Buffy, Bad Bills, and Burning Questions with Stacey Abrams

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Jul 24, 2025

Stacey Abrams dives into a listener mailbag, tackling everything from MAGA controversies to Trump's policies. She embraces her nerdy side with passionate discussions on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Star Trek. The conversation shifts to the importance of civic responsibilities and community empowerment in politics. Nostalgic reflections on favorite books and shows add a fun twist, while heartfelt talks about education and youth advocacy stir up a call to action for future leaders. Join this blend of pop culture and critical civic dialogues!

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INSIGHT

Sovereign Immunity Limits Lawsuits

Legislators generally have sovereign immunity preventing lawsuits for violating their oath of office.
Voting remains one of the few ways citizens can hold elected officials accountable.

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ADVICE

Combat Voter ID Suppression

Stay informed and vigilant about voter ID laws that can suppress women's votes by enforcing strict name-matching rules.
Don't be afraid; use knowledge as power to combat attempts to disenfranchise voters.

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ANECDOTE

Deportation Disrupts Property Rights

An 82-year-old man was deported without his belongings or due process while replacing his green card.
Property of deported immigrants often ends up unprotected and neglected, highlighting systemic cruelty.

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Engaging with Civic Responsibilities

02:50 • 18min

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Building Community for Political Empowerment

21:01 • 8min

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Entertainment Explorations

28:44 • 16min

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Exploring Supernatural Creativity

45:10 • 10min

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Empowering the Next Generation

54:46 • 7min

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Empowerment through Advocacy and Civic Engagement

How to Tame a Wild Tongue

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What's Bred in the Bone

Robertson Davies

'What's Bred in the Bone' by Robertson Davies is a captivating novel that explores the life of Francis Cornish, an art expert and collector. The story delves into Francis's mysterious past, revealing the formative experiences and influences that shaped his character and destiny. Through a blend of mythology, psychology, and art history, Davies examines themes of identity, fate, and the power of the imagination. The narrative is enriched by vivid imagery, eccentric characters, and philosophical reflections, making it a profound and engaging literary experience. The book shows how early life events can affect one's destiny.

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Honest Illusions

Nora Roberts

'Honest Illusions' by Nora Roberts is a captivating novel centered around the lives of a family of illusionists. The story revolves around Roxanne, the adopted daughter of a renowned magician, who possesses her own unique talents. As Roxanne navigates her complex family dynamics, she becomes entangled in a web of mystery and danger. The narrative beautifully blends romance, suspense, and intrigue as Roxanne uncovers long-held secrets and confronts a formidable adversary. The book explores themes of family loyalty, personal growth, and the power of illusion.

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The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

Haruki Murakami

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle follows Toru Okada, an ordinary man living in Tokyo, whose life is disrupted when his cat goes missing and his wife, Kumiko, disappears after confessing to an affair. As Toru searches for his wife, he encounters a variety of eccentric characters, including psychic sisters, a teenage girl, and a veteran of World War II. The novel blends magical realism with intricate storytelling, exploring themes of alienation, loneliness, and the blurring of reality and illusion. Through Toru's journey, Murakami addresses historical trauma, personal cruelty, and the pain of being human, creating a complex and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition.

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Happy Place

Emily Henry

In 'Happy Place', Harriet and Wyn, a recently un-engaged couple, pretend to be together during their annual summer trip to Maine. As they confront their past and present, they discover new passions and face personal struggles, leading to a journey of self-growth and reevaluation of their relationship. The story explores themes of love, loss, and finding happiness in life's choices and relationships.

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The Age of Grievance

Frank Bruni

In 'The Age of Grievance,' Frank Bruni explores the pervasive culture of grievance in American politics and society. He argues that while grievance has historically driven morally urgent change, its current manifestation is detrimental, fostering divisiveness, victimhood, and a lack of civility. Bruni examines how both the left and the right contribute to this culture, citing examples such as the storming of the US Capitol, the spread of conspiracy theories, and the erosion of common ground in higher education. He offers a call for humility, kindness, and openness as potential antidotes to this grievance overload, providing a hopeful and insightful perspective on how to redeem and heal American society.

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• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Stacey Speaks Up

Stacey Abrams

Kitt Thomas

In this picture book, Stacey and her friends are excited for 'TacoPizza FryDay' at school, but Stacey discovers that some classmates can't afford to eat lunch. Inspired by her community, Stacey devises a plan to make their voices heard and advocate for a policy change to ensure all students can eat. The story highlights the importance of collective action and the power of individual voices in creating positive change.

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The Phantom Tollbooth

Butch Patrick

In this novel, Milo, a bored and apathetic boy, finds a mysterious tollbooth in his room. He drives through it in his toy car and enters the Kingdom of Wisdom, where he embarks on a journey filled with curious characters and peculiar places. Along the way, Milo learns valuable lessons about the importance of thinking, learning, and appreciating the world around him. His adventures ultimately transform him from an unthinking and compliant boy to a young adult with greater consciousness and a firmer sense of self.

#23915

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

The intuitionist

Colson Whitehead

The Intuitionist is a 1999 novel by Colson Whitehead, set in a city reminiscent of New York. It follows Lila Mae Watson, the first black female elevator inspector, as she navigates a world divided between the Empiricists and the Intuitionists. The story delves into themes of race, politics, and technological advancement, particularly through the concept of the 'black box', a revolutionary elevator design. The novel is praised for its unique blend of noir storytelling and social commentary.

In the very first edition of Assembly Required’s listener mailbag, Stacey Abrams tackles your wide-ranging, urgent questions—from politics to pop culture. She dives into MAGA’s Epstein-fueled outrage, breaks down Trump’s mega-bill, and fully embraces her inner nerd with takes on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Star Trek, her all-time favorite romance novels, and much more!

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 & Do More:

Crooked’s Vote Save America is running a pilot program for the 2026 cycle to recruit you, our listeners, to run for office. Whether it’s school board, city council, state legislature, or anything in between, VSA’s in-state partners have identified the races that need candidates and are ready to help you run for office. Learn more about the program and sign up at votesaveamerica.com/run.

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