Elephant in the Room-Unboxed

In this episode, co-hosts Suzette Chang and Dr. Robin Miles sit down with Dr. Neil Tashima, founding partner of LTG Associates, the oldest anthropologically based consulting firm in North America, for a candid and inspiring conversation about career pivots, community-driven leadership, and the evolving role of anthropology in a tech-driven world. Dr. Tashima shares his journey from academic probation to becoming a practicing anthropologist, the lessons learned from coaching high school football and growing up in a Japanese-American intentional community, and the values that shape his approach to leadership and service. The discussion also dives into the rise of AI, its ethical implications, and how anthropologists are uniquely positioned to shape its future. Packed with wisdom for emerging anthropologists, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the intersection of culture, purpose, and innovation.

In this episode of The Elephant in the Room, Suzette Chang and Dr. Robin Miles sit down with Ady Arguelles-Sabatier, Executive Director of the American Anthropological Association, to explore how anthropology shapes leadership, curiosity, and our understanding of the world. Ady shares her journey as the daughter of Cuban immigrants, a first-generation college student, and an anthropologist who transformed her training into a career in nonprofit leadership. She shares how her anthropological training informs her leadership style, the importance of sitting in uncomfortable conversations, and why she believes the discipline is more relevant than ever in navigating today's cultural and technological disruptions. Ady Arguelles-Sabatier is the CEO and Executive Director of the American Anthropological Association (AAA), leading the organization’s strategic vision and member engagement since mid-2023. At AAA, she champions anthropology’s relevance in addressing today’s most pressing societal challenges. Her leadership emphasizes fostering a deeper understanding of human diversity, safeguarding academic freedom, and expanding opportunities for the application of anthropological knowledge in public and global contexts.

In this episode, Suzette Chang and Dr. Robin Miles sit down with Carlos Moreno, who shares how listening to elders in Tulsa’s Greenwood District shaped his understanding of history beyond the 1921 Tulsa Massacre, and why stories of Black and Latino innovation (from internet pioneers to his own grandmother) deserve to be told. He reflects on the Terence Crutcher case, the criminal justice system’s entanglement with poverty, and the quiet power of small acts, like hiring two neighborhood kids to weed a garden, to rebuild community trust. A conversation about how anthropology, leadership, and everyday choices can create the world we want to live in. Carlos Moreno, MPA is a community affairs analyst at Family & Children's Services, serving the Recovery Services Division which works closely with Oklahoma criminal justice system and community partners to reduce the negative impacts of incarceration. Carlos also works as a local historian & journalist in Tulsa, and is the author of two books: The Victory of Greenwood and A Kids Book about the Tulsa Race Massacre. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Administrative Leadership in 2017 and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree with a focus on civic technology in 2020 from the University of Oklahoma. He serves on the board of Tri City Collective, Urban Coders Guild, and the World Stage Theatre Company.

What if your local library isn’t just a quiet place for books, but a living cultural lab? In this episode, hosts Suzette Chang and Dr. Robin Miles sit down with Dr. Larry White — former CEO of the Metropolitan Library System in Oklahoma City, storyteller, and veteran library leader — to explore how public libraries preserve identity, build trust, and help communities adapt. From serving Afghan refugees with sewing machines to redesigning library spaces for Vietnamese neighbors, Dr. White reveals how observation, storytelling, and cultural anthropology are transforming libraries into dynamic third places. Plus: why a library card might be the most powerful tool you’re not using.

In this episode of Elephant in the Room Unboxed, hosts Suzette Chang and Dr. Robin Miles welcome Dr. AJ, an applied anthropologist and president of the Society for Applied Anthropology (SFAA). Dr. AJ shares his unique journey from a young musician hitchhiking across the country to becoming a servant leader in academia. The conversation dives deep into the future of anthropology, the attack on higher education and diversity, and the transformative power of genuine community. Dr. AJ reveals the "secret sauce" behind SFAA’s culture of belonging, why he rejects the idea of standing "on the shoulders of giants," and how true leadership means working yourself out of a job. If you’ve ever wondered where anthropology is headed or how to find your people in a lonely world, this unboxed conversation is for you.

