The Electorette Podcast

JESSICA POST Jessica Post, President of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC.org) discusses their 2020 strategy to elect more state Democrats and win legislative majorities. We discuss their successes as grassroots fundraising and seats flipped from red to blue over the past 4 years. We also take a look back at the 2010 midterms. Support the Electorette Rate & Review on iTunes: http...

CHRYL LAIRD Chyrl Laird, is a political analyst, author and professor, who specializes in Race and Ethnic Politics and Political Psychology. In her new book titled, "Steadfast Democrats: How Social Forces Shape Black Political Behavior," which Laird coauthored along with Ismail White, they analyze the historical political patterns of Black voters, and explore the question of why Black Americans ar...

NADINE STROSSEN Nadine Strossen, is an activist, professor, and was the first woman and youngest president of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). She is also the author of the book "HATE: Why We Should Resist it With Free Speech, Not Censorship," which explores arguments around "Hate Speech" vs. "Free Speech." We discuss the definition of hate speech, and how one quantifies harm caused when...

Julie Kohler Julie Kohler, a Fellow in Residence at the National Women's Law Center (NWLC), discusses their new analysis which shows that women are more effective state legislators than men. We discuss the implications of these findings and discuss examples of how women elected to legislative positions have used this power to pass progressive legislation like Paid Family Leave or expansions to vot...

Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez is running for the Senate in the state of Texas, a seat which would help flip the state blue. Tzintzún Ramirez is a longtime organizer and the founder of a Texas-based nonprofit, JOLT, which mobilizes young Latino voters. Tzintzún Ramirez has received high-profile endorsements from Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and actor, Alec Baldwin....

Bassey Ikpi Author Bassey Ikpi discusses her bestselling collection of essays titled "I'm Telling the Truth But I'm Lying," which explores the author's experiences through the lens of her mental health and diagnosis of bipolar II and anxiety. This stunning memoir in essay form is both vulnerable and beautiful, and a must-read. Get 15% Off from M.M. LaFleur! M.M. La Fleur is offering Electorette li...

Melissa Mark-Viverito, Congressional Candidate for NY-15th Melissa Mark-Viverito was a member of the New York City Council, representing District 8 during Michael Bloomberg's tenure as mayor. We discuss the harmful effects of the Stop & Frisk policy and other policies enacted during Bloomberg's time as Mayor, and what happened when she stood up and spoke out about the harm those policies caused th...

Carole Joffe, author of Obstacle Course... On this episode, I have a conversation with professor and abortion rights advocate, Carole Joffe. We discuss her new book, Obstacle Course: The Everyday Struggle to Get an Abortion in America. Get 15% Off from M.M. LaFleur! M.M. La Fleur is offering Electorette listeners 15% off of their first order when they use code ELECTORETTE. Just visit MMLaFleur.com...

Emily Tisch Sussman Discusses the 2020 Democratic Primary On this episode, I have a conversation with progressive political strategist and host of the popular political podcast, "Your Primary Playlist," Emily Tisch Sussman. We discuss the Iowa Caucus and the first Democratic debate following the caucus; as well as, make some predictions about the outcome of the New Hampshire Primary. Get 15% Off f...

AG, Co-host of Mueller, She Wrote On this episode, I have a conversation with AG, the semi-anonymous co-host of the award-winning podcast, Mueller, She Wrote. We discuss the Mueller Report, the impeachment trial, and the 2020 election. But we also an event that AG doesn't often discuss publicly; and that's being a victim of sexual assault while serving in the military. We discuss how she was treat...

Amanda Litman On this episode, I have a conversation with Amanda Litman, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Run For Something, an organization dedicated to supporting and recruiting young progressives who want to run for office. Amanda discusses the importance of supporting down ballot races, what listeners can do to help Democrats regain legislative power, and the state of the 2020 primary race...

Amy Aronson On this episode, I have a conversation with Amy Aronson, author of the new book titled "Crystal Eastman: A Revolutionary Life." Crystal Eastman was an uncompromising feminist, an early advocate for workers' rights, reproductive rights, a socialist, and an anti-militarist. She was also branded the most dangerous woman in America. Eastman also helped write the Equal Rights Amendment and...

April Reign On this episode, I have a conversation with April Reign, the creator of #OscarsSoWhite viral hashtag and movement, created to confront the lack of diversity in the Oscars and movie industry as a whole. We discuss this year's Oscar nominations, changes to the industry since the #OscarsSoWhite movement began, and some reactions to criticisms of Hollywood's lack of diversity. Support the...

