Podcast appearances and mentions of Angela Davis

Ten years ago, when you needed a ride across town or to the airport, you might have called a taxi. Now, you're more likely to open an app on your phone. Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have been growing at breakneck speed. But the fast growth — and increased focus on profits — has changed the experience for some drivers and riders. It's also prompted some states, including Minnesota, to pass minimum wage guarantees for drivers. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about how rideshare works and how it's changing. Guests:  Sergio Avedian is senior contributor for The Rideshare Guy, a driver advocacy blog and YouTube channel. He drives for multiple ridesharing and food delivery services in Los Angeles.Said Mohamed has been a rideshare driver for nine years and is a former taxi driver. Since moving to the Twin Cities from southern California three years ago, he's driven over 11,000 rides. He's also an organizer for SEIU Local 26, a union that wants to represent rideshare drivers.

When we think about what makes a strong community, it often comes down to one thing — people showing up for each other. Across Minnesota, thousands of volunteers are showing up every day — to stock food shelves, tutor students, plant community gardens, organize donation drives and more.And the way we serve is changing.Today, it's easier than ever to sign up for one-time events, find projects that line up with your skills or passions and even volunteer virtually from your computer.  MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about why volunteering matters, how it strengthens communities and how you can find opportunities that fit your interests and schedule. Guests: Niila Herbert is the executive director of the Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement.Melissa Wilson is the senior director of engagement at Greater Twin Cities United Way. She leads the United Way's Volunteer United program, which promotes volunteer opportunities and events.  

From TikTok trends to Hollywood mergers, the media world is evolving fast. Most Americans — 83 percent of U.S. adults — use streaming services, according to the Pew Research Center.Social media is competing with traditional outlets for our attention and trust.  And mergers are reshaping who creates, distributes and profits from the content we watch, read and listen to.  MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a media analyst and a pop culture critic about how technology, business and culture are transforming the media landscape and what it means.Guests:Eric Deggans is TV critic, media analyst and guest host at National Public Radio. Next month, he begins teaching as the Knight Professor of Journalism and Media Ethics at Washington and Lee University in Virginia. His book on how media outlets use racial issues to draw audiences is “Race-Baiter: How the Media Wields Dangerous Words to Divide a Nation.”Neal Justin is the pop culture critic for the Minnesota Star Tribune. He is also an adjunct instructor at the University of St. Thomas. 

In the latest episode, Dr. Schmidt talks with Angela Davis Sullivan discussed the importance of practice management in dental offices, focusing on effective production and collection systems, goal setting, team involvement, communication, leadership, and having tough conversations. They also emphasized the need for a balanced approach to treatment planning, the importance of retaining patients, and the significance of effective communication and listening. on the importance of practice management in dental offices. During the podcast, they highlighted the importance of self-evaluation and the use of coaches in various industries, including dentistry and it concludes with a discussion on the significance of systems in a thriving dental practice. Davis Sullivan, CEO and founder of Adaptive Dental Solutions, is also a speaker and educator for dental practices. Her background as an administrator, expanded function dental assistant, new patient coordinator, office manager, and advanced training with dental management systems is invaluable with the day-to-day operations in a dental office, with the doctor, and with the team.

Mini-series Part 3: The Shape-Shift of Good Intentions Still White at the CoreIn this episode, Maureen moves the lens from pointing the finger outward to turning it inward, tracing how whiteness shape-shifts inside us, softening edges, pleasing, and protecting the status quo even when wrapped in the language of justice.Drawing from Angela Davis, bell hooks, James Baldwin, Stokely Carmichael, and Ibram X. Kendi, Maureen examines the ways “good intentions” can mask white supremacist logic, and how liberalism often trades transformation for comfort.With help from Diedra Barber's insights on how patriarchy and white supremacy have co-opted the sacred, feminist, and ancestral art of shapeshifting, Maureen challenges listeners to reclaim that power, not for compliance but for connection, accountability, and liberation. The film Sinners returns as a metaphor for assimilation's hidden cost: the invitation that drains your soul while appearing generous.This episode is a call to notice where you have adapted yourself to fit systems, and to choose shapeshifting as a tool for survival, integrity, and transformation instead.This week's reflection:Where do I shape-shift to maintain comfort rather than create change?What have I been taught by white supremacy and patriarchy that I am ready to transmute?How can I use the power to shift as a practice of accountability, care, and liberation?Support the showThis episode was created with deep love, and deep thanks to the frameworks and tools within Cultivating Intersectional Leadership, a course I co-created with Diedra Barber. CIL isn't just a training. It's a transformative journey—one that supports individuals and organizations in making the systemic, strategic, and spiritual shifts needed to build something different. Something rooted in justice. Something aligned with who we say we want to be. You're invited to learn more or inquire about participation at:

If you've been on the fence about whether to get an electric vehicle, now might be a good time to buy or lease one. A federal tax credit that lowers the cost of EVs is set to expire at the end of September — much earlier than planned. The change is part of President Donald Trump's major tax and spending bill, which eliminated several incentives for electric vehicles. EVs have come a long way in the last few years. They made up nearly 8 percent of new cars sold last year in Minnesota and more than 100 electric vehicle models are now for sale in the U.S. (A side-by-side comparison of models can be found here.) MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about how public funding changes could affect the shift to electric, if now is a good time to swap the pump for a plug, and how far you can really go on a charge. Guests: Jukka Kukkonen is the founder of Shift2Electric, a Minnesota-based electric vehicle consulting and training company. He's also an instructor at the University of St. Thomas where he teaches courses about the EV market and technologies.  Katelyn Bocklund is the facilitator of Drive Electric Minnesota, a coalition that works to make electric vehicles more mainstream and easier to use in Minnesota. She's also a senior program manager of transportation at the nonprofit policy organization Great Plains Institute.   

