Broadcasting the balance. Defending the discourse.
Suzanne Yatim joins us to discuss the updates coming from Gaza and to give her insights on how the 2024 presidential election has shaped the war, how the ceasefire is playing out, and her thoughts on the protests that have drawn attention to the conflict. In the first half of the show, we discuss the political developments over the last year that have led to the outcomes we continued to see in Gaza. We discuss the strategies deployed by voters to compel the government to take the war in Gaza seriously, and reflect on things that worked and things that didn’t.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Suzanne Yatim joins us to discuss the updates coming from Gaza and to give her insights on how the 2024 presidential election has shaped the war, how the ceasefire is playing out, and her thoughts on the protests that have drawn attention to the conflict. In the second half of the show, we discuss the ceasefire in place in Gaza and the subsequent violations, the protests that took place over the past two years, and shared some optimism about the future of Gaza and the West Bank.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our guest this week is Knowa De Baraso… one of the youngest faces of the Democratic Party, one of the sharpest minds covering politics, and one of the rising stars in the podcasting space In the second half of the show, we have a conversation with Knowa De Baraso about the future of liberal politics and the places that young people occupy in the political equation.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our guest this week is Knowa De Baraso… one of the youngest faces of the Democratic Party, one of the sharpest minds covering politics, and one of the rising stars in the podcasting space In the first half of the show, we discuss the leaked chat messages from young Republican leadership across the country and make connections to historical leaks that have also given insight in to the racist, toxic culture that is often very pronounced in this country’s political right.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our guests this week come from Fanbase.com! Isaac Hayes III – Entrepreneur, music producer, and son of soul legend Isaac Hayes. He has raised over $22M through equity crowdfunding, making Fanbase one of the largest Black-founded crowdfunding campaigns in history. Tamisha Harris – Veteran TV news producer with an insider view of how stories are shaped and suppressed. She brings a powerful call to action for Black media to protect their narratives and audiences. We discuss the role that social media plays in the division of this country…how content creators have key positions in shaping public opinion, and how Black-owned media ensures that Black perspectives are properly platformed.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stacey Abrams joins us this week to discuss strategies for reclaiming political representation, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and our first amendment protections. Find more at BINNews.com!Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the first part of today’s program, we discuss the deep roots of the MAGA movement. We uncover memes and cultural elements that fester in the deep corners of the web. We also discuss the data that suggests that most politically-motivated violence in this country stems from the right rather than the left.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can you believe it? We are 5 years old this week! In the first half of today’s program, we tall our origin story and discuss why we felt a show like this was important to create and distribute around the country. Our hope is that our story will encourage you in your own social justice endeavors!Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the second half of the show, we examine our story since starting Civic Cipher. We have had many ups and downs as a show and as a country and we use this segment to reflect on all of it—and also invoke a bit of optimism for the future!Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Christopher Towler, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at California State University, Sacramento…He is the Director of the Black Voter Project, Co-Founder of Black Insights Research and the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Race, Ethnicity, and Politics In the first half of today’s program, we discuss Dr. Towler’s opinion piece featured in Newsweek entitled From Decline to Revival—Why Democrats Must Repair Their Relationship with Black Voters. We cover much of the data his team has procured and examine the results to determine some of the lessons Democrats should have learned from the 2024 election.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Christopher Towler, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at California State University, Sacramento…He is the Director of the Black Voter Project, Co-Founder of Black Insights Research and the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Race, Ethnicity, and Politics In the second half of the show, we look ahead to the strategies that may be successful for Democrats ahead of the midterm elections as well as the role of Democratic Socialism in modern politics.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bobby Nichols is the former Phoenix Democratic Socialist of America's chapter chair and current member. He is the founder of Arizona Works Together, a pro-union political action committee operating at the state level. Additionally, Bobby Nichols works for the Office of the Arizona Attorney General as a state attorney representing Arizona's Departments of Child Safety and Economic Security in Superior and Administrative Court cases involving the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of minor children and vulnerable adults. In the first half of today’s program, we discuss the DSA National Convention, key takeaways for the forthcoming political season, and revisit the merits of socialism relative to other economic models.