Podcast Summary
From young filmmaker to investigative journalist: Emily Cassie's passion for storytelling and making an impact led her to become an investigative journalist, using her skills to lift the voices of others and tackle complex topics in a democracy.
Investigative journalism plays a crucial role in shedding light on injustices and changing perspectives. Emily Cassie, an Emmy and Peabody award nominated journalist, shared her personal journey of becoming an investigative journalist, starting at a young age when she made a film about gay kids in religious schools. Her passion for storytelling and making an impact led her to explore the world and understand different cultures, ultimately leading her to investigate mass atrocities. Her parents, who supported her global pursuits, were instrumental in encouraging her to extend her privilege and use her skills to lift the voices of others. Emily's work, which includes collaborations with The New York Times, Netflix, and PBS, has led her to tackle complex and nuanced topics, such as the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Her commitment to journalism and storytelling serves as a reminder of the power of investigative journalism in a democracy.
The Power of Supportive Parents and Opportunities: Supportive parents and the right opportunities can lead to impactful experiences and the pursuit of a meaningful career. Be aware of market trends, respect cultural differences, and explore interdisciplinary fields.
Having supportive parents and the right opportunities can lead to impactful experiences and the pursuit of a meaningful career. The speaker shares how their parents encouraged them to use their skills to make a difference, even as they traveled to dangerous places for development work. Their first experience with an organization in Toronto opened their eyes to the complexities of international development and the importance of approaching it with sensitivity and respect. Meanwhile, Ryan Reynolds' anecdote about Mint Mobile's price drop serves as a reminder of the importance of being aware of market trends and consumer needs. Sandra's message highlights the value of using LinkedIn to find professionals who might not be actively looking for new jobs but could be great hires. Lastly, the speaker's story of creating a custom major at Brown University demonstrates the importance of following one's passions and having the freedom to explore interdisciplinary fields.
Uncovering the truth and holding power accountable: Investigative journalism is crucial for fair treatment, exposing corruption, and providing non-partisan information in a democracy.
Investigative journalism, particularly in the form of documentaries, plays a crucial role in uncovering truth and holding power accountable in a democracy. This type of journalism is essential for ensuring fair treatment of individuals and communities, exposing corruption, and providing non-partisan information to the public. Amidst the oversaturated media landscape, it can be challenging to distinguish fact from fiction, but investigative journalists serve as a vital check on power and help us make informed decisions. Their work is not only important for understanding current events but also for preserving our democracy. By supporting and trusting investigative journalism, we can navigate the complex media landscape and stay connected to the truth.
Discussing the role of investigative journalism in holding power accountable: Two journalists stressed the significance of journalism as a check on power and the importance of keeping the public informed.
The importance of investigative journalism as an external check on power cannot be overstated. This was emphasized in a discussion between two journalists, one of whom is a Canadian living in the US and a green card holder. They highlighted the need for journalists to hold those in power accountable and keep the public informed. Meanwhile, in other news, Mint Mobile is offering a reverse auction for their wireless service, allowing customers to pay as little as $15 a month. Lume, on the other hand, is providing a solution for those uncomfortable moments with their new whole body deodorant, which uses mandelic acid for odor control and has over 300,005 five-star reviews. Lastly, Mother's Day is approaching, and OneSkin is offering a 15% discount on their skincare products, which use a proprietary peptide to switch off aging cells and keep skin looking younger for longer. During the conversation, Jane Ferguson, a foreign correspondent for PBS NewsHour, shared insights from her reporting on the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. The series she produced with a colleague provides a comprehensive look at the situation and the impact on the people of Afghanistan.
U.S. involvement in Afghanistan: Beyond the War on Terror: The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan led to the loss of gains made in civil society, including women's rights, girls' education, and press freedom, and a tragic brain drain of educated individuals.
The history of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan is more complex than just the war on terror. The dynamics between the U.S., Soviet Union, and Afghanistan go back to the Soviet Union's support of a communist push and the U.S. funding of the mujahideen, which later became the Taliban and harbored terrorist groups like Al Qaeda and ISIS. Over the last 20 years, Afghanistan saw the emergence of a civil society with women in leadership roles, girls in schools, and thriving journalists. However, the U.S. withdrawal and the Taliban's return resulted in the loss of these gains and a tragic brain drain of educated individuals. The U.S. withdrawal is contentious, but the real tragedy is the impact on the Afghan people. The situation is complicated, and it's unclear what the best option is, but a longer transition out could have mitigated some of the risks.
The Taliban's Surprising Return to Power in Afghanistan: Despite US involvement spanning decades, positive outcomes for local populations have been rare. Maintaining a presence could have mitigated chaos, but focusing on protecting local people is key for successful interventions.
