Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips

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 candidate Lateefah Simon, the panelists each discussed their commitment to building and establishing a multiracial democracy in this country and how their life experiences led them to that work. They discuss what it means to be in solidarity with one another, the undeniable legacy and role of the South in America’s destiny, and the multifaceted ways in which we fight back against authoritarianism and white nationalism. Steve also reads a short excerpt from his book. REFERENCES: Bay Area Book Festival

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, Sweatshop Overlord, a 2022 Pulitzer finalist in drama, and the importance of mental health awareness in the AAPI community. REFERENCES: Kristina Wong - kristinawong.com @mskristinawong

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 mobilizing voters are key to protecting democracy and how she recruited and mentored many of the key leaders who are driving change across the state. REFERENCES: Raquel Téran - RaquelTeran.com & @RaquelTeran

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 and discusses her role in helping Stacey Abrams build Fair Fight Action, one of the crucial voter mobilization engines in Georgia that helped flip the state in 2020. REFERENCES: Hillary Holley - @HillaryHolley4 Care in Action - @CareInActionUS

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 watching closely ahead of November elections. References: New Majority Index Top 16 Most Flippable House Seats for Democrats in 2024

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 a catalyst for her political work and activism. She also courageously expresses her thoughts on the war in Gaza and says what few are willing to say. References: Lateefah Simon - @lateefahsimon Campaign Website

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 at the local level, and why nonprofit news organizations like the one she’s built are needed today. Sarah, Steve, and Sharline discuss Michigan’s historical significance in the larger scheme of national politics. Sarah draws parallels between the ways politics and journalism-as-usual are failing those who need the most support and deserve the most attention. REFERENCES: Outlier Media - outliermedia.org

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 exciting partnerships that have developed with groups and organizations who resonate with How We Win’s message. Steve shares his hope and vision for this new edition and the parts of the book that have become his favorite. REFERENCES: Buy the second edition of How We Win the Civil War! Podcast episode: "White People and the Fight for Racial Justice with SURJ's Erin Heaney"

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 publication’s history-making moments, including her early coverage of the Breonna Taylor killing that brought a gender perspective to the conversation of racism and police brutality. Errin also shared insight into how The 19th nailed the first sit-down interview with Kamala Harris after she made history as the first African American (and Asian American) vice presidential candidate. Errin also dives into the current election cycle; The 19th’s new fellowship (a partnership with The 1619 Project’s Nikole Hannah Jones); and The 19th’s newest product—“The Amendment” podcast, which Errin hosts. References: Errin Haines - @errinhaines The 19th News “The Amendment” Podcast

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 Falcons Success Program and her hopes for other higher education programs around the country. REFERENCES: Lisa Neeley - @Lisamarieneeley

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 Basic”, which follows several universal basic income (UBI) pilot programs around the country and the successes and challenges they’ve faced along the way. He also describes the growing popularity of UBI in political and pop culture circles, including on the award-winning television sitcom Abbott Elementary. The founder of End Poverty in California (EPIC) and Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI), Michael also weighs on this week’s New Hampshire presidential primary results. REFERENCES: Michael D Tubbs March 17, 2022 - "Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips" - Michael Tubbs is the Anti-Poverty Czar July 23, 2020 - " Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips" - Passing the Baton

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 discusses the current state of the race, his analysis on the unwavering support of Trump’s base, and what to expect from a potential second Trump presidency. He also shares his thoughts on Nikki Haley’s appeal with conservatives and the evolving role of race and ethnicity in both parties. REFERENCES: Astead W. Herndon - @AsteadWH // NY Times

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’s Shoshana Guy Is On the Record Heather Booth: When We Organize, We Can Change the World Not Your Grandparents’ Greenpeace with ED Ebony Twilley Martin George Floyd’s America with Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa Newbery Medal Author Amina Luqman-Dawson on Freewater Steve to the Class of 2023: Rise and Take Control 40 Years of the Rainbow Coalition White People and the Fight for Racial Justice with SURJ’s Erin Heaney Sabrina the Teenage Witch’s Beth Broderick on the Power of Storytelling “Latinos = the X Factor” with EquisLabs’ Stephanie Valencia

