Crooked Minis

Former Barack Obama Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer is joined by Brian Tyler Cohen, progressive commentator and host of the podcast No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen. They break down 2022 midterm ads from Raphael Warnock (running for Senate against Herschel Walker in Georgia), John Fetterman (running against Dr. Oz in Pennsylvania), and an ad from the Way to Win Action Fund.  

Dexter McCoy, candidate Fort Bend Texas' Precinct 4 County Commissioner, joins Crooked Media’s Shaniqua McClendon to discuss everything at stake in Texas this November. To get involved in and/or donate to his campaign you can head to www.dextermccoy.com. And to get involved in key election races across the country head to votesaveamerica.com.

Former Barack Obama Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer is joined by Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) to break down 2022 Midterm Ads. They discuss the issues that motivate voters going into the midterm elections by breaking down Rep. Swalwell’s VIRAL abortion ad, Republican Kari Lake's (Arizona) ad about the economy/inflation, and  Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto's (D-Nevada) ad about Adam Laxalt and the "Big Lie."

Charles Booker, candidate for Senate in Kentucky, joins Crooked Media’s Shaniqua McClendon to discuss everything at stake in Kentucky this November. To get involved in and/or donate to his campaign you can head to charlesbooker.org. And to get involved in key election races across the country head to votesaveamerica.com.

Former Barack Obama Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer is joined by David Plouffe, former Campaign Manager and Senior Advisor to Barack Obama. The former Whitehouse colleagues break down 2022 Midterm Ads from republican Dr. Oz and democrat John Fetterman for senate in Pennsylvania. They answer the question: "Do political ads still work in 2022?" Plus an Attack Ad against Sen. Mark Kelly (Arizona) from Sentinel Action Fund.

Amaris Leon of the Working Families Party joins Crooked Media’s Sara Garcia to discuss everything at stake in Sheriffs races across the country this November. To learn more about the Working Families Party you can head to workingfamilies.org. And to get involved in key election races across the country head to votesaveamerica.com.

Former Barack Obama Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer is joined by Sarah Longwell, Publisher of The Bulwark and Founder of The Republican Accountability Project. They break down 2022 midterm ads from Republicans and Democrats. Featuring: the Senate Leadership Fund’s attack ad against John Fetterman in Pennsylvania, Liz Cheney from the Republican Accountability Project, “Crazy Sh*t” about Doug Mastriano, and a bonus ad from viral Republican candidate Linda Paulson.

Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas's 3rd Congressional district joins Crooked Media’s Sara Garcia to discuss everything at stake in Kansas this November. To get involved in and/or donate to her campaign you can head to shariceforcongress.com. And to get involved in key election races across the country head to votesaveamerica.com.

Former Barack Obama Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer is joined by Democratic Strategist and Pollster Cornell Belcher to break down 2022 midterm ads from Herschel Walker (Georgia), Beto O’Rourke (Texas), and Mandela Barnes (Wisconsin).

Pastor Greg Lewis, founder and president of Souls to the Polls and Pastors United, joins Crooked Media's Shaniqua McClendon to discuss what is at stake across the country this November. To get involved in key election races across the country head to votesaveamerica.com.

Former Barack Obama Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer is joined by Crooked Media Co-founder and host of The Wilderness podcast Jon Favreau to break down great and terrible midterm battleground ads from Republican Herschel Walker (Georgia), Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto's (D-Nevada) 'Succession' ad against Republican Adam Laxalt, and the latest attack ad from Dr. Oz against Democrat John Fetterman (Pennsylvania).

Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan's 8th Congressional district joins Crooked Media’s Sara Garcia to discuss everything at stake in Michigan this November. To get involved in and/or donate to her campaign you can head to www.elissaforcongress.com. And to get involved in key election races across the country head to votesaveamerica.com.

Former Barack Obama Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer is joined by Co-Founder of MeidasTouch Ben Meiselas to analyze campaign ads and political messaging. They break down the mega-viral ad from MeidasTouch “Wizard of Lies” aka Dr. Oz (New Jersey), an ad from The Lincoln Project about MAGA Republican Doug Mastriano (Pennsylvania), and a Marco Rubio (Florida) ad about the “Radical Left.”

