MIIS Radio

On this episode Max Gomez talks with all the newly elected 2021-2022 Student Council members about their goals and vision for their roles. Featured on this episode are (in order of appearance):
Morgan Moore and Chris Baca - President and Vice President
Nico Garbacz - Logistics and Operations Coordinator
Dani Ohemeng - Community Engagement Officer
Noemi Agagianian - Health and Wellness Director

Song - Disarm (fg. VI)
Artist - AllttA, Mr. J. Mederios
©℗ 2017 On And On Records

This episode is all about Peace and Security... Peace Corps Club and Cyber Security that is! First, Dillon Green and Dani Ohemeng stop for a chat about their Peace Corps services, and after that Elle Zesky drops in to talk with me about her work at The Cyber Collaborative at MIIS.

Song - Disarm (fg. VI)
Artist - AllttA, Mr. J. Mederios
©℗ 2017 On And On Records

It's the end of the *second week of National Women's History Month, a happy belated International Women's Day from everyone here at MIIS Radio!  To commemorate the occasion we spoke with two feminist leaders whose work represent two different intersectional approaches to the advancement of gender equality. First, 2021 Visiting Tyler Fellow in Residence at MIIS Dr. Christina Kwauk took some time to talk with me about her work leveraging girls' education for a greener future in A new green learning agenda. After that, MIIS Immigrant Rights Alliance (MIRA) club leader Lameese Madi stopped by to share her personal immigration story and impress the value of cooking, storytelling, and the community they create as captured in MIRA's new event series Mira Who's Cooking.

Song - Disarm (fg. VI)

Artist - AllttA, Mr. J. Mederios

©℗ 2017 On And On Records

This episode of MIIS-informed is all about the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives happening on our campus. MIIS Interim Chief Diversity Officer Miguel Fernández and Student Council Vice President Lincoln Ngaboyisonga join to talk about the teams they're leading, and where their attention is focused when working to make our school an anti-racist institution.

Make sure to follow MIIS Radio on Instagram @miisradio and on our MIcommunity page for updates on new episodes. For leads on any stories  to feature on MIIS-informed email Max Gomez at max@middlebury.edu.

Song - Disarm (fg. VI)

Artist - AllttA, Mr. J. Mederios

©℗ 2017 On And On Records

On this release of MIIS-informed we celebrate Black History Month through a discussion of black music with femi (Shades @ MIIS organizer) and Jasmine Sturdifen (WCAPS West Coast founding member) and updates about institutional advances toward diversity of the MIIS student body from Enrollment Office GA Morgan Moore.

Make sure to follow MIIS Radio on Instagram @miisradio and on our MIcommunity page for updates on new episodes. For leads on any stories to feature on MIIS-informed email Max Gomez at max@middlebury.edu.

Song - Disarm (fg. VI)

Artist - AllttA, Mr. J. Mederios

©℗ 2017 On And On Records

Welcome to the first ever episode of MIIS-informed! A new MIIS Radio Podcast show where host Max Gomez is welcoming anyone on campus to come share their news, promote upcoming programs and events, and any other celebrations of life on campus (even when we're not actually on campus). On this first episode you'll hear from: Aiko Gonzalez (Director of Communications for Student Council), Lawrence Garber (President of the Queers and Allies at MIIS club), and Jeff Dayton-Johnson (Dean of the Institute).

Song - Disarm (fg. VI)

Artist - AllttA, Mr. J. Mederios

©℗ 2017 On And On Records

MIIS Radio hooked up with the Middlebury Immigrant Rights Alliance (MIRA) group to help them host their annual event, MIRAFest! A large portion of the immigrants in Monterey County are Latinx—so we sought out to speak with our Latinx community members about what their experience is like. In this episode,  MIIS Radio host Madeleine Smith sits down with local housing guru, Matt Huerta, to discuss all of the ways he is engaged in his community. 

Climbing Club leader Raf Wilson and MIIS Radio co-hosts Madeleine Smith and Max Gomez talk about their love of rocking climbing, as well as the goals that the Climbing Club has for when we're able to meet in person again. Check this episode out for some serious fan-girling around all things ROCK. 