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-party system. He discusses WFP’s 25-year history, the inspiring slate of elected officials they’ve championed, and the party’s first national convention in Philadelphia back in October. Maurice shares his take on the connections between the movements of today and the Civil Rights Movement of 1965 and how he’s thinking about the upcoming election year. He also shares how he stays connected to his love of music and the artist within. REFERENCES: Maurice Mitchell - @MauriceWFP Working Families Party - @workingfamilies workingfamilies.org Transcript (unedited)

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 coalition of young voters and people of color as the 2024 election cycle draws closer. REFERENCES: Alexi McCammond - @alexi Steve Phillips // The Washington Post - California Senate race will prove whether Democrats care about diversity Transcript (unedited)

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 voters. She also explains the creation of the Latino Media Network and the targeted effort to reach Latinos where they are, including via radio and WhatsApp. REFERENCES: Stephanie Valencia - @stephanievalenc EquisLab / @EquisLab / @EquisResearch Transcript (unedited)

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 involvement in progressive and social causes, the legacy of “Sabrina” and shares her thoughts on the future of Hollywood. REFERENCES: Beth Broderick - @BethBroderick Beth Broderick: Wit and Wisdom from a Woman of a Certain Age - Substack Beth Broderick // The Huffington Post - Cavemen and Cashmere Transcript (unedited)

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 experiences that have shaped his work and his path to writing (Jesse Jackson quotes, included). CW: Adult Language REFERENCES: Steve Phillips - @StevePtweets Steve Phillips // New Press - How We Win the Civil War: Securing a Multiracial Democracy and Ending White Supremacy for Good Isabel Wilkerson // Random House - Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents The New York Amsterdam News Transcript (unedited)

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 breaks down the importance of policy-making in the greater environmental justice movement. REFERENCES: Rhiana Gunn-Wright - @rgunns Rhiana Gunn-Wright // Hammer & Hope - Our Green Transition May Leave Black People Behind Transcript (unedited)

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 about the state legislature races also happening this fall. We wrap with an update on the current slate of Republican presidential candidates, and Steve shares who he thinks poses the biggest threat to Democrats if he or she were to win the Republican presidential primary. RESOURCES: Transcript (unedited)

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, the Working Families Party and SURJ focused on increasing the number of white voters committed to progressive causes. REFERENCES: Erin Heaney, Executive Director, SURJ - @heaney_erin SURJ - @showup4rj and surj.org "Progressives want to grow the ‘White Stripe’ of a multiracial coalition" Politico Transcript (unedited)

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 delve into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs that marked the coalition's journey, as well as its influence on shaping today's movements for social justice and equity. Original coalition members also share personal anecdotes, insights, and reflections on how the Rainbow Coalition ignited a transformative movement that redefined the landscape of social and political activism, and the impact of Reverend Jackson’s visionary leadership in their own lives. REFERENCES: Eddie Wong Jesse Jackson 1984 Democratic National Convention Speech Rainbow Coalition Recordings: Dr. Amanda Kemp Pierre Barolette Theresa Montaño Ellen Spears

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 issues we’re facing in K-12 education, from attacks on LGBTQ+ youth to the conservative backlash against so-called “critical race theory,” and Republicans’ refusal to take action on gun legislation. Rep. Bowman also shares what’s giving him hope and answers a very important weight-lifting question. REFERENCES: Representative Jamaal Bowman - @JamaalBowmanNY // IG: jamaalbowmanny

