Rethinking Freedom

In one week, three moments in Black history — 68 years apart — collide on the calendar. The Civil Rights Act of 1957. The Little Rock Nine. The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. All three come back to the same fight: who gets to vote, who enforces that right, and who has tried to violently stop it.That fight isn't history. It's happening in the U.S. Senate right now.In this episode of Rethinking Freedom, we trace the full arc — from Reconstruction to Shelby County v. Holder to the current fight over the SAVE Act and mid-decade redistricting — and break down exactly what's at stake before the 2026 midterms. Plus: which organizations are fighting back right now, and the specific things YOU can do this week to protect the vote.We're also joined by Clayton Tucker, candidate for Texas Agriculture Commissioner, for a conversation you won't want to miss.🎙️ This Episode's GuestClayton Tucker, Candidate for Texas Agriculture Commissionerwww.claytontuckertx.com✊🏾 Take Action — Organizations Fighting for the Vote Right NowNAACP Legal Defense Fund — litigation, election protection, poll monitor traininghttps://www.naacpldf.orgBlack Voters Matter — "We Got Us" 2026 voter education & mobilization campaignhttps://blackvotersmatterfund.orgFair Fight Action — Southern states voter protection & mobilizationhttps://fairfight.comNAACP — national town halls mobilizing Black voters ahead of the midtermshttps://naacp.orgLeague of Women Voters — nonpartisan voter protection litigation & advocacyhttps://www.lwv.orgOrganize Tennessee — the poll-monitoring model other states are watchinghttps://www.organizetennessee.org📌 What You Can Do This Week●Check your voter registration status●Call your senators about the SAVE Act — find your senators' numbers + a script at 5calls.org●Sign up to be a poll monitor (LDF / Black Voters Matter)●Track redistricting litigation in your state●Get on the alert lists for the organizations above#RethinkingFreedom #VotingRights #BlackHistory #SAVEAct #Midterms2026 #BlackVotersMatter #NAACP #TexasPolitics #ClaytonTuckerSupport the show

US elections 2026: Your vote connects the fight over district maps to decisions about schools, healthcare, and your family’s future. So what’s at stake—and what can you do before November 3?In “The Vote Is a Weapon,” Rethinking Freedom host Aya Fubara Eneli examines Texas gerrymandering, voting rights, and the policy decisions shaping everyday life. She connects the headlines, examines the records, and makes the case for using your vote.IN THIS EPISODE:• Texas redistricting, racial gerrymandering challenges, and the Supreme Court’s role• Religion in public school classrooms• ICE enforcement and racial profiling concerns• DEI rollbacks and their impact on Black federal workers• Student loan limits and the stakes for HBCU families• Billionaire wealth, Medicaid, SNAP, and public health• The records and actions of Abbott, Patrick, Paxton, Buckley, and HicklandThese issues reach beyond any one community. Understanding who makes the decisions is the first step toward holding them accountable.💬 Which issue in this episode deserves more attention? Tell us in the comments.🔔 Subscribe to Rethinking Freedom for conversations about freedom, history, politics, and accountability.📲 Share this episode with three people and start a conversation.🔴 PREMIERES: Monday, September 7, 2026 at 7:00 AM Central Time📻 Also on KRGN 98.5 FM & KVBM 104.7 FM🗳️ TEXAS GENERAL ELECTION — NOVEMBER 3, 2026• October 5 — Last day to register to vote• October 19–30 — Early voting• October 23 — Deadline for your ballot-by-mail application to be RECEIVED, not postmarked• November 3 — Election Day; polls open 7 AM–7 PM local timeCheck the official resources below for registration, mail-ballot eligibility, voting locations, and local schedules.REGISTER & PLAN YOUR VOTEBell County voter registrationBell County ballot by mailBell County early votingBell County Election Day locationsTexas voter informationOfficial Texas election deadlinesRESEARCH CANDIDATES & ISSUESVOTE411BallotpediaThe Texas TribuneVOTING RIGHTS & COMMUNITY RESOURCESNAACPTexas NAACPBlack Voters Matter FundLawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under LawLULACElection Protection Hotline: 1-866-OUR-VOTEKnow the records. Make your voting plan. Bring three people with you.#TexasElections2026 #VotingRights #RethinkingFreedomSupport the show

Texas book bans, school vouchers, and the Ten Commandments in every classroom — this is the fight for the future of Texas public education, and it's happening right now in Bell County.Vouchers. The Ten Commandments in every classroom. A Bible-infused curriculum. School chaplains replacing licensed counselors. And now, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick threatening to strip a full letter grade off any school district that won't ban the "wrong" books.In this episode of Rethinking Freedom, host Aya Fubara Eneli traces the throughline from historic anti-literacy laws, Jim Crow's underfunded classrooms, and apartheid's Bantu Education Act to the Texas education policy fights happening in Austin today — then sits down with two Bell County Democratic candidates fighting to change course: Dawn Richardson (Texas House District 54) and Amelia Rabroker (Texas House District 55).🎙️ GUESTSDawn Richardson — Democratic Candidate, Texas House District 54 A retired educator with 39 years in the classroom, 27 of them right here in Central Texas. Former President of the Killeen Education Association and Chair of the Black Caucus of the Texas State Teachers Association. 🔗 https://www.dawn4texas.org/Amelia Rabroker — Democratic Candidate, Texas House District 55 Central Texas educator, artist, and small business owner running to put public schools, veterans, and working families first. 🔗 https://www.ameliafortexas.com/💡 WHAT WE COVERTexas SB 2: the $1 billion private school voucher / Education Savings Account programTexas HB 2: the $8.5 billion school funding package — and whether it's enoughSB 10: the Ten Commandments mandate in every public school classroomSB 11 and the Bluebonnet Learning Bible-infused curriculumThe 2023 law allowing school chaplains to serve in place of licensed counselorsDan Patrick's threat to downgrade school accountability ratings over library booksSTAAR testing, school takeovers, and the fight over what Texas kids are allowed to readWhat Dawn Richardson and Amelia Rabroker would each fight for first in Austin🌟 IT GIRLS MENTORING PROGRAM Midway through this episode, Aya talks about Intelligent & Talented Girls, Inc. (IT Girls) — a mentoring program for girls ages 10–18 built to make sure our girls know their history, their worth, and their power, no matter what any legislature tries to take off the table.👉 Register your young woman for IT Girls or learn how to support the program: www.intelligentandtalentedgirls.com📅 Early voting matters. Local races matter. Get informed, get registered, and get involved.🔔 Subscribe to Rethinking Freedom for more conversations at the intersection of policy, power, and community.#RethinkingFreedom #TexasEducation #BookBans #SchoolVouchers #PublicEducation #TexasPolitics #TexasHouse #HD54 #HD55 #BellCounty #KilleenTX #DanPatrick #TexasLegislature #VoteTexas #ITGirls #BlackHistory #EducationMatters #DemocracyMattersSupport the show

What does success actually look like for our children — and how do we help them get there?In this episode of Rethinking Freedom, host Aya Fubara Eneli sits down with three powerhouse guests to dig into what it really takes to set our kids up for academic success: not just good grades, but a genuine curiosity and love of learning.We cover: ✅ How parents actually define "success" — and the gap between what we say we want and what the data shows we reward ✅ Building routines that support learning, starting from infancy ✅ Recognizing and addressing your child's mental health as part of their academic journey ✅ Navigating the special education system, IEPs, and the school-to-prison pipeline ✅ Building your village — mentors, grandparents, and community supportGuests:Toya Algarin — Philadelphia-based education advocate with 25+ years championing quality education for underserved children and families. Former KIPP Philadelphia Schools board member, founder of Educational Opportunities for Families, and founder of Grandma's 4 Literacy.Dr. Elizabeth Jennings — Occupational therapist, mental health advocate, author of 13 books, and founder of Boys Matter 2 Men and Remember You Matter Coaching, Consulting & Mentoring.Dustin Rynders — Director of legal and legislative work at the Texas Civil Rights Project, whose advocacy uncovered and eliminated an illegal cap on special education enrollment in Texas that had denied services to over 300,000 students.📚 Resource mentioned in this episode: Disability Rights Texas — IDEA Manual (a parent's guide to special education rights and the special education process in Texas): https://disabilityrightstx.org/en/publication/idea-manual/https://www.charlescoleiii.com/black-agentic-parent-ebookGrandmas4Literacy:https://www.grandmas4literacy.org/I&T Girls: https://www.grandmas4literacy.org/This is the extended, full-length version of the conversation. A shorter cut aired on KGRN 98.5 FM and KVBM 104.7 FM in Killeen, TX.🎧 Subscribe for new episodes of Rethinking Freedom, and catch African News Review for pan-African news and analysis.#RethinkingFreedom #ParentingTips #AcademicSuccess #SpecialEducation #IEP #MentalHealthAwareness #BlackParenting #EducationEquity #SchoolToPrisonPipeline #MentorshipSupport the show

