Husband, dad of 2 amazing young ladies. Ex Content Manager @CallToMindNow. Fmr Sr. Prod @MPRnews. #raisedbythementallyill
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Articles by Sam Choo
Dynamic Assessment to Assess Mathematical Problem Solving of Students with Disabilities
All articles published by MDPI are made immediately available worldwide under an open access license. No special permission is required to reuse all or part of the article published by MDPI, including figures and tables. For articles published under an open access Creative Common CC BY license, any part of the article may be reused without permission provided that the original article is clearly cited. For more information, please refer to https://www.mdpi.com/openaccess.
Standing Up for Drag
Season 11 of Adult ISH is coming to a close, and we wanted to observe Pride by revisiting an all-time favorite episode that centers around the LGBTQ+ community and how you choose to express yourself. When we produced our “Drag Me” episode last June, there were more than 270 anti-LGBTQ+ bills being considered by state legislatures. 2023 ended with state lawmakers considering a total of 510 anti-LGBTQ+ bills. While more than 200 were defeated, 84 laws passed.
The Pros and Cons of Being Self-Employed
As someone who has been self-employed for over 10 years, I've experienced both the benefits and drawbacks of this career path. Here's my honest take on what I love and dislike about being my own boss. Pros 1. Flexibility and Work-Life Balance I no longer need an alarm clock, and I can sleep in as late as I want. Afternoon naps are also a luxury I can afford. I've never had to suffer from lack of sleep again. 2.
Xicanx Art: Printmaking and Political Movements
How have Xicanx artists in California used political posters as a medium for social change over the decades? In this episode of Adult ISH, Gilda Posada, associate curator at the Oakland Museum of California, talks with YR Media contributor Christian Romo to discuss “Calli: The Art of Xicanx Peoples,” an exhibit capturing the history of art activism, identity, and intersectionality through political posters. Adult ISH is produced by YR Media and brought to you by PRX’s Radiotopia.
How a Toy's Smile Comforted Me
In Japan, Akihiko Kondo was mercilessly bullied for his passions. The relentless teasing drove him into depression. But his life took a dramatic turn when he discovered Hatsune Miku, a virtual pop star. Ten years later, he made the unconventional decision to "marry" her. Akihiko's announcement sparked a global backlash, but I surprisingly found myself relating to his story.
How to Find Time for Your Side Hustle
If your day job doesn't pay the bills, a side hustle is essential to supplement your income. Common excuses include "I'm too tired after work" or "I don't have time." While these are valid concerns, hunger for success can drive you to find a way. I used to work a 9-to-5 job, but I'd dedicate time to my side hustle from 8pm to midnight after dinner. I'd also work on it full-time on weekends. You can optimize your time by reducing Netflix hours and mindless phone browsing.
FEED DROP: MindShift – “Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal” author Bettina Love - YR Media
Brown v. Board of Education ended school segregation 70 years ago this month. How has education changed for Black students since?
I Survive Raising a Special Needs Child and Here is How I Did It (by Jasmine Ong)
With the current rise of special needs and how we manage to include them in our society, I, as a single mother of a special needs child, must admit that the journey is tough. There were days I felt like giving up. My child was diagnosed with ADHD at the tender age of 2, shortly after I separated from my spouse. Honestly, I felt lost and desperate, as I pinned my hopes on my child and didn't know what to expect or how to guide him.
The 7 Deadly Sins of Micromanagement
12 years ago, I left my last corporate job. The reason? Micromanagement A micromanager is a control freak or a perfectionist. They obsess over minor details and inadvertently demoralizing the team with excessive control and lack of trust. In my case, the manager always find fault over little things and scold us almost every day. In the end, the whole team quit and the manager blamed the team. Here are 7 Signs of Micromanagement: 1.
A Letter to My Cherished Child
Dear child As I sit down to write this letter, my thoughts are filled with all the moments we've shared together. From your first steps to your latest achievements, each memory is a treasure I hold dear. You have brought so much joy and purpose into my life. Watching you grow, exploring the world with your curious eyes, has been one of the greatest pleasures of my life. Your laughter is a melody that brightens the darkest days, and your dreams are the stars I reach for in the night sky.
I Survive Divorce and Here is How I Did it (by Jasmine Ong)
I'm a typical young Singaporean woman. I got married at a young age due to unexpected pregnancy. It was supposed to be a simple and blissful life, but it wasn't meant to be. My mother-in-law never approved of our relationship due to my religion. Despite her disapproval, we went ahead with the relationship. At the young age of 21, I was pregnant and married. I was scared as a first-time mom. The crisis began not long after my son was born.