Kate Kelly On this episode, I discuss the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) with passionate advocate and activist for women's rights, Kate Kelly. We discuss the role that the state of Virginia will play in finally ratifying the ERA, after it was introduced nearly a century ago. About Today's Guest: In 2013 Kate Kelly founded a group called Ordain Women to advocate for gender equality in the Mormon Chur...

Kina Collins Kina Collins is a nationally recognized gun violence prevention and healthcare advocate running for the IL-07 Congressional District seat. Kina Collin's interest in activism began after witnessing gun violence as a 7 year-old growing up in Chicago. We discuss her candidacy against a 22-year incumbent, her success with pushing historic legislation for women, and the importance of healt...

Niccole Thurman Actress, Improviser & Writer, Niccole Thurman talks about politics, her roles satirizing conservatives on Comedy Central, and self-care in a toxic political climate. Niccole Thurman has most recently appeared on HBO's A Black Lady Sketch Show, and Shrill on Hulu. Previously, she was a Citizen Journalist on the Comedy Central show, The Opposition with Jordan Klepper, where she brill...

Shanda Yates is running for Mississippi's House of Representative, a state crucial for Democrats to gain legislative power in the South, including putting a stop to extreme partisan gerrymandering and fighting back against the most restrictive abortion laws in the country. Support Shanda Yates' Campaign: Shanda Yates for MS House of Representatives Shanda Yates' on Twitter Shanda Yates' on Faceboo...

This episode explores a new report by Media Matters which reveals how television networks like MSNBC and CNN, allow Fox News to influence their abortion related coverage, poisoning the coverage with lies about abortion. Sharon Kann, an abortion rights and reproductive health program director at Media Matters, discusses the details of the report. EPISODE NOTES: Media Matters Report: Other networks...

Debra Rodman is currently a Democratic member of the Virginia House of Delegates, and is now running for the Senate in Virginia's 12th District. This is one of the most important local elections for Democrats to retake the Senate and shift the balance of power. This is also one of the most important local election of 2019. In our conversation, we discuss the state of politics in Virginia including...

Emerge is an organization dedicated to recruiting & training Democratic women to run for office. In this conversation with A'shanti Gholar, the political director for Emerge, we discuss the challenges women running for office face including the hurdle of proving their "electability." GET $25 OFF OUR PURCHASE WHEN YOU SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: This episode is brought to you by M.M. LaFleur. To redeem of...

On this episode, I talk with Emily May, the co-founder and executive director of Hollaback, an organization and campaign devoted to ending street harassment worldwide. GET $25 OFF OUR PURCHASE WHEN YOU SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: This episode is brought to you by M.M. LaFleur. To redeem offer visit: https://mmlafleur.com/Electorette M.M. LaFleur is built on a core belief: When women succeed in the workpl...

A conversation with Dr. Fiona Vera Gray about street harassment and her book, The Right Amount of Panic: How Women Trade Freedom For Safety. We discuss the stories of women in her book who experienced street harassment and cat-calling as early as age seven. We also discuss the amount of labor women extend to secure their own safety in public. GET $25 OFF OUR PURCHASE WHEN YOU SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:...

This episode features a conversation with Jennifer Kavanagh, a political scientist and researcher for the RAND Corporation. We discuss their recent study, Truth Decay: A RAND Initiative to Restore the Role of Facts and Analysis in Public Life. RAND defines Truth Decay as the diminishing role of facts and data in American public life. We discuss the four trends that characterize Truth Decay as well...

What do Democrats need to win more legislative power throughout the country? To put a stop to extreme gerrymandering? To pass the Equal Rights Amendment, a constitutional amendment guaranteeing equal rights to all Americans regardless of gender? To pass stricter gun control laws? According to Nicole Hobbs, Executive Director of Every District, an organization dedicated to helping Democrats win mor...

Author and philosopher Kate Manne discusses her book Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny. GET $25 OFF OUR PURCHASE WHEN YOU SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR: This episode is brought to you by M.M. LaFleur. To redeem offer visit: https://mmlafleur.com/Electorette M.M. LaFleur is built on a core belief: When women succeed in the workplace, the world becomes a better place. M.M.LaFleur was founded by three women and...