Stay ConnectedWelcome to the Only in San José civic education podcast, aimed at demystifying and democratizing the process of civic participation in local government–ground zero of systemic change. Join Host Ellina Yin, on this civic walkabout as we speak with with local San José city staff, residents, and experts in the field of local government, as we break down the policies, budgets, and nuances that are shaping the future of our city.
To learn more about us please visit us at www.onlyinsj.org
Copyright: © Only in San José
Episode Synopsis: In this Voting Rights Pt 2 episode: Ellina Yin speaks with Dr. Angelica Cortez about the presidential election and the importance of the Down Ballot vote.
Guest: Dr. Angelica "Gel" Cortez is a nonprofit executive, organizer, and leading voice in the Filipina/x/o American power building movement. Voted as a Silicon Valley Woman of Influence and 40 Under 40, she is the mind behind multiple civic and health equity campaigns across the state and nation. She is the current Executive Director of LEAD Filipino and first Senior Vice President of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) for Pacific Clinics, the largest mental and behavioral health service provider in California. Additionally, she is the owner of FancyHeadz, a social enterprise that produces headwear and accessories to support health services in Southeast Asia.
2024 Voter Guide: https://linktr.ee/onlyinsj2024
Learn more about Only in San José: www.onlyinsj.org
Resources:
14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Civil Rights (1868)
Mis/Disinformation Tools:
InVID Reverse Search Tool: https://www.invid-project.eu/tools-and-services/invid-verification-plugin/
Hive Ai Detection Softwarehttps://thehive.ai/apis/ai-generated-content-classification
Dare to be Greyhttps://www.daretobegrey.com/home
Media Clips
Music: Spunker by Blue Dot Sessions, Creative Commons License Attribution - Noncommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
*Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976: Allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
In this episode, Ellina Yin speaks with Dr. Angelica Cortez about the history and power of voting and civic participation, and a little bit about the Upcoming 2024 Elections.
Guest: Dr. Angelica "Gel" Cortez is a nonprofit executive, organizer, and leading voice in the Filipina/x/o American power building movement. Voted as a Silicon Valley Woman of Influence and 40 Under 40, she is the mind behind multiple civic and health equity campaigns across the state and nation.
She is the current Executive Director of LEAD Filipino and first Senior Vice President of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) for Pacific Clinics, the largest mental and behavioral health service provider in California. Additionally, she is the owner of FancyHeadz, a social enterprise that produces headwear and accessories to support health services in Southeast Asia.
Check out OSJ's latest podcast project, you can find Only in Santa Clara wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube.
2024 Voter Guides: https://linktr.ee/onlyinsj2024
Resources:
Mis/Disinformation Tools:
In this episode, Ellina Yin provides a general overview of and the four different types of recounts, from the Registrar of Voter website: California’s required automatic manual tally, County of Santa Clara's automatic recount policy, voter requested recounts, and court ordered recounts. This episode is specific to Santa Clara County, for Statewide Recount information you can visit the California Secretary of State's (https://www.sos.ca.gov/administration/regulations/current-regulations/elections/recounts)
Recently, Santa Clara County became the poster child for EVERY VOTE COUNTS, the March 5 Primary resulted in a rare 2 way tie for second place in the race for Congressional District 16, a statewide contest which impacts Santa Clara County and San Mateo County. Former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo is the lead and heading to the November General Election, with current Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian and Assemblymember Evan Low tied for second place, sending all three into the November General Election. However, a recount could potentially change the outcome.
*Special thanks to Grace Hase, a reporter who has been covering the congressional race for the Mercury News for clarifying the different local/county and state processes.
In the news:
Sources:
In this special "2024 Election Series" episode, Ellina Yin covers General Purpose Committees, what they do and why they are important. Ever wonder who is sending you all those mailers during election season? Tune in to learn about all the various ways these committees can shape the political landscape in your community. Source Cited:
In celebration of Earth Day, Ellina Yin speaks with Mari Margil about climate solutions happening around the world and how we can bring some of them home. This episode is from our unreleased archives and was originally recorded March of 2022.
Mari Margil is the Executive Director of the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights (CDER). She works with civil society, governments, as well as Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities in the U.S., Ecuador, the Philippines, Nepal, and elsewhere, to advance Rights of Nature frameworks. She consulted with Ecuador’s Constituent Assembly, helping to draft the world’s first Rights of Nature constitutional provisions in 2008.
Margil received her Master’s degree from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and is a co-author of The Bottom Line or Public Health, Exploring Wild Law: The Philosophy of Earth Jurisprudence, and Bearing Witness: The Human Rights Case Against Fracking and Climate Change.
