This week, America passed the grisly milestone of 300,000 dead from COVID-19. With the first vaccines being televised as being given to VP Mike Pence and others, only 50% of Americans and just 25% of African American males are committed to getting the jab. Dr DeHart gives us some insights into why so many Americans - particularly minorities - are against getting the vaccine, and the grim truth of trying to protect her community from a rampaging virus. We discuss: The Tuskegee Experiment and why African Americans have a legitimate fear of government injections ICE detainees being forced to have hysterectomies . We are immensely grateful to Dr DeHart for not only her huge contribution and sacrifice in helping people in her community, but also for her time in joining us on Greenland and sharing her candid feelings about what is happening. It's grim but with people like Dr DeHart on the frontline, there is hope! 

Greenland

On the frontline of COVID in the US with guest Dr Regan DeHart

We are delighted to welcome Madam Secretary and former Secretary of Labor in Kansas, Delia Garcia to Greenland. Madam Secretary is in Texas on the eve of the US Presidential Election, where voters are lining up for up to 11 hours to cast their vote in an election that is already breaking records for voter participation.The Latino vote is shaping up to be a critical factor in this election and we get the lowdown on why that is, and how you keep people wanting to keep lining up for more than 11 hours! We also take audience questions - thanks to listener Jensen for the great ones! 

Su voto es su voz! With guest Madam Secretary Delia Garcia (Your Vote is Your Voice)

Donald and Diana are joined by special guest, Judge Phillip Journey, a Republican  running for re-election for the Division 1 judge of the Kansas Eighteenth Judicial District. Phil is also a board member of the National Rifle Association (NRA), which boasts 5 million members and is arguably the most potent activist organisation in the US. In this episode, we chat to Phil about:- the politicisation of judicial appointments in the US - why Americans won't lay down their guns as Australians did after the Port Arthur massacre- his view of the nation's priorities in the wake of the 2020 Presidential Election, no matter who wins.We're incredibly grateful to have Phil share his candid insights with us on Greenland (and some tips for buddying sports gun enthusiasts). Links to some of the things we discussed: Hacking Your Mind TV series FiveThirtyEight 270toWinReal Clear Politics Further reading: Politicization of the Federal Judicial Selection article by P. Journey   

Republican bullet points! With guest Judge Phillip Journey from the NRA

It's been a hectic week in the US, with the grisly milestone of 200,000 American deaths from COVID-19, the Great Debate that wasn't between Trump and Biden, and finally news that the President himself, together with the First Lady and members of the Republican campaign inner circle tested positive to the virus. Donald and Diana tiptoe through the mud to try to make some sense of it (and offer a controversial, unfounded but maybe possibly true theory about that awks exchange between Melania Trump and her husband at the end of the debate. 

Stand back and stand by!

Over the last two weeks, we've borne witness to two very different conventions  - the Democratic National Convention - heavy on the heart strings, celebrities and motherhood statements in place of specific policies. Next up, the Republication Convention - loads of Trumps, 'don't mention The War/aka virus' and animated pitches from Trump's offspring and their sometimes outlandish partners. And the RNC happened right in the midst of yet another brutal assault by police on an unarmed African American man, Jacob Blake, shot seven times in the back, in front of his children. We talk about Donald and Diana's reactions to watching the first ever virtual conventions, and what's at stake. 

Battle of the Conventions! Democratics versus Rebublications

Joe Biden is keeping us all in suspense about his choice of running mate, ahead of the Democratic National Convention on 17-20 August 2020. This episode we look at the mooted frontrunners and hear Donald's wildcard tip for who it may be.  

Who is going to be Joe Biden's VP?

George Flloyd's death has sparked global civil rights movement. In Australia, thousands of people defied government orders regarding physical distancing measures to come together in their thousands to bring attention to the plight of Indigenous Australians - particularly in relation to deaths in custody and incarceration rates.We're delighted to be joined by Bevan Mailman, a Bidjara man and highly respected commercial lawyer. Bevan is the co-founder and director of Jaramer Legal - Australia's first majority Indigenous-owned law firm. Bevan sheds some light on why he's confident a new generation, inspired by what's just and right, will help to transform the way we view our Indigenous history and people to come together. We talk about why reconciliation action plans matter, why Rio Tinto just destroyed a sacred site albeit 'legally', and touch on the Constitutional reform that may be put to the people under the current Morrison Government to enshrine a 'Voice' to Parliament. There's some great background to it and the Uluru Statement from the Heart here (watch the video on the site - really helpful to get the context). About Bevan Mailman Bevan is a corporate lawyer with expertise in commercial transactions, corporate advisory and corporate structuring with over 15 years’ experience.Bevan has held several legal positions with leading law firms and companies and was previously the founder and managing director of Mailman & Associates, a 100 per cent Indigenous-owned corporate and commercial law firm.He has considerable experience in the not-for-profit/charities sector having held several directorships. Previous peak professional bodies include The Law Council of Australia and the Law Institute of Victoria advising on numerous issues including native title, sentencing, constitutional recognition, the Northern Territory’s “National Emergency Response” and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.Bevan is also an alumnus of Norton Rose Fulbright, where he engaged in various business units including property and construction, dispute resolution, statutory inquiries, and environment and planning.Bevan holds an MBA from Melbourne Business School and has studied at Kellogg School of Management (US), and Otto Beisheim School of Management (Germany). 