Life Transitions in Young Adulthood
What kind of adult do you want to be? How do you evolve into that version of yourself? Adult ISH host Nyge Turner and YR Media youth co-host presenter Christian Romo feature Elise Hu, author, journalist, and host of TED Talks Daily, in a conversation about the challenging steps she took after high school to become an adult. Elise shares why it’s important to ask for help, the power in finding mentors, and gently reminds us that you always have a chance to evolve.
I Defy Disability and Here's How I Did It (by Jackie Chionh)
My name is Jackie Chionh, and I'm a multi-talented individual with a passion for various pursuits. Currently, I work as a Sports Assistant at the Deaf Sports Association, a Docent Guide at Enabling Village, a Busker, a Magician, a CPR+AED Instructor, and an MOE Instructor. As I reflect on my life story, I find myself tracing back to a pivotal moment in 1995.
Powering Platonic Love: Keeping Someone to Count On
We are living in a loneliness epidemic, according to the U.S. Surgeon General. And, it’s a global problem. A recent international Gallup survey showed nearly one in four people report feeling lonely - with young adults reporting the highest percentage of loneliness. So, we wanted to help by focusing on important relationships in your life, like platonic love.
BIPOC Efforts To Fill In Food Deserts
17 million households were facing food insecurity at some point in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That’s more than 12 percent of people having trouble getting a proper diet, including young folks. Adult ISH host Nyge Turner leads YR Media youth presenter Christian Romo and co-host Dominique French through some ways Black and brown people are filling a need for quality food. Bing Turner of Heritage Farmers Market breaks down how food deserts reflect systemic classism.
Music Moving Culture
Songs like “Imagine” by John Lennon, “Fight The Power” by Public Enemy, and “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar have all become anthems that inspired people to stay in the fight for what they believed in. They were also a direct reflection of the cultures of their eras. Music continues to impact the world, and those behind the music are driving that change.
Hearing the Unhoused: How to Really Help Homeless Youth
About 4.2 million people between the ages of 12 and 24 experience some form of homelessness each year in the United States, according to the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty. Adult ISH host Nyge Turner connects with Emi Nietfeld, who wrote “Acceptance,” about her experience navigating being unhoused while studying at Harvard University.
The Wisdom of My Father
Once upon a time, in a quaint little village, there lived a wise and loving father named Amir. Known for his few yet profound words, his daughter Leila cherished the life lessons learned from their deep conversations. As she grew, however, the hustle and bustle of life began to replace these treasured talks. As Father’s Day approached, Leila found herself reminiscing about the conversations she had shared with her father.
Young People’s Mental and Emotional Health
Our brains and what we have to manage change a lot from high school to being an adult. And, our thoughts and emotions change a lot, too. This week, Adult ISH host Nyge Turner talks with Stephanie Santos LCSW, who works with teenagers and young adults managing anxiety and depression through the pandemic.
Standing up for Banned Books
In March, the American Library Association (ALA) announced 4,240 unique book titles were requested to be banned from schools and libraries last year. The latest number of attempted book bans sets a new record, by a 65-percent increase over 2022’s previous highpoint (since the ALA has been tracking book censorship statistics). Nearly half of the books targeted are written by or about people of color and/or on the LGBTQ+ spectrum.
How a Messy Space Messes with Your Mind
How a Messy Space Messes with Your Mind Have you ever noticed how a cluttered room makes you feel scattered and stressed? Or how a clean, organized workspace helps you focus? That’s not a coincidence! The state of your environment can have a huge impact on your mental state. The Clutter Connection Think of your car, home, or desk. If things are constantly out of place, it probably indicates that other parts…
“Want to Buy Something?” Is the Wrong First Line
Are You Here to Connect or Collect? “Let’s talk about making genuine connections vs. quick sales… I recently connected with someone on Facebook. Imagine my surprise when their very first message was an immediate sales pitch! I had to ask, ‘Are you trying to sell me something?’ The answer was an enthusiastic ‘Yes!’, followed by pride in her approach. Ouch. Look, I get it. We all want to build our businesses.
The Enduring Power of Ordinary Memoirs
It’s a common misconception that only the lives of the rich and famous are worthy of being captured in a memoir. The idea that “ordinary” people have nothing compelling to share couldn’t be further from the truth. Memoirs, at their finest, are about the human experience, and we all have a piece of that story to tell. Connection and empathy: Reading memoirs of everyday people allows us to see ourselves reflected in their struggles, triumphs, and the in-between moments that make up a life.
