WPKN: Politics, Policy, and Planet Podcast

Interview with David Pepper, former chair of the Ohio Democratic party, publisher of the Pepperspectives substack newsletter and author of "2025," conducted by Scott Harris.David Pepper discusses his post-election column, “Resolve: 8 Reasons That Keep Me Going,” that considers what effective resistance could look like.  Pepper is the author of “Saving Democracy” and “Laboratories of Autocracy.”

Interview with Robert Jereski, a lawyer and activist who serves as the volunteer coordinator of Codepink's World Court Campaign, conducted by Scott Harris.Robert Jereski discusses the horrific ongoing war in Gaza and the significance of the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense chief Yoav Gallant and Hamas leader, Ibrahim Al-Masr for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. He’ll also talk about his work at the UN to overcome U.S. vetoes of a succession of UN Security Council Gaza ceasefire resolutions.

Interview with Natasha Lennard, a columnist for The Intercept and author of the book, Being Numerous: Essays on Non-Fascist Life," conducted by Scott Harris.Natasha Lennard discusses her recent article, “The Answer to Trump Victory Is Radical Action,” and her views on the urgent need to mobilize in advance of Donald Trump taking power in Washington on January 20, 2024) Women’s March Organizing January 18th Trump Protest.

Interview with Tamika Middleton, managing director of Women's March, conducted by Scott Harris.Tamika Middleton discusses the nationwide organizing she and others are doing in advance of the massive Jan. 18 People’s March in Washington, D.C. and other locations around the U.S. to build community and power ahead of a second Trump presidency that threatens reproductive rights, civil rights, gender equality and democracy itself.

Interview with Amy Littlefield, The Nation magazine abortion access correspondent and a journalist who focuses on reproductive rights, healthcare, and religion, whose forthcoming book "American Crusaders," examines the history of the anti-abortion movement over the last fifty years, conducted by Scott Harris.Amy Littlefield assesses the outcome of the 2024 election, and Donald Trump and the GOP’s ongoing threat, to step-by-step further erode reproductive rights when Trump and the new GOP Congress take power in January.

Interview with Cody Bloomfield, Communications Director with the group Defending Rights and Dissent, conducted by Scott Harris.Cody Bloomfield discusses the recent House defeat of The Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, and the likelihood this legislation that would permit the Treasury Dept. to revoke the tax-exempt status of nonprofits deemed to be supporting “terrorism,” or something like it, will be voted on again, which if passed and signed into law would give Donald Trump a powerful weapon to use against his perceived enemies.

Interview with Coleen Rowley, a retired FBI agent who was named one of TIME magazine’s Persons of the Year in 2002 for exposing and sharing some of the FBI's 9/11 intelligence failures, and a member of Veterans for Peace, conducted by Scott Harris.Coleen Rowley discusses Donald Trump’s picks for various cabinet positions thus far, i.e. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for Sec. of State, Pete Hegseth for Sec. of Defense, John Ratcliffe as CIA Director, Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz as Attorney General, Mike Huckabee as Ambassador to Israel, and NY Rep. Elise Stefanik as US ambassador to the UN. Rowley will assess these nominations and the implications for US domestic and foreign policy under the coming Trump regime.

Interview with Rachel Bitecofer, is a political scientist, election forecaster, political strategist and author of the book, "Hit 'Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game," conducted by Scott Harris."Rachel Bitecofer discusses her analysis on how/why Trump won the election, the Democrats’ misunderstanding of Trump’s strategy of demonizing immigrants and trans kids, the enormous influence of the right-wing social media, and the urgent need for progressives to develop effective fact-based media to counter the MAGA propaganda machine.

Interview with Sarah Kendzior, author, "They Knew: How a Culture of Conspiracy Keeps America Complacent," and "Hiding in Plain Sight," conducted by Scott Harris.Sarah Kendzior discusses her views on the outcome of the 2024 election, with a focus on Biden Attorney General Merrick Garland and the DOJ’s 2 1/2 year delay to prosecute Trump for his coup attempt – – allowing him to run and win back the presidency, as well as advice on how to maintain your sanity during the very dark and dangerous four years of the Trump regime ahead.

Interview with Dulce Guzman, executive director of Alianza Americas talks about her groups' recent call for justice and unity, conducted by Scott Harris.Dulce Guzman’s recent call for justice and unity after Donald Trump’s election victory, and nationwide preparations are being made to resist Trump’s campaign pledge to deport 11+ million immigrants living in the U.S.