212. The Pep Talk You, Your Grad & the Country Needs!

Podcast Summary

• Taking Care of Babies and Graduates: Pampers Swaddlers ensure baby's skin stays dry and healthy, 3rd Love offers inclusive bra options, and graduates can find inspiration in Abby Wambach's message of perseverance and self-acceptance.

  When it comes to taking care of our little ones, we need to be as gentle and protective as possible. That's why Pampers, the number one pediatrician recommended diaper brand, is our go-to choice. Their Swaddlers diaper provides superior wetness absorption and 100% leak proof skin protection, ensuring your baby's skin stays dry, healthy, and beautiful. When used with Pampers free and gentle wipes, made from 100% plant-based cloth, your baby's skin will be well taken care of. For women, finding the right bra can be a challenge. 3rd love, a bra brand that understands this, offers half cup sizes and a virtual fitting room to help solve the problem of size exclusivity and guessing what bra will fit. Their commitment to inclusivity and making every woman feel valued and comfortable is truly inspiring. Graduation season is a time of celebration and reflection. Abby Wambach, a 2-time Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion, shared a powerful message of perseverance and self-acceptance with the graduating class of Loyola Marymount University. Her words serve as a reminder that no matter what challenges we face, we have the power to overcome them and create a world filled with hope and promise. In short, whether it's taking care of our babies, finding the right bra, or celebrating the achievements of graduates, it's important to remember that with the right tools, support, and mindset, we can overcome any challenge and create a world filled with love, acceptance, and success.

• Advocating for social justice causes off the field: Abby Wambach, a soccer legend, uses her platform to advocate for equality, pay equity, diversity, and inclusion, inspiring change and breaking barriers for future generations.

  Abby Wambach's impact extends far beyond the soccer field. She has used her platform to advocate for social justice causes, serving on the DEI Council for the US Soccer Federation, being an ambassador to Athlete Ally, and a part owner of Angel City FC. Abby is also an author and activist for equality, pay equity, diversity, and inclusion. Her story is inspiring, as she once dreamed of being a professional women's soccer player in a world where it didn't exist. Today, she stands as a beacon of change, breaking barriers and creating a world where the next generation will only know equality and inclusivity. Her courage to be herself, even in the face of adversity, is a testament to her unwavering commitment to making the world a better place for all.

• Fighting for Equality: Flip the Tables of Power: As Christians, we're called to extend fairness to all. Demand tangible evidence of commitment from organizations, dig deeper for numbers, and align to challenge power imbalances for meaningful change.

  As Christians, we are called to extend the same good things we desire for ourselves and our families to everyone. This means fighting for fair wages, affordable healthcare, marriage equality, quality education, legal protection, and bodily autonomy for all, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, neurodivergence, poverty, or age. To make a real impact, we must go beyond words and demand tangible evidence of commitment from organizations. This can be achieved by flipping tables of power. First, dig deeper and demand numbers. Don't be fooled by performative support; instead, ask for budgets, leadership rosters, profit reports, and environmental impacts. Second, align and stay aligned. Speak up and challenge those in positions of power when they misrepresent or overlook the experiences of marginalized groups. By flipping tables of power in these ways, we can create meaningful change and ensure that everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

• Staying true to ourselves and advocating for others: Authentic solidarity involves taking risks and speaking up for what's right, even if it's uncomfortable or unpopular with those in power.

  It's essential to stay true to ourselves and our values, even when we're in positions of less privilege or feel pressure to conform. The speaker shared an experience of wanting to fit in with powerful men at a table, but realizing she was meant to advocate for women who weren't yet included. She also emphasized the importance of using our seats at the table to create change and amplify marginalized voices, rather than just preserving our own positions. The speaker also highlighted the importance of authentic solidarity, which involves taking risks and speaking up for what's right, even if it's uncomfortable or unpopular with those in power. She shared an example of advocating for gender equity in soccer governance and receiving silent support from some men after the call, but realizing that their support came too late and was insincere. Ultimately, the speaker encouraged us to remember that true solidarity involves taking risks and standing up for what's right, even when it's not convenient or popular.

• Be the change you want to see: Take action to make a difference in your small worlds, your actions can ripple out and impact the world in profound ways.

  Each of us has the power to make a difference in the world, starting with the small communities and relationships around us. When we witness injustice or see opportunities for growth, it's important to take action and support those who speak up. We shouldn't wait for a grand, sweeping solution to fix the world's problems, but instead focus on the small worlds we can influence. Jewish wisdom advises us not to be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief, and to remember that we're obligated to change the small worlds we're a part of. So, LMU graduating class of 2022, go forth and be the change you want to see. Make a difference in your workplace, relationships, and community, and remember that your actions can ripple out and impact the world in profound ways. Don't just watch the news and feel overwhelmed, be the good news and take action. And if you find value in this podcast, please consider following, rating, and sharing it to help spread the message.