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bobby Nichols is the former Phoenix Democratic Socialist of America's chapter chair and current member. He is the founder of Arizona Works Together, a pro-union political action committee operating at the state level. Additionally, Bobby Nichols works for the Office of the Arizona Attorney General as a state attorney representing Arizona's Departments of Child Safety and Economic Security in Superior and Administrative Court cases involving the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of minor children and vulnerable adults. In the second half of the show, we discuss the implementation of socialist ideas in local communities, how to get involved in local politics, and we discuss Bobby’s own campaign for City Council.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Areva Martin is a Harvard-trained civil rights attorney, author, disability justice advocate, and founder of Special Needs Network. She’s on the front lines of today’s most pressing racial and social justice issues, leading the charge in California’s landmark Palm Springs reparations case and helping Black families navigate systemic barriers in special education. In today’s conversation we cover everything from DEI rollbacks to the intersection of civil rights and disability rights. This inspirational speaker keeps us motivated as we endure a challenging administration and gives us the guidance to be effective in our collective pursuits.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Areva Martin is a Harvard-trained civil rights attorney, author, disability justice advocate, and founder of Special Needs Network. She’s on the front lines of today’s most pressing racial and social justice issues, leading the charge in California’s landmark Palm Springs reparations case and helping Black families navigate systemic barriers in special education. In today’s conversation we cover everything from DEI rollbacks to the intersection of civil rights and disability rights. This inspirational speaker keeps us motivated as we endure a challenging administration and gives us the guidance to be effective in our collective pursuits.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the first half of today’s program, we discuss the overlooked merits of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and how they benefit a company’s bottom line. We also discuss the implications of a disenfranchised voter base and how these things can—and are shaping society.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the second half of the show, we discuss the importance of speaking truth to power. We delve into the recent DEI rollbacks from Google and highlight some of the creators that are pushing back against the normalization of these divisive undertakings.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our guest is Melinda Grisby—known online as @browngirlpride is a social media activist, Former Air Force Medic twice deployed to Iraq, and a public speaker with a focus on history and decolonization. In the first half of today’s program, Melinda discusses the history of the racial classification of Latino people in the United States that the implications of the Latino vote. She also corrects some widely circulated misinformation and makes a case that the narrative associated with Latino voters is inaccurate and has led to harmful responses from other racial groups.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our guest is Melinda Grisby—known online as @browngirlpride is a social media activist, Former Air Force Medic twice deployed to Iraq, and a public speaker with a focus on history and decolonization. In the second half of the show, we discuss the implications of this country’s colonialist roots and how Native American populations were (and continue to be) affected. Our Way Black History Fact contains the story of $5 Indians and the massive governmental fraud that further subjected Native peoples.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the first half of today’s program, we bring you several news stories of police accountability (or lack thereof) from high-profile incidents around the country.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the second half of the show, we discuss the viral video of a Florida officer breaking the window of and punching the face of William McNeil Jr. over a headlight dispute and McNeil Jr. asking for a supervisor.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today’s guest is Bobby Nichols—the former Phoenix Democratic Socialist of America's chapter chair and current member. He is the founder of Arizona Works Together, a pro-union political action committee operating at the state level. Additionally, Bobby Nichols works for the Office of the Arizona Attorney General as a state attorney representing Arizona's Departments of Child Safety and Economic Security in Superior and Administrative Court cases involving the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of minor children and vulnerable adults. In the first half of the show, Bobby explains socialism in simple terms and provides a historical context for the societal framework.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today’s guest is Bobby Nichols—the former Phoenix Democratic Socialist of America's chapter chair and current member. He is the founder of Arizona Works Together, a pro-union political action committee operating at the state level. Additionally, Bobby Nichols works for the Office of the Arizona Attorney General as a state attorney representing Arizona's Departments of Child Safety and Economic Security in Superior and Administrative Court cases involving the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of minor children and vulnerable adults. In the second half of the show, we discuss socialist principles and how they won New York City over in the recent mayoral race.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today’s guest is Amy Owen—a Civil Rights Attorney that has worked major civil rights cases alongside Ben Crump. She is known for working alongside professional athletes, celebrities, and other high-profile individuals. Find her online as Pineapple lawyer. In the first half of the show, Amy discusses the new powers bestowed upon the Trump administration by the Supreme Court, as well as the limiting of the powers of the lower courts. We discuss the implications of this decision and what people can expect.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today’s guest is Amy Owen—a Civil Rights Attorney that has worked major civil rights cases alongside Ben Crump. She is known for working alongside professional athletes, celebrities, and other high-profile individuals. Find her online as Pineapple lawyer. In the second half of the show, we discuss the capacity of Trump to deport citizens of the United States, and the president’s new immigration facility in Florida known as ‘Alligator Alcatraz.”Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today’s guest is a social media influencer and activist that goes by the name of Asian Soph found online at the handle @asian_soph or @MixedPresent. She speaks on and organizes around the mixed BIPOC/multiracial experience in the United States. In the first half of the show, Soph talks us through the changes made to the racial classification system at the U.S. Census and the implications of the move. We discuss who is affected, and the potential reasons behind the change.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today’s guest is a social media influencer and activist that goes by the name of Asian Soph found online at the handle @asian_soph or @MixedPresent. She speaks on and organizes around the mixed BIPOC/multiracial experience in the United States. In the second half of the show, Soph discusses recent protests in LA, as well as how outliers, infiltrators, and plants can/do shift the optics of otherwise largely peaceful protests.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today’s guest is Wendy Amara—an activist, board member of Roots and Wings (a content creator group that uplifts the stories of immigrants) and the host of the Yes, Mujer--Build It! podcast. She can be found online @wendyamara. In the first half of the show, we get some insight into the Ice Raid protests in Los Angeles, the culture of protesting in Los Angeles, and what outcomes the protesters want to see.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today’s guest is Wendy Amara—an activist, board member of Roots and Wings (a content creator group that uplifts the stories of immigrants) and the host of the Yes, Mujer--Build It! podcast. She can be found online @wendyamara. In the second half of the show, we address the right-wing pushback on immigration protests and try to uncover why immigration is such a challenging issue for the country to reconcile with.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today’s guest, Vladimir Gagic, is an independent nonpartisan political and legal commentator, former lawyer, and social media influencer found online at @ToxikVlad In the first half of the show, we examine Trump’s challenges to the Judiciary Branch of the government, and ways that Republican leadership are ensuring the strengthening of the Executive Branch. We discuss the protests in Los Angeles and the legal justification for Trump deploying the National Guard.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today’s guest, Vladimir Gagic, is an independent nonpartisan political and legal commentator, former lawyer, and social media influencer found online at @ToxikVlad In the second half of the show, we discuss the justification for the legal attacks on Trump and from Trump and examine the merits of the cases. We also discuss the powers of the judiciary in this country.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today’s guest, Ami Horowitz is an American conservative documentary filmmaker and activist. He is the writer, producer, and director of Ami on the Loose, a satirical short film series. He is also the host of the recent documentary The Art of War—a look into the practices of the IDF In the first half of the show, Ami explains his latest film—a defense of the IDF and Israel’s campaign on the ground in Gaza. We also discuss the approval rate that conservative voters have for Trump’s first few months in office and how that figure largely differs from non-conservatives.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today’s guest, Ami Horowitz is an American conservative documentary filmmaker and activist. He is the writer, producer, and director of Ami on the Loose, a satirical short film series. He is also the host of the recent documentary The Art of War—a look into the practices of the IDF In the second half of the show, Ami explains how a person can be opposed to what the majority of Black people want to see politically, and not be racist. He also takes the time to explain his issues with diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and why he believes they are problematic.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today’s guest is Zenia Perez is an organizer and political consultant working in the fields of advocacy and electoral politics. Online at @yourpoliticalprima In the first half of the show, Zenia Perez talks to us about the kind of work that she does to support politicians and causes. She discusses the path that she and others took to be influential changemakers on the political ground level.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today’s guest is Zenia Perez is an organizer and political consultant working in the fields of advocacy and electoral politics. Online at @yourpoliticalprima In the second half of the show, Zenia discusses some of the threats that advocates of historically marginalized communities need to be mindful of during this second Trump administration. She also mounts a masterful defense of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the first half of today’s program, we discuss the reception of White South African immigrants under the Trump administration and contrast their plight with those of the immigrants the administration is actively expelling. We seek to identify and discuss any oddities or inconsistencies with this act, and hopefully give communities around the country insight into ways people can avoid unlawful arrest, detainment, and deportation.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our Way Black History Fact provides insight into what life was like when U.S. segregation extended into the oceans.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the second half of today’s show, we discuss the future of women leaders in politics and ways people can continue to support and champion women despite the losses of Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris in their respective presidential election campaigns.