Top Of Mind With Julie Rose

We're hard at work on a new season of Top of Mind and won't have a new episode on the podcast feed for a few weeks. So, it's a great time to listen back to episodes you may have missed. And keep your Stick With It stories coming to topofmind@byu.edu.

The debate over how race – and America’s history with racism – should be taught in schools has come to feel black and white: you’re either for it or against it. But race isn’t black and white, and neither is the issue of how to teach kids about race in schools. In this episode of the podcast, we’ll hear from two mothers and a teacher with especially complicated views on when it’s helpful to talk about race with kids – and when it can do more harm than good. While their views on CRT and teaching the history of slavery differ, both mothers would like to be able to trust teachers to navigate race-related topics in a way that leaves all children feeling affirmed, not ashamed. And teachers need trust from parents to navigate the issue successfully. Is it possible our deep divide over teaching kids about race is not a question of curriculum, but rather of trust? Podcast Guests: LaShawn C. Williams, mother of three, licensed clinical social worker and full-time faculty at Salt Lake Community College Brooke Steph

Our “Stick With It” series on the Top of Mind podcast continues with an all too familiar story of a social media post provoking an unexpected, angry reaction. For Allie, posting about her Christian faith on Instagram felt innocuous and empowering. But a dear friend was hurt by the post. Allie was hurt too, but chose to validate her friend’s perspective and be vulnerable about her own. Sticking with that discomfort deepened the relationship and gave Allie insight on a better approach to posting about her spiritual convictions online. Top of Mind would love to hear your Stick With It story. Can you think of a time when you felt your perspective or worldview challenged and, instead of getting defensive, you chose to lean into the discomfort – and you’re glad you did? Email your story to topofmind@byu.edu.

Our “Stick With It” series on the Top of Mind podcast continues with a story about a children’s librarian feeling upset and attacked by the nationwide debate over book banning. But instead of dismissing her concerns about book censorship, she chose to try listening more closely to what parents and citizens were saying. After watching countless videos of confrontational school board meetings from around the country, she began to find some common ground with people demanding that certain books be banned from schools and libraries. She still opposes book banning, but she has dramatically changed her approach to concerns about the books in her library collection. Top of Mind would love to hear your Stick With It story. Can you think of a time when you felt your perspective or worldview challenged and, instead of getting defensive, you chose to lean into the discomfort – and you’re glad you did? Email your story to topofmind@byu.edu.

Most Americans identify as sports fans – more than identify as church-goers, in fact. Is it good for sports fandom to play such a prominent role in society? After all, we know how tribal, obsessive and competitive we can get about our favorite sports teams. But there’s evidence that sports fandom offers benefits to American society, as a whole. For example, it fuels networks of relationships and can help reduce political polarization. In this podcast episode, we’ll hear why sports fans often have more friends and are more satisfied with other aspects of their lives, too. And we’ll cast a critical eye on the influence sports has on the way we think about gender, patriotism and the American Dream. How can we maximize the positive impact of sports fandom in society? Podcast Guests: Jennifer Moglia, sports journalist, student at Quinnipiac University, Rangers and Mets fan Ben Valenta, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Analytics at Fox Sports, co-author “Fans Have More Friends” David Sikorjak, President of

Abortion is such a controversial issue, most of us avoid discussing it for fear of ending up in an angry debate. Plus, few of us are open to changing our minds about abortion access, so what’s the point of talking about it with people who disagree? In this episode of the podcast, we’ll learn how to talk about abortion and why it’s crucial that we do, even if there’s no chance of finding common ground. We’ll explore the amazing story of The Abortion Talks – when, during a particularly violent period in Boston in the 1990s, three pro-choice leaders and three pro-life leaders began meeting in secret. Their dialogue on abortion rights continued for nearly six years. None of the women changed their views on abortion. But the conversations changed their lives and the tone of the abortion debate nationwide. Image: Poster for The Abortion Talks documentary Podcast Guests: Barbara Thorp, social worker, participant in The Abortion Talks, former director of the Pro-Life Office for the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston M

Top of Mind launched its weekly format early in 2022 and we’re so gratified by your response. One listener wrote “I feel like I am becoming a better, more educated person every time I listen.” In this bonus podcast drop, Julie talks about some of the episodes from 2022 that affected her personally and several others perfect for helping you deal with challenges the holidays present (like grief and family conflict). We'd love to hear what you think of the podcast! What do you want more of? What would you like to see us do differently? Send an email to topofmind@byu.edu.

