Get Woke or Die Trying

In the first of two episodes, join me for a deep dive on the history of what has led up to the current conflict raging between Israel and Palestine. Follow on instagram @getwoke_dietrying for additional resources and thoughful dialogue! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, leave a review, and dhare with a friend! Resources referenced: origins of Israel, ethnic cleansing efforts, the Nakba, 1967 UN resolution, First Intifada, Oslo accords, Second Intifada, 2008 attack, 2012 attack, 2014 ground invasion, 2021 attack --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/robyn-toran/support

In this episode, I'll tackle the recent supreme court decision that effectively ends affirmative action. Join me as I delve into what necessitates affirmative action, the racial wealth gap, and the stunning hypocrisy of educational outcomes in our nation. Follow on instagram @getwoke_dietrying to join the conversation, get more information, or share your thoughts! Please subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your preferred listening platform. And make sure to share far and wide! Resources referenced: supreme court rulings, affirmative action definition, affirmative action is not, why we need affirmative action, who benefits the most, Bakke decision, definitions, not enough, still necessary, SFFA v. Harvard overview, majority opinion, Clarence Thomas, legacy admissions, college admissions scandal, Ohio mom, Tanya McDowell case, Joy-Ann Reid quote --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/robyn-toran/support

As Pride Month comes to a close, join me as I break down what's led up to record breaking anti-LGBTQ bills across the country and dispel some of the myths and misconceptions about trans folks. Follow on Instagram @getwoke_dietrying to join the conversation, make suggestions, ask questions and more! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review! Resources referenced: anti-trans bills, trans legislation tracker, history of legislation, roots of transphobia, biological basis of gender identity, sexual differentiation during pregnancy, gender-affirming care, saves lives, pronouns and suicide prevention, cis people access gender affirming care, trans women in sports, youth track meet incident, bathroom predator myth debunked, violence against trans people --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/robyn-toran/support

Have you ever wonder why so many Americans are so vehemently opposed to socialism and communism despite not having a true understanding of what they are? In this episode, I'll flesh out exactly what the different economic systems entail, the development of anti-communist sentiments, and trace a path of how capitalism leads to authoritarianism. Follow on Instagram @getwoke_dietrying to join the conversation, learn more, leave feedback, or make suggestions! Please subscribe, rate, leave a review, and share! Resources referenced: capitalism definition, history of capitalism in the US, socialism vs. capitalism, Millennials and Gen Z poll, development of anti-communist sentiments, impact of the Cold War, most common reasons, innovation and productivity in the Soviet Union, Soviet democracy, debunking the Black Book of Communism, incompatibility of capitalism and democracy, invetibale outcome of fascism --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/robyn-toran/support

In this episode, join me as I tackle the failures of our democratic system and offer my analysis of our nation's institutions. Follow on Instagram @getwoke_dietrying for updates, more information, and to contribute to the discussion. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, leave a review, and share with your friends! Resources referenced: Democracy Index rankings, definitions, establishment of American government, 3 branches of government, population of 13 colonies, 2020 census data, Senate inequities, anti-democratic nature of Supreme Court, diversifying oppressive institutions, high court appointments in other countries, Citizens United overview, election spending after Citizens United, territories without representation, self-determination proposals, electoral college --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/robyn-toran/support

In this episode, I'll take you through the tragic events of the Oxford High School shooting, as well as share my analysis on who bears responsibility and how it could have been prevented.  Follow on instagram @getwoke_dietrying to join the conversation, get more information, or share your thoughts! Please subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your preferred listening platform. And make sure to share far and wide!  Resources referenced: overview of incident, Michigan gun laws, lawsuit against the school district, reasonable suspicion vs. probable cause, parental involvement, Crumbley manhunt, escape to Canada, US mass shootings, factors contributing to mass shootings, student survey, demographics of mass shooters, discrepancy in media reporting, Oxford shooting victims --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/robyn-toran/support

