Indivisible Westchester: The Podcast

Democrats score a major victory in a high stakes special election in New York. Casey Sabella, NY Democrats State Director for 2024 and Jon Tomlin, Democratic Strategist with Actum, join Shannon to talk about the questions this race answered - what made the difference in this race that made national headlines? And, what does this mean for Democrats running for Congress this year throughout New York?

The special election to fill George Santos' vacant seat is just a few weeks away. State Senator Shelley Mayer joins us with a call to action. She shares all the details on how you can help get out the vote, and why the election on February 13th is so crucial for New York and the country. Sign up to Canvass with Shelley Mayer on January 27th https://bit.ly/012724West4NY3

We are back in 2024 with all new episodes! This week Shannon is joined by Corinne Carey, NY & NJ Campaign Director Compassion & Choices, to discuss New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act. She shares why it matters and how you can help make sure it passes in New York. Find out more: https://www.compassionandchoices.org/in-your-state/new-york

New York State Senator Shelley Mayer joins Shannon today to talk about how New York can expand access to abortion care nationwide. Blue states like New York passed laws protecting abortion care providers from prosecution for those traveling from states with abortion bans. Telemedicine shield laws take that a step further, protecting doctors who prescribe pills to out of state women seeking to have abortions at home. Sen. Mayer discusses her bill that offers those protections in New York.

All eyes are on the New York Court of Appeals and the search for a new Chief Judge. Governor Kathy Hochul has until December 23rd to nominate one of seven possible candidates for the top job on state's highest court. Former Chief Judge Janet DiFiore abruptly stepped down earlier this year. Many progressives blame her for the court's drift to the right, including blocking congressional districts drawn by the legislature, a move that cost New York Democrats four house seats this cycle. In turn, progressive activists and advocacy groups have their own ideas about who should take DiFiore's place. To talk about the vacancy, Shannon is joined by Peter Martin, Director of Judicial Accountability for The Center for Community Alternatives and a leader of the Court New York Deserves Coalition of which Indivisible Westchester is a member.

Georgia is headed to the polls yet again. Shannon is joined by Sarah Riggs Amico, former candidate for Georgia Lt. Governor and US Senate, to discuss Senator Warnock's campaign and how the Republicans could be in trouble. They also share lessons from Georgia organizing that could help New York in the future.

The midterm elections are over and Democrats outperformed expectations everywhere except for New York. The Democrats lost House seats across the state even while electing Kathy Hochul. What happened, and what do the Democrats in New York need to do next? Shannon is joined by Jake Dilemani, Partner at Mercury Public Affairs and Democratic Strategist.

Live from Mt. Vernon at the Our Communities United for Hochul & Delgado Rally for Row A. Election Day is Tuesday November 8th. New York polls are open 6am-9pm. Every vote counts! Highlights from Gov. Hochul, Lt. Gov. Delgado, Rep. Jamaal Bowman, Sen. Jamaal Bailey, Mt. Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, County Exec. George Latimer, Deputy County Exec. Ken Jenkins and members from Hispanic Democrats of Westchester, Westchester County Democratic Committee, Working Families Party and Westchester Asian American Democrats.

Early voting in New York is relatively new and still somewhat of a novelty, but the numbers tell a story about enthusiasm and turnout. With so many competitive high profile races come concerns about protecting the right to vote. Shannon is joined by Jarret Berg, Co-Founder and Voting Rights Counsel at Vote Early New York, to discuss all things voting.

The polls are closer than anyone expected in the race for New York Governor. John Tomlin, Managing Director at Actum, and Jake Dilemani, Partner at Mercury Public Affairs, join Shannon to talk about the race, how we can get involved, and what surprises might be in store when the votes are counted.

Flip your ballot this November to find Prop 1, also known as the Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Bond Act. Shannon is joined by NY Assemblyman Steve Otis and Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters, to discuss why you need to make sure to flip your ballot and vote YES on Prop 1 this November.

The fight for control of the House majority in 2022 runs through New York. New York was supposed to be a blue firewall but is now one of the most heavily contested states in the country. New maps created more competitive districts all across the state. There are six competitive house seats that could go either way. Hear from activists and party members about these six districts and how we can help keep them blue.

State Senator Pete Harckham joins us to talk about his re-election campaign against a man who calls himself "Trump's Translator." We also learn how we can get involved and help keep this seat blue. Learn more about Senator Harckham and volunteer: https://peteforny.com

Polls show that college students support Joe Biden by large margins but how to get them to register and turn out to vote? We talk with Abe Baker-Butler, founder of Frosh Vote, and what he is doing to make sure college students are at the polls in November.

