The Tanya Acker Show

Today, Tanya discusses the devastating Los Angeles wildfires with New York Times reporter Ivan Penn. They dive into how power grid issues may have contributed to the fires, ongoing investigations, detected electrical faults, and the complexities of power line infrastructure. They also unpack the city's efforts to upgrade the grid and, in turn, respond to increasing wildfire risks amidst climate change.

Tanya interviews Shaye Ogbonna, creator of the Peacock series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist. They discuss the context behind this 1970s Atlanta story, his advice for aspiring filmmakers, the impact of Issa Rae, and the beauty and representation he was determined to capture in the series.

Tanya and the New York Times bestselling author talk about her latest novel, One of Our Kind, which explores what “community” means and how we see ourselves.

Tanya talks to KBLA White House correspondent Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey, author of Kamala, The Motherland and Me, about his trip to Africa with Vice President Kamala Harris and in particular, his visit to Ghana, from where his late father emigrated to America. From that trip came a determination not only to build new relationships between Americans and Africa, but also between Americans and each other.

Vanity Fair Special Correspondent Gabriel Sherman decided to write a movie, The Apprentice, about former President Trump's early days in New York. Why did Sherman decide to take on such a project? Because he had to.

The Los Angeles Clippers wanted a ring and were closer than ever when they had to confront a dark story that was one of sports' open secrets. What pressures came to bear and how did they manage them? And what was the domino effect of decisions that forced them to confront what others had long ignored? Tanya talks to ESPN Reporter Ramona Shelburne, host and creator of the podcast The Sterling Affairs and Executive Producer of the FX series, Clipped.

Over the last decade, our Internet experience has become increasingly dictated by algorithms- data-driven equations that try to anticipate (and elicit) our desires. The problem is, they often get it wrong. The math doesn't math. Kyle Chayka (staff writer,The New Yorker) has written a new book on the subject entitled "Filterworld." This week, Tanya and Kyle talk about this ever-tightening web woven by algorithms and how we can begin breaking free from it.

Tanya talks to the Emmy Award-winning television show host and best-selling author about her latest novel, Watch Where They Hide, and how she's plotted her own life's path.

Tanya and the podcaster, journalist, filmmaker and advocate talk about how he is “proof of concept” about the benefits of opportunity and inclusion. Listen as they discuss justifiable fears; not fearing too much; and how to change lives, communities, and cultures - all while growing the tax base!

This week the Senate pressed chief executives of Meta, TikTok, X, Snap and Discord over what lawmakers are calling “a crisis in America” -- accusing the tech giants of ignoring the harmful content against children on their respective platforms. It's a conversation we first had on this program back in November of last year, when Tanya sat down with Zamaan Qureshi (a college student and co-founder of Design It For Us). In this special re-release, Tanya and Zamaan discuss his campaign to make social media safer for young people, and his lawsuit against the SEC.Original airdate: November 30th, 2023

Tanya talks to Ann Druyan about space, love, facts, and voting. Plus, how to come back when people laugh at you for being smart and curious.

Tanya talks to the filmmaker about her latest film, reclaiming the narrative of what it means to be an American, and why hope always must win.

For 35 years Oliver James was functionally illiterate - even though he had a high school diploma. Listen to what happened when he decided to stop mimicking life and start living it.

Tanya talks to the directors of the film Invisible Beauty, which tells the life story of the groundbreaking Bethann Hardison. From emulating the strength of the Samurai, to insisting that fashion is more than just one type, to reminding us to vote, Bethann's story is many things all at once.

Tanya talks to Zamaan Quereshi, a college student co-founder of Design It For Us, about the campaign to make social media safer for young people, and his lawsuit against the SEC.

Tanya talks to artist, illustrator and entrepreneur Angie Quintanilla Coates about the art of keeping us on the bright side.(Original air date: April 7th, 2022)

This week Tanya talks to Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17) about the war in Ukraine, our relationship with China, the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas and the resulting war in Gaza. They also discuss in-office sit-ins, the threatened brawls on Capitol Hill and, for a pleasant change, civil discourse with a political opponent. Tanya and Ro cover a lot so don't miss this!

Tanya talks to the lawyers who helped Dominion Voting Systems achieve a $787 million settlement in its defamation case against Fox News over false claims of a “stolen” election. When is the lie someone tells, or spreads, worth money? When should you just move on?

Tanya talks to the history-making justice about the family tragedy that led her to the bench, and busting through other people's assumptions to do what you must.(Original air date: 3/22/23)

Sam Bankman-Fried, founder of the now bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX, faces up to 100 years in jail for his role in one of the biggest financial frauds on record. In this re-release, Tanya talks to journalist Sylvan Lane, Finance and Economic Policy Reporter at The Hill, about how cryptocurrency works and what happened at FTX. (Originally aired: 12/22)

Tanya talks to Rebecca Kiessling about loss, healing, and fighting the fentanyl crisis.

