[Un]phased Unedited Podcast

What happens when violence and inequality become so commonplace that we stop reacting to them?In this episode, Dr. Shaunna and Dr. Lisa explore the concept of desensitization and how repeated exposure shapes what we see as normal, acceptable, or inevitable. From economic policy and global conflict to historical racial violence and everyday language, they examine the ways individuals and communities become conditioned around harm.The conversation begins with a look at the increasingly visible divide of the K-shaped economy, where prosperity and struggle often exist side by side.The discussion then turns to history, psychology, and child development through the lens of Dr. Stacey Patton's powerful book, Strung Up! How White America Learned to Lynch Black Children. Together, they wrestle with difficult questions about how societies teach violence, how children absorb messages about humanity and belonging, and why some individuals resist oppressive systems while others reproduce them.Throughout the episode, Shaunna and Lisa unpack the relationship between exposure and normalization. Drawing connections to adverse childhood experiences, cultural messaging, and contemporary political discourse, they examine how communities can become accustomed to language and behaviors that once would have been considered unacceptable."The question isn't whether we're being exposed. The question is what we're becoming accustomed to, and what that normalization costs us."Book Club AnnouncementInterested in going deeper? Dr. Shaunna Payne Gold is launching a six-week book club focused on Strung Up! How White America Learned to Lynch Black Children by Dr. Stacey Patton. Participants from a variety of backgrounds are invited to engage in thoughtful discussion about history, child development, culture, and the lasting effects of racial violence. The series will include six 90-minute sessions over six weeks, with a break for Thanksgiving. Register here:Strung Up: Gold Enterprises' Study Hall Mentioned in the show Boosting US oil supplies with Russian diesel unlikely to have much impact on prices, experts say – ABC NewsStrung Up by Stacey Patton – Penguin Random HouseStacey Patton | Howard Profiles – Howard University

In this episode of [un]phased unedited, we examine "Diaspora Wars," the tensions that surface between African Americans, continental Africans, Caribbean immigrants, and other communities across the global Black diaspora. We then move to the controversy surrounding a University of Maryland club tennis team email that included an altered version of the Maryland flag featuring r@cist imagery. We unpack the history of the image, the original artist's reaction to its recent use despite the passing of a decade, and the broader questions it raises about racism, symbolism, accountability, and the responsibilities that come with creating and circulating provocative imagery.Finally, we turn to reports of a woman being assaulted at an October rally in Youngstown, Ohio while carrying a sign calling for the release of the Epstein files. As AI-generated images and misinformation spread online, we examine verified reporting, public reactions, and a difficult question: What happens when crowds become spectators to violence? We reflect on the moral obligations of bystanders when harm unfolds in plain sight.Mentioned in the showUniversity of Maryland club tennis team suspended over racist imagery sent to other schools – The GuardianArtist behind Maryland flag image reacts to UMD email - WBAL Baltimore NewsT***p Supporters Have Failed The Human Test – John PavlovitzPresident Jokes Around as Rallygoer Punches Protester in the Face – The New RepublicRally protester attacked in act of ‘senseless’ political violence, Ohio mayor says – NBC NewsFake image depicting real attack on protester at rally spreads online – Snopes.com 

Every so often, we stumble upon a word that aligns seamlessly with current events. Today's vocabulary spotlight features doughty and slew as we recount the case of Christa Gail Pike following her recently botched ex*cution. Dr. Lisa and Dr. Shaunna will wrestle with broader questions regarding capital punishment in the U.S., including, what comes next in Pike's legal process, the emotional complexities experienced by co-victims, and religious/ethical debates regarding the de@th penalty.Next, we encourage everyone to bookmark the SCOTUS docket. More than 60 cases are on the docket that will shape national policy on climate change, immigration, voting rights, f*rearms regulations, religious liberty, and parental rights. The October 2026 term is yet another of the Court's most consequential terms in recent years.What do you think about the future of the d3ath penalty, and which Supreme Court case are you watching most closely this term? Share your thoughts and join the conversation.Mentioned in the podcastWhat’s next for Christa Pike after failed execution – WVLT8 (TN local news)Facts About the Death Penalty — Do All Victims’ Family Members Support the Death Penalty? - Death Penalty Information CenterCourt grants three cases as new term is set to begin – SCOTUS BlogOpening the book on the October Term 2026 – SCOTUS BlogSupreme Court gears up for new term with major cases on climate change, immigration and guns – CBS NewsDocket Search - Supreme Court of the United States 

What happens when a society believes that one group's gain must come at another group's expense?In this episode of [un]phased unedited, Dr. Shaunna and Dr. Lisa explore the concept of the zero-sum game and the powerful ways it shapes American culture, policy, and public perception. From Heather McGhee's groundbreaking book, The Sum of Us to a recent advertising controversy involving Converse, they explore how challenged we are to manage "healthy heat" through important conversations.Listen, subscribe, and share your thoughts with us as we continue exploring the structures, stories, and assumptions that shape our world.Mentioned in the showHeather C. McGheeWho the heck approved the Converse ad? – The Boston GlobeConverse pulls ad, apologizes after backlash over alleged KKK imagery, ABC News reports - ReutersConverse Removes Ad that Drew Comparisons to KKK Imagery - NYTLynching in America: Confronting the Legacy of Racial Terror – Equity Justice Initiative

In this episode, Dr. Shaunna and Dr. Lisa explore Weltschmerz — the German concept of “world-pain,” a deep, melancholic weariness about the suffering and imperfection woven into human life. Dr. Shaunna leads a conversation about gathering and fighting, drawing inspiration from Priya Parker’s books. They explore Parker’s idea of “healthy heat” and if it's even possible in the sociopolitical climate of the United States.Then, Dr. Lisa takes the second half, guiding a reflection on memory and loss. As time stretches between us and pivotal moments — 9/11, the civil rights movement, the Obama presidency — they query the consequences of losing touch with the past. Mentioned in the showPriya Parker - Your Guide to the Art of Gathering