Critical Connections

Get to know the six Pathways Fellows as they share what brought them to the Center for Social Impact and why they chose immigration and displacement as this year's focus. From personal motivations to upcoming opportunities to learn and get involved, this episode sets the tone for the year ahead. 

We need community now more than ever...but what does that look like?  As we navigate connecting with others and learning from other ways of knowing, we’re likely not going to learn them from people who look or live like us, and certainly we’re not going to learn them from people we agree with on everything. We are likely going to disagree and argue; we will have conflict.  But is there a way to do that doesn’t cause harm? Can conflict be productive, or generative even?  Can conflict pull us closer to care, closer to solutions, closer together?  Emily Taylor, an expert conflict mediator and an ombudsman at Utah Valley University, joins us as we discuss how to have conversations that matter, and how we can use them to build the connections we need to survive and thrive. DISCLAIMER: The opinions and views expressed within this podcast do not necessarily reflect Utah Valley University, UVU's Ombuds Office, or UVU's Center for Social Impact. References: brown, a.m. (2017). Emergent Strategy. (pp. 3). AK Press. Needelman, J. (2023, March 14). Forget Utopia. Ignore Dystopia. Embrace Protopia! The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/14/special-series/protopia-movement.html Limón, A. (2022). The End of Poetry. The Hurting Kind. Milkweed Editions. Taylor, E. (2021). Conflict Fluent.

BONUS EPISODE: Listen to the full interview with Dezi Lynn, and get new insights into how the Diné worldview inspires an approach of balance and harmony known as Hózhǫ.  Dezi also shares upcoming events and opportunities for UVU students and the local Orem community to get involved. DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect Utah Valley University or UVU's Center for Social Impact.

The Critical Mass Podcast returns for it's third season with a reinvigorated focus, and a new name; Critical Connections. We're going to talk about the new name, what it means, and honor the name we came from. We also turn our eyes to the future, to confront what can feel like an apocalyptic time in our history. We're joined by Dezi Lynn, a Diné educator whose expertise in pattern-recognition and empowering ways of knowing and learning will help us consider potential pathways to surviving, and maybe thriving, through the future. DISCLAIMER: The opinions and views expressed within this podcast do not necessarily reflect Utah Valley University or UVU's Center for Social Impact. References: brown, a.m. (2017). Emergent Strategy. (pp. 3). AK Press. Kimmerer, R.W. (2013). Braiding Sweetgrass. (pp. 207). Milkweed Editions.

Dani wants to know what goes on in STEM departments at UVU. She talks to students of all walks of life to understand how narratives about STEM--who belongs, and who doesn't--affect those who study the 'hard' sciences. Due to the nature of this episode, the interviews are sprinkled throughout rather than sectioned off as in previous episodes. While our intention was to have every interviewer introduce themselves once at the beginning and then rely on listeners to recognize their voice later in the episode, about half of the introductins were lost, and listeners reported difficulty knowing who was talking when. I've provide timecodes below for the interviewees, and I apologize to them--especially those who provided me with beautiful introductions which were not used in the final cut--and to listeners who have a difficult time following the narrative. Thank you all for a wonderful year, and I hope you enjoy the final episode. Timecodes: Diana Molina 6:20, 18:50, 32:31 Pedro Del Valle 12:55, 30:30, 35:55 Abigail Gutierrez Carmona 16:38 Tayler Fearn 17:39, 29:28 NOTE: The opinions expressed are those of the podcast participants alone, and do not necessarily represent Utah Valley University or the UVU Center for Social Impact.

Dani and Kyle talk about art NOTE: The opinions expressed are those of the podcast participants alone, and do not necessarily represent Utah Valley University or the UVU Center for Social Impact.

Dani and Hula talk about art and its role in social and personal change. NOTE: The opinions expressed are those of the podcast participants alone, and do not necessarily represent Utah Valley University or the UVU Center for Social Impact. Other Note: Due to an audio issue, this has been reuploaded.

