(upbeat music) - Coming up on "Inspire," it's our annual season review show.

We're excited to have all of our "Inspire" sisters together on set to discuss our Season Four favorites.

Please stay with us.

(crackling musical tag) - [Announcer] "Inspire" is sponsored by the estate of Ray and Ann Goldsmith.

- [Announcer 2] And, the Raymond C. and Marguerite Gibson Foundation.

And... - [Announcer] Friends of KTWU.

We appreciate your financial support.

Thank you.

(upbeat music) (lively music) (lively music continues) (lively music fades) - Hello, hello.

Welcome to "Inspire."

We're so glad you're here, 'cause we're all here.

Amy, we've got, you know Amy Kelly.

Which you love.

Okay, Leslie Fleuranges, on this end, which you love.

Danielle Norwood, which is here, like you love.

(all laughing) Amber Dickerson is here, like you love.

And we love all of you, honestly.

We are so honored to be here.

And thank you for staying with us.

This is Season Four.

And so, we're kind of looking back at everything that's happened.

And we wanna see if your favorites match our favorites.

So, let's get the party started.

Who was your favorite guest and topic, Danielle?

- I'm gonna say Brown V. Board.

- Okay.

- It was so impacting to me, I learned so much.

I thought I knew a few things about having, had read in school about it.

But having Sheryl Brown Henderson here with us giving her perspective, her family perspective, and then just knowing about all the behind the scenes things like the teachers actually had to send out notes to the parents, in order to have the African American teachers teach the following year.

They had to get permission.

And fortunately for us, no one in Topeka said, "No, I don't want the African Americans teaching my kids."

But just the fact that was a thing, I was like "Oh, my goodness, "why are you asking this question?"

I mean the law has passed, we're going with it.

But no, they didn't do things like that.

So just to hear how many other states were involved, and how her family got to be on the actual decision of Brown, as opposed to the other ones, it was because he was a guy.

And all the rest of the people- - Right.

- Were women.

- Were women.

And then to be so grateful that time occurred, because I got a wonderful education.

- Wow.

- As a result of it.

So, just gratitude and just educational, it was wonderful.

- You know, I totally agree.

My favorite show is Brown V. Board.

And I didn't realize that all the way back in the 1800s, there was actually a case.

And you know, I don't think most people know that.

And the fact that people who moved up from the South to Kansas, they wanted freedom.

They wanted the best for their family.

But, that included education.

And they came here and were disappointed, because they couldn't get that.

And you know, that's the impetus of these court case that went, because they wanted their children to have it better.

Like we all do- - [All] Right!

- We want our children to have it better than we have it.

But then finally, you know, the fact that Thurgood Marshall, he became our first African American Supreme Court Justice.

And how smart were we actually to have that show.

Timely, it was so well-done.

And our guests were wonderful.

And Sheryl Brown Henderson, she just educated all of us, I think.

- Right.

- Yeah.

- Yeah.

- We did go to school.

- Which was good.

Amy?

- Oh, of course, I mean how could it not be Brown V. Board?

I mean, I grew up in Topeka hearing about it.

You know, driving past the schools where it occurred.

You just don't think about that, it has the national, international implications that it has.

I enjoy the legal side of it.

That it wasn't just, "Oh, this is a bad thing, "we should file a suit."

No, it was very strategic.

They thought very carefully about how to sculpt the lawsuit so that it was going to be most successful.

And I have to say, I went to law school in the 80s, don't do the math.

(all laughing) In Washington, D.C., and I went to the Supreme Court, and I saw Thurgood Marshall deliberate.

- Wow!

- Wow!

- He was sitting there, it was some oral argument, whatever.

I was just in the galley in the back with the people.

Large individual just sitting there like that.

And I'm like, "Thurgood Marshall, it's..." I was girl fanning.

"That's Thurgood Marshall."

(all laughing) Yeah, it was wonderful, it was wonderful.

So yeah, it was yeah.

This was, I grew up in Topeka, this is home for me.

So yeah, how could it not be?

- Right.

- And so Amber, I know, let's end with you.

But so let me get into that.

Because I think a lot of young people today, well, even older people, don't realize that we have a national park right here in Topeka.

You can go down there and see that.

And such an impact when you see the colored, and the white.

- Yes.