We talk to Indivisible Westchester's Mark Klapper and Indivisible New Rochelle's Kim Snyder about fighting Russian bots and home grown trolls. Find out what you can do to curb disinformation. Find more tools to fight disinformation: https://www.disarmdisinfo.com

We are joined by Ny Whitaker, Lead New York for Biden+Harris and Cheryl Geller, Co-Lead Westchester for Biden+Harris. Hear how New Yorkers are working to take back the White House this election season and how you can get involved and help. Sign up to phone bank with Westchester for Biden+Harris: Sundays: https://www.mobilize.us/joebiden/event/283543 Mondays: https://www.mobilize.us/2020victory/event/312933/ Find more phone banks, text banks postcards and more here: www.newyorkforbidenharris2020.com

We are back! Former Obama Administration Official Chris Lu joins us to talk all things 2020 Election: Biden, Trump, voting and more. Looking for ways to get involved in the 2020 election? Check out our Take Action page: www.indivisiblewestchester.org/take-action

We talk to NY State Senator Shelley Mayer about New York’s bleak financial picture. She shares what it means for schools and the people struggling to get the benefits they need.

The Presidential Candidates aren’t on the ballot, but the June Democratic primaries are on in Westchester. And with them, come changes in the way we can vote. Jarret Berg, attorney and Co-Founder of Vote Early NY, discusses early voting and how to vote by mail. Find out more about voting in NY: https://www.voteearlyny.org

Local food banks are overwhelmed by the need caused by the Coronavirus. We talk to Indivisible member Rhiannon Navin who has been working tirelessly to feed people in New Rochelle since the outbreak began. Help fund the effort in New Rochelle: https://bit.ly/2XMBE2g

Amy Gross, Clinical Psychologist and Certified Meditation Teacher, joins us to share strategies to manage our anxiety during the COVID-19 global pandemic. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255) Join Amy for her meditation classes: https://pausetobepresent.com

County Executive George Latimer joins us to talk about the County's response to the pandemic, the coming holidays, and what the future may hold.

Healthcare workers on the front lines of fighting the Coronavirus Pandemic are suffering from a severe shortage of medical equipment - especially masks. We talk to one local Indivisible member who is organizing a massive mask making effort - one stitch at a time. Find out more here: https://www.sewforny.org

This week we look just north and talk with Democratic candidate Michelle Hinchey about her campaign to flip State Senate District 46. We also get an update on other races in apple country from Craig Zumsteg. Find out more about Michelle Hinchey: https://hincheyforny.com

Brette McSweeney, Executive Director of Eleanor’s Legacy, joins us to discuss their mission to “recruit, train and fund pro-choice Democratic women candidates across New York at the state and local level.” Find out more about Eleanor’s Legacy and how you can get involved: https://www.eleanorslegacy.com

Indivisible Westchester's curated art show featured political art from artists around the county. We talk with the artists about the power that art has as a form of resistance. View the art discussed in this episode on the podcast page of our website: indivisiblewestchester.org

What is it like to date in this political climate? Dr. Suzanne Burger of Westchester Citizen Therapists and Liz Etkin join us to discuss romantic relationships in the age of Trump.

Education journalist Holly Korbey suggests that the disappearance of civics education is one of the biggest threats to our democracy. She joins us to discuss her new book, Building Better Citizens: A New Civics Education for All, and shares how civics education can help us save democracy.

It’s 2020 and New Yorkers are voting in two Democratic Primaries. We talk to Bill Serratore, Executive Director of the Westchester County Democratic Committee, and IW’s own Bruce Campbell about when, where and how to VOTE.

It’s 2020 - the year we all have been waiting for! We talk “resistance resolutions” with some of our favorite activists from NYCD16 Indivisible and discuss how to take ACTION in this key election year. Find out more about NYCD16 Indivisible: http://nycd16-indivisible.org

Congressman Eliot Engel, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, gives us an update on impeachment. He also discusses the recent conflict with Iran.

We talk with the founder and host of the podcast Immigrantly, Saadia Khan. Immigrantly is dedicated to highlighting unique American stories and experiences. Listen to Immigrantly here: https://immigrantlypod.com

We talk with DemCast about their mission to amplify grassroots media and how it can help all of us in 2020. Learn more about DemCast: https://demcastusa.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/DemCastUSA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DemCastUSA/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/demcastusa/

We talk to newly elected County Legislator Ruth Walter and her campaign manager Brendan Carty about her win this election season and how she was able to flip this seat from red to blue.

