Bryce Blanton epitomizes what it means to be a good citizen. During his high school days he organized fundraisers and clothing drives. After college he worked for the Boys and Girls Clubs. Now he drives a truck for UPS and catches waves during his lunch hour. In this episode, he talks with Deborah about his life as a young husband and father, and a…

Audrey Prosser is a tireless and accomplished businesswoman, activist and community organizer. In this episode, she tells Deborah about growing up in the segregated South of the 1950s, discovering her sexuality as a teenager, and the many obstacles she overcame to become a successful real estate agent, a progressive leader, and a mainstay of the So…

Criminal defense attorney Jeffrey Lichtman has represented mobster John A. Gotti and Mexican drug lord El Chapo, among many other high-profile organized crime figures. In this no-holds-barred episode, Jeffrey tells Deborah his story as only he can, from his childhood as a shy kid in New Jersey to his transformation into one of America’s most renown…

Tijana Hamilton is an adventure traveler, a mother, a wife and a civil engineer who has helped to plan freeways and transportation projects all over Southern California. In this episode, she tells Deborah how a nomadic childhood in the former Yugoslavia, Zambia and South Africa led to studying engineering in Utah and her successful career in transp…

In this episode, Deborah sits down with entrepreneur David Vanderveen. David grew up surfing giant swells on the Great Lakes and has ridden his own wave ever since. He describes his unique life journey to Deborah and our listeners: from his childhood in a conservative, religious Dutch-American community to a varied professional career that has incl…

This week we are flipping the mics! "Deborahcratic" host Deborah Drucker shares her remarkable life story, from her humble beginnings and colorful childhood to her career as a sales superstar with the house of Gucci, a fashion designer, a big mouth activist, and wife to legendary upright bassist Lee Rocker. Join us as we get up close and personal w…

George’s Esquivel’s life story could be a movie -- except no one would believe it. Born into hardship, with a drug dealer dad who later went to jail for murder, George found solace in his two passions: fashion and the dynamic Orange County, California music scene of the 90s. In this episode of Deborahcratic, George sits down with Deborah to describ…

Lisette Elhayani is an interactive event creator whose bold and original explorations celebrate major brands. To kick off Season 3, she sits down with Deborah to talk about her career path, from synagogue catering manager ("I couldn't do another wedding or bris or bar mitzvah") to innovative designer and co-founder of her own women-run firm. Find o…

The title of Lydia Millet’s last novel - Dinosaurs - seems to wink at the threat of human extinction, and, yet, its explicit referent in the book is to birds, those sometimes-alien creatures who survived the impact of the asteroid that wiped out most of their kind. This kind of double meaning, something like a sign that points in multiple direction…

Kelle Huston is a clean water advocate, COO of Nyjah Huston, Inc. and all-around optimist. In this episode, she sits down with Deborah to tell her incredible story of perseverance; how she escaped her husband’s control; gaining custody of their 5 children; and how she remains a lover of life, despite the tremendous hardships she’s endured. Be sure …

Bill Shopoff is the Founder and CEO of Shopoff Realty Investments, as well as an activist, philanthropist, and family man. In this episode, he sits down with Deborah to discuss his Texan upbringing; his passion for LGBTQ+ rights and advocacy work; and how he became the business maverick he is today. Be sure to follow along @Deborahcratic and visit …

Alexander Hammond is a casting executive, proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, and the grandson of Ethiopian immigrants. In this episode, he sits down with Deborah to discuss sobriety; how his family escaped execution in Ethiopia; his passion for reality television; and more. Be sure to follow along on IG @Deborahcratic and visit Deborahcratic.com…

Alisa Eisenberg is a therapist and creator of the Renew Program, a federally funded stress management plan, as well as an accomplished singer, songwriter and composer. In this episode, she sits down with Deborah to discuss her passion for travel; being a mental health care provider; and more. Be sure to follow along on IG @Deborahcratic and visit D…

Kenneth Setzer is a writer based in Miami, FL. In this episode, he sits down with Deborah to share his story of going from middle-school dropout to earning his master’s degree; growing up the little brother of a rock star; and more. Be sure to follow along on IG @Deborahcratic and visit Deborahcratic.com!…

Rachele Cooks is a talented makeup artist living in Orange County, CA. In this episode, she sits down with Deborah to tell her story, from living in her car to having a thriving career. Be sure to follow along on IG @Deborahcratic and visit Deborahcratic.com!

Myles Reed is an author and businessman. In this episode, he sits down with Deborah to discuss his strong family values; his experiences living abroad; how his faith informs his political perspective; and more. Be sure to follow along on IG @Deborahcratic and visit Deborahcratic.com!