This fall, a new wave of kindergarteners enters the classroom — most born in the early days of the pandemic. MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the challenges they may face and how schools and parents can help them thrive.  Guests: Lauren Girard has been a kindergarten teacher for 15 years. She teaches at Overland Elementary School in Rochester, Minn. She is also the parent of a child born during the early months of the pandemic.Lelandra Ross is a lead specialist in early childhood education at Bruce Vento Elementary School in St. Paul, Minn. She works with staff and parents to support early childhood family education, early childhood special education, three-year-old Head Start and pre-kindergarten programming. She has also been a pre-K teacher.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.     

Artificial intelligence is changing the way we work — faster than many of us expected. From writing emails to screening job applications, AI tools are showing up in offices, warehouses and other workplaces. But are employers ready? How are they setting expectations and drawing ethical lines around using this powerful technology? MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the growing role of AI across different industries and how organizations are responding. Guests:James Holmberg is the co-founder of VILAS, an organization focused on helping businesses understand, navigate and explore using artificial intelligence. Eran Kahana is an attorney for Maslon LLP, a business law firm based in Minneapolis. He specializes in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, privacy and intellectual property law. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota Law School.  Chris Farrell is the senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace. 

MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the power of poetry with Junauda Petrus, the poet laureate for the city of Minneapolis. Junauda says poetry is “soul medicine” that can unite us in our shared humanity. Angela also hears from poet and performer, Tish Jones, about what poetry means to her.Guests:Junauda Petrus is the poet laureate for the city of Minneapolis. She is an author, playwright, filmmaker and co-founder of the experimental artist collective, Free Black Dirt. She is the author of the Coretta Scott King Award-winning young adult novel, “The Stars and the Blackness Between Them,” and the children's book, “Can We Please Give the Police Department to the Grandmothers?” Tish Jones is a poet, performer and educator in St. Paul. She's also the founder and executive director of TruArtSpeaks. 

MPR News host Angela Davis talks about the power of poetry with Junauda Petrus, the poet laureate for the city of Minneapolis. Junauda says poetry is “soul medicine” that can unite us in our shared humanity. Angela also hears from poet and performer, Tish Jones, about what poetry means to her.Guests:Junauda Petrus is the poet laureate for the city of Minneapolis. She is an author, playwright, filmmaker and co-founder of the experimental artist collective, Free Black Dirt. She is the author of the Coretta Scott King Award-winning young adult novel, “The Stars and the Blackness Between Them,” and the children's book, “Can We Please Give the Police Department to the Grandmothers?” Tish Jones is a poet, performer and educator in St. Paul. She's also the founder and executive director of TruArtSpeaks. 

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a Twin Cities rapper and mindfulness instructor who says yoga saved his life.

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a Twin Cities rapper and mindfulness instructor who says yoga saved his life.

If you're single, you've probably heard it — or said it to yourself: Dating feels impossible right now.The numbers back it up. A Pew Research study found that nearly half of Americans say dating is harder than it was a decade ago.So, what's changed? Why is dating so difficult for so many people?Dating apps have transformed how we can meet, but it's not clear if they are helping or hurting. In the 1990s, nearly 20 percent of couples met in a bar or restaurant. Today that number is down to just 8 percent.MPR News host Angela Davis revisits a conversation she had earlier this year with a dating coach and a therapist to help break down the challenges of modern dating — and provide some advice for what you can do to make it easier.Guests: Deanna Pelley is a public speaker, podcaster and mental health therapist with Emerge Therapy based in Minneapolis.Alex Merritt is a Minneapolis-based dating coach, known as the “Love Engineer.” Alex leads relationship workshops and does one-on-one advising on how to find love.  Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. 

Joyce discusses the mass shooting in a New York and the gunman's claims against the NFL about CTE. She talks about ICE agents being harassed while arresting illegal immigrants at a Home Depot, Cambridge decision to honor American political activist, Angela Davis, the Cincinnati brawl, Jasmine Crockett, and Trump asking Alex Murdaugh to take the stand regarding Epstein allegations and birthday cards and more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From its origins in Black American communities to its influence on artists all over the world, jazz has always been about innovation, expression and connection. Here in Minnesota, one radio station has been keeping that spirit alive for more than 50 years — Jazz88 (KBEM-FM).Launched in 1970 as part of Minneapolis Public Schools, Jazz88 has been a hub for jazz lovers, educators and musicians, introducing generations to a timeless genre while adapting to changing times. MPR News host Angela Davis revisits a conversation she had earlier this year with some of the voices behind Jazz88, as well as a musician who performs around the Twin Cities. They explored the station's impact, its evolution and the artists shaping jazz.  Guests: Sean McPherson is the music director and afternoon host of Jazz88 (KBEM-FM). Previously he was an on-air host for The Current, Minnesota Public Radio's alternative music station.  Emmanuel Hill is the executive producer of MPS Voices, a Jazz88 livestream focused on broadcasting student voices in Minneapolis Public Schools.  Eli Awada is a Twin Cities musician, pianist and keyboardist for the jazz collective Room3.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. 

