Upon Request

When was the last time you thought about politics, the South, and activism in the same breath? Why is progressive politics and the South overlooked? Do you think LGBTQIA+ rights and Arkansas? Do you think Abolition and Nebraska? Do you think Racial Justice and Mississippi? So many of the most important fights for justice have started, been nurtured, and had major milestones in the Southern states so why does movement, media, and platform not seem to include Southern organizers? We sit down with the founders of Ozark Media to talk more about why they launched their new outlet, what's the focus, the inspiration, and the vision. 

What's so funny about Climate Change? We sit down with comedians and organizers for the Climate Apo.Ha-Ha.calypse to discuss why comedy and why now? Through this conversation we find different ways to make our movement for climate action accessible and to make the weight of climate apocalypse more easily understood by our human brains. Links and resources:Past Eventshttps://www.brooklyncc.com/show-schedule/apocahahalypse-1-31Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/apo.haha.calypse/Upcoming Eventshttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/apoha-hacalypse-make-polluters-pay-on-earth-day-with-yellow-dot-studios-tickets-1259538606879?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

For years we've watched cruel corporate-backed decisions that further sow power for corporations while isolating people from different walks of life from protections. Think Hobby Lobby, threats against undocumented migrants, or even the increasingly unstable economic outlook for workers. These are all examples of the divide and conquer strategy of the elite against people, but why? We talk more about what these tactics look like and maybe figure out the why behind them. 

In a world of increased surveillance, the issues of state security, human rights, and individual freedoms are coming to a head. How do we learn from the surveillance state to date, how do we protect communities, our rights, and ourselves and what can we anticipate with a new era of AI and techno fixes to the human limits of international policing.

Every few years there's milestone moments where movements for justice and a better world emerge. It's then we find that people awaken, turn their attention to being involved, and also struggle with how to fit in. Madeleine shares her thoughts on what it means to find your superpowers and we delve into what that means for how folks show up within movements from climate, to racial justice, and beyond.

Joined by our good friend Marven Hyppolite we honor the legacy of Haiti to the international community, the ongoing situation in the country, personal reflections on being part of the diaspora, and what the 11th Department is. If you're looking to understand more about what it's like on-the-ground from Marven's recent trip home and the opportunities for the diaspora of Haitian migrants across the globe listen in! 

Sports have always been political, from the financial backing by famous Black athletes in the civil rights era, to the groundbreaking pursuits of athletes pushing the boundaries for gender, race, and sexual orientation inclusivity, to the revolutionary acts opposing dictatorships through protest, to modern issues of politics and sport like Colin Kapernick, the list goes on. We sit down to chat with 2018 NCAA Division III 400m hurdles champion Lilah Drafts-Johnson to learn more about her work on making sports safer and better for athletes, the people they are in relationship with, and society at large. Join us as we unpack and try to define what a more conscious participation in sports could look like. 

Outside of the norms for this podcast, Michél decided to share some immediate reactions about the Tik Tok ban. It felt important to note this relatively inconsequential response to stopping the global movement in solidarity with people in Palestine from the globe and currently rising on campuses. We wanted to share this out as a relevant topic -- hope this feels like a resonant reaction.

Struggling to understand what's going on in Sudan? So were we, we decided to chat with Mohammed Elnaiem to learn more and better understand the details of preceding and current conditions for the ongoing conflict. Mohammed was part of the Sudanese Revolution in 2018-2019 and has written extensively on the topic of decolonization. He heads the newly founded organization Decolonial Centre and continues to be a thought leader and activist in support of liberation for the Sudanese people. https://decolonialcentre.org/

As working class and poor people across the country experience significant stress materially in an era of increased manufactured economic crisis we thought to discuss the beneficiaries of this moment and how they continue to hoard wealth while directly depriving our countries of the resources to address the poverty crisis.

An honest conversation on how we're all navigating the war on Palestine and the ongoing genocide. This is a heavy listen but ultimately one we hope provides tools for people that care about life and are against all the interwoven layers of oppression and systems of abuse.

Suzie Hicks is an award-winning filmmaker, author, and television host. Focuses on climate and environmental communication for kids of all ages.  suziehicks.com A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety by Sarah Jaquette Ray The Revolution Will Not Be Funded by INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence

 The URpod crew is joined by Indigenous activist, writer, and all around badass Savannah Romero. She shares what future-building looks like, Indigenous issues folks should know about, and how creative outlets have helped shape where she is today, reminding us all along the conversation about centering the history, legacy, and currency of colonialism and white supremacy. @savannahromero

We are joined by the incredible environmental justice leader, Black Birder, and educator Tykee James. We get to cover a lot this episode: environment, class, community, conservation, and being Black in it all.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Petros Vamvakas and Alan Gabriel as folks from the eastern Mediterranean and with valuable lived experience, to share their perspective at the 15 year mark of the ‘08 economic crisis. And to discuss the role of capitalism, globalization, political hegemony and neoliberalism today.

We sit down with friends to talk about the way we brand and reference the content we consume. We wondered why is it that media for traditionally women or queer audiences are deemed “trash” but sports shows with talking heads screaming at each other aren't? What makes something “trash”? And how do we let ourselves freely enjoy content while also being critical of it? Share your thoughts after you tune into the latest episode of Upon Request 

We sit down to discuss the rise of the meniverse, an online male-centric echo chamber of all things fast cars, misogyny, and misplaced hatred. While capitalism disenfranchises and makes men more likely to suffer with mental health issues there is a new wave of hyper-masculine social media talking heads swooping in to sell these vulnerable men a dangerous dream.

Some of y'all have been asking why? Who are we? And what the heck this is about? Learn more about the folks behind the podcast on the latest episode of Upon Request

It's the Trini special, a one hour deep-dive into the history of carnival, its music, history, and some of the things Michél loves about his home country. Eric and Michél are joined by Carolina making her co-hosting debut! What's the carnival of your country?

We're back and this time we're discussing what's been helping us through this digitally dominant age of pandemic. With all the video calls and the 'work from home' era is there a burgeoning wave of analog desire? Is it a return to the crackle and warmth of vinyl or is it just a phase we'll all get past before lining up for the next new phone?

In our latest episode we tackle the much talked about but hardly transformed work/life balance. Eric and Michél discuss the trials of achieving a healthy balance, a 32-hour work week, and somehow Michél manages to drag a certain billionaire back into this episode and what he's wrong about this time.

In this episode we discuss Big Data, billionaires, and the privatization of the internet and how we spend our time.

In our first episode, Michél Legendre and Eric Johnson discuss the history of chili peppers. We talk about how a vegetable that once only existed in Central and Southern America changed our lives, and food and culture around the world.