The Artist Who Painted Hope
At yesterday’s church service, an artist shared how God uses his gift for drawing to change lives. If you are an artist, I hope his story resonates with you. A few years ago, he felt called to become an artist, even though he had no formal training in art. Remember, when God calls you to service, He provides the training and resources you need. Think of Moses, who was hesitant when God called him to lead His people out of Egypt. Yet, we have seen how God equipped Moses for the task.
Best of Adult ISH
Adult ISH hosts Dominique “Dom” French and Nyge Turner reveal untold BTS stories, while highlighting some of the podcast’s best moments with the creator of YourFatFriend.com and writer Aubrey Gordon, Dom’s mom, hosts Lila Day and Hana Baba from "The Stoop," marijuana criminal justice reformer Mikelina Belaineh, and reminisce about the podcast's major milestones with former co-host Merk Nguyen and creating senior producer Davey Kim. Our podcast is distributed by Radiotopia from PRX.
Don’t Make a Scene
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Don’t Make a Scene - YR Media
In this episode of YR's Adult ISH podcast, co-hosts Nyge Turner and Dominique “Dom” French have a heart-to-heart with “Inherited” host shaylyn martos about losing your cool in public. Plus, they answer questions from young listeners about handling embarrassing moments. Adult ISH is produced by YR Media. Be sure to follow all our socials @YRAdultISH! Our podcast is distributed by Radiotopia from PRX.
Art of Conversation
Small talk, big feels. When you’re talking to someone, how do you keep the conversation going? Nyge Turner and Dominique “Dom” French listen to and speak with each other and “Hang Up” podcast host Zakiya Gibbons about ways to make meaningful connections through the art of conversation. Adult ISH is produced by YR Media. Be sure to follow all our socials @YRAdultISH! Our podcast is distributed by Radiotopia from PRX.
What’s a Reunion Without Food?
In this episode of YR's Adult ISH podcast, co-hosts Nyge Turner and Dominique "Dom" French are joined by creating Sr. Producer Davey Kim and original co-host Merk Nguyen to reminisce on how far the show has come, what they’re up to now and an epic cooking show down from seasons past. Adult ISH is produced by YR Media. Be sure to follow all our socials @YRAdultISH! Our podcast is distributed by Radiotopia from PRX.
Pleasure: The Queer and Now
In this episode of the Adult ISH podcast, co-hosts Nyge Turner and Dominique "Dom" French ask queer and trans certified sex therapist Dr. Damon Constantinides what we can all learn from queer identity and sexuality. Together they explore how queer pleasure suffers from sex-phobia and what it means to queer your own sex life. Adult ISH is produced by YR Media. Be sure to follow all our socials @YRAdultISH! Our podcast is distributed by Radiotopia from PRX.
Myth of Black Athleticism
This week, Adult ISH hosts Nyge Turner and Dominique French sit down with former NCAA athlete Sharon Darlene Washington Barnes to talk about how she and other Black athletes were and continue to be dehumanized by the objectification of their bodies and having their abilities dismissed as traits of race. Adult ISH is produced by YR Media and brought to you by PRX’s Radiotopia. Be sure to follow all our socials @yrAdultISH! Watch this space, coming soon....
Myth of Black Athleticism
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Myth of Black Athleticism
This week, Adult ISH hosts Nyge Turner and Dominique French sit down with former NCAA athlete Sharon Darlene Washington Barnes to talk about how she and other Black athletes were and continue to be dehumanized by the objectification of their bodies and having their abilities dismissed as traits of race. Adult ISH is produced by YR Media and brought to you by PRX’s Radiotopia. Be sure to follow all our socials @yrAdultISH!
Ep.8 “Island of People” by Keerti Gopal
Inherited is a critically acclaimed climate storytelling show made by, for, and about young people. We’re a production of YR Media, distributed by Critical Frequency. In today’s season finale, storyteller Keerti Gopal shares three stories of climate resilience from the Tao, the indigenous people of Lanyu – a tiny, climate-susceptible island off the coast of Taiwan.
Ep.7 “Home and Away” by Vi Pham
In today’s episode, storyteller Vi Pham explores the impacts of Australia’s troubled immigration policy on climate-impacted Pasifika communities. As the daughter of Vietnamese asylum seekers, Vi reflects on her family’s own history to better understand the varied experiences of Australian immigrants, from people displaced by war to those forced out of their ancestral homelands by climate-charged natural disasters and sea level rise.
Ep.5 “Beyond the Anthropomass” by Reece Whatmore
In today’s episode, storyteller Reece Whatmore interviews cutting-edge materials scientists in a genre-blending piece, conjuring a future where innovative technologies blend symbiotically with nature. She speculates on a world in which a circular economy fuels reciprocity with nature, from bioluminescence-powered screens, to self-repairing sidewalks, to clothing made of algal biopolymers. Inherited is a critically acclaimed climate storytelling show made by, for, and about young people.
