What's the Motion?

IN THIS EPISODE Episode 32 of  What's the Motion? brings together great conversation, thoughtful insights, and a little hip-hop debate. Joining the podcast is Philip Wilkerson, host of the Positive Philter Podcast , with our friend Jalen stepping in as special guest host. Phil shares his journey, the passions that shaped him, and the life philosophy that keeps him grounded and growing. From there,...

IN THIS EPISODE Summer is here, and  What's the Motion? is back with Episode 31. Virginia politics takes center stage as Governor Abigail Spanberger and State Senator Louise Lucas square off over a high-stakes budget battle ahead of the July 1 deadline. With issues like cannabis policy, collective bargaining, teacher pay, and the state's balanced budget on the line, we break down what's at stake a...

IN THIS EPISODE On Episode 30 of What's the Motion? , we tackle a packed agenda of politics, policy, and culture with implications that stretch from Richmond to Washington and beyond. We break down the recent Virginia Supreme Court decision that effectively nullified a redistricting effort and discuss what it means for representation, political power, and the future of electoral maps in the Common...

On Episode 29 of What's the Motion? , we sit down with Dontavius Jarrells , a rising leader representing Columbus, Ohio, and currently running for reelection to a third term in the Ohio House. From grassroots beginnings to the Statehouse, Representative Jarrells shares what drives his leadership, the realities of serving his community, and the legislative work he's most proud of. We also break dow...

IN THIS EPISODE In Episode 28 of What's the Motion , we're connecting the dots from Richmond to the cosmos and back again. We start in Virginia, breaking down the high-stakes redistricting referendum and what it could mean for control of the U.S. House. Then we look at Governor Spanberger stepping into her power, signing major legislation while drawing clear lines with key vetoes. From there, we z...

IN THIS EPISODE Episode 27 of What's the Motion? drops you straight into the heat of the moment. We head to Texas to break down the Democratic primary and what it signals for the 2026 midterms, then bring it back home to Virginia to unpack the high-stakes April 21 redistricting referendum and the early voting curveballs already shaking things up. With the legislative session wrapped, we sort throu...

IN THIS EPISODE We're back for 2026 with a strong first episode after our break. This week on What's the Motion?,  we take a close look at the new administration under Virginia's first woman governor, Abigail Spanberger, and break down what her team's early direction could mean for this year's General Assembly session. We dig into Virginia's redistricting debate and unpack the arguments on both si...

IN THIS EPISODE A new episode to ring in the New Year. In the 25th episode of the What's the Motion Podcast, the team reflects on the highs and lows of 2025. We break down the biggest political headlines and events shaping our world and our community, all through the signature What's the Motion perspective. The episode wraps with our predictions for 2026 and how the political energy may shift in t...

IN THIS EPISODE It is our favorite time of the year: Election Day. This is What's the Motion Episode 24, also known as the Election Episode. All the posturing and talk are over, and the ballot booth will do the talking. Virginia has made history with its first elected woman governor. Did the October surprise shape the final results? How many seats flipped in the House of Delegates? We break it all...

IN THIS EPISODE On the 23rd episode of What's the Motion? Podcast, the race for Virginia's statewide seats is heating up. A shocking October surprise has shaken the Attorney General race and could change everything in the final stretch. But that's not all...another explosive story is dominating headlines, raising big questions about political civility and how candidates are vetted in today's clima...

IN THIS EPISODE In the 22nd episode of What's the Motion podcast, the team explores the start of early voting season in Virginia and the latest developments in statewide campaigns. Is Spanberger pulling ahead in the race, or could an October surprise change the outcome? We discuss the political impact of the murder of Charlie Kirk in Utah and how it shapes the national mood. The conversation also...

IN THIS EPISODE On episode 21 of What's the Motion Podcast, we dive into the federal takeover of Washington DC. As lifelong members of the DMV community, this topic is close to our hearts. We break down the who, what, when, why, and how of this pivotal moment in history and discuss possible solutions. We then shift to another local story making national headlines when Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears visits...

IN THIS EPISODE The What's the Motion Podcast crew is back! Fresh from summer vacation, the team jumps into the latest news from the Virginia campaign trail. We break down major developments and explore the strategies both sides are bringing into the fall finale. The conversation then shifts into a deeper look at group mentality, sparked by American Eagle jeans and a rising young starlet. We also...

