Best Victoria D. Walker Podcasts (2025)

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359: How to Resist Temptations at Night (Thought for the Day #17) 17:44

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4d ago17:44

17:44

Let's face off with those late night temptations! Join Victoria as she explores the psychological and biblical aspects of temptation, offering insights into why these hours can be particularly difficult. The conversation delves into the science of the brain's vulnerability to poor decisions when tired and emphasizes the importance of self-control a…

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Jasper Waugh-Quasebarth, "Finding the Singing Spruce: Musical Instrument Makers and Appalachia's Mountain Forests" (West Virginia UP, 2023) 1:12:24

5d ago1:12:24

1:12:24

2023 Weatherford Award Finalist, Nonfiction How can the craft of musical instrument making help reconnect people to place and reenchant work in Appalachia? How does the sonic search for musical tone change relationships with trees and forests? Following three craftspeople in the mountain forests of Appalachia through their processes of making instr…

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Julia Brock, "Closed Seasons: The Transformation of Hunting in the Modern South" (UNC Press, 2025) 55:23

8d ago55:23

55:23

In a unique and personal exploration of the game and fish laws in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi from the Progressive Era to the 1930s, Julia Brock offers an innovative history of hunting in the New South. The implementation of conservation laws made significant strides in protecting endangered wildlife species, but it also disrupted traditional…

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John Bardes, "The Carceral City: Slavery and the Making of Mass Incarceration in New Orleans, 1803-1930" (UNC Press, 2024) 48:57

9d ago48:57

48:57

The Carceral City: Slavery and the Making of Mass Incarceration in New Orleans, 1803-1930 (UNC Press, 2024) reveals that Americans often assume that slave societies had little use for prisons and police because slaveholders only ever inflicted violence directly or through overseers. Mustering tens of thousands of previously overlooked arrest and pr…

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358: How to Find Shelter in the Storms of Life (Thought for the Day #16) 26:35

11d ago26:35

26:35

Victoria discusses the storms of life and how to find refuge and strength in God. She shares personal experiences and offers practical tips for navigating life's challenges, emphasizing the importance of creating a daily refuge ritual, journaling burdens, and calling on God's names for support. The conversation highlights the transformative power o…

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Bryan D. Jones, The Southern Fault Line: How Race, Class, and Region Shaped One Family's History" (Oxford UP, 2025) 58:29

17d ago58:29

58:29

The Southern Fault Line: How Race, Class, and Region Shaped One Family's History (Oxford University Press, 2025) explores the under-appreciated division in the South between the oligarchic rule of plantation owners and industrialists on the one hand, and the more democratic mindset of the mountain-dwelling small farmers on the other. These two mind…

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357: Empowered by the Holy Spirit: A Journey of Faith (Thought for the Day #15) 35:09

18d ago35:09

35:09

In this episode of the Choose to Think Inspirational Podcast, Victoria explores the theme of empowerment through the Holy Spirit. She shares personal anecdotes and insights on how to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance in daily life. The conversation delves into the struggles many face in believing they are empowered, practical steps …

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Kathryn L. Beasley, "The Proof Is in the Dough: Rural Southern Women, Extension, and Making Money" (University of Georgia Press, 2025) 1:15:22

22d ago1:15:22

1:15:22

The Proof Is in the Dough: Rural Southern Women, Extension, and Making Money (University of Georgia Press, 2025) examines how rural white and African American women in Alabama and Florida used the Cooperative Extension Service's home demonstration programming between 1914 and 1929 as a means to earn extra income. Kathryn L. Beasley explores an area…

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356: As I Recall F()rever: Bill Mullin on Music, Faith, and Transformation 55:27

25d ago55:27

55:27

In this episode of the Choose to Think Inspirational Podcast, host Victoria Lydon interviews Bill Mullen, a visionary in music and storytelling. Bill shares his journey through the music industry, the power of music as a tool for reflection and healing, and the importance of faith in his work. He discusses his groundbreaking musical podcast, 'As I …

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355: The Secret to Stress Management Is in Your Mind 20:52

1M ago20:52

20:52

Join me as we explore the transformative power of renewing your thoughts. I've drawn some inspiration from The Secret Garden. :) I discuss the impact of stress on both your mind and your body, the importance of recognizing and managing your thoughts, and I walk you through the 7 R's for thought transformation especially when fear and anxiety seem t…

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354: Celebrate Self-Control: Reflecting on Your Progress and Moving Forward (Part 7) 11:32

