Pod Save the People
Pod Save the People
On Pod Save The People, host DeRay Mckesson explores social justice, culture, politics – and the various ways they all collide – with cohosts Myles E. Johnson and Sharhonda Bossier.
Each Tuesday, the crew digs into the current events driving the political discourse – bringing cultural context, actionable insights, and a hot take or two – to help empower listeners to engage as thoughtful members of their communities…and their group chats.
Alongside special guests, the show uplifts overlooked news stories that impact people of color and amplifies underrepresented voices who are working to create meaningful change.
Each Tuesday, the crew digs into the current events driving the political discourse – bringing cultural context, actionable insights, and a hot take or two – to help empower listeners to engage as thoughtful members of their communities…and their group chats.
Alongside special guests, the show uplifts overlooked news stories that impact people of color and amplifies underrepresented voices who are working to create meaningful change.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 5, 2019 • 53min
The Facts
DeRay, Brittany, Sam and Clint talk about Jussie Smollet and Howard Schultz, plus colonialism and climate change, a mother’s fatal fall on NYC subway steps, a growing number of urban prosecutors refusing to pursue marijuana convictions, and how opioid overdoses increase when prisoners are forced off prescribed relapse medication. African American Studies Chair at UCLA, Dr. Marcus Hunter, joins DeRay to talk about everything from inclusion to reparations. #BHM
Jan 29, 2019 • 49min
I Exist
DeRay, Sam, Clint and Brittany discuss the overlooked news, including Marsy’s law, bias in court reporting, predatory ticketing in St. Louis County, and the California doctors who cross state lines to perform abortions. South African pop star and actor Nakhane joins DeRay to talk about music, art and identity.
Jan 22, 2019 • 53min
Sit With Your Ideas
DeRay, Clint, Brittany and Sam discuss how police are treated as a protected class, the lack of diversity within the Green Movement, states that celebrate Robert E. Lee, and free drug testing and counseling at festivals. The National Black Justice Coalition's David Johns joins DeRay to talk about education, protecting LGBTQ youth, and his time in the Obama Administration.
Jan 15, 2019 • 55min
Play the Long Game
DeRay, Sam, Brittany and Clint talk about how the government shutdown is affecting federal prisons, hunger on college campuses, the DOJ's implication that immigration is linked to terrorism, and Bennett College's financial vulnerability. Law Professor Lara Bazelon joins DeRay to discuss restorative justice for those who have been wrongfully convicted.
Jan 8, 2019 • 53min
Curiosity
Brittany, Sam and Clint are back with DeRay for the overlooked news, including a discussion of Lifetime’s Surviving R. Kelly, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s tax proposal, the millions of children who have experienced a lockdown this year alone, formerly incarcerated voter re-enfranchisement, and racial sentencing disparities. Tomi Adeyemi joins DeRay to talk about her book, Children of Blood and Bone.
Jan 1, 2019 • 49min
Trust What Got You Here
For this special holiday episode, DeRay talks to Sarah Koenig, the host and executive producer of the podcast Serial, and Emmanuel Dzotsi who helped report and produce the show's most recent season. Then, he's joined by Stanford's Rob Reich to discuss his new book, "Just Giving: Why Philanthropy is Failing Democracy and How it Can do Better.”
Dec 25, 2018 • 50min
Build Communities
For this special holiday episode, DeRay talks to Lizz Winstead about creating "The Daily Show" and founding Lady Parts Justice League, an organization that uses humor to educate people about reproductive healthcare and abortion policies. Then, he's joined by Emily Hunt Turner, Tommy Franklin and Roslynn Pedracine to discuss All Square, a nonprofit that provides professional development training to formerly incarcerated individuals.
Dec 18, 2018 • 60min
Remember Your Motivation
DeRay, Sam, Brittany and Clint talk about Florida legislation that protects police, the effects of tuition-free college, HUD oversight failures, and how the IRS targets low-income people. Deborah Richardson of the International Human Trafficking Institute joins DeRay to discuss how common human trafficking is and ways communities can solve the issue.
Dec 11, 2018 • 60min
Get Creative
DeRay, Brittany, Clint and Sam talk about using creativity to combat white supremacy, confronting housing segregation, Cyntoia Brown's prison sentence, and the rise of dollar stores. Nicholas Turner of the Vera Institute of Justice joins DeRay to discuss prison systems globally.
Dec 4, 2018 • 55min
Embrace the Complexity
DeRay, Clint, Brittany and Sam discuss the Wrongful Conviction Tax Relief Act, the effect of racism on home ownership, fraud in North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District, and immigrant deportation trials. WNYC's Jad Abumrad joins DeRay to talk about anti-gay conversion therapy and his new podcast series, UnErased. Note: This episode includes explicit language.
