dr. Robin Miles welcome Dr. AJ, an applied anthropologist and president of the Society for Applied Anthropology (SFAA). Dr. AJ shares his unique journey from a young musician hitchhiking across the country to becoming a servant leader in academia. The conversation dives deep into the future of anthropology, the attack on higher education and diversity, and the transformative power of genuine community. Dr. AJ reveals the "secret sauce" behind SFAA’s culture of belonging, why he rejects the idea of standing "on the shoulders of giants," and how true leadership means working yourself out of a job. If you’ve ever wondered where anthropology is headed or how to find your people in a lonely world, this unboxed conversation is for you.

  4. Apr 1

    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.

  5. 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!

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

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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
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Thick Descriptions and Respect Diversity Foundation
  • Show Website
    Elephant in the Room-Unboxed