In an interesting juxtaposition to the previous epsiode, today I'll take you on a deep dive of an issue the "pro-life" crowd really likes to demostrate their hyprocrisy, gun violence and mass shootings. Join me for an overview of America's gun culture compared to that of other countries, an explanation of what the second amendment actually means, and potential solutions moving forward. Follow on instagram @getwoke_dietrying to join the conversation and let me know whay you wanna hear about next! Please sunscribe, rate, and leave a review on your preferred listening platform. Tell a friend to tell a friend! Resources referenced: common arguments for and against gun control, statistics on mass shootings, American gun culture, Boulder assault weapons ban, economic consequences of gun violence, second amendment, interpretation of the 2nd amendment, musket vs. AR-15, democracy and civilian gun ownership, reasons for gun ownership, good guy with a gun myth, crimes committed, success of gun restrictions, weapons used in deadliest mass shootings, background check error, NRA donations --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/robyn-toran/support

With the Supreme Court hearing a few critical cases in the coming weeks, Roe v. Wade is poised to face the most consequential challenges it has in decades. In this episode, I'll take you on an in-depth explanation of the history of abortion in the US, arguments for and against it, the religious ties, and so much more. Follow on Instagram @getwoke_dietrying for updates, to join the conversation, suggest topics, and more! Please subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your preferred listening platform. Congressional Switchboard: Call (202) 224-3121, follow the prompts to leave a message for the either or both of the senators for your state! Donate to Planned Parenthood, NARAL Pro-Choice, or your local abortion mutual aid fund Resouces referenced: history of abortion in the US, racist history of abortion bans, intersectional approach to reproductive healthcare, abortion as an LGBTQ+ issue, Texas Tribune article about SB 8, overview of Mississippi law, states poised to enact abortion bans, unsafe abortions, Polish woman who died, Gallup opinion poll, policies targeting unplanned pregnancies, adoption isn's a solution for abortion, HHS foster care statistics, proportion of foster chillden that are abused, state legislature demographics, Congressional demographics, Greg Abbott remarks, AOC tweet, what the bible says about abortion, origins of the religious right, scripture references --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/robyn-toran/support

The GOP candidate's win in Virginia that went +10 for Joe Biden only a year ago was a master class in exploiting the the culture war issues that cater to white voters afraid of losing their power. Join me as I explain what all the fuss is about when it comes to cancel culture and Critical Race Theory and how disinformation directly threatens our democracy. Follow on instagram @getwoke_dietrying. I would love to hear from listeners any questions you have, topics you would like to see addressed, and have some robust discussions! Resources referenced: origin of cancel culture, Washington Times article, AOC tweet, hypocrisy of complaints, calling out vs. calling in, critical race theory overview, CRT in schools, Texas bill, anti-CRT proposals and campaign origins, US news article, culture wars, fear of white extinction --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/robyn-toran/support

Legalization of marijuana has long been a hotly debated topic. A lot of news and opinions have been swirling around, especially regarding runner Sha'Carri Richardson being left off the Olympic team due to a suspension following a positive test. Join me as I dig a little deeper and explain the details behind this issue! Follow on instagram @getwoke_dietrying for updates, conversation, or to make suggestions! Resources referenced: fastest 100 times, Namibian runners disqualified, IAAF ruling, Soul caps, debunking gateway drug myth, drug scheduling, controlled substance laws, disparities in enforcement, racial sentencing discrepancies, history of cannabis and the War on Drugs, states where weed is legal, revenue generated from legal cannabis, demographics of dispensary owners, hypocrisy of legal cannabis industry, annual cost of prisoners, eceonomic benefits of legalization, restrictions on research, comparing alcohol and marijuana, comparing tobacco and marijuana, Americans that support legalization, Cannabis Administration & Opportunity Act, Sha'Carri Richardson suspension, public health vs. criminalization approach, Olympians who smoked weed, double standard of THC & CBD --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/robyn-toran/support

In the second part of episode 9, I'll take you on a deep dive into the most substantive policy proposal aimed at ending voter suppression and implementing sorely needed reforms to our election system, the For the People Act. I'll also break down what's standing in the way and the cost of inaction. Please subscribe, rate, leave a review, and share with your frineds! Also follow on Instragram @getwoke_dietrying for updates, announcements, and sentilating dialogue on these issues. Feel free to ask questions and make suggestions! Congressional Switchboard: Call (202) 224-3121, choose your state, enter you address, select which of your Senators you would like to speak to. In lieu of leaving a voicemail, you could also use the contact form on their website to send an email! Resources referenced: overview of HR1, annotated guide to the For the People Act, felony disenfranchisement in other countries, history of the filibuster, McConnell remarks, filibuster reforms, arguments for and against the filibuster, AOC remarks, recent supreme court case --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/robyn-toran/support

