Episode 266: What Survives, What Sells

This week on [un]phased Unedited, the team explore the concept of cultural continuity and the ways communities preserve customs, values, stories, and traditions across generations (for good or for bad). Using Ryan Coogler's film, "Sinners" as a cultural touchpoint, they trace the journey of the Zaouli mask dance of the Guro people of Côte d’Ivoire through West African performance traditions, the Middle Passage, the blues, and contemporary movement culture, illustrating how cultural expression evolves while carrying ancestral meaning forward. In the second half, Dr. Lisa leads an Election Day-themed discussion on modern political advertising and what younger generations are learning about politics in an increasingly media-driven environment. The hosts also examine the staggering cost of modern elections. According to reporting from The New York Times, more than $11.6 billion has been spent on the 2026 midterm elections, including hundreds of millions of dollars from major individual donors. The conversation asks a larger question: What could that level of investment accomplish if directed toward housing, education, healthcare, mental health services, or poverty reduction instead? Join us for a thoughtful conversation about what societies preserve, celebrate, and fund.