A continuation of my earlier episode in which Trevien Stanger - instructor of environmental studies at St. Michael's College in Vermont - and I discuss Abram's book, which, I think it's fair to say, has had a profound effect on both of us. This time, we focus on Abram's argument about the impact of the invention of the alphabet on our relationship …

Harold Noreiega is a founder of the Coop’s Advice Foundation; a top realtor; and volleyball enthusiast. In this episode, he sits down with Deborah to discuss the tragic death of his son, Cooper Noriega; his passion for mental health advocacy; how he became a realtor who’s sold more than a billion dollars of real estate to date; and more. Be sure to…

Evelyn Schreiber is a retired entrepreneur. In this episode, she sits down with Deborah to discuss how her family escaped Belgium the day the Nazis invaded; how an incredible act of kindness helped her family make their way to NYC; what she thinks of today’s political landscape; and more. Be sure to follow along on IG @Deborahcratic and visit Debor…

Steven ‘Sli Dawg’ Chew is a surfer, winemaker and bon vivant. In this episode, he sits down with Deborah to discuss his life in the water; how travel has expanded his consciousness; and memories of his friend, Taylor Hawkins. Be sure to follow along on IG @Deborahcratic and visit Deborahcratic.com!

Rea Bennett is a retired educator, passionate activist, and descendant of slave owners. In this episode, she sits down with Deborah to share her reparations project, Speaking Truth; her experiences advocating for civil rights in the 1960s South; and living in South Korea in her twenties. Be sure to follow along on IG @Deborahcratic and visit Debora…

Isha Huston is an accomplished young professional. In this episode, she tells Deborah about her difficult childhood, living with an abusive father in the jungles of Puerto Rico; and how she went from attending school for the first time at 12 years old to becoming a top graduate of NYU’s Stern School of Business. Be sure to follow along on IG @Debor…

Howard Conn is a celebrated surgeon, jazz musician, and family man. In this episode, he sits down with Deborah to discuss his experiences playing with Black musicians in Jim Crow-era Virginia; his path to medical school; and more. Be sure to follow along on IG @Deborahcratic and visit Deborahcratic.com!…

We’re kicking off Season Two of Deborahcratic with Francisco Pancho Cohen. Francisco is a US Navy veteran who tells Deborah about how he made his way from El Paso, TX to Los Angeles, CA; being gay in the military during ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’; his career as an artist; and more. Be sure to follow along on IG @Deborahcratic and visit Deborahcratic.c…

There’s a funny little corridor tucked away behind a park in the Village of Pleasantville, New York where I live, where bears and bobcats amble through, walking atop the Catskill Aqueduct, the 100-year-old artery that delivers water from the Catskill mountains to New York City. Fellow resident, Michael Inglis, who has been hiking this patch of semi…

When we think of major innovations in human history, what comes to mind are inert technologies - from the wheel to the computer - but one of the most significant developments occurred as the result of the relationship between humans and another animal, horses. The domestication of horses brought about a major sea-change in human society, as we beca…

Raphaelle Cassens is a philanthropist, mother – and Deborah’s sister! In this very special season finale, these sisters come together to discuss their father; divorce; compassion in policymaking; and how they’ve supported each other through thick and thin. Thank you so much, listener, for tuning in to Deborahcratic. We can’t wait to see you again f…

Buzz Campbell is a musician whose credits include Sha Na Na, Hot Rod Lincoln – and Lee Rocker! In this episode, he sits down with Deborah to discuss his upbringing with an Italian immigrant mother and a father who worked for the FBI; the importance therapy plays in his life; working at the US Post Office; playing in a band with one of the idols of …

Emily Goldberg is an equestrian and self-described Valley Girl. She is also the only granddaughter of American baseball icon Tommy Lasorda. In this episode, she shares with Deborah stories of her grandfather; growing up at Dodger Stadium; how she’s continuing the Lasorda legacy as a sportswoman; being a Jewish student at an all-girls Catholic high …

Ken Downing is the Creative Director of the iconic fashion house Halston. Before that, he was Senior Vice President and Fashion Director at Neiman Marcus for over 25 years. He sits down with Deborah in this episode to discuss his early interest in fashion as a child; what inspires his style; the future of Halston; and more. Be sure to check out Deb…

Chloe Cassens is the Producer of Deborahcratic, as well as Deborah’s niece. In this episode, she sits down with Deborah to discuss growing up abroad; why some people may know her as ‘Helen America’; working at a rock club as a teenager; and more. Be sure to visit Deborahcratic.com and follow us on IG @Deborahcratic for more!…

Alana Rollins is an astrologer from Los Angeles. She sits down with Deborah to discuss her unusual genealogy; why she wants to leave the United States, for a while; the culture shock she felt attending an HBCU; and more. Be sure to visit Deborahcratic.com and follow us on IG @Deborahcratic for more!

Kaira Rouda is a best-selling author and philanthropist. She sits down with Deborah to discuss her journey to becoming a successful writer; life on the campaign trail; her latest book, The Widow; and more. Be sure to visit Deborahcratic and follow us on IG @Deborahcratic for more!