Ep.4 “One Day at a Time” by Emma Schulman - YR Media
Episodes In this episode of Inherited, storyteller Emma Schulman explores the effects of climate-fueled natural disasters on already-susceptible domestic violence survivors in Colorado. She meditates on the nature of trauma, embedding with the team at SPAN, the Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence, to investigate how the 2021 Marshall Fire impacted the nonprofit’s most vulnerable clientele and staff.
Ep.3 “Loss is on the Calendar” by Mo Isu
Episodes In today’s episode of Inherited, storyteller Mo Isu traces the repetitive cycle of loss and rebuilding in the rural Niger Delta region of Nigeria as the country weathers extreme seasonal flooding. After meeting a flood survivor in his hometown of Lagos, Mo travels twelve hours to Lokoja – the town where Nigeria’s largest rivers converge – to explore how directly impacted flood survivors endure the region’s relentless cycle of damage and repair.
Guilty Pleasures, Minus the Guilt
Episodes Subscribe Holler/Follow This week, YR's Adult ISH podcast is shaking things up with a special guest host: YR Media musician and audio engineering fellow Christian Romo! Christian and co-host Dominique French get to the bottom of their guilty pleasures – what they are, where they stem from, and why they feel so dang guilty. With help from therapist extraordinaire Keanu N. Jackson, the duo explores pop icons, video games, The Bachelorette and so much more.
Middle School is Hilariously Horrible
Episodes Subscribe Holler/Follow In this special, fictional episode of YR's Adult ISH podcast, preteen Nyge, Dom and a cast of wacky characters undergo a hilarious day in the life at Salmon Oaks Middle School. Get ready to laugh, cry and cringe as we relive the high stakes mission of trying to be the coolest kids around. Adult ISH is produced by YR Media and brought to you by PRX’s Radiotopia.
College Admissions: This Time, It’s Personal - YR Media
It's that time of year again: college decisions. Every spring, young academics choose which college or university will be the one — if they’ve been accepted by the admissions powers that be... On this week’s episode of Adult ISH, Dom French and Nyge Turner sit down with Emi Nietfeld, author of "Acceptance," to discuss the tumultuous process of mining personal trauma for college application essays, and navigating hope for acceptance.
Sell Your Stuff at the Marketplace
When you don't have an audience to sell to, sell it at a marketplace. When starting a new online business, you probably don't have an audience to sell to. You don't have an email list to send your offer. Having an e-commerce website does not guarantee you have flocks of visitors to your website if you do not promote your website. What can you do if you don't have the budget to run paid advertisements? I recommend that you sell your stuff at an online marketplace.
Creative Envy: What Is It and How To Deal With It?
Mumbai, India — It was a fine Tuesday morning when I mustered enough motivation to start working on an article about workout motivation. I started reading other writers’ work as part of my research and the more time went by, the worse I felt about my own writing abilities. “They communicate their ideas so succinctly! I wish I was as creative as them,” I thought.
How To Change Your Mind with Michael Pollan and Dessa
Health Dessa , Sam Choo · St. Paul · May 27, 2019 Listen Story audio May 28, 2019 51min 38sec Call to Mind, MPR's mental health initiative, presents a conversation with singer, rapper and author Dessa and journalist Michael Pollan to discuss his latest book, "How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence." Pollan and his book are credited for reviving support of medical research into LSD and...
Spotlight on mental health policy
Health Mike Mulcahy , Sam Choo , Julie Siple · Feb 18, 2019 Listen Story audio 51min 38sec According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than half of Americans will experience a mental health condition in their lives. Yet many Minnesota counties report that people are unable to get appropriate care when they need it.
Identifying and treating kids with mental and emotional problems
Health Angela Davis , Sam Choo · Dec 21, 2018 Listen Story audio 52min 18sec MPR News host Angela Davis and three experts on children and mental health discussed how to identify kids who need help and how schools, practitioners, and families can work together to give kids the support and treatment they need. This is part of MPR's Call to Mind initiative.
A year after Castile's death, a changing Minnesota
He was shot and killed by a police officer during a traffic stop on a warm July night along Larpenteur Avenue in Falcon Heights, Minn. The St. Anthony officer who shot Castile, Jeronimo Yanez, faced second-degree manslaughter and felony firearms charges. It was the first time an officer in modern Minnesota history had been charged for shooting and killing someone while on duty. And in June, after five days of deliberation and deadlock, a jury found Yanez not guilty on all counts.
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