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. In his advice to the graduates entering the workforce at one of the most critical times in our country’s history, he shares key lessons from his time in political and labor movements to his time spent writing How We Win the Civil War. He also honors Susan’s legacy and the friends they gained in their joint effort to make a difference in the world. REFERENCES: CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies Commencement 2023 - https://slu.cuny.edu/current-students/commencement Barbara James-Hogu - "Rise and Take Control" - https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/rise-and-take-control-117946 Margaret Walker - "For My People" - https://poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/21850/for-my-people Sonia Sanchez - "Middle Passage" - https://youtube.com/watch?v=P98JZhWUijY

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 transformation of Facebook from a social platform into a media juggernaut. Ben also shares details about Semafor, the news platform he’s building and who on the Left is actually doing media well. REFERENCES: Ben Smith - @semaforben https://twitter.com/semaforben Semafor - https://semafor.com Traffic: Genius, Rivalry, and Delusion in the Billion-Dollar Race to Go Viral - https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/678592/traffic-by-ben-smith

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 maroon colony of thousands of formerly enslaved Africans who lived there in the 1700s and 1800s. She also explains why she chose to use fiction to tell the story about this important piece of American history. She and Steve reflect on the years leading up to Amina’s successful debut and Susan’s contribution to Freewater. Amina reads a passage from Freewater and Sharline’s daughter shares her thoughts on the novel. REFERENCES: Amina Luqman-Dawson - https://aminaluqman-dawson.com // https://twitter.com/AminaLuqman Freewater - https://goodreads.com/en/book/show/58275990

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 ongoing assaults on LGBTQ+ rights. REFERENCES: Orion Rummler - @i_oriion https://twitter.com/i_oriion The 19th News - https://19thnews.org/author/orion-rummler

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 shares her thoughts on President Biden’s response to the climate crisis, the proposed Cop City in Atlanta, and the role of young people in the fight for climate justice. REFERENCES: Ebony Twilley Martin - @Ebony_4_Justice To support Greenpeace: Text 86799 1-800-722-6995 engage.us.greenpeace.org

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 it was important to trace George Floyd’s ancestry as far back as the Civil War. They also share their outlooks on where we are as a country today and what they hope readers take away from their book. REFERENCES: Robert Samuels - @newsbysamuels Toluse Olorunnipa - @ToluseO His Name Is George Floyd - https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/703358/his-name-is-george-floyd-by-robert-samuels-and-toluse-olorunnipa

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 woman to the seat. REFERENCES: CA-12 - Rep. Barbara Lee - https://barbaraleeforca.com CA-47 - Rep. Katie Porter - https://katieporter.com CA-30 - Rep. Adam Schiff - https://adamschiff.com The Nation // Steve Phillips - “Don’t Count Barbara Lee Out of the California Senate Race” - https://thenation.com/article/politics/barbara-lee-ca-senate-race

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 party’s 2024 presidential nomination, including Trump, who despite his recent indictment could very well still be in the running. We analyze Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ attempts at fanning the flames of hatred and division and what makes him a modern-day George Wallace. We also look at two POC South Carolina Republicans—former governor Nikki Haley and Senator Tim Scott—and discuss whether their attempts to weave their backgrounds into a party that is hellbent on attacking people based on their identity can work. REFERENCES The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Mark Niesse – Ban on ‘Zuckerbucks’ election money in Georgia heads to final votes(https://www.ajc.com/politics/georgia-house-committee-passes-restriction-on-outside-election-funding/ZQWAHN2J3FCN7JLEN5OILYDNSM/) Growth and Opportunity Project Wiki (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Growth_%26_Opportunity_Project)

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; her proudest achievements during her time in the Virginia state legislature; and her goals as a new House member. She explains how the Voting Rights Act of Virginia came to be (she was one of the main architects behind the bill), and what it meant for her to see the monument honoring white supremacist Confederate general, Robert E. Lee, come down in 2021. REFERENCES: Rep. Jennifer McClellan - @JennMcClellanVA