Who failed our kids, and what will it take to fix America’s education crisis?In 2024, 70% of U.S. fourth graders scored below proficient in reading. For Black fourth graders, that number rose to 84%. This is bigger than test scores. It is a crisis in Black education, literacy, parent involvement, public schools, student accountability, and community responsibility.In this episode of Rethinking Freedom, host Aya Fubara Eneli brings together three educators and community advocates for a direct conversation about one difficult question:Who is responsible for our children’s education?Is it the parents?The teachers?School leadership?The students themselves?The community?Or have we spent so much time assigning blame that we have forgotten what it actually means to be a village?MEET THE GUESTSChristopher OwusuU.S. Army combat veteran, educator, and mental health professional with more than 12 years of experience in public education.Toya “GiGi” AlgarinPhiladelphia education advocate, founder of Grandma’s 4 Literacy, and longtime KIPP Philadelphia board member.Dr. Janelle MuhammadPrincipal of Killeen High School in Killeen ISD and TASSP Region 12 Outstanding Principal of the Year.IN THIS EPISODE• Why so many Black students are struggling with reading proficiency• The literacy crisis facing American schools• Where the relationship between parents and educators is breaking down• What schools need from families• What parents should expect from schools• The role students play in their own academic success• How mental health affects learning and behavior• Education equity and the achievement gap• Why community involvement cannot stop at the schoolhouse door• What it will take to rebuild the village around our childrenThe education crisis will not be solved by blaming one group.Parents matter. Teachers matter. Students matter. School leaders matter. Communities matter.The real question is whether we are willing to work together before another generation pays the price.👇 Who do you believe carries the greatest responsibility for educating our children? Join the conversation in the comments.🔔 Subscribe to Rethinking Freedom for conversations on education, history, race, public policy, freedom, and community accountability.📲 Share this episode with a parent, teacher, principal, student, or community leader who needs to be part of this conversation.#RethinkingFreedom #BlackEducation #EducationCrisis #WhoFailedOurKids #BlackStudents #LiteracyCrisis #ReadingProficiency #EducationEquity #ParentInvolvement #PublicEducation #EducationReform #BlackFamilies #BackToSchool2026Support the show

He spent 49 years in prison for something the state never wanted the country to fully understand. Now he's telling the whole story.Our Black August episode hit 17,000 views in 48 hours — because this history isn't just history. It's still happening. So we went back for the conversation the moment demanded: a full sit-down with Jalil Muntaqim.At 16, he joined the Black Panther Party. At 19, he was captured — one week after George Jackson was killed at San Quentin. What followed was 49 years as a political prisoner, 11 parole denials, and a life spent organizing from inside a cell most people can't imagine surviving.In this episode of Rethinking Freedom, Baba Jalil Muntaqim joins me to talk about:🔹 His life — from Oakland to the underground to nearly five decades behind bars🔹 The real history of Black August — who it honors, and why it started🔹 Why Black August still matters in 2026🔹 What liberation work actually looks like right now — and what he's asking us to do nextThis is the continuation of the conversation we started on August 3rd. If you haven't watched that episode yet, start here: https://youtu.be/vJ2K-R6AU8k?si=UHxfDgAHaPrUOGh3🎙️ Catch Rethinking Freedom every week — on air at 98.5 FM KGRN and 104.7 FM KVBM, and everywhere you get your podcasts.👇 Subscribe so you don't miss what's next.#BlackAugust #JalilMuntaqim #BlackLiberationArmy #BlackPantherParty #RethinkingFreedom #PoliticalPrisoners #BlackHistory#WeChargeGenocideSupport the show

What is Black August, and why has it become one of the most significant traditions of remembrance and resistance in the Black freedom struggle?In this special episode of Rethinking Freedom, I explore the origins of Black August, its historical roots, and why it continues to be commemorated around the world. We examine the lives and sacrifices of those whose struggles helped shape this tradition and discuss why the movement to support incarcerated activists remains as relevant today as ever.This episode explores:* The origins and meaning of Black August* George Jackson, Jonathan Jackson, the San Quentin rebellion, and the birth of a movement* The lives and ongoing advocacy of political prisoners, including Mumia Abu-Jamal and Jalil Muntaqim* The campaign to hold the United States accountable under the United Nations Genocide Convention, from the 1951 We Charge Genocide petition led by W. E. B. Du Bois, Paul Robeson, William L. Patterson, and others, to contemporary efforts* The findings of the 2021 International Tribunal that concluded the United States has committed genocide against Black, Brown, and Indigenous peoples* Why the United States often criticizes other nations for holding political prisoners while many activists argue it does not recognize political prisoners within its own borders* Current issues including mass incarceration, extrajudicial killings, environmental racism, educational inequity, health disparities, and economic inequality* Practical ways you can support political prisoners, their families, and organizations working for justiceWhether you are hearing about Black August for the first time or have commemorated it for years, this episode offers historical context, critical analysis, and a call to action.Join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments.Premieres Monday, August 3, 2026Listen and subscribe:YouTube: @RethinkingFreedomAvailable on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and wherever you get your podcasts.If this episode challenged you, inspired you, or taught you something new, please:* Like this video* Subscribe to the channel* Share it with your family, friends, and community* ⁠Leace a comment* ⁠Donate to help cover our expenses * Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform#BlackAugust #RethinkingFreedom #PoliticalPrisoners #GeorgeJackson #MumiaAbuJamal #JalilMuntaqim #WeChargeGenocide #BlackHistory #BlackLiberation #MassIncarceration #PrisonAbolition #SocialJustice #CivilRights #HumanRights #BlackResistance #AfricanAmericanHistory #FreedomStruggle #KnowYourHistory #HistoryMatters #BlackPower #Justice #Activism #Education #Podcast #YouTubePodcastSupport the show

What does it mean to get into “good trouble” in today’s America?In this episode of Rethinking Freedom, we examine recent federal and Texas legislation and the real-world consequences these policies have for millions of Americans. From voting rights and education to healthcare, the economy, and civil liberties, we explore how laws passed by elected officials shape our daily lives and determine who benefits and who bears the burden.This conversation is not about political parties. It is about accountability. Democracy works best when informed citizens pay attention, understand the impact of public policy, and use the power of their vote to hold elected officials accountable.Every election is an opportunity to decide whether those in office have represented the interests of the people or prioritized the interests of powerful donors, special interests, and wealthy elites. Your vote is your voice, and your voice has the power to shape the future.As the late Congressman John Lewis reminded us, “Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”Join the conversation, stay informed, and be part of building a democracy that works for everyone.Subscribe for more episodes of Rethinking Freedom exploring history, politics, race, economics, and the issues that shape our communities.#RethinkingFreedom #GoodTrouble #JohnLewis #VotingRights #Democracy #TexasPolitics #FederalPolicy #CivicEngagement #KnowYourRights #Vote #PublicPolicy #SocialJusticeSupport the show

What does it mean to truly come home? In this episode of Rethinking Freedom, we sit down with Nannette Atuahene — the first in her lineage to be born and raised in the United States — who made a permanent move from California to Ghana in 2022, returning to the homeland of her parents.As we mark this 250-year moment for African Americans, we explore freedom not just as a legal status, but as reconnection — to land, to lineage, to self. Nannette shares her journey across the ocean, what “returning” really means, and how her coaching work helps African Diasporan professionals live life by design rather than by default — expanding their mindset, skill set, and relationships beyond the West and onto the African continent.We also break down the numbers behind the growing wave of African Americans relocating to Ghana and beyond, and what's really driving the movement.TOPICS COVERED●Freedom as reconnection — reclaiming what was severed by the Middle Passage●The journey from California to Ghana, and what “returning” means●The data behind the Blaxit movement●Life by design: mindset, skill set, and relationships●Practical pathways for the diaspora — citizenship, land, business, and cultural ties●A call to action — one tangible step toward reconnectionABOUT NANNETTE ATUAHENENannette Atuahene is the first in her lineage to be born and raised in the U.S. In 2022, she made a permanent move from California to Ghana — the homeland of her parents. She coaches African Diasporan professionals to live life by design rather than by default, helping them expand themselves, their work, and their impact beyond the West and onto the African continent. Her coaching is built on three pillars: mindset, skill set, and relationships.CONNECT WITH NANNETTEBook a Clarity Call:  https://calendly.com/onourwatchglobal/30minGet her book:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FF2XYXJNLinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/in/nannette-atuahene-59413b14Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588080897286WHERE TO LISTENThis episode airs Mondays at 7 AM on KGRN 98.5 FM and KVBM 104.7 FM, and is available on the Rethinking Freedom YouTube channel and everywhere you listen to podcasts.Subscribe for more conversations on freedom, identity, and reconnection.#RethinkingFreedom #Blaxit #GhanaReturn #AfricanDiaspora #YearOfReturn #LifeByDesign #BlackExpats #AncestralReconnectionSupport the show