Summer is a busy time for road trips and travel on the North Shore. But data from the Department of Transportation shows that fewer people are crossing from Canada into Minnesota. This June, there were about 16 percent fewer people traveling in by car compared to last June. That's about 26,000 fewer people who came to visit our state. Earlier this year, MPR News host Angela Davis and Minnesota Now guest host Chris Farrell traveled to the Minnesota-Canada border to talk about how the U.S. tariffs on Canada have affected the relationship between the two nations. Minnesota Now is checking in on how that relationship may have slowed summer traffic into the states. John Fredrikson is an owner of the Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters in Grand Marais, and Kirsten Brune is a manager at the restaurant My Sister's Place also in Grand Marais. They spoke to Farrell about the changes they are seeing.

  On the show today, our guest is Nathan Poirier who returned to continue our discussion about veganarchism. We talked about some of the ideas raised in Nathan's solo book and the edited books, and also highlighted some ideas that are often not examined. Our first conversation about veganarchism aired in a previous show which is available here: https://www.3cr.org.au/freedomofspecies/episode/veganarchism-against-all-oppression-everywhere-all-time-nathan-poirier Note: in the third section of the podcast, we left it unedited and we talk about various topics such as intersectionality, that critical animal studies is not so radical anymore (probably need a  whole show to cover this), abolition, Angela Davis and more. We decided to leave in our chat unedited as a more representative overview of the conversation.    Nathan's bio:   Nathan Poirier is an independent scholar-activist who has edited or authored books that span topics like critical animal studies, veganarchism, non/human coexistence, and a forthcoming two-volume A6 set on black anarchism. Nathan is an ambassador for the Office of Empowerment (essential the DEI organization) at Lansing Community College where Nathan is a full time math tutor. Nathan enjoys bringing people and causes together so that individuals can constructively challenge each other socially and intellectually to create a better world for all. It is Nathan's continuous goal to push their own boundaries as well as others' in terms of how critical, radical thought relates to everyday life. Preferring to be somewhat of an intellectual  "jack of all trades", Nathan does not consider themselves an expert in anything and primarily hops between topics of intellectual inquiry (and back again) trying to learn a bit of everything. This orientation fits in with and helped lead to their theorizing veganism and anarchism as the same thing - and together as a theory of everything.     Links:     Books:   Veganarchism: Against All Oppression, Everywhere, All the time by Nathan Poirier (2025) https://www.activedistributionshop.org/product/vegananarchism-a6/    Veganarchism: Making Veganism and Anarchism Dangerous Again (edited by Will Boisseau and Nathan Poirier, 2024) https://www.activedistributionshop.org/product/vegananarchism/    Active Distribution has been around since the 1980s, as a DIY and voluntary project to support our scenes. Run by Jon for over thirty years, he's now stepped back to focus on Active Distribution Publishing, and a crew based in Bristol have been running the distro side of things. Still keeping things priced as low as possible, distributing a wide range of ‘all things anarchist' and maintaining a DIY and not for profit ethic. You can also find the books via PM Press:  The PM Press US links are below.:  Veganarchism: Against All Oppression, Everywhere, All the Time: https://pmpress.org/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1851  Veganarchism: Making veganism and Anarchism Dangerous Again: https://pmpress.org/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1850     PM Press is an independent, radical publisher of critically necessary books for our tumultuous times. Our aim is to deliver bold political ideas and vital stories to all walks of life and arm the dreamers to demand the impossible. Founded in 2007 by a small group of people with decades of publishing, media, and organizing experience, we have sold millions of copies of our books, most often one at a time, face to face. We're old enough to know what we're doing and young enough to know what's at stake. Join us to create a better world.   Books we mentioned in the last section of our discussion:  Racism as Zoological Witchcraft: A Guide to Getting Out by Aph Ko (2019) https://lanternpm.org/book/racism-as-zoological-witchcraft/  Expanding the Critical Animal Studies Imagination: Essays in Solidarty and Total Liberation by Nathan Poirier (Volume editor), Sarah Tomasello (Volume editors), Amber E. George (Volume editor) (2024) https://www.peterlang.com/document/1298884  Building Multispecies Resistance Against Exploitation: Stories from the Frontlines of Labor and Animal Rights by Zane McNeill (2024) https://www.peterlang.com/document/1359054 Some links of interest:Are you an anarchist? The answer may surprise you!https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/david-graeber-are-you-an-anarchist-the-answer-may-surprise-you Christoper Sebastian on exploring radical veganism https://strivingwithsystems.com/2017/05/15/exploring-radical-veganism/  Traumatized and Thriving on Instagram - resource on Decolonize Your Life for Beginners https://www.instagram.com/traumatized_thriving/?hl=en       Music we played on the show:Everlast - The Culling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tqzr2f1cZv4Bob Dylan - Masters of War https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEmI_FT4YHUBob Dylan - With God on our Side  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y2FuDY6Q4M.       Please note that for copyright reasons we cannot include the songs played on the show in the podcast. Our guests' songs have been added to the Freedom of Species Spotify playlist where possible here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3TJQujKYjGFoFP6LhBbaTS?si=bfcb55c3f763...(link is external)    Thank you for listening. Please contact us with any feedback on our shows at freedomofspecies@gmail.com   

 In this compelling episode, we sit down with literary scholar and author Dana A. Williams to explore her new book, Toni at Random. Best known as a Nobel Prize-winning novelist, Toni Morrison also spent over a decade as a formidable editor at Random House—amplifying Black voices, shaping cultural memory, and changing the face of American publishing. Williams reveals how Morrison championed iconic figures like Angela Davis, Muhammad Ali, and Toni Cade Bambara, and how her behind-the-scenes work helped lay the foundation for a more inclusive literary canon.  Tweet us at @podcastcolors. Check out our partner program on international affairs, Global with JJ Green on Substack. Please subscribe. Email us at colors@the colorspodcast.com.

