Real Solutions

In this bonus episode we hear some reflections from co-hosts Eli Moore and Richard Aviles on the past episodes of Real Solutions. They help us contextualize our current political environment that makes real solutions so critical, they share highlights from past interviews, weave together narratives that connect policies for real solutions, and offer some calls to action to get organized and advoca...

This 8th and final episode of Real Solutions brings together speakers from some of the previous episodes to surface insights about cross-cutting challenges, opportunities, and strategies for advancing the policy proposals highlighted in previous episodes. We explore narratives that link together the underlying values, visions for the future, and impact on everyday lives that those policy proposals...

The climate crisis increases the frequency and intensity of disasters that are especially destructive in neighborhoods and regions where social and ecological vulnerability is high - like neighborhoods near levies, towns next to forests or industrial plants, and coastal areas with destroyed wetlands. Many communities have planned and begun implementing projects to build the resilience of their nei...

In this sixth episode of Real Solutions, we hear from two experts on public campaign financing. The influence of wealthy individuals and corporations over elections has distorted democracy away from the will of everyday people. Public financing of elections provides support to candidates to run for office even if they are not favored by wealthy political interests. This helps level the playing fie...

In this episode of Real Solutions, we discuss the issue of social housing as a response to the housing crisis. Social housing goes beyond simply building more housing units and demands those units be permanently affordable, promote social and racial equity, and include residents in decision-making that affects their homes. It’s a concept that can take many forms when it comes to implementation, an...

In this episode of Real Solutions we explore the policy of a wealth tax, which focuses on creating new funding for community investments by taxing people and companies who can most afford to pay. A wealth tax corrects the tax system so that the wealthy pay their fair share, with the revenue going to advance community wellbeing. The guests are Darien Shanske, who is a Martin Luther King Jr. Profess...

Police were made the one size fits all response to social problems in the US, driving a racist system of mass incarceration. To create an alternative, over 100 communities across the country have launched community crises response programs that provide emergency public services responding to 911 calls by sending a community health worker, emergency medical technician or other non-police profession...

Over 13 million Americans have zero or negative wealth, and vast racial inequities in wealth persist. Baby Bonds are a way to ensure every young adult has some wealth to invest in their future. Baby bonds are publicly funded trust accounts established at birth for children, particularly those from low-wealth families. Upon reaching adulthood, beneficiaries can use the funds for purposes such as ed...

In this premiere episode of our Real Solutions podcast series we hear from 10 leading advocates from organizations around the country fighting for a fair and just society! In the three-part conversation, the speakers delve into three critical questions:  In a moment of such dramatic attacks on communities and public institutions, why not just focus on defense? What is the power of putting forward...