Thinking Through with LJ

Matthew Friedman is a leading, internationally renowned global expert on modern slavery and human trafficking. An award-winning public speaker, author, filmmaker, and philanthropist, Matthew regularly advises heads of governments and intelligence agencies. In this impactful conversation, Leopoldino Jeronimo and Matt Friedman delve into the pressing issue of modern slavery, exploring its causes, devastating impacts, and the challenges in detecting and eradicating it. Matt Friedman shares compelling stories of individuals affected by human trafficking and highlights the critical responsibility of businesses to maintain ethical practices in their supply chains. The discussion emphasizes the delicate balance between profit and ethics, the role of consumers in advocating for change, and the need for collaboration between corporations, governments, and NGOs. Friedman underscores that awareness and individual action are essential, demonstrating that everyone has a role to play in the fight against exploitation. Together, they paint a hopeful vision of a future where ethical business practices and collective action drive meaningful change. Matt's Books are available here: Where were you? A Profile of Modern Slavery: https://amzn.to/4joPkHZ Be the HERO, be the change: https://amzn.to/3PFpxxQ Dancing in the Light of the Moon: https://amzn.to/3Q4eP4h

In this conversation, Henry Yampolsky, J.D., through his book (Dis-Solving Conflict from Within: an Inner Path for Conflict Transformation), shares his journey from being a refugee to becoming an advocate for conflict resolution and social justice. He discusses the nature of conflict, emphasizing that it is not merely an external issue but a reflection of our internal state. Yampolsky introduces the concept of 'dissolving conflict from within' and outlines principles for conflict transformation, including the importance of mindfulness, creating space for response, and understanding the triggers of conflict. Through personal stories and insights, he highlights the need for inner work to effect change in the world. Henry Yampolsky is a mediator, educator, TEDx speaker, and lawyer who serves as the Assistant Director for Education, Outreach, and Conflict Resolution at Virginia Tech’s Office for Equity and Accessibility. Takeaways  Henry Yampolsky's journey from refugee to advocate is inspiring. Conflict is often viewed too narrowly in a binary way. Understanding the nature of conflict is crucial for resolution.  Inner work is essential for external change. Triggers of conflict often stem from conditioning and trauma. Creating space allows for better responses to conflict. Observation without evaluation can transform interactions. Mindfulness is about getting better at feeling, not just feeling better. Engaging with complexity is necessary for conflict resolution. Peace is a space that allows for clarity and compassion. Sound Bites ·       Conflict is not separate from us. ·       All change begins from within us. ·       Peace is ultimately space. Chapters 00:00Henry Yampolsky's Background and Motivation 05:14Understanding Conflict as a Reflection of Our Internal State 06:35The Mistaken View of Conflict as a Competition of Narratives 08:00The Three Elements of Conflict: Story, Attachment, and Emotion 09:28Dissolving Conflict from Within: Going Beyond Solving 11:59Internal and External Conflicts: All Change Begins from Within 15:17Triggers of Conflict and the Importance of Tuning Inward 15:47The Story of Henry Yampolsky's Mother and the Injustice She Faced 24:08The Accumulation of Ideas and the Confusion Between 'Ours' and 'Us' 31:05The Four Principles of Conflict Transformation: Tuning Inward, Observation without Evaluation, Expansion, and Exploration 37:54The Importance of Creating Space and Responding with Strength and Compassion Ubuntulist

