Trump’s speech to a joint chamber of Congress was the longest in history, clocking in at nearly 100 minutes. Instead of providing viable solutions to problems like our affordability crisis or the current trade war , he used his platform to push his ongoing dangerous narrative on immigration, crime, and transgender rights. Stacey is joined by Jen Psaki, Host of MSNBC’s “Inside with Jen Psaki” and the MSNBC original podcast “The Blueprint with Jen Psaki” to recap, respond, and strategize ways that...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast President Trump’s affinity for crypto currency has emerged as another vehicle for profit and peddling influence. On today’s episode, we break down the basics of crypto and how the industry infiltrated Trump's world, unpacks the ways this administration is creating a friendly environment for this unregulated market in ways that might impact our economy more broadly, and questions its ethics. Stacey is joined by Zeke Faux, investigative reporter for Bloomberg Businessweek, and Annie Lowrey, staff ...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast Another week, another Trump admin scheme to cripple the government—this time by targeting the very workers who keep it running, from food inspectors to mail carriers to those serving in our military. On today’s episode, Stacey breaks down Trump’s mass firing of probationary government employees and how these layoffs could soon ripple across entire sectors. Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO, joins to break down who’s being affected and why the blunt force tool Republicans are using in the name...
Feb 20, 2025•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast A league of unextraordinary gentlemen has taken over the White House. This week, Stacey breaks down how Donald Trump has allowed Elon Musk and his squad of young DOGE staffers to have unprecedented access to the federal government. Wired editor Leah Feiger joins Stacey to explain how she and her team of reporters uncovered how DOGE infiltrated the Treasury department, the potential security and privacy implications, and how AI fits into the equation. Then, Stacey sits down with University of Pen...
Feb 13, 2025•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Trump's immigration crackdown is in full force. Three weeks in, he’s signed 10 executive orders targeting everyone from migrants attempting to cross the border to refugees seeking asylum from their war-torn countries. This week, Stacey Abrams dives deep with two expert guests. Nayna Gupta, Director of Policy at the American Immigration Council, breaks down how immigrants already in the US are being affected, the rise in ICE raids, what a humane immigration system should look like, and how to emp...
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast President Donald Trump’s first 100 days are well underway, implementing ruthless and legally questionable executive orders, eviscerating American political norms, and filling government positions with loyalists. This week, Stacey Abrams speaks to Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, who speaks unabashedly about why Democrats must strive to reach more Americans, how he approaches working across the aisle on issues that matter, and what we can do to fight back and fight for all Americans. Together, ...
Jan 30, 2025•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Donald Trump has been inaugurated for a second term as President, and the “blitzkrieg” of orders, insults and rhetoric has already begun. Stacey Abrams speaks to Melissa Murray, host of Crooked’s legal podcast Strict Scrutiny and constitutional law professor at NYU, about how much Trump can actually do unilaterally and why his actions–like his order about TikTok–threaten the balance of power between the branches of government. They look at the true impact of using shock and chaos to govern–like ...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is being weaponized by Donald Trump and Project 2025 and right-wing activists. That's because DEI has been around since the start of the country, opening doors of opportunity for millions of Americans, correcting past wrongs, and, crucially, benefiting everyone. In this episode, Stacey Abrams speaks with Kenji Yoshino, director of NYU’s Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging and a constitutional law professor, about why we should clearly def...
Jan 16, 2025•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast In his first term, Donald Trump pulled out of the global Paris Climate Accords and rolled back over 100 regulations impacting the safety of our air, water, and environment at large. As we prepare for Trump’s second term, Stacey Abrams speaks to Tik Root, Senior Staff Writer at Grist, about what protections and milestones are most at risk, which elements of the Inflation Reduction Act have bipartisan appeal, and how much Congress and the courts could play a role in slowing Trump’s fossil fuel age...