Season of change for Indigenous Australians with Bevan Mailman

On 25 May 2020, 46-year-old George Floyd died while in police custody. He was handcuffed, pinned down by three police officers, one of whom used his knee to restrain George Floyd face down on the ground. Struggling to breathe, George told the officer he couldn't breathe. His pleas, together with those of bystanders went ignored by the officer, who callously kept his knee pressed on George Floyd until (and beyond) he took his last breath. The footage is abhorrent. What's worse is that this is not the first time such as act has been perpetrated by police officers - those who have sworn to preserve and protect life.   Donald and Diana reflect on George Floyd's death and why we can't look away from it. 

George Floyd

David Murray is a highly respected veteran of the speechwriting profession. He's the founder of Pro Rhetoric, an organisation that publishes Vital Speeches of the Day Magazine, oversees the Cicero Speechwriting Awards and convenes the Professional Speechwriters Association and the Executive Communication Council. If you'd like to join or what to learn more about it, check it out. It's a fantastic network of professional communicators from all over the globe, with lots of great tools and content to access. As well as the World Conference of the PSA held annually in Washington, David convened the inaugural Asia-Pacific PSA Conference in Sydney 2019, with another scheduled for 2021 (was supposed to be this year, but...virus).  Some of the things we chat about in the episode: Death of 25-year-old African American Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia on 23 February 2020 Bobby Kennedy's speech informing an African American audience about the death of Martin Luther King Fred Rogers' speech during an appearance before the US Senate seeking funding for national public TV for children. Australian speechwriter and author, Lucinda Holdforth An American Prayer: In conversation with my dead father by David Murray  More about our guest, David Murray David co-wrote the New York Times-bestselling memoir Tell My Sons (Random House, 2013) and Raised By Mad Men, a memoir about his parents' careers in 1960s advertising business. He’s written for The New York Times, The Atlantic Monthly, the Chicago Tribune to name just a few. His new book, An Effort to Understand will be published in early 2021. It's a non fiction book about how to hear more clearly and speak more truly to rebuild relationships in your family, your workplace, your community and your society. 

Leadership communication in the Trump era with David Murray

Is life in America what we dream it to be sometimes here in Australia? In this episode, Donald and Diana invite special guest, Inna Tysrlin to share her perspectives after eight years living in the US.  Inna spent her first four years living and working in New York City, and the rest of the time living and studying in rural Appalachia. She's worked in corporate America and recently finished graduate school in Ohio, studying playwriting. She's gone from the New York hustle to living in one of the most economically challenged parts of the country.  What a ride! Inna takes us on a realistic look at life in rural America and how she feels being back in Australia during a global pandemic. About Inna TsyrlinInna is a highly talented dramatist and content creator who followed her dreams to the US and returned to Australia on advice of the Australian Government during Convid-19 (and pretty much because if she got sick in the US without healthcare, she'd be in a rather precarious position). She has written numerous plays and you can check out her work here. We're thrilled to have her on as our guest and to welcome her to the Greenland family!  

Life in America - from NYC to Appalachia - an Australian's perspective

In this episode, we're delighted to be joined by Ryan Mickler, who gives us the goss on Bernie Sanders' campaign, why he hasn't yet dropped out of the race and how his chances are being impacted by the Coronavirus. Thanks to Ryan for being a good sport about being asked if he's a 'Bernie Bro". And we're excited to take our first 'call' from a Greenland lister in our audience segment! Here's some links to things we talked about in this episode: Article in The Age 6 March 2020, Meet the MelBerniens spruiking Bernie Sanders from half a world awayPat McAfee watches AFL (Australian Rules  Football) for the first time and we love his reaction! Sadly, he only got to watch Round 1 before the Coronavirus kicked in.  You can follow him here @PatMcAfeeShow. 

