Podcast
The Practivist Pod
Hosted by MSW Media · EN
Democracy is hanging by a thread, but our work as citizens is about being resilient and persistent so that together, we can build the future we want to see. That’s why every week we bring you The Practivist Pod — the practice of activism made practical.
If you’re looking for ways to get engaged, or just looking for ways to stay sane… we want to help you navigate what comes next. Hosted by former candidate for CA Assembly and Executive Director of Blue Wave California, Steve Pierson, and grassroots organizer and Executive Director of Field Team 6, Jason Berlin. Each week on The Practivist Pod, we’ll share important conversations with changemakers, give you practical ways to make an impact, have some fun, and inspire hope.
This is more than a podcast — it's a place for our community to grow our practice of advocacy for justice, equity, and progress. Action is the best antidote for anxiety, and joy is a revolutionary act, so subscribe to The Practivist Pod today.
48episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Practivist Progressive Progress
2d ago00:37:20Tap to summarizeToday we’ve got a huge progressive victory in Michigan in a very close senate race with results that will send pundits punditing all over the Democratic party. So we will try not to do that but also… we are going to talk about it all… Also, with just less than 90 days to go, Trump’s approval rating hits another historic low as he craps his pants right into the midterms.Steve LinktreeJason LinktreeMobilize.us www.practivistpod.comHosted by Steve Pierson and Jason BerlinProduced by Steve Pierson and Trudi RothTitle Song by Steve Pierson performed by Melinda McGrawAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Getting Proximate with Scott Budnick
4d ago00:29:37Tap to summarizeWe are a deeply divided country that is increasingly isolated from each other. One of the most effective ways that we can break through our bubbles is through the arts. My guest today is a successful producer who is supporting storytellers and productions that break through and build awareness and empathy.Scott Budnick is CEO of the Film and TV company 1Community, co-founder and CEO of digital media startup Project Andron and founder of the criminal justice organization, The Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC). Before launching 1Community, Scott produced major studio comedies including Old School, Due Date, Project X, War Dogs, and The Hangover trilogy.He is also active in public policy, most recently working directly with Governor Gavin Newsom and the CA legislature to double the California Film and TV tax credit. For his work with youth in the criminal justice system, Governor Jerry Brown named Scott California Volunteer of the Year in 2012. He was appointed by the California legislature to The Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) and serves as a board member for President Barack Obama's My Brother's Keeper Alliance.Steve Linktreeantirecidivism.org1community.comwww.practivistpod.comHosted by Steve PiersonProduced by Steve Pierson and Trudi RothTitle Song by Steve Pierson performed by Melinda McGrawAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Primary Reasons for Hope
1w ago00:30:01Tap to summarizeToday as we inch ever closer to the midterms, our field is becoming clearer as primaries enter the final stretch around the country. We have the wind at our backs but are being met with Trump’s massive voter disenfranchisement campaign, so we can’t get comfy for a second. We talk about that, some drama within the DNC, how you can help us win the House AND the Senate, and also… where’s Mitch???Steve LinktreeJason LinktreeDONATE:BlueWaveNation.orgFieldTeam6.orgTell the Senate: Block Blanche [Toolkit] [Call Tool]www.practivistpod.comHosted by Steve Pierson and Jason BerlinProduced by Steve Pierson and Trudi RothTitle Song by Steve Pierson performed by Melinda McGrawAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Fair Elections with Rebekah Caruthers
2w ago00:22:00Tap to summarizeWith less than 100 days until the midterms, the Trump regime is ramping up their attack on voting rights with continued false claims of fraud, unconstitutional executive orders, and threats to send law enforcement to polling places. So we are glad to be having this important and timely conversation about how we can fight back against these suppression tactics and make sure that all Americans have access to their ballot.Rebekah Caruthers is President & CEO at Fair Elections Center, a national voting rights organization that’s work is centered around making sure that elections are fair, registration is accessible and all Americans can cast their vote.Steve Linktreefairelectionscenter.orgwww.practivistpod.comHosted by Steve PiersonProduced by Steve Pierson and Trudi RothTitle Song by Steve Pierson performed by Melinda McGrawAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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100 Days to Win!
