Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams

This week, Stacey opens the show with a warning about why Americans need to closely watch Brazil’s elections on October 4th and what it means as we fight back against authoritarianism here at home. Then she gets into AI: the daily headlines about how fast the technology is developing, a growing list of incidents where AI has gone outside of human control, and the snail's pace at which Washington is dealing with the problem…. are all painting a very grim picture. So can AI still be stopped? This week, Stacey is joined by Susan Rice, a former United Nations Ambassador, National Security Advisor to Barack Obama and Domestic Policy Advisor to Joe Biden. Ambassador Rice lays out the case for how we can still regulate AI, why the UN is stuck in gridlock on global issues of this magnitude, and why voters making their voices heard is so critical this November. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: To learn more about the companies that, for better or worse, are shaping our AI future, pick up a copy of Karen Hao’s excellent book Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s Open AI. Solve Problems: The Ten Steps Campaign continues to add new partners. Visit 10stepscampaign.org/partnersto find a local cause you care about. This week we want to spotlight the Southern Legal Center for Youth, which provides free civil legal support to young people ages 12-24 in Georgia. Visit SLCY.org to learn more, donate, and get involved. Do Good: The East coast is being pummelled by storms this weekend, which can cause flooding and power outages. Check on your friends and neighbors, particularly those who are elderly or in need of medical support, and make sure they are safe. You can request a transcript by emailing transcripts@crooked.com. Include the podcast name, episode title, and air date. Please allow 48 hours for delivery.

How could the Supreme Court’s decisions shape the 2026 midterms? What are the current threats posed by ICE? How can we build communities rooted in connection rather than fear? Lawyer and Democracy Forward President and CEO Skye Perryman joins Stacey to discuss the Supreme Court cases to watch ahead of opinion season, whether a ruling could come before the midterms in a case involving ICE and polling places, and her new book, Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times, a practical guide to reclaiming our power and taking action during extraordinary times. Stacey also discusses the freedom of the press or lack thereof, as the White House continues its efforts to reshape the media landscape and what that means for the administration’s broader agenda. Learn & Do More: BE CURIOUS: Pick up a copy of Skye’s new book, Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times: How to Reclaim Your Power, Fight for Freedom, and Reimagine Democracy, for more practical tips on how to fight back against autocracy. SOLVE PROBLEMS: Visit Democracy Forward to learn more about how to get involved and find educational resources that can help us all learn more in the fight against autocracy. DO GOOD: City Bureau is a civic media lab that designs people-powered journalism practices and supports their local adoption and adaptation across the country. They started the Documenters program, which equips and pays community members to attend local government meetings, distill what matters, and bring actionable information back to their neighbors. Visit Documenters to learn more and sign up to participate. You can request a transcript by emailing transcripts@crooked.com. Include the podcast name, episode title, and air date. Please allow 48 hours for delivery.

Is the AI apocalypse already underway and will we get meaningful regulation before it’s too late? How did the “four horsemen” of the right-wing legal movement lay the groundwork for today’s conservative Supreme Court? Will JD Vance continue to position himself as the Republican Party’s next leader? Host of Runaway Country and MS NOW Senior Political Analyst Alex Wagner joins Stacey to discuss the growing fight over AI and data centers, the GOP’s midterm convention, the census coming under attack, and the decades-long conservative campaign to reshape the Supreme Court that she explores in her new book, The Steal. Then, in honor of Assembly Required’s 100th episode, Stacey answers listener questions about everything from politics and the state of the world to books, TV, and beyond. Learn & Do More: 1. Be Curious: Tune into Alex Wagner’s Crooked Media podcast, Runaway Country, and pick up a copy of her illuminating new book, The Steal. 2. Solve Problems: Step three in the Ten Steps to Authoritarianism is capturing the other branches, which, as we learned today, has been a project of the right for decades. The Brennan Center for Justice fights to make elections fair, preserve our civil liberties, and end mass incarceration in Congress, the states, and the courts. Visit BrennanCenter.org to support their work on Supreme Court reform, reforms to improve the confirmation process for federal judges, and promoting fairness in state courts. 3. Do Good: With so much of our judicial system under right-wing control, vulnerable communities are under attack. Women’s Equity Center and Action Network educates, engages, and activates women of color to lead social change efforts. Visit WomensEquity.org to learn more about their efforts to facilitate social justice and equal opportunity, and sign up for “Mobilize Monday,” where they highlight opportunities to take action against injustice. Also, as we grapple with how to regulate AI advancements, we need to acknowledge the powerful tools at our disposal at the local level. 1. See if your ballot has a Public Service Commission race and take action. Nine states elect their utility regulators, and they're on the ballot on November 3rd — Georgia, Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. In Georgia, Districts 3 and 5, elected statewide. Last November, Georgia Democrats flipped two of these seats because the bills are too high. The commission sits at three to two. Two seats decide who sets the rate you pay and whether a data center pays its own freight. Find out if there is a race and tell your friends and family to vote for candidates who support AI regulation. 2. Show up to your utility commission hearing. Demand that data centers pay their own infrastructure costs rather than passing them onto the consumer. A utility commission hearing is one of the few places left in American government where showing up still has an effect. Why? Because the industry shows up every single time and you don't. If you're there to watch them, the elected officials see you too. 3. Use your county commissions. When a data center comes to your planning commission, the question is not yes or no. Read the fine print and demand details. Ask for a separate rate class and written indemnity so you don't cover stranded costs. Ask for a water disclosure and a decommissioning bond. Quiz your county leaders and teach them what they need to know. Will you vote for a separate rate class for large loads, so my bill doesn't subsidize theirs? Would you refuse to sign an agreement not to enforce this state's AI laws? You can request a transcript by emailing transcripts@crooked.com. Include the podcast name, episode title, and air date. Please allow 48 hours for delivery.

Happy Star Trek Day, to all those who celebrate! In honor of the show’s 60th anniversary, Stacey sits down with fellow super fan, actor, comedian, writer and host of the podcast Starter Trek, Tawny Newsome. They talk about their personal fan origin stories, what the show has taught them about both science and fiction, and why Star Trek’s legacy is so important to highlight in our current political climate. They also talk about the recent loss of two icons, Dolly Parton and Gloria Steinem. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: To improve your Star Trek bonafides, check out Tawny’s podcast Starter Trek. Solve Problems: It’s been one month since the Trump administration ended a contract with a nonprofit network of attorneys representing unaccompanied children for over twenty years. According to the Acacia Center for Justice, children as young as six and even a one year old baby are appearing unrepresented in court, leading to deportation. Visit acaciajustice.org to learn more and donate to support legal representation for unaccompanied minors. Visit Acacia Justice on Instagram @AcaciaJustice to read more stories of impacted children and stay in touch about ways to take action. Do Good: The climate crisis continues to have devastating impacts across the globe, this time in Nepal, where a melting glacier led to a catastrophic flash flood that has claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people so far. The New York Times has a guide of organizations you can donate to like the Nepalese Government’s Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund, UNICEF, the World Food Program, World Central Kitchen, and more. You can request a transcript by emailing transcripts@crooked.com. Include the podcast name, episode title, and air date. Please allow 48 hours for delivery.