Most of us were taught that segregation in America happened by accident - that it was simply the result of personal prejudice or private choice. It wasn't. It was the law.In this episode of Rethinking Freedom, part of our summer series The Other Side of Freedom: USA at 250, host Aya Fubara Eneli sits down with Richard Rothstein, author of the landmark book The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America.Rothstein pulls back the curtain on how federal, state, and local governments deliberately used zoning laws, public housing policy, FHA lending practices, restrictive covenants, and tax policy to build the segregated neighborhoods we still live in today — and what that means for the racial wealth gap, education, and health disparities we continue to grapple with.We're also joined by Taneika Driver-Moultrie, President of the Killeen Chapter of the NAACP, for a conversation on what this history means for our community today — and what it will take to move from awareness to action.Take action: Join us for the John Lewis Day of Action. Register here: https://www.mobilize.us/john-lewis-actions/event/966047/Get the book: https://a.co/d/0iY53nnHNew episodes of Rethinking Freedom air every Monday at 7:00 a.m. CT on KRGN 98.5 FM and KVBM 104.7 FM, and stream on all major podcast platforms.If this conversation moved you, like, comment, and subscribe — and share it with someone who needs to hear this history.#RethinkingFreedom #TheColorOfLaw #RichardRothstein #NAACP #JohnLewisDayOfAction #USAat250 #HousingSegregation #RedliningHistorySupport the show

We were taught to stand for the anthem, place a hand over our heart for the pledge, and treat July 4th as the day freedom began. But who wrote these symbols — and who were they actually written for?In this hour-long special, we read the entire Declaration of Independence out loud, start to finish, before breaking down what it actually says, what got cut from early drafts, and who it left out entirely. Then we trace the same pattern through the national anthem's forgotten third verse, the surprising commercial origin of the Pledge of Allegiance, and the broader mythology built around America's founding. We look at the historical throughline — from the dispossession of Native nations to slavery to Jim Crow to the policies still shaping wealth and opportunity today — and we end with a real question: what would it take to build a version of American patriotism that finally includes everyone living under it?This isn't a takedown of the country. It's an audit of the story we were handed, and an argument for a more honest one.🎙️ Airs live:📻 KGRN 98.5 & KVBM 104.7 — Monday, July 6 at 7:00 AM CST📺 YouTube — Rethinking Freedom channel🎧 Available on all major podcast platforms following broadcastChapters:🔗 Related Rethinking Freedom episodes:Kyle T. Mays: https://youtu.be/bUPbWRXrcyo?si=SqDxTbmNCQR02S2DGerald Horne: https://youtu.be/YeTTCwtf13M?si=YtiffkJ8wAzRnxi7Anthony P. Griffin: https://youtu.be/MycL94u5rlM?si=GmITui2woQtJ5XYI#RethinkingFreedom #AmericanHistory #DeclarationOfIndependence #Juneteenth #CivicEducation #Patriotism #FourthOfJulyRethinking Freedom, Support the show

We're taught that American democracy was built on liberty and self-governance. But what if it was actually built on two erasures at once — the enslavement of African peoples and the dispossession of Indigenous nations — happening together, by design? In this episode of Rethinking Freedom: The Other Side of Freedom, part of our USA at 250 summer series, we sit down with historian Dr. Kyle T. Mays — an Afro-Indigenous (African American and Saginaw Chippewa) scholar at UCLA — to talk about his landmark book, An Afro-Indigenous History of the United States (Beacon Press). We dig into the arguments that make this book required reading: why enslaved Africans should be understood as Indigenous people in their own right, how antiblackness and settler colonialism worked as a single system rather than two separate histories, the complicated and often painful history of the "Five Tribes" enslaving their own Afro-Indigenous kin, the moments of real solidarity between Black Power and Red Power movements, and what a genuinely honest 250th anniversary of American independence would actually look like. This is a conversation about the freedom struggles that got written out of the official story — and why putting them back in changes how we understand the whole country. 📖 Get the book: An Afro-Indigenous History of the United States by Kyle T. Mays (Beacon Press) 🎙️ Part of our summer series: Rethinking Freedom — The Other Side of Freedom: The USA at 250 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes in this series, where we explore the histories marginalized or erased from the official American story.#AfroIndigenous #BlackHistory #NativeAmericanHistory #USAat250 #KyleTMays #AmericanHistory #Decolonization #BlackPower #RedPower #PodcastSupport the show

In this episode of Rethinking Freedom, part of our summer series The Other Side of Freedom: USA at 250, we sit down with historian Dr. Cynthia E. Orozco, author of No Mexicans, Women, or Dogs Allowed: The Rise of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement — the first scholarly history of LULAC, the League of United Latin American Citizens.Dr. Orozco is the National LULAC Historian and Professor Emeritus of History and Humanities at Eastern New Mexico University. She is also the author of Agent of Change: Adela Sloss-Vento, Mexican American Civil Rights Activist and Texas Feminist and Pioneer of Mexican American Civil Rights: Alonso S. Perales.We talk about the origins of the Mexican American civil rights movement in Texas, the segregation signs that gave this book its title, the role of gender and the women written out of early movement history, and the limits of who that movement saw and who it left invisible — including Afro-Mexican American and Afro-Mexicana Tejana communities.As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, this conversation asks a question at the heart of our summer series: freedom for whom, and on whose terms?Learn more about Dr. Orozco's work: https://cynthiaorozco.com/Book: No Mexicans, Women, or Dogs Allowed: The Rise of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement (University of Texas Press)#RethinkingFreedom #USAat250 #MexicanAmericanHistory #LULAC #CivilRights #TexasHistory #ChicanaStudiesSupport the show

Juneteenth began in Galveston, Texas, but the story beneath June 19, 1865 is deeper than most Americans are taught.This week on Rethinking Freedom, I sit down with Anthony Paul Griffin — attorney, writer, and author of The Water Cries — for a powerful conversation about memory, justice, and what it truly means to be free.For over three decades, Griffin tried high-profile cases that tested the limits of constitutional principle. He has written about Black cowboys in Texas, Gulf Coast foodways, and the stories that official history leaves out. Now, in The Water Cries, he turns his gaze toward the deepest questions of American life: What does freedom actually cost? Who is still waiting for it? And what do we owe each other across the distance of history?This episode is part of our summer series: The Other Side of Freedom — The USA at 250.📩 Connect with Anthony Paul Griffin: [email protected]🔔 Subscribe to Rethinking Freedom:https://www.youtube.com/@RethinkingFreedomRethinking Freedom airs Mondays at 7:00 AM Central on KRGN 98.5 FM and KVBM 104.7 FM.#Juneteenth #BlackHistory #GalvestonHistorySupport the show

What if the American Revolution was not simply a struggle for liberty and independence? What if preserving slavery was one of the driving forces behind the break from Britain?Join us on Rethinking Freedom as we continue our special summer series, The Other Side of History: America at 250, with renowned historian, author, and scholar Dr. Gerald Horne. In this thought-provoking conversation, we examine his groundbreaking book, The Counter-Revolution of 1776: Slave Resistance and the Origins of the United States of America.Dr. Horne challenges one of the most cherished narratives in American history, arguing that many colonial leaders feared growing anti-slavery sentiment in Britain and viewed independence as a way to protect and expand the institution of slavery. He explores the role of enslaved Africans, Indigenous peoples, European empires, and global economic forces in shaping the birth of the United States. (NYU Press)Together, we discuss:* Was the American Revolution also a counter-revolution?* Why did many enslaved Africans side with the British during the Revolutionary War?* How did slavery, capitalism, and colonial expansion shape the founding of the United States?* What does this history reveal about race, power, and democracy today?* How should Americans approach the nation’s 250th anniversary in light of these historical debates?Whether you agree with Dr. Horne’s conclusions or not, this conversation will challenge assumptions, spark critical thinking, and deepen your understanding of America’s origins.Air Date: Monday, June 8, 2026Time: 7:00 AM CentralListen on:KRGN 98.5 FMKVBM 104.7 FMWatch on YouTube:Rethinking FreedomAbout Our Guest:Dr. Gerald Horne is the Moores Professor of History and African American Studies at the University of Houston and one of the most prolific historians in the United States. His scholarship focuses on race, slavery, colonialism, imperialism, labor, and global struggles for liberation. He is the author of more than 40 books, including The Counter-Revolution of 1776, The Counter-Revolution of 1836, and The Dawning of the Apocalypse. (Wikipedia)#RethinkingFreedom #GeraldHorne #CounterRevolutionOf1776 #America250 #BlackHistory #AfricanAmericanHistory #AmericanRevolution #SlaveryAndFreedom #PanAfricanism #HistoryMatters #Juneteenth #FreedomStruggle #TheOtherSideOfHistorySupport the show

