What happens to a society when the family weakens—and institutions try to take its place?In this episode of Restitch America, host Alma Ohene-Opare sits down with Jackson Lahmeyer to explore the ideas behind the article “Family: The Original Social Safety Net.” Together, they discuss why family was humanity’s first source of protection, identity, and responsibility—and why no government program can truly replace it.This conversation unpacks how strong families shape strong citizens, how cultural shifts have redefined responsibility and belonging, and why restoring family as a foundational institution is essential for America’s future. From faith and civic life to youth engagement and leadership, this episode challenges listeners to rethink where real support, stability, and community begin.About the GuestJackson Lahmeyer is a national faith leader, conservative voice, and a member of the White House Faith Council, where he helps guide spiritual and policy direction. He was present when Donald J. Trump signed the Executive Order establishing the council.He is the founder of Pastors For Trump, a nationwide coalition uniting Christian leaders across all 50 states to engage boldly in the public square. Jackson also serves as lead pastor of Sheridan Church and founder of Sheridan Bible College, where he mentors the next generation of leaders committed to faith, freedom, and service.Connect with Jackson:Website: www.jacksonlahmeyer.comInstagram: @jacksonlahmeyerTwitter/X: @JacksonLahmeyerFacebook: facebook.com/jacksonlahmeyer🎙️ In This Episode, You’ll Hear:Why family existed before governments, policies, or institutionsHow over-reliance on the state weakens relational responsibilityThe role of faith, community, and leadership in rebuilding familiesWhy strong families are essential to strong citizenship and national unityIf you care about faith, family, culture, and the future of America, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.Subscribe for weekly conversations on culture, unity, and restoring what holds America together—stitch by stitch.Subscribe: www.willfulpositivity.com

In this episode of Restitch America, host Alma Ohene-Opare sits down with Lisa Ekman, a thoughtful voice on cultural cohesion and civil dialogue, to unpack the ideas in the article “The Tolerance Paradox.”What happens when tolerance becomes an excuse to ignore truth? When openness to difference turns into division? And when the very thing meant to unify us — acceptance — ends up eroding the moral and civic bonds that hold communities together?Alma and Lisa explore how modern culture’s approach to tolerance can backfire, leaving people unmoored, disengaged, or at odds with one another. They dive into how tolerance can be re-understood not as passive acceptance of all things, but as a practice rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and the courage to disagree well.This conversation is ideal for anyone who cares about:• What tolerance really means in a complex society• Why acceptance shouldn’t dismiss truth or principles• How communities can balance difference with shared identity• How cultural dialogue can move from signal-blocking to bridge-building• Practical ways to live alongside disagreement with civilityGuest Bio:Lisa Ekman is an author, patriot, and former Washington, D.C. advocate who spent over two decades working on disability policy across government, nonprofit, and legislative spaces. After leaving Washington in 2020, she moved to a farm in Virginia and began publicly reflecting on culture, ideology, and civic responsibility. Lisa is the author of Deprogramming Democrats & unEducating the Elites and now speaks and writes about restoring truth, unity, and moral clarity in American life.Connect with Lisa: X: @deprogrammeddemWebsite: demprogrammingdemocrats.com👉 Subscribe to Restitch America for weekly conversations that strengthen purpose, connection, and shared citizenship.Subscribe: www.willfulpositivity.com

Can positivity be a discipline — not just a feeling — especially in a season meant for hope?

In this special Christmas-season episode, Alma Ohene-Opare is joined by Dr. Ginny Murtaugh, retired dentist, artist, and graduate student in positive psychology, for a timely conversation inspired by the article “Willful Positivity in a Negative Age.”

Together, Alma and Ginny explore what it means to practice intentional optimism in a culture overwhelmed by cynicism, outrage, and constant negativity — and why the Christmas season calls us back to meaning, gratitude, and renewal.

