The Zag

Crystal Hudson, NLC NYC 2015 Fellow, launched a mutual aid group in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn to support her neighbors during the COVID-19 crisis. The group connects neighbors via WhatsApp to provide a bridge between volunteers and those who need support for things such as grocery or pharmacy pickups. She joins The Zag to share why she does the work she does and how she stays connected to her #NL...

Hey look, we made it to 200 episodes. Crazy. Eric DeSobe, 2010 NLC LA Fellow and your host, shares some Zag history, what's next for NLC, and missing his dog in quarantine times. Here's to another 200 episodes!

Maria De La Cruz-Morgan, NLC Houston 2018 Fellow, and her team are working on the front lines with the Houston Health Department facilitating the COVID-19 call center and coordinating appointments for testing in the Greater Houston-Metropolitan Area. We caught up with her to discuss that and more on latest episode of The Zag.

Igor Tregub, 2009 NLC LA Fellow (the original class!), joins The Zag to share how he's leveraging his position as a local elected official to assist his Berkeley neighbors in the Bay. Igor is working to keep his community in the loop about ever-emerging updates, leading efforts for the Bay Area and at a statewide level to adopt the strongest possible eviction and foreclosure moratoria, paid sick l...

2020 NLC LA Fellow Michael Deegan-McCree joins The Zag to update us on how current Fellows crew is staying tight in these COVID times. Then, we talk about his work with The Bail Project and how he's working to keep the incarcerated community safe and healthy.

There is in fact a doctor in the house (and on the frontlines of the COVID pandemic). 2020 NLC LA Fellow Theresa Cheng joins The Zag to share her experience supporting patients in emergency rooms and how the virus has exposed so many of our social, political, and medical systems to be inequitable. She also shares how she accidentally broke her partner's toe with some misplaced dumbbells. Don't mis...

2019 NLC LA Fellow Richard Leong joins The Zag to share his thoughts on the increase of Asian American racism since COVID-19 took hold. We also talk empathy, vulnerability, productivity, and board games that aren't really board games. Don't miss it.

Little did they know when they met as 2015 NLC LA Fellows that 5 years later they'd still be working together to better educational outcomes for students in LAUSD. But that's what happened and on this episode of The Zag, Nick Melvoin, LAUSD School Board Member, and Danielle Tenner, his chief of staff, share their origin story, the challenges of COVID-19, and the opportunity at hand to reimagine ho...

One of our favorite guests returns in latest episode of The Zag. AJ Jeedigunta, 2019 NLC Detroit Fellow, shares her thoughts on parenting, dating, and work during these quarantine times. Don't miss it.

Clint Schaff, 2014 NLC Fellow and our resident podcast expert (he's a big creative contributor to all the LA Times shows), joins The Zag to share his content diet suggestions and why more than ever we need to support local journalism. Here's all the pods he recommends you check out: Coronavirus in California (LA Times' Gustavo Arellano) - https://link.chtbl.com/CoronavirusInCA The Happiness Lab (D...

When you're in the change management business and the whole world is altered there's a lot to talk about. We're joined by 2011 NLC NYC Fellow Evan Piekara to discuss what business may be like going forward. Also, you don't need the Houseparty app when you have a 6 month old.

Don't miss 2015 NLC Chicago Fellow Ellie Bahrmasel talking the power of human centered design and its importance to problem solving. Plus, what's life like when you used to travel a bunch for work, but now can't?

Need some inspiration in these #socialdistancing times? Today's guest, Lynita Mitchell-Blackwell, recently published her latest book, 'Knocked Down, Set Straight', a motivational book on overcoming fear and finding your true purpose. She is a motivational speaker and professional coach. Listen today as she brings levity of purpose as we try to adjust during this somber time.

One of our favorite guests, 2009 NLC Boston Fellow Jaime-Alexis Fowler, joins The Zag to talk about her non-profit Empower Work. Timely and important. For those who need support with work right now - if you're feeling stressed, overwhelmed, uncertain - trained volunteers are a text away: 510-674-1414 or visit www.empowerwork.org. Want to give back? Become a peer counselor: www.empowerwork.org/volu...

Our #socialdistancing mini-series continues with 2019 NLC LA Fellow Sarah Mostafa. She's moving to the midwest and shares stories of packing up all your stuff in COVID-19 times. Plus, why she's not great at foster animals (spoiler alert: she likes them too much).

Caught up with nonprofit leader and 2012 NLC Atlanta alum Tray Deadwyler on latest episode in our #socialdistancing mini-series. Don't miss his work from home suggestions and how this crisis could be an opportunity for the sector to reset some key priorities.

We're talking local politics in these #socialdistancing times with Angie Jean-Marie, 2018 NLC LA Fellow. We breakdown Super Tuesday (which was 10,000 days ago probably) and races to watch in November (which is 20,000 days from now probably).

Don't miss 2015 NLC LA Fellow Cat Shieh talking about her preparation plans for distance learning with students. One of our favorite longtime educators, Cat also shares how she's keeping busy during these #socialdistancing times.

How can we support small businesses during COVID-19 crisis? Kylie Patterson, 2015 NLC New Jersey Fellow, shares her insights into this critical challenge and also how she's spending her alone time. Plus, her mom joined Snapchat?!

2014 NLC NYC Fellow Janos Marton joins The Zag to talk about an eerily quiet Big Apple and the impact COVID-19 is having on the prison and jail system. Download and subscribe.

Don't miss the latest episode in our #socialdistancing mini-series. We catch up with 2020 NLC Wisconsin (Madison) Fellow Allen Jeannette to hear this thoughts on how this moment is an opportunity to improve our healthcare accessibility Plus, a board game you should play that you're probably not.

We caught up with 2020 NLC Virigina Fellow Alyia Gaskins on latest episode of The Zag. Good thing too. She works in public health so ... guess what we talked about it. Tune in to hear more as we continue our #socialdistancing mini-series.

Sure times are tough in this #socialdistancing era, but that doesn't mean we can't argue about the NBA. We're joined by NLC San Antonio Chapter Director MaryEllen Veliz to talk about Spurs vs. Rockets and also what it's like to work for an elected right now. Don't miss it.

Grateful that Juan Gavidia, NLC LA alumni and former Governing Board member, joined The Zag to talk about mental health in a time of #socialdistancing. He's a therapist by trade and shared important strategies to use as we try to stay connected while being isolated.

How are teachers reaching their students in this #socialdistancing era of our lives? Current NLC Fellow and 4th grade teacher, Abril Dozal, joins The Zag to share how she's staying connected to her students. Don't miss her advice for anyone watching kids at home these.