Racism, toxic inequality, persistent poverty, climate change: these are big serious problems, and if you believe they require big audacious solutions, then this is the podcast for you. Hosted by Angela Glover Blackwell, Founder-in-Residence at PolicyLink, Radical Imagination focuses on radical solutions to our society’s most pressing problems. It features conversations with thinkers and changemakers from multiple fields working to deliver equity wins at scale.Tune in to Radical Imagination, ...
…
continue reading
A color-conscious political podcast, hosted by Steve Phillips, that releases episodes every other Thursday. While grassroots organizations raised voters of color turnout to historic levels, securing Democratic victories in 2020 and 2021, there remain strong differences of opinion about the right strategy for winning in a racially-polarized electoral landscape. “Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips” offers candid and data-driven analysis on how progressives can win. Join Steve for a convers ...
…
continue reading
Following Tuesday’s announcement from VP Kamala Harris that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz would be joining the campaign as her running mate, Steve and Sharline get together for an “emergency” podcast episode to discuss their thoughts and reactions.By Democracy in Color
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Rep. Ruben Gallego Is Fighting for Arizona
31:31
31:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:31
House Rep. Ruben Gallego joins the podcast to talk about his Senate campaign against Republican Kari Lake to replace former Democratic Senator Kyrsten Sinema and what a path to victory looks like in November. Recorded well before the most recent political developments, this race remains critical to holding the Senate and being able to govern and ad…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Reimagining the Future with Angela Glover Blackwell
45:55
45:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:55
Lawyer and PolicyLink Founder-in-Residence Angela Glover Blackwell discusses her new podcast project, Reimagining Democracy for a Good Life, a six-part series that illustrates the potential of our democracy, using L.A. as an example of what is possible when people come together to create change. She shares her journey from growing up in a segregate…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Fight for Trans Liberation with Award-Winning Journalist Imara Jones
37:13
37:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:13
Happy Pride! Emmy and Peabody award-winning journalist Imara Jones shares the origins of her multimedia company TransLash Media and the role of storytelling and narrative in preserving the humanity of trans people. She breaks down how and why the fight for trans rights has become the focus of American politics in recent years, and she discusses the…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
LIVE! Building a Resilient Multiracial Democracy in 2024 and Beyond
59:23
59:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
59:23
In collaboration with the Bay Area Book Festival, we’re broadcasting the powerful conversation between Steve, Working Families Party National Director Maurice Mitchell, and former co-executive director of the Highlander Center, Ash-lee Woodard Henderson about Steve’s book How We Win the Civil War. Moderated by former podcast guest and congressional…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Comedian and Pulitzer Prize Finalist Kristina Wong Is No Joke
50:19
50:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
50:19
Introducing our funniest guest yet: Solo performance artist, comedian, and actress Kristina Wong joins the podcast to talk about her path to theater (including her brief stint as an elected Koreatown, LA official), and how her creation of the “Auntie Sewing Squad” helped her and many others survive the pandemic. She discusses her play Kristina Wong…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Transforming Arizona with Congressional Candidate Raquel Téran
29:14
29:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:14
Arizona legend-in-the-making Raquel Téran talks about her bid for Congress and her decades-long work to help turn the state into a shining example of what progressive organizing (and winning) looks like. Raquel shares her journey to politics and the issues she plans to lift up in Congress. She also shares why she believes building coalitions and mo…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Reimagining Democracy: Radical Imagination in Practice
4:46
4:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:46
Democracy isn’t dead, it just needs to be reimagined so that all of us can flourish. And that requires radical imagination! Angela Glover Blackwell, host of the Radical Imagination podcast, has a new podcast: Reimagining Democracy for a Good Life! In this six-part series, Angela, along with an array of guests, seeks to find the essential elements o…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Building a Care Agenda with Care In Action’s Hillary Holley
43:32
43:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:32
Care in Action’s Hillary Holley shares how the organization is mobilizing domestic workers, most of whom are women of color and immigrants, and pushing Democrats to embrace a Care Agenda in Congress. She shares insight on the National Domestic Workers Bill of Rights which was introduced to Congress in 2021. She also shares her path to organizing an…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Sweet Sixteen: The House Seats Democrats Can Flip
34:42
34:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:42
March Madness may be over but we’re gearing up for a…Narrow November with our very own set of 16 congressional districts that have the potential to flip the balance of power in the House of Representatives. Data expert Dr. Julie Martínez Ortega joins Steve and Sharline to discuss the updated New Majority Index (NMI) and which districts they’ll be w…
…
continue reading