- And you're like- - Right at the door.

- It's so offense!

- Yes.

- Did that really happen?

And I went to a school here at Washburn, we did a whole trail about it.

Mississippi, going through all the states, and everything that happened, the Edmund Pettus Bridge, everything.

And you're like, "Oh my gosh!"

But yet we start right here.

Amber?

- Okay so of course, it's Brown.

(all laughing) But true, yeah, shocker.

(all laughing) But truly, from a political science professor perspective, it was information that I couldn't of gotten anywhere else.

And I just kept having these moments while we were taping the show, where I was like, I can't believe I'm getting to talk to Sheryl Brown Henderson, because I've taught this case for so many years.

- Good point.

- And I think that some of the things that Mrs. Brown Henderson said that I really took away from it, are things that I needed to improve on in my classroom.

So number one, she made a comment that, you know, "We need to remember not to just focus "on the bad things that happened "to black and brown people during civil rights."

And that there needs to be more discussion about the positive things, as opposed to this concept of all the bad things that were leading up to the case, and all the bad things that happened after the case.

And so, that was a really big learning point for me.

And again, what I value so much about getting to actually speak to Mrs. Brown Henderson was that, I tried to be really cognizant when I'm presenting this information.

I am white.

I will never know what it's like to walk through the world as anything other than white.

And so, what I try to do in my lessons is, bring the perspective of the people who know what it feels like to walk through this world through that lens.

And so for me, I couldn't of, it was like a gift wrapped presentation to my students, it's so beautiful, and I'll treasure it forever.

- All right, that's awesome.

- Oh, man.

(all chuckling) - So, all of our shows featured inspirational guests.

They shared so much knowledge with us.

And speaking of knowledge, I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say that I learned so much throughout this season.

So Leslie, if we can start with you.

What did you take away, or how did your perspective become expanded through this season of "Inspire?"

- I would start with loneliness, right?

Because that was actually a topic I was really hot for us to cover this time.

One of the things that I learned was, I thought it was a lot of senior citizens, right?

Because they get sort of shut in, they don't always have family or friends to come and see them.

And you can understand that, but you sort of forget about it.

But, when they made that statistic and said that 60% of young adults are suffering from loneliness, that just broke me.

I mean I was shocked by that.

And you know, I think that the pandemic really exacerbated that.

So I thought that was a show that helped me learn more, and think more about kindness, and how we could be kinder to people.

Because that was another show that I think we all learned something about.

And then finally, "Ice".

I mean, ice was hysterical.

I mean, you did such a great job on that interview.

(Danielle laughing) I loved it, I loved it.

I'm buying the book.

(all chucking) I am, I am.

Because I mean, dirty poopy water?

(all laughing) - That's what you remember?

(all laughing) - I mean, who knew that you were getting ice from the river?

- [Panelists] Yeah, yeah.

- No clue.

(all chuckling) - For me, of course, I'm Type A with my notebook.

And my pencil, and I'm doing all this.

So, "Setting and accomplishing goals".

I loved that episode.

And one, because I said goals, yeah, yeah, yeah.

But I do this.

But it's also a good reminder of, you know, even though you didn't succeed what you set out to do, you made progress, and that's okay.

And to give yourself grace.

You know what?

It's okay, it's okay to have a bad day.

That is perfectly fine.

Tomorrow's gonna be a better day.

And, it's okay to do that.

And I know that our guests, both Dr. Melia Stockham, and Phelica Glass, brought some books, some ideas.

And I've already wrote them down in my list.

That was real intense for me.

- Yeah.

- Yeah.

- That was so funny, because I can't believe you even said that.

We didn't all really talk about what we were going to say.

But, that's exactly... (all laughing) That was my very favorite.

- I know.

- We had Phelica Glass, and Dr. Melia Stockham.

And they were just a riot.

And I think one of the things was that Phelica said, "No" is a complete sentence.

- Right.

- Like you don't have to explain your reasoning, it's just no.

And then, there was another one that you learned you didn't fail, you learned a lesson.

- So, yeah.

- Actually, let's take a look at that.

- So, my first comment is, I think it's important for people to not fall into the concept of, because I didn't achieve it means I failed.

It means you learned a lesson, right?

So now I get to backtrack and decide where do I wanna go from here?