Ginny brings a unique perspective shaped by 30 years in dentistry, her current studies in positive psychology at the University of Missouri, and her lifelong commitment to learning, creativity, and human flourishing. From neuroscience to daily habits, she explains how positivity can be cultivated — personally, relationally, and culturally.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why positivity must be chosen — not passively hoped for

• How Christmas reminds us of light in dark seasons

• The role of gratitude, meaning, and responsibility in mental well-being

• How positive psychology can strengthen individuals, families, and communities

• Why cultivating hope is an act of courage in today’s culture

This conversation is an invitation to slow down, reflect, and choose joy with intention — not as escapism, but as a disciplined response to a fractured world.

Perfect for the Christmas season and anyone seeking clarity, hope, and purpose.

What holds America together — heritage or values? Culture or policy? In this episode of Restitch America, host Alma Ohene-Opare sits down with political commentator Cler Patriot to explore one of the most defining questions of our time: does immigration work without assimilation?

Inspired by the article “Immigration Without Assimilation” on Willful Positivity, this conversation goes beyond politics and dives into what makes the American experiment possible in the first place — a shared culture, a common language, and a commitment to the ideals written into the Constitution.

Alma and Cler discuss:
Why the U.S. historically required assimilation to thrive
How identity politics and cultural fragmentation weaken unity
The difference between honoring heritage and rejecting American values
Why assimilation isn’t erasure — it’s participation
What happens when immigrant communities are encouraged to separate rather than integrate
How we can rebuild a culture of shared responsibility and civic identity

From lived experience to cultural observation, Alma and Cler explore the tension between diversity and unity — and why real patriotism means adding your story to the American story, not tearing pages out of it.

If you believe that America can be a unified nation of many backgrounds, this episode is for you.

Join the conversation — and help Restitch America, one shared value at a time.

Be a part of our community and subscribe @ www.willfulpositivity.com

Connect with our guest:

IG, X, TikTok and Facebook : @clerpatriot

Alma Ohene-Opare grew up in Ghana during military coups, famine, and dictatorship. He watched his mother build schools and a university from nothing. He lost five dogs to DDT poisoning at age 6. He made a pinhole camera because a physics book told him to — and then realized he could never develop the film because the resources simply didn’t exist.That moment broke something in him… and lit a fire that burned until he finally touched American soil.In this nearly 3-hour conversation, Alma explains:- Why America is the only place on earth where you can wake up with an idea and have a working prototype by sundown - Why socialism always contains “a teaspoon of dog poop” no matter how good it smells - Why true justice can only come from God, not government - How his mother educated over 10,000 kids with the motto: “We train leaders, others train the rest” - The day he took the oath of citizenship and finally put his hand over his heart during the national anthem after 18 years of waiting - Standing at the exact spot where Charlie Kirk was assassinated and what it means for all of usThis is not political talking points. This is raw gratitude from a man who knows exactly what the alternative looks like.If you’ve ever taken your American privilege for granted — watch this. If you have kids who think the American Dream is dead — make them watch this. If you’re tired of the noise and just want to hear truth spoken with love — this episode is for you.Alma’s book: “A Vision of Greatness: An Immigrant’s Unyielding Pursuit of the American Dream” – Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DDF5BLJ4/?bestFormat=true&k=my%20american%20privilege%20book&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-ww_k0_1_22_de&crid=MQRO7V0MRYS4&sprefix=my%20american%20privilage%20Connect With Alma! Youtube: www.youtube.com/@UC-JXKDg4ow2-ND0nFYj_pYw TikTok, IG, Facebook: @willfulpositivityConnect With Micah!Youtube: www.youtube.com/@UCbDRG3_xrVcBHEGnr_0psyw IG: @micahgoodman @americas.podcastsTimestamps:00:00 – Intro & How We Met 04:30 – Born in Ghana Right After Famine & Military Coups 15:45 – The Legend of Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings 28:10 – Growing Up With 7 Dogs, Ducks, Sheep & Massive Responsibility 37:00 – The Day 5 of His Dogs Died (age 6) 44:20 – His Mother’s Insane Legacy (Built a University From Nothing) 53:30 – Teaching Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah in 6th Grade → Drafted #5 Overall by Detroit Lions 1:03:00 – The Photo That Changed His Life Forever (Dad Touching a Dolphin) 1:12:00 – The Pinhole Camera That Broke His Heart 1:23:00 – Why America Freed Him From “Mental Slavery” 1:35:00 – Socialism = A Teaspoon of Dog Poop in Your Favorite Meal 1:52:00 – Why It’s Impossible to Be Christian and Socialist 2:10:00 – Becoming a U.S. Citizen After 18 Years 2:25:00 – Standing at the Spot Where Charlie Kirk Was Assassinated 2:40:00 – Final Message to Young AmericansIf this moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