Her writing has also been featured in publications including The Guardian, YES! Magazine, Earth Island Journal, Mongabay, Democracy Journal, World Policy Journal, and Common Dreams, and her work has been featured in the New York Times, and The New Yorker.
Episode Notes:
Innerchild Meditation by Rashmi Guttal featuring music by Nature Healing Society
Rashmi (she/they) is a somatic practitioner, restorative justice facilitator, and mediator. Through her background in asana (yoga), meditation, and conflict resolution, she created somatic mediation, a coaching process to help individuals and couples resolve conflict. Using the Internal Family Systems model, Attachment Theory, and body-based practices, Rashmi guides folx into deeper awareness and compassion for their different ‘parts’. She focuses on nervous system regulation, emphasizing rest, silence, and moving slowly.
Join Co-Hosts Ellina Yin and Deitra Hoang as they take a deep dive into what is digital addiction? How is digital addiction harmful and what is being done about it? Welcome to "Breaking the Screen Spell," a special Only in San José podcast series that explores the topic of digital addiction and how we can regain control over our relationship with technology. In this podcast, co-hosts Ellina Yin and Deitra Hoang discuss how websites, businesses, and social media target youth audiences? What is being done to keep kids safe while on the web?
In this episode we feature a clip from the California Department of Justice. California Attorney General Rob Bonta today co-led a bipartisan coalition of 33 attorneys general in filing a federal lawsuit against Meta Platforms, Inc. and affiliates (Meta).
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov
YouTube Clip: AG Bonta Announces Legal Action Against Social Media Company from Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Intro Music: “Full Circle by Civic Flora
Somatic Exercise by Rashmi Guttal featuring music by Nature Healing Society
Rashmi (she/they) is a somatic practitioner, restorative justice facilitator, and mediator. Through her background in asana (yoga), meditation, and conflict resolution, she created somatic mediation, a coaching process to help individuals and couples resolve conflict. Using the Internal Family Systems model, Attachment Theory, and body-based practices, Rashmi guides folx into deeper awareness and compassion for their different ‘parts’. She focuses on nervous system regulation, emphasizing rest, silence, and moving slowly.
Resources:
Guided Meditation by Rashmi Guttal featuring music by Nature Healing Society
Rashmi (she/they) is a somatic practitioner, restorative justice facilitator, and mediator. Through her background in asana (yoga), meditation, and conflict resolution, she created somatic mediation, a coaching process to help individuals and couples resolve conflict. Using the Internal Family Systems model, Attachment Theory, and body-based practices, Rashmi guides folx into deeper awareness and compassion for their different ‘parts’. She focuses on nervous system regulation, emphasizing rest, silence, and moving slowly.
In this episode, co-hosts Deitra Hoang and Ellina Yin delve into the issue of indoctrination via social media, the development of “filter bubbles,” and the role that Facebook and YouTube have played in promoting political extremism through a guest interview with Dr. Anna Zaitsev, a published researcher who is interested in software development and social media.
What is indoctrination? How were echo chambers used to feed ads?
Intro Music: “Full Circle by Civic Flora
Somatic Exercise by Rashmi Guttal featuring music by Nature Healing Society
Rashmi (she/they) is a somatic practitioner, restorative justice facilitator, and mediator. Through her background in asana (yoga), meditation, and conflict resolution, she created somatic mediation, a coaching process to help individuals and couples resolve conflict. Using the Internal Family Systems model, Attachment Theory, and body-based practices, Rashmi guides folx into deeper awareness and compassion for their different ‘parts’. She focuses on nervous system regulation, emphasizing rest, silence, and moving slowly.
Somatic Exercise by Rashmi Guttal featuring music by Nature Healing Society
Rashmi (she/they) is a somatic practitioner, restorative justice facilitator, and mediator. Through her background in asana (yoga), meditation, and conflict resolution, she created somatic mediation, a coaching process to help individuals and couples resolve conflict. Using the Internal Family Systems model, Attachment Theory, and body-based practices, Rashmi guides folx into deeper awareness and compassion for their different ‘parts’. She focuses on nervous system regulation, emphasizing rest, silence, and moving slowly.
Booming Businesses: An Examination of Exploitation of Consumers by Big Businesses with Dr. Joanna Strycharz
Join co-hosts Deitra Hoang and Ellina Yin as they explore the exploitation tactics used by big businesses in Silicon Valley and share tips on how to prevent becoming a victim through a guest interview with Dr. Joanna Strycharz, an assistant professor of communication at the University of Amsterdam.
What techniques do big businesses such as Facebook use to exploit consumers? How far have these techniques gone and how effective are they?
Intro Music: “Full Circle by Civic Flora
Somatic Exercise by Rashmi Guttal featuring music by Nature Healing Society
Rashmi (she/they) is a somatic practitioner, restorative justice facilitator, and mediator. Through her background in asana (yoga), meditation, and conflict resolution, she created somatic mediation, a coaching process to help individuals and couples resolve conflict. Using the Internal Family Systems model, Attachment Theory, and body-based practices, Rashmi guides folx into deeper awareness and compassion for their different ‘parts’. She focuses on nervous system regulation, emphasizing rest, silence, and moving slowly.
Intro Music: “Full Circle by Civic Flora
Somatic Exercise by Rashmi Guttal featuring music by Nature Healing Society
Rashmi (she/they) is a somatic practitioner, restorative justice facilitator, and mediator. Through her background in asana (yoga), meditation, and conflict resolution, she created somatic mediation, a coaching process to help individuals and couples resolve conflict. Using the Internal Family Systems model, Attachment Theory, and body-based practices, Rashmi guides folx into deeper awareness and compassion for their different ‘parts’. She focuses on nervous system regulation, emphasizing rest, silence, and moving slowly.
Synopsis: In this episode, co-hosts Deitra Hoang and Ellina Yin explore the impact of digital addiction on our perception of relationships and self-worth, and analyze how the role of technology has evolved over generations through a guest interview with Dr. Georgia Turner, a PhD student at the University of Cambridge.
What is the followers/following ratio? How does it hold importance to teens who want a social media presence? What are the effects of putting too much attention on these numbers? Can social media warp our perspective on relationships (friends, family, peers)?
Intro Music: “Full Circle by Civic Flora
Somatic Exercise by Rashmi Guttal featuring music by Nature Healing Society
Rashmi (she/they) is a somatic practitioner, restorative justice facilitator, and mediator. Through her background in asana (yoga), meditation, and conflict resolution, she created somatic mediation, a coaching process to help individuals and couples resolve conflict. Using the Internal Family Systems model, Attachment Theory, and body-based practices, Rashmi guides folx into deeper awareness and compassion for their different ‘parts’. She focuses on nervous system regulation, emphasizing rest, silence, and moving slowly. https://www.rashmiguttal.com/
Resources:
Somatic Exercise by Rashmi Guttal featuring music by Nature Healing Society
Rashmi (she/they) is a somatic practitioner, restorative justice facilitator, and mediator. Through her background in asana (yoga), meditation, and conflict resolution, she created somatic mediation, a coaching process to help individuals and couples resolve conflict. Using the Internal Family Systems model, Attachment Theory, and body-based practices, Rashmi guides folx into deeper awareness and compassion for their different ‘parts’. She focuses on nervous system regulation, emphasizing rest, silence, and moving slowly.
You Have A New Message: Communication Through The Screen vs. In-Person Socializing
Join Co-Hosts Ellina Yin and Deitra Hoang as they take a deep dive into what is digital addiction? How is digital addiction harmful and what is being done about it? Welcome to "Breaking the Screen Spell," a special Only in San José podcast series that explores the topic of digital addiction and how we can regain control over our relationship with technology. In this podcast, co-hosts Ellina Yin and Deitra Hoang discuss the incredible power that technology has over our lives and how it can lead to losing touch with the world around us. We believe that through education, awareness, and action, we can help people break free from the negative effects of digital addiction and create a healthier relationship with technology.
Guest Interview: Ms. Snigdha Samantray, is a Certified Clinical Psychologist and Digital Mental Health Specialist from Bangalore, India.
Intro Music: “Full Circle by Civic Flora
Somatic Exercise by Rashmi Guttal featuring music by Nature Healing Society
Rashmi (she/they) is a somatic practitioner, restorative justice facilitator, and mediator. Through her background in asana (yoga), meditation, and conflict resolution, she created somatic mediation, a coaching process to help individuals and couples resolve conflict. Using the Internal Family Systems model, Attachment Theory, and body-based practices, Rashmi guides folx into deeper awareness and compassion for their different ‘parts’. She focuses on nervous system regulation, emphasizing rest, silence, and moving slowly.
Bonus: A Somatic Exercise with Rashmi Guttal for your listening pleasure as needed.
Featured in Episode 1 of Breaking the Screen Spell is a Somatic Exercise by Rashmi Guttal featuring music by Nature Healing Society
Rashmi (she/they) is a somatic practitioner, restorative justice facilitator, and mediator. Through her background in asana (yoga), meditation, and conflict resolution, she created somatic mediation, a coaching process to help individuals and couples resolve conflict. Using the Internal Family Systems model, Attachment Theory, and body-based practices, Rashmi guides folx into deeper awareness and compassion for their different ‘parts’. She focuses on nervous system regulation, emphasizing rest, silence, and moving slowly.
Join Co-Hosts Ellina Yin and Deitra Hoang as they take a deep dive into what is digital addiction? How is digital addiction harmful and what is being done about it? Welcome to "Breaking the Screen Spell," a special Only in San José podcast series that explores the topic of digital addiction and how we can regain control over our relationship with technology. In this podcast, co-hosts Ellina Yin and Deitra Hoang discuss the incredible power that technology has over our lives and how it can lead to losing touch with the world around us. We believe that through education, awareness, and action, we can help people break free from the negative effects of digital addiction and create a healthier relationship with technology.
Intro Music: “Full Circle by Civic Flora
Somatic Exercise by Rashmi Guttal featuring music by Nature Healing Society
Rashmi (she/they) is a somatic practitioner, restorative justice facilitator, and mediator. Through her background in asana (yoga), meditation, and conflict resolution, she created somatic mediation, a coaching process to help individuals and couples resolve conflict. Using the Internal Family Systems model, Attachment Theory, and body-based practices, Rashmi guides folx into deeper awareness and compassion for their different ‘parts’. She focuses on nervous system regulation, emphasizing rest, silence, and moving slowly. https://www.rashmiguttal.com/
Resources Links / Work Cited:
According to the first-quarter 2018 Nielsen Total Audience Report, the average American adult spends over 11 hours per day consuming media, including over 3 hours on smartphones alone. - https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2018/time-flies-us-adults-now-spend-nearly-half-a-day-interacting-with-media/
In addition, a study conducted in 2016 found that those with internet addiction exhibited significantly higher amounts of depression and anxiety symptoms, which affected their day-to-day activities, including their work and social lives. - https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/internet-addiction/
A study published by Dr. Daria Kuss and Olatz Lopez-Fernandez on the National Library of Medicine has shown that people with underlying mental health disorders such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression are more likely to develop internet addiction. - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4804263/
Furthermore, Harvard researchers have shown that using blue light-emitting screen devices such as smartphones before bedtime can disrupt sleep patterns by suppressing the secretion of the hormone melatonin. - https://hms.harvard.edu/news/screen-time-brain
This finding is also supported by an article published in March 2021 by Stoneridge Centers, which states that the glowing light emitted by laptops, tablets, and smartphones tends to interfere with the brain and body’s internal light cues and sleep-inducing hormones. - https://stoneridgecenters.com/2021/03/22/technology-addiction-and-the-brain/
For example, the South Korean government, similar to the Thai government, imposed regulations on online game venue providers to reduce gaming access to teenagers under the age of 16 years from midnight to 6 a.m. - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shutdown_law
Youth voter turnout in presidential elections in the United States from 1972 to 2020
https://www.statista.com/statistics/984745/youth-voter-turnout-presidential-elections-us/
In Episode 13 we have Guest Host Adrian Gonzales, who currently serves as the Director of Regional Implementation at All Home, a nonprofit organization that advances regional solutions to disrupt the cycle of poverty and homelessness across the nine Bay Area counties. He previously served at Destination: Home where he managed the County of Santa Clara's Emergency Rental Assistance Program, a homelessness prevention program created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to his focus on housing and homelessness policy, Adrian also served as a local government management consultant who conducted efficiency studies and performance audits for over 50 government agencies over the course of a decade, including campaign finance and election programs.
Our guest interview is Neil Park-McClinktick of Silicon Valley Rising (SVR), which is a coordinated campaign driven by a powerful coalition of labor, faith leaders, community-based organizations and workers. SVR is in support of Measure B a ballot measure proposal to amend the San Jose City Charter to (1) move the mayoral election from the gubernatorial election cycle to the presidential election cycle beginning in 2024 and (2) to limit the person elected to the Office of Mayor in 2022 to a Two-year term with the option to run for the Office of Mayor and serve as such for two additional successive four-year terms.
In Episode 12, as the City of San José considers expanding their Smart City and Innovation and Technology Advisory Board to include San Jose Residents, we go on a little Sci-Fi adventure with Masheika Allgood an AI Ethicist and the Founder of AllAI Consulting, LLC, a platform for providing AI education across various backgrounds. AllAI Consulting, LLC (pronounced "ally”), helps non-techies understand Artificial Intelligence, allowing business leaders and lawyers to actively participate in decision-making around the use of AI systems in their companies, and to adequately advise their clients and shareholders. Additionally Masheika is a member of the Black Leadership Kitchen Cabinet, addressing the broader social ills that are currently impacting their African American Community.
Resources:
In Episode 11 we speak with guest Jake Tonkel about Ranked Choice Voting, what is it, how it works, what are the fiscal impacts and more.
Resources:
In Episode 10, we examine two major Forms of Government the Council-Mayor and Mayor Council, with Professor Kimberly Nelson from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government. The episode contains audio from the March 22, 2021 Charter Review Commission's Study Session.
In Episode 9 we provide a quick recap of the work from the Charter Review Commission (episode 7), parts of this episode is audio taken from the Public City Council Meeting on January 11, 2022. As we round off our season, we will be following the final steps of the San José constitutional convention and finishing our coverage on boards and commissions. Intro song by mias. City Council Jan. 11th Meeting (Charter discussions begin around 1:15) Memorandum from the City Attorney's Office
In Episode 8 we have Guest Host(s): OSJ Intern Elena Hollemon and 1999 San José Youth Commissioner Danielle Boulé Hennessy, joining our interview with San José Youth Commissioners Nicole Hoang, Gordon Chen, and Amelia Uytingco as we tackle some tough questions facing us all today but thankfully with the hopeful enthusiasm of the youth!
Resource Links:
📜 San Jose Youth Bill of Rights
🎉 Check out the San Jose Youth Commission
📰 Current San Jose Boards & Commission Vacancies
👨🏻⚖️ Full CSPAN Facebook Hearing: Frances Haugen before Senate Commerce Committee
*Co-Executive Producer Credit: Elena Hollemon
In Episode 7 dive into one of our favorite commissions, the Charter Review Commission aka City Charter Constitutional Commission. On this episode we will cover one of the foundational legal documents that governs our city just after California and the U.S. Constitution. This episode includes audio clips from the Charter Review Commission public meetings under Public Domain.
Resource Links:
(1) Sign Up for the Only in San José Newsletter
(2) SJ Charter Review Commission
(3) SJ Charter Review Commission Past Meetings
(4) Detroit Charter Commission
(5) Shelby v Holden
In Episode 6 we will be covering the San José Redistricting Commission which happens every 10 years following the US Census. Our guest for this episode is Deputy City Attorney for City of San José and SJSU alum Mark Vanni. Join us as we break down the work of the Redistricting Commission for 2021. Disclaimer: Our interview with Mark was recorded back in November 2020.
In Episode 5 we dive into the relationship between the mayor, council, and the city manager's office with our guest, former Deputy City Manager for the City of San José, Kim Walesh. Together we go over the details of this office as a whole alongside 2021 Charter Review Commission (CRC) study of the City Charter to understand whether our City’s governance structure is appropriately suited to meet the complex needs of a contemporary community.
In Episode 4 we dive into the world of Campaign Finance & Political Practices with Adrian Gonzales, a professional consultant in local government processes and current Chair of the Board of Fair Campaign and Political Practices (formerly Ethics Commission). Together we will breakdown the upcoming Nov 2020 Ballot Measure, nuances in campaigning for office, the mechanisms the public have to participate, and the political practices that are shaping our city’s future.
Resources Links:
Special City Council Meeting: cutt.ly/july28-special
Register to Vote: registertovote.ca.gov/
Keeping up with Only in San Jose:
Website: onlyinsj.org
Newsletter: cutt.ly/osj-subscribe
Become a Member: cutt.ly/osj-patreon
Volunteer: cutt.ly/osj-volunteer
In episode 3, picking up where we left off in episode 2, we speak to Planning Commissioner Mariel Caballero, Chair of the City of San José Planning Commission. Join us as we take a deeper dive into the nuts and bolts of this particular commission. If you are interested in learning more please check out the following links:
P.S. - I’m still working on some background noise for phone call interviews, please bare with me! Thank you!!
In Episode 2 Ellina explains what is the Planning Commission. What they do, their impacts and influences, some historical context, and where they are at now. If you are interested in learning more we invite you to check out the following links that served as sources for this episode:
In Episode 1 our host Ellina Yin provides a brief introduction into the Boards Commissions, and Committees (BCC) of San José. What they are, why they are important, when and where to apply if interested. To learn more about Only in San José (OSJ) visit us at www.onlyinsj.org
Welcome to Only in San José, a community podcast aimed at demystifying and democratizing the process of civic participation in local government--ground zero of systemic change.
Our mission is to build a culture of civic participation by strategically providing free civic education, that enables, and empowers the people of San José with the knowledge, skills, resources, and confidence to create the change they wish to see in their community.
Hosted by Ellina Yin.
To learn more by visit www.onlyinsj.org
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