We are one week out from, arguably, the most important elections of our lives. MIIS Radio co-host Max Gomez and Madeleine Smith got together for a brief conversation about why voting is so important—especially in 2020. 

MIIS has some amazing clubs on campus, with even more acronyms for your ever-growing repertoire. In this episode, host Madeleine Smith interviews Anna Phillip of WIIS (Women in International Security) at MIIS, Jasmin Sturdifen of WCAPS (Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security, and Conflict Transformation), and Lawrence Garber of QAAAM (Queers and Allies at MIIS). Tune in to see what these clubs are up to this year, where they intersect, and how they shine all on their own. 

In this episode, incoming host Madeleine Smith interviews MIIS students Femi Higgins, Steven Mockler, Maia Stewart and Anna Phillips about their individual experience growing into their LGBTQIA+ identities. With some surprises and advice along the way—this National Coming Out Day episode is heartwarming and inspiring. 

A MIIS student alum, Rafael Hernandez was one of the original members to create the idea of MIIS Radio alongside his colleagues in the D-Space (now known as the DLC) back in 2013-2015. Now, Rafael works as the Housing Program Program Associate for Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, a regional non-profit organization that works on improving the economic health and quality of life in the region.  

Rafael's prolific involvement with affordable housing on the Monterey Bay Peninsula is creating buzz as he works within farming communities in Salinas to daily commuters working in the tourist industry. His bold words on creating mutual kinship based on shared values is tangible and a direct reflection of his knowledge gained from his rich experiences talked about in this podcast. New funnels of capital is on its way from public and private pools of funds –– it will be exciting to hear what Rafael has in store for the people living here on the Monterey Bay Peninsula. 

Ukulele ~ Angelo Gonzalez

Location: Monterey, California

Time: Circa April 2020

Emmy Ham interviews Madeleine Smith and Lincoln Ngaboyisonga about their passions, concerns, and platforms as they run for the 2020-2021 MIIS Student Council Presidential and VP seats. 

Something that you should know up front ~ This episode was recorded in late February, right before everything in the U.S. and rest of the world had blown up and changed forever our individual course in life. 

Without further ado, I'm happy to announce the release of our latest podcast in the works with the tale of Madeleine Smith's life and how she came to be a MIIS graduate student as well as the ambitious wonderful woman leading MIIS Radio on the Monterey Bay Peninsula. 

Maddie's new podcast Insta @madcuriouspodcast 

Anchor.fm/madeleine-smith7

It was my pleasure and privilege to speak with Eiad Alhamed during the last full week of April. I've known him since my first semester at MIIS, when we worked together on an unpredictably difficult report on the economic outlook for Eiad's home country, Syria. Dwarfing the unpredictable difficulty of evaluating the economy of his home country, however, is Eiad's chaotic relationship with the U.S. immigration system as a Syrian refugee. Eiad has been sharing his experience and perspective with his YouTube channel, 'Dose Refugees, humanizing the people who share his lot as refugees from violence trying to find their way in a world that rarely welcomes them with open arms. 

Eiad's perspective is a sobering one;  in the Syrian civil war, he's seen what happens when tyranny reaches its peak level of oppression. He's lost family and friends to the conflict. And he's risen to the challenge of obtaining a dual degree at MIIS, all the while navigating the U.S. immigration system during a particularly tumultuous era in immigration politics. Though you may not like or agree with everything we say in our conversation, you will be better off for having heard it. Promise.

This all-Arabic conversation unfolds the experiences of native Arabic speakers and Muslims at MIIS. Your guest host is Anas Elallame of Morocco, who guides a conversation among his fellow students  Hajar Masoud of Palestine, Anab Mohamed of Sudan, Sherine Emara of Egypt, and Eiad Alhamed of Syria. Whether you're a native speaker of Arabic looking to compare experiences or a student of the language at MIIS or DLI – this conversation is rich with perspective and humor.

