Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams
Crooked Media
Let's face it, sometimes the world feels broken. We can see what needs fixing, yet more and more, it feels like the problems are too big and the bad guys are winning. But the truth is, they’re not. They’re just hoping we stop fighting.
Welcome to Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams, a new podcast from Crooked Media and Democratic changemaker Stacey Abrams. Stacey knows better than anyone that societal shifts happen when a group of ordinary people decide that a problem is solvable, and are willing to pitch in and work towards the solution.
Each week, Stacey will break down the biggest issues we face into digestible, actionable items, introduce us to the warriors for good already working towards solutions, strategize, and share tangible ways to get involved. Because we can't fix everything, everywhere, all at once; but we can each do something, somewhere, soon.
Welcome to Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams, a new podcast from Crooked Media and Democratic changemaker Stacey Abrams. Stacey knows better than anyone that societal shifts happen when a group of ordinary people decide that a problem is solvable, and are willing to pitch in and work towards the solution.
Each week, Stacey will break down the biggest issues we face into digestible, actionable items, introduce us to the warriors for good already working towards solutions, strategize, and share tangible ways to get involved. Because we can't fix everything, everywhere, all at once; but we can each do something, somewhere, soon.
Episodes
Mentioned books
24 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 1h 1min
How to Build a Winning Coalition in Trump’s Broken America
In this engaging discussion, political journalist Jane Coaston and Maurice Mitchell, National Director of the Working Families Party, tackle the challenges posed by America's entrenched two-party system. Coaston shares insights from her libertarian past, while Mitchell underscores the importance of grassroots organizing. They explore the barriers third-party candidates face and the need for collective power to counter autocracy. Listeners will learn actionable steps to support alternative political movements and the significance of inclusive strategies in democracy.
15 snips
Sep 25, 2025 • 49min
How MAHA Is Coming for Women
Emma Goldberg, a journalist from The New York Times, and wellness content creator Kate Glavan dive deep into the Make America Healthy Again movement. They explore how wellness influencers have co-opted political rhetoric, blurring the lines between health and right-wing propaganda. The discussion highlights how algorithms exacerbate radicalization, especially among young women, and the growing impact of misinformation on public health. They advocate for accountability journalism and informed activism to combat these trends.
32 snips
Sep 18, 2025 • 1h 7min
Stacey Abrams’ On The Ten Steps to Save Democracy
Stacey Abrams chats with Ari Berman, a national voting rights correspondent at Mother Jones and author of Project 2026. They delve into the alarming Ten Steps to Autocracy, revealing how current political maneuvers echo this framework for authoritarianism. Ari discusses the threats to voting rights posed by a conservative judiciary and the rollbacks affecting mail voting, particularly for vulnerable populations. The conversation highlights the urgent need for action as they explore strategies to protect election integrity and resist state-level suppression.
13 snips
Sep 11, 2025 • 1h 11min
The Republican Dismantling of Public Education
Stacey Abrams hosts Christina Rojas, a dedicated speech-language pathologist, Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, and Sheria Smith, an attorney and education advocate. They discuss the alarming impact of political actions on public education, highlighting funding cuts, increased class sizes, and the risks posed to special education. The guests emphasize the crucial link between a strong public education system and a healthy democracy, calling for community involvement to safeguard educational equity and support vulnerable students.
11 snips
Sep 3, 2025 • 39min
More Happier: Talking Romance Writing with Stacey Abrams and Lori Gottlieb
In this lively discussion, Gretchen Rubin, a happiness expert and host of the Happier with Gretchen Rubin podcast, and Lori Gottlieb, a bestselling author and psychotherapist, delve into the role of romance in fiction and real life. Stacey Abrams shares how she weaves authentic connections into her suspense novels. The trio explores the intricacies of modern relationships, the impact of technology on dating, and highlights the importance of small, meaningful gestures. They celebrate the joy of love stories, emphasizing personal growth and emotional connections.
49 snips
Aug 28, 2025 • 1h 14min
How to Fight Back Against the Republicans’ Anti-Abortion Authoritarianism
Jessica Valenti, a New York Times best-selling author and expert on the anti-abortion landscape, and Monica Simpson, Executive Director of Sister Song, delve into the fallout from Roe v. Wade’s reversal. They discuss personal stories and the urgent need for gender equality, highlighting how anti-abortion laws disproportionately affect marginalized women, particularly in the South. The conversation emphasizes the critical role of activism in defending reproductive rights as a fundamental aspect of social justice and bodily autonomy.
21 snips
Aug 21, 2025 • 1h 11min
Ezra Klein on Abundance and Reclaiming the Democratic Vision
Ezra Klein, a New York Times columnist and host of The Ezra Klein Show, discusses the 'Abundance Agenda' he co-authored, which aims to reframe liberalism around a vision of plenty rather than scarcity. He argues that a hopeful, goal-oriented democracy is crucial to counter populist narratives. The conversation touches on the evolving nature of political ideologies and the need to uplift marginalized communities while advocating for systemic change. Klein emphasizes that Democrats must present aspirational narratives to effectively serve the people and reclaim the promise of democracy.
53 snips
Aug 14, 2025 • 1h 5min
How Christian Nationalism Threatens Democracy
Join Bishop William Barber, an advocate for social justice, and Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries, as they confront the dangerous rise of Christian nationalism and its implications for democracy. They emphasize the importance of compassion and inclusivity within Christianity, challenging extremist ideologies that distort its core teachings. Listeners will be inspired by discussions on moral fusion politics, the transformative power of community action, and the urgent call for justice in the face of societal oppression.
40 snips
Aug 7, 2025 • 1h 3min
How Trump’s War on Journalism Can End America
Joining Stacey Abrams is Oliver Darcy, a journalist and founder of the new media venture STATUS, dedicated to exploring the power dynamics within journalism. They dive into the alarming state of media independence amid escalating attacks, discussing Trump's strategies to undermine journalistic integrity through lawsuits, intimidation, and regulatory weaponization. The conversation highlights the risks of unchecked power, the implications of media consolidation, and the need for support of independent journalism in today’s polarized landscape.
10 snips
Jul 31, 2025 • 1h 8min
How the Republican Megabill Hurts Everyone
Natasha Sarin, a Yale professor and founder of the Yale Budget Lab, and Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman, a Harvard Kennedy School doctoral candidate, tackle the fallout of the recent Republican Megabill. They discuss how the bill threatens crucial social support programs like Medicaid and SNAP, leaving the most vulnerable at risk. The conversation highlights the exacerbated struggles of marginalized communities, especially women of color and young generations, against tax system injustices and the escalating impact of student debt.