What does the Meta case mean for the future of social media and how children use these platforms? Could the Paramount merger ultimately push the company out of California, putting thousands of jobs at risk? And what’s happening with ICE raids and detention facilities now that immigration enforcement is no longer dominating the headlines? California Attorney General Rob Bonta joins Stacey to discuss Meta’s landmark settlement over allegations that its social media platforms were designed in ways that put children at risk, the $17.1 billion payout, what the case could mean for the future of social media and other tech companies, and why Attorneys General are critical to the fight against authoritarianism. U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver of New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District also joins the show to discuss her legal fight after an appeals court rejected her challenge to charges stemming from alleged assaults at ICE facilities, what she witnessed at Delaney Hall, and why congressional oversight of ICE detention facilities is so critical. Learn & Do More: BE CURIOUS: A major storm hit Indiana and other parts of the Midwest, resulting in seven deaths and causing what the North Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO), called "the worst damage in known company history." Gary, a majority-Black city with 29% of the population living in poverty, suffered the worst damage in the state, with tens of thousands left without power for more than two weeks and, as of yesterday, hundreds more still waiting. What's worse is that in the early days of the blackout, Gary was left off NIPSCO's timelines for power restoration in the state, and watched neighboring communities get updates about their power while they received nothing. As the climate crisis continues and extreme weather events intensify, poor communities and communities of color are often hardest hit, and the consequences in Gary are dire. Dive into coverage from outlets like Black-led outlet Capital B News, CBS, CNN, and NBC, as well as an op-ed in MS NOW from Karen Freeman-Wilson, former mayor of Gary and current president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League, to learn more about how and why this crisis is happening. SOLVE PROBLEMS: Visitwww.gary.gov/stormrecovery to donate to the Storm Recovery Fund. The Urban League of Northwest Indiana’s Facebook page also has opportunities to get involved, particularly with organizations providing food relief. If you want to know more about the Paramount merger visit https://noparamountconcessions.com/. DO GOOD: Relief Gang is an excellent grassroots organization that has been responding to the crisis from the very beginning. Follow them on Instagram at @reliefgang to find out about upcoming food drives and other ways to help. You can request a transcript by emailing transcripts@crooked.com. Include the podcast name, episode title, and air date. Please allow 48 hours for delivery.

Can state legislation be the key to saving our democracy? Lawyer, political commentator, and host of the Sidebar podcast Katie Phang joins Stacey to unpack Americans’ growing frustration with data centers, the rise of police surveillance, and why Democrats shouldn’t just “take a page from the GOP’s political playbook, but full-on chapters.” They also break down some of the week’s biggest legal stories, from the Miami-Dade Police Department to Trump’s renovation projects and the latest Todd Blanche hearings. Learn & Do More: BE CURIOUS: For more incisive legal and political analysis, listen to Katie Phang’s podcast Sidebar with Katie Phang. SOLVE PROBLEMS: Law Forward is a Wisconsin-based nonprofit law firm that safeguards voting rights, fights for fair maps, strengthens democratic institutions, and advances the rule of law through strategic litigation. Visit LawForward.org to donate. DO GOOD: Caring Across Generations is an organization dedicated to changing our culture and policies in America to value and support caregiving. They work to transform cultural norms and narratives about aging, disability, and care; win federal and state-level policy change; and create a powerful coalition across the millions of us who are touched by care. Visit CaringAcross.org to learn more and get involved.

Is the South the new epicenter of American politics? National Association of Black Journalists President, The 19th Editor-at-Large, and host of Crooked’s new podcast Long Play, Errin Haines sits down with Stacey to unpack why the South is so fundamentally misunderstood and why expanding our imagination of what the region looks like could be key to winning Democratic elections. They also discuss the NABJ “Thumbs-Down Awards,” the Trump administration’s attacks on DEI, and the growing threat of media censorship. Learn & Do More: BE CURIOUS: If you enjoyed the conversation with Errin, check out her podcast Long Play, a six-part series on how to win power back in the South. SOLVE PROBLEMS: Many states, including North Carolina, will have new or stricter voter identification laws in 2026. VoteRiders helps people make appointments to get the right kind of ID and covers the costs. Visit Voteriders.orgto get involved by volunteering or donating. DO GOOD: New Disabled South builds power with disabled people to advance justice, dignity, and collective liberation across the South. Visit NewDisabledSouth.org to find resources, take action, and donate. You can request a transcript by emailing transcripts@crooked.com. Include the podcast name, episode title, and air date. Please allow 48 hours for delivery.

What is the future of the Democratic Party? How will redistricting shape voters’ power in the South? What are the latest primary results telling us about the political moment we’re in? Kamala D. Harris, 49th Vice President of the United States, joins Stacey to share what she’s hearing from voters on the ground as she travels through the South. They also talk about the new attitude Democrats need to win elections, fight back against Trump, and stop his authoritarian agenda. Learn & Do More: 1. BE CURIOUS: Sometimes it feels like we are overloaded with information, have a million articles open in tabs, and don’t know where to begin. Your homework is to pick one that piques your curiosity and sit down to read. And with news and reading on the decline, if you haven’t already subscribed to support your local newspaper, please consider doing so. The Ten Steps Campaign works with partner organizations across the country dedicated to uplifting their communities, and I would like to take the opportunity to rally support for their excellent work here today. Visit 10stepscampaign.org to find out what kind of democracy defender you are and get connected. 2. SOLVE PROBLEMS: Run for Something Civics is a nonprofit organization that encourages young people to step up and run for office and helps support them with a free Future Candidates course. Visit runforsomethingcivics.net to sign up for training or to donate. 3. DO GOOD: Above All is an organization dedicated to building a world where abortion care is affordable, available, and supported for everyone who needs it. Visit aboveall.org to learn more about their work and donate.

What can the great political speeches of the past teach us about the moment we’re living through today? Pod Save the World host and author of All We Say: The Battle for American Identity, Ben Rhodes joins Stacey Abrams to trace the history of civil rights in America through the words of some of the most influential voices across the political spectrum, from Martin Luther King Jr., Dolores Huerta, and Barack Obama to Alexander Stephens and Donald Trump. They also dig into the rise of modern authoritarianism, the latest in the Iran War, and how we can build community and find common ground in a time that feels increasingly fractured. Learn & Do More: BE CURIOUS: Pick up a copy of Ben Rhodes’ new book, All We Say: A History of the United States in Fifteen Speeches. SOLVE PROBLEMS: HeadCount is an organization that turns fans into voters by registering people at concerts, festivals, sporting events, and community gatherings anywhere you can turn a passion for culture into voting action. They need volunteers! Visit HeadCount.org to sign up to volunteer in your state or to donate. DO GOOD: With Monday’s massive earthquake in Colombia leading to casualties, as well as the recent devastating earthquake in Venezuela, it’s time to step up and help. Consider donating to World Central Kitchen, which provides meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises. Visit WCK.org to donate.