Shelley Jackson, the Executive Director of Instituto, an organization building political power in Arizona joins Crooked Media's Amelia Montooth to discuss what is at stake in Arizona this November. To get involved in and/or donate to her organization you can head to instituto.io. And to get involved in key election races across the country head to votesaveamerica.com.

Former Barack Obama Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer is joined by journalist and host of The Mehdi Hasan Show on MSNBC and Peacock to break down viral 2022 midterm ads from Citizens for Sanity, Congressman Tim Ryan (Ohio), and Governor Ron DeSantis (Florida).

Austin Davis, a progressive candidate for Lieutenant Governor in Pennsylvania, joins Crooked Media's Sara Garcia to discuss everything at stake in PA this November. To get involved in and/or donate to his campaign you can head to www.shapirodavis.org. And to get involved in key election races across the country head to votesaveamerica.com.

Former Barack Obama Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer is joined by "Politics Girl" Leigh McGowan to break down good and bad viral midterm ads from Blake Masters, Raphael Warnock, and the American Action Network.

Minnesota's Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, a progressive democrat running for her second term, joins Crooked Media's Ari Schwartz to discuss the issues on the ballot in Minnesota this November and the stakes of keeping Minnesota blue. To get involved in and/or donate to her campaign you can head to www.walzflanagan.org. And to get involved in key election races across the country head to votesaveamerica.com. 

Former Barack Obama Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer is joined by Melissa Murray, Professor of Law at New York University and co-host of the Crooked Media podcast Strict Scrutiny. In this episode Dan and Melissa analyze a viral ad from Mothers Against Greg Abbott (MAGA), Republican Katie Britt (Alabama), and the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

Democracy or Else is a new weekly series from your friends at Crooked Media and Vote Save America. Each episode we will introduce you to a candidate, elected, or community leader from across the country working to better their community. Introducing you to Gabe Vasquez, a democrat who is running to represent New Mexico's second district in congress.  To get involved in and/or donate to his campaign you can head to www.gabeforcongress.com. And to get involved in key election races across the country head to votesaveamerica.com. 

Former Barack Obama Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer is joined by Democratic strategist Lis Smith who was senior advisor to Pete Buttigieg’s 2020 presidential campaign to discuss Democrats appearing on Fox News. They break down ads and clips featuring Tim Ryan, Pete Buttigieg, and Catherine Cortez Mastro.

The future of our democracy hinges on the outcome of two Senate races in Georgia, a state that shocked the nation by flipping for the first time in nearly three decades. In this multi-part podcast, visit the frontlines with two of Atlanta’s own - journalists Rembert Browne and Jewel Wicker  as they detail the struggles and triumphs that led to this moment, and hear from the organizers, strategists, and voters hoping to change the South forever. Our new podcast, “Gaining Ground: The New Georgia” is a co-production of Tenderfoot TV and Crooked Media. Subscribe and listen to episode 1 now, wherever you listen to podcasts: gaininggroundpodcast.com

Subscribe to Crooked's new podcast, Unholier Than Thou: apple.co/unholierthanthou - first two episodes available today. Award-winning journalist and editor Phillip Picardi is on a quest to better understand his relationship with spirituality by learning how faith plays a role in other people’s lives in Crooked Media’s new podcast, Unholier Than Thou. With the help of the spiritual, religious, and agnostic, he’ll guide listeners through the ethereal and worldly problems of the day, informed by his own on-and-off relationship with God.Through lenses both saintly and secular, Picardi will take a look at everything from sex to climate change, and how religion informs those discussions. New episodes every Friday.

In this excerpt from UN-TRUMPING AMERICA (on sale February 18, 2020), Dan Pfeiffer speaks candidly to our (forthcoming) Democratic nominee about the realities of winning, the fate of American democracy, and how to defeat Trump at the ballot box in November.Pre-order now wherever books are sold: https://amzn.to/372l5k2

Subscribe to Crooked Media's newest podcast Rubicon: The Impeachment of Donald Trump go.crooked.com/rubiconThe impeachment of Donald Trump is one of the biggest political stories of our lifetimes. It’s a test of whether accountability, election integrity, and the rules of our democracy can withstand the corrupt acts of powerful people. It’s also a story that’s unfolding at such a break-neck pace, it’s absurd.Fortunately, Brian Beutler, Crooked Media’s Editor in Chief, lives for this s**t. Join Brian every week as he breaks down the week’s most important developments in the impeachment fight with legal, political, and congressional experts to help you figure out how this is all going to end and what you can do to play your part in one of the most important moments in American history. Yeah, it’s that big. New episode out every Friday.