- And then to kind of go with that, hand-in-hand, it was like enjoy the journey of change, rather than criticizing your lack of progress.

- Yes.

- Astounding!

(all laughing) And I felt like, I felt better!

- I know.

Like a burden has been lifted.

- Okay.

- You were right.

- Okay, then there was another one down here, let's take a look at this one.

It was about patting one's self on the back.

Let's take a look at that.

- If I'm down on myself, because I didn't do X, Y, Z, I think it's important to be able to say to someone, "I'm having a real hard time, I'm gonna need you to listen."

"Put your hand on my back."

(all laughing) Put your hand on my back, now pat me, pat me.

(crosstalk drains out dialogue) And so, it is absolutely okay to say to people, "I need you to help me be kind to me."

- And then, finally.

This is one that Phelica said, I mean this one, I was like, "Wow, what a way to start off the new season."

It was like sit with it, not in it.

- Oh.

- So, I was like yeah.

You know, thinking of that.

So, I love that.

How about you?

- So for me, it was the loneliness episode, as well.

And I started really thinking about this in two different ways.

So the first thing I thought was, how can I work on this?

Because, I know all of the, in particular, these younger people in the community who we just assume are fine because they're young.

- Right.

- And so for me it was just as simple as putting something on Facebook saying, "Hey, if I reserved a room at the library, "do you guys wanna hang out, "and we can all have our own little independent "little projects, but we can do them together."

Because sometimes it's hard to want to do your hobbies, or to do things, because you're entrenched in you loneliness.

And so, when you create spaces that have no cost, or low cost, because getting there still cost money, right?

- Sure.

- So thinking about how can I generate these opportunities that maybe don't have a resource component.

And then it also lead me down, so I'm a researcher by nature.

And so, it started leading me down this path of thinking about, what other things contribute to loneliness?

And it made me think of this concept of economic despair.

That when you are so entrenched in your economic despair, you start to develop depression and anxiety.

And loneliness is a part of that.

And when you have an economic barrier to being a part of groups, or having memberships, then that contributes to your loneliness.

And so, I've started a research project on economic despair in the State of Kansas.

Because I think that there are opportunities that we could generate that could alleviate some of these problems.

- Mm-hm.

- Wow.

- All right.

- You're so cool.

(all laughing) - No.

- That's really neat that you're doing that.

That you're bringing light to that.

That is what, and you learned that from "Inspire?"

- Right, right.

- That's the cool thing.

- And, maybe someone else did, too.

- [Panelist] Exactly.

- Mm-hm.

- One of the things that I thought of, 'cause it all ties together, woman and loneliness, woman and alcohol.

- Yes.

- Yes.

- Yes.

- I mean, some of the things that were shared in regards to how women drink versus how men drink, just totally different.

Because women have a tendency to hide, and not be social drinkers.

And then, you also think about social media.

Well, everybody's on social media.

But people are the lonelinest, that they've ever been.

As a result of that.

So I mean, it's just weird that to have the dichotomy of like, oh okay, we have all these people, so that we're connected to, that we're "friends" with.

But we're so lonely as a culture.

So I thought that was interesting.

And then of course my favorite, "Love after 50".

(all laughing) - [Panelist] I found love after 50.

- So, it was beautiful to have the lady from, you know, England, talking about that, and some of the things to look forward.

Some of the things to stay away from.

And how you can do it, and it not be a scary thing.

'Cause you know, not everybody is legit on life- - Oo, yeah!

- As we all know.

- And she did talk about all the scammers.

And then also the safety, and gave those practical tips like, let somebody know who you're with, where you're going, what time you're leaving, what time you're expected to be back.

So, I was really glad to get the information.

- Throughout all of our four seasons, I've learned so much.

And this leads to our next topic.

I'm sure all of us has had something that has happened throughout this "Inspire" journey that still resonates with us.

Amber, can you tell us about your most memorable "Inspire" experience.

- Like of all time?

- Yes.

(all laughing) - Yeah, of all time.

- You know, I don't know.

Because I do this very interesting thing.

At least once a season, I'll leave the set and be like, "That was the best show."

(all laughing) That was the best one.

Or, I'll watch a show that I'm not on, and I'm like, "That was it.

That was the best one."