Trump's second term has been defined by mounting corruption, but who, if anyone, is holding him accountable? MSNOW’s Symone Sanders Townsend and Eugene Daniels join the show to discuss whether Republicans will ever push back against Trump's abuses of power, Todd Blanche's nomination, and the growing politicization of the Department of Justice. They also explain why the upcoming midterm elections could be the country's best chance to check authoritarianism, what it will take to build a durable pro-democracy majority, and why Americans should demand more from their government. Learn & Do More: BE CURIOUS: Subscribe to Eugene Daniels and Symone Sanders Townsend's podcast, Clock It wherever you get your podcasts. You can also catch Symone and Eugene in Texas this fall at "MS NOW Live: Together in Texas,” the network’s annual live event on September 26th. Tickets are on sale now at www.ms.now/together-in-texas-we-the-people-2026 SOLVE PROBLEMS: The midterm elections are just a few months away, and control of Congress will be on the ballot. Just as important are the state and local races that shape our daily lives. Learn about the candidates running in your community, find one you believe in, and sign up to volunteer. You can also connect with your local state party or civic organizations to learn more about ways to get involved. DO GOOD: Mississippi Votes is a youth-led organization that empowers young people through voter education, grassroots organizing, and community outreach. Visit msvotes.org to learn more, volunteer, or make a donation.

America can feel like it's spiraling out of control—but could a state like Wisconsin hold the blueprint for turning things around? Ben Wikler, former chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and author of the new book This Is the Plan: How to End America's Meltdown and Save Democracy, joins Stacey Abrams to explain why the answer is yes. Drawing on Wisconsin's political battles, Wikler argues that Democrats can win back voters ahead of the midterms by learning from closely divided states that have successfully pushed back against Republicans. They discuss how Democrats can sharpen their messaging, the lasting impact of gerrymandering, whether it's finally time to abolish the Electoral College, and the power we all have to make a big difference by organizing locally. Learn & Do More: BE CURIOUS: Pick up a copy of Ben Wikler's This Is the Plan: How to End America's Meltdown and Save Democracy to learn more about his vision for building a future rooted in democracy, opportunity, and freedom for all. SOLVE PROBLEMS: Elections depend on poll workers, and many communities still need more. Power the Polls connects volunteers with local poll worker opportunities to help ensure safe, fair, and accessible elections. If you're interested in serving your community and earning some extra money while doing it visit http://powertothepolls.org to apply and help your neighbors vote. DO GOOD: As the new school year approaches, Operation Backpack, an initiative from Volunteers of America, is collecting donations to provide backpacks and school supplies for children experiencing homelessness, poverty, and other hardships. Your donation also supports essential services for children and families, including after-school programs and housing stability. You can also find volunteer opportunities in your area visit www.voa.org/operation-backpack-2026/ and consider inviting a few friends or neighbors to donate or volunteer alongside you.

America has an infamously imperfect past, but rather than confronting our demons, interpretations of our history have become a political football. This week, Stacey is joined by historian and author Heather Cox Richardson, and award winning journalist and member of the Cherokee nation, Rebecca Nagle. They talk about where America stands 250 years in, why erasing native history is so damaging, and how the way we frame our past shapes our civil discourse today. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: Visit Heather Cox Richardson’s substack, “Letters from an American” for more excellent insight into American history. Also listen to Rebecca’s new podcast, “First America” and pick up a copy of her book, “By the Fire We Carry: The Generations-Long Fight For Justice on Native Land”. Solve Problems: Consider donating to NDN Collective to support their mission of creating sustainable solutions on indigenous terms through organizing, activism, philanthropy, and more. And visit The Native American Rights Fund, an organization that holds government accountable and fights to protect Native American rights, resources, and lifeways through litigation. Do Good: A third servicemember has now died in the administration’s unjust and unconscionable war in Iran. Consider the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, or TAPS, to find meaningful ways to support military families.

Why do intersectionality and Critical Race Theory matter in today’s political climate? This week, Stacey sits down with civil rights advocate, Critical Race Theory scholar, and Columbia Law School professor Kimberlé Crenshaw to discuss how these frameworks help us make sense of issues ranging from the recent ICE killing in Houston, Texas, to the Trump administration’s attacks on the rights of marginalized communities. They also explore how today’s backlash against Critical Race Theory is tied to a broader effort to reshape American democracy, and explore how her own life shaped these groundbreaking ideas, as told in her new memoir, Backtalker: An American Memoir. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: Pick up a copy of Kimberlé Crenshaw’s excellent new memoir, Backtalker: An American Memoir, as well as On Intersectionality: Selected Writings and Say Her Name: Black Women’s Stories of Police Violence and Public Silence. Solve Problems: We need more Black scholars like Kimberlé Crenshaw to help us understand our history, navigate our present, and shape a more just future. As programs that support students of color continue to be dismantled, consider supporting the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) or other organizations that create educational opportunities for the next generation of Black scholars. Do Good: As we saw in Houston, ICE activity resulting in violence, detention, and deportation has not gone away, it continues to escalate. Consider donating to your local immigrant detention center's commissary fund to help provide detainees with basic necessities. Each Step Home (eachstephome.org) is one organization doing this work. You can also support the Acacia Center for Justice (acaciajustice.org), which builds, strengthens, and expands immigrant legal defense programs for adults and children across the country.

How can art help save our democracy? The relationship between art and politics has shaped American history for generations. From challenging those in power to inspiring social movements, artists have long played a vital role in protecting and strengthening democracy. This week, Stacey sits down with actress, director, and activist Kathleen Turner and former mayor of Ithaca and President of People For the American Way, Svante Myrick, for a conversation about the Trump administration's attacks on media and artistic expression, the role celebrities and influencers can play in political mobilization, and People For the American Way's efforts to defend Black voting power amid a racial gerrymandering crisis. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: Check out Colson Whitehead’s novel John Henry Days. The story tracks 120 years of American history - from the folk tale of the railroad worker to how America confronts and cloaks its challenges even now. Solve Problems: Visit People for the American Way’s website at peoplefor.org and check out their Art of Saving Democracy Action Kit to learn more about how to use art for social impact. Do Good: Record high temperatures nationwide are slowly easing up, but they are an important reminder to be vigilant about caring for vulnerable communities when extreme weather hits. Please check on your elderly friends and neighbors, particularly those living alone, to make sure they are safe. Learn more about cooling centers in your community where people without power can go.

This week, guest host Melissa Murray, host of Crooked Media’s Strict Scrutiny podcast is joined by Erin Ryan, co-host of Crooked Media’s Hysteria. They juxtapose the Obama Presidential Center opening with Trump’s UFC event celebrating his 80th birthday, and talk about the two very different visions of our country that those events (and their attendants) represent. They also touch on Trump’s dismal approval ratings, the biggest takeaways from primary battles in states like New York and Georgia, the positive vibes at the World Cup, and why the right just can’t move on from attacking pride month. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: Listen to Strict Scrutiny and Hysteria, wherever you get your podcasts. Solve Problems: Don’t let the right twist your understanding of our founding documents. Educate yourself and those around you by picking up a copy of Melissa’s newest book, The U.S. Constitution: A Comprehensive and Annotated Guide for the Modern Reader. Do Good: Celebrate America’s 250th birthday by visiting constitutioncenter.org.