1M ago11:32

11:32

Congratulations! You've made it to Part 7, and I’m so proud of the progress you’ve made. Today, we celebrate your journey and commit to continuing your growth in self-control. Reflect on the past week, as we’ve learned the importance of intentional effort, taking thoughts captive, small steps, and depending on God’s strength. The journey toward sel…

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Victoria Bynum, "Deep Roots, Broken Branches: A History and Memoir" (UP of Mississippi, 2025) 57:56

1M ago57:56

57:56

Historian Victoria Bynum turns now to her own history in this multigenerational American saga spanning from 1840 to 1979. Through meticulous historical research, personal letters, diaries, and the unpublished memoir of Mary Daniel Huckenpoehler, the author’s maternal grandmother, Bynum examines five generations within the broader context of the nat…

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353: Mastering Self-Control: How to Strengthen Your Mind, Body, and Spirit (Part 6) 12:23

2M ago12:23

12:23

In today’s episode, we focus on fueling your soul. 1 Corinthians 6:19 reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. What you consume—physically, mentally, and spiritually—impacts your self-control and mental clarity. 3 Tips to Fuel Your Soul: Choose Nourishing Inputs: Be intentional about what you read, watch, and listen to. Start your…

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Frank X Walker, "Load in Nine Times: Poems" (Liveright, 2024) 1:24:30

2M ago1:24:30

1:24:30

For decades Frank X Walker has reclaimed essential American lives through his pathbreaking historical poetry. In this stirring new collection, he reimagines the experiences of Black Civil War soldiers—including his own ancestors—who enlisted in the Union army in exchange for emancipation. Moving chronologically from antebellum Kentucky through Reco…

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352: Walking in the Spirit: The Key to Self-Control (Part 5) 11:58

2M ago11:58

11:58

Ever feel like your thoughts and emotions are pulling you in all directions? Today’s episode is all about walking in the Spirit—a daily practice that keeps you aligned with God’s will and strengthens your self-control. Whether you're battling cravings, anxious thoughts, or just struggling to stay disciplined, the Holy Spirit is your guide! We’ll ex…

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Carrie Helms Tippen, "Unpalatable: Stories of Pain and Pleasure in Southern Cookbooks" (UP of Mississippi, 2025) 1:17:09

2M ago1:17:09

1:17:09

The cookbook genre is highly conventional with an orientation toward celebration and success. From glossy photographs to heartwarming stories and adjective-rich ingredient lists, the cookbook tradition primes readers for pleasure. Yet the overarching narrative of the region is often one of pain, loss, privation, exploitation, poverty, and suffering…

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Jennifer Lynn Gross, "Sisterhood of the Lost Cause: Confederate Widows in the New South" (LSU Press, 2025) 59:34

2M ago59:34

59:34

Historians have thoroughly documented the vast devastation of the Civil War. In the attention they have paid to aspects of that destruction, however, one of the most obvious ramifications appears routinely overlooked—Confederate widowhood. Dr. Jennifer Lynn Gross’s Sisterhood of the Lost Cause: Confederate Widows in the New South (LSU Press, 2025) …

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351: Rising Strong: Leaning on God When You Feel Low in Self-Control (Part 4) 9:30

2M ago9:30

9:30

🔹 How to Trust His Strength in Your StrugglesGod’s power shines in your weakest moments! (2 Cor. 12:9) Today, we’re shifting our mindset—self-control isn’t about never failing; it’s about rising again. Micah 7:8 reminds us: Though I fall, I will rise. 🔹 Why new habits feel hardest in the first 7-10 days 🔹 The power of “don’t” vs. “can’t” in self-di…

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350: Small Steps, Big Faith: Maintain Your Self-Control (Part 3) 6:50

2M ago6:50

6:50

Today, we’re focusing on the power of small, faithful steps. Every tiny step toward self-control matters and is seen by God! 🔹 Bible Verses to Encourage You: 📖 Zechariah 4:10 – “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.” 📖 Luke 16:10 – "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much."…

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349: You Are a Warrior Woman! Take Mental Action to Practice Self-Control (Part 2) 11:53

2M ago11:53

11:53

Now that you've set your focus area, it's time to tackle the root of self-control—your thoughts. The battle begins in your mind, and today, we’re diving into 2 Corinthians 10:5, learning how to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. 🔹 Brain Science Insight: Negative thoughts trigger the brain’s fear center (amygdala), while fait…

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No Common Ground: Confederate Monuments and the Ongoing Fight for Racial Justice 55:43