Dani chats with Dr. Hilary Hungerford, a UVU Earth Science professor who specializes in sustainability issues. She and Dani chat about the Great Salt Lake climate crisis, Utah Lake, and other environmental issues. NOTE: The opinions expressed are those of the podcast participants alone, and do not necessarily represent Utah Valley University or the UVU Center for Social Impact. Link to Dr. Hilary Hungerford's instagram, where she posts about her research project in Mongolia: https://www.instagram.com/a_geographer_in_mongolia/

Would you like fries with that English degree? Dani pits the Humanities and STEM against each other in this double feature to settle once and for all which arm of education ought to be amputated in the name of cost-effective efficient synergetic return on investment DBA incentive. Dani interviews UVU Doctor-professors Zan Cammack, an English Literature professor and host of "The Thing About Austen," Ezgi Sertler, and Leslie Simon to figure out why someone would devote their entire life to studying the humanities. The Thing About Austen: https://open.spotify.com/show/7iqMz2b039yva3AQXjRH3O?si=8408b64dbf734b61 SOURCES:  https://www.britannica.com/topic/humanities  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanities  https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/thematic/humanism-renaissance/v-1#:~:text=Renaissance%20humanists%20understood%20by%20studia,The%20dominant%20discipline%20was%20rhetoric.  https://www.uvu.edu/visitors/history.html  https://www.uvu.edu/chss/#departments *includes sub-pages (i.e., “English & Literature” page, etc.) for the specific departments. These sub-pages can be accessed through this page.   Personal experience. Trust me on this. Also https://www.uvu.edu/undergrad-research/uvu-journals.html  https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/03/us/liberal-arts-college-degree-humanities.html  https://www.forbes.com/sites/willarddix/2018/03/28/eliminating-the-humanities-decimates-every-students-education/?sh=79741075803e  https://president.mla.hcommons.org/2022/08/10/the-humanities-crisis-is-a-funding-crisis/  https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jun/29/the-guardian-view-on-arts-and-humanities-under-threat-on-campus  https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-decline-of-liberal-arts-and-humanities-western-philosophy-college-students-major-degrees-progressive-conservative-odysseus-6f327963  https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2013/12/the-real-reason-the-humanities-are-in-crisis/282441/ *First two paragraphs in the free preview of the article.  https://corriganliteraryreview.wordpress.com/2017/03/11/want-a-job-with-that-english-degree/  https://time.com/3964415/ceo-degree-liberal-arts/  https://www.businessinsider.com/successful-liberal-arts-majors-2012-12#jerry-brown-governor-of-california-and-classics-major-at-uc-berkeley-27  https://www.uvualumni.org/s/1045/bp21/interior.aspx?sid=1045&gid=1&pgid=320  NOTE: The opinions expressed are those of the podcast participants alone, and do not necessarily represent Utah Valley University or the UVU Center for Social Impact.

In this double-feature bonus episode, Eriona and Eugene discuss their art, activism, and indigeneity with Dani. NOTE: The opinions expressed are those of the podcast participants alone, and do not necessarily represent Utah Valley University or the UVU Center for Social Impact.

Carl and Camlyn, practitioners from Provo's mindfulness community "Awakening Valley Sangha" chat with Dani about mindfulness, spirituality, the dangers of appropriation, and responsible practice. Listen to the full interview here!

Dr. Ruen-chuan Ma is a medievalist who teaches literature at Utah Valley University. As someone who grew up Buddhist and around the world--from Taiwan to London--he has a unique perspective on culture and cultural appropriation that he shares in depth, available now in full. Critical Mass Podcast is produced by the Center for Social Impact of Utah Valley University, but was researched, scripted, recorded, and edited by students. Any and all opinions expressed by me or interviewees belong to us alone, and don’t necessarily reflect the opinions or values of the Center for Social Impact or of Utah Valley University.

Ever wondered what anarchists really think? Listen to the full interview with Justus from Trashbird Distro, parts of which were featured in a previous episode. Listen to Dani and Justus discuss community, anarchism, and art in our first Bonus Episode of Season 2. Are you a writer interested in having your short story or poem highlighted on the pod? Email Dani at [email protected] Critical Mass Podcast is produced by the Center for Social Impact of Utah Valley University, but was researched, scripted, recorded, and edited by students. Any and all opinions expressed by me or interviewees belong to us alone, and don’t necessarily reflect the opinions or values of the Center for Social Impact or of Utah Valley University.

