Pod Save the People - podcast cover

Pod Save the People

Crooked Mediacrooked.com
Organizer and activist DeRay Mckesson explores news, culture, social justice, and politics with analysis from Kaya Henderson, De’Ara Balenger, and Myles Johnson. Then he sits down for deep conversations with experts, influencers, and diverse local and national leaders. New episodes every Tuesday.

Episodes

Ready for Reckoning

DeRay, Kaya, De'Ara and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — the GOP scramble to increase donations, Asian American families struggle post-affirmative action, hairdressers provide therapy services in West Africa, and the pertinence of modern minstrelsy. News How the History of Blackface Is Rooted in Racism When Will Black TikTokers Stop Performing For The White Gaze? Post-affirmative action, Asian American families are more stressed than ever about college admissions Need Therapy? In...

Nov 28, 20231 hr 6 min

Evolution Has Pros and Cons

DeRay, Kaya and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — Trump's latest power hungry reelection strategy, Darius Jackson's dark secret exposed, and the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence. News Why Aren’t Millennials Having Kids? Psaki: If elected to a second term, Trump would… Behind the Curtain: Trump allies pre-screen loyalists for unprecedented power grab Keke Palmer and a Basic Understanding of Domestic Abuse This was a massive week for AI...

Nov 14, 202358 min

Lesser of Two Evils?

DeRay, Kaya, De'Ara and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — NYPD interferes with federal investigation, heightened frustrations with Biden administration, Dwight Howard's sexual assault allegations, and a debate about one-sided book bans. News NYPD ‘Wellness Check’ Before Feds Raided Mayor Eric Adams’ Fundraiser Called Into Question: ‘FBI Would Never Ask For One’ Gossip about Dwight Howard’s sexuality detracts from the gravity of assault claims Students hated 'To Kill a Mockingbird....

Nov 07, 20231 hr 5 min

All Things Politicized (with Juliet Hooker)

DeRay, Kaya, De'Ara and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — the origin of Nashville's "Music City" moniker, Black British hidden figures, a nonprofit flower project focused on Black male mental health, and overexposure to our own reflections. DeRay interviews author and political theorist Juliet Hooker about her new book Black Grief/White Grievance : The Politics of Loss . News Why is Nashville called Music City? The Fisk Jubilee Singers and Queen Victoria get the credit We were nev...

Oct 31, 20231 hr 16 min

Amanda Seales the Deal

DeRay, Kaya, De'Ara and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — Southern GOP's latest attempt to steal the House, Chicago's ongoing contract with ShotSpotter, the earliest known U.S. novel authored by an enslaved Black woman, and the secret world of immortality science. DeRay interviews Amanda Seales about her new political-comedy documentary ' In Amanda We Trust '. News North Carolina Republicans unveil map proposals that could help GOP gain up to four House seats in 2024 Searching for...

Oct 24, 20232 hr 30 min

Political Climate (with Daria Dawson)

DeRay, Don and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — a race for speaker of the House, context to the Israel & Palestine conflict and the dark side of fitness journeys. DeRay interviews Daria Dawson of America Votes about the current state of progressive politics. News The latest on the race for speaker of the House Black Feminist Perspectives on Palestine Why are Americans obsessed with fitness? The answer: Neoliberalism...

Oct 17, 20231 hr 7 min

First of Many (with Roger A. Mitchell Jr. & Jay D. Aronson)

DeRay, Don, and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — imprisoned people's right to write, the first openly gay Black woman appointed to CA Senate, and Tupac's postmortem justice. DeRay interviews authors Roger A. Mitchell Jr. & Jay D. Aronson about his their new book Death in Custody : How America Ignores the Truth and What We Can Do about It. News DeRay The Prisoner and the Pen Myles 2Pac Shooting: Keffe D Arrested by Police, Charged With Murder Don California Gov. Newsom will appoin...

