Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams

Епізоди

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  The AI Apocalypse, Supreme Court Takeover, and JD Vance’s Next Move (w/ Alex Wagner) 15.09.2026 1год 11хв

  Is the AI apocalypse already underway and will we get meaningful regulation before it’s too late?  How did the “four horsemen” of the right-wing legal movement lay the groundwork for today’s conservative Supreme Court? Will JD Vance continue to position himself as the Republican Party’s next leader? Host of Runaway Country and MS NOW Senior Political Analyst Alex Wagner joins Stacey to discuss the growing fight over AI and data centers, the GOP’s midterm convention, the census coming under attack, and the decades-long conservative campaign to reshape the Supreme Court that she explores in her new book, The Steal. Then, in honor of Assembly Required’s 100th episode, Stacey answers listener questions about everything from politics and the state of the world to books, TV, and beyond.Learn & Do More: 1. Be Curious: Tune into Alex Wagner’s Crooked Media podcast, Runaway Country, and pick up a copy of her illuminating new book, The Steal.2. Solve Problems: Step three in the Ten Steps to Authoritarianism is capturing the other branches, which, as we learned today, has been a project of the right for decades. The Brennan Center for Justice fights to make elections fair, preserve our civil liberties, and end mass incarceration in Congress, the states, and the courts. Visit BrennanCenter.org  to support their work on Supreme Court reform, reforms to improve the confirmation process for federal judges, and promoting fairness in state courts.3. Do Good: With so much of our judicial system under right-wing control, vulnerable communities are under attack. Women’s Equity Center and Action Network educates, engages, and activates women of color to lead social change efforts. Visit WomensEquity.org to learn more about their efforts to facilitate social justice and equal opportunity, and sign up for “Mobilize Monday,” where they highlight opportunities to take action against injustice.Also, as we grapple with how to regulate AI advancements, we need to acknowledge the powerful tools at our disposal at the local level.  1. See if your ballot has a Public Service Commission race and take action. Nine states elect their utility regulators, and they're on the ballot on November 3rd — Georgia, Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. In Georgia, Districts 3 and 5, elected statewide. Last November, Georgia Democrats flipped two of these seats because the bills are too high. The commission sits at three to two. Two seats decide who sets the rate you pay and whether a data center pays its own freight. Find out if there is a race and tell your friends and family to vote for candidates who support AI regulation.2. Show up to your utility commission hearing. Demand that data centers pay their own infrastructure costs rather than passing them onto the consumer. A utility commission hearing is one of the few places left in American government where showing up still has an effect. Why? Because the industry shows up every single time and you don't. If you're there to watch them, the elected officials see you too.3. Use your county commissions. When a data center comes to your planning commission, the question is not yes or no. Read the fine print and demand details. Ask for a separate rate class and written indemnity so you don't cover stranded costs. Ask for a water disclosure and a decommissioning bond. Quiz your county leaders and teach them what they need to know. Will you vote for a separate rate class for large loads, so my bill doesn't subsidize theirs? Would you refuse to sign an agreement not to enforce this state's AI laws?You can request a transcript by emailing [email protected]. Include the podcast name, episode title, and air date. Please allow 48 hours for delivery.
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  Why Everyone Should Love Star Trek (w/ Tawny Newsome) 08.09.2026 58хв

  Happy Star Trek Day, to all those who celebrate! In honor of the show’s 60th anniversary, Stacey sits down with fellow super fan, actor, comedian, writer and host of the podcast Starter Trek, Tawny Newsome. They talk about their personal fan origin stories, what the show has taught them about both science and fiction, and why Star Trek’s legacy is so important to highlight in our current political climate. They also talk about the recent loss of two icons, Dolly Parton and Gloria Steinem.Learn & Do More:  Be Curious: To improve your Star Trek bonafides, check out Tawny’s podcast Starter Trek.  Solve Problems: It’s been one month since the Trump administration ended a contract with a nonprofit network of attorneys representing unaccompanied children for over twenty years. According to the Acacia Center for Justice, children as young as six and even a one year old baby are appearing unrepresented in court, leading to deportation. Visit acaciajustice.org to learn more and donate to support legal representation for unaccompanied minors. Visit Acacia Justice on Instagram @AcaciaJustice to read more stories of impacted children and stay in touch about ways to take action.  Do Good: The climate crisis continues to have devastating impacts across the globe, this time in Nepal, where a melting glacier led to a catastrophic flash flood that has claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people so far. The New York Times has a guide of organizations you can donate to like the Nepalese Government’s Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund, UNICEF, the World Food Program, World Central Kitchen, and more. You can request a transcript by emailing [email protected]. Include the podcast name, episode title, and air date. Please allow 48 hours for delivery.
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  Inside the Fight Over Meta, Paramount and ICE 01.09.2026 1год 10хв

