

Pod Save the People
Crooked Media
On Pod Save The People, host DeRay Mckesson explores social justice, culture, politics – and the various ways they all collide – with cohosts Myles E. Johnson and Sharhonda Bossier.
Each Tuesday, the crew digs into the current events driving the political discourse – bringing cultural context, actionable insights, and a hot take or two – to help empower listeners to engage as thoughtful members of their communities…and their group chats.
Alongside special guests, the show uplifts overlooked news stories that impact people of color and amplifies underrepresented voices who are working to create meaningful change.
Each Tuesday, the crew digs into the current events driving the political discourse – bringing cultural context, actionable insights, and a hot take or two – to help empower listeners to engage as thoughtful members of their communities…and their group chats.
Alongside special guests, the show uplifts overlooked news stories that impact people of color and amplifies underrepresented voices who are working to create meaningful change.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 18, 2025 • 1h 27min
The American Tragedy w/ Brandon Terry
Trump grows increasingly agitated as Epstein files inch toward public release, Marjorie Taylor Greene becomes the latest Republican to wobble on loyalty, and new visa data shows some foreigners being denied entry to the U.S. for… being obese?? Meanwhile, a new AI study finds large language models occasionally breaking bad, Democrats gear up for insurgent primaries over the shutdown betrayal, and New York restaurants are outsourcing cashiers to the Philippines to dodge fair-wage standards. DeRay interviews author and Harvard professor Brandon Terry about his book Shattered Dreams, Infinite Hope: A Tragic Vision of the Civil Rights Movement. NewsThe Fried Chicken Is in New York. The Cashier Is in the Philippines.Why AI Breaks BadDemocratic Insurgents Are Ready to Run on Shutdown Betrayal Follow @PodSavethePeople on Instagram. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 11, 2025 • 1h 17min
The Cost of Survival w/ Brian Goldstone
Government shutdown chaos deepens as hosts debate the fate of the 'Blue Wave', the DOJ targets judges with immigrant defense backgrounds, LAPD ignores City budget hiring more officers than it can afford, and Outkast finally gets their flowers at the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. DeRay interviews journalist Brian Goldstone about his new book There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America. NewsThe LAPD is hiring more officers than it can pay forFired judges more likely to have a past in immigrant defenseOutkast Honored at 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 4, 2025 • 1h 34min
The Alabama Solution & The Fiction of Fair Consequence
A wave of layoffs hit Corporate America as the federal shutdown drags on, a drug bribery sting in Mississippi exposes 14 police officers among the 20 arrested, Trump’s White House denounces a Drexciya-inspired Smithsonian exhibit, and new research shows foodborne UTIs disproportionately impact low-income communities. DeRay interviews the team behind the new HBO Max documentary The Alabama Solution: directors Andrew Jarecki & Charlotte Kaufman, and producer Beth Shelburne. NewsFourteen police officers among 20 arrested in Mississippi drug bribery stingTrump's White House denounces Drexciya-inspired Smithsonian exhibitUrinary tract infections linked to contaminated meat in new studyKnow Your Rights - Immigration Resources Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 28, 2025 • 56min
Between Hope and Rage
Millions brace for food stamp losses as the federal shutdown drags on, Steve Bannon pushes Trump’s fantasy of a 2028 presidency, Eric Adams calls Andrew Cuomo 'snake and a liar' then endorses him for NYC Mayor, George Santos pens jailhouse blog ahead of pardon, the NBA faces a Mafia-backed betting scandal, and Angela Rye/Joe Budden conflict sparks debate over “elitism” in Black media. NewsSantos From Behind Bars: Solitary Confinement Millions may lose SNAP food stamp benefits if shutdown continuesNBA head coach and player charged in sprawling sports betting and Mafia-backed poker schemes Food Assistance ResourcesFind your local food bank.Find your local community fridge.Find your local food pantry. Follow @PodSavethePeople on Instagram. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 21, 2025 • 1h 11min
When Power Pulls the Plug
