We’re turning our feed over to one of our favorite podcasts: Happier with Gretchen Rubin. Gretchen is HAPPIER, and she wants you to be happier too. The #1 bestselling author of The Happiness Project and Better Than Before gets more personal than ever as she brings her practical, manageable advice about happiness and good habits to this lively, thought-provoking podcast. Gretchen’s cohost and guinea pig is her younger sister, Elizabeth Craft, a TV writer and producer living in Los Angeles, who (l...
Jun 28, 2025•37 min
This week we’re introducing you to a powerful new podcast, Senseless with Erika Mahoney . Everything changed one ordinary Monday, when Erika Mahoney’s mom called to say there was an active shooter at the grocery store nearby. In a matter of seconds, ten people were killed – including Erika’s father. With the high-profile trial of the shooter as a backdrop, Erika speaks to survivors of mass shootings, community leaders, and others impacted by the tragedy in Boulder, on her deeply personal quest t...
Jun 17, 2025•8 min
With Season 2 coming to an end, Julián recalls some of his favorite Our America moments in this special episode put together by a new podcast app called Hark Audio. Julián will walk you through some of his favorite moments from conversations with top thinkers in politics and media, including MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan, Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke, and famed newsman Dan Rather. If you haven’t yet binge listened to every episode of Our America, here’s a little invitation of some great ...
Jun 01, 2022•34 min
Julián addresses the devastating news out of Uvalde, Texas, where a young man on Tuesday gunned down at least 19 elementary school students and two adults. He and Sawyer then talk about this week’s state primaries, the latest on Title 42, and President Biden’s most-recent approval numbers ahead of the midterms. They’re later joined by Director Gustavo Velasquez of the California Department of Housing and Community Development to talk about the innovative ways in which his agency is tackling the ...
May 25, 2022•1 hr 3 min
Julián and Sawyer chat with Ruby Bolaria Shifrin, the head of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s housing affordability project, about the realities of modern-day home ownership and the lessons learned from the pandemic. Later they’re joined by Laurie Goodman of the Urban Institute to look into some of the statistics guiding housing experts. Follow Laurie’s work at the Urban Institute online at @urbaninstitute or @MortgageLaurie . Ruby of @ChanZuckerberg can be found at @Ruby_Bee . Keep up with Jul...
May 18, 2022•43 min
Julián and Sawyer ask Marguerite Casey Foundation President Dr. Carmen Rojas about her thoughts on how the leaked Supreme Court decision seemingly invalidating abortion rights will impact the state of organizing in the months to come. They also welcome MCF Freedom Scholar Dr. Alisa Bierria of UCLA’s Gender Studies Program to talk about the potential for mass criminalization following the end of Roe. Follow Dr. Rojas online at @crojasphd and the Marguerite Casey Foundation at @caseygrants . Find ...
May 11, 2022•44 min
Julián and Sawyer break down the devastating news out of DC in which a leaked draft opinion shows the Supreme Court’s decision to officially overturn abortion rights nationwide. They welcome reproductive rights activist and author Lauren Rankin to talk about the prospective end of Roe v. Wade and how it may set the scene for both a national abortion ban and other protection removals. Follow Lauren online at @laurenarankin . Keep up with Julián on Twitter at @JulianCastro and Instagram at @Julian...
May 04, 2022•37 min
Julián and guest co-host Maya Rupert speculate on Twitter’s future now that Elon Musk has officially bought the social media giant. They also dive into Trump’s new legal troubles and President Biden’s commitment to financially assist Ukraine in its ongoing fight against Russia. The two then welcome US senatorial candidate Charles Booker of Kentucky to talk about his exciting campaign and his newly-released memoir : From the Hood to the Holler. Follow Charles online at @Booker4KY and Maya at @May...
Apr 27, 2022•48 min
Julián and Sawyer talk about the shocking, but unsurprising, news of the nearly dozen mass shootings that took place nationwide over the weekend and how it's an indication of continued inaction by our leaders on proper gun reform. They also unpack new polling numbers showing that only a third of respondents approve of President Biden’s performance. The two then tackle news of Elon Musk’s proposed acquisition of Twitter and the possible demise of InfoWars. Keep up with Julián on Twitter at @Julia...
Apr 20, 2022•41 min
Julián and Sawyer talk about a shocking abortion case in Texas that plays into the GOP’s overall goal of ending reproductive rights in America. The two also discuss the empowering news of Amazon employees unionizing for the first time ever and the reverberations that’s caused for workers nationwide. Later they welcome trans activist and speaker Charlotte Clymer to talk about the onslaught of anti-LGBTQ legislation following the passage of Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bil. Follow Charlotte online at...