  What does the Meta case mean for the future of social media and how children use these platforms? Could the Paramount merger ultimately push the company out of California, putting thousands of jobs at risk? And what’s happening with ICE raids and detention facilities now that immigration enforcement is no longer dominating the headlines? California Attorney General Rob Bonta joins Stacey to discuss Meta’s landmark settlement over allegations that its social media platforms were designed in ways that put children at risk, the $17.1 billion payout,  what the case could mean for the future of social media and other tech companies, and why Attorneys General are critical to the fight against authoritarianism. U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver of New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District also joins the show to discuss her legal fight after an appeals court rejected her challenge to charges stemming from alleged assaults at ICE facilities, what she witnessed at Delaney Hall, and why congressional oversight of ICE detention facilities is so critical.Learn & Do More:  BE CURIOUS: A major storm hit Indiana and other parts of the Midwest, resulting in seven deaths and causing what the North Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO), called "the worst damage in known company history." Gary, a majority-Black city with 29% of the population living in poverty, suffered the worst damage in the state, with tens of thousands left without power for more than two weeks and, as of yesterday, hundreds more still waiting. What's worse is that in the early days of the blackout, Gary was left off NIPSCO's timelines for power restoration in the state, and watched neighboring communities get updates about their power while they received nothing. As the climate crisis continues and extreme weather events intensify, poor communities and communities of color are often hardest hit, and the consequences in Gary are dire. Dive into coverage from outlets like Black-led outlet Capital B News, CBS, CNN, and NBC, as well as an op-ed in MS NOW from Karen Freeman-Wilson, former mayor of Gary and current president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League, to learn more about how and why this crisis is happening.  SOLVE PROBLEMS: Visitwww.gary.gov/stormrecovery to donate to the Storm Recovery Fund. The Urban League of Northwest Indiana’s Facebook page also has opportunities to get involved, particularly with organizations providing food relief. If you want to know more about the Paramount merger visit https://noparamountconcessions.com/.   DO GOOD: Relief Gang is an excellent grassroots organization that has been responding to the crisis from the very beginning. Follow them on Instagram at @reliefgang to find out about upcoming food drives and other ways to help. You can request a transcript by emailing [email protected]. Include the podcast name, episode title, and air date. Please allow 48 hours for delivery.
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  Data Centers, Police Surveillance, and the Fight for Democracy (w/ Katie Phang) 25.08.2026 1год 8хв

  Can state legislation be the key to saving our democracy? Lawyer, political commentator, and host of the Sidebar podcast Katie Phang joins Stacey to unpack Americans’ growing frustration with data centers, the rise of police surveillance, and why Democrats shouldn’t just “take a page from the GOP’s political playbook, but full-on chapters.” They also break down some of the week’s biggest legal stories, from the Miami-Dade Police Department to Trump’s renovation projects and the latest Todd Blanche hearings. Learn & Do More: BE CURIOUS: For more incisive legal and political analysis, listen to Katie Phang’s podcast Sidebar with Katie Phang. SOLVE PROBLEMS: Law Forward is a Wisconsin-based nonprofit law firm that safeguards voting rights, fights for fair maps, strengthens democratic institutions, and advances the rule of law through strategic litigation. Visit LawForward.org to donate. DO GOOD: Caring Across Generations is an organization dedicated to changing our culture and policies
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  Is the South the Future of Democratic Politics? 18.08.2026 1год 2хв

