The Chopping BLOCK

Season 3, Episode 3: Dr. Eric House - Assistant Professor

Dr. Eric House is an Assistant Professor of Critical Composition and Writing Studies at New Mexico State University. In this episode, Dr. House talks about the state of Hip Hop in America and the role it plays in Black culture today. Dr. House examines feminism through the responsibility of straight Black men and provides some much-needed insight on Critical Race Theory.

Season 3, Episode 2: Mukala Kabongo - News Director

Mukala Kabongo serves as the News Director for Lynn Community Television in Lynn, Massachusetts. Entering the Chopping BLOCK, Mukala talks about his move to the United States from the Congo as a young boy and the challenges he faced as an international student assimilating to life in the United States. Mukala also talks about the roles race, class, and gender play in media advocacy and social justice.

Season 3, Episode 1: Lexy Reyelts Salas - Labor Organizer

Lexy Reyelts Salas is a labor organizer who was born and raised in Yuma, Arizona. As a student and student worker at the University of Arizona, Lexy took part in many endeavors that started her on her path to organizing and to becoming the woman she is today. In this episode of the Chopping BLOCK, Lexy talks about the roles race, class, gender, and sexuality have played not only in her life, but I'm society, alone. She also talks about her perspective on colleges & universities as businesses-minded entities, her advocacy for socialist ideologies and the troubles with a capitalistic society.

Season 2, Episode 10: Prof. Smadar Naoz - Associate Professor of Astronomy, UCLA

Prof. Smadar Naoz is an Associate Professor of Astronomy at UCLA. On this podcast, Prf. Naoz talks about her life as a young girl in Israel, her first introduction to space science and her journey to tenure in the United States.

Season 2 Episode 9: TC Tolbert - Poet Laureate

TC Tolbert is a genderqueer, feminist poet and teacher committed to social justice. S/he believes in working across communities – building bridges wherever possible. TC earned his MFA in Poetry from UA in 2005 and currently teaches Composition at The University of Arizona and Pima Community College.

Season 2, Episode 8: Sera Markoff & Michael Wise - University of Amsterdam & SRON

Sera Markoff and Michael Wise are Astrophysicists from Amsterdam, Netherlands. Prof. Markoff is a Full Professor of theoretical high energy astrophysics at the University of Amsterdam while Dr. Michael Wise is the Director of SRON - Dutch National Space Research Institute. They enter the Copping BLOCK to talk about the stigmatization of Astrophysics, diversity & inclusion in the sciences, and the role of advocacy in the field.

Season 2, Episode 7: Eddie More Jr. - The Privilege Institute

Dr. Moore is recognized as one of the nation’s top motivational speakers and educators and serves as Director of The Privilege Institute (TPI) and The National White Privilege Conference (WPC), both founded under his direction to provide opportunities and possibilities for research, publications, speaking and collaborations by those committed to true social and institutional change. He received his Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Leadership Studies at the University of Iowa and under his direction and inclusive relationship model the White Privilege Conference has become one of the top national and international conferences for participants who want to move beyond dialogue and into action around issues of diversity, power, privilege, and leadership.

Season 2, Episode 6: Melia Dunn - Melia Dunn Consulting

Melia Dunn is an equity, diversity, and inclusion specialist. She is committed to her role in dismantling systems of privilege and marginalization by acknowledging that good intentions alone are not enough to create change. Melia brings her 15+ years in non profit leadership, strategies, and experience to lead the charge to socially just organizations and communities.

Season 2, Episode 5: Cindu Thomas-George - Shakti Diversity Training

Cindu Thomas-George is a tenured professor at the College of Lake County and the Founder and principle trainer of Shakti Diversity and Equity. she designs and facilitates professional development workshops that promote equity and cultural competence in order to help create inclusive and equitable organizations for today's increasingly diverse workforce. In her sixteen years of experience, she has developed a mastery of creating and facilitating meaningful and impactful learning experiences that work to empower individuals to become competent and culturally aware communicators.

Season 2, Episode 4: Kayla Drescher - Magic in Heels

Kayla Drescher, Founder of Magic in Heels brings her infectuous personality and show stopping charisma to the Chopping BLOCK. She’s performed for clients all over the nation, including Microsoft, IBM, CBS Interactive, Lyndon State College, Castleton College, The Make-a-Wish Foundation, and much more!  She’s also appeared on television numerous times, including “Midday Maryland”, “Ventaneando”-Mexico’s #1 Talk Show, and NBC’s “The Today Show”, where she won David Copperfield’s “Search for the Next Great Magician.” Kayla continues to push reality’s limits and create one unforgettable show. Today, she's chopping it up with us about life behind the scenes as a female magician, the road to prominence, race and class in magic, and the impact her shows have on young girls.