Good Things from Lemonada

At age 14, Luz Hernandez left her home country of Honduras to cross the border into the U.S. She was fleeing poverty, sexual abuse, and medical malpractice. The journey was traumatic; so was making a new start in the U.S. In the second episode of our two-part series created with Voice of Witness, host Maya Rupert talks to Luz about grit and determination, hope and belonging, and why hearing directly from immigrants is crucial to understanding the immigrant experience. This episode is created in partnership with Voice of Witness, an oral history nonprofit that advances human rights by amplifying the stories of people impacted by—and fighting against—injustice. To learn more, visit voiceofwitness.org. You can read Luz’s full story in the Voice of Witness book “Solito, Solita,” along with the powerful oral histories of fourteen other youth refugees from Central America. For more info about this storytelling project and others, including education resources and ways to take action, visit voiceofwitness.org and subscribe to the newsletter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We hope you have been enjoying the incredible guests and stories from this season of Good Things. Now, we want to hear from you. We’re conducting a survey with three simple questions: Did you learn something, has your opinion changed, and do you feel empowered to put these new ideas into action? You can complete this simple, three question survey at bit.ly/goodthingssurvey. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do stories help us challenge, shape, and navigate our democracy? In this two-part series created with Voice of Witness, we’ll explore oral histories as powerful tools of resistance and belonging. In this first episode, host Maya Rupert sits down with Ashley Hemmers, a member of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe, whose path winds from growing up on her reservation to attending Yale to returning home again. Now a tribal administrator, Ashley shares how storytelling is both a bridge to the past and a pathway to her tribe’s future. This episode is created in partnership with Voice of Witness, an oral history nonprofit that advances human rights by amplifying the stories of people impacted by—and fighting against—injustice. To learn more, visit voiceofwitness.org. You can read Ashley’s full story in the Voice of Witness book How We Go Home, along with the powerful oral histories of eleven other Indigenous narrators fighting for justice: https://voiceofwitness.org/books/how-we-go-home-voices-from-indigenous-north-america/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nurturing relationships with safe and dependable adults, like early childhood educators, can make a profound difference for kids who’ve experienced early adversity. Early childhood expert Kai-leé Berke knows this firsthand and she’s spent her career working to improve resources for early childhood educators. Through training and awareness, these educators can help prevent the damaging impacts of trauma, and instill skills like how to love, how to trust, and how to learn. This episode is made possible with support from Lillio, whose mission is to elevate early childhood programs with innovative design, quality content, and professional growth opportunities, delivering joyful learning experiences for all children. To learn more, visit lillio.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Danielle Atkinson has been organizing mothers of color since 2012 to not only knock on doors, but to knock down the doors of power. Danielle is the founder and executive director of the grassroots advocacy organization Mothering Justice. With the 2024 election upon us, host Maya Rupert talks with Danielle about how BIPOC mothers can shape some of the most critical issues this election, like childcare, paid sick leave and improving wages. And what it looks like to build a future that truly centers families and caregivers. This episode is presented by Mothering Justice, a grassroots policy advocacy organization that provides mothers of color in America with the resources and tools to use their power to make equitable changes in policy. Learn more and get involved at motheringjustice.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In episode one of Making of an Activist we explore DeRay Mckesson’s early years in Baltimore, growing up with two parents struggling with addiction. However, with the assistance of a broader support system, DeRay manages not just to survive, but to thrive. At a young age, he was already campaigning and organizing. We explore the nature and nurture circumstances of DeRay’s activism. Expert commentary and historical context provided by Harvard Professor, Brandon Terry, and other experts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to build confident readers? Just ask educators at Baltimore City Public Schools, where students are outpacing the rest of the state in English Language Arts thanks to a focus on literacy instruction and intensive professional development. In part two of our series on literacy, Gloria dives into how BCPS is engaging diverse, multilingual learners with Dr. Joan Dabrowski, Chief Academic Officer at BCPS, and Olia Hardy, Principal of William Paca Elementary. This episode is created in partnership with the Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Thank you to Baltimore City Public Schools for making this conversation possible. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Across the country, states and school districts have been changing their approach to early literacy, particularly how reading is taught. In this two-part series, we’re highlighting two school districts that have been on the front lines of this shift. In our first episode, host Gloria Riviera sits down with Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras and Literacy Coach Megan Siepka. They talk about literacy as a means for empowering students and the real, hard, everyday work of teaching it. This episode is created in partnership with the Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Thank you to Richmond Public Schools for making this conversation possible. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Election Day around the corner, host Maya Rupert continues her conversation with Gaby Goldstein, co-founder of Sister District, about the critical importance of voting in state legislative races. They discuss key battleground states to watch in the upcoming election, plus, strategies for how we can all become more informed voters when it comes to state-level candidates and issues. This episode is created in partnership with Sister District. To learn more and take action with Sister District, go to sisterdistrict.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many voters “roll off” their ballots after voting at the top of the ticket, leaving races at the bottom empty. Host Maya Rupert talks to Sister District co-founder Gaby Goldstein about how those lost votes can make all the difference in state legislative races – some of which have been decided by razor thin margins. And how the fight for the things we care about – abortion rights, environmental justice, LGBTQ+ issues – are happening in state legislatures. This episode is created in partnership with Sister District. To learn more and take action with Sister District, go to sisterdistrict.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Too often than not pregnant patients in the U.S. leave their provider feeling like concerns weren’t carefully listened to or things weren’t properly explained. As two moms and experts, Wildflower Health CEO Leah Sparks and obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Fatima Naqvi know this experience far too well. That’s why they’ve dedicated their time to providing value-based care by meeting mothers where they’re at. Leah and Fatima tell our host Gloria what it looks like to move from reactionary care to preventative care and transform maternal health across the country. This episode is presented by Accountable for Health. To learn more visit https://accountableforhealth.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For years, Kim Moy cared for her kids and husband, while helping to care for her parents – an experience she describes as being in a “pressure cooker.” Being a caregiver to any loved one can be emotionally draining, but caring for a spouse can be a whole new level of lonely. In our final conversation of the season, Kim talks about the tradeoffs of being a spousal caregiver, grieving the loss of someone who’s still there, and how she’s learned to let go of the way things used to be. Kim Moy’s Caregiver Wisdom offers resources and workshops for those who take care of loved ones with chronic debilitating illnesses. Learn about the monthly support group, workshops, and one-on-one coaching here. Dr. Pauline Boss coined the term ambiguous loss, which Kim talks about in the episode. Learn more about ambiguous loss and Dr. Boss at ambiguousloss.com. This season of Uncared For is presented by the Commonwealth Fund, a nonprofit foundation making grants to promote an equitable, high-performing health care system. Help others find our show by leaving us a rating and writing a review. Follow SuChin Pak on Instagram @SuchinPak and Lemonada at @lemonadamedia across all social platforms. Want to become a Lemonada superfan? Join us at joinsubtext.com/lemonadasuperfan. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and all other Lemonada series: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the final episode of our CAPS series about community violence intervention work we talk about how improving the criminal justice system is a huge piece of the puzzle. Travon checks in on Indianapolis, Indiana and sees how people there are pushing for less incarceration and breaking cycles of recidivism. Executive Director at the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform David Muhammad and RecycleForce Director and councilwoman Crista Carlino share the ways in which they are reducing crime while investing in formerly incarcerated men and women. Thank you to the Coalition to Advance Public Safety, and in particular the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform and RecycleForce for making today’s conversation possible. To learn more about CVI, and the individual organizations at work in this coalition, visit https://www.capsinitiative.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the third episode of our series about The Coalition to Advance Public Safety (CAPS) and its partner organizations making a difference in communities across the U.S., we take a closer look at Baton Rouge. Antohony Smith is the Executive Director of Cities United which works closely with the local community street team to reduce crime and boost violence prevention efforts. He tells Travon why this work starts with shifting people's perception of public safety, nurturing relationships with city leaders, and saving seats for everyone at the table. Thank you to the Coalition to Advance Public Safety, and in particular Cities United for making today’s conversation possible. To learn more about CVI, and the individual organizations at work in this coalition, visit https://www.capsinitiative.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the next episode of our series about The Coalition to Advance Public Safety (CAPS) and its partner organizations spearheading community violence intervention efforts throughout the U.S., we hear from changemakers in Newark, New Jersey. Travon chats with co-founder of the Community-Based Public Safety Collective, Aqeela Sherrills, and CEO of New Direction, Shadee Dukes. We learn how they are leveraging relationships to curb crime inside their neighborhoods and serving as prime examples of why those who are most impacted by violence are best equipped to bring solutions to their own problems. Thank you to the Coalition to Advance Public Safety, and in particular the Community-Based Public Safety Collective and New Direction for making today’s conversation possible. To learn more about CVI, and the individual organizations at work in this coalition, visit https://www.capsinitiative.