In the final episode of Me, My Self-Care, and I Diosa and Mala talk about the role of women-based spaces in their lives and relationships. Then they chat with Claudia Mendoza, the founder of the Mami Chula Social Club. Mendoza hosts events for young Latinas and their mothers that help the two generations better understand one another.

“What A Day,” Crooked Media’s new daily news podcast, is here! Hosted by comedian Akilah Hughes and politics reporter Gideon Resnick, “What A Day” cuts through the chaos and crimes to break down the biggest news of the day, help you understand what matters, and how you can fix it—all in 15 minutes or less. New episodes come out every morning, Monday through Friday, at 5 a.m. Eastern. Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

This week, Mala and Diosa discuss how self-care in the digital age can simplify the movement to a hashtag. They discuss how the internet brought them together and how it has helped in their self-discoveries. Then, they are joined by poet and tattoo artist Mike Davis, aka Hoodprofet, who uses social media to cultivate healing and growth. They discuss their work, their praxis, advocating for the self, and community care on the web.

This week, Diosa and Mala sit down with culturemakers and artists of the Cumbiaton Collective. This nationwide party collective is creating healing on the dancefloor and through their production, prioritizing and uplifting joy and movement as a tool for resistance. On this episode, Diosa and Mala will examine the ways art and music heals and cares for communities.

October's mini-series, hosted by Mala Muñoz and Diosa Femme, will explore the nuances and complexities of self-care, community care, healthy relationships, and the psychology behind it all. In the first episode the two hosts share their own experiences working with trauma survivors and the impact it had on their definitions of self-care. They are then joined by therapist & poet Thea Monye to discuss who is given access to self-care, selfhood for people of color and how we can shift the conversation of self-care to community care.

What happens when the President of the United States is the inspiration for today's most passionate group of conspiracy theorist? In the final episode of State of Conspiracy, Professor Olmsted talks to Daily Beast reporter Will Sommer to dissect the conspiracy theory known as QAnon and the real danger it poses on the future of our democracy.

In this week's episode of State of Conspiracy Prof. Olmsted is joined by Jon Ronson. Jon is a journalist and filmmaker whose own passion for studying conspiracies has inspired him to infiltrate secret societies and come face to face with some of the most prominent conspiracy theorists. They discuss what inspires conspiracy theorists and whether those at the top know how much damage they are doing.

What happens when a conspiracy theory turns out to be true? This week on State of Conspiracy, Professor Kathryn Olmsted is joined by Kevin Kruse, professor of history at Princeton University. Together, they explore the ways the media and historical events of the 60s onwards contributed to an increasing mistrust in both government and media. They explore some of the most absurd cases of government conspiracies that ended up being true and how those revelations changed the trajectory of how Americans and politicians question the truth today.

Are lizard people real? Was 9/11 an inside job? Is the government really out to get you? We can't conclusively answer those questions, but we will be exploring these topics in September's series, State of Conspiracy. State of Conspiracy is hosted by Professor Kathryn Olmsted a professor of History at UC Davis and scholar of conspiracy theories. This week, Professor Olmsted sits down with author Anna Merlan to discuss how Donald Trump successfully used conspiracy theories to gain national attention and get elected and why the surge in government conspiracy theories today may less funny and more insidious than we think.

In the final episode of Rigging North Carolina, Shaniqua McClendon is joined by Dan McCready. He shares what was going through his mind as the news of election fraud broke and a new election was called. We hear more about his platform, what he believes his opponent Dan Bishop stands for and what's at stake in this upcoming election.

In February of 2019 the North Carolina State Board of Elections heard testimony from many of the people who played a key role in the election fraud that tainted Dan McCready and Mark Harris's historic midterm election. The three day hearing ended with a surprise turn of events that led Republican Mark Harris to finally call for a new election. Shaniqua McClendon talks to two people who were in the room. Marc Elias represented Dan McCready throughout the election and argued on behalf of the Democratic nominee. Reporter Joe Bruno also shares some of the most shocking moments on the stand.