Oct 03, 20231 hr 17 min

Address the Iceberg (with Jennifer Baker)

DeRay, Kaya, De'Ara and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — Dallas mayor sudden switch to Republican party, Biden's policy narrative, a Houston music love story, and contrasting opinions on women in the policing system. Kaya interviews publishing professional Jennifer Baker of Narrative Initiative about her article titled Black Women Are Being Erased in Book Publishing. News DeRay Dallas mayor switches parties, making the city the nation’s largest with a GOP mayor Kaya One simple fi...

Sep 26, 20232 hr 52 min

Power is Power (with Mary Hooks)

DeRay, Don and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — the "experts" paid to defend anti-trans laws, United Auto Workers strike moves full speed ahead, and the complex life of the first Black supermodel. DeRay interviews the tactical lead for the Stop Cop City Coalition Mary Hooks. News Deray Inside The Cottage Industry Of ‘Experts’ Paid To Defend Anti-Trans Laws Myles The Complex Life of Donyale Luna, The First Black Supermodel Don UAW strike against automakers enters third day, no res...

Sep 19, 20231 hr 26 min

Cruel Intentions (with Vincent Schiraldi)

DeRay, Kaya, De'Ara and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — expiration of U.S. childcare relief funding, Florida college faculty members flee the school system, Fulton County DA claps back at Republican probe, and the Black designer behind Jackie Kennedy's iconic fashion. DeRay interviews author and juvenile justice policy reformer Vincent Schiraldi about his new book Mass Supervision: Probation, Parole, and the Illusion of Safety and Freedom. News DeRay The Cost of Childcare Is Abo...

Sep 12, 20231 hr 15 min

Rocks and Glass Houses

DeRay, Kaya, Myles, and De'Ara cover the underreported news of the week — a racist attack on a Jacksonville Dollar General, delayed COVID care for patients of color due to faulty oxygen readings, Silicon Valley elite build a city from scratch, extreme menopausal symptoms for women of color, and Texas' ongoing violence against trans youth. News DeRay Faulty Oxygen Readings Delayed Care to Black and Hispanic Covid Patients, Study Finds Kaya The Silicon Valley Elite Who Want to Build a City From Sc...

Aug 29, 20231 hr 5 min

What Goes Around Comes Around

DeRay, Kaya, Myles, and De'Ara cover the underreported news of the week — the outcome of Maui fires, extremists recruited into US military, Little Rock's fight for Black History curriculum and the life and legacy of Clarence Avant. News DeRay Pentagon watchdog finds lax oversight and screening of military recruits with extremist ties CA Shop Owner Shot Over Rainbow Flag Hanging Outside Store Myles Clarence Avant, the ‘Godfather of Black Entertainment,’ Dies at 92 Kaya Little Rock Will Offer A.P....

Aug 22, 202355 min

The Other Side is Diabolical (with Stanley Nelson & Valerie Scoon)

DeRay, Kaya, Don, and De'Ara cover the underreported news of the week — a study finding youth placed in adult prisons have their lives cut shorter, Alabama state refuses Supreme Court orders, imaginary exceptions for abortion, and a new album from a musical icon. DeRay interviews award-winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson and co-director Valerie Scoon about their newest documentary titled 'Sound of the Police' News DeRay She Wasn't Able to Get an Abortion. Now She's a Mom. Soon She'll Start 7th Grad...

Aug 15, 20231 hr 8 min

Rock the Boat

DeRay, Kaya and De'Ara cover the underreported news of the week — a mother in need misplaced by NYPD, the first of its kind Black fine art print fair, and one man's personal vendetta against affirmative action. News: DeRay Family says mother has been missing since NYPD officers took her to hospital back in April Kaya Conservative activist behind US affirmative action cases sues venture capital fund De’Ara What’s Expected To Be The Largest-Ever Black Fine Art Print Fair To Amplify Artists...

Aug 08, 202342 min

The Sky is Falling

DeRay, Myles, Kaya and De'Ara cover the underreported news of the week — misappropriation of taxpayer funds, Texas libraries converted to disciplinary centers, unengaged Democratic voters, and the life and legacy of Sinead O' Connor. News DeRay Elizabeth Warren says the Pentagon’s health care system is the victim of price gouging — and it’s not doing enough to stop it. Myles Life and Legacy of Sinead O’Connor De’Ara Democrats worry their most loyal voters won’t turn out for Biden in 2024 Kaya La...