3M ago55:43

55:43

When it comes to Confederate monuments, there is no common ground. Polarizing debates over their meaning have intensified into legislative maneuvering to preserve the statues, legal battles to remove them, and rowdy crowds taking matters into their own hands. These conflicts have raged for well over a century—but they've never been as intense as th…

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Frederick Knight, "Black Elders: The Meaning of Age in American Slavery and Freedom" (U Pennsylvania Press, 2024) 1:14:03

3M ago1:14:03

1:14:03

Would there have been a Frederick Douglass if it were not for Betsy Bailey, the grandmother who raised him? Would Harriet Jacobs have written her renowned autobiography, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, if her grandmother, a free black woman named Molly Horniblow, had not enabled Jacobs’ escape from slavery? In Black Elders: The Meaning of Ag…

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348: Strength for the Journey: The Foundation of Self-Control (Part 1) 9:52

3M ago9:52

9:52

The 7-Day Self-Control Challenge (conducted a few months ago) was so popular that I wanted to share the recordings with you! If you're up for it, you can dig in for the next 60 days and really get a grip on TEMPERANCE or SELF-CONTROL in your life! For week 1, we'll set the foundation for a life of discipline and freedom in Christ. Self-control isn’…

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347: Let Go to Grow: Choosing 2 Think When Fear Creeps In 33:25

3M ago33:25

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In this up-close-and-personal episode, Victoria shares exciting updates about the Choose to Think Ministries, including a revamped website and a new podcast series focused on self-control. She reflects on personal experiences with family, the challenges of fear, and the importance of mindset in overcoming life's obstacles. Victoria emphasizes the p…

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346: You Don't Have to FIGHT Aging—Learn How to Embrace It Instead with Alina Wilson 48:50

3M ago48:50

48:50

In her book *⁠Thoughtful Aging: Restoring Honor to the Aging Process, Alina Wilson explores the concept of aging gracefully, the societal pressures surrounding beauty, and the importance of self-acceptance and community. Alina shares her insights on how women can embrace their unique beauty and navigate the complexities of aging with intention and …

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Lesley J. Gordon, "Dread Danger: Cowardice and Combat in the American Civil War" (Cambridge UP, 2024) 41:47

3M ago41:47

41:47

Those who fought in the Civil War were expected to overcome their fear of injury or death as they charged into a hail of bullets. Soldiers could expect erupting artillery shells or Minié balls to maim or tear their bodies apart. The 11th New York Fire Zouaves and the 2nd Texas Infantry were no different. They charged into battle with high, perhaps…

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345: You Are a Masterpiece--Do You Understand Your Worth? (Thought for the Day #14) 15:53

3M ago15:53

15:53

Do you really believe that you are deeply valued by God, and if so, how does this make a difference in your life? Join me as we explore the importance of recognizing your worth, how it can transform your life, and the role of brain science in reshaping your beliefs. Through personal stories and practical affirmations, I'll encourage you to internal…

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Megan Hunt, "Southern by the Grace of God: Religion, Race, and Civil Rights in Hollywood's American South" (U Georgia Press, 2024) 49:29

3M ago49:29

49:29

On this episode of the New Books Network, Dr. Megan Hunt joins us to talk about her recent book, Southern By the Grace of God, which was published in 2024 by the University of Georgia Press. Lke the media coverage of the civil rights era itself, Hollywood dramas have reinforced regional stereotypes of race, class, and gender to cleanse and redeem t…

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344: Who Are You, Really? Finding Your True Identity in Christ (Thought for the Day #13) 25:12

4M ago25:12

25:12

Join me as we explore the concept of identity, emphasizing that true identity is found in Christ rather than worldly labels or past experiences. Are there dangers of self-identification based on feelings and societal pressures? Yes! Tune in to find out why as well as how to embrace your God-given identity. We touch the surface of the impact of trau…

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Michael Vorenberg, "Lincoln's Peace: The Struggle to End the American Civil War" (Knopf, 2025) 1:12:13

4M ago1:12:13

1:12:13

One historian’s journey to find the end of the Civil War—and, along the way, to expand our understanding of the nature of war itself and how societies struggle to draw the line between war and peace. We set out on the James River, March 25, 1865, aboard the paddle steamboat River Queen. President Lincoln is on his way to General Grant’s headquarter…

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343: Carol McLeod on Making Every Day Count | Today Is a Verb 55:33