The conversation explores the urgent issue of school shootings and how to enhance school safety measures. The guest, Daniel Dluzneski, a retired lieutenant with the US Secret Service and former coordinator of emergency management, discusses his book 'The First Five Minutes: School Shooting Survival Guide for Administrators and Teachers' and the need for concise and practical information on school safety. The conversation covers topics such as the role of technology in school safety, the importance of human-centered training, the key steps teachers and administrators should take during a shooting, and the need for a multi-layered approach to school safety. The conversation covers the topics of lockdowns, run-hide-fight training, the Alice training program, conflict resolution in schools, and parent engagement in safety discussions. Keywords: school shootings, school safety, technology, human-centered training, lockdowns, armed school resource officers, multi-layered approach, lockdowns, run-hide-fight, Alice training, conflict resolution, parent engagement, school safety Takeaways School shootings are a pressing issue that requires urgent attention and practical solutions. Schools should focus on a multi-layered approach to safety, including measures like six-foot fencing, limited entrances, locked classroom doors, and armed school resource officers. Technology alone is not sufficient to prevent school shootings, and schools should prioritize human-centered training and drills. During a shooting, teachers and administrators should prioritize lockdowns, stay in locked classrooms, and avoid evacuating students unless absolutely necessary. Schools should regularly assess and update their safety measures and policies to ensure they are effective and aligned with best practices. Lockdowns are advocated as an effective response to school shootings, as they limit the movement of the shooter and protect students and staff. The run-hide-fight training, originally designed for adults in the corporate world, is not suitable for children in schools, as it encourages them to confront gunmen. The Alice training program, which stands for alert, lockdown, inform, confront, and evacuate, has been criticized for its unrealistic and dangerous approach, such as encouraging students to throw objects at gunmen. Schools can improve conflict resolution and manage student behavior by implementing threat assessment teams and encouraging students to report concerns to trusted adults. Parent engagement is crucial in school safety discussions, and parents can advocate for better safety protocols and communication with the school board and state legislature. Schools should prioritize campus security, including monitoring access points and addressing open doors or gates that could allow unauthorized individuals to enter. More about the guest Daniel Dluzneski Retired Lieutenant U.S. Secret Service Former Coordinator Emergency Management, Safety and Security Pinellas County Schools, Florida. LinkedIn The Book on Amazon: The First Five Minutes: School Shooting Survival Guide for Administrators and Teachers Facebook

In this episode, host Leo interviews Jeffrey Charles Hardy, a global health planning futurist, about the concept of the second human evolution. Hardy argues that humanity is currently in a state of suspended evolution and explores the key indicators that led him to this conclusion. He also discusses the concept of caring for peace, which goes beyond traditional peacekeeping efforts, and emphasizes the importance of the planning process in facilitating the second human evolution. Hardy suggests that individuals and organizations can contribute to this vision by engaging in dialogue, adopting sustainable practices, and promoting care for peace. He also highlights the role of technology in supporting this process. Keywords: second human evolution, suspended evolution, caring for peace, planning process, global mandate, individuals, organizations, technology Takeaways Humanity is currently in a state of suspended evolution, and the first human evolution ended sometime between the mid-1950s and mid-1960s. Caring for peace goes beyond traditional peacekeeping efforts and involves actively caring for others and promoting peace in all aspects of life. The planning process is crucial in facilitating the second human evolution, and individuals and organizations can contribute by engaging in dialogue, adopting sustainable practices, and promoting care for peace. Technology can play a role in supporting the second human evolution by enabling communication, collaboration, and the implementation of sustainable solutions. More about the Guest Jeffrey Charles Hardy, President and Founder, Care for Peace 501(c)(3) Email: [email protected]  Website: www.CareforPeace.org Author of: To Care for Peace – A Global Mandate to Secure The Second Human Evolution

Valentina Lana, a Lecturer at the Sciences Po law school in Paris, discusses the 2022 Corruption Perception Index, highlighting that global peace has deteriorated for the past decade and a half. Valentina is also a German Marshall Fund's 2023 Marshall Memorial Fellow. Latest Valentina's publication: Lana, V., & Sapin, M. (2023, March 3). The Impact of the Sapin II Act on the Extraterritorial Application of American law and on cooperation between France and the United States in the fight against international corruption | International Enforcement Law Reporter. https://www.ielr.com/content/impact-sapin-ii-act-extraterritorial-application-american-law-and-cooperation-between-france Reference: Transparency International. (2023, January 31). 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index. Transparency.Org. https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2022 Photo Cover: By photocreo

