On this all new episode of FLIP IT ON ITS HEAD, Reese welcomes Rabbi Becca Diamond of Temple Kol Tikvah in the Lake Norman area of North Carolina. They discuss the rise of antisemitism in the wake of the October 7th terror attacks in Israel, and the importance of supporting and celebrating Jewish identity as a means to combat this oldest form of hatred. Rabbi Diamond explains passionately the significance of building vibrant and supportive Jewish community experiences, offering insights on how non-Jews can be helpful during challenging times for the Jewish community. In addition, Rabbi Diamond discusses the often complex and evolving relationship between the Jewish and Black communities during significant historical moments from the Jim Crow era to the present day. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of Jewish identity during a moment of profound mistrust and pain in the Middle East and here at home.

• Author Dara Horn's book PEOPLE LOVE DEAD JEWS
• Dara Horn's discussion with Yair Rosenberg in The Atlantic on anti-Semitism, Jewish life, and the uncomfortable truths about both that our society seeks to obscure
• You can find Rabbi Diamond's website here

It took some time, but having my first Tik Tok influencer as a guest on FLIP IT ON ITS HEAD was certainly worth the wait. Kellee Knighten Hough, who by trade is a theater actress, has spent the better part of 14 years using her online presence to discuss the importance of voting, of participating in this country's electoral process. From blog posts on her MySpace page to her now viral Tik Tok's, some of which get over one million views, she uses her distinctive and sometimes confrontational style to try and edify watchers on not being indifferent to the role they play in our country and the laws we all live with. We discuss low voter turnout, shifting demographics, White supremacy and its impact on the Republican party and the need to not lose hope, but to VOTE HEAUX! She yells, she cajoles, she informs, she confronts and she always, always brings receipts!

Kellee's social handles:

TikTok: @bellekurve

YouTube: @bellekurve

IG: @kellebelle09

Twitter: @voteheaux

Website: https://voteheaux.org/#!/

For anyone wanting non-partisan information on how to register to vote, to look up their own current registration or to find a polling place: https://www.vote.org

When you want to know the best way to support someone in your life who may be a member of a marginalized community, you could do no better than to ask a smart, compassionate and accomplished member of said community. And that's precisely who we have on FLIP IT ON ITS HEAD, Christopher Oldi joins us for a little "Queer 101" as well as helping us understand what's happening to Transgender kids as they face a cycle of discrimination that always seems to land on members of the LGBTQ crowd. On this Transgender Awareness Week, getting Chris' input means a lot. His career as the LGBTQ staff attorney for Legal Services of Hudson Valley, New York gives him the bona fides to share some important insights at a time when support for young people on the margins is so desperately needed.

GLAAD Transgender Resources: https://glaad.org/transgender/resources/

I dip into my list of awesome friends for my guest on this episode of FLIP IT ON ITS HEAD, author Dan Bredeson joins me to discuss his new book SEEDS OF CULTURE. Dan shares how what he learned growing up on farm in Wisconsin to be the best way to influence culture in any organization. But we also dive into his life as a farm kid, and how from those humble beginnings went on to being a sales leader at a Fortune 500 company, a stay-at-home-dad home schooling his kids through COVID, and a graduate student securing a masters degree in organizational development. And each step on his journey required him to do something that many of us struggle with, trusting his instincts. If you need some encouragement trusting your gut, trusting that looking at something in your life differently might be a challenge, then this is the episode for you to listen to.

Dan's book, SEEDS OF CULTURE, can be found here:

https://greenleafbookgroup.com/titles/seeds-of-culture

Friends, I've got a special cross-over episode of FLIP IT ON ITS HEAD that I'm sure you'll enjoy. Jonathan Catherman, host of the RAISING THEM READY podcast and my good pal, shares an episode of his pod featuring IHRA Motorsports Hall of Fame member Doug Herbert. Doug is a racing legend, but it's what he's done off the track that made me want to share this remarkable conversation from RAISING THEM READY. After losing both is teenage sons in the same tragic, high speed auto accident, he committed to turning his tragedy into others salvation by starting the B.R.A.K.E.S. Foundation. Be Responsible And Keep Everyone Safe operates a driving academy to teach teens and their parents about the importance of being safe and responsible drivers. Through corporate sponsorships with partners like Kia Motors, Doug and his team offer these academies free of charge throughout the nation. He's an amazing person and his story will certainly resonate with those of us who have young drivers in our homes. And Jonathan is a thoughtful and great podcast host and author who also provides parents with tools to raise young people to be more confident and kind adults. I encourage everyone to listen and get involved with B.R.A.K.E.S. and to throw a follow on RAISING THEM READY. You won't be sorry!

Doug Herbert's foundation, B.R.A.K.E.S.

https://putonthebrakes.org/home

Jonathan Catherman's pod, RAISING THEM READY

https://open.spotify.com/show/5vkXRLy3YwYavEINCW8Ww3?si=a5bdca14bebc4e04

Jonathan's website featuring all his best selling books

https://thecathermans.com

Imagine starting the chapter of your life just after college, ready to tackle the world and a new career only to start losing your eyesight. On this episode of FLIP IT ON ITS HEAD we hear about this very scenario from Sonya Chapnick. In the very prime of her young adulthood, Sonya was diagnosed with a degenerative retinal disorder that would eventually lead to blindness. She shares the immense embarrassment and humiliation she felt having to explain her underperformance to her employer, and how this revelation transformed her entire perspective on life and career. But despite these difficulties, Sonya has not allowed her visual impairment to hinder her achievements or her passion. She has creatively, and with so much bravery, continuously showcased her remarkable resilience and determination throughout her life. Sonya's journey is such a great example of strength and perseverance in the face of adversity, one that is sure to inspire!

Sonya's online Yoga Therapy practice Yoga Gently: https://www.yogagently.com

I'm so glad to welcome Dr. Amy Cooter, Director of Research, Academic Development and Innovation for the Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism at Middlebury College to discuss her area of expertise, the modern militia movement in the U.S. and its ties to political violence and domestic extremism. Dr. Cooter's years of study included spending time with actual militia members in the state of Michigan and what she discovered may surprise those who think of militias as a monolith of government hating Americans. Hers is an important voice on a topic that has reach into our present climate, and if we're to play a part in seeming the potential violence that appears to be brewing between political divides, I'm just grateful she has shared it with us on FLIP IT ON ITS HEAD.

Show Notes:

• Essays

Dr. Cooter's essay in American Scientific; Citizen Militias in the U.S. Are Moving toward More Violent Extremism - https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/citizen-militias-in-the-u-s-are-moving-toward-more-violent-extremism/

Secy. Hillary Rodham Clinton's essay in The Atlantic: The Weaponization of Loneliness - https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/08/hillary-clinton-essay-loneliness-epidemic/674921/

• Books

Nazis of Copley Square, by Charles R. Gallagher - https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674983717

Homegrown: Timothy McVeigh and the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism, by Jeffrey Toobin - https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Homegrown/Jeffrey-Toobin/9781668013571