And so I have those like moments with "Inspire" very frequently.

And so you know, I think just in general, I really value that we have an opportunity to candidly talk about issues that women are dealing with.

That sometimes are not something that we are often encouraged to talk about.

So for me personally, the "Women and Alcohol" episode really encouraged me to look at my own habits.

And so, I have made the decision to walk away from alcohol completely in my life.

And it is the best thing I have ever done for myself, and I will never go back, and it changes everything.

And so, to have the space to talk about things, that as women, we are encouraged to talk about, that is my "Inspire" moment.

- All right, that's incredible.

And I love the sequence on the Nostalgia Room, that they have- - [Panelists] Yes.

- And that was wonderful.

- [Panelist] Wonderful.

- That was wonderful that you could have really interesting drinks that don't have to be alcoholic.

But you still feel like you're participating.

And you're with friends, and it's social, you'll get all that, and they're amazing drinks, aren't they?

(crosstalk drains out dialogue) - And you've been there- - Yes, I have.

- Which is probably why - Yep.

we had that particular show with them on, which I personally loved.

- Yeah, it was so tasty.

- [Panelist] Yes, it was.

- [Panelist] They're really good.

- [Panelist] Did you have one?

- You love (indistinct) what you're favorite.

- Oh my gosh, I think we could talk forever about menopause.

I think every year we should have a segment on.

- Menopause update.

- A menopause update.

(all laughing) On women and medical issues.

I mean, because we still don't bring so many things to light.

And I think we should do something like that.

- There are just topics for women that society says, "Nope, we're not having open conversations."

- Right.

- And then you get into peri-menopause, not that I'm speaking from experience.

(all laughing) And you're like, what is this, and so- - Am I alone, is there anybody else?

Is there anything, does this happen to you?

- And you wanna hide, you wanna hide.

- Absolutely, 100%.

- I literally did hide in my closet and cried.

- Aw.

- And I was like, I think I'm in peri-menopause.

(all laughing) But you know, these are topics that we are not- - How would you know?

- We are not- - Exactly.

- Encouraged to discuss.

- Mm-hm, and we should.

- What I really was struck by with the loneliness episode, was this whole idea of not just depression that can lead to loneliness.

But also health issues.

Such as the one that really stood out to me was obesity.

And we don't talk about that.

I know in the pet care industry, we talk a lot about dogs that need to lose weight so they'll live longer.

But you know, when you feel bad about yourself, I'm gonna tell you, I looked at when we were in Season One, and now, in Season Four, and I've gained weight.

And I'm thinking, I'm not obese, but oh, man.

And you can't help it, your body changes.

And you really need to change your habits.

And I think those are the kinds of things that we need to talk about more.

What do these health issues really mean for women?

There's menopause, there's obesity, there's all these other issues that really have a big impact on women.

- Right.

- And then I'm thinking in terms of, I'm just the reverse.

Because I started out over 300 pounds for the first episode.

And now, I'm considerably smaller than that.

So every time that our see like our slides, you know, with all of us downtown.

I'm like, "Oo, that was an ugly time."

(all chuckling) You know I mean, 'cause again, you just think in terms of the negative.

And why do we fat shame, and why do we think that people who are taking medical enhancements to help them lose the weight.

Why are they being judged so harshly?

I mean, Oprah did a whole series on it.

And I think that we need to jump into that, too.

- [Panelist] Yes.

- Because again, whatever we want to do as women, or as men, let us do what we need to do to feel good about ourselves, and get your nosey self out of our business.

- Yeah but I think that also, when we have the opportunity to discuss things like this, it also allows us to think about things from a different perspective, right?

We spend a lot of time in our society when people are obese telling them how wrong they are.

Instead of saying, "What is going on?"

What are your health concerns?

What kind of trauma do you have?

How did we get to this point?

- Some people don't have health concerns.

Some people enjoy being plus size.

- That's right, that's right.

- Even at my heaviest, I still had a life.

I had a dating life with some really good looking men.

- Yep.

- And, I was enjoying who I was at that time.

At my biggest, I was 378 wearing a bikini.

So, you couldn't of told me that I didn't look good.

Because I felt good, and I had energy.

It's not always like this death sentence like, "Oh, I'm fat, I'm not gonna be lovable."

No, it's not.