This episode originally aired in 2025. Christian nationalism is an extremist, anti-democratic ideology rooted in the belief that the United States should be a nation for Christians to the exclusion of all others. In modern times, the Trump administration and its Republican allies have wielded this ideology as a weapon to divide Americans and implement an agenda via plans like the infamous Project 2025 that eviscerates the rights of immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community, questions the rights of women to vote, restores a freedom to discriminate against others and targets reproductive rights. This week, in response to a listener question asking what Christian nationalism has to do with the central tenets of Christianity, Stacey shares her own experience as a progressive, democratic Christian, pulling back the curtain on a core truth: the malice and hatred preached by right-wing religious leaders who shape our politics has nothing to do with Jesus’s actual teachings. She’s joined by Bishop William Barber, president of Repairers of the Breach, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, and professor at Yale Divinity School and Father Greg Boyle, Jesuit priest, founder of Homeboy Industries, and author. Together, they break down the threat Christian nationalism poses to democracy and show how faith, at its best, can be a powerful force for justice and progress. This inspiring conversation has so much to offer all our listeners, whether they come from a Christian background, some other faith background, or no faith at all. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date. Learn & Do More: BE CURIOUS: To learn more about progressive Christian philosophy, liberation theology is a good place to start: read “A Theology of Liberation” by Gustavo Gutierrez and “The Cross and the Lynching Tree” by James Cone. SOLVE PROBLEMS: Join secular or interfaith organizations that can oppose the march of Christian nationalism and reassert our faith pluralism. Check out the Interfaith Alliance at interfaithalliance.org, whose mission is to advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America. Look for similar groups where you live — but remember, belonging must be met with volume and action. DO GOOD: Visit homeboyindustries.org to learn how you can volunteer or donate to support their programs. Check out poorpeoplescampaign.org to get involved with a movement led by the poor and dedicated to supporting those in poverty across the country.

What does disability rights and representation really look like? While the Trump administration continues to decimate access to healthcare and dismantle civil rights, disabled Americans are often among those most affected and most overlooked. More than 70 million adults in the United States live with a disability, navigating barriers that extend far beyond health care. This week, Stacey is joined by Marlene Sallo, Executive Director of the National Disability Rights Network, and disability rights advocate and motivational speaker Spencer West. They discuss the challenges facing the disability community, what many people get wrong about disability rights, and why building a more accessible and inclusive society is a social justice issue that impacts us all. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date Learn & Do More: Be Curious: Follow Spencer West on Instagram (@spencer2thewest) and expand your list of trusted creators, advocates, and journalists covering disability issues. Our guests also recommended The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: How To Build a Disability-Inclusive World by Tiffany Yu, and the books of the late activist and author Alice Wong. Finally, check out the Netflix documentary Crip Camp, which follows teens at a groundbreaking camp for young people with disabilities and their powerful journey as activists. Solve Problems: Visit NDRN.org to learn more about the issues impacting disabled communities and how you can contact your elected representatives to advocate for change. If you are disabled and need assistance, the National Disability Rights Network can help connect you with legal advocacy and support services. You can also support their work by making a donation. Do Good: Look for organizations in your community that are advancing disability rights and accessibility. For example, New Disabled South at https://www.newdisabledsouth.org/ hosts remote and accessible events focused on issues such as voting rights, immigration enforcement, and other policies that uniquely affect disabled communities. Find an organization near you, get involved, and support the work being done on the ground.

Why are state governments more important than ever? While the Trump administration has been busy gutting and remaking the federal government, it’s critical to remember that the power in Washington was given to it by…the states. This week, Stacey is joined by Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton and Daniel Squadron, cofounder of The States Project and author of The Fourth Branch. They talk about the biggest lessons from their own time as elected officials, the critical ways that state legislatures impact peoples’ lives, share stories of their biggest victories, and argue that the states can be a powerful tool in the fight for Democracy. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: Pick up a copy of Daniel’s book, The Fourth Branch: How State Government Can Save Our Union, to learn more about the power of state government and check out the chapters at the end on how to take action at home. Solve Problems: We need more people who care about their communities running for state and local office. Run for Something helps recruit, train, and elect young people. Organizations like Emerge and Emily’s List support women candidates, and New American Leaders helps immigrants and refugees run for office. If you’re interested in getting more involved in local races, organizations like States Win and the States project can help you take action in support of local candidates. Do Good: As schools let out across the country, children will face a summer without school lunch, sometimes their only meal of the day. Consider donating to your local food bank or supporting No Kid Hungry at nokidhungry.org.

AI development is barreling ahead with no guardrails, leading Americans to feel anxious about what lies ahead. This week, Stacey tackles the big questions we need to ask ourselves about the technology with Katie Drummond, Global Editorial Director at Wired, and Timnit Gebru, founder and Executive Director at the Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR). They discuss the economic uncertainty created by AI, , the motivations driving tech leaders, making sense of the flurry of information and opinions that are influencing the discourse on the issue, and whether we can imagine a more optimistic technologically-forward future. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: Subscribe to Wired to gain access to their excellent reporting on technology, politics, science, and culture. Solve Problems: Learn about Timnit’s organization at dair-insitute.org to support their work to imagine an alternative technological future and build a better world. Do Good: Building off of the “Read Them Home” Dilley activation, on Wednesday May 20th Stacey will join other members of Read Them Home and the National Coalition to End Family and Child Detention to host a day of action. Visit readthemhome.org to learn more and support and support our activations in DC and around the country.

This week, Stacey goes beyond the headlines about the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the Voting Rights Act and outlines why this step is so dangerous - not just for minority voters around the country - but for our democracy as a whole She’s joined by Lauren Groh-Wargo, CEO of Fair Fight, to discuss what people can still do at the local level and at the ballot box to save our elections and fight back against authoritarianism. Then, Stacey is joined by CNN host Abby Phillip, who talks about the importance of debate in our political culture and what current activists can learn from Jesse Jackson’s legacy of fighting for equality. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: To learn more about the extraordinary legacy of Jesse Jackson, pick up Abby Phillips’ book, “A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power”. Solve Problems: On Saturday, May 16th, a national mass rally will take place at the Alabama state capitol in Montgomery. Visit allroadsleadtothesouth.com to learn about how you can participate and stay updated on boycotts, events and other rapid response efforts. You can also follow @FairFightAction on Instagram to stay up to date on the evolving voting rights landscape and mobilization efforts in the South, including upcoming marches in Jackson, Mississippi and at state capitols in South Carolina and Louisiana. Do Good: Medication abortion now accounts for more than two-thirds of all abortions in the U.S., and since Dobbs, mail access to the pill has been a lifeline for people in states where abortion is banned. As the Supreme Court case on this issue continues to unfold, and Republican attacks on abortion access escalate, consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds at https://abortionfunds.org/, and look for local organizations that support reproductive justice for ways to get involved.

This week, Stacey opens the show by answering audience questions about the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the Voting Rights Act, and what it means for our democracy. Then she’s joined by Jane Fonda, who explains why she’s revived the Committee for the First Amendment, a group originally supported by her father in the 1940’s. Stacey and Jane also talk about the Trump administration’s attacks against Jimmy Kimmel, why the Warner Bros. and Paramount merger is so dangerous, and what Jane has learned after decades of activism, including her actions during the Vietnam War. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date. Learn & Do More Be Curious: To learn more about Jane Fonda’s extraordinary history of art and activism, check out the documentary Jane Fonda in Five Acts from HBO. Solve Problems: You can get involved in the fight against the consequences of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the Voting Rights Act. Check out the Louisiana-based organization Power Coalition for Equity and Justice at powercoalition.org to learn about volunteer opportunities. The organization Civic Tennessee at https://www.mobilize.us/civictn/ also has volunteer opportunities available. Do Good: The ACLU continues to be a powerful resource in their fight for Free Speech. Visit ACLU.org and check out their campaigns in support of free speech and expression.