Jan 09, 2025•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the face of unbridled AI development and incoming President Trump’s close advisors who happen to be big investors in AI, it’s more important than ever to raise the alarm about areas of concern. Stacey Abrams speaks to Joy Buolamwini, the AI researcher and artist who brought to national attention the way bias is coded into artificial intelligence, particularly in facial recognition technology – what Buolamwini coined the “coded gaze.” They discuss what we should know about the pitfalls and pot...
Dec 26, 2024•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Stacey speaks to Dr. Céline Gounder, an infectious disease specialist, epidemiologist and editor at large for public health at KFF Health News, about the threats to public health with the incoming Trump Administration. They talk through Trump’s appointees for the nation’s top health and science agencies like RFK Jr., how to bring scientific thinking back to policy making, and how to differentiate between public health and individual healthcare. Then Stacey explains how to make change by “power-m...
Dec 19, 2024•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast Stacey talks to Kate Nazemi, a local education activist and parent, and Jon Valant, director of the Brown Center on Education Policy at the Brookings Institution, about the future of public education during a second Trump Administration. They break down Project 2025’s education policy prescriptions, the threats to the Department of Education, and what changes a President can and cannot make. Then, they discuss how to best get involved at the local level to make change in your community – from at...
Dec 12, 2024•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast Stacey talks to Rachel Sweet, who has successfully used ballot initiatives in tough states to change the rules. Most recently, she served as campaign manager for Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the coalition that passed abortion rights via a ballot measure in Missouri during the November elections. They discuss how ballot initiatives can be a tool for positive change, even in conservative states, and how to build coalitions at the state and local level to protect and expand our rights du...
Dec 05, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast Stacey talks to renowned chef, activist, and Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio about why the United States has a food insecurity crisis despite being the richest country in the world — and why this issue is especially pressing with an incoming Trump administration. They discuss what can be done to address the problem head on, including what Colicchio has learned from years of advocating for school lunches and solving for food deserts on Capitol Hill. Then, Stacey answers a listener question about wha...
Nov 21, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Stacey speaks with historian Heather Cox Richardson to see what history can teach us about moving forward after Trump’s reelection. They discuss strategies for countering disinformation, how Democratic leaders are preparing to use states’ rights to their advantage to challenge Trump’s federal overreach, and how the era following William McKinley’s presidency can be a guide for progressives. Then, Stacey answers questions from the audience on how to get involved in politics, and how to respond to...
Nov 14, 2024•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast Stacey offers a reflection and a call to action to move beyond resistance and into insistence after the re-election of Donald Trump. Then she speaks with Grammy, Pulitzer, and MacArthur Genius Grant winning musician Rhiannon Giddens about the connection between politics and art. Giddens dives into the way categorization divides the music industry, the deep and multicultural history of the banjo, and how she has put her unique stamp on every genre from opera to folk music. For a closed-captioned ...
Nov 07, 2024•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast Stacey talks with meteorologist and veteran hurricane expert, John Morales, who describes how growing up in Puerto Rico led him to his career and how important it is to talk about extreme weather effects. He explains the science of why storms are getting stronger, heatwaves are getting hotter, and droughts are becoming more frequent. Plus they discuss how your vote can help push policy makers to mitigate climate change and the most impactful actions we need to take to help our communities. For a...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Giving birth in the United States can be dangerous – but it doesn’t have to be. Stacey talks to Representative Jennifer McClellan of Virginia about the disparities in maternal health outcomes in the U.S. and policies to expand access to reproductive healthcare and affordable childcare. Then, Stacey welcomes ProPublica reporter Kavitha Surana to discuss her story on the deadly impact new state abortion bans are already having on pregnant people – and the importance of sharing these stories. We wa...
Oct 24, 2024•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Stacey sits down with artist KNA to discuss how artists are impacted by AI and other evolving technologies, how they can use them to fuel their creativity, as well as what next steps need to be taken to secure resources and protection for the arts in an increasingly digital world. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. We want to hear your questions. Send us an email ...
