News You Can Use

Season 4 is here, and Edwin and Hannah are kicking things off with an episode you’ll want to share. We’re joined by Alicia, a member leader with Lehigh Valley Stands Up, for a timely conversation about why voting matters so much this year—and why primary elections are just as important as the general. Alicia breaks down what’s at stake, how primaries shape the choices we get later on, and what lis...

What does it look like to run candidates who answer to the people? In our season finale, host Hannah sits down with Brad, Shannon, and Maria to break down why candidates must stay rooted in organizing—not consultants—and what it will take to win the 2026 midterms. They talk about building real relationships, turning out working-class voters, and how we hold electeds accountable after Election Day.

In this episode of News You Can Use, Edwin and Hannah sit down with Gillian, organizer with Lehigh Valley Stands Up, to break down why the Pennsylvania Supreme Court retention race matters for all of us. They also talk about navigating the government shutdown, what the pending SNAP funding gap means for working families, and where to find help if you need it. Don’t miss their tips on using findhel...

On this episode, Edwin and Hannah sit down with Briana, PA Stands Up’s Regional Organizing Manager, to celebrate Hispanic/Latine Heritage Month and dig into Pennsylvania’s late budget. They discuss how Latine contributions are shaping our communities, Brianna’s organizing inspirations, and her vision for building working-class power across the Commonwealth. Tune in for practical hope, culture, and...

On this episode of News You Can Use, hosts Edwin Stubbs and Hannah Henrichon sit down with PASU’s Summer Comms Fellow Kane Howard to talk about Kane’s personal housing journey. Together, they explore why housing and home repair assistance programs matter so much—especially in Pennsylvania, where aging homes can make staying housed a real challenge. They discuss how making repairs affordable keeps...

This week on News You Can Use, Edwin and Hannah are getting real about freedom—what it means, who gets it, and who stands in the way. We're joined by Sarina from our Movement Politics department and Omar from Make The Road for a no-BS conversation about fighting back against ICE, big money, and rising fascism in our communities. We talk organizing, sharing power, and picking each other up when...

This episode, hosts Edwin and Hannah celebrate Pride Month ’25 with a special guest: Alec Walker-Serrano, our new Traditional Comms Organizer! 🌈 Together, they dive into the current queer political landscape in Pennsylvania, unpacking the wins, challenges, and what’s next for our community. Alec shares his personal take on queer joy, the power of community, and the inspiration behind launching NE...

🎙️ Welcome to Season 3, Episode 4 of "News You Can Use," the podcast by PA Stands Up! In this episode, hosts Edwin and Hannah dive into everything you need to know about Election Day in Pennsylvania —from what’s at stake to how you can make your voice heard. We’re joined by special guest Rob, Regional Organizing Manager with PA Stands Up, who shares on-the-ground insights about organizing for vote...

🎙️ Welcome to Season 3, Episode 3 of "News You Can Use," the podcast by PA Stands Up! In this episode, hosts Edwin and Hannah discuss the critical issue of healthcare in America and what cuts to Medicaid and Medicare would mean for our community. Special guest and podcast producer Liz shares her experience as a chronically ill person navigating healthcare in America.

🎙️ Welcome to Season 3, Episode 2 of "News You Can Use," the podcast by PA Stands Up! In this episode, host Edwin dives into the current political moment. Co-host Hannah and special guest host Sarina sit down with two inspiring women in politics—Allentown City Council members Ce-Ce Gerlach and Natalie Santos. Don't miss this insightful conversation about leadership, community, and dr...

Welcome, everyone, to season 3, episode 2 of News You Can Use, a podcast by PA Stands Up. In this episode, hosts Edwin and Hannah sit down with organizers Eliza and Taylor to catch you up on the latest in the political world. Together, they reflect on Black History Month, explore what’s bringing them hope, and discuss ways to create more inclusive spaces as the Federal Government scales back on DE...

Welcome to season 2, episode 3 of News You Can Use, a podcast by PA Stands Up. On today's episode, host Edwin chats with the new PA Stands Up Comms team, Mary and Hanna, to catch us up on what's going on in American Politics and to ground us in the movement here in Pennsylvania.

Welcome to season 2, episode 2 of News You Can Use, a podcast by PA Stands Up. On today's episode, host Pele IrgangLaden chats with Ann from People's Action and Billy from PA United about Leveraging Federal Funds, telling real stories of the impact these funds can have and how to use these funds for organizing.

