

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 14, 2023 • 58min
Evolution Has Pros and Cons
DeRay, Kaya and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — Trump's latest power hungry reelection strategy, Darius Jackson's dark secret exposed, and the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence.NewsWhy Aren’t Millennials Having Kids?Psaki: If elected to a second term, Trump would…Behind the Curtain: Trump allies pre-screen loyalists for unprecedented power grabKeke Palmer and a Basic Understanding of Domestic AbuseThis was a massive week for AI

Nov 7, 2023 • 1h 5min
Lesser of Two Evils?
DeRay, Kaya, De'Ara and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — NYPD interferes with federal investigation, heightened frustrations with Biden administration, Dwight Howard's sexual assault allegations, and a debate about one-sided book bans. NewsNYPD ‘Wellness Check’ Before Feds Raided Mayor Eric Adams’ Fundraiser Called Into Question: ‘FBI Would Never Ask For One’Gossip about Dwight Howard’s sexuality detracts from the gravity of assault claimsStudents hated 'To Kill a Mockingbird.' Their teaches tried to dump it.Trump Leads in 5 Critical States as Voters Blast Biden, Times/Siena Poll Finds

Oct 31, 2023 • 1h 16min
All Things Politicized (with Juliet Hooker)
DeRay, Kaya, De'Ara and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — the origin of Nashville's "Music City" moniker, Black British hidden figures, a nonprofit flower project focused on Black male mental health, and overexposure to our own reflections. DeRay interviews author and political theorist Juliet Hooker about her new book Black Grief/White Grievance: The Politics of Loss.NewsWhy is Nashville called Music City? The Fisk Jubilee Singers and Queen Victoria get the creditWe were never supposed to see our own faces this muchHow a Nonprofit Flower Project Is Helping Black Men to Heal and Improve Their Mental Health Half of Britons can’t name a Black British historical figure, survey finds

Oct 24, 2023 • 1h 30min
Amanda Seales the Deal
DeRay, Kaya, De'Ara and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — Southern GOP's latest attempt to steal the House, Chicago's ongoing contract with ShotSpotter, the earliest known U.S. novel authored by an enslaved Black woman, and the secret world of immortality science. DeRay interviews Amanda Seales about her new political-comedy documentary 'In Amanda We Trust'. NewsNorth Carolina Republicans unveil map proposals that could help GOP gain up to four House seats in 2024Searching for America’s First Black Woman NovelistOnce again, activists call for Mayor Johnson to get rid of ShotSpotterSo far, the Johnson admin hasInside the secret world of immortality science

Oct 17, 2023 • 1h 7min
Political Climate (with Daria Dawson)
DeRay, Don and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — a race for speaker of the House, context to the Israel & Palestine conflict and the dark side of fitness journeys. DeRay interviews Daria Dawson of America Votes about the current state of progressive politics. NewsThe latest on the race for speaker of the House Black Feminist Perspectives on PalestineWhy are Americans obsessed with fitness? The answer: Neoliberalism

Oct 3, 2023 • 1h 17min
First of Many (with Roger A. Mitchell Jr. & Jay D. Aronson)
DeRay, Don, and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — imprisoned people's right to write, the first openly gay Black woman appointed to CA Senate, and Tupac's postmortem justice. DeRay interviews authors Roger A. Mitchell Jr. & Jay D. Aronson about his their new book Death in Custody: How America Ignores the Truth and What We Can Do about It.NewsDeRayThe Prisoner and the PenMyles2Pac Shooting: Keffe D Arrested by Police, Charged With Murder DonCalifornia Gov. Newsom will appoint Laphonza Butler to fill Feinstein’s Senate seat

Sep 26, 2023 • 1h 52min
Address the Iceberg (with Jennifer Baker)
DeRay, Kaya, De'Ara and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — Dallas mayor sudden switch to Republican party, Biden's policy narrative, a Houston music love story, and contrasting opinions on women in the policing system. Kaya interviews publishing professional Jennifer Baker of Narrative Initiative about her article titled Black Women Are Being Erased in Book Publishing.NewsDeRayDallas mayor switches parties, making the city the nation’s largest with a GOP mayorKayaOne simple fix for our broken policing system: Hiring more womenDe'AraBiden's economic policies have quietly made peoples' lives better — and no one seems to careMylesMegan Thee Stallion Joins Beyoncé at the Renaissance Tour Stop in Houston

Sep 19, 2023 • 1h 26min
Power is Power (with Mary Hooks)
DeRay, Don and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — the "experts" paid to defend anti-trans laws, United Auto Workers strike moves full speed ahead, and the complex life of the first Black supermodel. DeRay interviews the tactical lead for the Stop Cop City Coalition Mary Hooks.NewsDerayInside The Cottage Industry Of ‘Experts’ Paid To Defend Anti-Trans LawsMylesThe Complex Life of Donyale Luna, The First Black SupermodelDonUAW strike against automakers enters third day, no resolution seen

Sep 12, 2023 • 1h 15min
Cruel Intentions (with Vincent Schiraldi)
DeRay, Kaya, De'Ara and Myles cover the underreported news of the week — expiration of U.S. childcare relief funding, Florida college faculty members flee the school system, Fulton County DA claps back at Republican probe, and the Black designer behind Jackie Kennedy's iconic fashion. DeRay interviews author and juvenile justice policy reformer Vincent Schiraldi about his new book Mass Supervision: Probation, Parole, and the Illusion of Safety and Freedom.NewsDeRayThe Cost of Childcare Is About to ExplodeDe’AraCiting issues with tenure, loss of DEI, Florida faculty members want outKayaFulton County DA tears into Rep. Jim Jordan over his inquiry into Trump indictmentMylesA forgotten fashion designer for Jackie Kennedy gets her due

Aug 29, 2023 • 1h 5min
Rocks and Glass Houses
DeRay, Kaya, Myles, and De'Ara cover the underreported news of the week — a racist attack on a Jacksonville Dollar General, delayed COVID care for patients of color due to faulty oxygen readings, Silicon Valley elite build a city from scratch, extreme menopausal symptoms for women of color, and Texas' ongoing violence against trans youth. NewsDeRayFaulty Oxygen Readings Delayed Care to Black and Hispanic Covid Patients, Study FindsKayaThe Silicon Valley Elite Who Want to Build a City From ScratchDe’AraHow Menopause Affects Women of ColorMylesTexas ban on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for trans kids will go into effect despite legal fight