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 leaders. She recounts her early activist days as an organizer alongside Fannie Lou Hamer during Mississippi’s 1964 Freedom Summer to her founding of the Midwest Academy, the go-to training program for organizers in the progressive movement today. Heather also shares what it’s been like to be a woman leader in the movement and her advice for those who want to make a difference today. REFERENCES: Heather Booth - @hboothgo Documentary - Heather Booth - Changing the World https://heatherbooththefilm.com Documentary - The Janes - https://hbo.com/movies/the-janes Feature Film - Call Jane - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_Jane Photo - Heather Booth & Fannie Lou Hamer, 1964 https://jwa.org/media/image-of-heather-booth-and-fannie-lou-hamer

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 Shoshana shares what’s next for her as a creative Black woman at the top of her game. REFERENCES: Shoshana Guy - @Shoshana_Guy The 1619 Project // Hulu - https://press.hulu.com/shows/the-1619-project Nikole Hannah-Jones - @nhannahjones The 1619 Project // The New York Times - https://nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/1619-america-slavery.html

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 Democratic incumbent Joseph Crowley, as well as freshman Representative Summer Lee’s historic 2022 victory to become the first Black Congresswoman from Pennsylvania. Alexandra recounts AOC’s political rise and the role Justice Democrats has been playing in revolutionizing U.S. electoral politics. Alexandra also shares her own story, including why she dropped out of community college to work on Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign. REFERENCES: Alexandra Rojas - @alexandrasiera Justice Democrats - @justicedems - justicedemocrats.com

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 what she’s learned along the way from her time as a presidential campaign manager in Nevada and Colorado to what it’s like to be a mother in a high-pressure career. She also shares the powerful role her family played in helping her get to where she is today and she provides insight into what young people who are interested in politics can do to get involved.

Happy New Year! For our first episode of 2023, Steve and Sharline take a look at some of the key issues Democrats should pay attention to this year. From the upcoming Virginia elections to the Party’s new primary calendar and questions surrounding Biden’s reelection, they dive into the major themes that will define the year ahead. They also touch briefly on the chaos taking place within the Republican Party and what it means for the next two years. Steve also shares his thoughts on grief and Sharline pays a touching tribute to Susan Sandler, Steve’s partner in social change and life, who passed away on December 16, 2022, and who would have encouraged us all to keep doing the work and fighting the fight.

For our final episode of the year, Steve, Sharline, and Julie reflect on the past year as they highlight some of the major political victories and challenges of 2022. They also share their favorite pop culture moments from this year. And Steve makes a touching tribute to his wife Susan as they celebrate the 32nd anniversary of their first date. See you in 2023! REFERENCES: “Wednesday” - Netflix Jenna Ortega - @jennaortega “Only Murders in the Building” - HULU Selena Gomez - @selenagomez Wakanda Forever - Marvel Tenoch Huerta - @tenochhuerta

Crystal Hayling, executive director of the Libra Foundation, joins us to discuss her path to philanthropy, how she’s helped center issues of social and racial justice, and what it’s going to take to make sure those at the forefront of change are able to get the resources they need. Crystal also shares why and how she started the Democracy Frontlines Fund, which raised over $36 million to fund Black-led organizations fighting for democracy, following the police murder of George Floyd. REFERENCES: Crystal Hayling - @CHayling Libra Foundation - https://thelibrafoundation.org

Hosts of the “democracy-ish” podcast Wajahat Ali and Danielle Moodie join us for a special crossover episode to discuss 2022 midterm election results, the fragility of our democracy, the role youth voters played this cycle and what to expect in 2024. Our guests share how their podcast came to be, how they’re feeling about last week’s elections, and their hope for a multiracial democracy in this country. This special episode is the first half of a larger conversation and you’ll be able to hear the other half of that conversation next week on the “democracy-ish” podcast. REFERENCES: “Democracy-ish” Podcast - https://dcpofficial.com/democracy-ish Danielle Moodie - @DeeTwoCents Wajahat Ali - @WajahatAli