Voter suppression: one of the sneakiest forms of disenfranchisement. Since the 2020 election, Republicans across the country have ramped up their voter suppression efforts. In this episode, I'll take you through America's dark history of voter suppression, how it's evolved, the current tactics in play, and how it impacts voters. Follow on Instagram @getwoke_dietrying to join the conversation, ask questions, or make suggestions! Resources referenced: Stacey Abrams remarks, voter suppression legislation since 2020 election, history of voter suppression, poll taxes, literacy tests, redistricting criteria, redistricting commissions, history of gerrymandering, implications of gerrymandering, court cases on gerrymandering, amount of people disenfranchised, Voting Rights Act basics, gutting the VRA, suppression efforts currently advancing, Election Integrity Act, SB 90, timeline of election lies, common voter fraud myths, racial disparities of voting laws, Republican authoritarianism --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/robyn-toran/support

And we're back! Following a longer delay than anticipated, Get Woke or Die Trying is back with an update introducing the long awaited season 2. I'm excited to dive back in and tackle these complex topics and sift through all the noise to get to the truth. Please feel free to send any ideas or requests for topics via Instagram @getwoke_dietrying. Stay tuned for this first episode of season 2 later this month! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/robyn-toran/support

As a major winter storm swept across the south, unlike anything seen in decades, Texas residents were faced with crisis on top of crisis as the elcectrical grid failed many households' water was undrinkable. So commenced the blame game. In this episode, I'll take you through what led up to the crisis, how it could have been prevented, and how to make sure it doesn't happen again. Follow on instagram @getwoke_dietrying to ask questions, make suggestions, and join the conversation! Resources referenced: polar vortex, prediction by meterologists, Texas power grid, overview of crisis, astronomical bills, deaths, damages, governing trifecta, failures of Texas leadership, Greg Abbott remarks, AOC tweet, Green New Deal PDF, popularity of Green New Deal, vice presidential debate, climate change inflection point, spending by fossil fuel lobby, Texas politicians traveling --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/robyn-toran/support

Now that we're more than 2 months into the vaccination effort, I wanted to bring you all an update to confirm the safety and efficacy, as well as address any lingering concerns. Hopefully this helps you make an informed decision! Follow on instagram @getwoke_dietrying for updates, to ask questions, and make suggestions! Register for COVID vaccine in your state! Resources referenced: total number of vaccines administered, side effects and allergic reactions, incidental illnesses, 1st news article, 2nd news article, Oregon vaccination dashboard, deaths after vaccine, deadly vs. transmissible illustration, variants --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/robyn-toran/support

In this episode, I'll discuss the hotly contested idea of raising the minimum wage. In the face of economic devastation as a result of the pandemic and increasingly pervasive income and wealth inequality, I'm here to share my analysis on how raising the minimum wage would work and tackle some of the most common arguments against it. Follow on instagram @getwoke_dietrying for updates and to join the conversation! Congress Switchboard: Call (202) 224-3121, choose your state, enter your address, and choose which of your senators or representatives you want to speak to then leave a message! Resources references: history of minimum wage, state increases, medical/wages, inflation and cost of living, price increases, average cost of a 2 bedroom apartment, savings on public assistance programs, poverty threshold, tipped employees, Walmart employees federal aid, Waltons net worth, demographics of minimum wage workers, minimum wage and racial equity, unemployment in low wage workers, intersectionality of raising the minimum wage, workers with disabilities, small businesses, job losses, CEO earnings, increase during the pandemic, Fight for 15 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/robyn-toran/support