What can international pro-democracy activists teach us about taking on authoritarianism here in the US? Stacey opens the show with reflections from the Salzburg Global Forum Democracy Resilience Conference featuring reformers from Bolivia, to Hungary, to Nepal. Then she’s joined by Representative Yassamin Ansari, a freshman from Arizona and the only Iranian-American in Congress. She tells Stacey about her opposition to Trump’s war with Iran, the horrific conditions she’s seen firsthand when visiting ICE detention centers, and how we demand a practical response to the competing harms coming out of Washington. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: Check out the Substack “The Anti-Authoritarian Playbook” by Scot Nakagawa, President of the 22nd Century Initiative. Solve Problems: Step Six in the “Ten Steps to Freedom and Power” is disruption. Visit Stacey’s Substack “Assembly Notes” to read her recent post about taking action. Do Good: Visit the nonprofit FreedomforImmigrants.org to donate to their commissary fund – proceeds are directly deposited into commissary accounts at detention centers across the country.

Do you want the government spying on you, or do you want it to catch bad guys? This week, Stacey opens the show by pointing out the false binary Americans are being presented with as Congress debates renewing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Then she speaks to reporter Astead Herndon, host of “America, Actually” at Vox Media. They break down how to talk about and report on America without focusing exclusively on Trump, why both parties should consider non-systems candidates in 2028, and the big realignments among groups like voters of color and faith-based voters. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: Check out Astead’s new podcast America, Actually and his reporting for Vox. Solve Problems: American reporter Ahmed Shihab-Eldin has been detained in Kuwait for the past six weeks. Visit the Committee to Protect Journalists to learn more about his unjust detention and sign the petition demanding his release. Do Good: As Trump’s war in the Middle East continues, the needs of members of our military, military families, and veterans are often overlooked. Check out organizations like Operation Homefront, which provides relief and recurring family support for members of our military and helps members transition to civilian life. Visit operationhomefront.org to find ways to donate and get involved.

This week Stacey opens the show with a response to Viktor Orban’s stunning loss in the Hungarian elections, and what we can learn from the defeat of an authoritarian in Europe. Then she speaks to Reshma Saujani, founder of Moms First, about childcare (or lack thereof) in the United States. Stacey and Reshma break down why affordability and childcare are intricately linked, the long term impacts on opportunities for women, and react to President Trump saying that the federal government “can’t do daycare” because they need to fund wars. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: To dive deeper into the systemic issues that are helping fuel the affordability crisis - and what we should be demanding from our leaders, check out Reshma’s 2022 book, Pay Up: The Future of Women and Work (and Why It's Different Than You Think). Solve Problems: Visit Moms First at momsfirst.us to learn more about their work and get involved. If you are an expectant parent and not sure what your options are for paid leave, check out the Moms First paidleave.ai chatbot for helpful guidance. As the federal government remains stagnant on this issue,, you can also urge your state lawmakers to follow the lead of states like New Mexico and support paid leave and childcare access. Do Good: Visit ReadThemHome.org and record yourself reading a children’s book to the kids being held in family detention centers. We’ve already exceeded more than 4M impressions, but we need your help to keep this 30 day activation going. You'll be joining voices like Glennon Doyle, Michael Reitz, and Miss Rachel as we remind Americans that children are ours to take care of, not incarcerate. So, please, take 5 minutes today to read a children’s story into your camera and post your video with the hashtag #readthemhome.

While the war with Iran rages on, President Trump has asked Congress for a $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget, offset in part by further draconian cuts to environmental programs. This week, Stacey is joined by marine biologist Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, to talk about what climate scientists and activists can still do in the face of an administration that pretends the climate crisis doesn’t exist. They talk about the environmental impacts of military conflict, how race plays into climate politics, and how local action is a powerful frontier when fighting the crisis. With Earth Day and the paperback release of Johnson’s book, “What If We Get It Right?” coming up, they also focus on reframing the conversation around what is possible if we continue to fight for change. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: Pick up a copy of Dr. Johnson’s smart, action-oriented book “What If We Get It Right: Visions of Climate Futures” Solve Problems: Join a local group like Sunrise Movement (for youth), Third Act (for seniors), and Citizens Climate Lobby, 350.org, Surfrider, and the Sierra Club for everyone. And finally, visit the Environmental Voter Project at environmentalvoter.org to donate and get involved. Together, you can let your state and local electeds know it is time for city governments to take the lead when it comes to protecting our climate and environment, and demand that candidates for local office commit to supporting pro-environmental policies. The fossil fuel industry is often inadvertently financed by us through our investment portfolios. Make sure to take a closer look at where your money is and divest from fossil fuels. Do Good: The 10 Steps Campaign in partnership with the National Domestic Workers Association, The National Educators Association, The American Federation of Teachers, SEIU, and others have launched the Read Them Home Initiative – a 12 hour vigil and month-long activation to call attention to the scourge of family detention centers. We are encouraging participants to pick your favorite children’s story, record yourself reading and post it to social media - every child deserves a story of hope.Visit readthemhome.org to learn more.

This week Stacey is joined for a wide-ranging interview with best-selling author and professor, Roxane Gay. They discuss the difference between non-violence and civility in fighting against ICE, the hypocrisy exposed by the Epstein Files, and what sets today’s student activism apart from previous generations. Stick around to learn the importance of attending a local city council meeting, and much more. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: Check out the Substack “How to Resist” for real life examples on how to take action based on nonviolence, mutual aid, and community building. Do Good: Reach out to your local foodbanks and homeless shelters and offer support. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

While the Trump administration’s war of choice with Iran continues to spread violence, confusion, and shocks for global markets, ICE’s relentless campaign is extending to immigrants who were previously considered safe, like DACA recipients. This week, Stacey talks about all of the above with author, MS Now host, and host of the “Why Is This Happening” podcast, Chris Hayes. They also delve into the attention economy and how Trump capitalizes on it, the importance of local races, and ask if Democrats are truly ready to bring fresh ideas to elections. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: Check out Chris Hayes’ excellent show All In With Chris Hayes on MS Now, and his thought-provoking podcast, Why Is This Happening. And pick up a copy of his most recent book, The Siren’s Call. Solve Problems: Consider donating and subscribing to Democracy Docket and to the Brennan Center to support their excellent coverage of the fight for voting rights as Trump and his Republican allies make it more difficult to vote ahead of the midterm elections. Do Good: Join the upcoming No Kings March on Saturday, March 28th with events in all 50 states. Visit NoKings.org to find an event near you.

More than a week into the war with Iran, the fallout continues.. The Trump administration’s strikes have caused the deaths of more than a thousand civilians, thrown the Middle East into chaos, and led to oil and gas prices spiking globally. This week, Stacey speaks to Mehdi Hasan, founder and Editor-in-chief of Zeteo, about the motivations behind the war, the importance of independent media in covering the conflict, and what history can teach us about foreign policy consequences that play out over decades. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: To hear more from Mehdi Hasan and support independent media, subscribe to Zeteo. Solve Problems: Call your member of Congress and urge them to oppose funding this war. Do Good: Contribute to organizations helping those impacted by war. Donate to World Central Kitchen at wck.org, which is serving communities in Lebanon as the conflict escalates. The Palestinian relief fund at pcrf-rescue.org is providing emergency medical care and other essential aid to children.