I had the sincere pleasure to discuss winemaking with Kim Stemler, Executive Director of The Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association. Ms. Stemler is a brilliant mind and breath of fresh air with her in-depth knowledge and experience working closely with winemakers here in the local area. After attending a workshop at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, Kim fell in love with the land and made the transition to move to California. Kim's awe inspiring bold decision to move to Big Sur gave way towards cultivating her professional career and family life in the Monterey Bay Area. The transition from East Coast to the West brought experiences with Esalen Institute and the commencement of her own management consultant firm, Stemler & Associates in Monterey. The encouragement of her friends brought her to applying and becoming the Executive Director of The Monterey County Vinters & Growers Association. 

We discussed wine culture with our families, what's currently happening with sustainability in the vineyard as well as the strong sense of community here with humble determined farmers, intellectually stimulating winemakers and locals alike sharing in the wonders & magic in enjoying wine. The hardships that come with legal and natural hurdles still don't deter the creativity that keeps the wine businesses together are a testament to the wine industry here in Monterey County. Ms. Stemler highlights the industry's dedication to long night harvests, treating employees like family, and adhering to the County's water sustainability plan by 2020. Without further ado, I am very pleased to bring to you our podcast session with Kim Stemler ~ Enjoy 

"It's the marriage of earth & nature, and bringing that to your table in a delicious way... It's so beautiful." ~ Kim Stemler 

On Sunday, March 31st, Seth Small and I walked down East Salinas' Market Street in support of the United Farm Workers of America's annual march. The march was celebrating the late Cesar Chavez's 92nd birthday, a man who alongside Dolores Huerta cofounded the UFW movement for farm worker's rights and better working conditions. We continued our march down the historic Alisal Street, listening to chants "Si se puede" & "Unite, Unite, Vamos a la Marcha, Unite" and of the like. Along the way we learned that the march is also focused on building support for federal legislation that would provide a legal pathway to citizenship for immigrant farmworkers. 

Seth Small, an newly minted International Environmental Policy graduate student at Middlebury Institute and member of MIIS Immigrant Rights Alliance (MIRA), knows quite a bit on farm life, having worked in agriculture on both coasts of America. We discussed what's it like to work on a farm, the community and feelings of mutual connection to both the land, nature and people working with you. We also discussed what will be necessary for the future of farming in the United States, what sort of environmental policies that will involve farmworkers input to provide the social aspect of sustainability within our domestic public policy making. Finally we discussed the La Via Campesina movement, local Community Supported Agriculture and how unions can bring people together to create powerful marches and connecting people to community organizations and produce climate & community resilient places to call home. Without further ado, I am very pleased to bring you Seth Small's perspective and thoughts while we marched that beautiful Sunday afternoon with wonderful people that make up the Salinas community. 

Shout-outs to Salinas Organizations: 

1. Building Healthy Communities - East Salinas
2. Immigration Task Force - Monterey County
3. App Notifica - Sends help button to alert key contacts
4. UFW Foundation
5. Assembly Member Robert Rivas - District 30
6. The Food Bank for Monterey County
7. CHISPA - Homeownership Assistance
8. Edible Monterey Bay - Monterey Bay Area CSAs
9. Alisal Vibrancy Plan - Visión Salinas
10. Monterey Bay Economic Partnership 

Campaign season is underway, and MIIS Radio has the scoop. Last week, shortly after they announced their candidacy, I interviewed Jasmine Sturdifen and Emmy Ham to learn more about their Presidential ticket platform for the 2019-2020 MIIS Student Council. You'll learn what campus issues are important to them, whom they admire and seek to emulate from the world of politics and policy, and how they plan to make MIIS a better place for all students. Tune in to get to know Jasmine and Emmy a little better –– and share some laughs along the way.

From Benjamin Wollam's streams of consciousness writing, rhyming and learning style, there seems to never be a dull moment. Mr. Wollam is a world traveler and speaks English, Spanish and Chinese and simply has no barriers to continue his learning experiences in life. I had the sincere pleasure to travel with Benjamin to East Asia on our spring break along with our Middlebury Institute cohort and Professors Tsuneo Akaha and Wei Liang. From cat cafes, diplomatic meetings, and walks in the gardens in Tokyo ~ Benjamin and I would discuss WTO Reform and the changing nature of our interconnected global models of existing and where we are headed. In this episode, you'll hear a bit more about China and an overall perspective and key takeaway moments from our time in Beijing as well. Without further ado, here's Benjamin Wollam in all his Zen wisdom and experience from our East Asian practicum experience. 