With newly inaugurated President Biden doubling down on a message of unity, it's now up to Congress to see if they'll abide. That begs the question: is bipartisanship possible? In this episode, I'll offer my analysis on how bipartisan efforts have turned out in the past and what's likely to happen in this new administration. Follow on Instagram @getwoke_dietrying for updates and more information on topics, as well as to offer suggestions, ask questions, and join the dialogue! Resources referenced: ideological shifting of parties, quotes from Washington & Adams, Biden inaugural address, New Republic article, organizing resolution, McConnell remarks, January 21 press briefing, Romney remarks, Mitt Romney net worth, senate salaries, unemployment rates, eviction crisis, food insecurity, COVID relief bill, corporate liability shield, billionaire gains, comparison of economic relief, Brian Deese remarks, 2017 tax cuts --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/robyn-toran/support

There's certainly a lot to tackle in regard to the events that occurred at the Capitol on January 6th. In this episode, I offer my analysis on the need for accountability going forward and what that might look like. Tune in as I dissect the feasibility of resignation, invoking the 25th amendment, and impeachment, as well as the other parties involved in the coup attempt. *Disclaimer* This episode was recorded before the house reconvened on Monday, Jan 11th and may be missing updates since then. Please refer to a reputable news source for continued updates. Follow on instagram @getwoke_dietrying for further discussion, ask questions, or to offer suggestions. Resources referenced: Definitions, Bree Newsome twitter (activist with great commentary on the origins of the event), resignation, Trump thinks he did nothing wrong, 25th amendment, Pence opposition, House democrats in favor of impeachment, Republicans calling for resignation, Former Presidents Act, "Hang Mike Pence" chants, social media bans, Ted Cruz remarks, Josh Hawley involvement, "beat them at the ballot box", Hitler's rise to power, William Belknap impeachment, Save America Rally remarks, security failures, Capitol Police officers suspended, Congressional investigation, 14th amendement --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/robyn-toran/support

In the first episode of the new year, I'm detailing a policy proposal many have called on Joe Biden to implement soon after he takes office – student loan debt forgiveness. I'll explain arguments for and against it, as well as the economic impact it could have both on individuals and the nation as a whole. Follow on Instagram @getwoke_dietrying for updates, more information, and to join the conversation! Feel free to ask questions and share suggestions! Resources referenced: total student loan debt, credit card and auto loan debt, medical debt, demographics of repayment, impact of $10,000, racial wealth gap, unemployment rates, CARES Act provision, arguments against cancellation, GDP increase, predatory lending practices, rising education costs, impact of 2017 tax cuts, comparison of loan forgiveness and tax cuts, trickle down economics --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/robyn-toran/support

Join me as I take on another complex topic with serious implications – the COVID vaccine. I'll thoroughly discuss the process of vaccine development, address concerns about safety and efficacy, and tackle some of the issues contributing to vaccine hesitancy. I hope you'll soberly consider all of the information presented as you each make your own decision regarding the vaccine. Follow on Instagram @getwoke_dietrying for updates, announcements, more information about the topics discussed, and feel free to share suggestions or ask questions! Resources referenced: vaccine polling, safety for diabetics, infertility, mRNA vaccine basics, SARS-CoV-2 genetic sequence, history of vaccine development, prior work on mRNA vaccines, speed of COVID vaccine development, Pfizer clinical trial data, Moderna clinical trial data, vaccines trials in children, pregnancy recommendations, at risk groups, normal timeframe of side effects, Guillain-Barre post-flu vaccine, distrust of medical community among black people, Tuskegee Syphilis Study, addressing racial disparities in vaccine distribution, demographic statistics, anti-vaxxer movement, herd immunity, DNA alterations --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/robyn-toran/support

Here at Get Woke or Die Trying, we are no strangers to controversial topics. This episode takes you on a deep dive of the comprehensive policy proposal to defund the police, including what it actually means, where it comes from, and why it's necessary. I hope this clears up any confusion about what the goal of the policy is and equips you with facts. Resources referenced: Biden remarks, Derek Chauvin, misconduct lawsuits, support for progressive policies, political perception, meaning of defund the police, investing in social services, police budgets, Camden, NJ example, info on high profile recent police killings, causes of death in black men, time spent on violent crime, international defense spending Follow on instagram for updates, more information on the topics discussed here, and to submit any ideas, ask questions, etc. @getwoke_dietrying --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/robyn-toran/support

Welcome to Get Woke or Die Trying! This is just a short introduction to the host and the premise of what this podcast will bring to the table. Follow on instagram for updates! @getwoke_dietrying --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/robyn-toran/support