  Is the South the new epicenter of American politics? National Association of Black Journalists President, The 19th Editor-at-Large, and host of Crooked’s new podcast Long Play, Errin Haines sits down with Stacey to unpack why the South is so fundamentally misunderstood and why expanding our imagination of what the region looks like could be key to winning Democratic elections. They also discuss the NABJ “Thumbs-Down Awards,” the Trump administration’s attacks on DEI, and the growing threat of media censorship.Learn & Do More:  BE CURIOUS: If you enjoyed the conversation with Errin, check out her podcast Long Play, a six-part series on how to win power back in the South. SOLVE PROBLEMS: Many states, including North Carolina, will have new or stricter voter identification laws in 2026. VoteRiders helps people make appointments to get the right kind of ID and covers the costs. Visit Voteriders.orgto get involved by volunteering or donating. DO GOOD: New Disabled South builds power with disabled people to advance justice, dignity, and collective liberation across the South. Visit NewDisabledSouth.org to find resources, take action, and donate. You can request a transcript by emailing [email protected]. Include the podcast name, episode title, and air date. Please allow 48 hours for delivery.
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  Kamala Harris Says Voters Are Done with the Status Quo 13.08.2026 52хв

  What is the future of the Democratic Party? How will redistricting shape voters’ power in the South? What are the latest primary results telling us about the political moment we’re in? Kamala D. Harris, 49th Vice President of the United States, joins Stacey to share what she’s hearing from voters on the ground as she travels through the South. They also talk about the new attitude Democrats need to win elections, fight back against Trump, and stop his authoritarian agenda.
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  The Battle for American Identity (w/ Ben Rhodes) 11.08.2026 1год 12хв

  What can the great political speeches of the past teach us about the moment we’re living through today? Pod Save the World host and author of All We Say: The Battle for American Identity, Ben Rhodes joins Stacey Abrams to trace the history of civil rights in America through the words of some of the most influential voices across the political spectrum, , from Martin Luther King Jr., Dolores Huerta, and Barack Obama to Alexander Stephens and Donald Trump. They also dig into the rise of modern authoritarianism, the latest in the Iran War, and how we can build community and find common ground in a time that feels increasingly fractured. Learn & Do More: BE CURIOUS: Pick up a copy of Ben Rhodes’ new book, All We Say: A History of the United States in Fifteen Speeches. SOLVE PROBLEMS: HeadCount is an organization that turns fans into voters by registering people at concerts, festivals, sporting events, and community gatherings anywhere you can turn a passion for culture into voting action
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  How Trumpism Might Survive the Fall of Trump (w/ Eugene Daniels and Symone Sanders-Townsend) 04.08.2026 59хв

  Trump's second term has been defined by mounting corruption, but who, if anyone, is holding him accountable? MSNOW’s Symone Sanders Townsend and Eugene Daniels join the show to discuss whether Republicans will ever push back against Trump's abuses of power, Todd Blanche's nomination, and the growing politicization of the Department of Justice. They also explain why the upcoming midterm elections could be the country's best chance to check authoritarianism, what it will take to build a durable pro-democracy majority, and why Americans should demand more from their government.
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  There Actually Is a Plan: How Democrats Can Save Us and Keep Winning (w/ Ben Wikler) 28.07.2026 1год 9хв

  America can feel like it's spiraling out of control—but could a state like Wisconsin hold the blueprint for turning things around? Ben Wikler, former chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and author of the new book This Is the Plan: How to End America's Meltdown and Save Democracy, joins Stacey Abrams to explain why the answer is yes. Drawing on Wisconsin's political battles, Wikler argues that Democrats can win back voters ahead of the midterms by learning from closely divided states that have successfully pushed back against Republicans. They discuss how Democrats can sharpen their messaging, the lasting impact of gerrymandering, whether it's finally time to abolish the Electoral College, and the power we all have to make a big difference by organizing locally.
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  The Real(ish) History of America (w/ Heather Cox Richardson & Rebecca Nagle) 21.07.2026 57хв

  America has an infamously imperfect past, but rather than confronting our demons, interpretations of our history have become a political football. This week, Stacey is joined by historian and author Heather Cox Richardson, and award winning journalist and member of the Cherokee nation, Rebecca Nagle. They talk about where America stands 250 years in, why erasing native history is so damaging, and how the way we frame our past shapes our civil discourse today. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: Visit Heather Cox Richardson’s substack, “Letters from an American” for more excellent insight into American history. Also listen to Rebecca’s new podcast, “First America” and pick up a copy of her book, “By the Fire We Carry: The Generations-Long Fight For Justice on Native Land”. Solve Problems: Consider donating to NDN Collective to support their mission of creating sustainable solutions on indigenous terms through organizing, activism, philanthropy, and more. And visit The Native American Rights
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  Why the Majority Needs the Minority to Save America with Kimberlé Crenshaw 14.07.2026 1год 5хв