Candace Owens barred from entry into several countries, Gavin Newsom caught slipping by Van Lathan and reparations leaders, while videos of Charlie Kirk’s murder remain online by design. PSTP hosts debate on mass movements in America and honor the life and legacy of Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a Stonewall veteran and legendary trans activist. NewsMiss Major Griffin-Gracy, Stonewall Veteran and Legendary Trans Activist, Has Died at 78Candace Owens denied visa to Australia by country’s highest courtVideos of Charlie Kirk’s Murder Are Still on Social Media. That’s No Accident.Reparations leaders ‘deeply disappointed’ as Newsom vetoes university billAmerica Needs a Mass Movement — Now Follow @PodSavethePeople on Instagram. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 14, 2025 • 1h 31min
Democracy for Sale w/ LaShawn Harris
It’s chaos, capitalism, and counterprogramming this week: Katie Porter’s office implodes, Turning Point USA takes its culture wars to the Super Bowl, a billion-dollar political betting platform blurs the line between democracy and data, and a Philly creative turns her home into resistance art. DeRay interviews LaShawn Harris, author of Tell Her Story: Eleanor Bumpurs & the Police Killing That Galvanized New York City. NewsTurning Point USA, group founded by Charlie Kirk, announces Super Bowl halftime counter programmingFirst she turned her Philly living room into a record store. Then it became an art installation at DesignPhiladelphia.He upended political polling by creating the billion-dollar betting platform Polymarket. But is it legal? Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 7, 2025 • 1h 7min
With Liberty & Justice for Some
From ICE terrorizing Chicago to Apple deleting ICE-tracking apps under Trump pressure, the saga continues. The Root boasts new Black ownership, Ezra Klein and Ta-Nehisi Coates debate Charlie Kirk’s legacy, Georgia’s Supreme Court sides with Black landowners, and Bari Weiss brings “free speech” to CBS News. NewsBari Weiss named editor-in-chief of CBS News as Paramount acquires The Free PressAfrica Launches Its Own Internet System, Breaking Free from Western ControlGeorgia Supreme Court backs Black landowners in zoning fightApple Takes Down ICE Tracking Apps in Response to Trump Pressure Campaign Follow @PodSavethePeople on Instagram. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 30, 2025 • 1h 5min
Nothing to Lose (But Our Chains)
U.S. officials cover up a “secret cemetery” of 230 Black boys, Trump to attend a gathering of top generals, Solange Knowles launches a free radical library, and the legacy of Assata Shakur takes center stage while Kamala Harris hits the book-tour circuit to mixed reviews. News230 dead Black boys. A 'secret cemetery. Officials knew, and didn't act.Assata Shakur, a fugitive Black militant sought by the U.S. since 1979, dies in CubaTrump to attend gathering of top generals, upending last-minute plansSolange Knowles is launching a free radical library.Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 23, 2025 • 1h 1min
Resisting Erasure
Jimmy Kimmel’s show gets the axe then reinstated, AOC eyes her next big political move, Trump’s Education Department pushes white-washed civics lessons, the U.S. strikes an alleged Venezuelan drug vessel, and Kansas City community fights to rescue a Black book archive. NewsTrump Ed Dept. Partners With Right-Groups to Spread White-Washed Civics Lessons in ‘Schools Across the Nation’Trump says US struck another alleged Venezuelan drug vessel, killing threeCommunity wants to save 20,000 books after Black bookstore shuts down Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 16, 2025 • 1h 32min
Survival of the Schooling w/ Dr. John B. King, Jr.
Trump ally Charlie Kirk shot dead on a Utah campus, Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro gets 27 years for his coup dreams, and Utah makes headlines again with the launch of a new Black-owned bank. Kaya Henderson interviews Dr. John B. King, Jr., Chancellor of the State University of New York and former U.S. Secretary of Education (Obama Administration), about his new book Teacher by Teacher: The People Who Change Our Lives. NewsCharlie Kirk in his own words: ‘prowling Blacks’ and ‘the great replacement strategy’In Utah, here’s what a new Black-owned bank will offer customersBolsonaro Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison for Plotting Coup in Brazil Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.