This week, Stacey opens the show with the war the Trump administration launched against Iran, a deadly and expensive undertaking pursued by the president without seeking congressional approval. Then, she turns her attention to the upcoming Academy Awards and examines the role the film and entertainment industry plays in America’s current political and cultural moment. Stacey is joined by Sam Sanders, host of The Sam Sanders Show on KCRW, and Hunter Harris, host of the Lemme Say This podcast and author of the Hung Up column on Substack. They discuss the movies and moments with political messages this year, the way media consolidation will impact studio decisions in the future, and the art and performances that will stick with us for years to come. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: Check out The Sam Sanders Show on KCRW, Hunter Harris’ Substack, Hung Up, and her podcast Lemme Say This. Solve Problems: Support organizations that uplift independent filmmakers and diverse voices in the industry. Check out Chickeneggfilms.org, the NAACP’s entertainment initiatives, and GLAAD’s efforts to bring inclusivity to film and gaming. Do Good: There have already been many civilian casualties because of the war against Iran. Donate to doctorswithoutborders.org and unicef.org to support families in the region.

Latinos are a growing and increasingly powerful part of America’s electorate, with both parties fighting for their favor. While 48% of Latino voters chose Trump in 2024, recent polls show that many are having second thoughts. This week, Stacey is joined by Chuck Rocha, founder and president of Solidarity Strategies, and Clarissa Martinez de Castro, Vice President of the Latino Vote Initiative at Unidos US. They discuss common assumptions and misconceptions about the issues animating these voters, , how ICE and Trump’s deportation policies are backfiring, and what it means for Democrats to authentically engage with diverse Latino communities on a wide variety of issues to win them back in 2026 and beyond. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: If you want to learn more about latino voters and stay up to date on polling trends, visit Unidosus.org and check out their Hispanic electoral data hub. And pick up a copy of Chuck’s book, Tío Bernie: The Inside Story of How Bernie Sanders Brought Latinos Into the Political Revolution. Solve Problems: If an ICE detention facility is being built in your town, consider organizing a protest. Call your Mayor and City Councilors to register your opposition, and ask them to put pressure on warehouse owners not to sell. Do Good: The Dilley Immigration Processing Center has made headlines for its inhumane, untenable conditions, particularly for children. Call Dilley and demand they release families as their cases are pending. You can call Dilley at (830) 378-6500 or CoreCivic at 877-834-1550.

America is in an affordability crisis. Basic needs like groceries, rent, childcare, and healthcare keep getting more expensive, while wages struggle to keep up. Seventy-four percent of Americans say the economy is in poor shape, and for many Millennials and Gen Zers, the idea of owning a home is becoming laughable. Yet Donald Trump and his MAGA allies insist the economy has never been better. This week, Stacey sits down with U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal and New York Times Business Reporter Talmon Smith to break down the growing disconnect between what Americans are feeling in their wallets and what the White House is selling from the podium. They dig into the real state of the economy, the latest jobs numbers, and whether Democrats have found a message on affordability that actually meets the moment. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: If you enjoyed my conversation with Talmon Smith, check out his work at The New York Times and keep an eye out for his upcoming book, Clout and Capital, published by Simon & Schuster, when it’s released later this year. Solve Problems: Seventy percent of Americans say raising children is too expensive. Many Democrats in Congress have joined forces in support of the Child Care for Every Community Act, which would lower childcare costs. Call your members of Congress and urge them to support this legislation. Call your governor and state representatives to ask them to back state legislation that would secure universal childcare in your state, like they have done in New Mexico. Do Good: This year marks the 50th anniversary of Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit with roots in Georgia that builds safe, affordable housing around the world. Consider volunteering or donating to help families in your community who lack affordable housing. And it’s the most wonderful time of year—Girl Scout cookie season. Girl Scouts of Greater New York Troop 6000 is a first-of-its-kind program serving families in temporary housing in the New York City shelter system, helping them transition to permanent housing. Visit https://www.girlscoutsnyc.org/troop6000 to purchase cookies from their digital store.

The media landscape in the US continues to undergo drastic transformations, with billionaire ownership and corporate consolidation leading to mass layoffs and content censorship. This week, Stacey is joined by Joy Reid, host of the Joy Reid Show and the first black woman to host a primetime program on cable news. They talk about the layoffs at the Washington Post, why she transitioned into independent media, what is lost when Black journalists are no longer at the table, and what people can do to inform themselves in an era where billionaires with agendas control the news. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: If you enjoyed my conversation with Joy Reid, check out her podcast, “The Joy Reid Show” and her Substack, “Joy’s House.” Solve Problems: Quality, well-funded journalism is essential to holding power to account, and local journalism is particularly essential. Subscribe to your local paper today. Also, please consider contributing to the Invest in Black Media campaign, which is highlighting the National Association of Black Journalists this month. Go to NABJ.org > click the donate button > and select the “Jubilee Endowment-Black History Month Match” to contribute. Onyx Impact is matching up to $100,000 for the fund. Do Good: As RFK Jr continues to dismantle our healthcare system and sow doubt and fear about the safety of vaccines, it is incumbent upon all of us to fight back, especially with measles cases on the rise.. Be watchful of friends and loved ones who are slipping into vaccine hesitancy, and push back on misinformation and disinformation you see on your social platforms. Visit vaccineinformation.org to get accurate , shareable information about vaccines and the diseases they prevent.

Voting rights are the Trump administration’s next big target. This week, Stacey is joined by Pod Save America’s Jon Favreau to discuss the aftermath of a raid by federal authorities in Fulton County, GA for boxes of election related materials from the 2020 cycle. They also talk about the Democrats leveraged a government shutdown to insist on ICE reforms, the latest polling data, how this all intersects with the continued ICE raids in Minnesota, and what it means for Democrats to lead in this moment. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: If you enjoyed my conversation with Jon Favreau check out Pod Save America and Offline. Solve Problems: The fight to defend voting rights starts now. If you haven’t already, find out about signing up as a poll worker or volunteer with the League of Women Voters, Fair Fight and Common Cause. Do Good: The people of Minnesota continue to live under siege. Donate to the immigrant rapid response fund, which provides food, supplies, housing, and healthcare to immigrants in need. Rent relief funds can help those who are unable to work right now but still need to pay their bills. Minneapolis rapid response needs donations to help legal observers access safety gear and PPE. Check out the show notes for an article from New York Magazine’s The Cut that includes links to these organizations and other ways to help.

The unjust murder of Alex Pretti is the latest ICE killing in the city of Minneapolis, and he joins a growing body count for DHS. Protestors continue to flood the streets across Minnesota as the Trump administration and Republicans mislead the public as they continue to perpetuate state violence. This week, Stacey is joined by Hysteria’s Erin Ryan to discuss the aftermath of Pretti’s death, the escalation of federal actions in Minnesota, the connection to other assaults on Americans and what Democrats need to do in response. Then, Stacey and Erin turn to the March for Life rally that took place last weekend and examine how the Trump administration’s handling of abortion policy is putting it at odds with members of its own anti-abortion base. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: If you enjoyed my conversation with Erin Ryan, go check out Hysteria and her YouTube series This Fucking Guy. Solve Problems: Call your senator and demand that they block increased funding to the Department of Homeland Security. Many of our immigrant friends and neighbors are being forced to stay indoors right now—volunteer to pick up groceries or other supplies so they can remain in place as the siege continues. Do Good: The winter storm moving across the country is impacting communities that aren’t equipped to manage freezing weather. Rebuild.us is an organization led by disaster response professionals and dedicated to building a disaster relief system that’s responsive to our climate reality. Visit rebuild.us to donate and sign up to take action.