The episode focuses on Sci-Fi and Practical Orientalism, Chapter 7 of Greta's book, and the Concluding Thoughts. Greta Lynn Uehling is the Author of Everyday War, a book resulting from her long-term research between 2015 and 2017 in Donbas, Ukraine. Greta is also a Teaching Professor at the University of Michigan. Greta's expertise includes international migration, human smuggling and trafficking, and refugee resettlement. Reference Uehling, G. L. (2023). Everyday War: The Conflict over Donbas, Ukraine. Cornell University Press. Subscribe and watch the video version of this episode and others, here. Cover Photo: By halfpoint

Greta Lynn Uehling is the Author of Everyday War, a book resulting from her long-term research between 2015 and 2017 in Donbas, Ukraine. Greta is also a teaching Professor at the University of Michigan. Greta’s expertise includes international migration, human smuggling and trafficking, and refugee resettlement. This episode introduces a sequence where Greta presents her research findings while exploring the political conflict implications in the noncombatant relationships between Ukraine and Russian identities, all sharing internally displaced person spaces. Each one had to adopt survival strategies, some of which caused social and family fractures. But most importantly, ensuring they remain alive among the casualties of that war. Book Store: Amazon Episode Cover: TDyuvbanova Reference: Uehling, G. L. (2023). Everyday War: The Conflict over Donbas, Ukraine. Cornell University Press.

Honoring International Women's Day 2023, we will dedicate the month of March 2023 to shed light on women’s issues across the black continent and dive into some of the structures that continue to create and maintain the existing gender gaps, focusing on forms of gender-based violence as a common continental challenge. Mokshda Pertaub, a Lawyer, trained as a barrister from Mauritius with 25 years of experience in legal practice, judiciary, and legal advisory, as well as teaching and training, particularly in the areas of gender laws, Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), children rights and environmental law. She is an international gender expert and a Gender Responsive Policing consultant with UNWomen for Senegal National Police, as well as a gender and law consultant with various international agencies like IOM, Equality Now, Agence France de Development, etc. She is also a judicial trainer in environmental law, cyber crimes and digital evidence, judicial ethics and integrity, and gender and violence. Ubuntulist Producer: Fatma Awadalla Host: Leopoldino Jeronimo Photo Cover: Image-Source

The Africa Forum at Brandeis University started a series of debates on what happens on the continent. Therefore, in this episode, you’ll hear Burkina Faso’s discussion with Fatim Wedraogo and the updates of Sudan with Yasser Adam. In between the participants of the debate session, have also delivered their elaborate questions for discussions. After learning about the Political Instability in Sudan, and following up the active protests, the curse goes own in the continent. Armed groups killed two thousand people and displaced about one million and four hundred who had to flee for their lives. Ebenezer Obadare blogged at the Council on Foreign Relations on January 25. An informative situation report of the last Coup d’état about the military taking command of the government that was not delivering its promise of development. Instead, it led the country to chaos through increased violence against the population, political instability, and economic collapse.

Ms. Brenda Uche Anugwom is an international development specialist working to ensure gender equity and justice. With 19 years of experience in the development sector, Brenda has dedicated most of her time to speaking against all forms of discrimination against women. In her home country Nigeria, she has been a formidable force in canvassing inclusive representation and gender equity. Brenda has carried out several research projects on women's inclusion and Gender Based Violence (GBV) and has advocated for girls' education. Brenda has a Master of Laws degree from Loyola University Chicago, and she works with a humanitarian organization in South Sudan and volunteers with Give Girls A Chance (GGAC) in Nigeria from time to time. Producer: Fatma Awadalla Host: Leopoldino Jeronimo Photo cover credits: YuriArcursPeopleimages. Note: The entire episode was recorded through online services impacted by the internet speed on the field.