4M ago55:33

55:33

What a true delight to sit down with Carol McLeod and discuss her powerful book, Today Is a Verb! Carol shares life-changing wisdom on living each day with purpose, choosing faith over fear, and using our words to shape our future. 🔹 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How to stop drifting through life and start living intentionally ✅ The Biblical…

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Lydia Pelot-Hobbs, "Prison Capital: Mass Incarceration and Struggles for Abolition Democracy in Louisiana" (UNC Press, 2023) 1:05:57

4M ago1:05:57

1:05:57

Every year between 1998 to 2020 except one, Louisiana had the highest per capita rate of incarceration in the nation and thus the world. Prison Capital: Mass Incarceration and Struggles for Abolition Democracy in Louisiana (University of North Carolina Press, 2023) is the first detailed account of Louisiana's unprecedented turn to mass incarceratio…

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342: Gray hair? No way! Yes way! Where do you stand? (Thought for the Day #12) 19:16

4M ago19:16

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God’s Peace Guards My Heart and Mind Let's consider the life-transforming peace of God that stands guard over your heart and mind. What is the difference between Capital P Peace—rooted in salvation—and lowercase peace, the calm you may strive for amidst daily challenges? And how do you get that lowercase peace? Highlights: A personal story about em…

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"Steadfast Democrats" Five Years Later: A Conversation with Chryl N. Laird 1:04:26

4M ago1:04:26

1:04:26

Today I’m speaking with Chryl Laird, Associate Professor of Government and Politics at the University of Maryland College Park. We are discussing her co-authored book with Ismail White, Steadfast Democrats: How Social Forces Shape Black Political Behavior. Published in 2020, this book remains highly relevant for understanding American political beh…

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Andrew C. Isenberg, "The Age of the Borderlands: Indians, Slaves, and the Limits of Manifest Destiny, 1790-1850" (UNC Press, 2025) 1:07:40

4M ago1:07:40

1:07:40

Most US history textbooks contain a familiar map: shaded colors stretch across North America, clearly and neatly demarcating the extent of US expansion from 1776 thru the late nineteenth century. In The Age of the Borderlands: Indians, Slaves, and the Limites of Manifest Destiny (UNC Press, 2025), University of Kansas distinguished historian Andrew…

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341: Messy Home? Why It’s NOT a Spiritual Failure – Decluttering Expert Dana K. White Explains 56:39

4M ago56:39

56:39

In this conversation, Dana K White shares her journey from being a messy person to becoming a decluttering expert, emphasizing the connection between home management and spirituality in her new book: *Jesus Doesn't Care About Your Messy House: He Cares About Your Heart She discusses the importance of grace, understanding one's unique mindset, and p…

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Jeffrey Thomas Perry, "Law in American Meetinghouses: Church Discipline and Civil Authority in Kentucky, 1780–1845" (Johns Hopkins UP, 2022) 45:24

5M ago45:24

45:24

Most Americans today would not think of their local church as a site for arbitration and would probably be hesitant to bring their property disputes, moral failings, or personal squabbles to their kin and neighbors for judgment. But from the Revolutionary Era through the mid-nineteenth century, many Protestants imbued local churches with immense au…

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340: What If You’re Wrong About God’s Love? The Truth That Changes Everything (Thought for the Day #11) 18:24

5M ago18:24

18:24

God’s love never fails. No matter your past, your mistakes, or your doubts, His love remains steadfast, transforming lives and hearts. ✨ In this episode, you’ll hear: ✅ Three powerful stories of God’s love in action ✅ The characteristics of God’s love and how it differs from human love ✅ What to do when you don’t feel worthy of His love ✅ Practical…

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Benjamin Heber Johnson, "Texas: An American History" (Yale UP, 2025) 1:10:21

5M ago1:10:21

1:10:21

There's more to Texas than hats, oil, and BBQ, writes Benjamin Johnson in his sweeping new synthesis, Texas: An American History (Yale UP: 2025) - though, those all matter too. The state's reach has traveled globally, Johnson argues, influencing everything from how people around the world eat, to how they pray, to the music they listen to. In his n…

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339: How Faith & Neuroscience Can Transform Your Mind with Brenda Kennison 1:05:01

5M ago1:05:01

1:05:01

In this episode of the Choose to Think Inspirational podcast, host Victoria Lydon interviews Brenda Kennison, certified neurocycle facilitator with Dr. Caroline Leaf's Neurocycle Institute, who shares her powerful journey of transformation from a troubled upbringing to finding hope and healing through faith and neuroscience. Brenda discusses her st…