  Why do intersectionality and Critical Race Theory matter in today’s political climate?  This week, Stacey sits down with civil rights advocate, Critical Race Theory scholar, and Columbia Law School professor Kimberlé Crenshaw to discuss how these frameworks help us make sense of issues ranging  from the recent ICE killing in Houston, Texas, to the Trump administration’s attacks on the rights of marginalized communities. They also explore how today’s backlash against Critical Race Theory is tied to a broader effort to reshape American democracy, and explore how her own life shaped these groundbreaking ideas, as told in her new memoir, Backtalker: An American Memoir.
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  Why Art Might Save America - For Real 07.07.2026 52хв

  How can art help save our democracy? The relationship between art and politics has shaped American history for generations. From challenging those in power to inspiring social movements, artists have long played a vital role in protecting and strengthening democracy. This week, Stacey sits down with actress, director, and activist Kathleen Turner and former mayor of Ithaca and President of People For the American Way, Svante Myrick, for a conversation about the Trump administration's attacks on media and artistic expression, the role celebrities and influencers can play in political mobilization, and People For the American Way's efforts to defend Black voting power amid a racial gerrymandering crisis. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: Check out Colson Whitehead’s novel John Henry Days. The story tracks 120 years of American history - from the folk tale of the railroad worker to how America confronts and cloaks its challenges even now. Solve Problems: Visit People for the American Way’s
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  Obama's Library, Trump's UFC 250, and Two Very Different Americas 23.06.2026 1год 23хв

  This week, guest host Melissa Murray, host of Crooked Media’s Strict Scrutiny podcast is joined by Erin Ryan, co-host of Crooked Media’s Hysteria. They juxtapose the Obama Presidential Center opening with Trump’s UFC event celebrating his 80th birthday, and talk about the two very different visions of our country that those events (and their attendants) represent. They also touch on Trump’s dismal approval ratings, the biggest takeaways from primary battles in states like New York and Georgia, the positive vibes at the World Cup, and why the right just can’t move on from attacking pride month.
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  How Christian Nationalism Threatens Democracy - Original Airdate 2025 16.06.2026 1год 7хв

  This episode originally aired in 2025. Christian nationalism is an extremist, anti-democratic ideology rooted in the belief that the United States should be a nation for Christians to the exclusion of all others. In modern times, the Trump administration and its Republican allies have wielded this ideology as a weapon to divide Americans and implement an agenda via plans like the infamous Project 2025 that eviscerates the rights of immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community, questions the rights of women to vote, restores a freedom to discriminate against others and targets reproductive rights. This week, in response to a listener question asking what Christian nationalism has to do with the central tenets of Christianity, Stacey shares her own experience as a progressive, democratic Christian, pulling back the curtain on a core truth: the malice and hatred preached by right-wing religious leaders who shape our politics has nothing to do with Jesus’s actual teachings.
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  Why Is Disability Still an Afterthought? 09.06.2026 1год

  What does disability rights and representation really look like? While the Trump administration continues to decimate access to healthcare and dismantle civil rights, disabled Americans are often among those most affected and most overlooked. More than 70 million adults in the United States live with a disability, navigating barriers that extend far beyond health care. This week, Stacey is joined by Marlene Sallo, Executive Director of the National Disability Rights Network, and disability rights advocate and motivational speaker Spencer West. They discuss the challenges facing the disability community, what many people get wrong about disability rights, and why building a more accessible and inclusive society is a social justice issue that impacts us all. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: Follow Spencer West on Instagram (@spencer2thewest) and expand your list of trusted creators, advocates, and journalists covering disability issues. Our guests also recommended The Anti-Ableist Manifes
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  How the Left Can Take Back States’ Rights 02.06.2026 1год 2хв

  Why are state governments more important than ever? While the Trump administration has been busy gutting and remaking the federal government, it’s critical to remember that the power in Washington was given to it by…the states. This week, Stacey is joined by Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton and Daniel Squadron, cofounder of The States Project and author of The Fourth Branch. They talk about the biggest lessons from their own time as elected officials, the critical ways that state legislatures impact peoples’ lives, share stories of their biggest victories, and argue that the states can be a powerful tool in the fight for Democracy. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: Pick up a copy of Daniel’s book, The Fourth Branch: How State Government Can Save Our Union, to learn more about the power of state government and check out the chapters at the end on how to take action at home. Solve Problems: We need more people who care about their communities running for state and local office.
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  How Anxious Should You Be About AI? (w/ Katie Drummond and Timnit Gebru) 19.05.2026 1год 9хв