We are so happy to bring back new episodes for the “Elephant in the Room - Unboxed” podcast! In this episode, co-hosts Suzette Chang and Dr. Robin Miles sit down with practicing anthropologist Kamela Heyward-Rotimi, Ph.D., Executive Director, The Knowledge Exchange Research Group (KERG), for a powerful conversation about the intersection of anthropology, activism, and leadership. Dr. Heyward shares her origin story: from a pivotal moment with anthropologist Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole at Spelman College to navigating pushback against her "too political" and interdisciplinary research. She reflects on the lessons of "little Kamela," the complexities of trust in fieldwork across the African diaspora, and why auto-ethnographic methods and Native Anthropology are essential for ethical scholarship.  The conversation culminates in a deep exploration of a quote from Toni Cade Bambara’s The Salt Eaters, "a lot of weight when you're well", examining the responsibility that comes with healing and wellness, both personally and within community. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on disrupting traditional systems, owning your voice, and bridging the gap between higher education and public spaces.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we are thrilled to bring back a powerful conversation between two Black women anthropologists who are reshaping the way we think about education, identity, and community. In this episode of Elephant in the Room Unboxed, host Suzette Chang sits down with the Dr. Brendane Tynes as they talk about the crisis in the American education system, the deliberate attack on critical thinking, and the importance of reclaiming our narratives. Dr. Tynes shares her personal journey from being a first-generation college student in South Carolina to earning her doctorate, reflecting on the microaggressions and systemic racism she faced even as a high-achieving student. They explore the danger of putting people in boxes, the difference between Black feminism and womanism, and how anthropology serves as a vital tool for liberation and understanding the world around us. In this episode you can learn about: - The role of anthropology in developing critical thinking skills - Navigating spaces as a Black woman in academia and beyond - The difference between "politeness" and honesty in the South and "Charm City" - The public education crisis: Racism, resource inequality, and the illusion of "learning loss." Resources & Links: Follow Dr. Tynes’ work and listen to her podcast, Black Loved and Free, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or at blacklovedandfreepodcast.com. Thank you for our partner, Respect Diversity Foundation!

What does it take to not just live side-by-side, but to truly understand, appreciate, and respect one another? Revisit foundational episode of Elephant in the Room- Unboxed on the partnership behind the podcast with Suzette Chang, CEO/Founder of Thick Descriptions, and Noel Jacobs, Executive Director of the Respect for Diversity Foundation. Suzette and Noel get radically personal, sharing the pivotal experiences that launched their life's work and flesh-out why these two organizations do this work meaning discussing, understanding and offering solutions for what it means to b a human being, to have human experiences and how humans can have quality lives in Oklahoma and around the world.

Join Suzette Chang of Thick Descriptions for a compelling conversation with educator and activist Dr. Judith Coker. From witnessing "white flight" and teacher strikes in 1970s Oklahoma to analyzing today’s political climate in education, Dr. C shares firsthand historical insight and urgent concerns about the state of Oklahoma’s schools. They delve into community trust, the power of local engagement, and why respectful, uncomfortable conversations are vital for change. This episode explores how anthropology can reshape learning and what it truly takes to build schools where every child and teacher can thrive.

In this episode, host Dr. Noel Jacobs sits down with Reverend Sheri Dickerson, a pillar of the Oklahoma City community and executive director of Black Lives Matter OKC. They dive into an essential and often uncomfortable conversation about what it truly means to create and sustain space for Black communities. Moving beyond abstract ideas, they discuss the historical erasure of Black success in Oklahoma, from Deep Deuce to Greenwood, and the ongoing challenges of gentrification, health disparities, and systemic barriers.