Laurie Putnam is the superintendent of St. Cloud Public Schools, and the first woman to lead the district. Her husband, Aric Putnam, is a DFL state senator, representing District 14, which includes St. Cloud. Together, they're navigating politics, education, family life and the challenges of leading in the public eye. MPR News host Angela Davis continues her Power Pairs series with a conversation about how they support each other and why they picked careers that serve their community. Guests: Laurie Putnam is the superintendent of St. Cloud Public Schools.  Aric Putnam is a DFL state senator representing District 14, which includes St. Cloud and surrounding communities. Check out Angela's previous Power Pair conversations.  Do you know a Power Pair?We'd love to hear your ideas for Power Pairs to interview. Send us your suggestions.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

Matthew Remski, Host of Conspirituality and author of the forthcoming Antifascist Dad, helps us find a new kind of resistance to the atmosphere of violence in which we're living – the sweet spot for a new movement of mutual support.AboutMatthew Remski writes on spiritual delusion and possibility in the shadows of capitalism and climate change. Remski has bylines in The Walrus, GEN, Globe and Mail, Boston Globe, and TIME. He's published nine books of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction, including (with Derek Beres and Julian Walker) Conspirituality: How New Age Conspiracy Theories Became a Health Threat, and, his latest book, Surviving Modern Yoga: Cult Dynamics, Charismatic Leaders, and What Survivors Can Teach Us. His new book, Antifascist Dad, is scheduled to be released in April 2026.He co-hosts Conspirituality Podcast, investigating the intersections of conspiracy theories and spiritual influence, to uncover cults, pseudoscience, and authoritarian extremism.Names citedRachel Maddow, Derek Beres, Julian Walker, Sam Bankman Fried, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., William Thetford, Marianne Williamson, Donald Trump, Joe Rogan, Audre Lorde, Brian Thompson, Kwame Tore, Angela Davis, and Rosa Parks.Team Human is proudly sponsored by Everyone's Earth.Learn more about Everyone's Earth: https://everyonesearth.com/Change Diapers: https://changediapers.com/Cobi Dryer Sheets: https://cobidryersheets.com/Use the code “rush10” to receive 10% off of Cobi Dryer sheets: https://cobidryersheets.com/ Support Team Human on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/teamhumanFollow Team Human with Douglas Rushkoff:Instagram: https:/www.instagram.com/douglasrushkoffBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rushkoff.comGet bonus content on Patreon: patreon.com/teamhuman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump signed into law the major domestic policy bill that cuts about $1 trillion dollars from federal Medicaid spending over the next ten years. The changes to Medicaid are estimated to result in nearly 10 million more people going without health insurance by 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office.  Medicaid is the public insurance program that covers most health care and long-term care for 83 million low-income and disabled people in the United States. Nearly a quarter of Minnesota's residents are on the state's Medicaid program, which is known as Medical Assistance. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about what this means for Minnesotans, including new work requirements and restrictions that will reduce funding for the program.  Guests: John Connolly is deputy commissioner and state Medicaid director for the Minnesota Department of Human Services.   Sue Abderholden is the executive director of NAMI Minnesota, the Minnesota chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Steve Grove's career spans journalism, public service and Big Tech.  He helped shape content at Google and YouTube, led Minnesota's Department of Employment and Economic Development, and now serves as publisher and CEO of the Star Tribune. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Grove about the future of media, the role of public service, the influence of technology and what it means to come home to the Midwest.Guest: Steve Grove is the CEO and publisher of the Minnesota Star Tribune. He was commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development during Governor Tim Walz's first term. Before moving back to his home state, Steve built a career in Silicon Valley as an executive at Google and YouTube. He is the co-founder of Silicon North Stars — a nonprofit he started with his wife, Mary — to educate and inspire young Minnesotans to pursue careers in technology. He is also the author of the new book, "How I Found Myself in the Midwest." 

Micha Frazer-Carroll and Sasha Warren are back on the podcast to discuss the Dialectics of Liberation Congress: a conference that brought together the likes of R. D. Laing, David Cooper, Kwame Ture (FKA Stokely Carmichael), Herbert Marcuse, Allen Ginsburg, CLR James, Angela Davis, Carolee Schneemann, and many more in London, 1967. The congress attempted to theorize and resist violence in all its forms, we discuss what took place at this weird and intense event and what we can learn from it today.  Sasha Durakov Warren is a writer based in Minneapolis. He cofounded the group Hearing Voices Twin Cities and is the author of the fantastic book Storming Bedlam: Madness, Utopia, and Revolt which published last year with Common Notions. He runs the substack Of Unsound Mind.  Micha Frazer-Carroll is an author, journalist and editor living in London.  She was previously an editor at the magazine gal-dem and has written for publications including the Guardian, Vogue, Huck, and DAZED magazine. Micha is also the author of Mad World: The Politics of Mental Health which was published in 2023 by Pluto Press.  All samples in this episode come from the film Dialectics Of Liberation - Anatomy Of Violence (Villon films). Submit to the ANTI-SELF-HELPLINE here: https://linktr.ee/redmedicine.xyz  SUPPORT: www.buymeacoffee.com/redmedicineSoundtrack by Mark PilkingtonTwitter: @red_medicine__www.redmedicine.substack.com/