THE OTHER SIDE OF FREEDOM (Part 2): UNTOLD HISTORIES OF THE U.S. AT 250  | Featuring E.R. Bills As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, whose stories are celebrated—and whose stories remain buried beneath the surface of official history?In part 2 of our discussion, host Aya Fubara Eneli sits down with acclaimed Texas journalist and author E.R. Bills to discuss his gripping book, Tell-Tale Texas.Together, they explore the hidden, unsettling, and often forgotten stories that shaped Texas and the nation—stories of racial violence, injustice, corruption, resistance, disappearances, massacres, and the people history tried to erase. From infamous crimes to suppressed truths, this conversation challenges us to reconsider what freedom has meant in America—and for whom.As the nation celebrates 250 years of independence, Rethinking Freedom asks:What happens when we tell the whole story?Join us for the concluding thought-provoking conversation about memory, truth, power, and the importance of preserving the histories that many would rather forget.📻 Rethinking Freedom airs Mondays at 7:00 AM CST on:KRGN 98.5 FMKVBM 104.7 FM📺 Watch on the Rethinking Freedom YouTube Channel🎙️ Also available on all major podcast platforms#RethinkingFreedom #ERTBills #TellTaleTexas #TexasHistory #UntoldHistory #BlackHistory #AmericanHistory #US250 #FreedomStories #HistoricalTruth #HiddenHistory #MemorialDay #Juneteenth #Texas #Podcast #HistoryMattersSupport the show

THE OTHER SIDE OF FREEDOM: UNTOLD HISTORIES OF THE U.S. AT 250Summer Series Kickoff | Featuring E.R. BillsAs the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, whose stories are celebrated—and whose stories remain buried beneath the surface of official history?In this powerful kickoff episode of Rethinking Freedom’s summer series, The Other Side of Freedom: Untold Histories of the U.S. at 250, host Aya Fubara Eneli sits down with acclaimed Texas journalist and author E.R. Bills to discuss his gripping book, Tell-Tale Texas.Together, they explore the hidden, unsettling, and often forgotten stories that shaped Texas and the nation—stories of racial violence, injustice, corruption, resistance, disappearances, massacres, and the people history tried to erase. From infamous crimes to suppressed truths, this conversation challenges us to reconsider what freedom has meant in America—and for whom.As the nation celebrates 250 years of independence, Rethinking Freedom asks:What happens when we tell the whole story?Join us for Part 1 of a thought-provoking conversation about memory, truth, power, and the importance of preserving the histories that many would rather forget.📻 Rethinking Freedom airs Mondays at 7:00 AM CST on:KRGN 98.5 FMKVBM 104.7 FM📺 Watch on the Rethinking Freedom YouTube Channel🎙️ Also available on all major podcast platforms#RethinkingFreedom #ERTBills #TellTaleTexas #TexasHistory #UntoldHistory #BlackHistory #AmericanHistory #US250 #FreedomStories #HistoricalTruth #HiddenHistory #MemorialDay #Juneteenth #Texas #Podcast #HistoryMattersSupport the show

What happens when Black political power begins to rise in America?History gives us the answer:Backlash.In this explosive episode of Rethinking Freedom, host Aya Fubara Eneli sits down with community activist Dr. Rodney Duckett to expose the long history of white resistance to Black political advancement — from Reconstruction to Jim Crow, from voter suppression to modern redistricting battles happening across the United States today.This conversation pulls no punches.Together, we examine how fear of Black political influence has shaped American laws, elections, media narratives, policing, education, and democracy itself. We trace the deliberate dismantling of protections won during the Civil Rights Movement and ask whether America is witnessing the rise of a new era of legalized disenfranchisement.Topics include:* The true history behind the 1965 Voting Rights Act* White backlash after Black political gains* Racial gerrymandering and the fight over representation* The Supreme Court and the weakening of voting protections* Voter suppression tactics targeting Black communities* The relationship between white nationalism and political power* Why local elections are critical battlegrounds* How Black communities can organize, mobilize, and fight backThis episode also confronts a deeper truth:The struggle has never only been about voting.It has always been about power.Who gets heard.Who gets protected.Who gets resources.Who gets representation.And who gets erased.Yet despite centuries of attacks, Black communities continue to organize, resist, build, vote, and rise.From enslaved Africans denied humanity to Freedom Riders risking their lives, from Fannie Lou Hamer to modern grassroots organizers, the fight for political freedom continues.And the outcome of that fight will shape America’s future.📻 Rethinking Freedom airs Mondays at 7 AM CST📡 KRGN 98.5 FM | KVBM 104.7 FM🎙 Available on all podcast platforms📺 Subscribe to the Rethinking Freedom YouTube Channel for fearless conversations on history, politics, race, law, and liberation.#RethinkingFreedom #BlackVotes #VotingRights #RodneyDuckett #CivilRights #BlackPoliticalPower #WhiteNationalism #JimCrow2 #Democracy #AfricanAmericanHistory #BlackResistance #VoterSuppression #PoliticalPower #SocialJusticeSupport the show

Mother’s Day didn’t begin with flowers, cards, or brunch.It began with war, grief, organizing, and resistance.In this powerful episode of Rethinking Freedom, we uncover the true origins of Mother’s Day—from Ann Reeves Jarvis organizing mothers during the American Civil War, to Julia Ward Howe calling for mothers to unite against war, to Anna Jarvis fighting the commercialization of the very holiday she created.But we don’t stop there.This episode centers the global power of motherhood—from African traditions where Nneka means “Mother is greater”, to Indigenous systems where mothers held political authority, to modern-day movements led by mothers demanding justice for their children.We explore:👉 The radical history of Mother’s Day👉 How capitalism transformed a movement into a marketplace👉 The real cost of motherhood (economic, physical, emotional)👉 Black, Brown, Indigenous, and global mothers who turned grief into activism👉 A powerful “Support Mothers” action plan you can apply todayFeaturing insights connected to The Joys of Motherhood and the lived realities of mothers across generations.This is not just a celebration.This is a reckoning.✊🏾 FEATURED THEMES & FIGURESMamie Till-MobleyCoretta Scott KingBetty ShabazzMothers of the MovementMothers Against Drunk DrivingBlack Mamas Matter Alliance🔥 WHY THIS EPISODE MATTERSBecause mothers are celebrated one day a year…while the systems that burden them operate every day.And if mothers are not supported…are they truly free?📻 LISTEN + FOLLOW📅 Airs Mondays at 7 AM CST📡 KRGN 98.5 FM | KVBM 104.7 FM🎧 Available on all podcast platforms💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATIONIf this episode moved you:👉 LIKE👉 COMMENT👉 SHARE👉 SUBSCRIBELet’s rethink freedom—together.Support the show

What happens when the right to vote is no longer protected—but quietly weakened?In this powerful episode of Rethinking Freedom, we confront the ongoing fight for Black voting rights in America—from Reconstruction to the Civil Rights Movement to today’s legal battles over redistricting and representation.This is not just history. This is happening now.We break down:• The true history of the Black vote in the United States  • How voter suppression has evolved—from Jim Crow to modern-day tactics  • The impact of key Supreme Court decisions like Shelby County v. Holder (2013)  • The role of gerrymandering and redistricting in shaping political power  • What’s at stake in the latest Louisiana redistricting case  • And most importantly—how we fight back  This episode moves beyond awareness into strategy. Because the question is no longer whether voting rights are under attack…The question is: What are we going to do about it?Featuring Reverend Philemon BrownCall to ActionIf this conversation moves you, don’t stop at watching:• Like• Comment your thoughts• Share this episode• Subscribe for more conversations that challenge, inform, and empowerSupport the show