North Carolina has a long history of silencing African American voters, more recently sustained by Republicans in the state that have passed laws with the sole purpose of eliminating their votes. In this episode, Shaniqua McClendon discusses the Republicans' blatant voter suppression efforts with State Representative Pricey Harrison, who’s been trying to find common ground with Republicans, and Marc Elias, a Democratic lawyer who’s spent a lot of his career fighting for voting rights in North Carolina. Together, they search for the root cause of the Republican Party’s chokehold on North Carolina.

Leslie McCrae Dowless is a Republican consultant desperate to win. So he did what no one would do: he stole ballots for GOP congressional candidate Mark Harris, creating a scandal in North Carolina's 9th district and one of the biggest election fraud cases in American politics. Shaniqua McClendon, North Carolina native and Crooked's Political Director, speaks with Joe Bruno, the local reporter who broke the story, to walk us through exactly what happened and why it matters.

In the final episode of the series, Ken Harbaugh explores the role of service in our understanding of patriotism. He sits down with Mayor Pete Buttigieg to explore what service means to him and the responsibilities that elected officials have to individuals who sign up for military service. But first, Ken talks to Becky Margiotta, a veteran of an elite special operations unit and founder of the social advocacy group The Billions Institute. Ken talks to Becky Margiotta about the importance of inclusivity in service.

This week, Ken Harbaugh sits down with two people who have had to reckon with both the historical and personal implications of patriotism. His first guest, Mike Washington, has had to make sense of his patriotism as both a veteran and as a father who lost his son to the war in Afghanistan. Then, he talks to retired four-star General Stanley McChrystal about reckoning with the impact of both his decisions and the missions he was assigned while leading US and international forces in Afghanistan.

In the second episode of Reclaiming Patriotism Ken Harbaugh reflects on the role of dissent in our understanding of patriotism. Ken talks to Representative Barbara Lee who was the sole vote against the Authorization for Use of Military Force after the attacks on September 11th. Together they reflect on her decision and the courage that it took to be the only opposing vote. But first, Ken sits down with Congressman Max Rose to talk about the lessons he took away from dissenters that came before him while serving in both the military and Congress.

For July's Crooked Mini series "Reclaiming Patriotism", former Navy pilot and Congressional candidate Ken Harbaugh will be sitting down with a range of guests to discuss what patriotism means in the United States in 2019. In the first episode, Ken is joined by Jon Favreau who discusses his own sense of patriotism and how he saw Obama's love of country questioned during his time as president. Then, Senator Tammy Duckworth shares how patriotism informed her experiences serving in the military and in both the US House of Representatives and the Senate.

In the fourth and final episode of Pride on Screen we break down how the media depicts trans folx. Tre’vell Anderson is first joined by Nick Adams, GLAAD’s director of Transgender Representation. Nick provides fascinating updates of the numbers of trans men and women we see on screen today and why that matters. Then, writer Shar Jossell and producer Zackary Drucker sit down with Tre’vell and they get into the impact of movies like Boys Don't Cry and shows from Transparent to Pose.

For the third installment of June's Pride on Screen series Tre’vell Anderson is joined by writer Clarkeisha Kent and Derrick Lemos, host of the podcast Mansplain Yourself. They share the characters in film and TV that have brought nuance to Bi+ representation. They also discuss the ways the media contributes to bisexual erasure and what Pride means to them.  

As part of June’s Pride on Screen series Tre’vell Anderson is sitting down with some of the great minds in the LGBTQ+ community to talk about iconic moments in film and TV that changed the course of representation on screen. This week, we talk lesbian visibility with Trish Bendix of Into magazine and Karen Tongson, a professor of gender and sexuality studies at USC, who discuss the characters and scenes that impacted their lives and what they hope to see in the future.

Tre’vell Anderson, Director of Culture and Entertainment for Out Magazine, kicks off the first episode in a new series looking back at notable LGBTQ+ moments in film and television.Tre'vell is first joined by Jon Lovett. They discuss a moment in television that impacted Jon's life and imagine what a more inclusive future could look like. Then, Tre'vell is joined by legendary actor Darryl Stephens and Jeffrey Masters, host of the podcast LGBTQ&A, to take a look at gay men on screen and discuss how these representations have impacted them, and us, in real life.

