Pod of The South

Today's episode runs a bit long, but we had a lot to discuss with Aftyn regarding the 2022 midterm elections. It's not all bad, but it's not good either. Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist)

Alyssa Hansen of the AFL-CIO pays Drew and Gabe another visit to discuss the impact of the "Right to Work (for Less)" amendment on TN ballots this November. Here's a hint: its not good for workers. Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemthartist)

Nathan Lockwood of Rank the Vote joins Gabe and Drew in the virtual studio to discuss the value and importance of implementing Ranked Choice voting to drive voter turnout and bring back the long lost notion of bipartisanship. Theme by Adeem The Artist (@adeemtheartist)

Joined by Melissa Bast and Kelly Hess to discuss the issues facing Tennesseans when it comes to cannabis legalization and why are state is leaving hundreds of millions of dollars on the table. Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist)

Drew and Gabe take one more trip down to the still to see what's brewing with less than a month from the end of primary season and a few months from the general election. There's a lot still up for grabs, but the landscape is starting to form. Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist)

WE'RE BACK! After a much needed break, we return to discuss the leaked Supreme Court opinion on Roe v Wade with Kim Spoon from Indivisible East TN. This case means more than abortion access, it's the lynchpin for many of our freedoms. Theme by Adeem the Artist

We make our triumphant return to the studio with our first returning guest, Nathan Higdon, to discuss what we can expect to see as the Tennessee legislature gets underway for the 2022 session. We have a feeling it's going to be a lot of the same Slate of Hate. Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist)

In the last episode of 2021, Gabe and Maggie take a break from our bleak political reality to look at another. They visit the magical world of Harry Potter and the complete inefficiency of Cornelius Fudge and the Ministry of Magic. Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist).

Knoxville native, Aftyn Behn (@aftynbehn) sits down with us to discuss the challenges and rewards of organizing, particularly in The South and Tennessee. It doesn't take much to get involved any contribution is better than no contribution. Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist)

We live in the "fake news" era, but how did we get here? Join Gabe this week and he takes the time to dive into the American obsession with fantasy and how we got this point. Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist)

In our second trip to see what's fermenting in the still, Maggie, Drew, and Gabe take a look at how the 2022 Midterm elections are shaping up. With around a year to go, we're starting to see the Republican and Democratic strategies emerge. Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist)

Time to revisit the redistricting discussion! States have begun to introduce their preliminary maps, and unsurprisingly, many of them do not bode well for the future. Join Gabe and Maggie as they break down the latest and why we should go to non-partisan commissions to draw district maps. Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist)

Maggie is back in the studio this week and we get back to our old ways of poorly explaining hot-button issues. This time, we discuss gentrification and some of the ways we can end the displacement and upheaval it brings with it. Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist)

Gabe is all alone this week, so we decided to take a look at the foundation of American foreign policy and how it helped create the Haitian refugee crisis we're currently facing. Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist)

Gabe turns the keys of the pod over to Maggie as she guides us through a brief history of her culture and Native Americans in the South. We also dive into the impact of treatment and the legacy it leaves on our culture moving forward. Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist)

We didn't have a guest this week, so instead of diving into a single topic, Gabe and Maggie discussed the biggest headlines over the past couple weeks. As a warning, we get a little spicier than normal.

Jonathan Rich, a sociologist specializing in Marxist theory, stops by the studio to talk to us about wealth inequality in the United States and how we got here. The ruling class has done one hell of a job pitting workers against each other, but recent economic hardships demonstrated all workers have more in common than they think. Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist)

Rob Boston of Americans United sits down with Gabe and Drew to breakdown the history of the separation of church and state as well as the direction it's headed. Our founders were intentionally vague on religion, so why do some want to create a theocracy? Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist)

Cassie Jackson (@cassjacks) stops by to discuss the Green New Deal and Climate Change and why we need to desperately act on both. This one's a doozy and things don't look great if we continue to not do anything. Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemthe artist)