Retirement is often seen as the time to finally slow down, enjoy life and live off your years of savings. But that's not reality for many people.  More older Americans are entering retirement weighed down with debt in the form of mortgages, credit card balances, medical bills and even student loans.  MPR News host Angela Davis talks with guests about what's behind the trend of rising debt in retirement, what lies ahead and ideas for tackling it. Guests: Chris Farrell is the senior economics contributor at MPR News and Marketplace and author of the recent 12-part series on Marketplace and Next Avenue, Buy Now, Pay Later, about the debt burden of older Americans nearing and during retirement. Henry Rucker is associate director of Homeownership and Financial Coaching at Project for Pride in Living, a Minneapolis nonprofit organization that focuses on affordable housing and career readiness for low-income households.  

After a Minneapolis police officer murdered George Floyd, calls for justice were loud and urgent. Some community leaders began asking: How do we make real, lasting change — especially when it comes to racial and economic justice? That question sparked the creation of the Groundbreak Coalition — a multibillion-dollar effort to close the racial wealth gap by rethinking how we invest in homes, businesses, and communities. Listen to a conversation moderated by MPR News host Angela Davis about how a moment of crisis inspired a long-term strategy to build Black wealth — and why economic justice is essential to racial justice. The discussion was recorded at a national conference in Minneapolis organized by the Council on Foundations.Panelists:Tonya Allen is president of the McKnight Foundation whose leadership has helped shape a philanthropic vision rooted in equity and systemic change. She is also the chair of the Groundbreak Coalition. R.T. Rybak is the CEO of the Minneapolis Foundation and former mayor of Minneapolis. David Mortenson is the chairman of M.A. Mortenson Company — one of the nation's leading construction and real estate development firms. He also serves on the board of directors for the Mortenson Family Foundation. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.     Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.     

Ep 345 of RevolutionZ begins with a brief apology for an error last episode. some self-reflection about RevolutionZ's duration of 345 consecutive episodes, some moving guest comments on Gaza plus my own comments on emerging Trumpian fascism. It then again addresses the question do activists need fresh conceptual frameworks that transcend traditional Marxism?The episode revisits the critique of the Marxist tradition's adequacy for contemporary struggles/ We again and perhaps more succinctly and also aggressively argue that Marxism's core concepts systematically diminish attention to gender, race, and power relations while distorting economic understanding by defining classes solely through property relations.The episode describes how these limitations have manifested in real-world movements to lead not to classlessness but to "coordinator class rule," dictatorships, and persistent though sometimes somewhat altered racism and sexism. The episode rejects Marxism's labor theory of value, denies the practical utility of dialectics, and considers why the tradition seems particularly vulnerable to sectarianism.After then sharing a couple of personal anecdotes, the episode extends invitations to prominent Marxist intellectuals—from Kali Akuno, Tariq Ali, Ben Burgis, Vivek Chibber and Angela Davis, to Terry Eagleton, Max Elbaum, Bill Flether, Nancy Fraser and John Bellamy Foster, to David Harvey, Doug Henwood and Boris Kagarlitsky, to Robin Kelly, Vijay Prashad, Kshama Sawant and Rick Wolff—to address these concerns in the spirit of constructive dialogue. Hopefully one or more will respond. After all, why not?This episode isn't bent on dismissing Marxism's contributions much less any Marxist activists, but on asking essential questions to propel a needed conversation: Does this intellectual tradition, as practiced by real-world actors who have been bent by existing oppressive structures, provide the comprehensive understanding needed for today's multi-faceted struggles? When should we enrich existing frameworks, and when must we entirely transcend them? Do you  want to be called Marxist? If so, why? What conceptual tools will best serve our efforts to create a world beyond capitalism, sexism, racism, authoritarianism, and ecological collapse? Marxism's conceptual tools, or what?Whether you're deeply versed in Marxist theory or approaching these matters for the first time, this episode urges that we together critically examine the intellectual foundations of our activism. What frameworks best position us to understand—and change—our rapidly transforming world?Support the show

Lately, it seems like no matter where you drive in Minnesota, you run into road construction — lane closures, detours, backed-up traffic and a lot of orange cones. If you're wondering, “Why now? Why so many projects all at once?” — you're not alone. MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests take a closer look at what's behind this busy construction season. Guests: Anne Meyer is the media relations coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Transportation.  Charles Carlson is with the Metropolitan Council. He serves as the executive director of Metropolitan Transportation Services. 

Have you been thinking about what your life might look like with less alcohol? Whether it's for health, mental clarity or out of just plain curiosity, more people are choosing to rethink why they drink alcohol. MPR News host Angela Davis explores what it means to be “sober curious.” Guests: Alexandra Zauner is the owner of Lucille's Bottle Shop, a St. Paul business that sells non-alcoholic drinks and organizes alcohol-free events for the sober and “sober curious.” Alyssa Heim stopped drinking five years ago at age 25 and now runs the Instagram page talkthemock where she shares non-alcoholic drink recipes and promotes a sober lifestyle.  