Aug 01, 20231 hr 12 min

Bird's-Eye View (with Christian Cooper)

DeRay, Myles and De'Ara cover the underreported news of the week — Southern GOP refuse majority-Black district, famed forensic scientist indicted for fabrication, and an anti-trans message from Jess. DeRay interviews author Christian Cooper to about his new book Better Living Through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World. News DeRay Judge finds forensic scientist Henry Lee liable for fabricating evidence in a murder case Myles Jess Hilarious says who will stand up for women De’Ara...

Jul 25, 20231 hr 10 min

Affirmative Tactics (with Donovan Ramsey)

DeRay, Kaya, De'Ara and Myles cover the underreported news of the week on affirmative action — the irony of opposition, a push for adversity scores, and the future of diversity policies in Hollywood and corporate employment. DeRay interviews author and journalist Donovan Ramsey on the pod to chat about his newest book When Crack Was King: A People's History of a Misunderstood Era. News DeRay GOP attorneys general tee off on large corporations over diversity policies Kaya With End of Affirmative ...

Jul 18, 20231 hr 27 min

Then and Now (with Justin Simard)

DeRay, Kaya, De'Ara and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — Minneapolis crime decreases with a shortage of police officers, the small group of conservative doctors behind restrictive trans & abortion policies, celebrity baby daddy drama makes CNN, and the editor of Elle Decor crafting his soft life. DeRay interviews Michigan State law professor Justin Simard to chat about the advent of the Citing Slavery Project. News DeRay Half the Police Force Quit. Crime Dropped. De’Ara How the E...

Jul 11, 20232 hr 31 min

Open the Can of Beans

DeRay, Myles, Kaya and De'Ara cover the underreported news of the week — the world's first known drag queen, Black entrepreneurship in under-resourced D.C. neighborhood, an alarming trend of missing children in Cleveland, and the heightening suicide rate within the Black male community. News DeRay Cleveland police address "misinformation" on missing children How Bad Is Cleveland’s ‘Alarming’ Missing Children Trend? Data Suggests An Existing Problem Myles The Suicide Method Never Discussed in the...

Jun 27, 20231 hr 5 min

What Are The Options?

DeRay, Myles, Kaya and De'Ara cover the underreported news of the week — hundreds of vacated convictions tied to rogue police officers, reparations versus resources in Minnesota, America's only Black boarding school in Mississippi, and the devolution of reality television. News DeRay Bragg vacates convictions tied to rogue NYPD officers convicted of criminal conduct Kaya Slave Descendants in Minnesota and Dakotas to Receive $50M in Grants Myles Joseline Hernandez Accuses Amber Rose Of ‘Wanting T...

Jun 13, 202340 min

Decorum is Gonna Kill Us

DeRay, Myles, Kaya and De'Ara cover the underreported news of the week — community policing in Brooklyn, the evolution of artificial intelligence, ongoing tragedy at Rikers and the life and legacy of Tina Turner. News DeRay NYC DOC Commissioner Louis Molina lied Federal judge demands answers after Rikers detainee dies with a fractured skull Myles Tina Turner, Queen of Rock & Roll, Dead at 83 Kaya ChatGPT took their jobs. Now they walk dogs and fix air conditioners. De’Ara A Brooklyn Neighborhood...

Jun 06, 20231 hr 2 min

If We Fight, We Win

DeRay, Kaya, and Don cover the underreported news of the week — the push back against Florida book bans, the end of affirmative action as we know it, and the disproportionate mortality rate of babies in the South. News DeRay A striking gap between deaths of Black and White babies plagues the South Kaya Why the world's largest publisher found a book-ban lawsuit in Florida 'irresistable' Don Higher Ed. at Harvard Event Addresses Looming End of Affirmative Action...

May 23, 202353 min

More to Life (with Jonathan Eig)

DeRay, Kaya, and De'Ara cover the underreported news of the week — Republicans plan to release Black youth criminal records, corporations infiltrate primary care services, and the harmful effects of Biden's open border on Black communities. DeRay interviews award-winning author Jonathan Eig about his new book King: A Life. News DeRay Louisiana Lawmakers Want to Release Youth Criminal Records. But First, Only In Majority Black Areas Kaya Corporate Giants Buy Up Primary Care Practices at Rapid Pac...

