Podcast
Pod Save the People
Hosted by Pod Save the People · EN
On Pod Save The People, host DeRay Mckesson explores social justice, culture, politics – and the various ways they all collide – with cohosts Myles E. Johnson and Sharhonda Bossier.
Each Tuesday, the crew digs into the current events driving the political discourse – bringing cultural context, actionable insights, and a hot take or two – to help empower listeners to engage as thoughtful members of their communities…and their group chats.
Alongside special guests, the show uplifts overlooked news stories that impact people of color and amplifies underrepresented voices who are working to create meaningful change.
50episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
May the Odds Be in Your Favor
Jan 601:20:11Tap to summarizePrediction markets turn global politics into profit as traders cash in on Nicolás Maduro’s capture, the federal government faces constitutional backlash for labeling ICE observers “domestic terrorists,” and Black women survivalists prepare for another Trump era by building systems of self-reliance where the state has failed. NewsThe Government Unconstitutionally Labels ICE Observers as Domestic TerroristsMaduro's capture gives Polymarket, prediction market traders huge profitsBlack Women Survivalists and Preppers Are Ready for Trump Era Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.
Transcribe →Through the Fire w/ Bench Ansfield
Dec 1601:20:50Tap to summarizeThe U.S. threatens new sanctions on the International Criminal Court—so long as it agrees not to prosecute Donald Trump—while American service members quietly worry they’ll be left holding the legal bag for overseas military strikes. Plus, a reminder of what accountability and care can look like, as the Redd Family Collection of Black Art anchors community, history, and cultural power at the Tubman African American Museum. DeRay interviews author and historian Bench Ansfield about their book Born in Flames: The Business of Arson and the Remaking of the American City. NewsUS threatens new ICC sanctions unless court pledges not to prosecute TrumpU.S. military members fear personal legal blowback tied to boat strikes : NPRRedd Family Collection of Black Art | Tubman African American Museum Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.
Transcribe →Gotta Read the Fine Print...
Dec 900:59:42Tap to summarizeDollar stores are caught quietly overcharging the very communities they claim to serve, a failed psychology essay at the University of Oklahoma ignites a national debate over religious discrimination, and CNN’s new partnership with a prediction market raises fresh questions about where journalism ends and gambling begins. NewsHow the dollar-store industry overcharges cash-strapped customers while promising low pricesOU essay sparks religious discrimination debate: What we knowKalshi to become CNN’s official prediction market partner Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.
Transcribe →Dreaming Beyond the Now w/ Saul Williams & Anisia Uzeyman
Jul 15, 2025Tap to summarizeTrump faces backlash from MAGA base, UnitedHealth works to silence critics, Mississippi water crisis continues, and the life and legacy of Jewel Thais-Williams. Myles interviews Saul Williams and co-director Anisia Uzeyman about their film Neptune Frost, now streaming on AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange. NewsTrump faces a revolt from his MAGA base over the Epstein filesUnitedHealth’s Campaign to Quiet Critics Jewel Thais-Williams, founder of Jewel's Catch One, dies at 86 The Ugly Politics of Jackson, Mississippi’s Ongoing Water Crisis Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.
Transcribe →Nic Stone on Fiction vs. Reality
Mar 11, 202501:31:01Tap to summarizeThe dark history of retinol, the causal myth of bacterial vaginosis, and Abel Selaocoe crosses time and cultures in new album. DeRay interviews Nic Stone about her new book, Dear Manny. NewsRetinol: The Skin-Care Ingredient With a Horrifying HistoryA Third of Women Get This Infection. The Fix: Treat Their Male Partners.South African cellist Abel Selaocoe fosters dialogue across time and cultures in a new albumHouse votes to censure Rep. Al Green with Democrats' helpLouisiana college student's death investigated as possible hazing incident Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.
Transcribe →Brian Benjamin on the Power of State
Mar 4, 202501:44:52Tap to summarizeDems veer right, Trump-Zelensky heated exchange, and Curry J. Hackett use of AI in art, design, and urban planning. DeRay interviews former Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin. NewsPlaybook: Democrats in despair'It never should have happened': Americans frustrated by Trump-Zelensky spatCurry J. Hackett has a vision for Black futurity that drives his work in art, design, and urban planning Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.
Transcribe →Michael Harriot on Histories Untold
Feb 25, 202501:31:05Tap to summarizeJury finds Alabama police force operated as a 'criminal enterprise', Joy Reid's MSNBC show canceled, Luigi Mangione's lawyer receives key evidence from HBO doc, and Voletta Wallace, mother of Notorious B.I.G., passes at 78. In the final week of Blackest Book Club, Kaya interviews author Michael Harriot about his book titled Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America. NewsAlabama police force put on leave after grand jury says it operated like a "criminal enterprise"Luigi Mangione's Lawyer: NYC Mayor Shared Key Evidence on HBO 'Before Defense Had Even Seen It'Voletta Wallace, the Notorious B.I.G.’s Mother, Dead at 78Joy Reid’s MSNBC Show Canceled in Major Shake-UpMSNBC's Joy Reid addresses homophobic blog post controversyKennedy Center reeling from 'stunning' ticket sales collapse after Trump takeover: report Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.
Transcribe →Dr. Brittany Friedman on the Racial Divide
Feb 11, 202501:56:53Tap to summarizeAI program jails innocent man for 17 months, Katt Williams imperialist rant, Congress members denied access to Department of Education. Pod Save The People is back with the Blackest Book Club reading list in collaboration with Reconstruction and Campaign Zero. DeRay interviews author Dr. Brittany Friedman about her new book titled Carceral Apartheid: How Lies and White Supremacists Run Our Prisons. NewsMan jailed over police AI program, then freed 17 months after victim raised doubtsTrump says he'd deport US citizens convicted of crimes 'in a heartbeat' if legalMembers of Congress denied access to Department of EducationMusk to rehire DOGE staffer with history of racist tweetsKatt Williams Imperialist RantAkilah Hughes on non-voters Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram
Transcribe →Aaron Robertson on Building Black Utopia
Feb 4, 202501:35:55Tap to summarizeTrump rewrites history on White House website, study on Harvard finds 43 percent of white students are legacy, athletes, or related to donors/staff, and the rise of Black educators on TikTok. Pod Save The People is back with the Blackest Book Club reading list in collaboration with Reconstruction and Campaign Zero. DeRay interviews author Aaron Robertson about his new book titled The Black Utopians: Searching for Paradise and the Promised Land in America. NewsThe Rewriting of a Pioneering Female Astronomer’s Legacy Shows How Far Trump’s DEI Purge Will GoStudy on Harvard finds 43 percent of white students are legacy, athletes, related to donors or staffHillmanTok: The rise of Black educators on TikTokTrump pauses 25% tariffs on Canadian goods after deal will Trudeau Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.
Transcribe →The Performance Art of Politics
Jan 28, 202500:59:09Tap to summarizeAutomated grocery prices increase depending on the shopper, Target follows suit in abandoning DEI initiatives, ICE officers issued an arrest quota, and the legacy of Florence Price - the first Black women to premiere works by a US orchestra. NewsAutomation in Retail Is Even Worse Than You ThoughtMeet Florence Price, the first Black woman to have her work premiered by a US orchestraTarget rolls back DEI initiatives, the latest big company to retreatTrump officials issue quotas to ICE officers to ramp up arrests Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.
Transcribe →