We Need To Talk About This
We bring our shared passion for humanity and diverse backgrounds to hot topics that society is discussing in Denmark, the U.S., and across the world. We want to contribute to healthy discourse on issues that are shaping us. Shanelle is a former Deputy Executive Director at UNICEF and Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations where she spent two decades leading humanitarian efforts and working in dozens of countries including some of the most complex. She founded the Yellow House in 2019 to accelerate organisations' positive impact on humanity. She has been a Council Member of the World Economic Forum Artificial Intelligence Council, Board Member of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and The Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB & Malaria, and is a guest lecturer on Business & Social Impact at the London School of Economics. She is an American living in Denmark … raising her Danish dog together with her partner. Jean has a long career in public affairs and communications and is currently leading Environment-Social-Governance (ESG) at a property investment firm. She returned to Copenhagen after spending seven years in London where she was in on the early years of impact investing. Jean is deft in driving sustainable change and brings her African-Danish perspectives to equitable and productive partnerships. She’s advised various organizations including Kjaer Global, DC Finance and Windrush Equestrian. Jean adores her wonderful two teenage girls ... and American politics. Follow the podcast on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/weneedtotalkabout_this/Jean :https://www.instagram.com/jeanahlefeldtlaurvig/ Shanelle: https://www.instagram.com/shanellehall/
Episodes
In this two part episode, we talk with two young people about the juxtaposition of the mental health crisis of young people -- and -- the pervasive role of social media in young people's lives. Sara Lund (age 18) and Ingrid Ahlefeldt-Laurvig (age 17) share their views and experiences with FOMO, self-image, being united with others, and parenting -- among many other things. If you are a young person you might fin...
In this two part episode, we talk with two young people about the juxtaposition of the mental health crisis of young people -- and -- the pervasive role of social media in young people's lives. Sara Lund (age 18) and Ingrid Ahlefeldt-Laurvig (age 17) share their views and experiences with FOMO, self-image, being united with others, and parenting -- among many other things. If you are a young person you might fin...
Alas, 2022 is coming to a close, and what would the WNTTAT podcast be if we didn't talk about it?!
In this episode we share our reflections on what we feel defined society at the macro level in 2022 - as well as what defined each of our years on a personal, micro level.
We both share two reflections on each ... some of it may surprise you! Check out the chapters if you want to jump around.
In part two of this incredible conversation with Mogens Lykketoft, we dive into the current economic situation in Europe with steep rises in utility costs and looming recession. We also talk about the dynamic shift underway with the European Union as well as climate change - both heavily impacted by Putin's war.
Mogens was Denmark's Foreign Minister, Finance Minister, and Minister of Tax. He wa...
Buckle-up - we have the most amazing guest with us on a two part series.
Elections are before us and who better to talk through the differences between the political systems of Denmark, US and other countries - than statesman Mogens Lykketoft.
Mogens was Denmark's Foreign Minister, Finance Minister, and Minister of Tax. He was candidate for Prime Minister of Denmark as Head of the Social Demo...
Popcorn? So ... in this episode we're sharing some kernels (touché) of what caught our attention over the past week via the podcasts we listen to, the you tube channels we watch, and what we've read. We briefly touch on many topics - from unkind political tactics, to musicology, to our least-favorite trending influencer, to intergenerational friendships, to coming back after being cancelled, and more. Aaah ...
In Part 2 of our episode on Aging, we talk about menopause -- should we dread it or is it actually the start of the best phase of life? We unexpectedly discuss age taken to the nth degree - death ... and then we take a self-critical look at how societies treat their older age people. We end the two part series by sharing our personal vision for old age - if we are so privileged to make it to such.
We hope th...
In Part 1 of our episode on Aging, we start off by debating the different phases of life - and the different ways of framing them. Which decade milestone was more disturbing - turning 40, 50 or was it 30? Laugher is such an important part of aging well, but are we good at experiencing joy? We discuss the difference between chronological age and physiological age and end Part 1 with of course .... talking about the...
Author, journalist and commentator - we are delighted to have Mette Holm join us for a two part episode.