  AI development is barreling ahead with no guardrails, leading Americans to feel anxious about what lies ahead. This week, Stacey tackles the big questions we need to ask ourselves about the technology with Katie Drummond, Global Editorial Director at Wired, and Timnit Gebru, founder and Executive Director at the Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR). They discuss the economic uncertainty created by AI, , the motivations driving tech leaders, making sense of the flurry of information and opinions that are influencing the discourse on the issue, and whether we can imagine a more optimistic technologically-forward future.
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  How SCOTUS Is Erasing Black Voters, and Abby Phillip on Jesse Jackson’s Legacy 12.05.2026 1год 14хв

  This week, Stacey goes beyond the headlines about the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the Voting Rights Act and outlines why this step is so dangerous - not just for minority voters around the country - but for our democracy as a whole She’s joined by Lauren Groh-Wargo, CEO of Fair Fight, to discuss what people can still do at the local level and at the ballot box to save our elections and fight back against authoritarianism. Then, Stacey is joined by CNN host Abby Phillip, who talks about the importance of debate in our political culture and what current activists can learn from Jesse Jackson’s legacy of fighting for equality.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date.Learn & Do More: Be Curious: To learn more about the extraordinary legacy of Jesse Jackson, pick up Abby Phillips’ book, “A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power”.  Solve Problems: On Saturday, May 16th, a national mass rally will take place at the Alabama state capitol in Montgomery. Visit allroadsleadtothesouth.com to learn about how you can participate and stay updated on boycotts, events and other rapid response efforts. You can also follow  @FairFightAction on Instagram to stay up to date on the evolving voting rights landscape and mobilization efforts in the South, including upcoming marches in Jackson, Mississippi and at state capitols in South Carolina and Louisiana.  Do Good: Medication abortion now accounts for more than two-thirds of all abortions in the U.S., and since Dobbs, mail access to the pill has been a lifeline for people in states where abortion is banned. As the Supreme Court case on this issue continues to unfold, and Republican attacks on abortion access escalate, consider donating to the National Network of Abortion Funds at https://abortionfunds.org/, and look for local organizations that support reproductive justice for ways to get involved. 
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  What’s Next for Voting Rights, and Why Activism Matters (w/ Jane Fonda) 05.05.2026 1год 3хв

  This week, Stacey opens the show by answering audience questions about the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the Voting Rights Act, and what it means for our democracy. Then she’s joined by Jane Fonda, who explains why she’s revived the Committee for the First Amendment, a group originally supported by her father in the 1940’s. Stacey and Jane also talk about the Trump administration’s attacks against Jimmy Kimmel, why the Warner Bros. and Paramount merger is so dangerous, and what Jane has learned after decades of activism, including her actions during the Vietnam War. Learn & Do More Be Curious: To learn more about Jane Fonda’s extraordinary history of art and activism, check out the documentary Jane Fonda in Five Acts from HBO. Solve Problems: You can get involved in the fight against the consequences of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the Voting Rights Act. Check out the Louisiana-based organization Power Coalition for Equity and Justice at powercoalition.org to learn about
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  A Democrat’s Guide to Challenging Trump on Iran, ICE, and Dollars (w/ Rep Ansari) 28.04.2026 1год 3хв

  What can international pro-democracy activists teach us about taking on authoritarianism here in the US? Stacey opens the show with reflections from the Salzburg Global Forum Democracy Resilience Conference featuring reformers from Bolivia, to Hungary, to Nepal. Then she’s joined by Representative Yassamin Ansari, a freshman from Arizona and the only Iranian-American in Congress. She tells Stacey about her opposition to Trump’s war with Iran, the horrific conditions she’s seen firsthand when visiting ICE detention centers, and how we demand a practical response to the competing harms coming out of Washington. Learn & Do More: Be Curious: Check out the Substack “The Anti-Authoritarian Playbook” by Scot Nakagawa, President of the 22nd Century Initiative. Solve Problems: Step Six in the “Ten Steps to Freedom and Power” is disruption. Visit Stacey’s Substack “Assembly Notes” to read her recent post about taking action. Do Good: Visit the nonprofit FreedomforImmigrants.org to donate to t