In this episode titled "White Supremacy and White Privilege” Jill Nagle talks about White Supremacy Mythology and the importance of understanding how history produces our mindsets and learning to move beyond them to enjoy greater clarity, sovereignty, and effectiveness at stopping harm and transforming injustice. A longtime student and teacher of transformation and evolution, Jill Nagle's background includes Untraining White Liberal Racism with Robert Horton, Challenging White Supremacy with Sharon Martinas, and multicultural alliance building with the National Coalition Building Institute. She founded Evolutionary Workplace, Wisdom of The Body: Beyond Talk Therapy, and cofounded of Awake Parent Perspectives. In this episode, she and Dr. Noel Jacobs, Health Service Psychologist and Executive Director of Respect Diversity Foundation in Oklahoma City, unpack the meaning behind White Supremacy Mythology, its effect on people’s mindset and how we can deal with it as a society.

In this episode titled "White Supremacy and White Privilege,” Jill Nagle talks about White Supremacy Mythology and the importance of understanding how history produces our mindsets and learning to move beyond them to enjoy greater clarity, sovereignty, and effectiveness at stopping harm and transforming injustice. A longtime student and teacher of transformation and evolution, Jill Nagle's background includes Untraining White Liberal Racism with Robert Horton, Challenging White Supremacy with Sharon Martinas, and multicultural alliance building with the National Coalition Building Institute. She founded Evolutionary Workplace, Wisdom of The Body: Beyond Talk Therapy, and cofounded of Awake Parent Perspectives. In this episode, she and Dr. Noel Jacobs, Health Service Psychologist and Executive Director of Respect Diversity Foundation in Oklahoma City, unpack the meaning behind White Supremacy Mythology, its effect on people’s mindset and how we can deal with it as a society.

In this episode, Bailey Perkins Wright defines why history matters to understanding the present and shaping the future, highlights significant moments in Oklahoma’s history and laws that feed into modern disparities, and unpacks recent legislation that has consequences to progress (specifically HB1775). Listen now to learn what we can do collectively and systemically to move us to progress.   The host is Gulnaz Tabynbayeva - Marketing Assistant at Thick Descriptions, Community Engagement Exchange Fellow, and gender equality advocate.  Guest is Bailey Perkins Wright - Womanist, public policy advocate, and adjunct professor at a local community college. As an advocacy and governmental affairs professional, she’s dedicated to shaping state and federal public policy decisions and strengthening civic engagement in Oklahoma.

In this month's episode, we revisit the conversation about cultural anthropology and the power of projecting a "clear and confident voice" with vocal authority and teacher, Rena Cook. Graduate student and budding anthropologist, Veda Pai, gets in depth and personal with Rena about language, projection and techniques. Explore how clear and confident projection enhances interpersonal relationships and cultural understanding. Rena Cook - a TEDx speaker, author, trainer, coach, and the founder of Vocal Authority, a training consultancy serving corporate clients including attorneys, politicians, teachers, sales teams, and CEOs, who want to use their voice in more commanding and authentic ways. She is a Professor Emerita at the University of Oklahoma School of Drama.

Did you know that over 70% of United States college freshmen require remedial reading? How does this fact prepare college students to complete and compete in higher academia and careers? Suzette Chang sits down with DesJean Jones, Executive Director of Opportunities Industrialization Center of Oklahoma County, Inc. to talk about these facts and how adults can level up! Listen to a direct and upfront conversation about the state of adult literacy in the United States, challenges faced by college students with remedial reading needs, and how adults can level up their literacy skills for academic and career success.

