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Wesley Morris and Jenna Wortham are working it out in this weekly show about culture in the broadest sense. That means television, film, books, music — but also the culture of work, dating, the internet and how those all fit together.
Karen and Cathy explain cultural and historical references episode by episode in popular Chinese historical dramas. Currently discussing The Story of Ming Lan starring Zhao Li Ying and Feng Shao Feng. The podcast is in English with proper nouns and phrases spoken in Mandarin Chinese. Completed dramas/movies include: Empresses in the Palace, Palace (2013 film), and Mulan (2020 Disney movie)
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Partnered with a Survivor: David Mandel and Ruth Stearns Mandel
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Partnered with a Survivor: David Mandel and Ruth Stearns Mandel
Ruth Stearns Mandel & David Mandel
These podcasts are a reflection of Ruth & David’s on-going conversations which are both intimate and professional and touch on complex topics like how systems fail victims and children, how victims experience those systems, and how children are impacted by those failures. Their discussions delve into how society views masculinity and violence, and how intersectionalities such as cultural beliefs, religious beliefs and unique vulnerabilities impact how we respond to abuse and violence. These ...
Set in the fictional world of the Qi dynasty, Royal Nirvana follows the story of the crown prince, Xiao Ding Quan, as he struggles to balance the role required of his title with this yearnings for love while also doing the right thing. In this intro episode, Karen and Cathy provide an overview of the plot and introduce the cast and characters for t…
What happens when athletes decide to act? And what doesn’t happen? Wesley Morris and Bill Simmons, sportswriter and founder of The Ringer, break down the history of athletes in movies. They start with Jackie Robinson playing himself in 1950, discuss the Blaxpoitation-era stars and make their way to the ’90s, from “He Got Game” (where Ray Allen turn…
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Partnered with a Survivor: David Mandel and Ruth Stearns Mandel
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Season 2 Episode 5 Minisode on Worker Safety & Well Being: Managing Your Own Fears About the Safety of the Family
20:55
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In this fifth installment of the minisode series on worker safety and well-being, Ruth and David discuss the prevalence of histories of abuse amongst professionals and how agencies can proactively shape their human resources, training and supervision to this reality. One of the main takeaways from this episode is that having staff who have abuse hi…
Wesley wants to get to the bottom of Keanu Reeves — and to understand “why we get so much out of a movie star who appears to give us so little.” He’s joined by Alex Pappademas, the author of “Keanu Reeves: Most Triumphant: The Movies and Meaning of an Irrepressible Icon,” to solve this mystery. They discuss Keanu’s three-decade acting career, how h…
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Partnered with a Survivor: David Mandel and Ruth Stearns Mandel
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Season 3 Episode 4: Reproductive Coercion
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50:59
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Reproductive coercion is part of a perpetrator's pattern of coercive control and is a common and powerful tool that is used to entrap & control victims using pregnancy & children. Forcing women to become pregnant & maintain a pregnancy has long term implications for women & children's lives. Not only do adult survivors suffer the consequences, but …
Join Karen and Cathy as they provide their final thoughts and analysis on The Story of Ming Lan!By Karen and Cathy
"Fatal Attraction" came out in 1987 when Wesley was 11, and it made a permanent impression on the way he thinks about certain aspects of lust and suspense. With Jenna away on book leave, he welcomed Parul Sehgal, a staff writer at The New Yorker, to the show. Both Wesley and Parul watched “Fatal Attraction” over and over as preteens, and they’ve re…
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The Story of Ming Lan - Ep 73: Happily Ever After
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in the last episode of the Story of Ming Lan, the revolt organized by the Empress Dowager was easily dismantled by the Emperor and his allies including Gu Ting Ye who is alive and well. The conflict at court is finally resolved and the chaos at home is quelled after Madame Qin succumbs to flames out of despair. All that is left are the harmonious a…
In the 20th century, method acting was everywhere. Actors went to extreme lengths to inhabit the complicated psyche of a character, sometimes making audiences deeply uncomfortable. Think Robert De Niro in “Raging Bull” or Marlon Brando in “Apocalypse Now.” But in 2022, in our heyday of superhero blockbusters and bingeable story lines, the Method se…
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The Story of Ming Lan - Ep 72: The Final Showdown
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In the penultimate episode, Gu Ting Ye is sent off to fight in a war that broke out on the border but terrible news reaches home that he has been killed. Shortly after, Ming Lan must contend with an onslaught of soldiers intent on enacting another coup in the Capital.By Karen and Cathy
Wesley worries the “skip intro” button is killing the TV theme song. He takes his concern to his friend Hanif Abdurraqib, a poet, music critic and MacArthur “genius grant” winner. Together, they explore their childhood memories of “Good Times,” “The Wonder Years” and “The Jeffersons.” Then, producer Hans Buetow unearths a rendition of a theme song …
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The Story of Ming Lan - Episode 71: Reaping What is Sown
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Many of Ming Lan's friends and family show up to support her during her son's banquet celebration in the midst of Gu Ting Ye's punishment. She uses the evidence gathered from the banquet to beat the Deng Wen Drum as well to request a retrial for her husband.By Karen and Cathy
Wesley has been obsessed with lists since he was a child — think Casey Kasem’s American Top 40, the Academy Awards and Rolling Stone’s Top 500 Albums of All Time. Now, he wants to think more seriously about expanding what we call the canon, making sure more people have a say in which works of art are considered great, enduring and important. For gu…
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The Story of Ming Lan - Ep 70: "Ohana Means Family"
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30:23
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Following news Gu Ting Ye's imprisonment, friends and family all try to help Ming Lan with what to do next. But the most important decision she has to make is whether or not to separate from Gu Ting Ye prior to any sentencing to protect herself and their son. She easily makes the decision to remain married to face upcoming challenges together.…
We’re back with a new season on April 14! Jenna Wortham is on book leave, so Wesley Morris will be taking on solo hosting duties for much of this spring. He will be joined by a stellar cast of guests, including Daphne Brooks to talk pop culture hierarchies, Hanif Abdurraqib to examine television theme songs (and that polarizing “skip intro” button)…
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The Story of Ming Lan - Ep 69: Sucker Punch
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Gu Ting Ye's enemies have all assembled to deal a devastating blow to him. Gu Ting Ye tries to protect the Sheng family and stay in the good graces of the Emperor. Unfortunately, the future looks bleak for Gu Ting Ye as enemies from his past all come to haunt him. In the meanwhile, Ming Lan needs to be watchful of enemies at home…
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The Story of Ming Lan - Ep 68: Gathering the Troops
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26:54
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In the aftermath of Aunt Kang's death, Grandma Wang vows for vengeance and seeks aid from the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager continues to assemble troops within the Palace. Madame Qin also picks a side. In the meanwhile, Gu Ting Ye and Ming Lan have to deal with the aftermath of the near fatal attack. How will the couple respond to threats co…
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The Story of Ming Lan - Ep 66pt2 + 67: Through the Fire and Flames
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32:50
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Ming Lan goes into labor after overhearing that Gu Ting Ye has died while protecting Prince Huan. Taking this opportunity, Madame Qin enacts her plan to finally eliminate Ming Lan - she sets fire to Ming Lan's residence and also goads Aunt Kang, who has escaped to the Gu Manor, into attacking Ming Lan.…
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The Story of Ming Lan - Ep 65 + 66 pt 1: The Calm Before The Storm
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36:37
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Ming Lan is finally able to get some rest after her brother and husband returned to her aid in ensuring that Aunt Kang would pay for her crimes against Grandma Sheng. She is also able to have a frank conversation with her father on his poor treatment of her throughout her upbringing. The dust seems to have settled but we are reminded that Mo Lan st…
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The Story of Ming Lan - Ep 64: Love is Thicker than Blood
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42:44
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Ming Lan is still trying to get justice for her beloved Grandmother. The Wang family, however, tries every trick in the book to force Sheng Hong to let go of the matter. Ming Lan is about to do something rash but her brother Chang Bai and Gu Ting Ye return in time to save the day. Chang Bai passes judgment on his mother and Aunt. Is family thicker …
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The Story of Ming Lan - Ep 63: And the Culprit Is...
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After Ming Lan has rounded up all the evidence to show exactly how her grandma was poisoned, she must face off against the Wang family who will try to acquit either Madame Wang or Aunt Kang or both from their deeds.By Karen and Cathy
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The Story of Ming Lan: Ep 62 - Justice for Grandma Sheng
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38:56
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Grandma Sheng falls mysteriously ill and the heavily pregnant Ming Lan returns to the Sheng Manor to tend to her. She discovers an evil plot to poison Grandma Sheng. Upon some further investigation, Ming Lan deduces that the schemer comes from within the Sheng Family. Who is it and how will Ming Lan get justice for her grandmother?…
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The Story of Ming Lan - Ep 61: The Empress's Apology
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The conflict between the Shen family and the Zhang family come to a head following Madame Zhang's harrowing labor process in the previous episode. At a loss for what to do next to maintain the peace in the empire, the Empress requests Ming Lan's presence who provides two stories for her to think about. The Empress heeds Ming Lan's advice with a gra…
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The Story of Ming Lan - Ep 60: Family Is The Strongest Backbone
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In this episode we delve into the Wang family as the matriarch and current head of the family arrive in the capital and give context as to why Aunt Kang and Madame Wang are the way they are. Elsewhere, Ming Lan steps up to save her friend, Madame Zhang, who went into labor. Madame Zhang is also supported by a powerful family - one strong enough to …
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Partnered with a Survivor: David Mandel and Ruth Stearns Mandel
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Season 3 Episode 3: Minisode on Worker Safety & Well Being: When Workers Have Their Own Histories of Abuse
20:40
20:40
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In this fifth installment of the minisode series on worker safety and well-being, Ruth and David discuss the prevalence of histories of abuse amongst professionals and how agencies can proactively shape their human resources, training and supervision to this reality. One of the main takeaways from this episode is that having staff who have abuse hi…
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Xuan Zang (2016 Film) - the Man who inspired Journey to the West
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48:23
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In a special Lunar New Year episode, we cover the 2016 film Xuan Zang! It chronicles the the travels of the monk Xuan Zang. During his 5 year journey, he traveled over 25,000 km along the ancient silk road west and south to India. Xuan Zang's pilgrimage from Chang'An to India has inspired countless stories and legends, including the Journey to the …
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The Story of Ming Lan - Ep 58pt 2 + Ep 59: Rockstar Grandmothers vs the Vile Aunt
42:02
42:02
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Aunt Kang and Madame Qin cause nothing but trouble for the pregnant Ming Lan. Luckily, Ming Lan has Chang Mo Mo and Grandma Sheng. Chang Mo mo roundly tells off Aunt Kang for her rude behavior towards Ming Lan while Grandma Sheng helps Ming Lan see through the nefarious plot Aunt Kang planned for her.…
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The Story of Ming Lan: Ep 57 pt 2 + Ep 58 pt 1 - Setbacks
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After all of the political fighting in the previous episodes, the Emperor turns his attention towards salt taxation. His son, the Prince of Huan, volunteers to head south to perform an audit. Mysteriously, supporters of the Emperor all become embroiled in scandal. Ming Lan and Gu Ting Ye find themselves in the middle as they try to help their frien…
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Partnered with a Survivor: David Mandel and Ruth Stearns Mandel
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Season 3 Episode 2: Perpetrators' Weaponization of Mental Health and Addiction Against Survivors
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Have you ever seen survivors’ mental health or substance use issues turned against them by a domestic violence perpetrator? Have you been concerned about a domestic violence survivor’s treatment being sabotaged by an abusive partner? In this podcast, David Mandel, Executive Director and Founder of the Safe & Together Institute and Ruth Stearns Mand…
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The Story of Ming Lan - Ep 56+57 pt1: You Can Always Trust the Abilities of The Empress Dowager
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In this episode heavy with political conflicts, the Empress Dowager plays a few tricks to cause trouble in the Emperor's plan to regain power.By Karen and Cathy
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Season 3 Episode 1: "This is a collective male problem:" An interview with international journalist Grant Wyeth
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47:37
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(Apologies the sound quality of this episode is slightly less than we'd like.) In their opening episode of Season 3, Partnered with a Survivor co-hosts , David Mandel & Ruth Stearns Mandel, interview international journalist Grant Wyeth. Grant Wyeth is a researcher at the Asia Institute, University of Melbourne, and a columnist for the Diplomat. He…
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Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings - Chinese Historical References Breakdown - Part 1!
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32:08
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Karen and Cathy explain the Chinese and Chinese-American historical and cultural references portrayed in the Marvel Superhero film, Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.By Karen and Cathy
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The Story of Ming Lan - Ep 55: The Husband That Just Wants to Be in a Romance Movie with His Wife
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34:54
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This episode is pretty much Gu Ting Ye being pouty that his wife isn't as clingy or as dependent on him as he would like. He thinks she doesn't love him and puts him in a sulky state.By Karen and Cathy
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Partnered with a Survivor: David Mandel and Ruth Stearns Mandel
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Season 2 Episode 24: From Police Inspector to “Moral Rebel”: An interview with Graham Goulden
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59:13
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Ask Graham Goulden about the Bystander Approach to violence prevention, he’ll talk to you about being a “moral rebel.” “Moral rebels” intervene to stop violence when others standby. “Moral rebels” act when others walk away. Graham, a former Scottish police officer and Chief Investigator specializing in criminal investigation, drug investigation, tr…
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The Story of Ming Lan - ep 54: Marriage Counselors
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33:39
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Ming Lan's gathering is spoiled by the squabbles between the wife and concubine of the Empress's younger brother, Shen Guo Jiu. It's up to Ming Lan and Gu Ting Ye to try to reconcile the relationship between Shen Guo Jiu and his new wife Madam Zhang.By Karen and Cathy
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The Story of Ming Lan - Ep 53: A Dose of Reality
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33:21
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Ming Lan and Gu Ting Ye have to host a banquet for their newly renovated home. All of the reputable men and women in the Capital arrive to attend the banquet. Unfortunately, several unsavory characters also attend including Ming Lan's step mother Madame Qin, aunt of no relation Madame Kang, and 4th sister Mo Lan. They are all up to no good. Ming La…
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The Story of Ming Lan - Ep 51pt 2 + 52: The Supportive Husband vs The Un-jealous Wife
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Ming Lan returns for a family lunch back at the Sheng family where she gets into a quarrel with her father and her sister Mo Lan over the topic of the deceased Mistress Lin. Luckily, Gu Ting Ye steps in to provide her full support. When returning home, Ming Lan is presented with a concubine for Gu Ting Ye which she readily agrees as a way to help G…
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The Story of Ming Lan - Ep 50 + 51 pt 1: The Wrath of Man Niang
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Man Niang, Gu Ting Ye's former mistress's reappearance re-ignited Gu Ting Ye's drive to find his lost son. It's not easy though as the devious plans between Man Niang, the Bai family and Madame Qin are uncovered where the ideal end result is Gu Ting Ye's death.By Karen and Cathy
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Partnered with a Survivor: David Mandel and Ruth Stearns Mandel
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Season 2 Episode 23: Minisode on Worker Safety & Well Being: When Workers Are Survivors Themselves
21:57
21:57
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In this fourth installment of the multi-part minisode series on worker safety and well-being, Ruth and David explore when workers are being targeted by their own perpetrator, and the implications for the workplace. In a just over 20 minutes , David & Ruth discuss: David's history with worker personal disclosures about their own victimization How wo…
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Partnered with a Survivor: David Mandel and Ruth Stearns Mandel
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Season 2 Episode 22: Minisode on Worker Safety & Well Being: The Connection Between Worker Safety and Victim Blaming
14:57
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In this third installment of the multi-part minisode series on worker safety and well-being, Ruth and David explore the connection between worker safety and victim blaming. In a just over 15 minutes , David & Ruth discuss: How a lack of knowledge of how fathers' choices impact families and engagement skills with men hamper work with violent fathers…
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The Story of Ming Lan - Ep 49: When the past comes calling
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Gu Ting Ye requests for leniency for his family from the Emperor but generates displeasure in court. With the death of his older brother, Gu Ting Ye inherits the title of Marquis. Ming Lan is granted a title too! Just as the couple expected a slight reprieve, the evil stepmother hatches a plan to reintroduce an old flame into the picture. Man Niang…
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The Story of Ming Lan - Ep 48: A Moment of Clarity
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Gu Ting Ye still refuses to assist his brother and cousins for their involvement in the previous coup and is in a stalemate with his brother Gu Ting Yu. After learning about the truth of his health, Gu Ting Yu makes hard decision and decides to come clean to his brother for all of their family's previous ill deeds. He grants Gu Ting Ye the title of…
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The Story of Ming Lan - Ep 47: Trying to Have Your Cake and Eat it Too
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30:51
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Tensions within the Gu Family escalate as 1) the 4th and 5th aunt first try to blackmail Ming Lan into helping their sons, 2) Gu Ting Ye's younger brother is taken in for questioning and 3) a stalemate occurs between Gu Ting Ye and his older brother on conditions to help the family. Elsewhere, the Empress Dowager is furious that Gu Ting Ye devised …
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Partnered with a Survivor: David Mandel and Ruth Stearns Mandel
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Season 2 Episode 21: Minisode Series on Worker Safety & Well-Being: When workers are targeted by the perpetrator
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In this second installment of the multi-part minisode series on worker safety and well-being, Ruth and David explore the important topic of workers being targeted by domestic violence perpetrators. In a few minutes , David & Ruth discuss different ways workers are targeted including: Manipulation, intimidation and bullying Threats of or actual laws…
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The Story of Ming Lan - Ep 46: Oh, now you think of family?
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Ming Lan is summoned to the Palace an unexpectedly is forced to greet the Empress Dowager. She's able to avoid a dangerous trap by finding a clever solution to the Empress Dowager's intended gifts. Qi Heng is now favored by the Empress Dowager and begins to investigate families from the failed coup. Two of Gu Ting Ye's cousins are thrown in jail an…
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Partnered with a Survivor: David Mandel and Ruth Stearns Mandel
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Season 2 Episode 20: Minisode Series on Worker Safety & Well-Being: Intro to the series
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In the kickoff of their first ever minisode series, David & Ruth will introduce the theme of worker safety and well-being in the context of working on issues related to domestic violence. The goal of the series is to address the critical issues of worker safety and well-being as a critical aspect of domestic violence informed systems. Since the inc…
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Partnered with a Survivor: David Mandel and Ruth Stearns Mandel
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Season 2 Episode 19: Using the concepts of collaborative co-parenting to hold perpetrators more accountable in family court
1:04:18
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Many professionals mistakenly believe that concerns related to domestic violence evaporate once a relationship is over. Survivors know differently. Their experiences help us understand the ways that domestic violence perpetrators’ patterns of behaviors extend beyond the relationship. In this episode, Ruth and David explore the nature of post separa…
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The Story of Ming Lan - Ep 45: Struggles of an Auditor
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Ming Lan is out inspecting the new farmsteads that were gifted to her husband. During her audit, it becomes pretty obvious that the overseers have been lying on their accounts. Ming Lan outwits one overseer but needs Gu Ting Ye's assistance on another. Who knew managing lands was so difficult? Her actions are reported back to the Capital and variou…
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The Story of Ming Lan - Ep 44: Food Fight!
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Goaded by words from Chang Mo Mo, servants engage in a full blown food fight in the kitchen while Ming Lan and Gu Ting Ye have esteemed guests over. While the purpose was to help Ming Lan against a combative Nanny Lai, the result is that all of these problematic servants can be removed with a plausible excuse. Ming Lan enjoys a well earned victory …
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Partnered with a Survivor: David Mandel and Ruth Stearns Mandel
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Season 2 Episode 18: Multiple Pathways To Harm: An assessment approach that better mirrors the lived experience of survivors
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Phrases like "child witness to violence" or "children exposed to violence" only capture a small slice of how domestic violence perpetrators' behaviors harm children. Assessment frameworks based on these concepts primarily emphasize the traumatic impact of the direct witnessing of acts of physical violence . Coercive control teaches us that it is pa…