What does it take to move from awareness to real change?In Part 2 of this urgent and necessary conversation, Rethinking Freedom goes deeper—beyond naming the crisis to confronting its roots and building pathways toward healing, accountability, and transformation.This episode brings together powerful voices committed to truth, restoration, and the protection of Black women and girls. Together, we examine not only the patterns of violence, but the cultural, psychological, and spiritual conditions that allow it to persist—and what it will take to break them.Featured Guests:Gilbert RichardsBorn in Belize, Gilbert Richards is an educator, clinician, and lifelong teacher with over 27 years of experience working with learners from kindergarten through adulthood. He holds a Master’s in Special Education with a focus on second language learners and a Master’s in Clinical Social Work. Teaching, for him, is a spiritual calling. His work now centers on spiritual freedom, collective healing, and expanding historical and socio-cultural awareness through his involvement with Knarrative.Khalid B. Scott, BS, MSW, LCSW, CADC, CODP-I, C-SWHC, CWEL, CPLC, LPHAWith more than three decades of service in social work, Khalid B. Scott is a nationally recognized clinician, educator, and leader in mental health and social advocacy. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Substance Use Disorder Specialist with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Khalid provides psycho-social therapy for individuals, couples, and families through his private practice, International High Achievers. His work is rooted in trauma-informed care, cultural humility, and authentic human connection.A decorated veteran, award-winning professional, and mentor, Khalid has taught at major universities across the country and contributed to numerous publications, media platforms, and community initiatives. His legacy is one of service, discipline, and a deep commitment to healing and empowerment.Contact Khalid B. Scott:Website: International High AchieversTherapist Profile: Psychology Today ProfileSocial Media & Resources: LinktreeDr. Kerry Ann Zamore ByrdDr. Byrd is a clinical professor and Director of Baylor University’s Undergraduate Social Work Program, with over 20 years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker. Her work spans child protective services, court systems, psychiatric care, police social work, and international practice. She is also an award-winning filmmaker and playwright, using storytelling to advance trauma-informed and culturally responsive care.Contact Dr. Kerry Ann Zamore Byrd:Phone: (254) 247-1262In this episode, we explore:• Root causes and recurring patterns of violence• The impact of culture, conditioning, and silence• Mental health, trauma, and intervention strategies• Accountability and the role of men and community leadership• Pathways for protection, prevention, and healingThis is not just a conversation—it is a call to action.If we are serious about freedom, then we must be serious about protecting the lives, dignity, and humanity of Black women.Air Date: Monday, April 27, 2026 at 7:00 AM CSTBroadcast: KRGN 98.5 FM | KVBM 104.7 FMPlatform: YouTube + RadioJoin the conversation. Share this message. Be part of the solution.#RethinkingFreedom #ProtectBlackWomen #EndViolence #CommunityHealing #BlackWomenMatter #MentalHealthAwareness #BreakingTheCurseSupport the show

What are we missing when we call these tragedies “isolated incidents”?In this powerful and necessary episode of Rethinking Freedom, Aya Fubara Eneli confronts the growing pattern of homicide-suicides involving women—particularly Black women—and places these tragedies within a broader global and systemic context.From recent cases to the staggering reality that 51,000 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family members in 2023, this episode challenges us to move beyond headlines and ask deeper questions about power, patriarchy, mental health, and accountability.This is not just a conversation—it is a call to awareness, accountability, and transformation.Featured GuestsKhalid B. Scott, LCSWKhalid B. Scott is a licensed clinical social worker, substance use disorder specialist, and veteran with more than three decades of experience in mental health, trauma, and community healing. His work spans clinical practice, education, and leadership, grounded in trauma-informed care and a deep commitment to helping individuals and families heal.Website: http://www.highachievers.netTherapy Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/khalid-b-scott-south-holland-il/466781Social Media: https://linktr.ee/alphakbs1Dr. KerryAnn Zamore ByrdDr. KerryAnn Zamore Byrd is a clinical professor and the Director of Baylor University’s Undergraduate Social Work Program. With over twenty years as a licensed clinical social worker, her work spans child protective services, court systems, psychiatric and police social work, and international communities. She is also an award-winning filmmaker and playwright.Contact: 254-247-1262Listen & Watch Rethinking FreedomAiring Monday at 7:00 AM CSTKRGN 98.5 FM | 104.7 FM KVBMAvailable on YouTube and all podcast platformsSubscribe to Rethinking Freedom for more powerful conversations.#RethinkingFreedom #Femicide #ViolenceAgainstWomen #MentalHealth #Healing #SocialJusticeSupport the show

What does power really look like inside the justice system—and who does it truly serve?In this thought-provoking episode of Rethinking Freedom, Aya Fubara Eneli sits down with Judge Darrell Jordan, former Harris County Criminal Court Judge and candidate for Harris County District Clerk, for a candid and layered conversation about the intersection of power, politics, and the judicial system.Before we get into the race itself, we take a step back and ask the bigger questions:🗳️ Why do local elections matter more than most people realize?⚖️ How does the judicial system impact everyday life in our communities?📉 What happens when people don’t show up to vote in local races?As the conversation unfolds, we move into the realities of this current election:Why Judge Jordan is running for District ClerkWhat he believes needs to change within the systemThe role of transparency, access, and efficiency in the courtsWe also address the controversies and public scrutiny surrounding his career—creating space for honest dialogue, accountability, and clarity.And importantly, we explore a deeper question:✊🏾 What challenges do Black judges face in Texas—and how does race shape perception, scrutiny, and reform within the system?With early voting approaching (April 21–29) and Election Day on May 2, this episode is both a call to awareness and a call to action.Because local elections don’t just decide positions—they shape justice, access, and opportunity.Support the show

Reclaiming Your Power | Your Vote. Your Legacy. Your Responsibility.What does it truly mean to reclaim your power?In this compelling episode of Rethinking Freedom, Aya Fubara Eneli challenges you to take control in two of the most overlooked—but life-defining—areas:🗳️ Your Vote📜 Your LegacyAs local elections approach in Killeen and Harker Heights, Aya breaks down:✔️ What’s on the ballot (city council, mayoral races, school boards)✔️ Why local elections shape your daily life more than national politics✔️ Key dates you need to act on (Election Day: May 2, 2026)✔️ The powerful and painful history of Black voting rights in America✔️ How access to the ballot is still being challenged todayThen she turns to a question most people avoid:What happens to your family if something happens to you tomorrow?As an estate planning attorney, Aya reveals:🔥 5 powerful estate planning takeaways💰 The real cost of probate (time, money, and stress)⚠️ Why having a will is NOT enough👨‍👩‍👧 How to protect your children and preserve generational wealthThis episode is a wake-up call.Because reclaiming your power means:👉 Showing up where decisions are made👉 Protecting what you’ve built👉 Refusing to leave your future in someone else’s hands🎯 TAKE ACTION TODAY:✔️ Register and prepare to vote✔️ Research your local candidates✔️ Put your estate plan in placeWhat does “reclaiming your power” look like in your life?📌 Subscribe to Rethinking Freedom for bold conversations on power, legacy, and liberation.#ReclaimingYourPower #RethinkingFreedom #VoteLocal #EstatePlanning #GenerationalWealth #BlackPower #KilleenTX #HarkerHeights #LegacyBuildingSupport the show

What does it truly mean to become a woman in today’s world—and what wisdom are our daughters already carrying that we must learn to hear?In this powerful Women’s History Month finale of Rethinking Freedom, we turn inward, centering the voices of the next generation. In “What Our Daughters Know: Their Wisdom, Struggles, and the Journey to Womanhood,” we sit down with three brilliant young women who are not only navigating their own paths—but redefining what strength, identity, and purpose look like in real time.Join us for an honest, moving, and deeply insightful conversation with:✨ Excellence Wallace, RN – Pediatric Nurse, healer, and advocate for compassionate care📱 Follow TikTok: @excy | Instagram: @excellence.xo✨ Kosisochukwu Eneli – Scholar at Harvard Law School, future legal powerhouse📱Follow @kokoeneli on TicTok and Instagram✨ Onaedochukwu Eneli – Senior at Tennessee State University, pre-med student and future physician📱Follow @onaaa.eneli on InstagramTogether, they share:• The lessons that have shaped them into who they are becoming• The real challenges young women face today—and how they navigate them• What they wish they had understood earlier about self-worth, identity, and purpose• Their keys to success and staying grounded in a fast-moving world• Advice to their peers, to mothers, and to leaders responsible for shaping systems that impact girls and womenThis is more than a conversation—it’s a mirror, a call to listen, and a reminder that wisdom does not wait for age.📅 Airs: Monday, March 30 at 7 AM CST📻 Radio: 98.5 FM KRGN | 104.7 FM KVBM📺 Watch: Rethinking Freedom YouTube Channel🎧 Listen: Available on all podcast platforms📱 Follow Excellence Wallace:TikTok: @excyInstagram: @excellence.xo⸻🔥 If this conversation moves you, don’t forget to:👍 Like💬 Comment your biggest takeaway🔔 Subscribe for more powerful conversations on Rethinking Freedom⸻Hashtags:#RethinkingFreedom #WomensHistoryMonth #BlackWomenLead #NextGenerationVoices #Womanhood #EmpowerHer #DaughtersWisdom #BlackExcellence #FutureLeaders #HarvardLaw #PreMedJourney #TennesseeState #WomenAndGirlsSupport the show

