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THE Conversation

THE Conversation

By: Falmouth Community Television
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About this listen

🎙️ THE Conversation is a monthly podcast that brings together diverse voices to engage in honest, courageous, and deeply relevant discussions about race and justice. Co-hosted by The Rev. Will Mebane and Onjalé Scott Price, this award-winning series was created by Falmouth Community Television (FCTV) to open dialogue and foster education on issues of racial equity—starting at the local level and rippling outward. Each episode features panel discussions, community voices, and expert guests who explore how racism and bias shape our everyday lives across institutions such as education, healthcare, housing, religion, and more. With a focus on awareness, action, and community connection, THE Conversation aims to inspire lasting, meaningful change—one conversation at a time. Originally launched in 2020, the show has received the Rika Welch Community Impact Award and continues to spark partnerships, elevate marginalized voices, and support anti-bias education throughout Cape Cod and beyond. Listen and be part of THE Conversation—because change starts with listening.© 2020 Falmouth Community Television Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Talking Across the Aisle Part 2
    Jun 30 2025

    Returning to join the co-hosts for the seventh episode of THE Conversation are guest panelists Ewell Hopkins, Troy Clarkson, and Dr. Donna Jackson. Ethan Peal, Paul Rifkin, Ken Armstead, and
    Gina Brown also return to the program. The discussion in this edition of THE Conversation primarily focuses on two questions: “What can we do to break out of our own bubbles?” and “How do we learn to walk in the shoes of others?”


    Along with his professional career focused on strategic technology sales and business development in multiple industries, Ewell Hopkins is a member of the Oak Bluffs Planning Board in Martha’s Vineyard.
    He is also involved in various community organizations, including Habitat for Humanity and the Democratic Council of Martha’s Vineyard. In 2016, he was a candidate for State Representative for the Barnstable, Dukes & Nantucket District.


    Troy Clarkson is the Chief Financial Officer for the City of Brockton and the Principal of Clarkson Consulting, specializing in government relations, strategic planning, and more. A former member of the Town of Falmouth Select Board, a contributor to the Falmouth Enterprise newspaper through his weekly column, “Troy’s Take,” Mr. Clarkson is also the author of two books, Succanessett Snapshot and Out of the Woods: 365 Ways to not be a Dung Beetle.


    Donna Jackson, Psy.D is a doctoral-level clinical psychologist for Conch Shell Counseling in Falmouth,
    a private practice focusing on families affected by Alzheimer's and Dementia. In 2015, Dr. Jackson,
    a support group facilitator for Alzheimer’s Family Support Services of Cape Cod, initiated the monthly Falmouth Together Memory Cafe at Falmouth Museums on the Green to provide a welcoming space for people living with memory changes.

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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Talking Across the Aisle Part 1
    Jun 23 2025

    Joining the co-hosts for the sixth episode of THE Conversation are guest panelists
    Ewell Hopkins, Troy Clarkson, and Dr. Donna Jackson. Ethan Peal, Paul Rifkin,
    Ken Armstead,
    and Gina Brown also appear on the program. The discussion in this edition
    of THE Conversation primarily focuses on two questions: “Why do we find it necessary to see and treat those different from us as less than how we see ourselves?” and “How do we overcome our deep divisions in our country?”


    Along with his professional career focused on strategic technology sales and business development in multiple industries, Ewell Hopkins is a member of the Oak Bluffs Planning Board in Martha’s Vineyard. He is also involved in various community organizations, including Habitat for Humanity and the Democratic Council of Martha’s Vineyard. In 2016, he was
    a candidate for State Representative for the Barnstable, Dukes & Nantucket District.


    Troy Clarkson is the Chief Financial Officer for the City of Brockton and the Principal of Clarkson Consulting, specializing in government relations, strategic planning, and more.
    A former member of the Town of Falmouth Select Board, a contributor to the Falmouth Enterprise newspaper through his weekly column, “Troy’s Take,” Mr. Clarkson is also the author of two books, Succanessett Snapshot and Out of the Woods: 365 Ways to not be a Dung Beetle.


    Donna Jackson, Psy.D is a doctoral-level clinical psychologist for Conch Shell Counseling in Falmouth, a private practice focusing on families affected by Alzheimer's and Dementia.
    In 2015, Dr. Jackson, a support group facilitator for Alzheimer’s Family Support Services of Cape Cod, initiated the monthly Falmouth Together Memory Cafe at Falmouth Museums on the Green to provide a welcoming space for people living with memory changes.

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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Racial Disparities in Healthcare
    Jun 16 2025

    Joining the co-hosts for the fifth episode of THE Conversation are guest panelists Joseph Burns,
    David Hufford, Ph.D., and Gwyneth Packard. Paul Courtney and Marie Younger Blackburn also appear on the program. This edition of THE Conversation focuses on two topics: “Where do you see racial disparities in the delivery of healthcare?” and “How might we address racial disparities in healthcare?”

    A freelance journalist currently living in Brewster, Joseph Burns is the health insurance topic leader for the Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ) and contributes to AHCJ’s Covering Health blog. He also writes about health policy and the business of health care for a variety of publications. As a writer and editor, Mr. Burns has covered health care since 1991 for various organizations, including The Commonwealth Fund, the National Alliance for Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions, and others. From 1991 to 1994, he was editor-in-chief of Business & Health magazine. Mr. Burns was the founding editor of The Financial Manager, a magazine for accountants and other business strategists. Before 1991, he worked as an editor for The Hartford Courant, and he taught news writing at the University of Connecticut.

    David Hufford, Ph.D., is a Professor Emeritus of the University of Pennsylvania where he received his Ph.D. His specialty is culture and health. While at the university, he was a professor of Behavioral Science and was the Chair of the Medical Humanities department with joint appointments in Family Medicine and Psychiatry from 1974 to 2007. After his retirement from the university, Dr. Hufford was named a Senior Fellow at Samueli Medical Institute from 2008 to 2015. He is now retired and living in Media, PA.

    Gwyneth Packard moved to the area in 1991 for a twelve-week internship and stayed, making her home here and raising a family. Ms. Packard is one of the leaders of Engage Falmouth and a co-Chair of the Committee for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. As a biracial female in engineering, Ms. Packard works at advocating for women in STEM. She is an organizer for the Maria Mitchell Women of Science Symposium with the Maria Mitchell Association and participates in efforts such as Black in Marine Science Week.

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    1 hr and 7 mins
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