It’s the season for nostalgia, so we’re looking at how community traditions help us feel connected to the place we live. Is there a certain holiday, or time of year, when you’ll go out of your way to be in your hometown? This week on the podcast, we’re sharing stories from around the country of Christmas traditions, Fourth of July festivities, summer music jams and a host of quirky celebrations from small town America. At first glance these customs may just seem like fun activities and social gatherings. But as we dig deep into the significance behind our traditions, it becomes clear that these events play an important role in enriching our culture and building our communities. GUESTS: Melody Warnick, author “This is Where You Belong” and “If You Could Live Anywhere” Don Ryan, Whistlemaster of York, PA Penny Meservier, former director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce in Farmington, Maine, home of “Chester Greenwood Day” Marie McCusker, Executive Director of the Petaluma, CA Downtown Association

Can righting society's past wrongs help us heal from historical harm? Many people argue that America’s past mistakes, particularly its treatment of African Americans and indigenous peoples, have had consequences we’ve never reckoned with. Others argue that former injustices happened so long ago we should just move on. In this podcast episode, we explore two authors’ frameworks for personal reparations, the history of South Africa’s truth and reconciliation commission, and a Jewish perspective on repentance and repair. Podcast Guests: Sharon Leslie Morgan, founder of Our Black Ancestry and co-author of "Gather at the Table: The Healing Journey of a Daughter of Slavery and a Son of the Slave Trade" Tom DeWolf, director and manager at Coming to the Table and co-author of "Gather at the Table" Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm, professor in the School of Public Affairs at University of Arkansas, Little Rock Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, author of "On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World"

It’s easy to take clean water for granted in America. But there are millions of people in this country who can’t count on water to flow when they turn the tap or flush the toilet. Your city is likely decades behind on maintenance and upgrades to its water infrastructure and sewer systems. Add to that the extended drought gripping Western states, and it’s increasingly clear that none of us can – or should – take water for granted. In this episode of the podcast, we’ll hear from Jackson, Mississippi, California’s Central Valley farming community and the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana for insight on how we might recalibrate our relationship with water and think differently about this essential resource. Guests: Lauren Lewis, resident of Jackson, MS, Health Justice and Safety Organizer, Immigrant Alliance for Justice and Equity Dan Van Abs, Professor of Practice for Water, Society and the Environment, Rutgers University Don Cameron, General Manager of Terranova Ranch in Helm, CA Rosalyn LaPier, Professor o

Our new “Stick With It” series on the Top of Mind podcast continues with a story about neighborhood conflict and the solution one woman found by staying open and curious. “Marie” found herself at odds with her neighbors when a drug dealer moved in next door and made the street unsafe. While other homeowners hunkered down and blamed the police for failing to solve the problem, Marie went looking for a long-term resolution. That choice led to a host of new realizations and a better outcome from the neighborhood. Tune into this conversation to hear how. Top of Mind would love to hear your Stick With It story. Can you think of a time when you felt your perspective or worldview challenged and, instead of getting defensive, you chose to lean into the discomfort – and you’re glad you did? Email your story to topofmind@byu.edu.

Our new “Stick With It” series on the Top of Mind podcast kicks off with storyteller Sam Payne sharing how he tackled his own uncomfortable story about race. In this episode, Sam talks about a time he was asked to perform a story about race at a conference. He was embarrassed to decline the invitation because he didn't think he had story to tell. He is a white man living in a non-racially diverse community and felt that he had nothing to contribute. But as he leaned into the discomfort, he was surprised by what he learned about his own racial identity and community. Tune into this conversation to hear how Sam handled the uncomfortable truths he discovered. We’re talking with listeners about a time when they felt their own perspective challenged and made the choice to stick with that discomfort – to lean into it – and they’re glad they did. Join the conversation by emailing your "Stick With It" story to topofmind@byu.edu. GUEST: Sam Payne, storyteller, host of The Apple Seed podcast, director of audio conten

Can the news be trusted? Americans aren’t too sure. What happens when we start to see journalists as enemies, rather than allies, of democracy and truth? Barely a third of Americans say they have even a "fair amount" of trust in the press, according to Gallup polls. They think mainstream media is biased, or sloppy. Are they right? In this podcast episode, we’ll discuss the role of journalism in democracy, what journalists are doing to create change on local and national levels, and what we can do to become more informed consumers when evaluating news sources. Guests: Katherine Corcoran, author of "In the Mouth of the Wolf" and former Associated Press bureau chief for Mexico and Central America Kevin Lerner, Associate Professor of Journalism, Marist College and author of "Provoking the Press: (MORE) Magazine and the Crisis of Confidence in American Journalism" David Bornstein, Journalist and Co-founder of the Solutions Journalism Network Sam Wineburg, Professor of Graduates Studies in Education at Stanford

When war breaks out, we tend to focus on whether the war is justified. Is it right to fight? Under international law, it's not that hard to justify going to war. But if we really want to understand why wars happen, asking only if the war is justified can muddy the water. In this second episode about war, we're focused on understanding how the decision to fight gets made. What leads a leader or society to look at the inevitable devastation that war causes, and say, "We're doing it anyway"? The answer to that question could provide the path to peace. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, FGile) Guests: Kael Weston, former US State Department diplomat, author of “The Mirror Test: America at War in Iraq and Afghanistan” Wes Bryant, retired US Air Force Master Sergeant, co-author of “Hunting the Caliphate: America’s War on ISIS and the Dawn of the Strike Cell” Chris Blattman, professor of global conflict studies, University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, author of “Why We Fight: The Roots of War and the Paths

This week only on the Top of Mind podcast, a special Halloween treat. It’s an old-fashioned, family-friendly audio drama from storytelling podcast The Apple Seed about a family facing off against an evil robot maid. And there’s a voice you might recognize. Top of Mind host Julie Rose masquerades as the mom of the family. And stay tuned after the story for the inside scoop on Julie’s short-lived theater career. Subscribe to The Apple Seed podcast from BYUradio for a regular dose of stories for the whole family – folk tales, fairy tales, personal tales, historical tales and, of course, original radio dramas like the one you’re about to hear.