The Iran War Explained: History, Lies, and Global Consequences | Rethinking FreedomWhat is really happening with the Iran war—and why should you care?In this powerful episode of Rethinking Freedom, we go beyond the headlines to unpack the history, hidden agendas, and global consequences of the Iran conflict. From the 1953 coup to present-day escalations, this is a conversation about power, propaganda, and the real cost of war.Joining us is Adesoji Iginla, host of African News Review and author of Africa Illuminated, bringing a sharp global perspective that challenges dominant narratives and connects the dots between Africa, the Middle East, and Western influence.This is not just about Iran.This is about truth, accountability, and the world we are all living in.📅 Airs Monday, March 23 at 7:00 AM (Central Time)📺 Watch on YouTube: Rethinking Freedom Channel📻 Also airing on 98.5 FM & 104.7 FMIn this episode, we explore:• The historical roots of the Iran conflict• The role of U.S. and global powers• Media narratives vs. reality• Economic impacts—oil, inflation, and global instability• Why this war affects YOU, no matter where you live⸻Stay connected. Stay informed. Rethink what you’ve been told.🔔 Subscribe to Rethinking Freedom for bold conversations on history, justice, and global truth.⸻#RethinkingFreedom #IranWar #MiddleEast #GlobalPolitics #TruthMatters #AdesojiIginla #AfricanNewsReview #Geopolitics #WarAndPeace #KnowTheHistory #StayInformed #PanAfrican #WorldAffairs #Freedom #CriticalThinkingSupport the show

Women’s Rights Under Attack: The SAVE Act, Healthcare, and the Fight for Freedom in TexasIn this urgent and eye‑opening episode of Rethinking Freedom, we sit down with Dr. Mann, a board‑certified family practice physician, to examine the escalating crisis facing women in Texas. From reproductive healthcare restrictions to the erosion of patient autonomy, Dr. Mann breaks down what she is witnessing on the front lines of medicine—and why every Texan should be paying attention.We discuss the real‑world impact of state policies, including the proposed SAVE Act, and how political decisions are reshaping access to essential healthcare. Dr. Mann shares the medical, ethical, and human consequences of delayed care, denied treatment, and shrinking health resources for women across the state.This conversation goes beyond headlines. It is a call to awareness, a call to action, and a call to protect the health, safety, and dignity of women in Texas.In this episode:• The current state of women’s healthcare in Texas• What doctors are seeing behind closed doors• How restrictive laws impact real patients• The significance of the SAVE Act• Why women’s rights are at a critical turning point• What communities can do to fight back and protect women’s healthIf you believe in freedom, bodily autonomy, and equal rights, this is a conversation you cannot afford to miss.New episodes air on 104.7 FM KVBM and 98.5 FM KRGN.Follow the Rethinking Freedom podcast on all major platforms and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more interviews that challenge, educate, and inspire.Support the show

This week's conversation, featuring Aya Fubara Eneli Esq. and Adesoji Iginla,  delves into the life and legacy of Shirley Chisholm.  the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress. The discussion highlights her candidacy for the presidency, her advocacy for women's rights and civil rights, and her critique of the American political system. Chisholm's emphasis on empowerment, political agency, and the need for systemic change resonates throughout the conversation, making it clear that her vision and impact continue to inspire future generations.Support the show

Rethinking Freedom – Episode: The Epstein Files: The Patriarchy Protection RacketGuest: Dr. Maya Rockeymoore CummingsThis week on Rethinking Freedom, we welcome Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings—distinguished scholar, former chair of the Maryland Democratic Party, former U.S. congressional candidate, and candidate for Maryland Governor—to discuss her powerful essay on the Epstein Files.As Dr. Rockeymoore Cummings argues, the Epstein documents are not just about one man.They expose something deeper:how power shields itself, how institutions protect wrongdoing, and how democracy becomes conditional when protection is unevenly distributed.In this conversation, we explore her key frameworks:• The patriarchy protection racket• The stabilization of exploitation• Conditional citizenship• Evil protected by design• What Liberation Democracy requiresDr. Rockeymoore Cummings brings decades of expertise in public policy, race, gender, governance, and social justice. This is an essential dialogue about the systems that determine whose lives are protected—and whose are left vulnerable.Premieres Monday, March 2, 2026 at 7 AM CST on KGRN 98.5 FM, 104.7 FM KVBM, and on the Rethinking Freedom YouTube channel.#RethinkingFreedom #MayaRockeymooreCummings #EpsteinFiles #Patriarchy #LiberationDemocracy #PowerAndProtection #ConditionalCitizenship #EndExploitation #AccountabilityNow #SocialJustice #GenderPoliticsSupport the show

What does it really take to raise confident, grounded, emotionally strong girls in today’s world?In this episode of Rethinking Freedom, Aya Fubara Eneli sits down with Saquoi Dreckette, IT Girls alumna, Board Secretary, and facilitator of the Love Social, and Janaya LaRae, owner of MelaninFlow Yoga Studio and facilitator of the yoga experience featured in the Love Social for girls ages 10–18.Together, they explore:• Why mentorship is essential for girls’ development• How safe, structured spaces build confidence and leadership• The power of yoga and mindful movement for emotional regulation• What happens when girls are intentionally poured intoThe Love Social is more than a gathering. It is mentorship in action — creating belonging, self-awareness, and strength from the inside out.Register your girl at:www.intelligentandtalentedgirls.orgConnect with Janaya LaRae and MelaninFlow Yoga Studio at:www.melaninflowyoga.comThis episode aired February 23, 2026 at 7 AM CST on KRGN 98.5 FM and 104.7 FM KVBM and is now streaming on the Rethinking Freedom YouTube channel.Subscribe, like, and share to support conversations that build legacy, leadership, and liberation.#RethinkingFreedom #GirlsNeedMentorship #LoveSocial #MentoredGirls #StrongGirls #MindfulMovement #BlackGirlsLead #CommunityMatters #RaisingLeadersSupport the show

Ballots, ICE, and Student Protest in Texas: What’s at Stake?Texas is at a crossroads.In this episode of Rethinking Freedom, we break down two urgent issues shaping our state: the upcoming Texas primary elections and the wave of high school student walkouts protesting ICE enforcement policies.Part I: Texas PrimariesGuest: Liz Jagodzinski, Elections & GOTV Committee Lead for Indivisible CenTexWe discuss what’s at stake in Texas and Bell County, why primary elections matter, and how civic engagement protects democratic norms.For more information, Liz can be reached at [email protected] II: Student Walkouts & Free SpeechAcross Texas, students are walking out in protest as state leaders warn of disciplinary consequences. We examine the First Amendment, the history of student protest in Texas, and what students and parents need to know before participating.Airs February 16, 2026 at 7:00 AM CSTListen live on KRGN 98.5 FM and 104.7 FM KVBMWatch on the Rethinking Freedom YouTube channelAvailable on all major podcast platformsFreedom is practiced. Not assumed.#TexasPrimaries #StudentWalkout #ICEProtest #FreeSpeech #TexasPolitics #RethinkingFreedomSupport the show

Are you ready to be financially free? In this episode of Rethinking Freedom, we’re joined by Dawn Robinson, also known as The Money PhD™, creator of the CASH Formula. Dawn helps women over 40—especially natural spenders—build real financial power by rethinking how they save, spend, and invest.After saving $30,000 in cash and eliminating more than $140,000 in consumer debt without increasing her income, Dawn developed a smarter, more sustainable approach to wealth-building. She is the founder of the Save $10K Movement, where she teaches a powerful reframe: saving is investing, cash is an asset class, and avoiding interest is a guaranteed return.In this conversation, Dawn breaks down how the CASH Formula works and shares her simple, repeatable three-step trading process designed to build both cash and confidence—making investing feel accessible, practical, and aligned with real life.This episode is for anyone ready to move from financial stress to clarity, control, and freedom.#RethinkingFreedom #RethinkingDebt #CASHFormula #MoneyPhD #FinancialFreedom #Save10KMovement #DebtFreeJourney #WealthBuilding #WomenAndMoney #CashIsKingSupport the show

Episode 67 | The Assault on the 1964 Civil Rights Act – Why It Matters to YouThe 1964 Civil Rights Act is not ancient history—it is living law. And today, it is under sustained attack.In this powerful episode of Rethinking Freedom, host Aya Fubara Eneli, Esq. is joined by historian and educator Dr. Rodney Duckett to examine how one of the most important civil rights laws in U.S. history is being weakened through court decisions, policy rollbacks, and political rhetoric.This conversation goes beyond slogans and soundbites to ask hard questions:•What protections does the Civil Rights Act of 1964 actually provide?•How are those protections being dismantled in real time?•Why does voting—or not voting—directly impact civil rights enforcement?•What happens when rights exist on paper but not in practice?This episode challenges listeners to understand that freedom is not static. It requires vigilance, memory, and action.Watch, listen, and subscribeKey takeaway:Not voting doesn’t stop politics. It just guarantees other people decide which rights get enforced and which become decorative.🔔 Subscribe | 👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔁 Share#Freedom#CivilRightsAct1964#VotingRights#BlackHistoryIsNow#ProtectOurRights#CivicEngagement#FreedomIsNotFree#DrRodneyDuckett#AyaFubaraEneli#BlackThought#PoliticalEducationSupport the show

