The Round Table: A YVote Podcast

Welcome to another episode of The Round Table! This week, Emmanuel, Hannah, and Heba were excited to speak with Christine Woods, Co-Director of the Declaration for American Democracy. Christine brings a wealth of experience in issue-based advocacy and electoral campaigns, and we’re thrilled to dive into her impactful work and vision for democracy reform. In this episode, Christine shares her journ...

Welcome to this week’s episode of The Round Table! In this episode, Emily, Inyoo, Preena, and Heba were thrilled to be joined by Amanda Geduld, an insightful journalist from The 74 Media, a leading news organization dedicated to covering education. In this engaging conversation, Amanda takes us through her unique career trajectory—from her beginnings in the classroom to her current role in educati...

At this week’s Round Table, Emily and Emmanuel spoke with special guest, Ruby Belle Booth, Election Coordinator for CIRCLE and a passionate advocate for youth civic engagement. Ruby’s dedication to amplifying young voices and fostering democratic participation is both inspiring and crucial in today’s political landscape. Ruby’s journey began as a Diverse Democracy Fellow at CIRCLE in the summer of...

At this week’s Round Table, Hannah, Inyoo, and Preena spoke with Professor Robert Ghrist, the Andrea Mitchell PIK Professor of Mathematics and Electrical & Systems Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. With an impressive background and a wealth of knowledge in Applied Algebraic Topology, Professor Ghrist joins us to share his expertise and perspectives on the intersection of mathemati...

At this week’s Round Table, Hannah, Heba, and Preena were thrilled to host Phillip Gordon, the dynamic Deputy Director of Social Capital, Inc. (SCI). Phillip, who joined SCI in 2019 and has since become a pivotal force in the organization, brings a wealth of experience in strategic planning, program development, and fundraising. His remarkable journey includes leading the SCI AmeriCorps program, d...

At this week’s Round Table, Emmanuel and Inyoo spoke with Russell Chun, an esteemed Associate Professor of Journalism, Media Studies, and Public Relations, recognized for his expertise in multimedia storytelling, design, and data journalism. For the first episode of our Civic Tech Series which will be released occasionally throughout our normal season, we focused on generative AI and journalism, a...

At this week’s Round Table, Emily, Emmanuel, Hannah, and Preena speak with Terry Parris Jr. , the Public Square Editor for Headway at The New York Times as well as a passionate advocate for community-centered storytelling and civic engagement. Terry brings a wealth of experience to our discussion, having previously served as the Engagement Director at THE CITY and as a deputy editor at ProPublica....

At this week’s Round Table. Emmanuel, Hannah, and Preena speak with Dr. Seema Yasmin, an Emmy Award-winning journalist, Pulitzer Prize finalist, and acclaimed author known for her advocacy in media literacy and reproductive rights. Dr. Yasmin’s latest work, "Unbecoming," dives into a near-future Texas where abortion rights are severely restricted. Through the compelling journey of two Mu...

At this week’s Round Table, Emmanuel, Inyoo, and Hannah spoke with Terry Edmonds , a trailblazer in the realm of communications and speechwriting. Terry holds the distinction of being the first African American Chief Speechwriter for President Bill Clinton, a role he fulfilled during the final term of President Clinton's administration. With over four decades of experience spanning political c...

At this week’s Round Table, Emily, Emmanuel, Erina, Hannah, Heba, Inyoo, Preena, and Sanda (aka almost the whole crew!) met IN PERSON at the P & T Knitwear Studio (OK, Inyoo Zoomed in) to reflect together on the past year, coinciding with the last week of school. Each of our hosts shared their personal journey through the seasons of our podcast, recounting pivotal moments, meaningful conversat...

At this week’s Round Table, Emmanuel, Hannah, and Heba spoke with Edward L. Donnellan, Jr., a passionate high school social studies teacher, and three of his remarkable students, Justin Wallace, Lincoln Fischer, and Lonnie McCallister. Together, they’ve undertaken a compelling exploration titled "Searching for Truth in the Garden: Gonzaga's History with Slavery and Freedom House Walk Vide...

At this week's Round Table, Emily, Emmanuel, and Inyoo spoke with the remarkable Dr. Clover Perez , Founder & Executive Director of A Beautiful HEART Ministries . In this captivating episode, Dr. Perez shares her extraordinary story of redemption and her tireless efforts to reform the criminal justice system. As a modern woman of faith, Dr. Perez challenges societal norms and perceptions,...