June's series, "Pride on Screen", hosted by Tre’vell Anderson, director of culture and entertainment at Out Magazine, launches Wednesday, 6/5. Crooked Minis takes a step back from the chaotic breaking news to offer a new series every month that explores an issue or event that reflects cultural, political, or societal changes in America and need more than a 10-minute conversation and a split-second news cycle to unpack. 

In the last episode of On The Brink, Julissa is joined by Sayu Bhojwani, Founder and President of New American Leaders. New American Leaders works to build the power and potential of first and second generation Americans to run for office. They discuss the importance of immigrants to American democracy and what the “For the People Act” or H.R.1 could do to address systemic barriers to voting.  

As part of her ongoing series for Women’s History Month, Julissa Arce talks to Stephanie Hammerman. Hammerman is the owner of Hammer Driven Fitness, a functional fitness-focused gym. They talk about how best to demystify the myths surrounding Cerebral Palsy and how Hammerman has adapted to her life since having been born with CP. She talks about her fitness journey and what inspires her.

 Julissa Arce sits down with Amanda Nguyen to discuss her work with Rise, a non-profit fighting for the civil rights of sexual assault survivors. Amanda shares how the organization has helped pass 20 laws and what it means to her to be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. 

 To celebrate Women’s History Month, Crooked contributor Julissa Arce is sitting down with women on the brink of making history. This week she is joined by Maya Rupert. Rupert is only the 3rd black woman to run a presidential campaign, and if successful she would help elect the first Latino President of the United States. They discuss her career path and what she hopes to inspire in others.  

Jon Favreau talks to Alyssa Mastromonaco about her new book “So Here’s The Thing…“, a book of reflections, essays and interviews on everything from politics and career to motherhood, sisterhood and making relationships in the age of social media. Alyssa then reads a chapter from the book which you can pre-order now!

This week Rabbi Brous, senior rabbi at IKAR, is joined by Eric Ward, the Executive Director of Western States Center, to discuss the rise of antisemitism and its ties to white nationalism.

Winter Minisee sits down with Louis Carr, President of Media Sales for BET Networks, to discuss what inspired him to work in the world of media and advertising and what the future of BET looks like within the changing media landscape.

This week, Julissa Arce discusses the detention of Atlanta rapper 21 Savage. She is joined first by immigration activist Astrid Silva who breaks down the recent developments in the case. Then, Julissa sits down with Jonathan Jayes-Green, co-founder and director of Undocublack, to discuss what the media got wrong reporting on the case, as well as Jonathan’s own experience living at the intersection of being black and undocumented in the United States. Read more about this issue in a piece by Julissa at Crooked.com

Kiran Deol, co-host of Crooked’s Hysteria, talks to documentary filmmaker Kim Reed about the making of the Oscar short-listed film Dark Money, a political thriller which explores the impact of the Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling and the influence of untraceable corporate money on our elections.

Julissa Arce is joined by Jazmín Morales, a classical musician based in Los Angeles who runs the Fortissima fellowship for young female musicians of color. Together they discuss the lack of diversity currently found in fine arts and the classical music world, what is being done to challenge that and what it means to have role models that look like you.

Mayor Michael Tubbs is joined by Matt Haney, Supervisor-Elect to San Francisco’s 6th District, to discuss Haney's decision to run for office, his work as a San Francisco Unified School Board member, and what it means to enact change on a local level.

In a two-part conversation, Julissa Arce is first joined by Jin Park. Park is a recent Harvard graduate and a DACA recipient, the first undocumented student to win the Rhodes Scholarship. They discuss their shared experience of being undocumented in America and what it means for Park if he accepts the invitation to study at Oxford. Julissa is then joined by Kamal Essaheb, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the National Immigration Law Center. They discuss the current DACA battle in the courts and what can be done to challenge Trump on immigration.