IN THIS EPISODE In the 19th episode of the What's the Motion Podcast, we discuss the devastating flood in Texas and the verdict in the Diddy trial. We dive into the impact of the recently passed budget reconciliation bill, also known as the Big Beautiful Bill. The episode explores different strategies to raise awareness and examines how effective they are in practice. Paul reflects on the conclusi...

IN THIS EPISODE In the 18th episode of What's the Motion? , we break down the electrifying finale of the Virginia Democratic Statewide Primary and unpack what the results mean heading into the general election. Then it's mixie season, so grab your mocktails and your mimosas as we give you the rundown from the Blue Commonwealth Gala, political tea included. On the global front, we dive into the evo...

IN THIS EPISODE In this jam-packed episode of What's the Motion? , we break down the latest developments in the 11th Congressional District special election and what they mean for Virginia's political landscape. Then we dive into the headline-grabbing feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk—two of the loudest voices in American life colliding in real time. We also crack open Moving Forward , the l...

IN THIS EPISODE In the 16th episode of What's the Motion? , the crew reflects on the recent passing of two prominent local political figures and their lasting impact on the community. We dive into how AI is increasingly shaping our everyday lives — from routine tasks to major decision-making. Then, we take a peek into the simmering regional rivalry between Joey Bada$$ and West Coast artists in the...

IN THIS EPISODE Episode 15 of What's the Motion? brings you a candid, wide-ranging conversation on the headlines shaping our world. We unpack the latest maneuvers by the Trump administration, explore how tariffs are hitting consumers at home, and take a deep dive into Abundance , the new book by Ezra Klein. We also look ahead to Virginia's upcoming statewide elections, review the haunting historic...

IN THIS EPISODE On the 14th episode of  What's the Motion? Podcast, we dive into the current state of the Democratic Party, the ongoing protest movement, and what's happening in Congress and the Virginia General Assembly. In the second half of the episode, we're joined by Delegate Adele McClure , who shares the story of her start in public service, the challenges she's faced, and the victories she...

IN THIS EPISODE In this episode of  What's the Motion? , we're honored to welcome Atima Omara —an award-winning political strategist, advocate, writer, and speaker. With over 15 years of experience empowering youth, women, and communities of color, Atima has played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of political leaders. We dive into her journey, the challenges and victories of her care...

IN THIS EPISODE In the twelfth episode of What's the Motion? , we discuss the first few weeks of the Trump administration, the restructuring of the federal government, the results of the DNC chair election, Kendrick Lamar's Grammy sweep, and reflections on Black History Month. Don't miss this engaging episode of your favorite political podcast! Follow What's the Motion Podcast on Social Media  Ins...

IN THIS EPISODE In the eleventh episode of What's the Motion? , the team welcomes a friend of the show, State Senator Saddam Azlan Salim. Representing Virginia's 37th Senate District—which includes the City of Fairfax, the City of Falls Church, and parts of Fairfax County—Senator Salim shares updates on the ongoing General Assembly session and insights on the new presidential administration. He al...

IN THIS EPISODE In this tenth episode of  What's the Motion? , we tackle the City of Richmond water crisis, the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, and the kickoff of the 2025 Virginia General Assembly session. Plus, we count down to the Presidential Inauguration. Join us as we dive into the pressing issues and set the tone for the year ahead. Happy New Year!   Follow What's the Motion Podcast o...

  IN THIS EPISODE In the ninth episode of What's the Motion? , we dive into the political headlines that shaped 2024, unpack voter motives, and analyze the latest moves from Trump's cabinet. Plus, we take an early look at the 2025 Virginia Gubernatorial race and wrap things up with a review of some standout hip-hop tracks. Politics, culture, and beats—don't miss it!   Follow What's the Motion Podc...

  IN THIS EPISODE In the eighth episode of What's the Motion? , we dissect the dramatic conclusion of the 2024 Presidential Election, exploring its impact on the nation and the path forward into 2025. We reflect on the good, the bad, and the downright deplorable moments from the campaign season. To wrap it up, we dive into the world of hip hop for a lively discussion. Don't miss this packed episod...