Have you heard? The Great Salt Lake is turning into poison. Dani speaks to scientists, professors, and artists to try and understand what’s going on with the lake, what can be done about it, and we she should care. Special thanks to Daren Perry, Carl Moore, Teri Harman, Corrina Bow, Star Guerrero, and Emily Ostler, who spoke and performed on behalf of the lake during the Great Salt Lake Offering Ceremony on September 30th. Are you a writer interested in having your short story or poem highlighted on the pod? Email Dani at [email protected] Critical Mass Podcast is produced by the Center for Social Impact of Utah Valley University, but was researched, scripted, recorded, and edited by students. Any and all opinions expressed by me or interviewees belong to us alone, and don’t necessarily reflect the opinions or values of the Center for Social Impact or of Utah Valley University. Links: https://www.instagram.com/tapahe/?hl=en https://www.jingledressproject.com https://www.instagram.com/uvusocialimpact/ https://uvugrit.garden/ https://www.uvu.edu/ethics/events/2023-24/2023_ees.html https://open.spotify.com/artist/1L1bz3YvpUGrUNofMXyYWh Sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j5fbGnNlsuba49V3CJPYML0Te3PFTQHmeLQHAxHi7eM/edit?usp=sharing

Organizers from two different communities that have blossomed in the desert of Utah Valley share their experience building community. First up is Trash Bird Distro, a coalition of anarchists, followed by the Awakening Valley Sangha, a buddhist community in the tradition of Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hanh. This episode contains discussions of racism, appropriation, orientalism, and too many Moby Dick quotes.  Are you a writer interested in having your short story or poem highlighted on the pod? Email Dani at [email protected]. Intro: 0:00 Art highlight: 5:06 Trashbirds: 9:10 Awakening Valley: 22:30 Conclusion: 43:49 Critical Mass Podcast is produced by the Center for Social Impact of Utah Valley University, but was researched, scripted, recorded, and edited by students. Any and all opinions expressed by me or interviewees belong to us alone, and don’t necessarily reflect the opinions or values of the Center for Social Impact or of Utah Valley University.    Links: socialimpact https://www.instagram.com/trashbirddistro/ https://www.awakeningvalleysangha.org/ Sources: www.unhcr.org/media/buddhist-core-values-and-perspectives-protection-challenges-faith-and-protection https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/3522‌ https://doi.org/10.26034/lu.jgb.2022.1992 https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1306702. https://www.awakeningvalleysangha.org/faq “What is a Sangha”  https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/thich-nhat-hanh “How do you pronounce Thich Nhat Hanh?”  https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/thich-nhat-hanh “Biography”  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%C3%ADch_Nh%E1%BA%A5t_H%E1%BA%A1nh Thich Nach Hanh’s Wikipedia page.  https://www.awakeningvalleysangha.org/ “Our Meetings”  https://www.lionsroar.com/in-a-word-dharma/ “Dharma as Teachings”  https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/young-asian-american-buddhists-are-reclaiming-narrative-decades-white-rcna1236   https://www.lionsroar.com/road-to-diversity/   https://www.awakeningvalleysangha.org/resources   https://utprisonbuddhistproject.weebly.com/about.html   https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/dharma-outreach-program   https://utbuddhistprisonproject.com/participating-sanghas “Participating Sanghas”  https://utbuddhistprisonproject.com/about “’About’ page”  https://utbuddhistprisonproject.com/get-involved “’get Involved’ page”  https://issuu.com/utah10/docs/uhq_volume44_1976_number2/s/125310  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5Ro4rTvDcw  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv4DJmcFTqE             

This season on the Critical Mass podcast, we are looking deeper into communities local to Utah Valley to understand how impactful communities are formed through the creation, development, and cultivation of critical connections. Each episode will feature research, interviews, and art from local bands, poets, and others. 