The Taliban's swift return to power in Afghanistan was a surprise to many, despite previous indications of their resurgence. The US involvement in Afghanistan, which began with the Soviet invasion and continued through American interventionism, has not historically resulted in positive outcomes for the local population. The chaos and harm caused during the transition could have been mitigated with a continued US presence. However, the decision to get involved in foreign conflicts for interests other than the protection of local people has not typically led to positive outcomes. Looking forward, there are many uncertainties, but having reliable health insurance, such as UnitedHealthcare TriTerm Medical plans, can provide peace of mind. These plans offer flexible and budget-friendly coverage for those in between jobs or missed open enrollment periods. For more information, visit uhone.com.
The Taliban's complex motives: The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan was driven by more than just a desire to win the fight. They sought international legitimacy and aimed to implement their laws and determine the role of women in society.
The situation in Afghanistan is far more complex than a simple good versus evil narrative. When the speaker and Jane entered Taliban territory, they found a confident and jubilant group of fighters who wanted international legitimacy. The Taliban's motives were not just about winning the fight, but also about implementing their laws and determining the role of women in society. The speaker's conversations with the Taliban were focused on these issues, and they were confident that they were taking over. The swift fall of Kabul was a result of the government's abandonment and the exhaustion of the population after 20 years of war. The alternative to surrender was full-on civil war, which would have resulted in total bloodshed. The speaker acknowledges that it's a heart-breaking and impossible scenario, and that the human condition often presents us with complicated situations that don't fit neatly into a satisfying narrative of good versus evil.
US Presence in Afghanistan: Complex Reality and Heartbreaking Consequences: The US involvement in Afghanistan led to unintended consequences, including civilian atrocities, abandoned military equipment, and outrage over hasty withdrawal and resource waste. Focus should be on supporting Afghan refugees.
The US involvement in Afghanistan has resulted in complex and dark realities that the country must reconcile with. Many US soldiers had good intentions but were horrified by the atrocities committed against civilians. The US left behind billions of dollars worth of military equipment, some of which is now being used by the Taliban. The hasty withdrawal and the tremendous waste of resources have left many Americans outraged. The situation is heartbreaking, and the focus should be on supporting Afghan refugees who have fled to the US and other countries. The full implications of the US presence in Afghanistan are still unfolding, and it's essential to continue the conversation and find ways to learn from the past and move forward.
Supporting those affected by geopolitical events, particularly journalists and civil society members in Afghanistan: The Taliban's rule in 2021 has led to the suppression of protests, uncertainty for women's education, and a focus on religious education, highlighting the importance of supporting local journalists for accurate information and acknowledging the struggles of undocumented immigrants during the pandemic.
The importance of supporting those affected by geopolitical events, particularly journalists and civil society members in countries like Afghanistan, whose lives and progress have been disrupted. The Taliban's rule in 2021 has resulted in the suppression of protests, uncertainty for women's education, and a focus on religious education. The loss of these individuals and their contributions to society is significant, and the public's attention should not be diverted from the ongoing situation. The documentary series, released before the Taliban takeover, served as a precursor to the events that followed and emphasized the importance of following local journalists for accurate and timely information. Additionally, the discussion touched on the experience of being an undocumented immigrant during the pandemic, highlighting the challenges faced by this community and the importance of acknowledging their struggles.
Journalist Emily Kassie's work highlights the plight of vulnerable populations during the pandemic: Journalist Emily Kassie's reporting brought attention to the unique challenges faced by undocumented immigrants and other marginalized communities during the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and addressing their needs.
During the pandemic, the experiences of some of the most vulnerable populations, such as undocumented immigrants, were often overlooked. While many focused on the challenges they faced themselves, these individuals, who were already living in fear and without adequate support systems, were left even more vulnerable. One journalist, Emily Kassie, dedicated her time to sharing the story of Norma and her five children, who were searching for shelter and trying to keep their father out of immigrant detention. The family was living in fear of contracting the virus and struggling to make ends meet. Kassie's work, which has been nominated for multiple awards, highlighted the plight of these individuals and underscored the importance of acknowledging and addressing the unique challenges faced by marginalized communities during a crisis. To learn more about Kassie's work, visit her website at emilykassy.com or follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Her pieces can also be found on the New York Times, PBS, and Netflix. She is currently working on a documentary following the search for unmarked graves of Indigenous children at residential schools in Canada.
Staying informed about impactful stories: Engage with podcasts, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and share to broaden reach and stay informed about impactful stories
The importance of staying informed about shocking and impactful stories, particularly those that affect people globally and in North America. Sharon Carpenter expressed her excitement about an upcoming project that promises to shed light on such a story, encouraging listeners to stay tuned and engage with the podcast in various ways, including following, subscribing, rating, or reviewing it, and sharing episodes. These actions help podcasters like Sharon reach a wider audience and continue producing thought-provoking content. Overall, this conversation underscores the value of staying informed and engaged with meaningful stories and conversations.