Teachers often talk about the summer slide — the setback many students experience in reading skills during the summer months. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with three children's book authors for recommendations on great books to read this summer to keep kids' reading skills up and their imaginations alive. Guests:Shannon Gibney is an author and professor of English at Minneapolis College. The children's books she's written include “Sam and the Incredible African and American Food Fight” and “We Miss You, George Floyd.” She is also the co-author of “Where We Come From.” And she's written novels and young adult fiction, including “The Girl I Am, Was, and Never Will Be: A Speculative Memoir of Transracial Adoption,” “See No Color” and “Dream Country,” both of which won Minnesota Book Awards. Jessie Taken Alive-Rencountre is a Hunkpapa Lakota from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. She was a school counselor for 15 years and now works full time as an author and presenter. She received the Great Plains Emerging Tribal Writer's Award for her first children's book, “Pet'a Shows Misun the Light.” And she is the author of six other children's books, including “Thunder's Hair” and “We Are All Related.” Sarah Warren is an award-winning children's book author who worked as an early childhood educator for over 17 years. Her picture books include “Beyoncé: Shine Your Light,” “Stacey Abrams: Lift Every Voice,” “Everything a Drum” and “Dolores Huerta: A Hero to Migrant Workers.” Sarah is also co-founder of Picture Book Parade, an organization that promotes literacy and diverse local authors. Angela's guests and listeners recommended some of their favorite books: “Baby Monkey Private Eye” by Brian Selznick and David Serlin  “Llama Llama book series” by Anna Dewdney “The $66 Summer” by John Armistead “Humphrey Series” by Betty G. Birney “Where the Red Fern Grows” by Wilson Rawls “Time of Wonder” and “Blueberries for Sal” by Robert McCloskey “Go, Dog. Go!“ by P.D. Eastman“Where the Wild Things Are“ by Maurice Sendak“Sisters,” “Smile,“ “Guts,“ graphic novels by Raina Telgemeier “How Full Is Your Bucket“ by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer “The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir“ and children's books by Kao Kalia Yang “Click Clack Moo“ by Doreen Cronin “Charlotte's Web“ by E.B. White“One Little Lot: The 1-2-3s of an Urban Garden“ by Diane C. Mullen Mindy Kim Book Series by Lyla Lee “Front Desk“ by Kelly Yang “Looking for Lucy“ by Emrys Current “The Rithmatist“ by Brandon Sanderson 

What happens when the system labels you the threat—just for surviving it?This isn't the history you were taught.This is The House That Dynamite Built.

Young adults who recently graduated from college are facing a tough job market.The national unemployment rate among people age 22 to 27 with a degree is almost 6 percent, which is the highest it's been since the pandemic. Joblessness among young workers is also worse than the overall unemployment rate of around 4 percent. And, many young graduates are working in jobs that do not require a college degree. MPR News host Angela Davis talks about reasons why the job market is particularly hard right now for recent grads and what it takes to get a job if you're new to the workforce. Guests: Katie Jolicoeur is director of Career Services at Minnesota State University, Mankato.Chris Farrell is a senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace.  

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Dana A. Williams, author of TONI AT RANDOM: The Iconic Writer's Legendary Editorship. In the interview, Dr. Williams discussed Toni Morrison's path to becoming a book editor, some of the Black writers she edited at Random House including Angela Davis and Toni Cade Bambara, and what inspired her to write the book.Dana A. Williams is Professor of African American Literature in the Department of English and Dean of the Graduate School at Howard University. She is former president of the College Language Association and the Modern Languages Association and is the author of In the Light of Likeness—Transformed: The Literary Art of Leon Forrest. Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media: Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreview Instagram - @diverse_voices_book_review     

Summer is a great time for birdwatching. With longer days and warmer weather, it's the perfect season to step outside and see what's fluttering in your neighborhood, park, or along the shoreline.And whether you're a seasoned “birder” or a curious newcomer, birdwatching is an increasingly popular way to connect with nature.MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Sharon Stiteler, also known as “the Birdchick,” about summer birdwatching — what to look for, where to go, and why this season is more active than you might think.Guest:Sharon Stiteler, also known as “the Birdchick,” fell in love with birds at age seven when someone gave her a Peterson Field Guide to Birds. She's now an avid bird watcher and author of several books, including “North American Bird Watching for Beginners: Field Notes on 150 Species to Start Your Birding Adventures.” For more information about birding, Sharon recommends allaboutbirds.org. A good resource for younger birders is mybirdclub.org.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. 

Progress has been made in raising awareness about mental health, but many people are still not getting the support they need. Listen to a conversation hosted by MPR News host Angela Davis about barriers to mental health care. Three women who lead Minnesota nonprofits talk about mental health needs in communities and families, the disparities in mental health care systems and how resources can support people.The discussion was recorded on May 28 at an event at the Ameriprise Financial Headquarters in Minneapolis that was organized by CHC: Creating Healthier Communities, a national nonprofit based in Alexandria, Virginia, in partnership with UCare and Medica Foundation.Panelists: Kimberly Spates is the chief executive officer of NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center, a federally qualified health center serving residents in North Minneapolis and Hennepin County. Sue Abderholden has served as executive director for NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) since 2001. She is also a community faculty member for the University of Minnesota School of Social Work where she teaches health and mental health policy.  Jessica Gourneau is the clinical director at the American Indian Family Center in St. Paul, where she oversees mental health, chemical dependency, and women's health programming. She is a doctorate-level psychologist and an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.   

