Unpolitics

In this episode of  Unpolitics , Ben Kaplan sits down with Wendy Nguyen, founder of Asian Americans Rise and Chief Marketing Officer of Hello Heart. Wendy shares her remarkable journey from the private sector to becoming a powerful voice for Asian American advocacy. She opens up about how the tragic events of the Atlanta shootings ignited her mission to combat anti-Asian hate and galvanize her com...

What does it take to disrupt an entire industry? In this episode, Ben Kaplan sits down with Mosheh Oinounou, founder of Mo News and former CBS News executive producer, to explore his incredible journey from the polished newsrooms of mainstream media to creating a grassroots news empire from his living room. Mosheh shares how he leveraged social media to connect with millions, the challenges of bui...

In this compelling episode of  UNPOLITICS , host Ben Kaplan dives deep into the world of violence prevention and public safety with Thomas Abt, the founding director of the Violence Reduction Center at the University of Maryland, home to the nation's leading criminology department. With a rich background that spans roles as a New York prosecutor, Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Justic...

In this episode of  Unpolitics , Ben Kaplan talks with Ken Banks, founder of Frontline SMS, about harnessing simple technology to create massive social impact. From connecting rural health workers in Africa to supporting conservation efforts, Ken has proven that even basic tools like SMS can revolutionize lives across 190 countries. They explore how local innovators are now leading the charge in s...

In this powerful episode of  Unpolitics , Ben Kaplan speaks with Russell Jeung, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate and professor at San Francisco State University. They dive deep into the persistent racism faced by Asian Americans, how global tensions like US-China relations affect local communities, and the evolution of the Stop AAPI Hate movement. Jeung shares insights on the power of collective actio...

In this episode of  Unpolitics , Ben Kaplan sits down with Chuck Rocha, a seasoned Democratic strategist and the mastermind behind Bernie Sanders' ground-breaking Latino voter outreach. They delve into the untold story of how the Latino electorate is evolving, the misconceptions political consultants have about Latino voters, and the impact of cultural and generational shifts on voting pattern...

In this episode, architect Chris Hildrey sits down with Ben Kaplan and shares how his innovative  ProxyAddress  project is tackling the root of homelessness by providing stable addresses for those without a home. Join us as Chris explains how a simple concept can open doors to vital services, change lives, and redefine what it means to use design for social good.

In this episode of Unpolitics, Ben Kaplan sits down with Juha Kahila, the Head of International Affairs at the Y-Foundation, Finland's largest national nonprofit landlord. Juha shares his insights on innovative solutions to homelessness, emphasizing the importance of affordable housing and systemic change. Drawing from Finland's successful Housing First model, Juha discusses the need for a...

In this episode of  Unpolitics , host Ben Kaplan sits down with Macon Philips, the founder of Starling Strategy and former Deputy Director of New Media for President Obama's campaign. They explore Macon's journey from Howard Dean's campaign to his influential role in the Obama administration's digital strategy. The conversation covers the evolution of digital media in political cam...

Join Ben Kaplan as he chats with Tiago Peixoto, a digital government expert and visiting professor at the Center for Democratic Futures. They explore the impact of digital democracy and participatory budgeting on civic engagement. Discover how involving citizens in budget decisions started in Brazil and has now spread globally, improving service delivery and fostering democratic participation. Lea...

In this episode of Unpolitics, host Ben Kaplan engages with Lawrence Lessig, a renowned Harvard Law School professor and political activist, to discuss the pervasive issue of corruption in American politics. Lessig, who has been a significant voice in the fight against institutional corruption, explores how money and special interests have hijacked the democratic process, making elected officials...

In this episode, host Ben Kaplan delves into the intersection of technology and governance with Jennifer Pahlka, a visionary in digital transformation. As a former Deputy Chief Technology Officer in the Obama administration and the founder of Code for America, Pahlka shares her insights on modernizing government processes for the digital era. We explore the challenges of implementing effective dig...