Welcome, everyone, to season 2, episode 1 of News You Can Use, a podcast by PA Stands Up. On today's episode, Pele and Edwin will chat with Brittany Stephenson, the first Black woman ever elected to Luzern County Council, and Brad Chambers, a young Black democrat who is looking to unseat a longtime GOP state lawmaker in this year's election. Don't miss out on this insightful discussion...

On today's episode, host Pele IrgangLaden chats with Maria Andrews, Movement Politics Director at PA Stands Up, about municipal election wins and losses and how members can get involved and run for office!

Welcome to episode 12 of News You Can Use, a podcast by PA Stands Up. On today's episode, temp host Dr. Ashleigh Strange chats with Nick Martin, PASU's Training and Statewide Campaigns Director about the ear of PASU, the Listen Up! Campaign. A lot of movements start "the day after" a big event and we talk about the day after 9/11, the day after the 2016 general election, and just...

Welcome to episode 11 of News You Can Use, a podcast by PA Stands Up. On today's episode, host Pele IrgangLaden chats with Edwin Stubbs, PASU's Digital organizer about what it takes to communicate with and for the movement. Our hot topics are as hot as the unseasonable weather in Minnesota and Hawaii and we tell you where you can join thousands of people in the streets in September to do s...

Welcome to episode 10 of News You Can Use, a podcast by PA Stands Up. On today's episode, host Pele IrgangLaden sits down with Daphne Daulton to talk about their work around bringing new members in to Lancaster Stands Up! We also chat about the Pennsylvania political budget pickle that a governor and a billionaire have gotten us into, and why we shouldn't deadname X, the former bird app. T...

Welcome to episode 9 of News You Can Use, a podcast by PA Stands Up. On today's episode, host Pele IrgangLaden returns triumphantly to chat about the ⁠2023 People's Action Convention⁠ with attendees Matt Lo of LVSU and Dom Santiago of NEPASU. We talk about billionaires getting what they deserve (nothing), the stranglehold that Schoolhouse Rock still has over us, and how much easier it is t...

Welcome to episode 8 of News You Can Use, a podcast by PA Stands Up. On today's episode, it's a they-kover! (a he/they/they/he takeover). Temp host Ashleigh Strange (they/he) is joined by Alec Walker-Serrano (he/they), a Scranton Activist and NEPA Stands Up volunteer leader with NEPA’s LGBTQ+, comms, and labor teams. We learn about what's happening in the forests of NorthEastern PA and...

Welcome to episode 7 of News You Can Use, a podcast by PA Stands Up. On today's episode, we're Voting Yes For Jess! Host Pele IrgangLaden abandoned us to get married so Ashleigh Strange steps in to interview Berks Stands Up endorsed candidate  Jess Royer for Berks County Commissioner. He talks about making the shift from mild-mannered librarian to rabble-rousing activist and how his time i...

Welcome to episode 6 of News You Can Use, a podcast by PA Stands Up. On today's Very Special Episode, Host Pele Irgangladen is tired, wired, and joined by PASU Narrative and Comms Director Ashleigh Strange to talk PA primary municipal election wins, losses, and uses for Visene. This podcast is recorded live in a conversational, unedited format. Find us at an event  near you! Sign up for  News...

Welcome to episode 5 of News You Can Use, a podcast by PA Stands Up. On today's episode, we're Yoder Voters! Host Pele IrgangLaden interviews Lancaster Stands Up endorsed candidate Alice Yoder for Lancaster County Commissioner. She talks about being a lifelong Democrat, the importance of voting and what the heck a county commissioner is anyway. This podcast is recorded live in a conversati...

Welcome to episode 4 of News You Can Use, a podcast by PA Stands Up. On today's episode, host Pele IrgangLaden interviews Lehigh Valley Stands Up endorsed candidates Rodney Bushe for Allentown City Council and Jon Irons for Lehigh County Commissioner. They talk about the challenges of running and why it's so important to stick together as progressives. This podcast is recorded live in a co...

Welcome to episode 3 of News You Can Use, a podcast by PA Stands Up. On today's episode, host Pele IrgangLaden interviews Deena Stoudt, Member Leader of Berks Stands Up Housing Justice Committee, about her experiences growing up with housing instability and why she fights so hard for Whole Home Repairs. This podcast is recorded live in a conversational, unedited format. Find us at an event⁠⁠⁠...