Most Americans have never fought in a war, or even had our lives disrupted by one. Does being so far removed from the loss and trauma make us more willing to send our military into battle? This is the first of two episodes we’re dedicating to thinking more deeply about the consequences of war. Rarely is going to war clearly the right or wrong choice. When is war justified? We're hoping that, by really embracing the nuance here, we'll be more clear-eyed as citizens and voters the next time America has the choice to fight. (AP Photo/Balint Szlanko, File) Guests: Sonny Le, former refugee from Vietnam, Bay Area Regional Program Manager of Vaccinate ALL 58 Yalda Royan, refugee from Afghanistan, founding member of the Afghan Women’s Advocacy Group Frank “Gus” Biggio, US Marine Corps (retired), author of “The Wolves of Helmand: A View from Inside the Den of Modern War” Eric Jensen, US Army (retired), former special counsel to the US Department of Defense General Counsel, professor at Brigham Young University la

If the whole point of a democracy is to represent the voice of the people, then why do more than half of Americans say the two major political parties are doing a poor job representing the people? Would a third major party solve the problem? What could drive the Democrats and Republicans to embrace more moderate views? In this episode we look at why American politics have become so polarized and we explore how to stay engaged in democracy when neither party feels like a good fit. Thanks to listeners Jeff, Cydne, Alex, Troy and Noah for sharing their stories in this episode. Guests: Robert Saldin, Professor of Political Science, University of Montana Jon Schaff, Professor of Political Science, Northern State University Richard Davis, co-founder of the United Utah Party, author of "Beyond Donkeys and Elephants: Minor Political Parties in Contemporary American Politics." Pastor Fred Garry, Senior Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Metuchen, NJ Evan Malbrough, fellow at the ACLU of Georgia, board

When you encounter a perspective that contradicts your own, the natural instinct is to either shut down or push back. But staying with that discomfort can pay off. Maybe it deepens a relationship or leads to some fresh insight. Top of Mind is launching a new series called “Stick With It” where we talk with people about a time they encountered a perspective that felt challenging, chose to stick with that discomfort, and they’re glad they did. In this episode, we speak with a couple of friends – one is Black, one is white – about embracing tough conversations as they wrote a book together about race. And host Julie Rose shares a “Stick With It” story of her own. Email your story to topofmind@byu.edu. Guests: Shanterra McBride, author, preacher, speaker, founder of Marvelous University Rosalind Wiseman, co-founder of Cultures of Dignity, author of “Queen Bees and Wannabes” and co-author with McBride of “Courageous Discomfort: How to Have Important, Life-Changing Conversations About Race and Racism.

The freedom to believe—and express those religious beliefs—is embedded in America’s founding documents. But being obviously religious—like wearing a hijab, turban or yarmulke—doesn’t always bring a friendly response. If everyone knew, just by looking at you, that you are a person of faith, would you act differently? In this episode, we’re thinking more deeply about how much we—as individuals and as a society—really value religious diversity and public expressions of faith. Guests: Simran Jeet Singh, Executive Director for the Aspen Institute’s Religion & Society Program and author of The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life. Justin McClain, Catholic educator and author of Called to Teach, Alleluia to Amen, and Called to Pray. Asma Uddin, attorney, visiting law professor at Catholic University of America, author of “When Islam Is Not a Religion: Inside America’s Fight for Religious Freedom” Diana Eck, founder of The Pluralism Project at Harvard University (photo credit: Simran Jeet Singh

The word “activist” tends to scare off a lot of people. But working for change is more than protests and marches. In this episode we look to the example of Rosa Parks who did so much more than refuse to give up her seat on a segregated bus. And we consider why viral hashtags on social media rarely lead to big, lasting change. Plus, a new definition of activism that could motivate more of us to work on making the world a better place. Guests: HH Leonards, founder of The O Street Museum and Mansion in Washington, DC and author of “Rosa Parks Beyond the Bus: Life, Lessons and Leadership” Gal Beckerman, senior editor for books at The Atlantic, author of “The Quiet Before: On the Unexpected Origins of Radical Ideals.” Emma Petty Adams and Jennifer Walker Thomas, co-executive directors of MWEG (Mormon Women for Ethical Government) Karen Walrond, author of "The Lightmaker's Manifesto: How to Work for Change Without Losing Your Joy"