Meet a Bernie Bro (not really) from Melbourne! With guest Ryan Mickler

As the whole world grapples with the Convid-19/Coronavirus pandemic, Donald and Diana bunker down in separate locations to bring you our Greenland-by-remote-location episode! We talk how our lives have been impacted by the shutdowns necessary to contain the virus and discuss the US response briefly. We have an informal chat about what's going on in these crazy times. Forgive us for our less-than-pristine audio - like all of us, we're adapting to a new environment and quickly learning how to play with our new podcasting toys, away from the sanctuary of our previous recording studio! Gonna take a little while to perfect things, but thanks for sticking with us. We'd love for you to get in touch with us and let us know how you're finding it (the podcast, the world, anything!).   

Coronavirus shutdown!

About Paul Cenoz, President, NAALAPaul is a practising lawyer admitted in California and Victoria, and focuses on matters concerning technology and media. Prior to practicing in Australia, he co-founded a digital market research and media company in Washington, DC.About Cindy Bors, Vice President, NAALACindy is an insurance and product liability lawyer at DLA Piper. She also provides pro bono legal assistance to Youthlaw’s Legal Pod Program and the Northern Community Legal Centre. Prior to commencing her legal career, Cindy was a Proprietary Equity Trader in New York.About NAALA NAALA is an organisation that exists to facilitate professional activities that advance the law, education, business and society. It promotes cultural harmony and diversity through community, mentorship and the exchange of ideas. Contrary to what its name may suggest, you don't have to be from North America or Australia to join as a member and you don't even need to be a lawyer! If you're interested in joining a thriving community that is motivated to use its collective brain power to positively impact society, come along to one of the sessions or consider joining. Read all about it here and find out what's involved.     

American lawyer expats living and working in Australia!

As a member of Democrats Abroad, Donald Betts Jr is appearing on a panel, Melbourne Global Presidential Primary 2020 on 7 March. If you're in Melbourne and would like to cast your vote (if you're American) in the Democratic Primary, this is your chance! Get along to listen to a lively debate from all corners of the political spectrum - all welcome. Event details here: https://www.democratsabroad.org/kristenjane11/melbourne_global_presidential_primary_2020_tw1dqh_ag18khkydofu9ma 

Bonus episode: Super Tuesday explainer

In the aftermath of the devastating bushfires in Australia in the 2019/20 summer, there's been a lot of finger-pointing and hand-wringing about the cause of the fires and how best to manage the land to avoid such a horrific loss of life, livestock, land and wildlife in the future. Climate change, land management and hazard reduction practices are in the spotlight. We're delighted to have as our special guest, Victor Steffensen, an Indigenous land management expert who has studied and recorded the cultural and ecological knowledge of his people. Victor has a hopeful message and seeks a collaborative approach from all members of the community to heal the land and learn from the mistakes of the past.  About our guest, Victor Steffensen Victor has just published a book, Fire Country.He also appeared on SBS's Insight program and the ABC's Q&A in February 2020 calling on the Australian Government to listen to Indigenous fire practitioners. About Fire Country Delving deep into the Australian landscape and the environmental challenges we face, Fire Country is a powerful account from Indigenous land management expert Victor Steffensen on how the revival of cultural burning practices, and improved 'reading' of country, could help to restore our land.From a young age, Victor has had a passion for traditional cultural and ecological knowledge. This was further developed after meeting two Elders, who were to become his mentors and teach him the importance of cultural burning. Developed over many generations, this knowledge shows clearly that Australia actually needs fire. Moreover, fire is an important part of a wholistic approach to the environment, and when burning is done in a carefully considered manner, this ensures proper land care and healing.Victor's story is unassuming and honest, while demonstrating the incredibly sophisticated and complex cultural knowledge that has been passed down to him, which he wants to share with others. Fire Country is written in a way that reflects the nature of yarning, and while some of the knowledge shared in this book may not align with Western views, there is much evidence that, if adopted, it could greatly benefit all Australians.For every copy sold, Hardie Grant will donate $1 to Firesticks, which empowers Indigenous fire management practitioners to revive cultural burning.  

Australia - rising from the ashes after the bushfires

Co-hosted by Donald Betts Jr and Diana Elliott, Greenland is a show about America and Australia - what makes us similar and what makes us different. We chat about current affairs in the US with special guests to understand 'same same but different' culture, politics and life in Australia and the US.

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Greenland

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