This week, Stacey begins by offering a response to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ ridiculous assertion that Americans could save money if only they limited their dinners to a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli, and a corn tortilla. Then she speaks to Jelani Cobb, Dean of the Columbia Journalism School and Author of “Three or More Is A Riot” to talk about what historic parallels can teach us about authoritarianism and activism in this moment. As protests grow in response to violent ICE encounters in Minnesota and other parts of the country, history offers insight into what ordinary Americans have done to stand up for each other, and offers a hopeful blueprint for our future. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: Pick up a copy of Jelani Cobb’s book “Three Or More Is A Riot”. Solve Problems: A group of cyclists known as CyclingXSolidarity are riding across Chicago, buying out food carts from vendors who may be undocumented, so the workers can stay home without losing wages. And they are distributing the food they purchase to help those in need across the city. Check them out at cyclingxsolidarity.com to support them, and consider taking similar action in your own communities. Do Good: Last Tuesday, the Supreme Court held oral arguments on the constitutionality of state bans on transgender women and girls participating in sports that align with their gender identity. Volunteer with and donate to organizations like The Trevor Project at thetrevorproject.org to support LGBTQ+ youth at this difficult time.

The killing of Renee Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis has sparked outrage and protests, but also an outright defense of the use of state violence by the Trump administration and its allies. This week, Stacey is joined by NYU Law Professor and Strict Scrutiny host Melissa Murray to talk about the fallout from Minneapolis, the legal ways citizens can fight back against ICE, and the politicization of the Justice Department and the investigation of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: No matter your legal status, knowing your rights when you encounter ICE is more important than ever. Visit the national immigrant justice center at https://immigrantjustice.org/for-immigrants/know-your-rights/ice-encounter/ to learn more about how to prepare and protect yourself, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation at https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/02/yes-you-have-right-film-ice to learn best practices for lawfully filming ICE activity. Solve Problems: Contact your officials to put pressure on them to take action, including your congressional representative, governor, mayor, and city councilor Do Good: Donate to organizations like the Envision Freedom Fund at envisionfreedom.org, which helps free people from immigrant detention and advocates for policies against incarceration.

If the first week of 2026 is any indication, President Trump and his regime has their eyes set on controlling not only the United States, but the entire western hemisphere. This week, Stacey talks about the administration’s brazen move to attack Venezuela and send a special forces team in to kidnap President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. She’s joined by Ricardo Zuniga, founding partner of Dinamica Americas, to talk about how the dictator came to power in Venezuela, where the opposition currently stands, and how the country’s oil reserves are inextricably linked to its political fortunes. They also comb through the truths and lies of Venezuela’s role in narco-trafficking, and how Trump’s cabinet members and staff are leveraging foreign policy for personal and dangerous ambitions. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: Seek out trusted sources of information on both domestic and international policy. To learn more about modern authoritarianism and the fight for Democracy, pick up a copy of the book “The Dictator’s Learning Curve: Inside the Global Battle for Democracy” by William Dobson. Solve Problems: This issue is closer to home than many of your friends and loved ones may think. Talk to them about why this matters, start rallying your community to protest the administration’s actions, and call your members of Congress. Do Good: If you’d like to help the nearly 600,000 Venezuelan refugees in the US now subject to deportation, visit www.immigrationadvocates.org. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

In the last episode of 2025, Assembly Required is focusing on our audience. Stacey reflects on the lessons learned this year and answers listener questions about everything from how to defeat authoritarianism to what her favorite books were. We also hear stories from listeners who took action in their communities this year. Joining the conversation is the show’s Associate Producer, Farrah Safari. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

The internet was originally seen as a tool of progress and innovation, but the reality has turned out to be economically, politically, and morally fraught. The question isn’t whether technology is good or bad. It’s who it serves, who it harms, and who profits. Our dependence hasn’t just created better gadgets, it’s created a new economic ruling class. Companies that don’t just dominate the market; they are the market. Platforms that don’t just reflect culture; they steer it. This week, Stacey is joined by former Special Assistant to the President for Technology and Competition Policy, law professor, and author of The Age of Extraction, Tim Wu to break down how these dominant platforms manipulate attention, extract wealth, and deepen inequality. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Learn & Do More Be Curious: If you enjoyed Stacey’s conversation with Tim Wu check out his book, “The Age of Extraction” Solve Problems: Right now, Congress is again considering legislation that would prevent states from passing their own AI regulations, and Trump has floated an executive order that would override state laws. In contrast, Senator Richard Blumenthal has proposed a minimum set of federal regulations while also allowing states to add their own. Call your member of Congress and ask them to oppose any legislation that would block AI regulation. In addition, urge your state legislature and local leaders like your school board to pass legislation for policies that protect data and privacy. Urge them to do it now, before Congress takes action. Organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the ACLU, and the Center for Humane Technology can be resources for understanding good local tech policy. You also have power as a consumer. Look to alternative platforms for search like Duck Duck Go, and NPR has an excellent resource for ethical shopping options. Do Good: Take a tech mini-break. Go do something that exists off-screen. See a friend in person, take a workout class, sit in a park, go for a walk. If you’re game, try and set some real limits for yourself.

This week on Assembly Required, Stacey sits down with Alex Wagner, veteran journalist and host of the new Crooked Media podcast “Runaway Country”. Together, they unpack Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s alleged order to execute the two remaining survivors of an American missile strike on a fishing boat suspected of drug smuggling in the Caribbean, and the rare moves in Congress to investigate the matter. They also talk about how the Trump administration is using the shooting of two National Guard members in D.C. to further anti-immigrant policies, what the Republicans’ razor-thin House majority means for the 2026 midterms, and more. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Learn & Do More Be Curious: If you enjoyed Stacey’s conversation with Alex Wagner, be sure to check out her new podcast Runaway Country. Solve Problems: As protests continue across the country in response to ICE’s cruel abductions and other authoritarian actions by this administration, it’s more important than ever to know your rights. Visit the ACLU’s website at aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights for comprehensive guidance on organizing a protest, participating safely, filming law enforcement, and more. Do Good: Republicans in Congress have allowed Affordable Care Act subsidies to expire, putting millions of Americans at risk of skyrocketing premiums and losing healthcare access altogether. Just Fix It is a nationwide, nonpartisan activation led by the 10 Steps Campaign in partnership with SEIU-NW, Caring Across Generations, MomsRising, and other labor and advocacy organizations. Learn how you can get involved and help protect healthcare for everyone.