Oct 17, 2024•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Stacey sits down with award-winning actor, producer and activist Bryan Cranston to talk about how the entertainment industry is evolving one year on since the writers’ and actors’ strikes, how Hollywood can sustain our thirst for content, as well as the livelihoods of the artists who make it. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. We want to hear your questions. Send u...
Oct 10, 2024•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Stacey is joined by Mother Jones’ national voting rights correspondent and author, Ari Berman, to untangle threats to voting rights ahead of November’s election, what’s changed since the last presidential election, and how to push back to protect access this year and beyond. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. We want to hear your questions. Send us an email at ass...
Oct 03, 2024•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast In honor of Banned Books Week, Stacey is joined by two guests: Her mom and former librarian, Reverend Carolyn Abrams, and actor, director, and literacy advocate, LeVar Burton. The trio discuss the transformative power of story and strategies to combat book banning. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. Learn More: Banned Books Week: https://bannedbooksweek.org/events...
Sep 26, 2024•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast If there’s power in numbers, then there are arguably few groups as powerful American tenants. Stacey is joined by founding director of the KC Tenants Union, Tara Raghuveer, to highlight the vast political potential they’re building through their organization in Kansas City and beyond. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast. We want to hear your questions. Send us an em...
Sep 19, 2024•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast Stacey is joined by journalist and author, Paola Ramos, and Washington Post TikTok host and producer, Joseph Ferguson, to explore how journalists and news organizations are meeting a dramatically altered landscape and the best way to navigate new media and the information maelstrom. We want to hear your questions. Send us an email at assemblyrequired@crooked.com or leave us a voicemail at 213-293-9509. You and your question might be featured on the show. Learn More: PBS News Hour “MisInformation...
Sep 12, 2024•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast College sports is a huge business. How can we make it more fair for the athletes themselves? Stacey is joined by WNBA forward Brianna Turner and former NFL defensive back Domonique Foxworth to talk about student athlete compensation, unionizing college teams, and the future of the NCAA. We want to hear your questions. Send us an email at assemblyrequired@crooked.com or leave us a voicemail at 213-293-9509. You and your question might be featured on the show. For a closed-captioned version of thi...
Sep 05, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Disinformation touches all of us, and more often than we think. Stacey is joined by Esosa Osa, founder of Onyx Impact, to talk about how acute the issue is and how to stop bad information from spreading—online and even in your family’s group chat. We want to hear your questions. Send us an email at assemblyrequired@crooked.com or leave us a voicemail at 213-293-9509. You and your question might be featured on the show. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here . For a transcript...
Aug 29, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast This election is in the hands of Gen Z, a cohort of young Americans that’s diverse, creative, and—often—skeptical. At the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Stacey is joined by Rep. Maxwell Frost, the first member of Gen Z to be elected to Congress, and influencer Haley Lickstein, a leading voice on civic engagement among young people, to talk about how they’re working to get their peers involved. We want to hear your questions. Send us an email at assemblyrequired@crooked.com or leave u...
Aug 22, 2024•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the debut episode of Assembly Required , Stacey takes on one of the most intractable problems in American politics: the unequal distribution of power created by the Electoral College. Could ranked choice voting help give all Americans a more meaningful vote? Cynthia Richie Terrell, Executive Director of RepresentWomen and co-founder of FairVote, joins Stacey to make the case. We want to hear your questions. Send us an email at assemblyrequired@crooked.com or leave us a voicemail at 213-293-95...
Aug 15, 2024•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Let's face it, sometimes the world feels broken. We can see what needs fixing, yet more and more, it feels like the problems are too big and the bad guys are winning. But the truth is, they’re not. They’re just hoping we stop fighting. Welcome to Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams , a new podcast from Crooked Media and Democratic changemaker Stacey Abrams. Stacey knows better than anyone that societal shifts happen when a group of ordinary people decide that a problem is solvable, and are will...
Jul 29, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