At this week’s Round Table, Emmanuel, Hannah, and Heba spoke with multifaceted writer, community organizer, and labor advocate Raeghn Draper of The Futures Institute . Hailing from the vibrant city of Chicago, Reagan's journey is a testament to the power of narrative, both written and lived, in igniting movements and catalyzing change. Drawing inspiration from the visionary works of Octavia Bu...

At this week’s Round Table, Emmanuel and Hannah spoke about the dynamic world of civic engagement and education with esteemed guests June Klees and the vibrant members of Bay State Civic Corps: Chloe Pokovich and Samantha Combs. Dr. June Klees, a beacon of academic excellence and community leadership, guided us through the rich tapestry of the Civics Corps, shedding light on its inception and evol...

We've got a special BONUS episode this week. Christine, Eloise, Jiwan, Theo, and Zarina--amazing Next Gen Civic Fellows who are conducting a Civic Action Project (CAP) on media literacy in collaboration with Ahmed Baba of Rantt Media --are doing a takeover. Listen in as they discuss the intersection between political polarization and social media, the impact of AI, what it means to be media li...

At this week’s Round Table, Emily and Emmanuel spoke with visionary leader and change-maker Debilyn Molineaux, founder of AmericanFuture.us. American Tales isn't just a project; it's a beacon of hope in a world often overshadowed by pessimism. Debilyn's mission is clear: to ignite our collective imagination towards a future filled with possibility, rather than succumbing to the despair...

At this week’s Round Table, Emmanuel, Hannah, and Heba conversed with a remarkable young leader, Chelsea Osei. Chelsea, a Ghanaian American high school senior based in Illinois and a member of Citizen University's Youth Collaboratory brings with her a wealth of experiences and insights that inspire and enlighten. Throughout her academic journey, Chelsea has distinguished herself as a passionat...

At this week's Round Table, Emmanuel and Hannah spoke with Isabel Luciano and Serena Prince, whose dedication to empowering communities and advocating for inclusive decision-making processes is truly inspiring. Isabel Luciano, Director of Training and Curriculum Design, brings a wealth of experience from her tenure as Program Director of the People's Fellowship at the Participatory Budgeti...

At this week’s Round Table, Hannah, Heba, and Inyoo spoke with Hajar Yazdiha, a sociologist and author of The Struggle for the People’s King. Our conversation with Hajar explores the ways right-wing movements manipulate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights figures.  Drawing on Hajar’s research, we discuss how these groups use the same historical sources to develop contrastin...

At this week’s Round Table, Emily, Emmanuel, Hannah, and Heba spoke with the esteemed Erika Howard , Director of Impact Strategy and External Relations for FRONTLINE . Through her pivotal role at FRONTLINE, Erika leads the charge in using documentary filmmaking as a catalyst for societal change and meaningful dialogue. With a career spanning impactful roles at POV/American Documentary and now at F...

At this week's Round Table, Emily, Emmanuel, and Hannah spoke with KJ Mauwong and Sean Schrader, Podcast Fellows of the Democracy Group.. Through their distinct paths and shared commitment to service, they embody the essence of leadership, empathy, and the power of collective action.  As the discussion delved into the intricacies of community engagement, KJ and Sean illuminated the importance...

At this week's Round Table, Hannah and Heba spoke with Caleb Christen of the InterMovement Impact Project , a dedicated advocate for democracy and civic health. Hailing from the heartland of Wisconsin, Caleb's journey is a testament to his unwavering commitment to service and systems change. Caleb's illustrious career spans over 16 years of distinguished service in the U.S. Navy Judge...

At this week’s Round Table, Amelia, Emily, Hannah, and Heba engaged in a profound conversation with distinguished guest Emma Addams , Co-Executive Director of Mormon Women for Ethical Government (MWEG). Emma provides invaluable insights into the mission and principles of the organization, which is dedicated to inspiring women of faith to advocate for ethical government, transcending partisanship....

At this week’s Round Table, Emily, Emmanuel, and Hannah spoke with distinguished Professor Tania Israel of the University of California, Santa Barbara . Professor Israel is not only a beacon of knowledge but a transformative figure in the field. Holding a Ph. D. in Counseling Psychology, a Masters in Human Sexuality Education, and a B.A. in Psychology and Women’s Studies, she is at the forefront o...

At this week’s Round Table, Emmanuel and Emily spoke with Casey Vincelette , Program Administrator in the New York State Commission on National and Community Service and veteran Americorps member , who shared powerful insights and experiences about her life and personal growth through service. The mantra "It's not just about me" serves as a guiding principle in Casey's life, infl...