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special 4 part series, we’ll be highlighting The Coalition to Advance Public Safety (CAPS), a coalition of organizations working to intercept and prevent violence in communities across the U.S. The coalition’s work builds on years of knowledge of public health, gun violence prevention and the particular needs of different locales, as well as the lived experience of community members on the ground. With these tools, CAPS creates and maintains community violence intervention (CVI) ecosystems around the country. In our first episode, Travon Free sits down with Joe Kim from CAPS’ Health Alliance for Violence Intervention and Freedom Jones from LifeBridge. They chat about what it means to implement a health-centered approach to combating violence in Baltimore and what lessons can be applied to other cities in the U.S. Thank you to the Coalition to Advance Public Safety, and in particular Health Alliance for Violence Intervention and LifeBridge for making today’s conversation possible. To learn more about CVI, and the individual organizations at work in this coalition, visit https://www.capsinitiative.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshears in the national spotlight as a potential candidate for Kamala Harris's vice president, we wanted to revisit this conversation from 2021 with Andy Slavitt from In The Bubble. As vaccine distribution continues to ramp up around the country, Andy calls up Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to understand how it’s all working on the ground in a state like Kentucky. Listeners have a chance to get “in the bubble” with Andy and Governor Beshear to hear their candid conversation about leading through this challenging moment, as well as how best to support communities as we work together to end the pandemic. Dr. Lisa is joined by Cara McNulty of Aetna and CVSHealth to talk tactics for reaching people in communities for their health care needs. Keep up with Andy on Twitter @ASlavitt and Instagram @andyslavitt. Dr. Lisa is on Twitter @askdrfitz. Follow Governor Beshear on Twitter @GovAndyBeshear. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. Support the show by checking out our sponsors! https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/cvshealth.com Check out these resources from today’s episode: https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/nfl-covid-rules-could-mean-forfeits-fines-unvaccinated-outbreakshttps://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/elections/kentucky/2020/08/11/state-launches-effort-get-health-coverage-black-hispanic-folks/3343542001/https://www.cvs.com/content/health-hubhttps://www.vaccines.gov/ Preventable: The Inside Story of How Leadership Failures, Politics, and Selfishness Doomed the U.S. Coronavirus Response: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250770165 Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com/show/inthebubble. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Gov. Tim Walz in the national spotlight as a potential candidate for Kamala Harris's vice president, we wanted to revisit this conversation from 2023 with Andy Slavitt. As fringe Republicans drive the agenda in Congress, Andy turns to the hope found in many states through newly elected and reelected governors. Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz joins to discuss how he was able to bridge the rural-urban divide, first representing a district that voted for Trump and then winning statewide election in a purple state. Can we govern our country, states, and localities in ways that resist extreme elements and get things done? Tim offers his path forward. Keep up with Andy on Twitter and Post @ASlavitt. Follow Tim Walz on Twitter @GovTimWalz. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. Support the show by checking out our sponsors! https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/ Check out these resources from today’s episode: https://www.covid.gov/https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250770165 Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com/show/inthebubble. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A big chunk of family caregivers in this country are part of the “sandwich generation” – people caring for young children and aging parents at the same time. Robert Ingenito was one of them. After caring for his dad and raising his young daughter while working, Robert came to a breaking point. He decided to move his dad to an assisted living facility. It wasn’t an easy decision, and it’s one he still grapples with today. Learn more about respite care, including respite care opportunities in your area, at ARCH National Respite Network’s website. The website provides a National Respite Locator Service, and information on how to pay for respite care. This season of Uncared For is presented by the Commonwealth Fund, a nonprofit foundation making grants to promote an equitable, high-performing health care system. Help others find our show by leaving us a rating and writing a review. Follow SuChin Pak on Instagram @SuchinPak and Lemonada at @lemonadamedia across all social platforms. Want to become a Lemonada superfan? Join us at joinsubtext.com/lemonadasuperfan. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and all other Lemonada series: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode, Lemonada co-founder Stephanie Wittels Wachs sits down with the leaders of the Coalition to Advance Public Safety (CAPS), an organization working to intercept and prevent violence in communities across the U.S. The coalition’s work builds on years of knowledge of public health and the particular needs of different locales, as well as the lived experience of community members on the ground. With these tools, CAPS creates and maintains community violence intervention (CVI) ecosystems around the country. In this conversation, CAPS’ leaders share the progress that their work has already brought to fruition and how you can help support what comes next. Thank you to the Coalition to Advance Public Safety for making today’s conversation possible. To learn more about the CVI ecosystem, and the individual organizations at work in this coalition, visit www.cviecosystem.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.