The Dissidents

In the Hold my Drink — navigating culture with a chaser of civility, and Counterweight podcast, Episode 68 we speak with Michael DC Bowen founder of the Conservative Brotherhood, Rights Universal and Free Black Thought. Mike shares his story of growing up as a Black Nationalist until coming to the realization that diversity, not only the black community, but also across humanity, necessitates a more universalist approach to achieve real unity and equality. Ignoring this diversity has kept us locked in a vicious cycle of past grievances, and Mike gives us a key to the future of unity and solidarity in his imagination of a new American identity. All discussed with a chaser of civility, of course, and coffee whiskey. To read more from Mike and to see what each of us is reading, visit our post Solidarity in Diversity on the Hold my Drink website. You can also watch the conversation on the Hold my Drink YouTube page.

In the Hold my Drink — navigating culture with a chaser of civility, and Counterweight podcast, Episode 67, we speak with Lee Jussim, Chair and Distinguished Professor in the Psychology Department at Rutgers University. Lee shares his thoughts on a growing American illiberalism, the divide in American academia and his own experiences with cancellation. He explains how our polarization is not really ideological but rather affective, which creates new challenges in our discourse. All discussed with a chaser of civility, of course, an Arnold Palmer, Michelada and a scotch on the rocks. To read more from Lee and to see what each of us is reading, visit our post American Illiberalism on the Hold my Drink website. You can also watch the conversation on the Hold my Drink YouTube page.

In the Hold my Drink — navigating culture with a chaser of civility, and Counterweight podcast, Episode 66, we speak with Ian Asencio (nee Jenny). Ian shares the truths of his personal transition story, including his 43 years living as a woman, and the difficulties he’s faced navigating between the expectation and reality of his experience. This includes a backlash within a segment of the transgender community who hold a rigid gender ideology. Despite it all, Ian has found his “authentic self” accepting the woman that coexists with the trans man. All discussed with a chaser of civility, of course, and an orange soda & vodka concoction and a cucumber mint tea. To read more from Ian and to see what each of us is reading, visit our post Truth & Transition on the Hold my Drink website. You can also watch the conversation on the Hold my Drink YouTube page.

In the Hold my Drink — navigating culture with a chaser of civility, and Counterweight podcast, Episode 65, we speak with David Bernstein on the existence of culture, it’s use as a short-hand, where it can hem us in, and the myopia of current discourse and debate. We agree to live life “out loud”, speaking honestly of our individual experiences, in the hope of creating an inclusive community of dissidents honoring diversity and difference. All discussed with a chaser of civility, of course, and a glass of champagne. To read co-host W.F. Twyman, Jr.'s thoughts, and for podcast resources, visit our post The Dissidents on the Hold my Drink website. You can also watch the conversation on the Hold my Drink YouTube page.

In the Hold my Drink — navigating culture with a chaser of civility, and Counterweight podcast, Episode 64, David speaks with psychologist and writer, Valerie Tarico. Valerie, a former evangelical, shares the overlap she’s found in woke ideology and religious fundamentalism, which she finds disturbing. More concerning is the way this ideology has crept into psychotherapy and its damaging impact on patients. All discussed with a chaser of civility, of course, and a kombucha. To read more from Valerie, and to see what each of us is reading, visit our post Diagnosing Woke Therapy on the Hold my Drink website. You can also watch the conversation on the Hold my Drink YouTube page.

In the Hold my Drink — navigating culture with a chaser of civility, and Counterweight podcast, Episode 63, we speak with Emmett Gardner, the President of Students Unite. Students Unite founded with the help of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) and Parents Unite, promotes a Culture of Disagreement, and seeks to normalize dissent. Part of normalizing disagreement and dissent is turning debate into discourse, as Emmett did in his high school. Stripping the negative connotation of disagreement and dissent promotes a healthy culture of democracy and the marketplace of ideas. All discussed with a chaser of civility, of course, and spiked cherry limeade. To read a recap of the conversation, additional thoughts, and to see what each of us is reading, visit our post Culture of Disagreement on the Hold my Drink website. You can also watch the conversation on the Hold my Drink YouTube page.

In the Hold my Drink — navigating culture with a chaser of civility, and Counterweight podcast, Episode 62, we speak with Shemeka Michelle, author of Keep It Naked and co-host of the Cut the Bull podcast. Shemeka helps us to ring in the new year with wit and a raw authenticity that goes beyond “keeping it real” to getting naked. From divorce to Facebook jail to politics, she navigates it all with humor and a refreshing transparency. All discussed with a chaser of civility, of course, and another pinot noir in a holiday cup. To read a recap of the conversation and additional thoughts, visit our post Keeping it Naked on the Hold my Drink website. You can also watch the conversation on the Hold my Drink YouTube page.

In the Hold my Drink — navigating culture with a chaser of civility, and Counterweight podcast, Episode 61, David Bernstein interviews W.F. Twyman, Jr. (aka Wink) & Jennifer Richmond (Jen) on their forthcoming book of letters - Letters in Black & White: A New Correspondence on Race in America. Wink & Jen share how they met and started an extraordinary correspondence that developed into a friendship across the color line, devoid of the slogans that segregate us into avatars for race. All discussed with a chaser of civility, of course, a ginger beer, hard kombucha and Diet Coke. To read an excerpt from the forthcoming book and for podcast resources, visit our post Letters in Black & White on the Hold my Drink website. You can also watch the conversation on the Hold my Drink YouTube page.

In the Hold my Drink — navigating culture with a chaser of civility, and Counterweight podcast, Episode 60, we speak with Adam B. Coleman, founder of Wrong Speak Publishing and author of Black Victim to Black Victor. Adam shares with us his life story and struggles — from an absent father to homelessness — his political transition, thoughts on racialized politics, communist concerns and his victor mindset. All discussed with a chaser of civility, of course, an iced tea, Christmas coffee & a rum and Diet Coke. To read a recap of the conversation, additional thoughts, and to see what each of us is reading, visit our post Black Victim to Black Victor on the Hold my Drink website. You can also watch the conversation on the Hold my Drink YouTube page.

In the Hold my Drink — navigating culture with a chaser of civility, and Counterweight podcast, Episode 59, we speak with Wai Wah Chin and George Lee, both who are active in the Chinese American Citizens Alliance Greater New York (CACAGNY). As a result of new policies to downgrade merit in our school systems, both have been at the forefront of discrimination battles in education, including the discrimination against studying. And they don’t apologize. All discussed with a chaser of civility, of course, a tea, pinot noir and a fireball whiskey. To read a recap of the conversation, additional thoughts, and to see what each of us is reading, visit our post Don't Apologize for Studying on the Hold my Drink website. You can also watch the conversation on the Hold my Drink YouTube page.