

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

Oct 8, 2024 • 1h 31min
Schools, Supreme Court, and Stylistics
Elite college students struggle with literacy, U.S. Supreme Court kicks off a new term, Mississippi voter suppression, and Israel marks one year since Oct. 7 Hamas attack. Myles interviews Herb Murrell of the Stylistics about their October 11th return to Carnegie Hall.NewsThe Elite College Students Who Can’t Read BooksCall her Daddy Podcast with VP Kamala Harris‘Voting feels like a battle’: In Mississippi, a group of Black women is reimagining voter turnoutSix Former Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Sentenced for Torturing and Abusing Two Black MenTa-Nehisi Coates Defends Palestinian Voices After CBS Correspondent Labels Him An ‘Extremist’The Supreme Court's new term starts this week. Here's what to know and the cases to watch. Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.

Oct 1, 2024 • 49min
Guilty or Innocent?
New York City Council decriminalizes jaywalking, Black New Orleanians reclaim historical beach, and Questlove to direct documentary on Earth, Wind, and Fire.NewsNYC Mayor Eric Adams indicted on 5 federal public corruption charges, including bribery and wire fraudModified ‘Jaywalking’ Repeal Passes CouncilIn New Orleans, a ‘Black Beach’ Is Being Rescued From the RuinsQuestlove To Direct Earth, Wind & Fire Documentary Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.

Sep 24, 2024 • 1h 33min
Jessica Pishko On Unchecked Power
Bodies of the poor leased for cash without family consent, independent grocery stores suffer under inflation, and a 1833 meteor shower falls on America's Deep South. DeRay interviews Jessica Pishko about her new book THE HIGHEST LAW IN THE LAND: How the Unchecked Power of Sheriffs Threatens Democracy. NewsCut up and leased out, the bodies of the poor suffer a final indignity in TexasSmall grocers feel squeezed by suppliers, and shoppers bear the pain‘They thought it was judgment day’: The night the stars fell on the US south‘I shouldn’t have listened to those around me’: Janet Jackson on Michael, motherhood and how she’s taking back controlJanet Jackson’s ‘Apology’ for Ill-Informed Comments About Kamala Harris Was Not Authorized Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.

Sep 17, 2024 • 1h 15min
Choose Your Battles
A study exposes superfluous hiring of D.C. patrol officers, a grant program for Black women disbanded after right-wing pushback, and an overdue conversation about the depreciation of journalism. NewsStudy Finds D.C. Doesn’t Need More Police Officers Walking the Beat. Will Anyone Listen?Fearless Fund settles with DEI foes, ends grant program for Black womenKaty Perry Defends Collaboration With Dr. Luke On New Album: “I Understand It Started A Lot Of Conversations”James Earl Jones' Comments Dissing Black Women Resurfaced and Black Twitter is Outraged and Confused Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.

Sep 10, 2024 • 1h 26min
A New Way Forward
Harris campaign releases initiatives ahead of presidential debate, American adults struggle with illiteracy, childcare funding under attack, a nonprofit newsroom receives past due support, and Sade teases new music as part of Transgender Awareness Compilation. NewsHarris/Walz: A New Way ForwardA Fifth of American Adults Struggle to Read. Why Are We Failing to Teach Them?Project 2025 plan calls for shifting funding for childcare to in-home careThe 19th wanted to ‘normalize’ women in power. In 2024, it’s dreaming bigger.Sade to Release First New Song in Years as Part of Transgender Awareness Compilation Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.

Sep 9, 2024 • 45min
Introducing Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD
The police tell us they are here to protect us. But what if their original purpose was something else altogether? Peabody Award-winning host Chenjerai Kumanyika takes listeners on a journey to uncover the hidden history of the largest police force in the world – from its roots in slavery, to rival police gangs battling across the city, to everyday people who resisted every step of the way. As our society debates where policing is going, Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD explores where the police came from.From Wondery, Crooked Media and PushBlack.Follow Empire City wherever you get your podcasts and listen to the second episode, available now. You can listen ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.

Aug 27, 2024 • 1h 3min
Defy the Lie
Myths uncovered: The 1994 Crime Bill, Democratic National Convention, and Black horror films. The Biggest Myth About the 1994 Crime Bill Still Haunts Joe Biden. It Shouldn’t.Minyon Moore Helped Harris Rise. Now She’s Leading Her Convention.Ganja & Hess: The 50-year-old vampire movie masterpiece critics got all wrong Follow @PodSavethePeople on Instagram.

Aug 20, 2024 • 1h 4min
Rich v. Poor
Hosts debate the prominence of celebrity culture in politics, a historic payout to Black farmers, and wealthy Arizonians blow threw the state budget. NewsTrump says presidential civilian award is 'better' than top military honor whose recipients are 'dead' or 'hit' by bulletsKerry Washington, Mindy Kaling and more will serve as DNC hostsSchool Vouchers Were Supposed to Save Taxpayer Money. Instead They Blew a Massive Hole in Arizona’s Budget.Republicans scrambled to get Cornel West on the Arizona ballot. The left-wing academic is OK with itNational Black Farmers Association Calls Today A Win, Historic $2B Payout for Discrimination in Farm Lending Follow @PodSavethePeople on Instagram.

Aug 13, 2024 • 1h 13min
These are Human Beings
Black men rally for Kamala Harris, new map shows the deadliest neighborhoods for police killings, a fashion historian unveils a hidden archive, and a debate on politician accountability. NewsNew map unveils the deadliest neighborhoods for police killingsBlack Men Rally for Kamala Harris, and Confront an Elephant in the Room‘I Am Speaking Now’: At a Rally in Detroit, Harris Stares Down Her DetractorsThrough Bill Cunningham’s Lens, the Glitz and Drama of an Era-Defining Fashion ShowFollow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.

Aug 6, 2024 • 1h 8min
Rooting for Everybody Black
Soaring death rates at Maricopa County Jail, Trump attends the National Association of Black Journalists Conference, Bloomberg donates record funding to HBCU medical schools, NYC restores budget to public libraries. News'Dying in the dark': Investigation finds 'astronomical' death rate in Maricopa County jailsYou Did It, NYC! Library Budgets Have Been SavedOpinion At NABJ, Trump was both a missile and a mirrorBloomberg gives record $600 million to HBCU medical schoolsSylvester: The Disco Diva You Didn't Know You Knew Follow at @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.