Lateefah Simon—Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) board member, MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient, and Congressional candidate—shares her path to politics, including her work with Vice President Kamala Harris during Harris’ time as San Francisco Attorney General. Lateefah shares why she decided to run for office and offers insight on how grief has been…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Understanding the Michigan Vote with Outlier Media's Sarah Alvarez
43:38
43:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:38
Sarah Alvarez, founder of Outlier Media, a Detroit-based service journalism organization, shares what she’s hearing on the ground in Michigan following the protest “uncommitted” vote by more than 100,000 people during the state’s recent Democratic presidential primary. She shares what role today’s journalists must play in filling information gaps a…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Fight Continues: How We Win the Civil War
44:14
44:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:14
Steve and Sharline celebrate the release of the paperback edition of How We Win the Civil War, which comes out Tuesday, March 12. They discuss how the political landscape has changed since the first edition launched in 2022 and why How We Win is more pertinent now than ever. They also discuss the book’s reception since its first release and the exc…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Journalism in Color with The 19th News’ Errin Haines
42:17
42:17
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:17
Award-winning journalist and editor-at-large at The 19th News Errin Haines joins us to talk about her game-changing work at the digital news startup centered on gender, politics, and policy. She also talks about Breaking the News—a documentary that chronicles the origins of The 19th—which debuted on PBS this week. Errin shares some of the publicati…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Fighting Back Against the DEI Backlash with Lisa Neeley
42:41
42:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:41
Solano Community College’s Vice President of Student Affairs Lisa Neeley discusses her work at Solano and the California college’s commitment to Black students and other students of color in the face of increasing backlash against DEI efforts. Neeley talks about Solano’s programs and processes to ensure equity and inclusion such as the Black Falcon…
…
continue reading
Back for a third episode, former mayor of Stockton, California and friend of our show Michael Tubbs returns to update Steve and Sharline on his inspiring and rapidly growing effort to end poverty in America and to help bring Dr. King’s vision for a just and equitable society to fruition. Michael talks about his award-winning 2023 documentary “It’s …
…
continue reading
Ever wonder who will carry the torch of change into the future of American politics and environmental action? Be inspired by two trailblazers whose leadership and determination exemplify what's needed to ensure a more equitable and sustainable future for all. Juan Ramiro Sarmiento of Run for Something discusses how the organization reshapes the pol…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
2024 Election Watch: Off to the Races with New York Times’ Astead Herndon
48:28
48:28
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:28
In the first of what will be several episodes throughout this year focused on the 2024 election cycle, Steve and Sharline frame up the Republican presidential primary calendar and what they’ll be watching as results roll in. The New York Times’ Astead Herndon also phones in from Iowa where he’s preparing to cover the Republican Iowa Caucus and disc…
…
continue reading
Venture with us into an episode where Rue Mapp of Outdoor Afro and Ronda Chapman from the Trust for Public Land discuss their efforts to reconnect Black communities with nature's joys and healing powers. Their stories weave a narrative tapestry that celebrates culture, fosters community, and uplifts Black voices in the outdoor spaces. While both Ru…
…
continue reading
Discover the powerful role of artificial intelligence in preserving indigenous languages in our latest episode, where I, Angela Glover Blackwell, engage in a compelling discussion with Keoni Mahelona, the talented CTO of Te Hiku Media. We delve into the rich history of the Māori people, uncovering the injustices they've faced and the ways AI is pav…
…
continue reading
2023 has come and gone! If you missed any of our episodes this year, this is the one to tune into as Steve, Sharline, and Fola share highlights from some of their favorite episodes this year. The team also shares what’s on their minds and in their hearts as they look to 2024. See you in the new year! REFERENCES: Episodes mentioned The 1619 Project’…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Revolutionizing Education with Afrofuturism
27:52
27:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:52
Get ready to be inspired by revolutionizing education. Our guest, Ja'Sonta Roberts, the offsite programs manager for Assemble, takes us on a journey through a new STEAM curriculum that’s infused with Black history and Afrofuturism. This dynamic approach, developed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, helps students envision their future selves as innovator…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
A Third Party on the Rise with Maurice Mitchell
1:00:31
1:00:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:00:31
Are you curious about what a truly powerful (and progressive) alternative political party could look like in the U.S? National Director of the Working Families Party Maurice Mitchell returns to talk about what it means to create a multiracial and multicultural progressive, working-class party and what that looks like strategically within a two-part…
…
continue reading
What if the nearest source of clean water was miles away from your home? Picture a world where access to this basic necessity is not a given, but a struggle. That's the reality for many in the Navajo Nation, and our guest, Cindy Howe, director of the Navajo Water Project at DigDeep, knows it all too well. Yet her passion for bridging the water divi…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
News in the Digital Era with The Washington Post’s Alexi McCammond
50:42
50:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
50:42
