In The Thick

Hari Kondabolu is an outspoken, passionate, darkly funny comedian and the co-host of the podcast Politically Re-Active. In this discussion, co-hosts Maria Hinojosa and Julio Ricardo Varela talk with Hari about the craziest stories of 2016, what we got wrong, and whether Donald Trump will cancel our podcasts. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy   See acast.com/priva...

With all the media attention about white supremacy and the alt-right, one former FBI undercover agent who infiltrated the white supremacist movement wants to tell this country that we have it all wrong. In this extended In The Thick, co-hosts Maria Hinojosa and Julio Ricardo Varela talk with Mike German about his experiences undercover, and how the media is missing the real story. For information...

Fidel Castro has died, but what does this mean for Cuba and its relationship with the US going forward? And what does it mean for Cuba and other US immigrant communities? Co-hosts Maria Hinojosa and Julio Ricardo Varela lead a discussion with journalist Terrell Starr and Guillermo Grenier, Professor of Sociology at Florida International University. For information regarding your data privacy, visi...

Since the election, there has been a rise in public Anti-Semitic and Islamophobic behavior across the country, and many are worried that the nomination of Steve Bannon gives legitimacy and power to this behavior. How are Jewish and Muslim communities standing together in the face of hate? Co-hosts Maria Hinojosa and Julio Ricardo Varela lead a discussion with Rebecca Vilkomerson, Executive Directo...

Protests. Stories of harassment and hate. Calls for national unity. The days after Election Day have been intense. What does it mean for communities of color? And how should journalists responsibly cover this kind of president-elect? Host Maria Hinojosa leads a discussion with Jamilah King, Senior Staff Writer at Mic, Sayu Bhojwani, Founder and President of The New American Leaders Project, and Ju...

Donald Trump has won the election, and many are worried what tomorrow, next week, and next year will look like. Communities of color are suddenly fearing an uptick in racial violence and anti-immigrant sentiment. Host Maria Hinojosa leads a discussion with Wajahat Ali, writer, commentator, and host at The Huffington Post, Terrell J. Starr, National Political Correspondent for Fusion, and Julio Ric...

After appearing on MSNBC this weekend, Maria Hinojosa went viral—for explaining why language is important when talking about undocumented immigrants. On this week’s episode, Maria talks with Julio Ricardo Varela about her appearance, and Julio leads a discussion on the same topic with Jelani Cobb, Staff Writer for the New Yorker, and Julianne Hing, reporter for The United States of Anxiety. They d...

This election season, it’s been hard to break out of Donald Trump’s orbit. The last few weeks, we’ve been dissecting all of Trump’s mistakes, so this week, we take on Hillary Clinton, specifically her stance on criminal justice reform. We also respond to some viewer criticism and discuss how we can cover this election as responsible journalists. Julio Ricardo Varela leads a discussion with Sandra...

We’ve at last hit the final presidential debate. While this time around there were less personal digs and more focus on policy, we still didn’t escape the debate without some trending soundbites (cue “hambres”). And we finally got a discussion on immigration... sort of. But that’s where we fill the void. Julio Ricardo Varela leads a discussion about deportation, trojan horses, and rigged elections...

In advance of our final post-debate episode this coming Thursday, we decided to check in on the current state of the election. And it’s not pretty. Donald Trump is facing 16 accusations of sexual assault or sexual harassment, and he is stoking the fear of the electorate with claims that the election could be rigged. Maria Hinojosa discusses this and more with Julio Ricardo Varela, Political Editor...

What led to the circus that was Sunday night’s debate, and how does that reflect on us as a country? Also, what did we miss by having white moderators who may not have the life experience to reflect on issues that are important to communities of color? Host Maria Hinojosa leads a discussion with Jamilah Lemieux, Vice President of News and Men's Programming for Interactive One, Wajahat Ali, attorne...

Vice presidential debates are supposed to be undercards to the their presidential counterparts, but did Governor Mike Pence’s call to not whip out “that Mexican thing” cause more problems for Donald Trump with voters of color? Julio Ricardo Varela leads a conversation about immigration, terrorism, and implicit bias with Aaron Morrison, Senior Staff Writer at Mic.com, Sayu Bhojwani, Founder and Pre...

