Testifying to History: The Literature of Genocide

The Mandate to Document: The forgotten genocide

Dr. Ukpo’s primary activist contribution is her authorship of the book The forgotten genocide. The selection of the word "forgotten" is a deliberate political and historical declaration. The title implies that the atrocities committed during the Nigeria-Biafra War (1967-1970) have been deliberately overlooked or excluded from international and even national historical discourse, despite evidence classifying the events as genocide. Her work, therefore, functions not merely as history but as a form of corrective advocacy, demanding acknowledgment for the systemic political violence and human rights violations that caused catastrophic suffering, primarily among the Igbo population.  

Contextualizing Systemic Violence

By centering her activism on documentation, Dr. Ukpo positions herself as a critical voice advocating for historical recognition and accountability. Her book ensures that the lessons of the Biafra War, including the catastrophic death toll and the profound social disintegration, are not relegated to a closed chapter of history. Furthermore, her ability to discuss the Nigerian Genocide provides authoritative context for understanding contemporary security issues and ethno-religious conflicts that continue to destabilize Nigeria. Her scholarship frames historical genocide not as an isolated event, but as a foundational trauma that continues to underpin modern instability and systemic health disparities, thereby connecting her political commentary seamlessly with her public health expertise.  This synthesis of historical severity (genocide) and intimate vulnerability (relationship stress) is precisely what makes Dr. Ukpo an exceptionally compelling podcast guest. Her career demonstrates that the principles she applies to understanding societal fractures—such as identifying pathogenic determinants, managing chronic stress, and advocating for peace—are universally applicable. The discussion is likely to pivot from the macro scale of her work on The forgotten genocide and its implications for Nigerian instability to the micro scale of individual psychological wellness, using her expertise in Peace Is Health to offer guidance on achieving emotional resilience and harmony in daily life. This blend of authoritative scholarship and relatable, candid emotional honesty ensures a discussion that is both deeply informative and broadly engaging for a popular audience.

Dr. Theresa M. O. Ukpo’s podcast is an interview that is an exceptionally rare combination of academic rigor and lived geopolitical experience. Her development from a young woman whose education was halted by the Nigeria-Biafra War to a Ph.D. Epidemiologist who documented The forgotten genocide and teaches the necessity of Peace Is Health demonstrates a career marked by relentless social responsibility.

The overarching conclusion is that Dr. Ukpo’s professional focus—the study of stress, trauma, and systemic conflict through the lens of epidemiology—is a direct, scholarly response to the political violence that shaped her early life. Her body of work provides a unified analysis of suffering, arguing that violence, whether political or personal, must be understood as a primary public health concern. She is uniquely equipped to translate the severe, long-term costs of historical atrocities into practical, human-centered discussions on wellness, mental health, and conflict resolution, making her an indispensable voice in contemporary discourse.

Joe Dreamz is an inspirational rapper and hip-hop artist from San Diego, California, in the United States. He is also a singer and fashion designer. His music, which combines elements of both classic and alternative hip hop, is characterized by its distinctive style and fascinating, relevant, and motivating lyrics.

Career and Background

Before his career in music, Joe Dreamz worked a series of dead-end jobs and felt a lack of purpose. He eventually realized his "window to his Dreamz was slowly closing," and he made the decision to "take a leap of faith" into the music industry. His career is now centered on inspiring others to do the same, with the core message being to "LiveJoeDreamz" (live your dreams) so they can live fulfilling lives.

He credits his current professional success to what he feeds his mind and body, as well as the people he surrounds himself with. He was fortunate to have had mentors, authors, pastors, parents, teachers, peers, and even Lyft passengers who inspired him, and now he strives to do the same for others through his music and fashion.

It all begins with an idea.

Tilly Levine is an amazing example of resilience, purpose, and the power of a positive mindset. Tilly immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 23 with her then-husband, Hezy Shaked, with nothing but a single suitcase and a lot of positivity. Together, with a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit, they began selling clothes and toys at a local swap meet before saving enough to open the first Tilly’s retail store in Orange County in 1982. This single shop would eventually grow into a nationally recognized NYSE retail chain with over 200 locations.

