Field dispatches for people building story into sovereignty.
Read dispatches from the ground, strategy notes on Media Company in a Box, and updates on the movement to help creators and communities own their stories.
A clear field update on the shift from waiting for perfect conditions to deploying sovereign media training through the infrastructure that already exists.
Start here to understand the next evolution of the mission: less performance, more capacity; less dependency, more ownership.
Start here if you are new to the work. Full blog archive continues below this gateway.
This newsletter is for people who care about story, sovereignty, media literacy, creator ownership, and real-world community infrastructure.
Updates from Cameroon, Uganda, and developing mission corridors where sovereign media infrastructure is being tested in real conditions.
Practical thinking from Media Company in a Box, Bridge to Media Empowerment, and the systems behind independent media ownership.
Strategies for turning story into intellectual property, content into infrastructure, and lived experience into economic possibility.
The newsletter is the signal. These are the core systems, missions, and pathways behind the work.
An in-depth look at the experiences and injustices faced by individuals in the civil commitment system for sexual offenses.
Video featuring Taisa Carvalho Mick, MS, LMLP, hosted by Joshua Berglan.
In the realm of criminal justice, there exists a complex and often overlooked system known as civil commitment. This process involves the involuntary hospitalization of individuals deemed to pose a danger to themselves or others, primarily those with mental illnesses or a history of sexual offenses. While the intention is treatment, the reality often falls short.
Drawing from firsthand accounts as a former employee at Larned State Hospital in Kansas, therapist Taisa Mick's narrative paints a stark picture. She recounts instances of mistreatment, policy changes that negatively impact residents' rights, and a pervasive culture of fear that prevents staff from speaking up against wrongdoing. The lack of objective criteria for progression within the program further exacerbates the situation, trapping individuals in a cycle of confinement with limited opportunities for rehabilitation.
"We must do better. We must treat these individuals with the same compassion and empathy that we would want for ourselves or our loved ones."
The conversation poignantly highlights the human cost of these injustices. Taisa speaks of the isolation and despair experienced by residents, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. She also addresses the sensitive topic of deaths within the facility, raising concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability.
At the heart of the discussion lies a call for empathy. Taisa challenges the notion of labeling individuals as predators without evidence, emphasizing the importance of understanding the underlying trauma and history that may contribute to their behavior. Her courage in speaking out serves as a beacon of hope for those who have been silenced and a testament to her commitment to upholding human dignity.
Introduction to Civil Justice and the importance of the topic
Discussion about the injustices and mistreatment faced by the residents at the hospital
Discussion about the issue of deaths within the facility
Fear of repercussions for speaking up or showing empathy towards residents
Discussion on the history and trauma experienced by many individuals in the program
Appreciation for Taisa Mick's bravery and closing remarks
Explore the connections and controversies surrounding the facility.
An inside look that may challenge public perceptions.
Hear directly from those who have been through the system.
Below is the living archive of field notes, frameworks, and reflections from the work of building sovereign media infrastructure through Media Company in a Box, The Sovereign Protocol, and The Sovereign Franchise.
