Indivisible OC 48 Podcast

Behind every elected official there are hard working staff members who ensure that the day-to-day operation of the district and capital offices run smoothly. In this episode we talk with Nathan Searcy about what staffers do and how to effectively engage with them. Nathan worked on the staff of California Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris. His experience offers us a rare look at the vital and services an elected official's office provides.

In the midst of the Climate Crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic has emerged to present a fundamental threat to our democracy and our voting rights. The pandemic also presents a unique opportunity to recreate our democracy into a more inclusive and representative form of government.   In this episode we talk with Mike Young, Political and Organizing Director for the California League of Conservation Voters, about some key democracy reform initiatives -- such as expanding voting rights to parolees and lowering the voting age to 17.     To learn more about the California League of Conservation Voters and the work they do visit www.ecovote.org.    If you want to do deep dive into the topic of democracy reform, check out the Scholar Strategy Network podcast "Realizing Democracy" https://scholars.org/podcast/realizing-democracy

While presidential and congressional elections grab headlines everyday the campaigns for local government are often overshadowed. Down ballot elections matter! The Orange County Board of Supervisors, city councils, and other state and local agencies have a profound impact on the day-to-day lives of the community. Join us as we talk with Costa Mesa City Council member, Arlis Reynolds, about running for local office in and about her first year in office. To learn more about Emerge and how they prepare women candidates to run for office, visit: https://ca.emergeamerica.org/ Indivisible OC 48 has a new Facebook Group!!! Visit us at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/173651480547813/ If you are inspired to have your own little free library, find out how at: https://littlefreelibrary.org/    

In this episode we talk with Indivisible OC 48 chairman, Aaron McCall. The year 2018 saw a national blue wave that elected a historically diverse Congress. But our activism can’t stop with our victories in 2018. We not only need to focus on the 2020 election, but we need to work on building community and improving civic engagement. In our talk with Aaron McCall we learn about the IOC48 roadmap and initiatives for 2020 and beyond. We also touch on the new Indivisible book, "We Are Indivisible: A Blueprint for Democracy After Trump" by the Indivisible co-founders Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin.   Indivisible OC 48: www.ioc48.com   Indivisible National: www.indivisible.org   The original Indivisible Guide: https://indivisible.org/campaign/indivisible-guide

In this episode we talk with Stephanie Wade and Justin Massey about LGBTQ issues in Orange County. While same-sex marriage was a huge victory for the LGBTQ community in 2015, the struggle for equality continues. Stephanie and Justin talk about the new Lavender Democratic Club, the Petition for Trans Justice, violence against LGBTQ people, resources for the LGBTQ community in need of help, and how to be a good ally. To learn more about the Lavender Democrats and the Petition for Trans Justice, visit: https://www.lavenderdemocratsoc.com/ https://www.facebook.com/LavenderDemsOC/ You can read more about Aimee Stevens and the case before the Supreme Court at: https://www.aclu.org/blog/lgbt-rights/transgender-rights/my-boss-fired-me-my-funeral-home-job-being-transgender/ https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/29/politics/harris-funeral-homes-lawsuit/index.html Blaze It Forward https://blazebernstein.org/blog/blazeitforward Radiant Health Centers https://www.radianthealthcenters.org/ LGBTQ Center of Orange County https://www.lgbtqcenteroc.org/ Equality California https://www.eqca.org/ Safe and Supportive Schools Report Card: A Report from Equality California Institute https://safesupportiveschools.org/ FAIR Education Act (California Senate Bill 48) https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/cf/senatebill48faq.asp  

This episode is the second of our two part series on hunger and homelessness in Orange County. We met with Kelly Alesi and Ellie Nedry from the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County to learn about their programs and to find out how they work to end hunger. In a county renown for it's beaches, weather, and tourist attractions more than 290,000 people in Orange County are at risk of hunger each month. The soaring cost of living have left many people living paycheck to paycheck and at risk of hunger and homelessness. Second Harvest feeds more than 250,000 people each month through its network of more than 300 community partners in Orange County. Sadly, that leaves 40,000 people without food when they need it. To learn more about Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County or to volunteer, visit: www.FeedOC.org

In this episode we met with Lara Fisher-Executive Director of South County Outreach, to discuss the twin problems of homelessness and hunger. In 2019, approximately 300,000 people experienced hunger in Orange County and approximately 7,000 were homelessness. The faces behind those numbers are surprising; many are children, working families, seniors, and students. To learn more about South County Outreach or to volunteer, visit: www.sco-oc.org South County Outreach 7 Whatney, Suite B Irvine, CA 92618 949-380-8144 Upscale Resale 23501 Ridge Route Drive, #G Laguna Hills, CA 92653 949-855-4158 Twitter: @outreachoc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/outreachoc/

In this episode we discuss the water infrastructure in Orange County—where we get our water, who manages it, and the future of our water as the effects of climate change intensify. To learn more about water management in Orange County visit: Cycle of Insanity: the Real Story of Water (20 minute video produced by Surfrider volunteers): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPDvhJXYCWw   Residents for Responsible Desalination http://r4rd.org/ https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Nonprofit-Organization/Residents-for-Responsible-Desalination-190410121007356/   Orange County CoastKeeper https://www.coastkeeper.org/   Surfrider Foundation https://www.surfrider.org/   State Water Project (imported water from northern California): https://water.ca.gov/Programs/State-Water-Project   Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (distributes imported water from Colorado River and State Water Project): http://www.mwdh2o.com/   Municipal Water District of Orange County (countywide wholesale of imported water): https://www.mwdoc.com/   Orange County Water Department: https://www.ocwd.com/   Pacific Institute study of economic water management alternatives: https://pacinst.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/PI_TheCostofAlternativeWaterSupplyEfficiencyOptionsinCA_ExecutiveSummary.pdf   Pacific Institute Desalination Response (great response to some of desalination proponents' talking points) https://pacinst.org/national-geographic-scienceblog-the-future-of-desalination-in-california-is-still-in-the-future-california-israel-and-australia/