Her personal journey continued to evolve after her divorce. Instead of allowing this to be a source of strife, she and her ex-husband focused on a positive, solution-oriented approach, successfully keeping their family and business partnership together. This experience reinforced her core philosophy of positivity, a belief that positive thoughts lead to positive feelings, which in turn lead to positive action. This same philosophy, which she credits for her success in business and in life, would become the foundation for her next, and most important, chapter.

Tilly's "aha" moment came after years of philanthropic work. While donating money to provide food and shelter for teens, she noticed that many of them would unfortunately return to negative lifestyles. She realized what they truly needed were tools to build confidence, find purpose, and cope with life's challenges. In 2012, this realization led her to found Tilly's Life Center (TLC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth with social-emotional learning. Tilly believes that TLC is her true purpose on this planet, as the center's "I Am Me" curriculum helps young people learn how to regulate their emotions and make better decisions, providing them with hope and the skills to create a happy, healthy, and productive future. TLC’s provides teens with the tools they need to cope with the complex challenges of today. Tilly's journey is a powerful reminder that our personal struggles can be transformed into a force for good, creating a lasting legacy that helps others find their way.

ItIn this compelling episode, we sit down with Tony Morrison, an Emmy and GLAAD award-winning producer and journalist, to discuss his remarkable career and profound personal journey. Tony, a former senior producer at ABC's Good Morning America, shares how his work in broadcast journalism laid the foundation for his current role as a powerful advocate for the LGBTQ community. The conversation explores his impactful history at GLAAD, where he served as Senior Director of Communications, and the pivotal moment he decided to publicly share his own story of living with HIV.

The discussion delves into Tony's life and work, highlighting his commitment to destigmatizing HIV and amplifying the voices of those living with the virus. We learn about his personal experience of keeping his diagnosis a secret for years before his brave decision to go public with an essay for Good Morning America. This act of vulnerability sparked a new chapter in his career, shaping his advocacy work and inspiring his digital series, "Truth Be Told," which spotlights thriving individuals in the HIV community.all begins with an idea.

In this powerful and emotional episode, we delve into the life of Dr. Michael Gillman, a distinguished orthopedic surgeon and a father who successfully navigated the profound challenges of raising a child with high-aptitude autism. Alongside autism consultant Melisa Reiner, we explore the often-misunderstood world of autism, moving beyond conventional narratives of hardship to highlight a story of exceptional aptitude and resilience. Dr. Gillman shares his personal journey, detailing how his family nurtured the extraordinary talents of his son, Daniel, and managed to secure a bright future for him while managing a serious brain cancer diagnosis in David, when Daniel was in elementary school.

The Vision of Jack Nathan

“It was Jack Nathan himself, a compassionate and creative soul, who originally founded Jack's World as a clothing brand. His vision was incredibly selfless: to donate the profits from his brand to organizations dedicated to helping individuals struggling with mental illness. He wanted to use his creativity to make a tangible difference in the lives of others.A Father's Continuation of a Son's Legacy

Following Jack's tragic passing, David Nathan has heroically dedicated himself to honoring and continuing his son's mission. He has channeled his grief into action, ensuring that Jack's compassionate vision endures.

Jack's World Records: Drawing on his extensive experience in the music industry, David has expanded the mission by creating Jack's World Records as an imprint of his existing SoulMusic Records.

A Label with a Purpose: The record label is specifically designed to be a safe haven for artists who are battling addiction and mental health challenges. It aims to provide a supportive and understanding environment where they can create music and heal, continuing the charitable mission his son started.

“Valerie's life has been a symphony of music and service. She has graced stages and lent her voice to iconic artists such as Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, and of course, Earth, Wind & Fire. Her songwriting has achieved Gold status, with her compositions featured in major motion pictures. But beyond the accolades and the spotlight, Valerie's true passion lies in connecting with people on a deeper, more personal level…Valerie's work with "I Found Me" is a powerful expression of her belief that everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued. It's a hands-on, grassroots approach to philanthropy that goes beyond mere charity. It's about building connections, fostering hope, and empowering individuals to rediscover their own worth. In a world that can often feel disconnected, Valerie Bailey's heartfelt mission is a beautiful reminder of the profound impact one person can have when they lead with love, compassion, and a genuine desire to serve others..”