Across Minnesota, there are people working every day to strengthen their communities. Sometimes it starts with a small business. Sometimes, with a personal passion — and sometimes, with a gym. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Dalton Outlaw — someone who combined all three. He's an entrepreneur, a boxer and a community leader based in the Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul. Guest:Dalton Outlaw is an entrepreneur, boxer and community leader based in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is the founder and owner of Element Gym, a fitness facility that combines boxing, fitness, and community engagement. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.     

Across Minnesota, there are people working every day to strengthen their communities. Sometimes it starts with a small business. Sometimes, with a personal passion — and sometimes, with a gym. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Dalton Outlaw — someone who combined all three. He's an entrepreneur, a boxer and a community leader based in the Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul. Guest:Dalton Outlaw is an entrepreneur, boxer and community leader based in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is the founder and owner of Element Gym, a fitness facility that combines boxing, fitness, and community engagement. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.     

Running a restaurant might seem like a dream come true — good food, great vibes, and the chance to serve up joy on a plate.  But what's cooking behind the scenes? It's a never-ending dance of balancing budgets, managing people, and surviving the pressure of every customer, every order, and every shift.  MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about what it takes to start and manage a restaurant — and keep it open. Guests:Stephanie Shimp is the president and founder of Blue Plate Restaurant Company, which owns nine restaurants including Highland Grill, The Lowry and The Blue Barn at the Minnesota State Fair. Joy Summers is a food and drink reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune.  Chris Farrell is a senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.      

In 1979, President Jimmy Carter officially recognized June as Black Music Month to honor the influence of Black musicians and artists in shaping American music.  It's a reminder that Black music has been at the heart of almost every sound we know and love, including jazz, blues, rock, R&B, gospel, hip hop and even country. And in Minnesota, we've felt the impact — from the legacy of Prince to the Grammy Award-winning Sounds of Blackness. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Gary Hines, the founder of Sounds of Blackness, about the history and influence of Black artists across all musical genres. Guests: Gary Hines is the founder, music director and producer of Sounds of Blackness, a Grammy Award-winning vocal and instrumental group from Minnesota that blends gospel, R&B, soul and jazz music.   Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.   Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.  

Most Americans are eating and drinking far more sugar than is good for us. It's easy to do. Sugar is added to everything from breakfast cereals and flavored coffee creamers to salad dressings and pasta sauces. And all of that sugar can add up. Americans consume an average of 17 teaspoons of sugar a day with some estimates as high as 34 teaspoons a day. That's about three times the daily limit recommended by the American Heart Association.U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently said, “Sugar is poison,” and recommends that Americans consume “zero” added sugar. So how much is too much? MPR News host Angela Davis talks with a doctor and a dietitian about what sugar does to our bodies and ways to cut back to improve our health.  Guests: Dr. Allison Estrada is an endocrinologist at Hennepin HealthCare.    Alex Larson is a registered dietitian nutritionist based near Duluth.  Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.   Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.     

After the U.S. attacked three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, Israel launched wide-ranging strikes on Tehran and Iran fired missiles at the largest American military installation in the Middle East. And according to President Donald Trump, Israel and Iran have agreed to a cease-fire.MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the latest developments in the conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States.Guests:Shaherzad Ahmadi is an associate professor of history at the University of St. Thomas. Her research has focused on the history of the Iran-Iraq War that began in 1980. She is also the author of “Bordering on War.” Eric Schwartz is a professor and chair of the global policy area and former dean of the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. He is a former president of Refugees International and served as assistant secretary of state under President Barack Obama.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. 

President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown has sparked recent protests across the country.MPR News host Angela Davis will talk with two immigration attorneys about how Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are trying to fulfill President Trump's pledge of mass deportations.Guests:Alexis Dutt is a senior attorney at Karam Law, a Twin Cities law firm that focuses on immigration law.Hanne Sandison is the director of immigration legal services for Advocates for Human Rights, a nonprofit based in Minneapolis dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights. Chris Farrell is a senior economics contributor for MPR News and Marketplace. Resources shared during the conversation:U.S. Citizen and Immigration ServicesSelf-help materials: LawHelpMN.orgFind a free or low-cost lawyer: ImmigrationLawHelp.org The Advocates for Human Rights: Get Help or Become a Client

Juneteenth has long been celebrated in Black communities to remember June 19, 1865, the day that enslaved African Americans in Texas learned they were free. After becoming a federal holiday in 2021, broader community celebrations began in cities around the country, including the Minnesota Orchestra's annual Juneteenth concert tonight at Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis. MPR News host Angela Davis talked with the guest conductor of the Juneteenth concert and one of its organizers about the contributions of Black American composers and how classical music is being shaped by Black American music traditions, including gospel, jazz and the blues. Tickets to the 7 p.m. concert were still available as of Thursday morning. The concert will also stream live on YourClassical MPR with host Melissa Ousley. Guests:   Jonathan Taylor Rush returns to guest conduct this year's Juneteenth concert with the Minnesota Orchestra after conducting the concert in 2024. Now based in North Carolina, Taylor Rush was associate conductor of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra from 2020 to 2023 and is in demand as a guest conductor around the world.  Grant Meachum is director of the Minnesota Orchestra's Live at Orchestra Hall season, which includes the Juneteenth concert and more than twenty other special programs every year featuring film presentations, holiday celebrations and collaborations with popular artists. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.  

