Start Me Up with Kimberley A. Johnson

The Banter's Ben Cohen and I touched on a variety of issues but the overall theme was about the current state of democracy and where it's headed. We still have time to save it. There is still hope and Ben and I talk about what can be done, but that time is running out. Listen and share your thoughts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://a...

Teri Kanfield returns and today we talked about taking a reasonable pragmatic view of what's happening in American politics. Because Republicans are breaking rules and cheating to win, many voters are understandably fearful of a fascist takeover. Teri acknowledges the danger but offers constructive and productive advice on dealing with that fear. She explains why voters should not allow it to...

Jared is a political analyst and author. Today we talked about the real threat of fascism in the United States and how all of us have been gaslit by the GOP. The white supremacist fascists know what they're doing and they're in it to win in--and unless all the folks who want to save the country make an effort, the country will be lost. Despite the doomsday description I just offered, pleas...

Antiracism educator and author Tim Wise returns! Topics: systematic racism; white supremacy and our current government; the influence our (diverse) pop culture has on the issue of racism and we finished with Tim talking about (white) guilt v. taking responsibility. Such a good chat! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-se...

Tara Dublin is a writer, a former DJ, a voiceover actress and known on Twitter for being an in-your-face badass activist. She's also a contributor to the political blog HillReporter. We had a fantastic conversation about her years in radio and her experience of speaking the truth online and slaying Twitter trolls, We talked about her many, many encounters with Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), femini...

Writer Sarah Wood returns! Show Topics: Trump and COVID19 changed America forever; Republicans want to kill democracy and Democratic leaders need a more effective strategy; Manhattan DA has convened a Grand Jury that is expected to decide whether to indict Donald Trump; GOP is killing reproductive freedom and so much more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Noti...

Jody Hamilton, the host of the From The Bunker podcast is back! We had some fun chatting it up but we did fit in some political conversation about COVID and statutory rape! Lots of stuff packed into this entertaining show! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/bran...

Writer and friend Amanda Sowards is back and today we talk about COVID, single-payer healthcare, abortion, gay/slut-shaming and some fun stuff, too. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Greg Olear is back! His must-read article Tinker, Tailor Mobster, Trump talks about Donald Trump being a confidential informant! What a read! We discussed that as well as Liz Cheney possibly running in 2024, the current state and fate of the GOP, and much more! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertisin...

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Ben Cohen, the editor of The Banter, joins me to talk about politics and what it was like to have a toddler during COVID. (In case: this show was recorded in advance and I may have said on the podcast that it would be released on a different date. If so, please ignore.) Ben is an awesome guest and we had a great time. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at...

Rachel Bitecofer is a political scientist and an elections analyst. She's also a badass.  Topics: The discouraging Census news; what Democrats have to do to win this "war" with Republicans. Rachel talks about her project StrikePac.com and how voters can help her fight that war. Really good stuff in this interview. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy N...

Greg Olear is back! YAY! Topics: Some people who are afraid of side effects are skipping the second dose of the vaccine; Biden's first 100 days (he's kicking ass); Greg has an interesting take on who the 2024 GOP nominee might be and it's not Trump; there is reason to hope and Merrick Garland will likely be a very effective AG. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califo...

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Show Topics: The trial of Derek Chauvin came to a close; cops are still murdering unarmed black Americans; the debate over "Defund" the police slogan, and how electing Democrats is the only way we will see progress. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/bra...

Eric Garland is an Intelligence analyst and strategist. He's the host of the Game Theory Today Podcast and we had a lot of fun! Topics: Traitors are going to prison; why Democrats have reason to hope.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-...

Dr. Leah Torres is a sex-positive OB/Gyn promoting high-quality care and evidence-based medicine. Topics: Sex positivity; the best approach when talking to children about sex; what it's like being a doctor who performs abortions (in red states) and so much more!  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Adve...

Jody Hamilton, the host of the From The Bunker podcast is back! Topics: Covid vaccines, Los Angeles, earthquakes, kittens, Matt Gaetz and the future of the GOP. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Chris Hahn is a progressive pundit and the host of the Aggressive Progressive.  He also hosts a syndicated radio show and works as a  political consultant and attorney based in New York. He has made numerous national television appearances on a variety of political, pop culture and public policy topics. Topics: Matt Gaetz (is toast); GOP is dying; the future of Roe v. Wade, expanding the courts, T...

Bruno Amato has been a working actor for the past 20 years and is a proud member of the SAG/AFTRA union. He's a Democrat running against Kevin McCarthy in California’s 23rd District. We talked about his military service, his time as an ironworker, his acting career and why he decided to challenge Kevin McCarthy. We both had a really good time and you will, too if you listen! See Privacy Policy...

Melissa Walker is an author of 10 novels for young adults and children. A former magazine editor, she now enjoys gathering people together to share stories about how they can pool their resources and change the balance of power in state legislatures.  Her work has appeared in publications including The New York Times and Teen Vogue. We talked about how voters can make a massive impact by joining f...

Jared is a political analyst and author. We had a productive conversation about white supremacy and how it's taken over the Republican Party--and how abortion plays a role. Jared offers important insights as well as ways to combat it -- good news!  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Advertising Inquiri...

Andrew Laufer is a Civil Rights attorney and he specializes in Police Brutality, False Arrest, Malicious Prosecution. Topics: There's a decent chance Trump lands in prison.  Junior is likely in trouble, too. Tucker Carlson is a white supremacist; Candace Owens is a grifter and Andrew weighs in on what will happen with our beloved democracy. Such a great conversation!  See Privacy Policy at htt...

Writer Amanda Sowards returns for more lively discussion on the world's most pressing issues. (yes, I'm sarcastic.) Topics: Things are opening up, there's light at the end of the COVID tunnel but getting back to a new version of normal is kinda weird. Patriarchy palooza: Andrew Cuomo and the debate about whether he should step down, Woody Allen is a repugnant child rapist and American...

John Pavlovitz is a writer, pastor, and activist from Wake Forest, North Carolina. In the past four years, his blog Stuff That Needs To Be Said has reached a diverse worldwide audience. Topics: the overall political climate...how people are feeling and what needs to be done; political fatigue; combating white supremacy, how to handle MeToo when politicians are accused of sexual misconduct, and mor...