But there are people who just really need to consider both sides of the debate.

And not being so judgemental- - That's right.

- When it comes to issues of obesity.

- However I am noticing, that in fact, when I was looking back over this, I'm thinking, "Oh, you're getting bigger, and bigger, and bigger."

And I'm thinking, I've noticed with myself, I don't have as much energy as I did.

So I am thinking about what am I gonna do.

So I, as I'm looking back at these episodes, thinking okay, what have I learned from this?

And I need to put it into practice.

- Exactly.

- And I think this seasons offered so many of those opportunities.

Especially when we look at things like loneliness combined with alcohol issues, combined with finding love, with positive friendships, because all these- - [Panelist] And kindness.

- [All] Kindness!

- That was wonderful.

That was wonderful.

- Give yourself some grace.

But not too much grace that you fall off the wagon, and you don't do anything.

(all laughing) - But this speaks to Danielle's point exactly about viewing people with kindness.

And, accepting people where they are, instead of expecting them to fit some kind of idea we've created.

- Exactly, exactly.

- And I think that so many of our shows this season, while they may have been very different topics, they really all ran in tandem together.

- Tandem together.

- Yes, yes, yes.

- I agree.

- What I thought was funny, too.

Was I had no idea that Val, our general manager... (all laughing) was a motorcycle girl.

- Harley mamma.

- Right?

I mean a rebel in her own right.

We know she's a rebel in terms of being our new general manager who is a woman.

Fabulous, but outside she wears leather.

- Exactly.

(all laughing) - I thought that was...that was eye-opening for me.

(all laughing) - And she owns all of that, okay, thank you very much.

- Yes.

- Such great memories over these past several seasons that we've been together.

And I can't believe that we're already on our last topic.

And we have a minute each to say our favorite show and why.

And I'm thinking this is from the very first episode, to the very last episode.

So, I'm gonna start with you, Betty Lou.

- Well, thank you.

I'll tell you what- - The grand dame, I'm gonna start with you.

(all laughing) - You know, I like so many.

But one that really was instrumental, or kind of timely for me, was "Positive Friendships".

You know because, you realize how people treat you, really can impact how you feel about yourself, your whole mental health.

And I think if you don't have positive people around you, people that you get something from, people that are always draining you, or making you feel less than, get those people out of your lives.

You know, you are more valuable if you feel good about yourself, and you are kind toward others.

And I think so, positive friendships.

And they're all right here.

(all laughing) So, thank you.

- Sisterhood.

- How about yourself?

- Exactly.

- I would say two episodes.

Well, one when I turned 50.

And we talked about being over 50, and the celebration that went along with that.

So, that was wonderful.

But again, to echo you, "Positive Friendships".

That as I get older.

'Cause when you're younger you think, you want everybody to be your friend.

And you're trying to strive for that.

And now it's like you know what?

As long as I have some good people in my life, I don't need everybody.

- Right.

- You know?

And what are they contributing?

But what am I contributing- - [Panelist] To them.

- To them, as well.

So the onus is also on me to be a good friend.

What does that look like?

How is kindness operate within those relationships?

Not doing what I think they'd like, but actually knowing them enough to be like, you know what?

I see you, I got you, I got your back.

And here's what I know what you would appreciate.

- Right.

- Because I'm in tune with you as opposed to like, "Well, maybe she'd like some flowers" "Maybe she'd like some candy."

You know, and they may just be like, "No, I don't like any of that stuff."

But, it's what you think that they're gonna like.

It's like, no, put yourself in their place.

- [Panelist] What do they need?

- What is it they need?

What is it they like?

And then try to give that to them.

So, just being a good friend, and knowing how to just celebrate being over 50.

- I guess for me it was, of course, "Brown", I loved.

But the other thing is the idea of "Kindness".

I gotta tell you, in the world that we're living in today, and the way that people speak to one another.

Or, don't speak to one another.

I mean, one of my pet peeves is going into the supermarket and people, and I'm walking down the aisle, and people go like this.

- [Panelist] Yeah!

- I mean, we can't even look at each other.

We can't even give each other a smile.

That's the smallest piece of kindness that you can do.

It really irks me.

So, I think we all need to learn how to be kinder.

I mean, politically, economically, socially, all of that we need to figure out how can we be kind to each other.