In this episode of Restitch America, host Alma Ohene-Opare sits down with content creator Nyisha (@nyishaloraine) to dive deep into the provocative essay “Why Merit Matters More Than Representation.” Together, they explore what it looks like to value excellence and character above identity, and why merit should not be abandoned in the name of equality.

Nyisha shares her own journey as a media-maker, discussing how she navigates identity politics, excellence, and opportunity in a digital age. Alma and Nyisha challenge the often polarized narrative that pits representation against merit — arguing instead for a society rooted in shared principles, hard work, and personal responsibility.

In this conversation, you’ll hear about:

• Why representation can’t be the ultimate goal — and how merit preserves freedom, dignity, and long-term excellence

• The risks of identity-first culture for civic trust and institutional integrity

• Nyisha’s personal experiences balancing identity, creativity, and excellence

• How merit-based thinking can help us build a more just, cohesive, and forward-looking America

• Concrete ideas for how individuals and institutions can recommit to merit, while still being inclusive

Tune in if you believe:

• Real opportunity means appreciating character, not just categories

• Identity politics shouldn’t overshadow the pursuit of excellence

• Rebuilding America’s moral and civic fabric requires valuing substance over mere representation

Connect with Us!

Substack: www.willfulpositivity.com

TikTok, IG, Facebook: @willfulpositivity

Connect with our Guest!

Instagram: @nyishaloraine

In this episode of Restitch America, host Alma Ohene-Opare talks with Anna Matson about the themes of Alma’s essay “United in What Matters.” Together they explore how Americans can reclaim shared ground by focusing on core values — dignity, faith, family, and civic responsibility — instead of letting minor doctrinal or political differences drive us apart.Anna and Alma discuss how tribalism and purity tests fracture communities, why we too often define each other by disagreement rather than common convictions, and practical ways to rebuild trust across divides. They emphasize that unity does not require uniformity: instead, it asks us to locate the deep moral terrain we already share and act from it.The conversation also pauses to reflect on the recent Grand Blanc, Michigan attack on an LDS church — a tragic reminder of how quickly social bonds can be shattered and why compassionate solidarity matters now more than ever. Alma and Anna call listeners to mourn together, resist moral distancing, and recommit to protecting the sacred spaces and values that bind communities.If you’re craving honest dialogue, value-driven conversation, and a hopeful roadmap for rebuilding trust in America, this episode is for you.Watch now on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts. Let’s start restitching the nation — one conversation at a time.Connect with us!Website: www.willfulpositivity.comConnect with our guest Anna!Website: www.annamatson.comX, IG, TikTok: @annarmatson

In this episode of Restitch America, host Alma Ohene-Opare sits down with Athena (@therealathenak) — a conservative political commentator known for her bold, common-sense approach to politics on TikTok and Instagram.

Together, they unpack the themes of Alma’s essay, “When the Foundation Fails,” exploring what happens when a nation drifts from its founding principles and moral compass. Athena shares her personal journey — why she walked away from the Left, the cost of speaking truth in today’s culture, and how Americans can rebuild unity without sacrificing conviction.

This conversation dives deep into questions of faith, freedom, family, and the civic duty of every generation to guard the foundation of liberty before it collapses.

Connect with Athena:

Tiktok- therealathenak

Instagram- athenaschats