Incorruptible Mass

Please donate to the show! In this episode, we examine the recent suspension of Jimmy Kimmel. We chat about this news specifically, the American media ecosystem as a whole, and what we as media consumers can do to keep ourselves and our democracy better-informed. You’re listening to Incorruptible Mass. Our goal is to help people transform state politics: we investigate why it’s so broken, imagine...

Please donate to the show! We continue our series on housing with Joyce Mandell, a community organizer and activist who's focused on this very issue. We discuss what zoning is and why it's so important, the structural barriers that NIMBYs and opposition to zoning reforms erect, and what we can do to help fix big problems in our own local communities. You’re listening to Incorruptible Mas...

Please donate to the show! We continue our series on housing with Carolyn Chou, the executive director of Homes for All Massachusetts. We discuss our state government's warped sense of priorities, the cascading effects of inaction on housing, and what we can do to make living in Massachusetts more affordable. You’re listening to Incorruptible Mass. Our goal is to help people transform state p...

Please donate to the show! We open a series on housing by talking to Tatjana Meschede, the associate director of the Institute for Economic and Racial Equity and a professor at Brandeis University, about local zoning in towns all across Massachusetts. We talk about what affordable housing really means, the prejudices NIMBYism relies on, and what policies our state and communities have in place to...

Please donate to the show! Plenty of pundits have theorized why Democratic voters didn't turn out in 2024, but why do those voters themselves say they stayed home? We discuss illuminating new poll numbers, the vital importance of authenticity in a campaign, and what Democrats need to do to win "missing voters" back. You’re listening to Incorruptible Mass. Our goal is to help people...

Please donate to the show! We examine another big story in the news, this time focusing on the continuing fallout from the Trump administration's refusal to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein. We discuss Trump's own possible connections to Epstein, how our nation's moral and legal systems are fundamentally different for the rich, and what the fact that Epstein was allowed to g...

Please donate to the show! Following his momentous win in the Democratic primary for mayor of New York, we have a Fourth of July conversation about Zohran Mamdani. We take a look at what Mamdani's win means, the state of our democracy both in New York City and nationwide, and what folks who are inspired by Mamdani's success can do to make things better. You’re listening to Incorruptible...

Please donate to the show! We continue our series on our economy by talking with Juliet Schor, an economist and sociologist at Boston College, about the potential presented by the four-day workweek. We learn about what common issues are and how different companies have chosen to solve them, the benefits of the plan for both businesses and their workers, and how soon we might see a four-day workwee...

Please donate to the show! We continue our series on our economy by honing in on our very own state's budget priorities with Phineas Baxandall, the policy director at MassBudget. We discuss how DOGE cuts have been especially harmful to sectors that Massachusetts communities rely on, how our state legislature has adapted to respond to the loss in federal funding, and what the General Court can...

Please donate to the show! We continue our series on our economy with a broad view on how America is doing. We discuss real and ideal tariff policy, the disappearance of the middle class, and how vanishing economic opportunity is a threat to our democratic society. You’re listening to Incorruptible Mass. Our goal is to help people transform state politics: we investigate why it’s so broken, imagin...

Please donate to the show! We kick off a series on our economy with a fascinating conversation with Dr. Noam Maggor, a professor of American history at the Queen Mary University of London. We talk about his book, Brahmin Capitalism, covering topics like the history of the economy and of capitalism in Massachusetts, how the past can help us understand our current economic realities, and what lesson...

Please donate to the show! We have an important conversation with Laura Rotolo, the senior advocacy director for field initiatives at the ACLU of Massachusetts, in part three of our series on immigration during the Trump administration. We discuss how current actions on immigration attack our democratic foundations, why the administration has chosen such a brazen approach, and how we can push back...

