SPNN Podcast

Welcome to the first episode of Queering Community Health, a show by and for LGBTQIA+/Queer young people that holds space for conversations on topics important to our health and well being. Join today's host Azul (they/them) to meet some of the amazing creators behind this work and learn about their upcoming episodes.

In this episode, SPNN staff talk with defense attorney Nick Pouladian about the Derek Chauvin trial, which began on March 8th, 2021. Nick walks through some of the many legal processes going on, breaks down each of Chauvin's charges, and explains how jury selection works.

As the fight to defund the police progresses, citizens continue to encounter and interact with officers. In part one of a two-part miniseries, Michelle Gross joins to provide some info from the Know Your Rights Training offered by Communities United Against Police Brutality. These episodes provide a crash course on the rights that should be afforded to citizens that interact with police.  Communit...

Black Filmmakers Panel from the Connect MEdia Festival. Hear from five phenomenal filmmakers as they share their insights and experiences: D.A. Bullock, Alison Guessou, Adja Gildersleve, E.G. Bailey, Victor V. Hogan, II. Moderated by Bianca Rhodes. Recorded on February 7, 2021.  https://spnn.org/connectmediafestival

SPNN staff talk with local performers Variah T. Shaux and Alexandro Rox about drag, queerness, and intersectionality. 

Mizna joins hosts Shania and Michael to discuss the Arab Film Fest Collab happening virtually from Dec. 3 - Dec. 13 with programs featuring films, panel discussions, and performances from Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA). Joining us from Mizna are Lana Barkawi, Executive and Artistic Director, Michelle Baroody, Film Curator, and Ahmed AbdulMageed, Film Programming Coordinator.

Speaking of Youth is a new podcast series where youth host conversations about the important community, youth, and social justice issues of our times. In this episode youth interns Moudjibou, D., Jonathan, and Tyler discuss their experiences at school this fall.

In this episode, SPNN intern Shania and CTEP member Michael talk with Georgia Fort from Unicorn Riot, a non-profit media organization dedicated to exposing root causes of social and environmental issues by amplifying stories and exploring sustainable alternatives. In this conversation Fort speaks to the reality of mainstream media coverage, it's role in perpetuating systemic racism, the importance...

Speaking of Youth is a new podcast series where youth host conversations about the important community, youth, and social justice issues of our times. In this episode youth interns D. and Jonathan speak with Vice President Bernie Burnham from Education Minnesota about the challenges teachers and students face with schools reopening this fall.

Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar (TCC4J) - Coalition member Jae Yates speaks with SPNN interns Shania and D. about the advocacy they are doing for community control of police including a discussion about the Civilian Police Accountability Council (CPAC), an idea of civilian control of police first developed by the Black Panther Party. Stay tuned until the very end to hear about Jae's othe...

Communities United Against Police Brutality (CUAPB) - Michelle Gross, President of CUAPB, has spent 20 years fighting for accountability and reform in the Minneapolis Police Department around brutality and murder by police. In this conversation she talks about that work and recent events such as the murder of George Floyd by police and the proposed city charter amendment by the Minneapolis City Co...

La Raza - The Spanish language radio station that serves the Latinx community in the Twin Cities burned down during the uprising on Lake Street that followed the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police. La Raza President and CEO Maya Santamaria speaks with producers Shania and Gabe about the uprising and their efforts to keep on the air and rebuild.

Little Earth Protectors - Three Native community members from the housing development Little Earth of United Tribes in south Minneapolis discuss the uprising that followed the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police and how they and others provide community protection for their neighborhood. With Jolene Jones, Lisa Skjefte, Muck-Wa Roberts, Sr.

CoCo Villaluz - Native environmental activist and community health professional talks about the impact of COVID-19 on Native and Indigenous communities around the U.S., sharing perspectives on how the pandemic is playing out in the Navajo Nation and South Dakota. The recent murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police is also addressed.

Rory Wakeump - Minneapolis based Native artist and activist Rory Wakeump talks about his life as a community based artist and shares his thoughts about the inequity of grant funding for Native artists. Rory also describes some upcoming pandemic related community artwork and tells us why he was interested in mashing up Star Wars with traditional Native culture.

Nekima Levy Armstrong - Civil Rights Attorney and activist shares the work she has been doing to support the Black community in North Minneapolis during the pandemic. Nekima also talks about the recent vote to adopt the Comprehensive District Design (CDD)in Minneapolis public schools and she discusses the threat that the pandemic presents to those incarcerated in the prison system.

Maia Maiden - Twin Cities based dancer, choreographer, curator, and laboratory scientist Maia Maiden is interviewed about her life since the COVID-19 pandemic. Maia talks about how dancers can continue to work in the time of social distancing and she shares her experience working on COVID-19 testing as a laboratory scientist.

Sha Cage - Twin Cities actor, director, filmmaker, and activist is interviewed about her life since the the COVID-19 pandemic began. Sha talks about how she has stayed connected to the arts community during this crisis and tells the story of how she was forced to cancel a new film project just as the shutdown hit.

May Lee-Yang - Twin Cities writer, theater artist, and educator is interviewed about her life since the the COVID-19 pandemic began. May talks about writing during stay at home and trying to finish graduate school by distance learning. May also considers how the Hmong community in Minnesota is experiencing this crisis.

Desdamona - Twin Cities writer, spoken word artist, educator, and MC is interviewed about her life since the the COVID-19 pandemic began. Desdamona talks about her distance learning teaching artist work and she reads a new poem written by her during this crisis.