BWT: But We're Together with Wes and Darlene

Darlene and Wes discuss rocky passages in their close relationships due to the recent political climate, and assess what their responsibilities are in navigating toward a healthier future.  You can support this podcast: Donate at https://anchor.fm/bwt (and click the purple "Support this Podcast" button). 

There's no way to entirely capture - or even touch on - what Bille Palmer has experienced over 30 years in prison, but we do capture a better understanding of our prison and penal system in our time together. Bille is Darlene's cousin who was arrested for kidnapping and robbery and tried as an adult at age 17. He is now free after lobbying for his freedom and his case, currently under review, may change the law from here on out. 

In this episode, we talk about why I was bothered that Darlene didn't embrace the podcast Still Processing that I introduced her to on a recent roadtrip, and what that revealed about the white privilege and the pervasiveness of white supremacy, even in a committed interracial relationship.  It gets real, y'all! 

PG & E: violating the law?; Brexit or Not; Trump Family Tax Scheme; Shepherd Finds Dinosaur Bones; Catholic Priests condemns Teen's Suicide, during the funeral; Katie Taylor Claims Women's Boxing Title; US Looted Philippines Church 100 Year Ago - Stolen Bells Returned at Last; Biggest Wedding in India. California commission finds PG&E falsified records for years - CNN Confused about what happened with Brexit? Here’s your cheat sheet. - BBC News US Tenants today are reportedly still paying for a Trump family tax scheme from the 1990s - Vox How a South African shepherd found a dinosaur graveyard - BBC News US PG&E workers found damaged tower and bullet holes near Camp Fire origin site - CNN Catholic priest at teenager's funeral condemns suicide - BBC News US Katie Taylor beats Eva Wahlstrom to defend world titles in New York - BBC News US US returns looted Balangiga church bells to Philippines - BBC News US India’s richest man throws the wedding to end all weddings, with Beyonce and Hillary in attendance - Los Angeles Times

Darlene and Wes reminisce about Christmas holidays past and ruminate on the deepest meanings of this cultural landmark: should kids be told Santa is real or not? Pet peeves on this holiday? How to deal with loss around the holiday, and more.

Join us as we discuss our recent getaway to Las Vegas, including our experiences with karaoke, Cirque du Soleil, sushi, Clark County Wetlands, slots, shopping and more.

In this episode, we discuss how the music and personality of Aretha Franklin has affected us. More so, Darlene, but Wes, too. We listen to clips from the House that Jack Built, Respect, and Rocksteady, in addition to a live performance with Smokey Robinson on Soul Train.

In this episode, Darlene reacts to the California fires, Trump's dump on Lebron, loose goats, and more. Venezuelan President survives apparent drone assassination attempt - CNN https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/04/americas/venezuela-maduro/index.html California's deadly Carr fire started by flat tire - Axios How the Carr Fire became one of the most destructive fires in California history - Vox President Trump bashes LeBron James over recent interview - ESPN http://time.com/money/5330948/teachers-summer-jobs/ Venezuelan President survives apparent drone assassination attempt - CNN 11 children rescued from filthy compound with little food or water - ABC News A Brief History Of MoviePass's Spectacular Rise And Fall - BuzzFeed News 118 goats escaped into an Idaho neighborhood. Internet fame ensued. - Idaho Statesman After fundraiser goes viral, Georgetown awards gay valedictorian full scholarship - NBC News 40 California Hospital Employees Lost Their Homes In A Wildfire. They Showed

Wes interviews Darlene about her recent trip to Tokyo. Listen in as we explore the consciousness of a black woman in Japan - from transportation to dress to music and religion, hear what Darlene experienced and what she recommends if you're thinking of visiting.

In this episode, we share our feelings on visiting Chicago for the first time, our thoughts on seeing Hamilton in Chicago, our experience on amazing the architectural boat tour (the twilight boat), and my experience at the ISTE 2018 conference.

Live ....from Chicago! Well, recorded in Chicago while I attended the ISTE conference. Check out our YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/sub2bwt Father shot camping https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/25/us/man-slain-camping-in-california-malibu-creek-state-park/index.html Trump Rescinds separating families https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/20/us/politics/trump-immigration-children-executive-order.html Permit Patty https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/25/us/permit-patty-san-francisco-trnd/index.html Lightning round: Heatwave in UK https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-44609502 Thai Soccer team trapped in Cave https://www.cbsnews.com/news/missing-boys-soccer-team-in-thailand-believed-to-be-trapped-in-flooded-cave/ Man tunnels into Pharmacy to steal drugs http://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/tn-dpt-me-burglary-20180625-story.html AirPods as listening aid https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2018/06/26/apple-airpods-can-sub-hearing-aid-if-youre-running-ios-12/735686002/

Darlene and I define romance in our younger years, at the beginning of our relationship as adults, and possibly, just possibly, reveal what romance is to us in the future. It's an honest discussion that may just reveal how fragile Wes' ego is and how we change as we grow older.