In the final episode of this 2022-2023 season of Critical Mass, the pod decided to highlight the host of the production: The UVU Center for Social Impact. Featuring interviews with some of the people that have made the Center what it is, this episode includes the voices of the Center's advisors and program directors, Cass, Jo, and Kai, all ten of the student Social Impact Fellows, short audios from the podcast team, and small clips from friends of the Center on campus. These voices and many more create the Center as we know it today, and the impact it has made on students' lives is immeasurable. Listen to hear about the place that made this podcast what it is. Thanks for listening all semester ! The Center for Social Impact is located on Utah Valley University campus in SC 105 (across from the ballroom). Follow us on Instagram @uvusocialimpact to find out about how you can be involved with the next season of the podcast. Take it easy y'all - Hannah Filizola Ruiz <3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of Critical Mass podcast talks about the importance and history of climate activism, awareness, and appreciation through an Indiegnous lens of Land Stewardship. This episode features interviews with Raquel Juarez and Ava Curtis, two student activists with @fridaysforfuture.ut on Instagram, and a short excerpt from our interview with Denae Shanidiin from our 3rd episode, "Come find us" : Diné student stories. This shorter episode emphasizes the importance of holding hope for the climate through cultivating a relationship with your local land that is based in respect, appreciation, and joy.   Thanks for listening ! Check out citations and suggested readings here, drop by our Center located in SC 105 (across from the ballroom), and follow us on Instagram @uvusocialimpact to find out about the events we do every Thursday.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of Critical Mass podcast talks about the importance and history of community journalism through the lens of guerrilla student journalism. Featuring interviews from two major student led journals, @ProdigalPressProvo on Instagram and the University of Utah's Latine student journal Venceremos, this episode reflects on the importance of stories and who tells them, and what it means to take stories into your own hands and create for your community.  Thanks for listening ! Check out citations and suggested readings here, drop by our Center located in SC 105 (across from the ballroom), and follow us on Instagram @uvusocialimpact to find out about the events we do every Thursday.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of Critical Mass podcast features interviews with the UC Santa Cruz Student Housing Coalition from California and a series of anonymous unsheltered students stories from here in Utah Valley. This episode highlights the organizing and advocacy efforts of students in the fight for just, affordable, and equitable housing and the experiences of some of the students they're fighting for Thanks for listening ! Check out citations and suggested readings here, drop by our Center located in SC 105 (across from the ballroom), and follow us on Instagram @uvusocialimpact. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of Critical Mass podcast highlights the efforts of local native activists from right here in Utah. Featuring interviews with four Diné individuals, both from here on campus and from the local community, interviewees share stories about their experiences and the realities of what it means to be native on and off the reservation. Thanks for listening ! Check out citations and suggested readings here, drop by our Center located in SC 105 (across from the ballroom), and follow us on Instagram @uvusocialimpact. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of Critical Mass podcast tracks queer student responses to anti-queer events and actions in Utah Valley. Featuring interviews with UVU and BYU students, and interviews from the nationwide Strike Out Queerphobia protest, students discuss their experiences as queer student organizers and their allies fighting for acceptance in an ongoing movement.  Thanks for listening ! Check out citations here, drop by our Center located in SC 105 (across from the ballroom), and follow us on Instagram @uvusocialimpact NOTE: Trigger warning for sensitive viewers. Mentions of electroshock therapy, conversion therapy, suicide, self harm, and other sensitive topics.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This first episode after our rebrand from "Real Talk" to "Critical Mass" features four Latina/o/x student organizers from campus, in honor of Hispanic Heritage month, coming on to speak about their experience as Latina/o/x students at Utah Valley University.  Thanks for listening ! Check out our citations here, drop by our Center located in SC 105 (across from the ballroom), and follow us on Instagram @uvusocialimpact NOTE: The opinions expressed are those of the podcast participants alone, and do not necessarily represent Utah Valley University or the UVU Center for Social Impact.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Veronica shares her love for the Ukrainian culture and her experience as she has watched the current crisis in her country. Listen to this episode to humanize the conflict and understand her first hand experience.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to know how you can make a better impact on those you are trying to serve? Cassie Bingham explains how taking ourselves out of the equation actually does more than being someone's hero or "savior". Tune in to learn how you can make changes in your social impact work to be more sustainable.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we highlight the diverse thinking with in the Latin community.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We speak with Jennifer Boyce who is a Native American Activist. We discuss the importance of understanding our own ancestry and how we can better support the Indigenous communities in our country.  Here are the links! https://pandos.org/ https://www.facebook.com/mmiwutah/ https://www.facebook.com/PANDOS.org/ Instagram: @mmiwutah @utahpandos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we are sharing tips on how to best support those that have been through traumatic events and how to best take care of yourself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We get comfortable being uncomfortable by discussing the Texas Abortion Ban Senate Bill 8 with UVU SURF President Natalie Williams. We discuss why this ban is different from any other and why it makes us fear for the future of Utah legislation.  Links to additional information:  https://legiscan.com/TX/text/SB8/id/2395961 https://www.npr.org/2021/10/04/1042454835/the-provisions-in-texas-restrictive-abortion-law-are-not-popular-an-npr-poll-fin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get to know our cohosts in this short trailer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices