Best Crystal S. Branch Podcasts (2024)

1
Ashanti Branch on taking off the mask and redefining healthy masculinity 44:34

2M ago44:34

44:34

Ashanti Branch has over 20 years of experience in building healthy relationships in schools — he’s a pioneer in reforming education, youth mental health, and traditional masculinity. He is the Founder and Executive Director of the Ever Forward Club, a non-profit organization that takes students who are disengaged and dropping out to 100% graduation…

1
Corey Feist, Dr Mona Masood, Janae Sharp on health worker well-being 56:53

4M ago56:53

56:53

This month, in honor of the newly named Health Workforce Well-Being Day on March 18th, commemorating the day the President signed the Lorna Breen Act into law in 2022, I’m thrilled to feature conversations with three brilliant national leaders who are transforming health worker well-being: Corey Feist, JD, MBA, CEO and co-founder of the Dr. Lorna B…

1
Dr Jessi Gold on optimizing well-being 45:13

5M ago45:13

45:13

I loved this awesome conversation on optimizing well-being with my friend, Dr Jessi Gold. She is now the first Chief Wellness Officer for the University of Tennessee System, though this was recorded before that — and a psychiatrist with expertise in mental health for college students, healthcare workers, and in the entertainment industry. She share…

1
Dr Crystal Clark and Dr Nancy Byatt on the hidden costs of breastfeeding 29:18

6M ago29:18

29:18

Welcome to Season 2 of Spread the light with Dr Devika B. Here, we know that stigma festers in the dark and it scatters in the light. And this season will take that even further. We’ll dive into the ways that stigma shows up in culture, in norms, in policies, and in institutions — and how we can disrupt and rewrite that. To kick us off: In this pow…

1
Amy Brinkley’s journey with substance use disorder and mental illness 36:36

8M ago36:36

36:36

This episode features Amy Brinkley’s incredible journey — and how she uses her personal experiences with substance use and mental illness recovery to drive national change and support others to sustain recovery, especially after incarceration. Amy Brinkley is a nationally recognized leader in mental health and substance use recovery. Motivated by p…

1
Lara Burmeister's journey with depression 45:55

9M ago45:55

45:55

Lara Burmeister, MBA, is a first-generation German-American who has spent most of her career working in roles to combat climate change. She lives with depression. Hear about what Lara challenged herself to do to get through her darkest moments, her well-time and red flag toolkits, how depression changed her, and how she rebuilt her identity in its …

1
Dr Ade Osinubi's journey with hopelessness in medicine 27:24

9M ago27:24

27:24

Dr Ade Osinubi is a resident physician in emergency medicine, a documentary filmmaker, and photographer whose work focuses on telling the untold stories of minority populations. She recently created the documentary Black Motherhood Through the Lens, about four Black women's experiences with reproductive health in the US, recognized in Forbes and PB…

1
Dr Justin Bullock's journey with suicidality and depression in medicine 35:33

10M ago35:33

35:33

Justin Bullock, MD, MPH, is a fellow in Nephrology at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Dr Bullock is a passionate medical educator and an identity safety researcher. He is outspoken about his lived experience as a gay, Black, bipolar physician. Dr Bullock's work and story have been featured in the New England Journal of Medicine, Vo…

1
Dr Jake Goodman's journey with anxiety and depression in medicine 41:25

11M ago41:25

41:25

Dr Jake Goodman is a psychiatry resident physician and global mental health activist with more than 2.1 million followers on social media. He is a two-time TEDx Speaker, member of the University of Georgia Alumni Association's 40 under 40, and a participant in the Healthcare Leaders in Social Media Roundtable Series for the White House. Dr Jake use…

1
Dr Ahmed Hankir's journey with melancholia and elation in medicine 38:18

12M ago38:18

38:18

Dr Ahmed Hankir is a Lebanese-British-Irish psychiatrist with expertise by lived experience. He serves as the Lead for Public Engagement and Education at the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Mental Health and Human Rights, Institute of Mental Health, Nottingham University, UK. Dr Hankir is passionate about empowering and dig…

1
Geo Custodio’s journey as a non-binary transfemme person 27:38

1y ago27:38

27:38

Geo Custodio is a creative strategist, using both left and right brain thinking to help brands and corporations define their values and to build community. She has worked in tech, fashion, publishing and is currently a communications consultant in retail. She loves to paint, draw, and write. In her spare time, Geo is also Mom to seven dogs and two …

1
"The Judicial Branch of our Government – Ethics Reforms for the Supreme Court" - S 2 EP 18 30:20

1y ago30:20

30:20

My Citizen Legislators, the hits keep coming about the Supreme Court. Today I want to discuss the recent lapses of members of the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism with a moral force. According to the ProPublica website, its mission is – To expose abu…

1
Andy Dunn's journey with bipolar I disorder 47:13

1y ago47:13

47:13

Andy Dunn is an entrepreneur, author (of his memoir, Burn Rate), investor, and father. He co-founded the men's wear brand Bonobos and recently released his TED talk, Lessons from losing my mind: https://www.ted.com/talks/andy_dunn_lessons_from_losing_my_mind/c?language=en Trigger warning: In this interview, we talk about suicidality, depression, ps…

1
"CNN’s So Called Prime Time Town Hall with Former President Agent Orange When You Elect A Clown Expect A Circus" - S 2 EP 17 40:03

1y ago40:03

40:03

My Citizen Legislators. CNN went full Jerry Springer on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, by hosting a Town Hall meeting for former President Donald Trump at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire. The town hall was moderated by Kaitlin Collins. I didn’t watch the town hall meeting for a variety of reasons. I knew Trump was going to go all in on spewing lies…

1
"House Democrats Pulling Legislative Jedi Mind Trick to Thwart An Economic Meltdown" - S 2 EP 16 41:46

1y ago41:46

41:46

My Citizen Legislators, May 2, 2023 will live infamy. House Democrats unveiling a master stroke of utilizing a legislative maneuver – the discharge petition. Let me set the stage for you, my Citizen Legislators. On January 30, 2023, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10) quietly introduced H.R. 626, the Breaking Gridlock Act. He did not issue a pres…

1
"How Do The Democrats Solve A Problem Like Senator Dianne Feinstein" - S 2 EP 15 30:37

1y ago30:37

30:37

How Do The Democrats Solve A Problem Like Senator Dianne Feinstein Welcome back to Topless Government. This show is a cross between Schoolhouse Rock and civics for the masses. I want to make this show relatable and fun for everyone who would like to know how YOUR government works. Remember knowledge is power! So let’s get started. I am the host, Cr…

1
"White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner" - S 2 EP 14 35:44

1y ago35:44

35:44

Welcome back to Topless Government. This show is a cross between Schoolhouse Rock and civics for the masses. I want to make this show relatable and fun for everyone who would like to know how YOUR government works. Remember knowledge is power! So let’s get started. I am the host, Crystal Ellerbe. I live, breathe, eat, and sleep politics. I’ve done …

1
" House GOP Debt Limit Bill Wreaking Havoc on Our Economy " - S 2 EP 13 55:14

1y ago55:14

55:14

House GOP Debt Limit Bill Wreaking Havoc on Our Economy Welcome back to Topless Government. This show is a cross between Schoolhouse Rock and civics for the masses. I want to make this show relatable and fun for everyone who would like to know how YOUR government works. Remember knowledge is power! So let’s get started. I am the host, Crystal Eller…

1
"POTUS is Running for Reelection to Protect and Defend Our Democracy" - S 2 EP 12 49:39

1y ago49:39

49:39

As always I would be pleased if you would subscribe, rate, share, and review the show. This past week, President Biden quietly announced he is running for reelection. NPR.com: Biden warns of rights under threat from Trump and 'MAGA extremists' in reelect launch. Politico.com: Biden dives back in, announces reelection bid Politico.com: Chicago will …

1
Emi Nietfeld’s journey with foster care and PTSD 31:48

1y ago31:48

31:48

Emi Nietfeld is a journalist, mental health activist, and the author of Acceptance: A Memoir, a journey from foster care and homelessness to Harvard and Big Tech. As a journalist, she writes for places like The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Slate and is passionate about critiquing unrealistic expectations of “resilience” put on vulnerable youth…

1
"2024 Community Project Funding & Spending Requests" - S 2 EP 11 22:10

1+ y ago22:10

22:10

It's March Madness my Citizen Legislators and I’m not talking about the NCAA Men’s and Women’s basketball tournament. March Madness for those who work in politics are filling out and submitting FY 2024 appropriations requests, community project funding requests and congressionally directed spending requests. Let me break this all down for you, my C…

1
Busting some common bipolar myths on World Bipolar Day 12:03

1+ y ago12:03

12:03

This year, in honor of World Bipolar Day, I got some friends together to bust some commonly held myths about bipolar disorder. Here are our truths: Myself, Dr Devika Bhushan, a pediatrician, public health leader, and equity and health changemaker: You can't tell from the outside who has bipolar disorder. Major General Gregg Martin, PhD, retired fro…

1
"Federal Jury Service" - S 2 EP 10 41:41

1+ y ago41:41

41:41

My Citizen Legislators today I am going to what I recently experienced for the very first time in my adult life. I received a letter from the US District Court and inside was a summons for petit jury service. My date of service was from Friday, February 24, 2023 - Friday, March 10, 2023. I’m not going to lie to you my Citizen Legislators, I wasn’t …

1
"Presidential Funerals and Burials" - S 2 EP 9 35:49

1+ y ago35:49

35:49

Season 2 Episode 9: Presidential Funerals and Burials My Citizen Legislators, several days ago the world learned that former US President James “Jimmy” Carter announced he is entering hospice care at home with his family. I was eleven years old when Jimmy Carter was elected president of the United States. During his presidency America was going thr…

1
"State of the Union Address, House GOP Acting A Fool and GOP Rebuttal from AR Governor “Normal or Crazy” Challenge - GOVT 101" S 2 EP 8 44:37

1+ y ago44:37

44:37

My Citizen Legislators, President Joe Biden gave his in person State of the Union address before a Joint Session of Congress on February 7th at 9pm ET. I want to discuss the origins and authorization of the State of the Union Address. According US House of Representatives Office of the Historian: The formal basis for the State of the Union Address …

1
Brandon Staglin's journey with schizophrenia 22:22

1+ y ago22:22

22:22

Brandon Staglin is President of One Mind, where he channels his deep experience in communications, advocacy, and his personal recovery from schizophrenia to drive brain health research, services, and media. Trigger warning: this episode mentions suicidality and psychosis. SPREAD THE LIGHT WITH DR DEVIKA B: First-person accounts of living with menta…

1
" Schoolhouse Rock! 50th Anniversary - GOVT 101" S 2 EP 7 30:26

1+ y ago30:26

30:26

On Wednesday, February 3, 2023, we celebrated a Saturday morning television show, Schoolhouse Rock on ABC! I’m a Generation Xer and I grew up on Schoolhouse Rock! Generation X owes a great deal to SchoolHouse Rock and I want to celebrate the half-century mark of this phenomenal animated television show. My Citizen Legislators as y’all know, the Top…

1
"Washington Mardi Gras, A Behind the Scenes Look Of the Celebration of Louisiana, its Politics and its People - GOVT 101" S 2 EP 5 44:26

1+ y ago44:26

44:26

The annual three-day event included Louisiana Alive! on Thursday night, which is a mixer event showcasing Louisiana foods from all over the state and live music from various bands in Louisiana. Friday night is a seated dinner where the Mardi Gras princesses and festival queens are presented. Saturday night is the grand Mardi Gras Ball Gala, where t…

1
"Speaker McCarthy Making Good on his Pledge to Remove Three Democratic House Members From Their Committees - GOVT 101" S 2 EP 6 42:23

1+ y ago42:23

42:23

Well, well, well. Speaker Kevin McCarthy is a man of his word; he announced on January 24th the removal of Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Eric Swalwell (D-CA.) from the House Intelligence Committee. According to the National Review.com January 28th article by Britanny Bernstein, Speaker McCarthy cited Swalwell’s association with a Chinese s…

1
"Congressional Committees - GOVT 101" S 2 EP 4 35:39

1+ y ago35:39

35:39

My Citizen legislators, one of my followers on TikTok AionTeleos, would love to hear an episode on congressional committees, and what benefit Members of Congress get from those assignments. I agree! This is a great idea and timely! We are now two weeks into the 118th Congress. The House and Senate were in recess this week. Well as I can tell you fr…

1
"Hell Hath No Fury Like a Newly Elected Speaker of the House - GOVT 101" S 2 EP 3 30:37

1+ y ago30:37

30:37

My Citizen Legislators. The Speaker’s race is over after a ballbusting and brawling on the House floor in the early hours of Saturday, January 7th. On January 9th, the House voted on H.Res. 5 - Adopting the Rules of the House of Representatives for the One Hundred Eighteenth Congress and for other purposes AKA - House Rules Package for the 118th Co…

1
Andrew Barr's journey with OCD 32:43

1+ y ago32:43

32:43

Andrew Barr is a founding partner of GreyMatter, a mental health-focused venture capital firm. Previously, he advised a range of mental health startups and non-profits. Before his work in the mental field, he was a co-founder of Prefer, a Benchmark-backed startup and a venture capitalist at Institutional Venture Partners. He has lived experience wi…

1
"Federal Government Bouncing a HUGE Check (Defaulting on our Debt & Raising the Debt Limit) - GOVT 101" S 2 EP 2 33:25

1+ y ago33:25

33:25

GOVT 101 – Federal Government Bouncing a HUGE Check (Defaulting on our Debt & Raising the Debt Limit) The US hit the debt ceiling set by Congress on Thursday, January 19th, forcing the Treasury Department to start taking extraordinary measures to keep the government paying its bills and escalating pressure on Capitol Hill to avoid a catastrophic de…

1
"Its Ground Hog Day in Congress - GOVT 101" S 2 EP 1 55:50

1+ y ago55:50

55:50

This is the SECOND SEASON OF TOPLESS GOVERNMENT and I’ll be discussing topics that have been top of mind to everyone, providing an insight on how YOUR government works. As always I would be pleased if you would subscribe, rate, share, and review the show. My Citizen Legislators this week Congress convened the first session of the 118th Congress. Th…

1
"Organizing Congress – Leaders and Committees: GOVT 101" S 1 EP 12 49:05

1+ y ago49:05

49:05

We are winding down the second session of the 117th Congress. There are no uncontested midterm election races and on December 6th, Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) defeated Herschel Walker for a full 6-year term in the Senate. Both Democratic and Republican parties have begun the ritual of organizing for the 118th Congress that will convene on Januar…

1
"CRYSTAL IS OFF THE CUFF Realpolitik 101" S1 S 1 EP 11 54:13

1+ y ago54:13

54:13

In this episode, Crystal is shooting off the cuff with Marcus and discussing what's going on in the world of politics. Sometimes we just need to vent. Welcome back to Topless Government. This show is a cross between Schoolhouse Rock and civics for the masses. I want to make this show relatable and fun for everyone who would like to know how YOUR go…

1
"Appropriations GOVT 101" S 1 EP 10 1:04:19

1+ y ago1:04:19

1:04:19

I want to delve into how YOUR government is funded through the appropriations process. We all pay taxes and I am sure y’all are interested in learning how your tax payer dollars are being spent by Congress. The House Appropriations Committee has completed its work on the Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations. The House of Representatives passed six of th…

1
"Two Cougars and a Florida Man with a Microphone – Bob Stokes & Erica Anderson - Realpolitik 101" S 1 EP 9 2:23:47

1+ y ago2:23:47

2:23:47

Hello my fellow Citizen Legislators! In this episode we are going to have a lively conversation about – The Redskins (Washington Commanders), Gumbo Recipes, Hunter Biden, Pennsylvania US Senate candidates John Fetterman/Dr. Oz, Georgia US Senate candidate Herschel Walker, Britney Griner, Ukraine, Weed legalization and The Tune Inn and DC’s baffling…

1
"Looking into My Crystal Ball at the Midterm Election 2022 GOVT 101" S 1 EP 7 51:14

1+ y ago51:14

51:14

Citizen legislators, let's get into it about the 2022 midterm elections. We are four weeks until the general election. All I can say is there’s a lot riding on this, specifically our democracy. This is a prelude to the 2024 presidential election. Key in on Senate races in GA, NC, NV, PA, and WI. A few of the outliner House races let's see what Cook…

1
"How Our Views of Candidates for Public Office Qualifications Have Shifted, Guest, Ron Hamm, President of Hamm Consulting Group - Realpolitik 101" S 1 EP 8 1:02:11

1+ y ago1:02:11

1:02:11

I am pleased to have my guest join our show. Ron Hamm, President of Hamm Consulting Group Hamm Consulting Group. Ron is a friend and colleague who taught me how to be an effective advocate for my clients. [Ron talks about his background and the Hamm Consulting Group.] In this episode, Ron and I are going to delve into how the qualities and abilitie…

1
"Lame Duck GOVT 101" S 1 EP 6 38:12

1+ y ago38:12

38:12

Congress recessed for the midterm elections back in September and they have many big-ticket legislative items to approve once they are back in session on November 14th. Today citizen legislators your host will discuss in this episode a “lame-duck session.” Now for those of you who live outside the Beltway, you're probably scratching your heads and …

1
"Budget Reconciliation and H.R. 5376, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 Budget GOVT 101" S 1 EP 5 27:17

1+ y ago27:17

27:17

Since the House and Senate have completed its work on the Inflation Reduction Act. Thought now would be the perfect time to talk about the federal budget process. I learned about the federal budget process when I was taking graduate level courses in congressional studies at the Legislative Studies Institute. We had a guest speaker come to talk with…

1
"#VoteNOoni82, Why Initiative 82 is bad for the TIPPED employees of Washington DC, Realpolitik 101" S 1 EP 4 1:29:41

1+ y ago1:29:41

1:29:41

Election Day is only a few short weeks away, and we MUST get the word out about what is happening with Initiative 82 and how its passing would affect the livelihoods and the restaurant/bar industry community as a whole in Washington DC. The REAL tipped employees of Washington DC did not ask for this and strongly oppose Initiative 82. VOTE NO ON 82!…

1
"Natural Disasters – Hurricane Fiona and Hurricane Ian GOVT 101" S 1 EP 3 55:59

2y ago55:59

55:59

Well, Wednesday afternoon Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm. In this episode, I discuss my previous experience with hurricanes in Louisiana – Hurricane Katrina. Relieve experience working on capitol hill post-Katrina. I discuss the process of providing appropriations for natural disasters. I am the host, Crystal Ellerbe. …

1
"I’m Just A Bill, The Journey of the First Bill I Worked On As A Congressional Staffer, GOVT 101" S 1 EP 2 27:16

2y ago27:16

27:16

GOVT 101 – I’m Just A Bill, The Journey of the First Bill I Worked On As A Congressional Staffer Welcome to Topless Government. This show is a cross between Schoolhouse Rock and civics for the masses. I want to make this show relatable and fun for everyone who would like to know how YOUR government works. Remember knowledge is power! So let’s get s…

1
"Overturning of Roe v. Wade GOVT 101" S 1 EP 1 31:43

2y ago31:43

31:43

This show is a cross between Schoolhouse Rock and civics for the masses. I want to make this show relatable and fun for everyone who would like to know how YOUR government works. Originally, I was working on launching the show sometime in July, however, on Friday when the news broke that the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, I decided now I sho…

1
TRAILER FOR TOPLESS GOVERNMENT 4:51

2y ago4:51

4:51

Welcome to Topless Government. This show is a cross between Schoolhouse Rock and civics for the masses. I want to make this show relatable and fun for everyone who would like to know how YOUR government works. Originally, I was working on launching the show sometime in July, however, on Friday when the news broke that the Supreme Court overturned R…

1
Self love and self care 10:37

5+ y ago10:37

10:37

Loving yourself is the key to life!!

1
Growth 9:58

5+ y ago9:58

9:58

Growth is a beautiful thing!!! Just wanted to talk about somethings that were on my mind about it! Also giving my person take on it!! You don’t have to agree, it’s just my opinion on it!! PVO