While Uvalde remains a community that mourns, heals, and remembers its victims, it is also a community that moved Albert Martinez to drive 140 miles to teach music at Uvalde High School. This is the story of how he got a group of unlikely musicians to open up, and how they all brought victory and triumph to Uvalde.

Tanya talks to the author of Major Labels: A History of Popular Music in Seven Genres, about the significance of musical genres; our fandom and our tastes; and some of music's most powerful moments.

Tanya talks to Karen Harvey, author of The Imposteress Rabbit Breeder: Mary Toft and Eighteenth-Century England

Tanya talks to Matthew Goodman, author of The Sun and the Moon: The Remarkable True Account of Hoaxers, Showmen, Dueling Journalists and Lunar Man-Bats in Nineteenth Century New York. The story is crazier than you can believe and no description here will do it justice. Enjoy the show.

Tanya talks to Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels about voting rights, building relationships across party lines, and new ideas for helping working people get a leg up.

9-yr old Grayson Roberts was born with little sight but great vision and an extraordinary mother, Terica. Listen as they talk about what it means to be “limitless.”

Tanya talks to the Kool And The Gang frontman about being the most sampled group in hip hop; how the music business has changed over the years; music education for kids; and, making champagne.

Diana Grossman of Mallory's Army Foundation talks to Tanya about her daughter Mallory's legacy and what we all can learn from it.

Janelle Wood founded Black Mothers Forum to address concerns about how schools were treating Black children. Listen as she and Shannon Hayes talk about the alternative option BMF offers to all children, in the hope of providing a better educational experience.

For 35 years Oliver James was functionally illiterate - even though he had a high school diploma. Listen to what happened when he decided to stop mimicking life and start living it.

Tanya talks to human trafficking expert Dottie Laster about the consequences of sex trafficking and the impact of the Gilgo Beach cases on the families of the victims.

Tanya talks to Paul McEnroe, author of The Barcode: How a Team Created One of the World's Most Ubiquitous Technologies, about innovation at the dawn of the Computer Age.

They helped secure a $787 million settlement for their client, Dominion Voting Systems, against Fox News. Tanya talks to Megan Meier, Daniel Watkins, Dustin Pusch and Andy Phillips of Meier, Watkins Phillips Pusch LLP about when to sue and when to move on.

Tanya talks to John Ray, attorney for the families of Gilgo Beach victims Shannan Gilbert and Jessica Taylor, about the investigation, recent developments in the case, and additional evidence he's collected that he hopes the prosecution will consider.

Tanya talks to (her cousin!) Major Marisa Barnes of the Kansas City Police Department about keeping communities safe while building trust; why her career compels her; and the excitement of exposing young people to careers as first responders.

WJBE-Knoxville owner completed his sentence for a tax crime but the FCC is threatening his license anyway. Listen as he talks about why he believes his fight for Knoxville's only Black station is so important.

While Uvalde remains a community that mourns; heals, and remembers its victims, it is also a community that moved Albert Lopez to drive 140 miles to teach music at Uvalde High School. Listen to the story of how he got a group of unlikely musicians to open up, and how they all brought victory and triumph to Uvalde.

After online sextortionists drove his son Gavin to suicide, South Carolina state senator Brandon Guffey changed the law and created a forum for saving young people through his charity, LessThan3.com (

How can you get the most of A.I.? How do you protect against it going rogue? Greg Mushen, software engineer and former hater of running, used ChatGPT to help him develop a running habit which led to a 26-lb weight loss. Listen as he explains how he made the most of “The Machine” while also guarding against some of its more troubling habits (which include “hallucinating”!) Then, Tanya speaks to Martinus Evans, who turned a hater's taunt into the inspiration for a fitness movement.

This special re-release with Ambassador Robert O'Brien, where we talk Russia and China, remains particularly relevant. You should tune in.

Tanya talks to Nathan Firesheets, the engineer who rose to the Disney Challenge, about his hacks for having the most fun in the Magic Kingdom.

Tanya talks to the member of the House Armed Services Committee about Russia's war on Ukraine; the price of gas; and his new book, Dignity in a Digital Age: Making Tech Work for All of Us.

Tanya talks to Nora Langdon, a champion powerlifter with many titles (!!) about her recipe for a great life.

Tanya talks to nationally syndicated advice columnist Amy Dickinson (“Ask Amy”) about the problems we always seem to have; her mother's triumph; good apologies; and her “life hacks”. Plus: relationships, blending families, bullies… and more. (Apparently, we can't stop Asking Amy.)