The PoliticsGirl Podcast

Jason Stanley, a philosopher and leading scholar of fascism, joins for a bracing yet hopeful conversation about democracy’s fight for survival. They explore billionaire-backed authoritarianism, political violence, mythic national pasts, attacks on education and history, information control, and the stakes of an upcoming election. A call to organized, peaceful resistance closes this urgent discussion.

Leah Greenberg, co-founder of Indivisible and co-author of the Indivisible Guide, discusses voter suppression, the flawed SAVE database, early voting, and weakened election security. She explains how No Kings is expanding beyond protest into local turnout drives, voter protection, training, and post-election mobilization. The conversation explores how grassroots organizing can counter authoritarian tactics and turn collective action into democratic power.

Sami Sage, Betches Media co-founder and Betches News leader, joins a candid conversation on sexual violence, institutional protection of powerful men, and the pressures of “man box” culture. They explore consent, fraternity dynamics, raising boys to challenge misogyny, and why men must confront harmful behavior among friends. The discussion closes with democratic renewal and hope as deliberate choices.

Ami Fields-Meyer, a writer, democracy advocate, and former White House technology policy adviser, explores how authoritarianism quietly captures democratic institutions. He discusses building broad coalitions, finding courage through community, and resisting hopelessness. The conversation also challenges tech oligarchies, examines AI’s future, and makes the case for strong safeguards, regulation, and public accountability.

Jessica Tarlov, political strategist, author, and Fox News analyst, joins a spirited conversation on debating across political divides. They explore staying calm under pressure, opening minds instead of chasing victories, handling criticism, preparing for misinformation, and advocating for vulnerable communities with facts and humanity. A practical guide to disagreement without surrendering your convictions.

Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward and author of Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times, joins a candid conversation about democratic burnout and finding hope without ignoring reality. They explore information overload, local civic action, protecting vulnerable neighbors, accountability across political divides, and how courage, joy, and collective action can keep people engaged.

Matthew Cooke, an Oscar-nominated filmmaker and creator of Survivor’s Guide to Earth, joins a wide-ranging conversation on propaganda, profit-driven media, and the forces that fuel helplessness. They explore the policies that built the middle class, economic rights, community food systems, global cooperation, and how collective action can challenge corporate power.

Dr. Jen Rafferty, educational psychologist and author who founded The Empowered Educator, talks teacher wellness and practical resilience strategies. She discusses why teacher wellbeing underpins student outcomes. She shares how neuroscience-based tools and metacognition can reduce burnout. She also explores reclaiming identity beyond the classroom and designing sustainable professional lives.

The Attorney General’s job is to enforce the laws on behalf of their people, and state Attorney Generals are even more essential now that we have a federal Attorney general who’s made it clear he doesn’t work for the people, but for the president. AG Bonta reminds us that lawsuits aren’t about slapping lawbreakers on the wrist, but structural remedies that make the law work better for the people. Among other things, we discuss the lawsuit blocking the Paramount Skydance merger with Warner Brothers Discovery, and what State AG’s can do to protect our upcoming elections. It’s actually a fantastic discussion. I learned a ton. As always, IF YOU FIND WORTH IN WHAT WE DO, please consider SUBSCRIBING to PoliticsGirl Premium. You’ll get this podcast AD FREE, along with a bunch of other PERKS, like the rants directly to your inbox and the knowledge that you’re making this kind of highly researched, factual information possible. If that interests you, please go to https://www.politicsgirl.com/premium and SUBSCRIBE TODAY!! Thank you so much! xoPG Guest social: https://oag.ca.gov/about As always, please RATE and SUBSCRIBE so we can grow the show, open the dialogue, and inspire change moving forward! All show links here!: https://linktr.ee/politicsgirl This episode is sponsored by… iQ Bar - TEXT PG to 64000 https://sundaysfordogs.com/politicsgirl50 code: politicsgirl50 https://superpower.com code: politicsgirl https://laundrysauce.com code: politicsgirl20

There are plenty of groups that see this drastic change in the American political system as something that can work for them. If the goal is power, or retained power, everyone from white and christian nationalists, to the billionaire class, the patriarchy and the predators have found their champion in the Trump administration. If everything is for sale and no institution is sacred, they an do whatever they want, and if Republican congress members are simply going to abdicate their responsibility to hold these groups in check, it’s going to be up to us to hand them a devastating loss in November and start to push the enemies back. As always, IF YOU FIND WORTH IN WHAT WE DO, please consider SUBSCRIBING to PoliticsGirl Premium. You’ll get this podcast AD FREE, along with a bunch of other PERKS, like the rants directly to your inbox and the knowledge that you’re making this kind of highly researched, factual information possible. If that interests you, please go to https://www.politicsgirl.com/premium and SUBSCRIBE TODAY!! Thank you so much! xoPG Guest social: https://www.anneapplebaum.com/ As always, please RATE and SUBSCRIBE so we can grow the show, open the dialogue, and inspire change moving forward! All show links here!: https://linktr.ee/politicsgirl This episode is sponsored by… https://iRestore.com code: politicsgirl https://NOBLtravel.com https://myalloy.com code: politicsgirl https://honeylove.com/politicsgirl