Lee Rocker needs no introduction: he is a rock’n’roll icon and founding member of The Stray Cats. He is also Deborah’s husband of 30 years. In this very special episode, he sits down with Deborah to discuss his Long Island upbringing; how he got his stage name; working with members of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones; his outlook on America’s fut…

Joanna Weiss is the Founder and President of WAVE (Women for American Values and Ethics). She also recently announced that she's running for Congress in California's 47th District. She sits down with Deborah to discuss her early passion for politics; how the 2016 spurred her to found WAVE; where she thinks America is headed; and more. Be sure to ch…

Jonathan Cohen and Sarah Leff are the creative and business brains behind the Jonathan's eponymous fashion company. Jonathan and Sarah sit down with Deborah to discuss how they came together in college; dressing Dr. Jill Biden; having a dress in the Met Costume Institute; working with Anna Wintour; Jonathan's Mexican and Jewish heritage; and more. …

Sarita Allen is a legendary dancer and pilates instructor who has had a front-row seat to cultural history. In this episode, she sits down with Deborah to discuss being one of Alvin Ailey's muses; breaking barriers as an African-American woman in the dance world; her passion for pilates; making a life for herself in New York City as a young woman; …

Jennifer Lynch Fitzgerald tells the story of her relationship with Maddie, a mustang rescued in Habersham County, Georgia from a man who was collecting horses to sell for meat. When Maddie was found, she’d been tied to a tree for months, was malnourished and very angry. Jen tells how, in spite of her limited experience with horses, she learned to t…

Harley Rouda is a US Congressman who served California's 48th District and just announced his bid for the 47th District seat. He is a businessman, lawyer, and entrepreneur. In this episode, he sits down with Deborah to discuss his time in office; his opinions of where American democracy is headed; the issues he cares the most about; and much, much …

Amy Nelson is a singer-songwriter, humanitarian, one half of the band Folk Uke and the creator of Deborahcratic's theme music. In this episode, she sits down with Deborah to discuss her Texan roots; her tireless activist work; the causes she supports; her life with her father, iconic American musician Willie Nelson; and much, much more. Be sure to …

Ramine Hajipour is an activist, brand consultant, and stylist. In this episode, Ramine sits down with Deborah to discuss his childhood in Iran before the fall of the Shah; how his family moved across the world and settled in California; his punk-rock roots; and his gay identity. Be sure to visit Deborahcratic.com and find us on IG @Deborahcratic fo…

I’ve mentioned this book numerous times on the pod. It’s fair to say that David Abram’s The Spell of the Sensuous and Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass are the two books that really kicked off the idea for In the Weeds. And it feels like time to dig into Spell. All the more so since my current episodes are exploring the question “how did we…

Join host Deborah Drucker as she sits down with John Catechis for the series premiere of Deborahcratic. John is an immigrant, father, waiter and longtime New Yorker. He and Deborah discuss the NYPD, gun ownership, his career working at an Upper East Side restaurant, and more. Be sure to check out Deborahcratic.com and @Deborahcratic on IG!…

Ahead of the premiere of Deborahcratic on January 4, 2023, get to know host Deborah Drucker in this special teaser episode: who she is, why she decided to create this podcast, what makes her an American girl, and more. Be sure to follow @Deborahcratic on IG for more info on new episodes and guests!

“Letters have power,” Johanna Drucker tells me. But what is the nature of this power and how did it all begin? Unlike writing, the alphabet was only invented once. Somewhere in Egypt or the Sinai Peninsula, about 4,000 years ago, speakers of a Semitic language adapted Egyptian hieroglyphics to represent the basic phonetic building blocks of their l…

William Bryant Logan’s book Sproutlands: Tending the Endless Gift of Trees opens the door to a little known history, in which people all over the world, from Norway to Japan to pre-colonial California, managed trees in a way that was beneficial to trees and humans alike. Logan stumbled upon this history after taking on a job for the Metropolitan Mu…

Picking up where we left off in the spring, we return to the topic of farming through a conversation with John Roulac, entrepreneur and executive producer of the movie Kiss the Ground. Roulac’s latest project, Agroforestry Regeneration Communities, supports initiatives in Central America and East Africa that teach farmers how to grow what are somet…

For the second of three episodes on farming, I talk to Nate Looney about Jewish ethics, Diversity Equity and Inclusion and, yes, farming, specifically, his experience as an urban farmer using hydroponics and aquaponics to produce gourmet leafy greens and microgreens for restaurants and farmers markets in his hometown of L.A. Nate Looney has followe…

“When you control seed, you control life on earth,” says Indian environmental activist and scholar Vandana Shiva in the new documentary film The Seeds of Vandana Shiva. Known as “Monsanto’s worst nightmare,” Vandana Shiva has been a champion of small, organic farms, since she established seed banks, in a subversive act she likens to Gandhi’s champi…

Mermaids are the fly in the ointment in Lydia Millet’s very funny satirical novel Mermaids in Paradise, “an absurdist entry into the mundane,” as she puts it. And, yet, her mermaids, who have bad teeth and the particular features of individuals, also draw us into the wonders of the ocean itself. Mermaid lore, Millet reminds us, recalls manatees and…