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our guest is Joy-Ann Reid…the self described writer, podcaster, documentary filmmaker, professional blerd, fan of democracy and OG hater of fascism and apartheid, who is best known as an American political commentator and television host. In today’s episode, we discuss her recent fireside chat known as Journalism Under Fire. We naturally discuss life under Trump’s second term in office so far. We explore the challenges that she faced in losing her MSNBC show as well as the challenges this administration presents to American journalism as a whole. We discuss her future plans in the media space, and what people on the ground can do to resist the oppression they feel under this administration.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our guest, Yannick Gill is a human rights attorney based in Washington D.C. Yannick worked in Congress with 2 progressive members of the House of Representatives. He is Senior Counsel with Human Rights First, and an accomplished human rights advocate defending marginalized people across the United States and abroad. In the first half of the show, we cover the impacts of Trump’s executive orders on Black and Brown communities. We discuss the attacks of DEI programs in the private and public sector. We also cover the destruction of USAID and the Department of Education.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our guest, Yannick Gill is a human rights attorney based in Washington D.C. Yannick worked in Congress with 2 progressive members of the House of Representatives. He is Senior Counsel with Human Rights First, and an accomplished human rights advocate defending marginalized people across the United States and abroad. In the second half of the show, we talk about the disappearances to El Salvador, the suppression of immigrant and college student voices, and the attacks on law firms and nonprofits.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode: Culture – Shedeur Sanders not selected until the 144th pick in the NFL Draft Opinions – Shannon Sharpe sued for $50 million over allegations of sexual misconductSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode: Dialogue – Judge Hannah Dugan arrested in Wisconsin for allowing an immigrant defendant escape Entertainment – Ryan Coogler and the success of his new film, SinnersSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today we pull from a public World Government Summit lecture offered by professor of political science, Dr. Roy Casagranda discussing the economic history of the Unted States as well as the dismantling of the free/low-cost education system once found in the United States. In the first half of the show, discuss the idea that hard work leads to success. We challenge the idea that a few aligned factors can create a universal pathway to the American dream. We also discuss the systemic barriers and advantages present in society and how certain groups are more likely to encounter these forces.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our guest is Dr. Camilla Westenberg. Dr. Westenberg has been a decades-long advocate for equity for both women and marginalized communities. She is a Charter member of the NMAAHC. Additionally, she currently serves as the VP for Political Action of the Maricopa County Branch of the NAACP, she is a distinguished leader in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Phoenix Chapter. Additionally, she is a Life Member of the National Council of Negro Women. In the first half of the show, discuss the importance of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. We also discuss the attacks on the museum by the current administration. Finally, we discuss ways to support the museum as well as their path forward.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our guest is Dr. Camilla Westenberg. Dr. Westenberg has been a decades-long advocate for equity for both women and marginalized communities. She is a Charter member of the NMAAHC. Additionally, she currently serves as the VP for Political Action of the Maricopa County Branch of the NAACP, she is a distinguished leader in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Phoenix Chapter. Additionally, she is a Life Member of the National Council of Negro Women. In the second half of the show, we talk about Harvard University’s defiant response to Trump’s demands, the purpose of institutions of higher learning, and what other organizations and entities could learn from their stance.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our guests are DJ – President of the Black Student Union at the University of Arizona and Ky’Jah – an activist working closely with the Department of African American Student Affairs In the first half of the show, we talk about the importance of diversity initiatives, the implications of the rollbacks of DEI initiatives on college campuses around the country, and what communities impacted by recent legislation and political threats can do to push back.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our Way Black History Fact covers the history of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our guests are DJ – President of the Black Student Union at the University of Arizona and Ky’Jah – an activist working closely with the Department of African American Student Affairs In the second half of the show, we take on popular criticisms of DEI programs and offer additional perspective worth considering when attacking similar initiatives.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our guest is civil rights attorney Portia Allen-Kyle – the managing director of the nation’s largest online racial justice organization, Color of Change. As a national online force driven by 7 million members, they move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. In the first half of the show, we talk about the Color of Change, some of the problems created by the current political administration, and the implications of the dismantling of the Department of Education.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our guest is civil rights attorney Portia Allen-Kyle – the managing director of the nation’s largest online racial justice organization, Color of Change. As a national online force driven by 7 million members, they move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America. In the second half of the show, we discuss the plight of civil rights organizations under Trump, as well as what individuals can do to support (or boycott) initiatives they feel align with their interests as citizens.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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