Federal authorities posted murder and stalking charges against Vance Boelter Monday, saying he went to the homes of two other state lawmakers early Saturday morning between shooting state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, and killing DFL House leader Melissa Hortman and her husband. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson said more than 45 Minnesota state and federal officials were on Boelter's target list — all of them Democrats. The shootings are part of a string of high-profile political violence across the country in recent years.MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the rise in sharp polarization in the U.S. and the threat of political violence. Guests:  Lilliana Mason is a professor of political science at Johns Hopkins University. She is the author of “Uncivil Agreement: How Politics Became Our Identity.” And she is the co-author of “Radical American Partisanship: Mapping Violent Hostility, Its Causes, and the Consequences for Democracy.” Kathryn Pearson is a professor of political science at the University of Minnesota. She is also the associate dean of undergraduate education and the director of the University Honors Program.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.     

Minnesota House Democratic Leader Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were fatally shot at their home in Brooklyn Park early Saturday. A second Democratic lawmaker, state Sen. John Hoffman, and his wife Yvette, were also shot and wounded at their home in Champlin. Gov. Tim Walz said the shooting “appears to be a politically motivated assassination.” On Sunday, he pleaded for civility in American life. “This cannot be the norm,” he said. “It cannot be the way we deal with our political differences.”Angela Davis and her guests talk about how Minnesotans are processing the news, the history of political violence in the United States and how it's changing. Guests: Yohuru Williams is a distinguished university chair, professor of history and founding director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas. Larry Jacobs is a political scientist and founder and director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota. He is also the author of “Democracy Under Fire: Donald Trump and the Breaking of American History.”  Ryan Sabas, Mayor of Champlin, Minn.Steve Simon, Minnesota's Secretary of State.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.     

The Trump administration's immigration crackdown is extending to people who want to study at colleges and universities in the U.S.MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about how halting interviews for new student visa applications and banning travel from some countries could affect higher education in Minnesota. Guests:Shahzad Ahmad is associate vice president for global and multicultural engagement at St. Cloud State University. Scott Olson is the chancellor of Minnesota State — the fourth largest system of state colleges and universities in the U.S. and the largest in Minnesota. He was president of Winona State University from 2012–2023. Before that, he was provost and vice president for academic and student affairs at Minnesota State University Mankato. 

When people think about lifting weights, they often picture building a lot of muscle or see it as a way to “bulk up.” But weight training can be a powerful tool for long-term health — helping strengthen your bones and improve your balance and mental well-being.  MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about how weight training can boost your health — physically and mentally — at any age. Guests: Angela Nguyen is a certified mobility, strength and nutrition coach for American Strength Training Center in Maplewood, Minn. She is also a three-time bodybuilding “posing and presentation” winner.  Hegel Brandes is the manager of outpatient occupational therapy and physical therapy rehabilitation services for Hennepin Healthcare. He oversees physical therapists who create exercise treatment plans to help people recover from injuries.Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.     

Donald Trump's presidency has been a busy time for Democratic attorneys general across the country.  President Trump started his term with a flurry of executive orders. In response, many state attorneys general, often working together, filed their own barrage of federal lawsuits to put the brakes on what the president is trying to do.  In January, 22 states and the District of Columbia challenged an executive order to freeze federal funding. In February, attorneys general from three states, including Minnesota, sued to stop a presidential order that would have restricted health care for transgender youth. In April, a dozen states sued to halt many of the tariffs that President Trump imposed without approval from Congress.  And on Tuesday, California state officials continued to push back on President Trump's decision to deploy Marines and state National Guard troops to immigration protests in Los Angeles. MPR News host Angela Davis talks with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison about why he thinks President Trump is stepping over the legal limits of the constitution. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin joins them later in the hour. Guests: Keith Ellison has served as Minnesota's attorney general since January 2019. Before that, he spent 12 years representing Minnesota's 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Matthew Platkin was appointed as New Jersey's attorney general in 2022. He has also worked in private practice and served as chief counsel to New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.     

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about how smoke from Canadian wildfires could continue to affect our air quality this summer and what we can do to stay healthy when skies are smoky. Guests:Jessie Carr is the supervisor of environmental epidemiology in the environmental health division of the Minnesota Department of Health. Matt Taraldsen is a meteorologist and supervisor of the team that issues air quality conditions, alerts and forecasts at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.   Dr. Dylan Wyatt is an emergency medicine physician with Aspirus St. Luke's health care system in Duluth.AirNow.gov allows you to check current air quality conditions. You can also download the AirNow mobile app and sign up to receive air quality alerts and forecasts via email.MPCA current air quality conditions: Current air quality conditions | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (state.mn.us)MDH air quality and health website: Air Quality, Climate and HealthMDH Wildfire Smoke web page: Wildfire Smoke - MN Dept. of Health (state.mn.us)Minnesota Outdoor Air Quality Guidance for Schools and Child CareDIY Air Cleaner to Reduce Wildfire Smoke Indoors

Langston Hughes, the great African American poet, said decades ago, “Fascism is a new name for that kind of terror the Negro has always faced in America.” Fascism can and has led to genocide. Progressive African American intellectuals, writers, poets, and musicians have had a long tradition and history of solidarity and resisting fascism and genocide, from Frederick Douglass to Gil Scott-Heron, from Sojourner Truth to Angela Davis, from W.E.B. Du Bois to John Lewis, from Paul Robeson to Amiri Baraka, from Ida B. Wells to Malcolm X, from Ella Baker to Dr. King, from Harry Belafonte to Sonny Rollins, from James Baldwin to Cornel West and up to the present moment where Robin D. G. Kelley warns “We're witnessing the consolidation of a fascist police state.” Recorded at the University of Massachusetts.