Mette has authored some 15 books including: China – from Empire to Capitalism, The Mekong River – Mother of Waters, 1990: Letters from the East Block, and, 1989: Diary from Beijing.
Mette lived, studied, travelled & worked in China and the neighbouring countries since the early 1980's. ...
Author, journalist and commentator - we are delighted to have Mette Holm join us for a two part episode.
Mette has authored some 15 books including: China – from Empire to Capitalism, The Mekong River – Mother of Waters, 1990: Letters from the East Block, and 1989: Diary from Beijing.
Mette studied, lived, travelled & worked in China and the neighbouring countries since the early 1980's. S...
This week's episode is the most downloaded episode from "We need to talk about this" to date.
Shanelle tells her story about being diagnosed with Adenomyosis 20 years too late. The fact that 1 in 5 women is estimated to have Adenomyosis and that this condition often goes undiagnosed, indicates that we need to pay attention to the symptoms for ourselves and our daughters.
Listen in to find out what it is ...
Being biracial is beautiful. But what is it like in a society that blends nationality with ethnicity? This was one of our first episodes and we decided to re-upload it as we think you'll love it. Hearing people's story is a powerful way to increase our understanding - so listen in!
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Jean talks about what it was like growing up bi-racial in Denmark in the 70's and 80's. She sp...
Grateful for women and friendship - we talk about both in this two part episode. Though especially friendship, since it is how our celebration of women is often realised. We talk through complexities like judgment, vulnerability, betrayal, showing-up, and conditionality. You might be surprised by our take on these topics.
In Part 2 we talk about:
- Suffering and compassion
- Boundaries ... or not<...
Grateful for women and friendship - we talk about both in this two part episode. Especially friendship though, since it is how our celebration of women is often realised. We talk through complexities like judgment, vulnerability, betrayal, showing-up, and conditionality. You might be surprised by our take on these topics.
In Part 1 we talk about:
- Our admiration of women
- The purpose and pain o...
We have the deep honour of facilitating a conversation between an adoptive mother, Camlynn Blumenthal, and an adopted daughter, Chanda Kornbek Meyer. Not related, Chanda and Cami talk about their experiences as a daughter and a mother. They share the impact of international transracial adoption on their lives - intimate and vulnerable details.
Every adoption experience is unique, and there are important universal...
We have the deep honour of facilitating a conversation between an adoptive mother, Camlynn Blumenthal, and an adopted daughter, Chanda Kornbek Meyer. Not related, Chanda and Cami talk about their experiences as a daughter and a mother. They share the impact of international transracial adoption on their lives - intimate and vulnerable details.
Every adoption experience is unique, and there are important universa...
Ever wonder what the life of a professional ballet dancer is like? Kristoffer Dahl Sakurai was a Principal Dancer for the Royal Danish Ballet from 2005-2011. Being half Danish and half Japanese, Kristoffer broke racial barriers in the ballet. By virtue of his very being, he has made fighting bias and racism a part of his daily life. He is well researched on these issues -- we learn a bit of history and the wonderf...
In this episode we talk about the case of two parents who are falsely convicted of female genital cutting (FGC). After serving time in prison and thanks to investigative journalist Frederik Hugo Ledegaard, the truth comes to surface. Jean explains the case and we discuss the likely bias that led to this injustice. We want to amplify this family’s story to help them be exonerated and compensated. We also want to help...
Most people have a strongly held conviction on abortion. It tends to be on one side of the issue or the other: pro-choice or anti-abortion (or pick your phrasing). The reality of this world is that there is much more to it than two sides. Join us as we dive into the messy middle. It’s hard. We don’t have the answers. Except that we think polarizing each other isn’t it.
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Sending hope for open hearts and minds...
It's the phrase everyone knows, but no one wants to talk about.
Well, we dare to dive in. We unpack what being politically correct means and how it is experienced so differently. We segue to cancel culture (and talk through a few famous examples), representation (in film and business) and woke culture. Is all of it a form of love and inclusiveness or are people being too sensitive? Political correctness is...
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