May 16, 20231 hr 14 min

We Are Human (with Stephanie Krent)

DeRay, Kaya, and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — Toni Morrison's personal materials on exhibit at Princeton University, top A.I. experts warn of the technology's dangerous consequences, and flawed understanding of the Bystander Effect. DeRay interviews attorney Stephanie Krent of Knight First Amendment Institute about a lawsuit challenging prison's digitization and destruction of mail. News DeRay The Bystander Effect or the Genovese Syndrome Kaya ‘ The Godfather of A.I.’ Leaves ...

May 09, 20231 hr 20 min

May Day

DeRay, Myles, Kaya and De'Ara cover the underreported news of the week — R. Kelly commissary inspires new federal rules for incarcerated people, young students forced to crawl under trains to get to school, a health condition seemingly reserved for Black women, and a hot take on witchcraft vs. the church. News DeRay Federal prisons want inmates to pay victims, before making phone calls or buying shoes Kaya As Rail Profits Soar, Blocked Crossings Force Kids to Crawl Under Trains to Get to School ...

May 02, 202353 min

Internet or Nothing (with Joanna Schwartz)

DeRay, Myles, and De'Ara cover the underreported news of the week — including public outrage over Cleopatra's blackness depicted on screen, Lizzo leads a protest against Tennessee anti-drag laws, and a staple franchise goes out of business. DeRay interviews UCLA professor of law Joanna Schwartz about her new book Shielded: How the Police Became Untouchable. News DeRay Bed Bath & Beyond Files for Bankruptcy Myles Lizzo and a group of drag queens protested anti-drag laws on stage in Knoxville De'A...

Apr 25, 20231 hr 20 min

Defining Ourselves (with Jessica Wilson)

DeRay, De’Ara, Kaya, and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — including , a handgun that fires itself, a study that finds Black people live longer with access to Black doctors, big potential for the upcoming Freaknik documentary, and a Black man that fought for liberation in Australia. Kaya interviews clinical dietician Jessica Wilson, MS, RD about her new book It's Always Been Ours: Rewriting the Story of Black Women's Bodies. News Clarence Thomas has for years claimed income from a...

Apr 18, 20231 hr 7 min

The Veil is Gone (with David Gborie & Langston Kerman)

DeRay, Kaya, and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — including the DEA illegally purchasing customer data, DeSantis war on immigration, and the influential photographer who proclaimed 'Black is Beautiful'. DeRay interviews comedians David Gborie & Langston Kerman about their iHeartMedia podcast ' My Momma Told Me '. DeRay The DEA Bought Customer Data from Rogue Employees Instead of Getting a Warrant Kaya DeSantis Pushes Toughest Immigration Crackdown in the Nation Myles Kwame Brathw...

Apr 11, 20231 hr 17 min

What's the Narrative?

DeRay, De’Ara, Kaya, and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — including secret funds funneled by the spouse of a Supreme Court Justice, the growing price of electronic messaging for imprisoned people, Questlove's Disney directorial debut, and a historical festival celebrating Black women filmmakers. News DeRay SMH: The rapid & unregulated growth of e‑messaging in prisons Myles Questlove To Direct Live-Action/Hybrid Adaptation Of ‘The Aristocats’ For Disney De’Ara Sojourner Truth Fest...

Apr 04, 202350 min

Political Weaponry (with Nicole Tucker-Smith)

DeRay, De’Ara, Kaya, and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — including Dollar Store's predatory tactics in urban communities, a NYC park built on top of a dark history, Stacey Abrams’ depart from campaign politics, and the end of a partnership with Beyoncé and Adidas. DeRay interviews author and educator Nicole Tucker-Smith about teacher shortages, book banning, and the evolution of learning. News: DeRay New Report: The Dollar Store Invasion Dollar Tree CEO--Who Made Over $10 Millio...

Mar 28, 20232 hr 45 min