With important and history-making choices on ballots across the country this year, resident data expert Dr. Julie Martínez Ortega joins the podcast to help cut through the hazy 2022 midterm election predictions and offer an objective look at the final days leading up to November 8. Spoiler alert: it all comes down to voter turnout. From Georgia to Florida and Arizona to Wisconsin, this year’s midterms will be decided by which side does a better job of motivating their supporters to hit the polls through Election Day. We also list the groups and organizations doing this work across the country and explain how supporting them right now can help shape midterm outcomes. REFERENCES: Arizona - Arizona Wins https://secure.everyaction.com/nEWvcVbl2EioT4I6y_LmFw2 California - CHIRLA Action Fund - https://chirlafund.org/donate-now California - Inland Empire Action Fund https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ieunitedactionfund California - OC Action https://ocaction.org/give Georgia - Stacey Abrams for Governor https://secure.actblue.com/donate/afg22-web Wisconsin - PowerPAC https://secure.actblue.com/donate/powerpac-org-1

To celebrate the release of How We Win the Civil War, Steve joins Senator Cory Booker for a live, national virtual Town Hall, moderated by MoveOn Executive Director Rahna Epting, to discuss how we build majority support for a true multiracial democracy in the U.S. This live recording was co-hosted by our national partners at Community Change Action, Justice Democrats, MoveOn, Netroots Nation, Voto Latino, and Working Families Party. REFERENCES: Purchase your copy of "How We Win the Civil War" today: https://barnesandnoble.com/w/how-we-win-the-civil-war-steve-phillips/1140905279 Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey - @CoryBooker Rahna Epting, Executive Director, MoveOn - @rahnamepting https://front.moveon.org

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 experiences that have shaped his work and his path to writing (Jesse Jackson quotes, included). Steve and Sharline also explain when and how you can pre-order your copy of the How We Win the Civil War, out October 18! CW: Adult Language REFERENCES: Steve Phillips - https://twitter.com/StevePtweets Steve Phillips // New Press - How We Win the Civil War: Securing a Multiracial Democracy and Ending White Supremacy for Good https://amazon.com/How-Win-Civil-War-Demographic/dp/1620976765/?maas=maas_adg_93B3BC931911EC8ED6FFABAE62AF7A37_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas Isabel Wilkerson // Random House - Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents https://goodreads.com/book/show/51152447-caste The New York Amsterdam News https://amsterdamnews.com/about/

Atlantic staff writer and CNN columnist Ron Brownstein joins us for Part 2 of our special How We Win series to discuss the coalitions competing to define the identity of this country and the historical context for this centuries-long existential battle. Ron shares his analysis on why the 2020s could end up looking a lot like the 1850s, how he’s interpreting Biden’s changing rhetoric, and how he’s thinking about the upcoming midterms. Ron also provides his expertise as we explore key themes in Steve’s forthcoming book How We Win the Civil War, out October 18. REFERENCES: Ron Brownstein - @RonBrownstein Books Rock Me on the Water: 1974-The Year Los Angeles Transformed Movies, Music, Television, and Politics by Ron Brownstein https://amazon.com/Rock-Water-1974-Transformed-Television/dp/006289921X The Impending Crisis, 1848-1861 by David M. Potter https://amazon.com/Impending-Crisis-1848-1861-David-Potter/dp/0061319295 The South as a Conscious Minority, 1789-1861; a Study in Political Thought by Jesse T. Carpenter https://amazon.com/Conscious-Minority-1789-1861-Political-Thought/dp/1013813480 History Reference Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugitive_Slave_Act_of_1850

For the first episode of our special How We Win series, award-winning author and historian Mae Ngai places the existential crisis of our time into historical context as she highlights the pervasive nature of the question: who gets to be an American and who is deserving of dignity and equality? Our conversation with Mae lays the foundation for our series’ deep dive into the parallels between our present moment and the not-so-distant past. She reveals the history of a partnership between the South and West to perpetuate white supremacy, and describes just how intertwined the “Chinese Question” and the “Negro Question” have been since the founding of America. REFERENCES: Mae Ngai, Professor of History and Lung Family Professor of Asian American Studies, Columbia University - https://history.columbia.edu/person/ngai-mae

