Desmond Meade, who led the campaign to restore voting rights to the formerly incarcerated in Florida, returns to talk about Gov. Ron DeSantis's decision to deny him a pardon and renewed threats to democratic participation in his state. But in spite of it all, Desmond's excitement about people exercising the franchise is infectious.

Then, Emmy-winning journalist Soledad O'Brien is ready to Disrupt & Dismantle structural racism in her new BET series—and to call out cable news for its role in spreading disinformation.

Plus: Hari admits that for him "new music" means Baby Beluga, and Kamau reveals The Goal of Life.

Find our guests:
Desmond Meade (@desmondmeade) https://floridarrc.com/desmond-meade/
Soledad O'Brien (@soledadobrien) https://soledadobrienproductions.com

Mentioned in the show:
Silk Sonic, "Leave the Door Open" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adLGHcj_fmA
Florida Rights Restoration Coalition https://floridarrc.com
ACLU of Florida https://www.aclufl.org
Disrupt & Dismantle https://www.bet.com/shows/disrupt-and-dismantle.html
Comedian and Filmmaker Hari Kondabolu on Comedy, Culture and Maintaining Your Integrity https://www.culturedmag.com/comedian-and-filmmaker-hari-kondabolu-on-comedy-culture-and-maintaining-your-integrity/
Brontez Purnell Explores Intimacy and Longing in New Book 100 Boyfriends https://www.culturedmag.com/brontez-purnell-100-boyfriends/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Soledad O'Brien + Desmond Meade