Please donate to the show! In part two of our series on immigration during the Trump administration, we talk with Nicole Eigbrett, a co-executive director of the Asian American Resource Workshop. We discuss ICE's abduction of Tufts doctoral student Rümeysa Öztürk, the importance of defending immigrant rights from the administration's assault, the LUCE Network, and steps our listeners can...

Please donate to the show! We start a series on immigration during the second Trump administration by speaking with Dr. Geralde Gabeau, the founder and CEO of the Immigrant Family Services Institute. We take a look at temporary protected status for immigrants, economic reverberations for all Americans, and the personal crises of those being targeted by the administration. You’re listening to Incor...

Please donate to the show! Our fourth and final episode in our series on healthcare discusses the findings of an alarming report into the state of health care in Massachusetts conducted by the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission. We explore the difficulties of getting primary and preventative care in our state, the realities that insurance coverage figures obscure, and what the future of the me...

Please donate to the show! We invite Morgan Moore, executive director of the New York Metro Chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program, to the show for the third part of our series on health care. We take a look at New York as a case study for advancing single-payer health care legislation, challenging reluctant Democratic legislative leadership, and building long-term movements to achiev...

Please donate to the show! We continue our series on health care with a special guest: Kimberley Connors, executive director of the Single Payer Campaign of Massachusetts, or MassCare. We discuss the history of advocacy for single-payer health care in Massachusetts, other models around the world, and why it's so urgent to adopt single-payer health care in Massachusetts now. You’re listening t...

Please donate to the show ! In the first episode of our new season, we kick off a series on healthcare by discussing the Luigi Mangione incident and the public’s response. We delve into the critical work of Healthcare Now, reflect on the Trump administration’s influence on healthcare goals, and explore how potential changes to Medicare could reshape the conversation around Medicare for All. This i...

Please donate to the show ! Today, we dive into the latest legislative moves in Massachusetts. First, we’ll revisit question one on the state auditor and examine the legislature’s actions. Then, we’ll unpack the end of the legislative session, where lawmakers broke their own rules to pass key bills—including economic development and climate change initiatives—highlighting the arbitrary nature of t...

Please donate to the show ! Today, we will be discussing the five ballot questions that appeared on the state ballot across Massachusetts. We’ll break down the results—covering the three that passed and the two that failed—and dive into the details, outcomes, and key takeaways from each. Tune in for everything you need to know about how these measures played out and what they mean going forward. T...

Please donate to the show ! Today, we’re stepping into the realm of national politics to unpack the recent election results, which didn’t unfold as many of our listeners might have hoped. We’ll explore key takeaways, share differing perspectives, and discuss what these results mean moving forward. This is the audio version of the Incorruptible Mass podcast, season 5 episode 64. You can watch the v...

Please donate to the show ! Today, we’re diving into strategies for mobilizing voters and convincing them to support causes you care about. We’ll discuss what motivates marginal voters, the importance of a theory of change in politics, and how to effectively engage with elected officials and key issues. Plus, we’ll break down the tools of election season—canvassing, social media, texting, and phon...

Please donate to the show ! Today, we’re tackling the issue of city and town revenue in Massachusetts. We’ll break down how state laws limit local revenue-raising options compared to other states and the impact these restrictions have on our communities. From the constraints of Proposition 2½ to the role of the state legislature and the Speaker’s power, we’ll unpack why Massachusetts cities and to...

Please donate to the show ! Today, we will be discussing how unfortunate it is that data often doesn’t drive decision-making, despite claims of economic reasoning. We’ll cover a few upcoming ballot measures, including: unionizing Uber and Lyft drivers, increasing the tipped minimum wage, and addressing widespread misconceptions around progressive policies that supposedly lead to dire consequences—...

Please donate to the show ! Today, we will be discussing the propositions that will be on the ballot in November, including: Question 1, which addresses whether or not to audit the state legislature; Question 2, which focuses on whether or not to eliminate the MCAS graduation requirement; Question 3, which asks if rideshare drivers should be given the opportunity to join a union; Question 4, which...