The Practivist Pod

We have a Veep! Mariah shares her experience working with Senator Harris and what she brings to the ticket. Then Héctor Sánchez Barba, the Executive Director and CEO of Mi Familia Vota, talks about how immigrants are under attack, disproportionately affected by the coronavirus, and how we can help support the communities that need it the most. From the census, to voter suppression, he is on the fr...

Joining us today is the incredible Stacey Abrams! Get ready to call your Reps because she’s got some important actions for all of us, some recommendations for fighting voter suppression in your community, and some advice for the Swing Left college fellows that we could all benefit from. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Joining us today is Ravi Gupta -- Obama alum, co-founder of Arena and co-host of the “Majority 54” Podcast. We talk about how Arena is training a new generation of candidates and campaign professionals, and how Ravi is working to reach Red state voters that will flip key seats in November. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

For another bonus mini-pod we are talking with Dan McCool, a musician who founded the grassroots group, Blue Revolution with the simple call to action: "Join us, Beat Trump". His website is a hub for action and his facebook group now has over 63,000 members! He’s been helping them engage in important states, and raise money for crucial campaigns. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.co...

Today we have an impactful and timely conversation with Gina Belafonte. Gina is the executive director of Sankofa.org, a social justice organization founded by her father, singer and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte. She talks about growing up in a home that played host to Dr. King, John Lewis, and the giants of the civil rights movement, and how she continues that legacy with her work today....

On another bonus “mini-pod” we hear from Lisa Herrick, a clinical psychologist who became politically activated in 2016 when Trump was elected. She founded a powerhouse volunteer group in Washington D.C., “31st Street Swing Left” in February 2017. Now a group of 1,000 members, 31st Street was part of the successful effort to turn Virginia Blue last year, and has raised a jaw dropping amount of mon...

Today we are honored to be joined by the House Intelligence Committee Chair, Impeachment Manager, and everyone’s favorite thorn in Trump's side, Congressman Adam Schiff. We talk about Trump and Attorney General Barr’s assault on our democracy and how you can help protect the integrity of this election. And, we are excited to talk about a new state we are adding to our campaign to take back the...

Joining us today is Reggie Hubbard from MoveOn… and Bernie Sanders’ 2016 campaign… and formerly Joe Biden’s advance team. He’s going to talk to us about some important calls to action you can take to make a difference right now. And how he’s using yoga to keep some of your Congressional faves healthy and focused on the fight. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: h...

This is a special, How We Win, Mini-Pod! We talk with Stasha Rhodes, the Campaign Director of 51 for 51, a pro-D.C. statehood coalition of groups committed to equal rights and representation for the more than 700,000 residents of Washington, D.C. by making it the 51st state with a simple majority of 51 votes in the Senate. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: http...

Joining us today to help break down the historic month of June, is the host of Crooked Media’s “Keep It” podcast, Ira Madison III. We talk about the entertainment industry, how pop culture intersects with politics, Pride month, and who will help us win in November. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Joining us today is former Obama speechwriter and best selling author, David Litt. He has a new book called, "Democracy in One Book or Less: How It Works, Why It Doesn't, and Why Fixing It Is Easier Than You Think." So basically he’s gonna tell us how we fix our democracy... Also, we take an easy dunk on Trump but remind you why we must play hard for every minute, right to the last buz...

It's a special Father’s Day bonus episode! We share some wisdom from our fathers, and an interview with Steve's dad, DeVier Pierson. DeVier was council to President Johnson and shares some great stories from those turbulent years and the parallels to the work we are still doing today. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today we have an important and challenging discussion with the author of “Don’t Label Me - An Incredible Conversation for Divided Times”, Irshad Manji. She is the founder of the Moral Courage College, and we talk about what it means to be courageous, and how to have effective conversations, even with people we don’t agree with. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out:...

We are joined by Sarah Kendzior bestselling author of “Hiding in Plain Sight” and journalist filmmaker, Andrea Chalupa. Together they host the Gaslit Nation podcast. We’ll talk about how the GOP will use “divide and conquer” strategies to try to do just that, and what we can do to fight against it. Then we’ll hear sounds from the protests over last weekend, including words from actors and activist...

We are not just witnesses to history, we are the ones writing it. And we have a responsibility to stand up to injustice everywhere we see it. Joining us today is political strategist, MSNBC contributor and author of “A Black Man in the White House”, Cornell Belcher. We talk about this extraordinary time and the extraordinarily terrible response from the president. We have a conversation about how...

Today we are excited to welcome the founder of Moms Demand Action, Shannon Watts. We hear about how she created a facebook page, and started a powerful grassroots organization. We’ll also hear how Moms Demand and Everytown For Gun Safety is investing in the election, and organizing digitally during the coronavirus pandemic. TW: SI Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-O...

Joining us today is the founder of Flippable and Swing Left’s chief strategist, Catherine Vaughan. She is going to introduce us to Swing Left's newest innovation, Blueprint! It's your personalized investment portfolio for the 2020 elections! It's a new way for you to donate and get involved with the whole big picture in mind. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy...

Today we have the honor of speaking with legendary labor leader and civil rights icon, Dolores Huerta. We talk about how she organized farm workers in the sixties, how those lessons are applied today, and the work she’s continuing to do now, at the age of 90! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today we are California Fever-Dreamin’ with the Chair of the CA Democratic Party, Rusty Hicks. We talk about the lessons learned from the labor movement, how to build coalitions between the party and grassroots groups, and how we are leveraging digital tools to win in November. We also have an important election next week in California’s 25th district where Assemblymember Christy Smith is running...

What’s the most effective way to reach voters while you are staying home? Writing letters! Specifically GOTV letters from Vote Forward! We are excited to announce “The Big Send” and to tell us more about it, we are joined by the founder of Vote Forward, Scott Forman! Then we will hear from political strategist and host of the Democracy in Color podcast, Steve Phillips. Steve talks about the “New A...

Today we are looking inside the Constitution with the author of the new book, “OMG WTF Does The Constitution Actually Say?",Ben Sheehan. But before we do that, our show is infused with a grace filled conversation with Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers, the hosts of the Pantsuit Politics Podcast. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/p...

Protecting our Democracy is at the top of our minds as we prepare for the most important election of our lives, during the most unprecedented time in our lives. So today we hear from voting rights expert and journalist Ari Berman. We talk about the incredible outcome of the Wisconsin election, voting during a pandemic, and what we’ve got to keep an eye out for in November. Advertising Inquiries: h...

This week, while we are staying home and staying safe, we want to make sure you are informed AND have some great TV to watch. So for today’s episode we focus on the Equal Rights Amendment. We’ll hear from ERA expert and host of the “Ordinary Equality” podcast Kate Kelly about the history of the ERA and where we are now. And, we are joined by Emmy Award-winning writer and producer, Dahvi Waller, th...

Joining us today is Ben Wikler -- head of the Wisconsin Democratic Party. They have a big fight on their hands next week, and their election is still on! Ben breaks down what’s going on and how volunteers are helping by phone and by social media to turn out vote-by-mail voters for a race that’s going to have national implications. But first, Steve and Mariah give you important ways to help out, wh...

Joining us to discuss the news of the day and help us with this week’s “to do list”, is the founder of Daily Kos, Markos Moulitsas. We talk about the importance of staying home, what we should be doing from our living rooms, and a little free advice for Republicans. We also hear from Nathan Rubin, founder of Millennial Politics. It’s a great conversation about how younger voters are engaging, and...