Alyssa Hansen of the TN AFL-CIO joins us this week to examine the state of Tennessee labor and how we can push for better conditions without resorting to turn of the 20th century tactics. Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist)

Gabe (@gram851) and the newest addition, Maggie (@lilmissknit) discuss Trans Rights and the Slate of Hate with the Knoxville equestiqueer, Saxon (@saxonogy). Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist)

"They're voting against their own interest" is parroted every election when Democrats lose, but why is that the case? This week, Drew and Gabe take a look at why this line isn't helpful and what the Democratic party can do to bring more rural and working class voters to the big tent party. Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist).

On our very first visit to The 'Still, Drew and Gabe take a look at what to expect with the 2022 Midterm elections. While still over 500 days away, it's never too early to evaluate how current politics will effect Republican and Democrat strategies. Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist)

We're back! Join Drew and Gabe as they give a brief overview of the Supreme Court and how it functions. As the "last line of defense" in court battles, their decisions are final. At least, until a later case comes and overturns that ruling. Why is that? Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist)

Theryn Bond (@walkingmicdrop) joins stops by the virtual studio today to have a frank conversation about HR1 and the blatant attempts of voter suppression in Georgia and the Southeast. HR1 needs to be passed, like, yesterday. Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist)

Drew takes the time to breakdown the purpose and layout of state legislatures and Gabe proves he knows almost nothing about them, like most people. As a general rule, the closer a government is to you, the more impact they have on your day to day life. Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist)

Matthew Park (@matthewrpark) joins us halfway through to discuss the history of the South and how it has shaped the culture today. The history of the South isn't pretty, but we need to understand, so we can build a better tomorrow for everyone. Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist)

This week, Drew (@andrewdison) and Gabe (@gram851) begin the process of dissecting what is the South exactly, beginning with the geography of the South. No one seems to agree on what it is, and we couldn't agree more. Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist)

Clarkesville City Councilperson for Ward 11, Ashlee Evans (fb.com/evansfor11) stops by to discuss the final and signed version of the Biden COVID Relief Bill, why we still hate the Filibuster, and the debate surrounding the removal of the bust of Tennessee's beloved KKK Grand Wizard. Theme by Adeem the Artist (adeemtheartist)

The Republican Supermajority has the opportunity to set LGBTQ+, women's, and minority rights back decades if we don't stop it. To understand the devastation it's wreaking across Tennessee, Maggie Loveday (@lilmissknit) helps us breakdown the actual damage it's causing. Theme by Adeem the Artist (@adeemtheartist) PBS Documentary on Wanda Mankiller: https://www.pbs.org/show/mankiller/

According to the US Census, Tennessee is 94% rural and consistently goes to Republican candidates. To break down why this happens and what progressives can do to combat this, Kate Craig (@KateCraigTN) of the Washington Democratic Party joins us to discuss how she has been successful and what the party can do statewide. Music by Adeem the Artsit (@adeemtheartist)

Robin Kimbrough Hayes (@robinforjustice) joins us this week to discuss the relationship of BIPOC voters and the Democratic Party. They form the most consistent voting block, but often times are left behind when it comes legislative inclusion. Robin breaks down what the means and what the party can do going forward to make sure all groups are included. Theme by Adeem the Artist, @adeemtheartist

Why does nothing ever get passed? You can blame that on the filibuster, a major hurdle to actual democracy. Join us as we break down why it's time to get rid of it. Theme by Adeem the Artist, @adeemtheartist

We're joined by Nathan Higdon (@JNathanHigdon) to discuss the current makeup of state legislators and how it will effect redistricting. We break down the current "strategies" and what should be the criteria for redrawing districts. Theme by Adeem the Artist, @adeemtheartist

Biden won the 2020 election and Democrats control both Houses, but it doesn't look good beyond that. What does this mean for progressives and what can we do going forward? Theme by Adeem the Artist, @adeemtheartist