Live from Crooked Con, Shaniqua McClendon, Vice President of Politics at Crooked Media, hosts Maurice Mitchell of the Working Families Party, Ezra Levin of Indivisible, DeRay Mckesson of Pod Save the People, Kate Barr of Can’t Win Victory Fund, and Melissa Morales of Somos Votantes to talk about the best ways to contact and engage the low-information voters we know we desperately need. Then, Shaniqua McClendon sits down with the chairman of the DNC, Ken Martin to answer questions about how the party is rebuilding and where we go from here. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

The battle for 2026 has already begun, and it’s all about the maps. Step three in the 10 steps to authoritarianism is to weaken competing powers, and step 10 is to end democracy itself by disrupting election systems and restricting who can vote so no meaningful opposition can ever win again. In California, voters passed Prop 50, the Election Rigging Response Act as a way to fire back at Republican gerrymandering in Texas that was designed to steal power by making it harder for voters to make their voices heard. Now, the battle lines for a competitive democracy are being redrawn, with partisanship, not representation, as the explicit strategy. More than 13 states across the country are seeing mid-census redistricting efforts taken on by Republicans, with Democrats fighting back. This week, Stacey is joined by co-host of Pod Save America, author of The Message Box, and Crooked Media’s resident polling expert Dan Pfeiffer to break down what this redistricting war means for democracy, why it’s a fight for survival, and what it reveals about the Democratic Party’s future. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: If you enjoyed my conversation with Dan Pfeiffer, subscribe to his weekly Message Box newsletter, where he breaks down the latest polls, key events, and political trends—it’s one of my go-to sources for analysis and insight. You can also become a Friend of the Pod here at Crooked Media and get access to his subscriber only shows like Pollercoaster! Solve Problems: As Dan said, polling can offer useful insight into where people stand, but it is a reflector, not a predictor. However, we have the ability to shape outcomes using polling as an illuminator: what people are hearing, what worries them and what they want for the future. Instead of slipping into anxiety, we can channel that energy into action - starting now. Voting is the end of the process, but the work starts immediately: encourage your neighbors, your community, your friends, and your family to understand how politics will affect them, whether they know it or not. Look for issues that resonate, and work together to see who is responsible for making it better. The midterms are more than Congressional races. City, county and school boards will also be impacted. All of this may feel far away, but they’ll be here before we know it. Start planting seeds now. Volunteer with organizers. Knock on doors. Have real conversations with people - asking what they need to make their lives better. Percentages can only tell you so much, but talking to real people can tell you everything. Do Good: This past weekend, more than a thousand Starbucks workers went on strike across 40+ cities, due to stalled contract negotiations. Organizers say they’re ready to widen the strike if executives don’t budge—and they’re asking customers to stand with them by steering clear of Starbucks as part of the ‘No Contract, No Coffee’ campaign. We’ve talked a lot on this show about the power of protest, and boycotts are one of the most effective tools we have. It’s also a muscle we have to flex if we want to be ready for broader actions. So please: do your part. Skip the latte. Stand with the workers.

Late night comedians have become some of the most recent high profile targets for Donald Trump and Republicans, because like most wannabe authoritarians, they can dish it out, but certainly can’t take a joke. This week, Stacey is joined by comedian, podcast host, writer, and former host of Full Frontal, Samantha Bee to discuss comedy’s role in pushing back against political censorship with relentless humor. They take on the current state of late night comedy, the very real threats to truth and free speech, and how we can all process this very fraught moment. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: Take a listen to Samantha Bee’s podcast, Choice Words to hear inspiring stories from people we all admire about the power of the choices we make. Solve Problems: Keep up the pressure to demand affordable healthcare, especially since the government shutdown is coming to an end without solving the issue. Visit https://10stepscampaign.org/JUST-FIX-IT and make your voice heard. Do Good: Help families who are struggling to put food on the table and in the crosshairs of Trump and Republicans who are targeting SNAP benefits. Ask local businesses if they can set up a community fridge to donate to, in addition to contacting food banks and anti-hunger organizations in your area.

Authoritarianism is on the rise globally, from hard-line leaders in Europe to despots in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. Wherever they emerge, these leaders are doing whatever it takes to stay in power, and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is no different. In this episode of Assembly Required, Stacey looks at how Netanyahu has overseen the erosion of Democracy in his country, and how it’s coincided with the devastating campaign of violence carried out against the Palestinian people after Israel was attacked on October 7th — a war that experts and allies across the globe, and across the political spectrum have labeled as genocide. This week, Stacey is joined by foreign policy analyst and author Rula Jebreal to discuss the current state of the conflict. Senator Chris Van Hollen also joins to share how he is trying to bring accountability into America’s relationship with Israel. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: Learn more about the history of Israel and Palestine. Pick up a copy of Rashid Khalidi’s 100 Years’ War on Palestine to gain a deeper understanding of the region and how we arrived at the current tragedy. Solve Problems: Authoritarianism and the abuses that sustain it are wrong, no matter who is responsible. Call your members of Congress and ask them to enforce the Lahey Law. Do Good: More than half a million people in Gaza are trapped in famine, facing widespread starvation, destitution, and preventable deaths. Over one million more are experiencing emergency levels of food insecurity. Organizations like the World Food Programme are scaling up operations and aim to feed up to 1.6 million people over the next three months. If you can, please donate. Doctors Without Borders, the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund, and World Central Kitchen are also excellent places to contribute. Notes: The New Yorker: Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s Minister of Chaos The New York Times: U.S. Considers Sending Israel 24,000 Assault Rifles Held Back Under Biden Memo in a Bunker, Intercepted Communications and Hamas’s Oct. 7 Plans Crisisgroup.org: Mapping Israeli Settlement Expansion in the Occupied West Bank The Times of Israel: For years, Netanyahu propped up Hamas. Now it’s blown up in our faces Middle East Eye: Israel opposition leader says Netanyahu arming 'equivalent of Isis' gangs in Gaza Al Jazeera: Israel releases five Palestinian prisoners as killings continue in Gaza Haaretz: Hundreds of Prominent Jews and Israelis Urge World Powers to Hold Israel Accountable 'For Gaza Atrocities' The Guardian: BBC reckons with bias accusations over Israel and Palestine coverage

The act of protest is a vital, visible, and essential tool in resisting the fall of democracy, and it takes commitment, disruption, and denial – three of the ten steps to freedom and power. While protest gives us a platform to voice our grievances, foster solidarity, and demand change, it is not the only tool we have in our toolbox. When combined with other forms of direct nonviolent action — such as strikes, economic boycott, documenting abuses of power, and providing mutual aid like meals , and more — the impact multiplies. And one of the leading scholars of resistance has a theory: if just 3.5% of a nation’s population engages in sustained nonviolent civil resistance, they will succeed. This week on Assembly Required, Stacey Abrams is joined by Erica Chenoweth, the professor and political scientist behind the 3.5% theory, who talks about how making a difference is more within reach than we imagine. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Learn & Do More: Be Curious:If you enjoyed my conversation with Erica about the power of peaceful protest, check out their book Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict. Solve Problems: As we discussed in this episode, physical protest is just one tactic in the broader act of nonviolent civil resistance. As we lay out in the 10 Steps campaign, on the road to freedom and power, we don’t all need to do the same thing, but we can all do something. Donate to causes you care about, participate in economic boycotts, vote in local elections, or contact your elected officials. And if you do decide to physically protest, remember to know your rights and stay safe. Visit the American Civil Liberties Union for a guide to knowing your rights as a protester, and check out Wired’s article on how to protest safely. Do Good: The Trump administration and Republicans are refusing to tap into a $6 billion contingency fund to cover SNAP benefits if the shutdown continues into next month. That means in November, 42 million Americans will not receive food assistance. This unprecedented cruelty demands action. Please consider making donations to your local food bank or volunteering. Organizations like Feeding America can help you find places to volunteer near you. And get your kids involved. Feeding America has an age appropriate guide for ways families can help together, like hosting a food drive. Finally, call your governor and ask them to urge the secretary of agriculture to reverse this devastating decision.