It was THE most anticipated political event of the election season: the first presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. For this special early week release show, we ask: what were the debate’s best moments? What were the worst? Did facts even matter? And after so much talk about building a wall, where was a conversation on immigration? Host Maria Hinojosa leads a discussion wit...

After last weekend's attack in New York City, the country is once again intensely focused on immigration. Much of this debate stems from fear, but for such an emotional issue, how much can facts really do to change people’s minds? And with Donald Trump facing so much criticism on his immigration policy, do Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and the Democrats really deserve a pass? Julio Ricardo Varela...

Hillary Clinton faced a storm of criticism about her health this week, but how much of this is due to sexism? And Donald Trump continues to push the limits of what he can say, but are people even noticing? Julio Ricardo Varela leads a conversation with Daniella Leger, Senior Vice President for Communications and Strategy at the Center for American Progress, and Jessica Byrd, founder of Three Point...

Last week, Donald Trump visited Mexico and an African-American church in Detroit, but was he really addressing people of color, or were these speeches simply dog whistles designed to show white voters that he that he connects with communities of color? Also, quarterback Colin Kaepernick continues to silently protest the National Anthem. We ask: “What does the American flag really mean?” Maria Hino...

We’re off next week, so we decided to look back at some of our favorite In The Thick moments over the last few months. Maria Hinojosa and Julio Ricardo Varela break down their favorite clips, and--now with hindsight--they also discuss how these moments fit with the current political climate. We’ll see you again on Wednesday, September 7! For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com...

This week, tennis player Monica Puig won Puerto Rico’s first ever gold medal—which has led many to wonder, why does Puerto Rico have its own Olympians, if it’s part of the US? In short: it’s complicated.  Maria Hinojosa leads a discussion about the almost unbelievably complex relationship between Puerto Rico and the US with guests Sandra Lilley, Managing Editor of NBC Latino, Natascha Otero, a lea...

Building a wall to stop immigration. Police killing black men. A politician banning Muslims. As America erupts over race and ethnicity, many reporters of color feel it’s their obligation to lead the conversation dividing the country. Maria Hinojosa leads a discussion with New York Times reporter Yamiche Alcindor, Washington Post reporter Wesley Lowery, and Julio Ricardo Varela, Political Editor at...

While Democrats are patting themselves on the back after Khizr Khan’s speech, does their embrace actually go deeper than the surface? Is the Democratic Party actually doing as good a job with communities of color as prominent Democrats claim? And has Donald Trump finally gone over the line? Maria Hinojosa leads a discussion with Linda Sarsour, prominent civil rights activist, Terrell J. Starr, Nat...

We recorded so much great material in our week at the DNC that we decided to make a bonus DNC episode. Maria Hinojosa talks with four prominent politicians, advisors, and activists of color: Bill Richardson, former US Energy Secretary and New Mexico Governor; Dolores Huerta, civil rights leader and co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association; Bill Velazquez, National Director for Latino ou...

Weeks ago, no one could have predicted such intrigue at the Democratic National Convention. But beyond Wikileaks and the strident support for Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton faces a skeptical public whose enthusiasm for her is in question. Maria Hinojosa takes the show to the DNC in Philadelphia for a lively conversation with Jamil Smith, Senior National Correspondent at MTV News, Michele Jawando,...

This week, In The Thick is in Cleveland covering the 2016 Republican National Convention. How do prominent conservative Latinos feel about Trump as their nominee? What can Trump do to gain their full support? And what does the future hold for the GOP's relationship with communities of color? Maria Hinojosa speaks with Daniel Garza, Executive Director of the Libre Initiative, Bettina Inclán, a Repu...

With the recent tragedies in Baton Rogue, Falcon Heights, and Dallas, the topic of race and policing has dominated the national dialogue. Are we asking too much of police? Can we move forward to create more trust between police and communities of color? And will Bernie Sanders’ endorsement of Hillary Clinton impact progress on police reform? Maria Hinojosa leads a discussion with Tracey Meares, Pr...

  With a nod to punk rockers The Clash, the question of 'who should stay and who should go' was at the heart of two decisions at the end of the U.S. Supreme Court session. Who should stay in the America and who should go to college were behind rulings on immigration and affirmative action. Maria Hinojosa leads a discussion with Debo Adegbile, lawyer and former Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal D...