Apr 13, 2022•45 min
Julián and Sawyer discuss the Biden administration’s long-awaited removal of Trump’s Title 42 policy that paralyzed the asylum-seeking process at the height of COVID. They then unpack the latest from the Jan. 6th House committee’s investigation into Trump’s alleged involvement in the Capitol insurrection. Later the two welcome MSNBC contributor and The Nation’s justice correspondent Elie Mystal to talk about his new book and to offer his thoughts on Attorney General Merrick Garland’s performance...
Apr 06, 2022•48 min
Sawyer and guest co-host Maya Rupert unpack the shocking Oscars moment that saw Best Actor winner Will Smith physically assault comedian Chris Rock over an insensitive joke. They then focus on the GOP’s treatment of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson at her Supreme Court nomination hearing as well as the deafening calls for Justice Clarence Thomas’s resignation over his wife’s alleged role on Jan. 6th. Slate senior writer and courts expert Mark Joseph Stern joins to provide additional thoughts on the S...
Mar 30, 2022•51 min
Julián and Sawyer compare the first days of Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic Supreme Court nomination hearing to those of Trump’s candidates, including Brett Kavanaugh. They then talk about the latest out of Ukraine amidst the ongoing Russian assault. Later they welcome Marguerite Casey Foundation CEO Dr. Carmen Rojas to talk about voting rights, police reform, and the power of Women’s History Month. Follow Dr. Rojas online at @crojasphd and the Marguerite Casey Foundation at @caseygrants . Keep...
Mar 23, 2022•47 min
Julián and Sawyer talk about the GOP’s misleading rhetoric regarding Russian sanctions and their effects on American gas prices, while also examining the Democratic Party’s messaging choices ahead of the 2022 midterms. They then welcome Majority 54 podcaster Jason Kander to chat about his advocacy work, especially when it comes to bipartisanship in a post-Trump society. Follow Jason online at @JasonKander . Keep up with Julián on Twitter at @JulianCastro and Instagram at @JulianCastroTX . Sawyer...
Mar 16, 2022•50 min
Julián and Sawyer condemn the anti-LGBTQ policies constructed by right-wing conservatives in both Texas and Florida, including the so-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill. They also welcome Michael McFaul, Stanford University professor and former US ambassador to Russia, to get an unvarnished take on the “young war” waging in Ukraine and to learn how its courageous residents are faring amidst the chaos. Follow Prof. McFaul online at @McFaul . Keep up with Julián on Twitter at @JulianCastro and Instagram ...
Mar 09, 2022•46 min
Julián and Sawyer welcome US Rep. Joaquin Castro to talk about President Biden’s State of the Union address, the results of the Texas primary elections, and Gov. Greg Abbott’s assault on transgender children and their families. They also comment on Biden’s historic nomination of federal judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the US Supreme Court and the uphill battle she may face on Capitol Hill. Follow Congressman Castro online at @JoaquinCastroTX . Keep up with Julián on Twitter at @JulianCastro and I...
Mar 03, 2022•40 min
Julián and Sawyer give an update on the Russian conflict against Ukraine while also tackling domestic issues like President Biden’s most-recent polling numbers and the state of the Democratic Party, especially before next week’s Texas primaries. They also chat with housing advocate and All Home founder Tomiquia Moss about her organization’s fight to curb California’s homelessness problem. Follow Tomiquia’s organization online at @allhomeca and at allhomeca.org . Keep up with Julián on Twitter at...
Feb 23, 2022•51 min
Julián and Sawyer chat about mask mandate removals in cities and states nationwide, the Canadian trucker protest energizing North American right-wingers, and Texas early voting amidst new election restrictions. They also welcome Black News Channel host and former Obama State Department advisor Nayyera Haq to address the growing tension between Russia and Ukraine that’s worrying international diplomats. Follow Nayyera online at @nayyeroar . Keep up with Julián on Twitter at @JulianCastro and Inst...
Feb 16, 2022•53 min
Julián and Sawyer deride Republicans for trying to label the Capitol insurrection as “legitimate political discourse.” They also talk about the aftermath of yet another young Black American’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police. Later the two chat with Texas congressional candidate Jessica Cisneros about her much-discussed primary race against moderate Democrat Henry Cuellar. Follow Jessica and her campaign online at JCisnerosTX and jessicacisnerosforcongress.com Keep up with Julián on Twit...
Feb 09, 2022•51 min
Julián and Sawyer marvel at Trump’s public admission of trying to use Mike Pence to help overturn the 2020 election results and comment extensively on President Biden’s quest to place a Black female judge on the US Supreme Court. They also sit down with healthcare advocate and ALS patient Ady Barkan to talk about the nation’s troubled healthcare system and his new documentary ‘Not Going Quietly.’ Follow Ady online at @AdyBarkan . Keep up with Julián on Twitter at @JulianCastro and Instagram at @...