We talk to Dr. Suzanne Burger of Westchester Citizen Therapists and Jin Whang of Indivisible New Rochelle about how to survive the holidays with your Trump supporting family. Also, we share some listeners questions and advice about getting through holiday meals and parties.

The Campaign Financing Reform Commission is supposed to create a public financing system for New York State. But, as the Commission comes close to unveiling its plan the Fair Elections for New York Coalition is increasingly worried that the recommendations will be watered down. We spoke to activists about these fears at a rally prior to a Commission meeting. Also at play, a move to end Fusion Voting, a constitutionally protected right which allows candidates to run on multiple ballot lines. Learn more about Fair Elections for New York: https://fairelectionsny.org

We talk to Jarret Berg, co-founder of Vote Early NY, about Early Voting in New York State this past election. Also, what happened in Westchester - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Find out more at https://www.voteearlyny.org

County Executive George Latimer shares with us why he wants to be remembered as a regular guy. And, the latest on taxes, election security, cyberattacks and Facebook.

County Executive George Latimer gives us an exclusive announcement about the 2020 County Budget.

We talk to Bronxville native Meaghan Winter, author of All Politics is Local: Why Progressives Must Fight for the States. Hear what she discovered on the ground in three important battle ground states. Meaghan Winter is a freelance magazine writer and author of ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL: Why Progressives Must Fight for the States (Bold Type Books, October 2019). Her work has appeared in Best American Magazine Writing, The New York Times, ESSENCE, New York Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Bloomberg Businessweek, Slate, The Believer and The Kenyon Review. Meaghan has an MFA from Columbia University, and she has taught writing at Columbia, The New School, and CUNY. She lives in New York City. Find out more about Meaghan here: https://www.meaghanwinter.com

We tag along with Democratic Candidate Vedat Gashi as he canvasses in Somers for an open seat on the County Board of Legislators. Plus, we chat with Chairman of the Board Ben Boykin who discusses why the 2019 local election matters.

Westchester's own Reverend Kym McNair explains what "undoing racism" means and how that journey can change your life. Plus, the women of CURE and how they are helping their own local community start on that very journey. Find out more about Undoing Racism workshops: https://www.pisab.org Discover learning opportunties with CURE: https://www.learnwithcure.com

NY State Senator Alessandra Biaggi celebrates the demise of the IDC, discusses the successes of the recent legislative session and shares what is on her agenda moving forward.

Congressman Eliot Engel, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, discusses the impeachment of President Trump. We are also joined by Tom Watson, Columbia Professor, Journalist, Political Commentator, Consultant and Activist to discuss all things impeachment. Follow Tom on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tomwatson

Tony the Democrat, founder of Postcards to Voters, tells us about his start in the postcarding effort, how many postcards they have sent out to date, and the surprising power of postcarding. We also chat with the women behind IW's own postcarding and learn how you can get involved. Find out more about Postcards to Voters and join their National effort: https://postcardstovoters.org Join IW's Local postcarding effort: https://www.indivisiblewestchester.org

We are at Westchester's own Climate Strike in Peekskill, NY. Hear from the children, the organziers and the Deputy Mayor of Peekskill, Kathleen Talbot. Find out more about the Global Climate Strike at globalclimatestrike.net.

We are joined by Barry Graubart, Deputy Chapter Leader for Advocacy for the NY State Chapter for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, and Indivisible Westchester's own Amy Gross, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action. Also, an interview with Student Activist Kelly Marx. Get involved at www.momsdemandaction.org or text READY to 64433.

Recorded live during our Westchester County Board of Legislators Forum. Hear excerpts from each of the candidates who are running in contested elections. Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2019! Early Voting has come to New York THIS year. Find out more at Voteearlyny.org. Watch the full forum here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVSFFiWOPrs&t=1s Find out more about the candidates here: Catherine Borgia: https://www.electborgia.com Kitley Covill: http://electcovill.com Vedat Gashi: https://www.vedatgashi.com Damon Maher: https://electdamonmaher.com Colin Smith: https://www.colin4westchester.com/ Ruth Walter: https://www.electruthwalter.com

We are on location at the NY State Indivisible Convening with members of our sister group NYCD-16 Indivisible to talk about what's next for the resistance in New York State. Also, an interview with Jarret Berg, co-founder VoteEarlyNY, who gives us the basics on Early Voting in NY State and how we can spread the word. Find out more about Early Voting in NY at www.voteearlyny.org. Follow our sister group at nycd16-indivisible.org.

We talk with two activists about "reading" the Mueller Report and his recent testimony, and an interview with Justin Hendrix, co-founder of the Mueller Book Club

We discuss why the Census matters, the damage Trump has done, and how we can help make sure everyone is counted.