

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

Aug 26, 2025 • 1h 14min
Spirit Beyond Survival
Trump admin’s sweeping review of 55 million visas, the alarming rise in millennial deaths, Lil Nas X and the psychosis of celebrity, Sister Gertrude Morgan’s transition from artist to spiritual leader. NewsTrump administration reviewing all 55 million people with U.S. visas for potential deportable violationsMillennials are dying at an alarming rate. We have a few ideas as to why.Sister Gertrude Morgan showed art at early NOLA Jazz Fest Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.

Aug 19, 2025 • 1h 47min
Black Genius in a World on Fire w/ Tre Johnson
National Guard troops flood D.C., DOJ worker fired for sandwich assault on CBP officer, Burkina Faso’s military junta moves to criminalize homosexuality., and L.A. endures a traumatic summer of wildfire recovery, ICE raids, and protests. Myles and Sharhonda sit down with Tre Johnson, author of Black Genius: Essays on an American Legacy. NewsThe @washingtonpost tracked where Trump's forces are patrolling in Washington. Spoiler alert: They're not where the crime is.Wildfire Fighters, Unmasked in Toxic Smoke, Are Getting Sick and DyingBurkina Faso's military junta to ban homosexual acts Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.

Aug 12, 2025 • 1h 1min
America's Golden Ticket To Nowhere
Apple’s Tim Cook delivers a golden box of nothing to the White House, Ice Cube defends his role advising Trump on a plan for Black Americans, WNBA games see a bizarre crypto-linked sex toy stunt, and grandmas run a summer camp serving up cooking skills and life lessons. News Ice Cube defends advising Trump on plan for Black AmericansWNBA sex toy incidents may be linked to cryptocurrency group’s money schemeAt this summer camp run by grandmas, kids learn cooking skills and life advice Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.

Aug 5, 2025 • 54min
The Math Ain't Mathing
Trump fires head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics over poor jobs report, a new tactic weaponizes state systems to crush opponents' credit, and a new spotlight shines on self-taught artist Bill Traylor. NewsWATCH: ‘I think their numbers were wrong,’ Trump says after firing BLS head over jobs reportHow people are weaponing state systems: ‘We file liens that crush their credit’The Utterly Original Bill Traylor Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.

Jul 29, 2025 • 54min
Epstein Files, ICE Control, Truth Revealed
Trump named in Epstein files, ICE expands GPS ankle monitoring for immigrants, L.A. prosecutor struggles to land protest-related indictments, and a long-overlooked Black tech pioneer finally gets his due. NewsICE moves to shackle some 180,000 immigrants with GPS ankle monitorsTrump’s top federal prosecutor in L.A. struggles to secure indictments in protest casesAnother Hidden Figure: The Black Man Behind the Computer Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.

Jul 22, 2025 • 57min
No Strings Attached
Beto O’Rourke suggests Democrats should combat redistricting challenges with aggression. Trump’s release of school grants comes with strings attached, leaving funds largely tied up. The preservation of Zora Neale Hurston’s final home offers a glimpse into cultural legacy efforts. Discussions touch on grassroots activism against ICE, the infiltration of white supremacy in institutions, and corporate ethics amid scandals. The podcast delves into mental health access and the impact of conservative media narratives on public perception and political engagement.

Jul 15, 2025 • 1h 50min
Dreaming Beyond the Now w/ Saul Williams & Anisia Uzeyman
Trump faces backlash from MAGA base, UnitedHealth works to silence critics, Mississippi water crisis continues, and the life and legacy of Jewel Thais-Williams. Myles interviews Saul Williams and co-director Anisia Uzeyman about their film Neptune Frost, now streaming on AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange. NewsTrump faces a revolt from his MAGA base over the Epstein filesUnitedHealth’s Campaign to Quiet Critics Jewel Thais-Williams, founder of Jewel's Catch One, dies at 86 The Ugly Politics of Jackson, Mississippi’s Ongoing Water Crisis Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.

Jul 8, 2025 • 1h 38min
Leadership as Resistance w/ AG Andrea Joy Campbell
A deceptive “beautiful” bill conceals dangerous policy, Trump administration withholds billions in school funding, Essence Fest faces accusations of cultural erasure, and former politician Rick Perry finds purpose in psychedelics. DeRay interviews Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell on justice, leadership, and protecting communities under threat. News10 Egregious Things You May Not Know About the One Big Beautiful Bill ActTrump administration withholds billions in school grants for critical programsIs Black American Heritage being pushed out of Essence Fest?Rick Perry: I’m dedicating my life to fighting for a psychedelic drug Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.

Jun 24, 2025 • 1h 32min
Division by Design w/ Deborah N. Archer
Trump orders US bombing of Iran nuclear sites, ICE impersonations surge amid immigration crackdowns, young men emerge as a swing vote to watch, and Tyler Perry hit with a $260 million sexual-assault and harassment lawsuit. DeRay interviews Deborah N. Archer about her new book Dividing Lines: How Transportation Infrastructure Reinforces Racial Inequality. NewsTrump Claims Success After Bombing Key Iran Nuclear SitesWhy Young Men Voters May Be More Likely To Swing BackICE officer impersonations spike in wake of immigration crackdownWhat to Know About Tyler Perry’s $260 Million Lawsuit Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.

Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 5min
Less Warfare, More Welfare w/ Brad Lander
Democratic lawmakers attacked in Minnesota, tensions rise between Iran and Israel, SNAP work requirements threaten food access, tech bros’ bizarre transition to the military, and a reflection on the legacy of Living Single. DeRay interviews NYC Comptroller Brad Lander about his mayoral candidacy. NewsWorsening SNAP’s Harsh Work Requirement Would Take Food Assistance Away From Millions of Low-Income PeopleI’m the CTO of Palantir. Today I Join the Army. Erika Alexander and Kim Coles on ReLiving Single: Why Black Women’s Stories Still Matter Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.