This post is the transcript and recap from Episode 1 of Freshly Brewed. I’m your host, Macaila Britton — writer, environmental advocate, coffee enthusiast, and as of late, a radio show host. Thank you for supporting the first episode!
The show premiers live on (most) Sundays at 1 pm CST on Radio DePaul, with playbacks posted to Spotify midweek.
📣 Engagement Matters: If you aren’t already, please consider becoming a free subscriber! Engagement helps me as a creator, so please don’t forget to press the heart button on this post and leave a comment!
What is Freshly Brewed?
Freshly Brewed is your weekly dose of activism, storytelling, and culture.
Here’s what to expect from the show:
Freshly Brewed blends serious conversations with a realistic approach and a custom playlist.
- Each episode brews fresh conversations about sustainability, civic engagement, and the cultural shifts shaping our world.
- You can expect a mix of coffee-shop intimacy from a Chicago perspective, with practical takeaways that make activism feel approachable.
- Together, we’ll unpack topics such as fashion’s true cost, while spotlighting everyday local changemakers.
My hope is that as you listen, you will feel energized, informed, inspired, and ready to take action…after your freshly brewed cup of coffee, of course.
Click here to access the playlist for episode 1! 🎧
The importance of music in the activism journey
Music is a large part of my life. While I can’t carry a tune or play an instrument, music is as much a part of my day as breathing. Whatever I’m feeling, there’s a song that pairs with it. And on the days where I’m struggling to process life, there’s a song that helps me excavate my thoughts and feelings.
That’s why I’m so excited to be your host for this show. Music can help us stay connected and feel motivated. As someone who tries to live a positively impactful and community-oriented life, music is essential on the days when I feel utterly drained and the breaking news stories eclipse feelings of hope.
Today’s playlist is full of tracks that have felt like a hug on the days when I questioned if I’m even making a difference and if what I’m doing will actually change the world.
Song Spotlight: Only The Young by Taylor Swift
Only The Young by Taylor Swift is one of my favorite songs because it centralizes youth voices and civic engagement. We’re living in a really weird time right now where politics feel straight out of a Young Adult dystopian novel. This song motivates me to look at all of the helpers out there.
How I became a lifestyle activist
On January 1, 2014 I published my very first blog post. My goal was to find an outlet where I could learn about what was going on in the world and how I could show up as a community member. At the time I was struggling to find my place.
After all, I was a teenager who couldn’t vote, didn’t have my own income, and was unsure about what I could contribute to society in an impactful way. Naturally a blog seemed like the most accessible step. Surely someone else online had these same questions and we could connect on our shared interest.
My first series
Every month I researched a new United Nations Sustainable Development Goal and wrote a blog post with a community challenge. People from the church I went to at the time read it. Classmates pulled me aside to say they liked my latest post, and slowly readers from around the world subscribed and shared how they were participating in the challenges.
I felt like my voice mattered. I was encouraged by how much good is out there!
The state of the world
There’s a lot going on in America right now. One of the major issues is that $186 billion dollars for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — otherwise known as SNAP, was cut.
42 million Americans depend on SNAP and use the food program to survive.
People who depend on SNAP are:
- Families and people with low-paying jobs
- Low-income people
- People 60 years and older
- People with disabilities & living on a fixed income
- Students
- Veterans
I believe every person deserves access to food.
4 Ways we can give back to the community:
Here are a few ways that we as community members can help those facing hardship and food insecurity.
1. Donate money to food banks
If you are able to, please donate money directly to your local food bank, food pantry, and soup kitchens in your neighborhood. Donating money is more helpful than donating items to food banks because they can purchase items in bulk. For example, some food banks can get $4 or $6 worth of food for every $1 donated. So, instead of $1 worth of food, they are able to get four times as much for the community.
The easiest way to find a food bank near you is to open your browser and search, “food bank near me” Otherwise, you can donate directly to feedingamerica.org/.
2. Volunteer your time
Many places are looking for volunteers — especially with the unemployment rate climbing, State and Federal level changes, general economic uncertainty, the ramifications of ICE raids, and throughout holiday seasons.
3. Check in on your neighbors
Knock on their door. Call them. Start a conversation when you see them outside. Be vulnerable and ask them if they have enough to eat and if they have consistent access to food.
If you’re able and willing, tell them that if they are in need, to come to you for support. Then, be the person who takes them grocery shopping or sets an extra plate out at meal time and invite them over to eat.
4. Mobilize your communities
Ask your dorm, apartment complex, church, work, and other community spaces to create a free food section in their building for those in need.
Not everyone who needs help is comfortable asking for it. Additionally, those who need support might not be able to leave work to go to the food pantry or soup kitchen during their operating hours to get food. Having food and resources in these community spaces might seem small but can make a big difference.
Thank you for listening to episode one of Freshly Brewed. Next week will be more chatty as we focus more in-depth on an issue, spotlight resources, answer listener’s questions, and of course close out with next steps.
If you have any questions, song requests, or want me to shoutout your volunteer group/ a resource, please leave a comment!