Lawyer and former federal prosecutor Subodh Chandra joins us to help wrap our minds around the myriad legal challenges Trump is currently facing, from the January 6 hearings to the multiple investigations taking place in several jurisdictions. Subodh breaks down what a federal search warrant signals, and how much leeway Trump has been given so far to comply with the rule of law (hint: a lot). Subodh’s explanation of the current state of Trump’s criminal investigations—and his overall optimism that our nation’s justice system will prevail—left us feeling fairly hopeful that the former president will, in fact, be held accountable for his crimes, and that we can rest assured that the levers meant to protect and ensure a functioning democracy have not completely disappeared. REFERENCES: Subodh Chandra - @SubodhChandra Chandra Law - https://chandralaw.com/about/meet-the-team/subodh-chandra Documentary 137 Shots 2021, TV-MA https://netflix.com/title/80172819 In this documentary, law enforcement faces scrutiny as Americans demand justice after police violence claims multiple Black lives in Cleveland.

We discuss the political power of Black people and other people of color, who, when factored into the math, have the ability to tip the scale in this year’s midterms. Our resident data scientist Dr. Julie Martinez Ortega joins us to help explain some of the most significant takeaways that surface when we apply a race-conscious perspective to existing election analyses. REFERENCES: Equis Research - 2020 Post-Mortem https://equisresearch.medium.com/2020-post-mortem-part-one-16221adbd2f3

Former Ohio Democratic Party Chair David Pepper joins us to discuss the state of U.S. politics through the lens of Ohio. David shares the work he’s done to hold the line against the disturbing trend of autocracy emerging across the state and in national politics at large. He breaks down the role state houses play in either helping or hurting our democracy. We also discuss David’s new book Laboratories of Autocracy, in which he outlines the dangerous strategic shift and development of white nationalism across the country—a backlash he attributes to the election of the first Black President. REFERENCES: David Pepper - @DavidPepper - http://davidpepper.com Stacey Abrams - https://staceyabrams.com All In: Fight for Democracy - https://allinforvoting.com David Pepper’s Books: The People’s House (2016) - https://bookshop.org/books/the-people-s-house/9781619845121 The Wingman (2018) - https://bookshop.org/books/the-wingman-9781619848719/9781619848719 The Voter File (2020) - https://bookshop.org/books/the-voter-file/9780593083956 The Laboratories of Autocracy (2021) - https://bookshop.org/books/laboratories-of-autocracy-a-wake-up-call-from-behind-the-lines/9781662919572 A Simple Choice (2022) - https://bookshop.org/books/a-simple-choice-9780593419731/9780593419731

LGBTQ+ rights activist Julie Dorf joins us to share how she and a coalition of ragtag organizers created the International and Human Rights Commission in the 90s, her role in and lessons learned during the struggle for marriage equality, and why she’s listening to her own “ spawn” and younger activists on how to move forward in these times. References: Julie Dorf - @JulieDorf Council for Global Equality - http://globalequality.org OutRight Action International - https://outrightinternational.org Act Up - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACT_UP Nation - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queer_Nation Roseanne episode - “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_Ask,_Don%27t_Tell_(Roseanne)

Lt. Governor of Wisconsin Mandela Barnes joins us to discuss his bid to become the first Black Senator from Wisconsin. He shares his working class roots as the son of union members and why the Senate needs more leaders who aren’t afraid to do what’s right and fight for social justice. We discuss his 2018 race in which he became the first African American lieutenant governor in the state. We also find out how he came to have such a powerful name. REFERENCES: Mandela Barnes - @TheOtherMandela - Mandela Barnes for Senate https://mandelabarnes.com Donate to Mandela Here - https://secure.actblue.com/donate/demco-barnes Wisconsin’s Clean Energy Plan - https://osce.wi.gov/pages/cleanenergyplan.aspx Nelson Mandela - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Mandela