Title: Anxious, Angry, and Alone: Inside the Youth Mental Health Crisis”What does freedom mean if our children are struggling to cope?On this episode of Rethinking Freedom, we confront the student mental health crisis and the role of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in public schools. Host Aya Fubara Eneli is joined by Shannon Lumar, Counseling Director of Mental Health and Wellness in public education, with over 27 years of experience supporting students, families, and educators.This conversation cuts through the noise to examine trauma, resilience, and what schools, parents, and communities must do to help children truly thrive.📻 Airs Monday, January 26, 2026 at 7:00 AM CST on98.5 FM KGRN and 104.7 FM KVBM📺 Watch on YouTube: Rethinking Freedom with Aya Fubara Eneli#RethinkingFreedom #MentalHealthMatters #StudentWellness #SEL #TraumaInformed #PublicEducation #YouthMentalHealth #HealingOurChildren #EducationalEquity #WellnessIsFreedomSupport the show

On January 19, 2026 at 7:00 AM CST, Rethinking Freedom presents a powerful, unfiltered episode:Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: His Words and the Unfinished Moral Reckoning of AmericaIn this special broadcast, we move beyond the soundbites and slogans to let Martin Luther King Jr. speak for himself. This episode centers Dr. King’s own words—extended, uncompromised passages drawn from his sermons, speeches, and writings—to examine the moral crises of his time and how they echo urgently into 2026.We explore:Dr. King’s origins, education, and moral formationHis critiques of injustice, war, poverty, and the misuse of government powerHis warnings about silence, complacency, and “order without justice”Why his most challenging ideas were resisted in his lifetime—and remain uncomfortable todayHow his vision calls us to action in our own communities, not just remembranceThis is not a celebration that ends with a holiday.It is an invitation to moral responsibility.📻 Airing on radio:98.5 FM and 104.7 FM📺 Streaming on YouTube:Rethinking Freedom Channel🕖 Date & Time:January 19, 20267:00 AM CSTListen closely. Reflect deeply. And ask yourself the question:What are you willing to do to fight for freedom for all? #RethinkingFreedom #MartinLutherKingJr #MLK #CivilRights #Justice #MoralReckoning #Freedom #HistoryAndNowSupport the show

Freedom starts with intention—and the systems we use to support it.In this episode of Rethinking Freedom, we explore how clarity, consistency, and values-based habits create real freedom in our daily lives. This conversation focuses on using a simple, repeatable journaling system to set goals, track progress, and build momentum over time—without burnout or overwhelm.The discussion is anchored by Kwanzaa Journal: 52-Weeks with the Nguzo Saba, a guided weekly journal designed to function as a year-long framework for success, helping you turn values into action and intention into results.📘 Get the journal on Amazon:👉 https://a.co/d/aU3mYZiNew episodes of Rethinking Freedom air Mondays at 7:00 AM CST on KRGN 98.5 FM and KVBM 104.7 FM.Support the show

This episode asks thoughtful questions about the intersections of belief, culture, history, and lived experience, and invites listeners to rethink how spirituality can be reclaimed in ways that are grounded, expansive, and life-affirming.🎧 Watch & Listen:▶️ YouTube: Rethinking Freedom Channel📻 Radio:• KRGN 98.5 FM• KVBM 104.7 FM🎙 Podcast: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcastsExplore the podcastSupport the show

📺 Rethinking Freedom – Episode #61From Miseducation to Mastery: Reclaiming Black History to Shape the Future🗓 Monday, December 22 | ⏰ 7:00 AM (CT)In Episode #61 of Rethinking Freedom, host Aya Fubara Eneli sits down with Freddie Taylor, CEO and founder of Urban Intellectuals, for a powerful conversation about history, identity, and liberation.At Urban Intellectuals, the mission is clear: empower Black people by reconnecting them to their true history and culture. Like many of us, Freddie recognized that we were miseducated about our past. Instead of accepting that narrative, he chose to re-educate himself and build a platform dedicated to cultural truth, learning, and empowerment.This episode explores why reclaiming Black history is not about the past alone—it is about creating the future.In this conversation, we discuss:What miseducation really looks like today and how it shapes identityWhy history is a form of power and resistanceHow Urban Intellectuals is transforming education through culture and entrepreneurshipThe link between historical awareness, self-worth, and economic freedomWhy knowing who we are changes how we move in the world🎧 Watch & Listen:▶️ YouTube: Rethinking Freedom Channel📻 Radio:• KRGN 98.5 FM• KVBM 104.7 FM🎙 Podcast: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen to podcastsThis episode is for anyone ready to unlearn inherited myths, reclaim truth, and use history as a tool for liberation.Listen. Reflect. Rethink Freedom.Support the show

Episode 60Rethinking God: Christianity, Divinity, and the Search for Sacred Wholeness | Interview with Gilbert RichardsIn this powerful and reflective episode of Rethinking Freedom, host Aya Fubara Eneli sits down with Gilbert Richards for conversation that explores spirituality, faith, and the evolving search for divine connection.This episode asks thoughtful questions about the intersections of belief, culture, history, and lived experience, and invites listeners to rethink how spirituality can be reclaimed in ways that are grounded, expansive, and life-affirming.📻 December 15 at 7:00 AM (CT)📡 On KGRN 98.5FM and KVBM 104.7 FM▶️ Rethinking Freedom YouTube ChannelSupport the show

Episode 58 of Rethinking Freedom drops Monday, December 1st at 7 AM!This week, I sit down with Judge Amber Givens, a trailblazing Texas jurist and Texas Bar Foundation Fellow, to discuss the history of Black judges in Texas, the barriers they face, and her upcoming suit against Dallas County.This conversation is bold, honest, and necessary for anyone who cares about justice, equity, and representation on the bench.📺 Watch on YouTube: YouTube.com/@RethinkingFreedom📻 Listen on 98.5 KRGN & 104.7 KVBM🎧 Available on all podcast platforms#RethinkingFreedom #JudgeAmberGivens #BlackJudgesMatter #JudicialReform #TexasJustice #RepresentationMatters #AyaEneli #NewEpisodeSupport the show

Rethinking ThanksgivingThis Thanksgiving, let’s tell the truth.The story we learned about Pilgrims and Native peoples sharing a peaceful feast leaves out the real history of the Wampanoag Nation, colonial violence, and the inequalities still faced by Indigenous communities today.In this video, Aya Fubara-Eneli breaks down:• The true origins of Thanksgiving• What happened to the Wampanoag, Narragansett, Nipmuc & Pocasset peoples• Why many observe a National Day of Mourning• Modern “feast and famine” inequalities• Indigenous philosophies offering a path toward justiceThanksgiving doesn’t need to be canceled —but it must be rethought, with truth, honor, and healing at the center.✨ Subscribe to Rethinking Freedom – Goal: 10,000 subscribers by December 2025Support the show

This Thanksgiving, join Aya Fubara-Eneli and historian Dr. Travis T. Armstrong for a powerful, truth-telling conversation that challenges the mythology surrounding one of America's most beloved holidays.The story many of us learned about Pilgrims and Native peoples joining hands in harmony is incomplete—and in many ways, intentionally misleading. Behind the sanitized tale lies a deeper history of Wampanoag generosity, colonial betrayal, land theft, and centuries-long inequality that continues to shape the lives of Indigenous peoples across the United States today.This episode helps us understand Thanksgiving through Indigenous eyes—so we can rethink not only the holiday, but the systems that determine who feasts and who goes hungry.In This Episode:The real history of Thanksgiving and the central role of the Wampanoag NationThe impact of colonial violence Native NationsWhy many Native communities observe a National Day of MourningHow food insecurity, poverty, and health disparities stem from colonial policyHow rethinking Thanksgiving helps us reimagine freedom, justice, and communal well-beingBroadcast Information:Premiere: November 24, 2025 at 7 AM CSTWatch on the Rethinking Freedom YouTube ChannelListen on 98.5 FM and 104.7 FMNew episodes every Monday at 9 AM CSTJoin the Rethinking Freedom Community:If you value deep, truth-centered conversations about history, justice, liberation, and the future of our communities:Like • Comment • SubscribeOur goal is 10,000 subscribers by the end of December 2025.Help us reach it by sharing this episode with someone who needs it.Women and Resistance: https://www.youtube.com/live/TUgf9JaP...In Class with Carr: https://www.youtube.com/live/vXE_ypcl...Support the show