Priyanka Aribindi is joined by Tommy Vietor, Crooked Media founder and former Obama National Security Council Spokesman, to discuss how a campaign really works, what it was like to work on President Obama’s senate and presidential campaigns, and how to turn 2020 into your full-time gig.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) explains why Democrats lose winnable fights with Republicans and what steps they should take to turn things around—the topic of his new essay for Crooked.com.

DeRay Mckesson, activist and host of Pod Save the People, sits down with Ari Berman, senior reporter for Mother Jones and author of Give Us The Ballot, to discuss midterm results, where the country currently stands as it pertains to voting rights and what can be done to change it.

Winter Minisee sits down with TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie to discuss a recent initiative by the company to send over 700,000 postcards to representatives in Washington DC urging them to support universal background checks to help eradicate gun violence. The company also pledged $5 million to organizations across the country committed to the issue. Winter and Blake discuss what motivated him to get his business involved and how to shift the dialogue in the country around gun ownership and gun violence.

Julissa Arce is joined by D. Watkins, activist, professor and Editor at Large for Salon, to discuss how civil rights have shifted over time and more recently since President Trump and his administration took office.

Winter Minisee sits down with artist and activist Cleo Barnett of the We The People Campaign and Amplifier to talk about how she uses art to shift public policy and the art that has moved her to take action.

Julissa Arce is joined by Nadya Okamoto, author of the book Period Power, to discuss stigmatization around menstruation and the various ways in which policies surrounding access to tampons & pads could help change the ways women and those who menstruate navigate through the world.

Michael Tubbs joins Symone Sanders to discuss his plan to implement a universal basic income as mayor of Stockton, California. They also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being elected mayor at age 27. 

Priyanka Aribindi interviews Danny Meyer, the CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group (Shake Shack, Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, Maialino, and more), and the author of “Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business,” to discuss hospitality and service—what his restaurants have become known worldwide for—and what politicians and campaigns can learn from his principles to win over voters.

Activist Winter Minisee is joined by Bozoma Saint John, Chief Marketing Officer at Endeavor, to discuss how she's been able to balance her interest in social justice with the mission of the companies she's worked for from Uber to Apple Music. 

Brian Beutler speaks to five inmates at San Quentin State Prison about why they and prisoners across the country are forbidden from voting, what the right to vote means to them, and what it should mean to the rest of us. Read their personal essays and learn more at votesaveamerica.com/restorethevote

In the last episode of their special series, Julissa Arce and Grace Parra discuss what it means to be nearing majority status but not hold majority power. They sit down to talk to Ana Valdez from the Latino Donor Collaborative to discuss the economic power of Latinos in the US. Then Julissa talks to Diane Guerrero from Orange Is The New Black to discuss how important it is Latinos get out and vote in November. Don't forget to go to votesaveamerica.com right now, you can pledge to vote and get involved in campaigns going on in your community!

Contributors Julissa Arce and Grace Parra explore the role of Latinos in media and entertainment. Then they're joined by prolific journalist Jorge Ramos to discuss his reporting and what he believes is the social responsibility of journalists.

Contributors Julissa Arce and Grace Parra explore the Latinx contribution to civil rights in the United States in this special series for Crooked Conversations. They're joined by one of the leaders of the 1968 East LA school walkouts Moctesuma Esparza, as well as LGBTQ+ youth activist Grace Dolan-Sandrino.

In a special series for Crooked Conversations, contributors Julissa Arce and Grace Parra explore and celebrate the Latinx experience in the United States in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. In the first of four conversations, the hosts discuss the history of Latinos in the US and talk to Columbia University professor Ed Morales about the words that Latin-Americans use to define themselves. Then they are joined by spoken word artist Danyeli Rodriguez Del Orbe who shares her experience growing up Afro-Dominican in New York.

Jon Lovett talks to host of Pod Save the People DeRay Mckesson about the lessons he's learned from protesting and what gives him hope today. Then we hear an audiobook excerpt from his new book “On the Other Side of Freedom” narrated by DeRay.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Crooked Media’s Editor in Chief Brian Beutler discuss two important new bills she has just introduced: One to save American politics from corruption, and one to save American capitalism from itself.

Our newest Crooked Contributor Winter BreeAnne interviews former President of Planned Parenthood Cecile Richards about how young people can help the fight for reproductive rights, what the Brett Kavanaugh nomination means and how her upbringing in a political home influenced her growing up.

