Liz Lewis

Passion vs. Paycheck - Hidden Brain Media The idea of being driven by a calling goes back centuries. It was the language used to describe religious people who were called to the priesthood. Today, millions of people in secular professions yea...

On a professional calling: do you have one and did you pursue it? This episode is worth a listen. I can't stop thinking about "peak calling" time being when I was in my early-20s, a whole new set of cultural structures that shaped my trajectory. www.hiddenbrain.org/podcast/pass...

I finally launched my Substack properly. The catalyst? Tylenolgate and a sudden urge to talk about my past academic research on disability, mother blaming, and medical folklore. Check out my first proper post, "Past Lives," and let me know if it resonates.
open.substack.com/pub/lizlewis...

This is fascinating, both because of the YouTube focus and also because these big tech tools are now old enough for oral histories. I often tell my kids that I remember back when YouTube was a joke and no one knew what to do with it. I'm excited to read this.

Some news.

Elon Musk Is Running the Twitter Playbook on the Federal Government The US Office of Personnel Management is telling federal workers to get in line—or get out.

Elon Musk is running the Twitter playbook on the US government: www.wired.com/story/elon-m...

Anyone else remembering when a certain someone took over a certain social media site with a bird logo and tanked it?

Please, please listen, I am literally begging you:

I'm a healthcare lawyer who is alive because of Medicaid. I just came from Hill meetings about Medicaid. I'm very plugged into "the groups" — if you're covered by Medicaid, do not cancel anything medical because of the OMB mess.

Would’ve been cool to do this in August instead of just talking about joy, right?

All this time I thought the “raise your hand and get a severance package” approach to mass firings was just in tech.

Federal judge blocks Trump federal spending freeze after a day of chaos The federal government fell into chaos Tuesday as officials braced for potential interruptions to programs that range from protecting food safety to responding to natural disasters.

THE LATEST: A federal judge halts Trump's imposition of a spending freeze on a day of mass confusion and disruption in Washington, as a growing roster of opponents allege that the WH has overstepped its authorities -- www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

So first we kick millions of people off of Medicaid, then we stop feeding kids. What's the goal, exactly?

If you are an environmental researcher and have been negatively affected by the pause / suspension of federal funds (for research or programs) — please LET ME KNOW.

I am writing a story about this ASAP for The New Lede / The Guardian.

Trump’s Executive Orders Rolling Back DEI and Accessibility Efforts, Explained | ACLU These orders represent a deliberate attempt to undo progress on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility and create new barriers to opportunity.

Trump's new executive orders aim to dismantle DEI programs and accessibility programs.

Companies, schools, and institutions must resist the fear and confusion of these orders by doubling down on our commitment to equal opportunity for everyone, regardless of their background.

The problem with the myth of individualism is that we're all deeply interconnected and will, at points in our lives, rely on people and institutions for care. Nearly all of us. And if we don't, our loved ones will. Today is a moment of legitimate panic and fear for so many of us. That's all.

Panic is the point.

Great opportunity. I cut my teeth as a crossover academic/writer with @nursingclio.bsky.social when I was in grad school and love watching their continued momentum and impact.

That cross.

My oldest child and I were talking last night, and the role of education in society came up. I remarked that one of the worst things that can happen to a community is 1) weak education, and 2) a brain drain, when the educated people flee. This feels a bit too on the nose.

NEW: My staff has confirmed reports that Medicaid portals are down in all 50 states following last night's federal funding freeze. This is a blatant attempt to rip away health care from millions of Americans overnight and will get people killed.

This is insane. There are lots of scientists in the US who are on “soft money”, which means that without government grants, they’re out of jobs. This is how you destroy the best research and development in the world.

Yup. Keeping a very close eye on this one as I have a close family member who depends on Medicaid and has no other options. It's appalling and the worst part is I've been waiting for this shoe to drop since November, but I'd hoped I was paranoid.

Zinger.

Collins holding the line as the queen of strong, clear language.

Keeping it classy.

Let's play out a hypo: a person's family member relies on govt benefits that were just frozen. Said person then has to quit their job to become a full-time caregiver. I'm not an economist, but I'm pretty sure there's a steep economic + productivity cost there that becomes massive in the aggregate.

I tell my kids that when people who them who they are, it's critical to listen. Just saying.

I've been trying to find info about Medicaid waivers for community living. No luck yet. Trying not to spin out here, but good lord.

Never been happier to see a paywall.

Caroline Kennedy warns senators of ‘predator’ RFK Jr. in searing letter In a letter to lawmakers, the former U.S. ambassador to Australia and cousin of Trump’s HHS nominee, questions Robert F. Kennedy’s ethics and views on vaccines.

“His basement, his garage, his dorm room were the centers of the action where drugs were available, and he enjoyed showing off how he put baby chickens and mice in the blender to feed his hawks. It was often a perverse scene of despair and violence.”

😐
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Anyone else feel like Republicans are upending the fabric of society while Democrats are busy debating the Oxford comma?