"Elephant in the Room - Unboxed" with host Suzette Chang and guest Dr. Jennifer Caldwell dives into the importance of genetic testing, health equity, and community-centered research—especially for melanated communities often overlooked in medical studies. Dr. Caldwell, a public health geneticist, shares her journey from aspiring doctor to advocating for culturally tailored health education. She discusses: Barriers in healthcare access and historical distrust in medical systems. Her groundbreaking projects, like the Genesis AI Project, which co-creates genetic education with communities. The Linking Gains study, exploring how genetic risk knowledge impacts health behaviors in Black communities. The urgent need for self-advocacy—from decoding family medical histories to challenging dismissive doctors. The conversation also tackles cultural myths around food, diabetes, and body image, emphasizing that "knowledge is power" for healthier lives. Dr. Caldwell is a human geneticist with an interest in combining genetic ancestry analysis and community engaged research strategies. Her research uses interdisciplinary research designs to observe genetic, environmental, and cultural factors that contribute to chronic health disparities. Based on her interest in epigenetics, Dr. Caldwell’s study designs combine observing genetic traits, social determinants of health and behavioral risk factors that impact health disparities.

How can anthropology become a tool for Black liberation and radical education? In this powerful episode of Elephant in the Room – Unboxed, host Suzette Chang sits down with Dr. Brendane Tynes — anthropologist, queer Black feminist scholar, storyteller, and healer—to unpack: Decolonizing Anthropology – How Dr. Tynes reclaims the field to center Black and Indigenous liberation, despite its oppressive roots. The fight for critical thinking in schools, why literacy alone isn’t justice, and how systemic racism shapes classrooms. Black Feminism vs. Womanism – The difference between these frameworks and why both matter in dismantling oppression. Spirituality as Resistance – Dr. Tynes’ work with Hoodoo and ancestral healing as acts of defiance and survival. The Power of Asking "Why?" – Why curiosity—not compliance—is the key to collective liberation. From confronting micro-aggressions in academia to reimagining education beyond "the way it’s always been," this conversation is a call to question, connect, and reclaim power.🔗 Follow Dr. Tynes: blacklovedandfreepodcast.com | IG: @blacklovedandfree Brought to you by The Descriptions & the Respect for Diversity Foundation.

The latest episode of "Elephant in the Room - Unboxed" podcast hosted by Suzette Chang, features a thought-provoking conversation with guest Kendra Wesson, a former member of the Oklahoma State Board of Education. In this episode, they delve into the challenges and complexities of modern education, from systemic inefficiencies to the importance of literacy and community involvement. Kendra shares her personal journey—from growing up in poverty and navigating frequent school changes to becoming a passionate advocate for education reform. She reflects on her time on the State Board, discussing transparency issues, budget disparities between rural and urban schools, and the need for consistent, student-focused policies. The discussion also highlights the cultural and political dynamics within Oklahoma’s education system, including the tension between state-appointed boards and elected officials. Both Suzette and Kendra emphasize the power of grassroots engagement, urging listeners to prioritize children’s needs over bureaucratic inertia.This episode explores: The impact of COVID-19 on education The role of anthropology in holistic learning (STEAM vs. STEM) Overcoming systemic secrecy in schools Practical ways parents and communities can support literacy

In this episode, Suzette is joined by guest Kyle Lawson, a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and healthcare access. They delve into topics such as the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in rural Oklahoma, the importance of comprehensive education, and the need for strategy, empathy and understanding in addressing systemic issues. Kyle shares his experiences working with organizations like the Oklahoma Policy Institute and his efforts to improve healthcare access for marginalized communities. The conversation also touches on Kyle's personal journey, including his work as a holistic healer and tarot reader, and the importance of advocating for human rights and equitable healthcare.

In this episode, host Suzette Chang sits down with Erika Hall Johnson, an educator and advocate for liberatory education, to explore the transformative power of learning beyond traditional models. Tune in as they discuss: The meaning of liberatory education and its role in shaping communities How education, art, and agriculture intersect in fostering growth The importance of creating spaces that honor identity, culture, and psychological safety How individualism vs. collective learning affects educational access and equity Erika also shares her vision for a tiny house village that integrates community and education, redefining the way we support students and families. Listen now for an insightful conversation on reimagining education and embracing new possibilities!