Feb 02, 2022•49 min
Julián and Sawyer dig deep into Trump’s troubles, ranging from the January 6th Committee’s latest findings and New York State’s continued investigation into his seemingly shady business practices. The two also welcome ‘No One is Coming to Save Us’ host Gloria Riviera to talk about the difficulties of childcare during the recent omicron surge. Follow Gloria online at @griviera . Keep up with Julián on Twitter at @JulianCastro and Instagram at @JulianCastroTX . Sawyer can be found on Twitter and I...
Jan 26, 2022•49 min
Julián and Sawyer theorize about Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s political future following her latest efforts to sideswipe President Biden’s overall agenda, including historic voting rights legislation. They also welcome MSNBC and Peacock host Mehdi Hasan to break down Biden’s first full year in office and the media’s responsibility ahead of the midterms. Follow Mehdi online at @mehdirhasan . Keep up with Julián on Twitter at @JulianCastro and Instagram at @JulianCastroTX . Sawyer can be found on Twitter...
Jan 19, 2022•52 min
Julián and Sawyer talk about President Biden’s decidedly pointed responses to the Capitol riots anniversary, filibuster reform and voting rights. They also deride Sen. Ted Cruz for apologizing to FOX News host Tucker Carlson after he initially condemned the insurrection. The two then chat with friend Beto O’Rourke about his Texas gubernatorial bid and his continued outreach to rural communities as he seeks to oust incumbent Greg Abbott from office. Follow Beto online at @BetoORourke . Keep up wi...
Jan 12, 2022•50 min
Julián and Sawyer start the new year off by revisiting some of the headlines you may have missed during the holidays, including Sen. Joe Manchin seemingly derailing President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda. They also commemorate the one year anniversary of the January 6th Capitol Riots and discuss its overall impact on our democracy. Keep up with Julián on Twitter at @JulianCastro and Instagram at @JulianCastroTX . Sawyer can be found on Twitter and Instagram at @SawyerHackett . And stay up to...
Jan 05, 2022•49 min
Storied news anchor and journalist Dan Rather has reported on some of the world’s most important events – from Georgia’s church pews at the height of the civil rights movement, to deadly student protests in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, to the collapse of the Twin Towers on 9/11. Dan’s been at the epicenter of American media since the ‘60s, and now, he’s found himself a dedicated following on social media as well. He joined us earlier this year to talk free speech, disinformation, and what a 70-ye...
Dec 29, 2021•35 min
With the launch of the hit Netflix show, “Queer Eye,” Jonathan Van Ness became a personal grooming guru for unkempt Americans across the country. But JVN has engaged audiences in so much more than better hygiene practices – a year after the show launched, JVN wrote a memoir that helped to demystify living with HIV and what “undetectable equals untransmittable” (or U=U) actually means. JVN joined us earlier this year to talk about living with HIV, overcoming addiction, and the steps that he hopes...
Dec 22, 2021•30 min
Julián and Sawyer welcome their former presidential campaign colleague Maya Rupert to unpack some of the year’s most memorable news stories, from some of the most inspirational (involving women of color at the top of their field) to a few of the wackiest (did JFK Jr. really come back?). Even Q-Anon conspiracy theories can’t keep the team from reflecting on an impactful 2021. Follow Maya online at @MayaRupert . Keep up with Julián on Twitter at @JulianCastro and Instagram at @JulianCastroTX . Saw...
Dec 15, 2021•51 min
Julián and Sawyer welcome writer and abortion rights activist Lauren Rankin to make sense of the Supreme Court’s latest efforts to potentially invalidate Roe v. Wade. They also chat with ‘In the Bubble’ host Andy Slavitt about the emergence of the omicron COVID variant and his work with the Biden administration earlier this year to help combat the virus. Follow Andy online at @ASlavitt and Lauren at @laurenarankin . Keep up with Julián on Twitter at @JulianCastro and Instagram at @JulianCastroTX...
Dec 08, 2021•49 min
Julián and Sawyer are back from the holidays and back to the DC chatter with special guest Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who explicitly outlines the work Congress still has to do before year’s end. Speaking of Congress, Julián and Sawyer criticize Republicans for their continued ambivalence toward racism and bigotry against their own colleagues while simultaneously casting more doubt on the new omicron COVID variant. Follow Sen. Warren online at @ewarren . Keep up with Julián on Twitter at @JulianCastr...
Dec 01, 2021•51 min
After a year and a half of disproportionately high rates of COVID-19, the major losses within Native and Indigenous communities have underlined just how deep-seated historical discrimination still is – evident in an overwhelming lack of access to water, electricity, and health care services on reservations. In this Season 1 episode, Julián is joined by Áshįįhí Clan member President Jonathan Nez of the Navajo Nation and climate activist and journalist Julian Brave NoiseCat of the Canim Lake Band ...
Nov 24, 2021•39 min