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The Soundworld of Harriet Tubman 45:15

5M ago45:15

45:15

Just in time for Black History Month, we share an episode we’ve been excitedly working on for a number of months now. Ethnomusicologist Maya Cunningham brings us “The Sound World of Harriet Tubman.” Maya Cunningham is an activist and jazz singer currently completing a Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in Afro-American studies with …

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The Vice President's Black Wife: The Untold Life of Julia Chinn 1:12:17

5M ago1:12:17

1:12:17

Our book is: The Vice President's Black Wife: The Untold Life of Julia Chinn (University of North Carolina Press, 2023) by award-winning historian Dr. Amrita Chakrabarti Myers. Dr. Myers has recovered the riveting, troubling, and complicated story of Julia Ann Chinn (ca. 1796–1833), the enslaved wife of Richard Mentor Johnson. Johnson was the owner…

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338: When God Makes You Wait, He’s Working (Thought for the Day #10) 17:07

5M ago17:07

17:07

If you’ve ever struggled with waiting on God, feeling impatient, or wondering why things aren’t happening onyour timeline, this episode is for you. We’ll explore: ✅ Why waiting on God is so hard ✅ What God is doing in the waiting ✅ How you can learn to trust His perfect timing I’ll share a personal story about rushing God’s timing, unpack Joseph’s …

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Hiroshi Motomura, "Borders and Belonging: Toward a Fair, Realistic, and Sustainable Immigration Policy" (Oxford UP, 2024) 1:08:09

5M ago1:08:09

1:08:09

Immigration is now a polarizing issue across most advanced democracies. But too much that is written about immigration fails to appreciate the complex responses to the phenomenon. Too many observers assume imaginary consensus, avoid basic questions, or disregard the larger context for human migration. In Borders and Belonging: Toward a Fair Immigra…

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Anthony E. Kaye, "Nat Turner, Black Prophet: A Visionary History" (FSG, 2024) 53:04

5M ago53:04

53:04

In August 1831, a group of enslaved people in Southampton County, Virginia, rose up to fight for their freedom. They attacked the plantations on which their enslavers lived and attempted to march on the county seat of Jerusalem, from which they planned to launch an uprising across the South. After the rebellion was suppressed, well over a hundred p…

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337: Win the Battle in Your Mind: How to Focus on What’s Excellent and Life-Giving! (Thought for the Day #9) 18:12

5M ago18:12

18:12

In this episode, we’re diving into Philippians 4:8 and why your thoughts matter. Negative thinking can derail your joy, but you have the power to shift your mindset! Learn how to: ✅ Recognize harmful thoughts & take them captive ✅ Rewire your brain with godly, praiseworthy thinking ✅ Use simple strategies like the DELETE/PASTE method & a Thought Au…

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Derek W. Black, "Dangerous Learning: The South's Long War on Black Literacy" (Yale UP, 2025) 41:58

5M ago41:58

41:58

Few have ever valued literacy as much as the enslaved Black people of the American South. For them, it was more than a means to a better life; it was a gateway to freedom and, in some instances, a tool for inspiring revolt. And few governments tried harder to suppress literacy than did those in the South. Everyone understood that knowledge was powe…

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336: Rewire Your Brain & Walk in Your Purpose! You Are Called and Chosen! (Thought for the Day #8) 8:42

6M ago8:42

8:42

Today we discuss the importance of understanding your purpose and calling in life. You are created for a unique purpose and provides practical steps to overcome toxic thoughts that hinder personal growth. Key topics include the significance of affirmations, rewiring the brain, and taking small steps towards embracing your God-given purpose. Takeawa…

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Leonne M. Hudson, "Black Americans in Mourning: Reactions to the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln" (Southern Illinois UP, 2024) 1:15:34

6M ago1:15:34

1:15:34

On April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth carried out the first presidential assassination in United States history. The euphoria resulting from General Lee's surrender evaporated at the news of Abraham Lincoln's murder. The nation--excepting many white Southerners--found itself consumed with grief, and no group mourned Lincoln more deeply than people o…

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Ellen Hartigan-O'Connor, "America Under the Hammer: Auctions and the Emergence of Market Values" (U Pennsylvania Press, 2024) 44:09

6M ago44:09

44:09

As the first book-length study of auctions in early America, America Under the Hammer: Auctions and the Emergence of Market Values (U Pennsylvania Press, 2024) follows this ubiquitous but largely overlooked institution to reveal how, across the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, price became an accepted expression of value. From the earlies…