Highlands Bunker

State representative candidate Madinah Wilson-Anton joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about her experiences with the Delaware Way down in Dover, the full story behind a stump speech line, and whether or not Rob is the anti-christ. Show Notes: Donate to Madinah Volunteer for Madinah Learn more about Madinah

The bunker heads to Market St to record a multi-part episode from the third Democratic debate. Guests include activist Coby Owens, DWFI chair Debbie Silverman, new city councilman Chris Johnson, some kids from UD that interview Rob, Wilmington non-resident Josh Whittaker, and a Trump supporter named John.

Author of 'Capital City' Samuel Stein and local housing activist Shyanne Miller join RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about the history of planning, the rise of gentrification, and how this ties in with the blight bill bring put forth in Wilmington. Show Notes: Buy the book A brief explainer of the blight bill (subscribe to the newspaper)

Activist Kirsten Walther joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about coasters, how power gets built, an anti-labor letter to the editor that never actually gets read, and the possibility that there are several Jeffrey Epsteins still out there. Show Notes: The briefly mentioned letter to the editor Network Delaware events

Activist and former state representative candidate Jakim Mohammad joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about how his experiences in New York shaped the way he thinks, Delaware’s Scott Walker, and some hyperlocal issues going on in Wilmington and how they connect to a larger picture. Show Notes: Shooting an Elephant Analysis Shooting an Elephant Text Jakim Facebook , Twitter , Instagram

Ashley SK Davis of Pieces of a Dream joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about how she got into dance, what the role of art is in expanding peoples' political consciousness, and how racism is a bit like having bad breath. Show Notes: Pieces of a Dream Website Facebook Twitter Instagram

Reporters Jeanne Kuang and Lex Wilson join RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about the crazy world of property taxes in Delaware, and what sorts of things happen when the state refuses to do its job for over forty years. Show Notes: Main story, describing the issue Specifically about Wilmington Politicians’ inaction A calculator tool that allows you to figure out where you stand relative to others

Former state rep candidate Don Allan joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about his new organization, We Are Sussex, the lessons he learned about changing the Democratic brand down south, and how much water it takes to clean a chicken. Show Notes: We Are Sussex FB page

Michael Kalmbach of the Creative Vision Factory joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about his work with the CVF, the politics of the Delaware art world, and the basic things that our system gets wrong about recovery. This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation. Part 1 was released yesterday, check it out here . Show Notes: Shipley Lofts Creative Vision Factory The full Toni Morrison essay

Michael Kalmbach of the Creative Vision Factory joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about how he ended up in the Wilmington art scene, his observations and personal struggles with the opioid crisis, and the need to find some positivity in an otherwise bleak world. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Part 2 will be released on Saturday, so make sure to keep an eye out. Show Notes: Shipley...

Activist, and Delaware's better Marianne Williamson, Erika Gutierrez joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about her work for Network Delaware and DelawareCAN , the need for more organizing among the Latinx communities in Delaware, and how she gained her positive aura. Show Notes: Erika being interviewed about Network Delaware (spanish) First and last op-ed about the parade in Middletown Safe Com...

A few bunker updates as well as the first ever Skype interview from the bunker. Maria Beauchamp calls in from the massive strike in Puerto Rico just hours before the governor resigned. The audio is a bit rough for the first section, but it gets easier to hear later on. Show Notes: New RSS feed Adding an RSS feed to your podcast app

Working Families Party activist Vanessa Clifford joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about what Working Families Party is, some of her experiences organizing in Delaware and Pennsylvania, and a new progressive group that is forming here in Delaware. Show Notes: Working Families Party Nicolas O'Rourke and Kendra Brooks

Some food recommendations for those visiting Downtown Wilmington*. *this post is sponsored by Mayor Purzycki's office

Chris Johnson joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about some of the latest police violence controversies, what he's working on, and what the future of criminal justice looks like in the state of Delaware. Show Notes: Background on Elmer Daniels Delaware Smart Justice Coalition

Dustyn Thompson of Delaware United joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about the work he's been doing down at Legislative Hall and how the 2019 legislative session fared for issues like marijuana legalization and criminal justice reform. Show Notes: Switching to renewable power Delaware United Facebook / Twitter Sarah McBride interview

Becca Cotto from YWCA Delaware and returning champion Coby Owens join RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about Juneteenth, white privilege, and the continuing effects of racism in America. And then after about forty-five minutes things go off the rails. Show Notes: Delaware Racial Justice Collaborative

Fresh off of phone banking for Tiffany Cabán, Coby Owens and Action Anderson take control of the bunker for the first-ever non-RE Vanella hosted episode of Highlands Bunker. This episode is about the progressive movement: where it is nationwide, where it is in Delaware, and what it needs to be in the future.

News Journal reporter Adam Duvernay and freelance journalist/adjunct professor Jordan Howell join RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about their Delaware stories, from convincing kids that birds don't exist to reporting on a murder in Sussex County. Show Notes: Jordan's piece on the 1968 riots Karl's piece on the suburbs One of Adam's pieces on the murder in Sussex

Karl the producer joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about some of the disingenuous attempts to stop the minimum wage increase as well as their field trip down to DC to see Bernie Sanders speak about democratic socialism. Show Notes: Report on minimum wage increase Non-profits minimum wage op-ed The full Sanders speech

Delaware State News Reporter Matthew Bittle joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about the many accomplishments of the Delaware state legislature, what the best path going forward for the left is in Dover, and what a wonderful guy Senator Dave Lawson is. Don’t we just love Dave Lawson. Follow Matthew Bittle at @MatthewCBittle

Former News Journal Reporter and WDEL broadcaster Al Mascitti joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about Bernie and Biden, America's Boomer problem, and whether or not Delaware is really moving to the left.

Activists Stephanie Herron and Maria Beauchamp join RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about Puerto Rico, Southbridge, the plastic bag ban, and how we all have the responsibility to take both personal and collective action to change the world. Books Referenced: The Uninhabitable Earth The Color of Law Dumping in Dixie Links: Environmental Justice for Delaware Report Fencelines

Highlands native Sarah McBride joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about some of her experiences in progressive activism as well as the different strategies that are needed, or perhaps not needed, when creating change.

Rebel John Kowalko joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about his experiences as a Delaware State Representative, and his personal experiences with the ins and outs of the Delaware Way. Names are named and a good time is had all around.