Washington Post opinion editor Alexi McCammond dives into the changing digital news landscape and the role of traditional, legacy news media in reaching newer, more diverse (and often, more progressive) audiences. She sheds light on the disconnect she’s seeing between older left-leaning politicians and young people, and her expectations from a coal…
…
continue reading
Can you imagine a world in which we not only acknowledge the systemic injustices tied to housing and land disparities but actively rectify them? Join us as we engage in a profound conversation with Rasheedah Phillips, Afrofuturist and Director of Housing at PolicyLink to explore spatial reparations -- a transformative approach to rectifying histori…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
“Latinos = the X Factor” with EquisLabs’ Stephanie Valencia
41:08
41:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
41:08
Former Obama staffer and founder of EquisLabs Stephanie Valencia discusses her path to politics and why Latino voters are the “X factor” in today’s political landscape. She explains how political strategists should think about the expansive and diverse Latino electorate, and what progressives are getting right and wrong about engaging with Latino v…
…
continue reading
In this episode of Radical Imagination, we hear from Doris Brown, co-director of West Street Recovery, to unravel this mystery. She lifts the veil on how systemic inequities, housing, infrastructure, and government funding are all intertwined with climate issues. Her work in Houston, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, has led to com…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Sabrina the Teenage Witch’s Beth Broderick on the Power of Storytelling
29:48
29:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:48
Spooky season is upon us! Actress and activist Beth Broderick, best known for her role as Aunt Zelda in the 1996 hit TV show Sabrina the Teenage Witch, joins Steve and Sharline to talk about the ongoing actors’ strike, the power of narrative, and her life’s journey at the intersection of politics and entertainment. Beth discusses her decades-long i…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Why I Wrote “How We Win the Civil War”(Rerelease)
45:05
45:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:05
Steve takes the hot seat as a guest on his own show in this penultimate episode of our special podcast series! Steve and Sharline discuss his forthcoming book How We Win the Civil War and how the concept developed over the last few years. Sharline shares how she and Steve came to be a book publishing power team, and Steve discusses the formative ex…
…
continue reading
If we are to realize a radically inclusive, thriving, multiracial democracy, we must lay claim to that future, raise our voices, and use our collective power to redesign a nation that truly works for all. Tune in for a stirring discussion with Michael McAfee, President & CEO of PolicyLink, as we unpack the significant impact of President Biden's Ex…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
AI, Afrofuturism, Activism & More: Season 5 Coming Soon!
2:21
2:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:21
Are you ready to be inspired, provoked, and galvanized into action? Prepare yourself for a stimulating journey, as we kick-start Season 5 of Radical Imagination! I’m your host, Angela Glover Blackwell, and this season, we dive deep into the minds of activists, artists, educators, and leaders who are not just dreaming big but are also crafting innov…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Black People and the Green Transition with Rhiana Gunn-Wright
23:31
23:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:31
Rhiana Gunn-Wright, a key architect of the Green New Deal and one of our nation’s leading figures in the fight for climate justice, joins the podcast to talk about what a green transition can and should look like in the U.S. Rhiana shares her path to the climate movement and how the Inflation Reduction Act leaves Black people behind. She also break…
…
continue reading
School is back in session! Our in-house data expert, Dr. Julie Martinez Ortega, joins Steve and Sharline for a data deep dive into the electoral landscapes of Kentucky and Mississippi, two states in the heartland of America with unique opportunities for Democrats to lean in and win this November. We also touch on Virginia for a quick discussion abo…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
White People and the Fight for Racial Justice with SURJ’s Erin Heaney
42:41
42:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:41
It’s our 100th episode! Erin Heaney, executive director of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), joins us to discuss the role of white allyship in the fight for justice and a multiracial democracy. Erin shares her path to organizing, her hopes for SURJ, and details on the White Stripe Project—a new initiative between the Sandler Phillips Center, th…
…
continue reading
In honor of the 40th anniversary of Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow Coalition, Eddie Wong, former national field director for Jackson’s 1988 presidential campaign, joins Steve and Sharline to reminisce on the alliance that transcended boundaries of race, gender, and socio-economic status to create a powerful force for change. Steve, Sharline, and Eddie del…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Rep. Jamaal Bowman on Restorative Justice for the Classroom and Beyond
46:52
46:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
46:52
Congressmember Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) joins Steve and Fola to talk about his time as an educator, from being a crisis intervention teacher to founding his own school. He shares what he sees as the role of the Squad; how he got involved with Justice Democrats; and what led him to run for office in the first place. He shares his thoughts on the major i…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Steve to the Class of 2023: Rise and Take Control
42:46
42:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:46