P.S. That's Ben rhyming and I playing on the Uke. ~~ Enjoy // Disfruta // 請享用 // 楽しい

Early in March I met with Wendy Askew, aide to District 4 Monterey County Supervisor, Jane Parker. This conversation is one of the richest we've had on MIIS Radio, including the process by which an idea in the community becomes a county-wide policy, managing economic development, and how county offices must juggle the priorities of widely varied constituents and stakeholders. By the end of the episode, we discuss the disparity between county ordinances for affordability and the realities of what is affordable to residents of the region –– and what policy-makers and constituents can actually do about it.

Paula Granger will graduate from MIIS this May with her master's degree in Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies, leaving behind some big shoes to fill. Paula is a veteran and member of the National Guard and came on MIIS Radio to offer her perspective on what it means to be a veteran and a woman at MIIS and beyond. We talked about misperceptions in the public about veterans and some best practices for compassionate interactions with current and former members of the Armed Forces –– and Paula's perspective on some of the issues facing our country and world today. Tune in to hear Paula's thoughts on finding common humanity with our veteran community and much more.

"We work in tandem with our crew, our community, and our earth." 

Tyler Ellis had no idea he'd own a coffee shop one day, let alone at the age of 25 in the seaside town of Monterey, California. A native of Michigan, Tyler made his way east and west for work – but also for a place to call home. In the summer of 2018, he landed in Monterey, having been offered the opportunity of a lifetime to take over Captain + Stoker as co-owner with his now-fiancée, Kelsea. Tune in to hear Tyler's story and his philosophy for coffee and creating a community one cup of coffee at a time –– and his thoughts on the role of sustainability in operating a business. We had a great time recording, and you'll have a great time listening.

https://www.captainandstoker.com

Jack Murphy is an Army veteran and the Deputy Director of the Veteran's Transition Center in Marina, California. He finds meaning in his work serving veterans and helping them back on their feet. Jack presents a sober and compassionate perspective on the causes of homelessness among veterans, the challenges they face in overcoming homelessness – and what they have to offer once given an opportunity to serve their communities once again. Jack also offers his take on the Homeless Emergency Assistance Program – HEAP – funding coming into Monterey County in the coming year, and how it might be best put to use. His perspective will enrich your understanding of systemic issues like homelessness – and provide an example of what humble service to your community looks like.

Conversations on MIIS Radio don't get much more substantive than this one. Hans Uslar has been the City Manager since August of 2018, but he's been working in public policy and administration on the Monterey Peninsula for the last two decades. Tune in to hear his perspective on the challenges facing the community, such as housing affordability, serving the homeless population, and managing growth on a critically limited water supply.

Sunday, February 10th was not supposed to be the last day of business for Sanctuary Rock Gym. The gym and its members believed they'd have through April 30th to figure out the next step –– but miscommunication from multiple parties resulted in a premature shuttering of Sanctuary's doors. 

It's not the end. As you'll hear in this bonus episode of MIIS Radio, Sanctuary lives on in the community that made it vibrant. The community may be without a home for now, but they are not without hope. Tune in to hear from interviews with members on the last day of sending at the gym. You'll learn what the place means to them – and how they will keep the stoke alive. 

It's been about a year since MIIS Radio revived in its current form and it wouldn't have happened without the two women you'll hear from on this episode. Radwa Wahba (IPD+MBA '18) and Susan Wang (TLM '18) helped get MIIS Radio off the ground while they were serving on Student Council –– they're OG MIIS Radio. Tune in to hear learn about where and what they're doing now, how they believe we can get the most out of our time at the Institute, and some hard truths about Crazy Rich Asians. 

Sanctuary Rock Gym is a local institution on the Monterey Peninsula. Charles Schrammel is the manager, and I sat down with him to talk about how the gym became a rock for the community –– and how he's been handling the imminent South of Tioga development project that will force the gym to find a new location by Spring. Spoiler: there is no villain in this story –– just the relentless churn of development and adaptation by communities who have nowhere to go but forward.