Ben Rhodes talks to Pod Save America co-host and former U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Tommy Vietor about what the media gets wrong about Benghazi, how that moment led to Trump as president, and what it’s like "running" the Deep State.

Ben Rhodes talks to former spokesperson for the United States National Security Council Bernadette Meehan about the diplomacy efforts that went into repairing the U.S. - Cuba relationship and why it was such a big deal when Obama visited.

Ben Rhodes chats with Former White House Communications Director Jen Psaki about what they knew about Russian interference in 2016 and the impact it’s having around the world, as part of his series “The World As It Is” for Crooked Conversations.

In a special series for Crooked Conversations, Ben Rhodes takes a deeper dive into some of the issues and themes that he deals with in his memoir "The World As It Is" about his 10 years working as Deputy National Security Adviser to President Obama. In the first of these conversations, Ben talks to Jon Favreau and Cody Keenan about what it was like to write speeches for a president who already had a strong voice.

Julissa Arce is joined by UCLA Law professor Hiroshi Motomura to discuss the origins of ICE, the role it plays in government and whether the movement to abolish ICE is possible. You can read more of Motomura's work in Americans in Waiting and Immigration Outside the Law.

Crooked Contributor Symone Sanders talks to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand about how postal banks can protect people from predatory lenders, what the Supreme Court Justice decision will mean for maternal health and what the immigration detention centers at the border are like. 

A conversation between host of Majority 54 Jason Kander and Richard Trumka, the president of AFL-CIO, about the importance of unions and how collective action has increased over the past couple years to help working people.​

Julissa Arce is joined by poet and activist Yosimar Reyes to discuss what it means to be undocumented and American on the 4th of July.

Pod Save the People host DeRay Mckesson talks to Oregon Representative Jennifer Williamson about non-unanimous jury verdicts and what’s flawed in our judicial system.

Crooked Contributor Julissa Arce talks to National Geographic photographer Cristina Mittermeier about the role of art in conservation.

Pod Save America co-host Dan Pfeiffer reads an excerpt of his new book "Yes, We (Still) Can: Politics in the Age of Obama, Twitter, and Trump" out on June 19th and chats with Jon Lovett about the writing process and his favorite moments in the White House.

Crooked.com Editor in Chief Brian Beutler talks to Harvard Professor Laurence Tribe, co-author of To End a Presidency about constitutional law, the history of impeachment, and whether Republicans have made themselves immune from it.

Jon Lovett talks to Adam Grant, a behavioral psychologist and host of the podcast WorkLife from TED, about how psychology can help us fight groupthink, reach voters, and get politicians to actually agree on policy. 

Crooked Contributor Julissa Arce talks to founder of IssueVoter Maria Yuan and co-creator of the Occupy Wall Street protests Micah White about what constituents can do after protests to make lasting change.

Crooked Contributor Symone Sanders talks to Harvard’s Director of Polling John Della Volpe and Student Chair Teddy Landis about what the polls tell us about voter participation, gun reform, #metoo, immigration and other key issues.

Crooked Contributor Erin Ryan talks to Betsy West and Julie Cohen, co-directors of RBG, a new documentary that profiles the life of the great Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg.​

Host of Pod Save The People DeRay Mckesson talks to Robin Thede, host of The Rundown on BET, about how late-night has changed since Trump became president.​

Crooked Contributor Symone Sanders talks to Guy Cecil, chairman of Priorities USA, about how Democratic super pacs are investing in digital ads and pulling out of TV, as well as what this means for the midterms in advance of 2020.

Pod Save America co-host Jon Favreau talks to Andy Slavitt, the board chairman of the United States of Care, and Adam Gaffney, an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School and secretary of the advocacy organization Physicians for a National Health Program about what it will take to get medicare for all and what factors need to be considered to get to single payer.​

A conversation between Crooked Contributor Erin Ryan and Dr. Caroline Weinberg about organizing the March for Science and what the threats to science actually are. 

A conversation between Crooked Contributor Symone Sanders and actor and activist Tony Goldwyn about gerrymandering and the importance of state legislatures.