Episode 56 | Blueprint for a Vibrant Life ft. Jacqueline NapierWhat does it truly take to design—and live—a vibrant life? 🎙️In this inspiring episode of Rethinking Freedom, host Aya Fubara Eneli, Esq. sits down with Jacqueline Napier, an award-winning learning and development professional with over 30 years of experience helping individuals and organizations grow, adapt, and thrive.From her early days in communication and instructional design to her present life as a creative consultant, mentor, and voice artist, Jacqueline shares powerful insights on purpose, reinvention, and embracing freedom in every season of life. 🌱💡 In this episode, you’ll discover:How to create your personal blueprint for a vibrant lifeThe role of curiosity and continuous learning in staying energizedWays to turn professional transitions into creative opportunitiesHow to balance productivity, play, and peace in your daily rhythmJacqueline’s story is a reminder that fulfillment isn’t found by accident—it’s designed with intention, courage, and community.🎧 Premiere Date: Monday, November 17, 2025, at 7 AM CST on Rethinking Freedom—airing on 98.5 FM & 104.7 FM and streaming on YouTube.Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share to empower others on their journey to freedom and joy.#RethinkingFreedom #BlueprintForAVibrantLife #JacquelineNapier #PersonalGrowth #LifelongLearning #AyaFubaraEneli #PurposeDrivenLivingSupport the show

In this episode of Rethinking Freedom, we sit down with Dr. King Davis, Interim Superintendent of Killeen ISD and the lone finalist for Superintendent, to discuss the current state of the district, its strengths, opportunities for growth, and the shared responsibility we all hold in educating our children.Dr. Davis brings over 30 years of experience in public education and a consistent track record of improving academic outcomes, stabilizing district finances, and strengthening community partnerships. His guiding belief is clear:“Strong communities build strong schools, and strong schools build strong communities.”We explore:What education means in this momentHow KISD is addressing academic achievement, student safety, and teacher supportThe importance of community and parental involvementThe realities and possibilities ahead for Central Texas students and familiesWhether you are a parent, educator, student, business owner, or community member, you have a role in shaping the future of our youth. Airs: Monday, November 10, 2025 Time: 7:00 AM CST On Air: 98.5 FM + 104.7 FM Watch on YouTube: @RethinkingFreedom Help us reach our goal: 10,000 subscribers by December 31, 2025!Like • Share • Comment • SubscribeAnd don’t forget to hit the notification bell  so you never miss an episode.#RethinkingFreedom #KilleenISD #EducationMatters #CommunitySchools #DrKingDavis #CentralTexas #YouthDevelopment #PublicEducation #CollectiveResponsibility #BlackEducation #LeadershipInActionSupport the show

Episode 54 | America in Free Fall: Democracy, Disenfranchisement, and the Voting Rights Act ft. Dr. Greg CarrIs American democracy in free fall? 🗳️In this riveting episode of Rethinking Freedom, host Aya Fubara Eneli, Esq. engages in a powerful conversation with Dr. Greg Carr, Associate Professor of Africana Studies at Howard University and one of the nation’s leading voices on history, law, and Black political thought.Together, they unpack the steady erosion of the Voting Rights Act, the rise of voter suppression tactics, and what these shifts reveal about the state of democracy in America today. From the dismantling of key protections in Shelby County v. Holder to the weaponization of redistricting and disinformation, Dr. Carr offers a masterclass in truth-telling and historical context.💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:How voting rights are being undermined in plain sightWhy the attack on the Voting Rights Act is an attack on collective freedomWhat history teaches us about resilience, strategy, and liberationHow each of us can defend democracy in our communitiesDr. Carr challenges us not only to understand this moment—but to act with courage, clarity, and conviction.🎧 Premiere Date: Monday, November 3, 2025, at 7 AM CST on Rethinking Freedom—airing on 98.5 FM & 104.7 FM and streaming on YouTube.Stay informed. Stay engaged. Stay free.Don’t forget to like, comment, share, and subscribe to keep the conversation going.Support the show

Early voting in Texas has already begun (October 13 – October 31, 2025). Join host Aya Fubara Eneli, Esq., along with distinguished guests Gwen Simmons and Camille Francis‑Howard, as we dive deep into each of the 17 propositions on the ballot—what they mean, how they may affect you and your community, and why your vote matters.➡️ We break down the amendments in plain language and explore their implications for education, taxes, property rights, and governance.🗳️ Stay informed, engaged and empowered—because freedom starts with understanding.📅 Premiere Date: Monday, October 27, 2025 | Subscribe and share to join the movement.Support the show

Episode 52 | Rethinking Freedom – The Youth Speak 🎙️In this powerful and refreshing episode, the next generation takes the mic. Join host Aya Fubara Eneli as she sits down with three dynamic young voices — Dennis Tagoe, Cecilia Rabroker, and Mikaya Cannon — for an honest, heartfelt, and visionary conversation about what freedom, justice, and leadership mean from a youth perspective.From social pressures to mental health, education to activism, and hope to hard truths, these youth leaders share the real challenges their generation faces and the dreams that keep them striving. Their words remind us that the future is not something to wait for — it’s something we build together, now.🎧 Listen as they discuss:What today’s youth see as their biggest challenges and opportunitiesHow community and mentorship shape their outlookWhat adults can do to listen better and partner smarter with young changemakers💡 Why you should tune in:This episode bridges generations and sparks conversation. It’s raw, insightful, and inspiring — a reminder that youth aren’t just the future; they’re the present architects of change.Watch the full conversation, share your thoughts in the comments, and tell us: What does freedom mean to YOU?👇🏾 Don’t forget to:👍🏾 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔔 Subscribe | 📧 Email us at [email protected] the show

🎙️ Rethinking Freedom — Episode 50In this milestone 50th episode of Rethinking Freedom, host Aya Fubara Eneli dives deep into one of the most urgent issues facing Texas families today — the fight for the future of public education.Joining Aya are two dynamic voices and champions for Texas students: • Dawn Richardson, candidate for Texas House District 54, and • Amelia Rabroker, candidate for Texas House District 55.Together, they unpack:📚 The growing threats to public education in Texas💰 How funding, vouchers, and policy decisions shape classroom realities🗳️ Why your vote is a powerful tool to protect equitable education for every child💡 The leadership it takes to stand up for teachers, parents, and communitiesWhether you’re a parent, educator, or voter, this episode will inform, inspire, and remind you that democracy begins in the classroom — and is defended at the ballot box.Contact Information : Amelia Rabroker: [email protected] Richardson: [email protected]🔔 Subscribe for more episodes that challenge the status quo and empower communities to rethink freedom, justice, and leadership in America.📅 New episodes every Monday morning.#RethinkingFreedom #TexasEducation #PublicSchools #TexasPolitics #AyaFubaraEneli #WomenInPolitics #DawnRichardson #AmeliaRabroker #VoteTexasExplore the podcastSupport the show

What if the world’s call to reset starts with you? In this high-energy episode of Rethinking Freedom, we spotlight the upcoming Quantum Leap (QL) workshop for youth leaders and break down the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80)—with a sharp focus on the Global South’s demands to reset finance, climate action, representation, and the rule of law. We connect the UN stage to real tools young changemakers can use now: mindset, models, money, and mission.FeaturingCouncilman Jesse Myles — CEO, The Myles Group (top-producing team on Keller Williams’ MREA model) & Founder, Summit Valor HomesJan Lee — Founder, Jan Lee Homes & Top 10% agent at Keller Williams MC1Inside the episodeWhat the Quantum Leap framework is—and how it equips youth to think bigger and lead with purposeUNGA80’s must-know themes and why many Global South leaders are calling for a global resetPractical takeaways for turning global ideas into local impact—from civic engagement to entrepreneurship and housingTo register for Quantum Leap (overview/registration): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/quantum-...Support the show

Episode 48: Empowering Teens with Vantonio Fraley, Founder of ImPossible Teen ClubIn this episode of Rethinking Freedom, we sit down with Vantonio Fraley, the visionary founder of ImPossible Teen Club, an organization dedicated to empowering young people through health, education, and holistic well-being.Fraley shares the story behind ImPossible Teen Club and its unique mission inspired by the Oveta Culp Hobby philosophy, which emphasizes resilience, growth, and passion-driven learning. Together, we explore how the club equips teens to turn challenges into opportunities, helping them see the power in “I’M POSSIBLE.”Donate to ImPossible Teen Club: http://ipsctx.org/Listeners will hear about the impact of mentorship, the importance of creating safe spaces for teens, and the transformative role of community support in building confident, purpose-driven leaders. This conversation is both practical and inspiring, offering strategies for parents, educators, and community leaders who want to see the next generation thrive.Tune in for a deep dive into how one leader’s vision is shaping the future of youth empowerment—and discover how we can all play a role in making the impossible possible.Support the show