2w ago00:32:37Tap to summarizeToday we are almost 100 days out from the midterms so we will talk about where we stand in the fight to win back Congress and how we can all help including in Maine where we have a great new Senate candidate! Also… Trump is a big fat embarrassing loser and everyone knows it. (Especially Spain’s soccer team.)Steve LinktreeJason LinktreeNational Day of Action - Justice for Lorenzo and Johan - Saturday July 25thBlock Blanche - Toolkit Phone Bankwww.practivistpod.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Presence to Power with Rashad Robinson
2w ago00:31:03Tap to summarizeWe are really excited for you all to hear this great conversation about how we can all build power and yes, win these existential fights. For more than two decades, Rashad Robinson’s strategic campaigns, media expertise and movement leadership have played a critical role in winning real change for real people.Rashad led Color Of Change for nearly fourteen years, transforming it from a start-up into a national force for racial justice and Black political power. Prior to that, he led programs and advocacy at GLAAD during a period of major cultural and political progress for LGBT people. His work and insights are regularly featured across broadcast, print and social media and he has a new book out called: “From Presence to Power - How to Take On the Fights That Matter and WIN.”Steve Linktreewww.rashadrobinson.comwww.practivistpod.comHosted by Steve PiersonProduced by Steve Pierson and Trudi RothTitle Song by Steve Pierson performed by Melinda McGrawAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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ICE, Iran and Explosive Diarrhea
3w ago00:35:31Tap to summarizeToday we talk about the new wave of ICE atrocities on our streets, the “falling down the stairs” approach to foreign policy that has led us back into war with Iran, and Todd Blanche. We also discuss the fate of Lindsey Graham, Mitch McConnell, and what it all means to the Senate map, and of course, explosive diarrhea. Steve LinktreeJason Linktreewww.goodtroubleliveson.orgwww.practivistpod.comHosted by Steve Pierson and Jason BerlinProduced by Steve Pierson and Trudi RothTitle Song by Steve Pierson performed by Melinda McGrawAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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The Big Grift
Jul 900:32:10Tap to summarizeToday we are back after a tenuous 250th birthday celebration that served as a perfect yet depressing metaphor for the Trump regime’s disastrous policies, at the center of which is and always has been the biggest grift in American history. And now things are only getting worse as the war with Iran has resumed, prices continue to rise while Americans get sicker, and ICE raids ramp up.Steve LinktreeJason LinktreeIndivisible.orgwww.practivistpod.comHosted by Steve Pierson and Jason BerlinProduced by Steve Pierson and Trudi RothTitle Song by Steve Pierson performed by Melinda McGrawAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Election Action League with Will Baum
Jul 700:23:30Tap to summarizeToday Steve sits down with someone he’s been working with since the November 2016 “cohort”. Will Baum is a psychotherapist by trade but like many of us, has thrown himself into volunteering to help Democrats win. Among the many things he has done he was one of the founding members of Civic Sundays, he is the co-founder of the Resistance Boot Camp, and has been a vital part of a lot of grassroots initiatives including SoCalBlue and the Blue Voter Guide. He has a new project called the Election Action League that is “gamifying” volunteer work. All of this he does as a volunteer which makes it even more impressive and inspiring for all of us.Steve LinktreeElectionActionLeague.comwww.practivistpod.comHosted by Steve PiersonProduced by Steve Pierson and Trudi RothTitle Song by Steve Pierson performed by Melinda McGrawAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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250 Years Young
Jul 200:31:13Tap to summarizeToday SCOTUS wraps up their term with some important rebukes of Trump’s agenda while also handing him more power and notching another advantage for the Republicans in the midterms. And as we reflect on the coming 250th birthday of our nation, we will talk about how we are acknowledging the moment while celebrating the unrealized promise of this American experiment.Steve LinktreeJason LinktreeMichele Hornish Substackwww.practivistpod.comHosted by Steve Pierson and Jason BerlinProduced by Steve Pierson and Trudi RothTitle Song by Steve Pierson performed by Melinda McGrawAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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