Jon Lovett talks with Steven Pinker about the role of honest argument in our politics and what his new book “Enlightenment Now” can tell us about Trump.

A conversation between host of Pod Save The People DeRay Mckesson and Michael Smith, Executive Director of My Brother's Keeper about how they address persistent opportunity gaps facing boys and young men of color.

A conversation between Women's March Youth activist Winter Minisee and Crooked Contributor Julissa Arce about how Generation Z plans to stop school shootings.

Jon Favreau talks to former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power and legal scholar and editor of the new book "Can It Happen Here?" Cass Sunstein about whether or not authoritarianism can happen in the United States. 

A conversation between host of Pod Save the People DeRay Mckesson and writer Ari Berman about how the GOP is rigging elections through gerrymandering, voter ID laws and dark money.

A conversation between Crooked.com Editor in Chief Brian Beutler and civil rights leader Vanita Gupta about the civil rights movement’s resistance to the Trump administration and the threats Trump poses to the rule of law in America.

A conversation between Crooked Contributor Julissa Arce and Representatives Pete Aguilar (D-CA) and Will Hurd (R-TX) about bipartisanship in the debate over immigration reform and a look at their bipartisan bill "Uniting and Securing America Act."

A conversation between FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel and Crooked Contributor Symone Sanders about the Sinclair-Tribune deal and media mergers. Plus, a check in on what's going on with net neutrality! 

A conversation between former president of Mexico Vicente Fox and Crooked Contributor Julissa Arce about building a wall, voting Trump out and the U.S.' standing in the word. 

A conversation between host of With Friends Like These Ana Marie Cox and ABC News' Dan Harris about his book "10% Happier" and finding peace through meditation.

A conversation between Thijs Roes, a drug policy journalist in Amsterdam, and Pod Save America co-hosts Jon Favreau, Tommy Vietor and Jon Lovett about how The Netherlands dealt with its drug problem. 

A conversation between Pod Save the People's DeRay Mckesson and former Secretary of Education John King about the challenges our school systems face, and what to pay attention to in education in 2018. 

A conversation between Crooked contributors Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco about #MeToo and how to move forward in 2018. Plus, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand on the accusations against President Trump and calling for accountability in the White House.

A conversation between Ana Marie Cox and Reza Aslan, author of "God: A Human History," about how religion has changed over the years to reflect society. 

Crooked contributor, Symone D. Sanders talks to FCC commissioner Mignon Clyburn about net neutrality and what the recent vote to repeal it means for a fair and open internet.

A conversation between Gabe Sherman, author of "The Loudest Voice In The Room," and Tommy Vietor of Pod Save America and Pod Save The World about the rise of Roger Ailes and how Fox News has influenced American politics. 

Crooked contributor and former employee of Goldman Sachs Julissa Arce talks to host and creator of The Young Turks Cenk Uygur about Wall Street, regulation and money in politics. 

A conversation between Crooked.com Editor in Chief Brian Beutler and former U.S. Solicitor General Don Verrilli about the courts and the administration of justice in the eras of Barack Obama and Donald Trump. 

A conversation between Stephanie Shriock of Emily’s List, Erin Loos Cutraro of She Should Run and Crooked Contributor Erin Ryan about the groundswell of women running for public office in the wake of the 2016 election.

A conversation between Jane Mayer, author of "Dark Money" and Tommy Vietor of Pod Save America and Pod Save The World about the billionaires funding the rise of the radical right. 

A conversation between Pod Save America's Dan Pfeiffer and New York Times Magazine's Mark Leibovich about the political environment surrounding the NFL. 

A conversation between Pod Save the People's DeRay Mckesson and New York Times Magazine's Emily Bazelon about criminal justice and the role of prosecutors.

A conversation between Karuna Jaggar of Breast Cancer Action and Crooked Contributor Erin Ryan about the corporatization of breast cancer awareness.

A conversation with CNN alum Jessica Yellin, Snapchat’s Peter Hamby, and Jon Favreau about the media coverage of the 2016 election.

With a rotating crew of your favorite Crooked Media hosts, contributors, and special guests, Crooked Conversations brings Pod Save America's no-b.s., conversational style to topics in politics, media, culture, sports, and technology that aren’t making headlines but still have a major impact on our world.