Darlene and Wes talk about how to navigate life in the face of fear and how to be your true self and share your gifts with the world. Maya: https://www.instagram.com/mayasworld/ https://twitter.com/mayasworld

We talk about the news for the week of June 10, 2018. Here are the links to the news stories we shared and discussed: https://apple.news/AHTKF0em6RZ64ZKsNuX7eNA https://apple.news/AhHjmkad-Sp-HUOEZOU0jCw https://apple.news/AWM9GzW91Ts-w5Cj1_Ix7ZA https://apple.news/AfG1SO4tjRGe_r3Z2BqjNAg https://apple.news/AnKnny3nUQIidYB0RgvAkBQ https://apple.news/AyWpmTsCmQJWeMoiFD7Otng https://apple.news/AXya6hrpgSdeGQTjr2ZgzZQ https://apple.news/AndRLK-H0SROrHxF-g7DD8Q https://apple.news/AFC2d63KnQ6io6DzUPQcDHg https://apple.news/AcE6M9xmBQIKsfGD4X6v30g https://newsela.com/read/sea-otters-stuck/id/43700/ https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/may/30/glasses-smarter-study-intelligence-bad-eyesight-link-health-benefits https://newsela.com/read/decolonize-student-reading/id/41532/ https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/may/20/margo-hayes-rock-climbing-gender-women https://apple.news/ALqSu63AhTyCTd3x1u97ZFg               ​

Darlene and I discuss what makes a good friend, whether social media and modern communication tools help or hinder friendship, what boundaries are needed and whether friendship changes as we age. Music by Joakim Karud.

Darlene loves to stay current with the news. Wes, not so much. In this episode, we tackle a series of headlines from June 2 and explore our reactions to what's happening in the world. 50 year anniversary of interracial couple: https://apple.news/AuDG65TwMQ1OkoJL0HTHUtQ CA residents moving to other states: https://apple.news/A-jkBiMQjQeaTrUMDo48pdg Australia Shipping Disaster: https://apple.news/A8PyDmYpmTYyQJ7-f6GOL0w Uber Driver Shoots Passenger: https://apple.news/AlvhDMtTVS0myWv26-Y2abw Underrated Destinations around the World: https://apple.news/A37JYh0GHTh2Cs70wtyF56A New Silicon Valley Diet: https://apple.news/AxtJMci2sSyiNm9GMvORQXQ Jim Parsons on Roseanne Barr's Tweet: https://apple.news/A27tSheTeRPy5-fO_Cz7ozg LA Coliseum renovations: https://apple.news/AqwtvtWU-Syu6_PQw5qEAUA Target Installing Cameras to Track Customers https://apple.news/Ap2V_pY7OTKO_qrB6ZYa1Rg Music by Joakim Karud.

Darlene is a freelance writer and Wes is a freelance photographer. As creatives at heart working 9 to 5 jobs, we discuss how we journey toward freedom with our creativity. Music by Joakim Karud.

Darlene takes charge and orders Wes a DNA testing kit. We discuss our impressions of Ancestry.com and 23 and me, Darlene's experiences and results with her DNA testing and we predict what Wes' results will say. We discuss our experiences with the meanings of black and white heritage. Music by Joakim Karud.

In this episode, we reflect on our biggest lessons learned over the decade ending with 2019, and we use the concept of the "wellness wheel" to create a handy protocol to examine different areas of our lives: social, spiritual, intellectual, physical and emotional. Let us know your biggest lessons of the last ten years by messaging us on social media to continue the conversation. 

We talk about the news for the week of June 17. Here are links to the stories we share. CA Becoming 3 States? http://www.businessinsider.com/how-california-could-become-three-states-cal3-ballot-measure-2018-6 Mexico Off to a Good Start in World Cup https://apple.news/AsM8agWFTRpKzOPo9JOGNsQ Trump Advisory Says "No One Likes This Policy https://apple.news/A5jlFFxsOT4indhGPu6sxHQ Google Struggling to Keep Black Employees https://www.theroot.com/google-has-a-hard-time-keeping-black-employees-1826888220 Lightning Round: Shooting at NJ Art Festival https://apple.news/Ak_Pr9ZOiStmDLPNHD522PQ https://apple.news/AIuh6c3IbQNusx19RzhMGKA https://apple.news/AV2HnUt8gTVq_rbiWP0UbSA https://apple.news/ArW2CtyxmQ26JpozUDwx_UQ https://apple.news/ACdmU1Z6fR16Jc64wiBVoUw https://apple.news/ATrYR2IWrSwiQzp_HxIxSUw https://apple.news/AbtYsFkbRQtiVvPAoMkrm3A https://apple.news/AklQL6EGeSkiOADMqbX1yJw https://apple.news/Aqbf5jHFgSrG94jbVnha0EQ https://apple.news/A2YWLx6zDTQONZnaDSTZjlg