Justice By Design

Kimberly Atkins Stohr and Jen Shugerman discuss the complexities surrounding birthright citizenship as established by the 14th Amendment. They explore the historical context of the amendment, the implications of presidential power over immigration, and the potential for the Supreme Court to overturn established precedents. The conversation emphasizes the importance of birthright citizenship as a f...

Kim is joined this week by Erin Hysom, a Senior Child Nutrition Policy Analyst at the Food Research and Action Center, discusses the critical issue of childhood hunger and the importance of school meals. She highlights the impact of food insecurity on children's health and academic performance, the benefits of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) in providing free meals to all students, and t...

Kimberly Atkins Stohr engages with listener questions, covering a wide range of topics from Senate confirmation processes to housing discrimination, environmental justice, and the role of journalism in combating disinformation. The conversation emphasizes the importance of grassroots movements, individual actions for resistance, and the need for systemic change while also reflecting on personal an...

In this episode of Justice by Design, Kimberly Atkins Stohr engages with journalist and author Rita Omokha to discuss the themes of resistance and activism, particularly focusing on the contributions of young Black activists throughout American history. Rita shares her personal journey of understanding race relations and the importance of activism, inspired by the events surrounding George Floyd's...

Kim is joined this week by Anjana Samant to discuss the complexities and injustices within the child welfare system, particularly focusing on the disparities faced by marginalized communities.  They explore the historical context of child welfare laws, the impact of disabilities and language barriers on parental rights, and the need for significant legal reforms to protect families.  The discussio...

Kimberly Atkins Stohr discusses the challenges and importance of local journalism with Ellen Clegg and Dan Kennedy, co-authors of 'What Works in Community News.' They explore the crisis facing local news organizations, the impact of digital disruption, and the innovative solutions being implemented at the community level. The discussion highlights the significance of local news for democracy, the...

Kimberly Atkins Stohr and Dr. Farah Abbasi discuss the pressing issues of mental health within the Muslim community, particularly in the context of rising Islamophobia. They explore the intersectionality of trauma, the stigma surrounding mental health, and the importance of visibility and advocacy. Dr. Abbasi emphasizes the need for safe spaces to validate and normalize trauma, while also addressi...

Kim is joined this week by historian Dr Lindsay Chervinsky, they discuss the lessons history offers in navigating a divided nation post-election. The dialogue explores the challenges of unity, the role of leadership, the dynamics of the Supreme Court, and the importance of media literacy in an era of misinformation. Chervinsky emphasizes that while the road to unity is difficult, understanding sha...

A Post Election Message from Kim. 

Kimberly Atkins Stohr is joined by Jamal Simmons and discuss the anxiety surrounding the upcoming election, the importance of civic engagement, and the challenges faced by trailblazers in politics.  They reflect on the role of institutions in democracy, the need for patience and hope, and the significance of celebrating progress and diversity in leadership. The conversation emphasizes the importan...

KIMBERLY ATKINS STOHR and Virginia Kase Solomón discuss the critical importance of voting in a democracy, emphasizing that every vote matters, especially in local elections. They explore the barriers to voting, including misinformation and intimidation, and highlight the efforts being made to protect voter rights. Solomon shares resources for voters to ensure their voices are heard and encourages...

Kimberly Atkins Stohr speaks with Tom Fishman, CEO of the Builders Movement, about the importance of accountability in politics and the newly launched Builders Power Rankings. The conversation explores how these rankings aim to foster constructive debate and evaluate lawmakers based on their problem-solving behaviors. They discuss the metrics used for evaluation, the role of analysts in the rankin...

Kim is joined this week by Kenneth Stern to discuss the alarming rise of antisemitism in America, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of its definitions and manifestations. They explore the complexities of criticizing Israel without crossing into antisemitism, particularly in the context of college campuses. Stern advocates for the importance of free speech and the role of allies in c...

Kimberly Atkins Stohr speaks with David Guarino, founder of Survivors Say, about the critical role of media in the aftermath of tragedies and how his organization supports survivors in navigating these challenging situations.  They discuss the importance of changing the narrative around survivors, the impact of media coverage, and share success stories that highlight the need for compassionate com...

Kim and Mark Litos discuss the innovative approach of Refried Apparel, an upcycling clothing company that addresses the significant issue of dead stock in the fashion industry. Mark shares the journey of the company, the importance of sustainability, and how upcycling can be a profitable business model while also benefiting the environment. They explore the challenges faced in the industry, the ro...

Kimberly Atkins-Stor and Dr. Eve Feinberg discuss the critical role of IVF and assisted reproductive technologies in family planning, especially in light of recent legal challenges following the Dobbs decision. They explore the implications of personhood laws on reproductive rights, the intersection of religion and medicine, and the need for legal protections for IVF practices. Dr. Feinberg shares...

Kimberly Atkins Stohr and Jin Hee Lee discuss the implications of the Supreme Court's decision to strike down affirmative action in college admissions. They explore the resulting decrease in diversity among incoming classes, the barriers faced by underrepresented students in the educational system, and potential solutions for increasing diversity in higher education. The discussion also touches on...

Kimberly Atkins Stohr discusses gun violence prevention and advocacy with Josh Horwitz, a professor in gun violence prevention and advocacy. They discuss the need for stronger gun laws and the effectiveness of measures such as limiting magazine capacity, implementing extreme risk protection orders, and promoting safe storage of firearms. They also address the issue of arming teachers and the role...

Kimberly Atkins Stohr and Jill Wine-Banks discuss the importance of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and its potential impact on achieving gender equality in the United States.  They highlight the ongoing challenges faced by women in terms of pay equity, representation, and societal expectations. Jill shares her personal experiences as a trailblazer in the legal profession and her involvement in a...

Host Kimberly Atkins Stohr speaks with Gabe Roth from Fix the Court about the estimated $4 million in gifts received by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas from conservative donors, raising concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability in the Court. The conversation covers the erosion of public trust in the Court due to rapid precedent changes, ethics lapses, and the absence of over...

Kimberly Atkins Stohr speaks with Rachel Rebouche, Dean of Temple Law School, about the impact of the Dobbs decision on reproductive healthcare. They discuss the challenges faced by pregnant individuals in accessing emergency care and the implications for medical education.  Kim and Rachel  explore potential solutions, including reframing the public discourse around Dobbs and working towards overt...

Barb McQuade, author of 'Attack From Within: How Disinformation is Sabotaging America,' discusses the threat of disinformation and its impact on society. She highlights the role of both foreign adversaries and individuals within the country in spreading false claims.  Barb emphasizes the importance of identifying and addressing this problem to protect democracy. She also discusses the need for upd...

Kimberly Atkins Stohr, Tara Setmayer & A’shanti F. Gholar focus on solutions for the gender gap in political power centers. They discuss the importance of mobilizing women voters and recruiting, training, and empowering democratic women.  They highlight the need for a coalition of women and male allies to address the attack on women's rights and the impact of political decisions on women's liv...

Kimberly Atkins-Stohr interviews Marc Elias, the founder of Democracy Docket, about the importance of protecting voting rights and the challenges faced in doing so. They discuss the dangerous rhetoric of former President Donald Trump and the need to take his words seriously. They also highlight the barriers to voting, such as long wait times and gerrymandering, and the impact these have on margina...

Kimberly Atkins Stohr, of The Webby Award winning podcast #SistersInLaw, the Boston Globe and MSNBC, is launching a new podcast. In "Justice by Design," Kimberly explores how justice is meticulously crafted in our society, bringing to the table the heroes working on the ground to find real solutions to our most pressing issues.