A smile is a very simple thing.

- Yes.

- Yep.

- [Panelist] Right, right.

- It takes fewer muscles they always say than a frown.

(all laughing) - You know, but also you know, 'cause sometimes if you say hi to them, it's like they're taken aback.

- It's like "What?"

- You know, and it's like you don't know.

But then, often times at least when I've done it, they're, it's like, oh!

And they become more joyous and they smile, and it's like, oh I hope, you know, that I helped their day.

'Cause they helped mine, you know?

- Can I just say this?

So, when I'm calling different offices, you know, trying to get vaccines, or calling anybody.

And they answer the phone and I say, "Hi, this is Leslie, how are you today?"

Or just, "Hi, how are you today?"

Because- - Right.

- Nobody asks them!

- Right, exactly.

- I mean, there's this big pause.

(all chuckling) And I don't ever know, should I just keep going?

Or, you know, like what?

And then finally they'll say, "Oh, I'm okay."

It's like, no one has asked them that today.

- Yeah, yeah.

- [Leslie] No one.

And I truly mean it, "How are you today?"

- Yeah, yeah.

- That's funny.

- Of course, the "Positive Friendships" is the one that I have bookmarked, because I wanna watch it again.

So that's one that I bookmarked, that's wonderful.

That "Women and "Alcohol", that was fantastic.

But on a personal level, it was the "Rebel Riders", the women and wheels.

Because I thought it was so cool to see women who are, wanna ride motorcycles.

And I have a family member who I love, okay, she's my oldest daughter.

(all laughing) And she wants, she's always wanted a motorcycle, and I'm like, mm, no, not that I trust, I don't trust the other drivers on the road.

- Right.

- And during that episode, and that was going on, I went to her and I said, "You wanna get a motorcycle, "girlfriend, you get your motorcycle."

(all cheering) - Good for you.

- It doesn't matter what I think, if that's what you wanna do, and she's doing it.

(all cheering) - [All] Yay!

- And it's like, yes.

So that was- - That's good.

- That's on a personal level, yeah.

- [Panelist] That's good.

- [Panelist] That's cool.

- Yeah, thanks.

- Are you going to go with her?

- No.

(all laughing) No ma'am, thank you.

(all laughing) No.

- Amber?

- So for me, it was "Positive Friendships", again.

And it really encouraged me, and I sort of came up with this mental exercise for myself where I started to imagine, when I'm at my worst, and I'm at my best.

If I'm in a room, who is in my room with me?

Who do I want there?

Who is comforting, who will give what I need in a safe way?

And it really encouraged me to start evaluating relationships in my life, and saying, "Who am I reaching out to, who's not reaching out to me?"

Or, who am I giving so much to, and not getting in return?

I tend to be the kind of person who, if you have an emergency, I wanna be right there.

And I want to be fixing it, or taking care of it.

But sometimes I do it in a way that you're not, there's no reciprocation.

Not that there has to be when you're helping people.

But when you're consistently giving more than you're ever getting, it's too much.

And also, with the encouragement of my dearest friend, Jared, he's also encouraged me to stop, stop yourself and say, "Why am I doing this?"

- Right.

- When someone's in crisis, why am I offering this?

And, would they do it to me?

Or, for me?

And if the answer is no, it's okay to protect your energy.

And that to me was something that I needed to hear.

- Oh, I like that, "Protect your energy."

I'm gonna take that, yeah, yeah.

(all laughing) See, we're still learning.

(lively music beginning) - Well, ladies, it's a wrap.

- [All] Wow!

- I know, I know, I know.

- Traveling down memory lane with us, on our journey through the Season Four has been inspirational, and the inspiration never stops.

We'll be back soon, though.

With more in-depth discussion on issues impacting women, our community, our state, and yes, our nation.

- Inspiring women, inspiring passion, inspiring history, knowledge and kindness, and inspiring you, right here on KTWU.

Thank you for watching.

(upbeat music) (upbeat music continues) - [Announcer] "Inspire" is sponsored by the estate of Ray and Anne Goldsmith.

- [Announcer 2] And, the Raymond C. and Marguerite Gibson Foundation.

And- - [Announcer] Friends of KTWU.

We appreciate your financial support.

Thank you.

(upbeat music)