Pod Save the People

DeRay talks with TN State Senator Lee Harris about the outrageous prison sentences related to drug free school zones. Sheriff Tom Dart from Cook County joins to talk about reducing the jail population in big ways. Sam, Clint and Brittany are on again to talk this week’s news, including St. Louis and The Emmys.

DeRay and Congressman John Yarmuth (D-KY) help us understand the federal budget, including the latest debt ceiling deal among Trump, Pelosi and Schumer, how the DNC is preparing for 2020, and the opioid crisis in KY. Actress Dawn-Lyen Gardner from Queen Sugar joins DeRay to talk about being an activist actress and what it’s like have Ava and Oprah as mentors. Brittany, Sam and Clint join for the weekly news and some celebration of Sloane and Serena.

DeRay speaks with Marissa about her experiences and perspectives as a DACA recipient. Eric Columbus, former special counsel for Homeland Security, joins to share more information about DACA and what’s next, and Clint joins to share a burning thought on the recent national DACA conversation.

Brittany, Clint and Sam join to discuss this week’s news, including the threat to DACA and Houston. Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams joins DeRay to chat about her campaign and the potential of being the first Black woman governor - ever. Arne Duncan and Curtis Toler meet up with DeRay in Chicago to talk about their work at Chicago CRED, providing economic opportunities to reduce violence.

DeRay sits down for a personal conversation with Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx to talk about her path, bond and bail systems, the pace of justice, and her vision. Sam, Brittany and Clint join to talk about a wild news week. AZ State Senator Reggie Bolding processes Arpaio’s pardon with DeRay.

Colin Warner, Nnamdi Asomugha and and Matt Ruskin from the film Crown Heights stop by the studio, and President Obama’s former Drug Czar, Michael Botticelli, joins to help listeners understand the opioid epidemic from a health and policy standpoint. DeRay processes the world after Charlottesville with Brittany, Sam and Clint. Birmingham mayoral candidate, Randall Woodfin, joins DeRay briefly to discuss the biggest issues facing his city.

DeRay talks to Common about The 13th’s Emmy nomination, Charlottesville, and art + activism, criminal justice and the NFL. DeRay chats with Nathanial Pearlman about the Resistance Dashboard. Clint, Brittany and Sam join to talk about the history of white supremacy in relation to this past week’s news.

DeRay talks with Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe about the deadly white supremacy violence in Charlottesville, VA’s police and state response, and the leadership needed to move forward locally and nationally. Wes Gobar and Devin Willis from UVA’s Black Student Alliance join DeRay, as does Danyelle, the NAACP’s UVA chapter leader to talk about their experiences on the ground and what’s next.

DeRay interviews NYC Mayor Bill DeBlasio at Gracie Mansion about policing, universal pre-K, and turnstyle jumping. Sam, Clint and Brittany join to talk about the myths of meritocracy and rehabilitation and a myriad of other issues facing America. DeRay and Chris Hayes talk about the debt ceiling, the opioid crisis, and cross-racial solidarity together.

Sam, Brittany and Clint are on for the news, and Andy Slavitt joins for another health care update. Former US Secretary of the Navy under Obama, Ray Mabus, joins DeRay to talk about the joint chiefs’ reaction to Trump’s transgender ban by tweet, climate change as a national security issue, and our international reputation. DeRay sits down with rap artist Vic Mensa to talk about misogyny, hypermasculinity, therapy, Malcolm X and police violence, all related to Vic’s new album, The Autobiography.

DeRay, Brittany, Sam and Clint talk about prisons, inequitable foster care practices, Trump’s refusal to enforce public law and the new Confederate show. Andy Slavitt joins for a healthcare update. DeRay sits down with Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges to talk about the police killings of Justine Damond and Jamar Clark. Golden Globe winning actress Tracee Ellis Ross joins DeRay to talk about activism, hand washing her clothes, and what’s next in her career.

DeRay, Brittany, Clint and Sam discuss the week’s news and Andy Slavitt joins for a timely health care bill update. Valerie Jarrett, former senior advisor and head of public and intergovernmental affairs for President Obama, joins DeRay to talk about criminal justice, reparations, and reflections on eight years in the White House. Former Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak meets with DeRay to reflect on local leadership and talk about the future of the DNC.

DeRay sits down in person on his birthday to discuss the news with Brittany, Sam and Clint. Andy Slavitt joins again this week for brief health care updates. DeRay talks at length with Governor McAuliffe about restoration of voting rights, the Governor’s biggest regrets, and a fiery conversation around voter apathy. Nikkita Oliver, Seattle mayoral candidate, joins to share more about why she’s one of 21 candidates in Seattle.

DeRay speaks with Senator Schatz from Hawaii about the current political context and also brings back Andy Slavitt, the former head of Obamacare for 3 years, who provides a brief update on the status of the healthcare legislation. Clint Smith III is back and joins DeRay and Brittany to discuss the news, with a particular focus on intentional inequity.

DeRay speaks with Andy Slavitt, the former head of Obamacare for 3 years, who provides a brief update on the status of the healthcare legislation. Clint Smith I back and joins DeRay, Sam and Brittany to discuss the news, including recent studies about discrimination and news about adoption and other issues. Former Secretary of Education John King joins to discuss the state of public education , reflections on the current administration and what's to come. Also, Kelly Ward who is leading the nation's redistricting work tells us what's at stake and what we can do.