In a personal and moving conversation with Sharline, Steve shares the winding, yet connected roads that led to his first keynote speech at the City University of New York’s School of Labor and Urban Studies’ fifth commencement ceremony.Steve discusses the art and poetry that inspired his speech and the childhood memories that resurfaced as he wrote…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Going Viral with Former Buzzfeed EiC Ben Smith
38:20
38:20
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:20
Ben Smith, author of the new book Traffic: Genius, Rivalry, and Delusion in the Billion-Dollar Race to Go Viral, joins the podcast to discuss how the media revolution has changed the political landscape and the implications for the future. Ben and Steve talk about his new book, the historical relationship between media and politics, and the transfo…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Newbery Medal Author Amina Luqman-Dawson on Freewater
44:21
44:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:21
In honor of Juneteenth, New York Times bestselling author and winner of the 2023 Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Award Amina Luqman-Dawson joins us to talk about her award-winning debut children’s novel Freewater. Amina shares how she learned about the Great Dismal Swamp(where Freewater is set) in Virginia, the former home to the real-life…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Reporting on Trans Rights with The 19th News’ Orion Rummler
33:47
33:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:47
The 19th News’ LGBTQ+ reporter Orion Rummler breaks down the scope of the attacks against the LGBTQ+ community and the importance of having trans journalists out in the field telling these stories. Orion shares his thoughts on the Biden administration’s response, the state legislators speaking truth to power, and what’s giving him hope despite the …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Not Your Grandparents’ Greenpeace with ED Ebony Twilley Martin
41:13
41:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
41:13
Greenpeace’s new executive director Ebony Twilley Martin shares her path to climate activism and the significance of her position as the first Black woman to lead a national legacy environmental organization. She discusses Greenpeace’s recent lawsuit victory and the legal strategies corporations use to silence environmental activists. She also shar…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
George Floyd’s America with Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa
55:35
55:35
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
55:35
The Washington Post’s White House Bureau Chief Toluse Olorunnipa and The New Yorker’s Robert Samuels join us to discuss their book, His Name Is George Floyd: One Man's Life and The Struggle for Racial Justice. The book was a finalist for the 2022 National Book Award for Nonfiction.The writers discuss how the concept for the book came to be and why …
…
continue reading
Steve, Sharline, and Julie dive into the facts and data of the California Senate race ahead of the 2024 election to replace Senator Dianne Feinstein. They discuss current polling data related to the race, racial demographics underlying the state, including its growing Latino population, and Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2020 promise to appoint a Black wo…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Lineup: Four Republicans Vying for White House in 2024
45:10
45:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:10
NOTE: This episode was recorded a week before former President Trump was indicted by the state of New York on charges related to alleged hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels. We discuss the current state of the Republican Party and its continued devolvement into the party of white racial resentment. We examine four leading contenders for the …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Rep. Jennifer McClellan Is Making Government a Force for Good
32:06
32:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:06
Newly-elected Congressmember Jennifer McClellan just became the first Black woman representative from Virginia. She comes with a powerful slate of accomplishments dedicated to expanding and protecting our democracy. Rep. McClellan joins us to share how her love of history and her family’s involvement in the Civil Rights Movement led her to politics…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Heather Booth: When We Organize, We Can Change the World
43:13
43:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:13
Activist, strategist and organizer Heather Booth is a living legend. Booth—the founder of Jane, an underground abortion service she started in Chicago prior to Roe v. Wade—joins us to share how she got started in organizing and social justice work, the legacy of the Janes, and the lessons she’s learned for future generations of organizers and leade…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The 1619 Project’s Shoshana Guy Is On the Record
49:41
49:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:41
Shoshana Guy, the “sho”-runner (pun intended) of Hulu’s new docuseries The 1619 Project, joins the podcast to discuss the significance of the series and her career trajectory—from broadcast network news to leading the critically acclaimed Netflix series High on the Hog. She and Sharline also reminisce about how they met more than 15 years ago and S…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Doing Politics Differently with Justice Democrats’ Alexandra Rojas
46:05
46:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
46:05
Executive Director of Justice Democrats Alexandra Rojas joins us to talk about the organization’s instrumental role in recruiting and running young progressive candidates and how they’re rewriting the rules for what a political leader looks like. Justice Democrats is the group behind Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’ historic 2018 victory against 10-term D…
…
continue reading
Emmy Ruiz, current Assistant to the President and White House Director of Political Strategy & Outreach and former campaign aide to President Barack Obama, Secretary Hillary Clinton, and Vice President Kamala Harris, is an all-around rockstar.Emmy joins us to talk about her path to politics, the importance of building diverse campaign teams, and wh…
…
continue reading