Podcast
We Need A Revolution
Hosted by HDI Media · ENGLISH
America’s political and economic systems are failing ordinary people. The two-party duopoly keeps us divided, billionaires pull the strings, and we’re encouraged to fight each other instead of fixing what’s broken. We Need a Revolution is a weekly live podcast where Kevin Rosenquist and John Banks bring on guests to break down what’s really happening, why it works, and how everyday Americans can take the power back. Smart, funny, and focused on real solutions, not partisan nonsense.
Live on YouTube Wednesdays at 9pm ET / 6pm PT and streaming everywhere the next day.
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Expanding Voting Options in Local Elections with Bridget Myers and John Lembke
2w ago01:00:29Tap to summarizeThe modern political landscape often feels like a choice between two extremes, leaving a vast number of Americans feeling politically homeless. While the national spotlight stays fixed on partisan gridlock in D.C., a growing movement is shifting the focus back to where politics actually begins: our local communities.In this episode, Kevin and John sit down with Bridget Myers and John Lembke from the Colorado chapter of the Forward Party. They break down the mechanics of the "two-party doom loop" and explain how structural reforms like Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) can eliminate the spoiler effect, allowing voters to support candidates they actually believe in without fear.From the challenges of getting a minor party on the ballot to specific local issues like housing density and campaign finance reform, this conversation explores what it takes to prioritize data-driven solutions over emotional rhetoric. It is a look at how we can stop hate voting and start building a system that delivers actual results.Connect with our Guests:Colorado Forward Party: https://www.coloradoforwardparty.com/Forward Party National: https://www.forwardparty.com/Contact Bridget Myers: Email for Bridget Myers: BoulderFWD@gmail.comJohn Lembke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-lembke/Chapter Timestamps: 00:00 – Bunker beards and the rising cost of beard oil 02:54 – Headlines: The redistricting drama in Virginia 05:38 – Introducing Bridget Myers and John Lembke 08:33 – From engineering to politics: John’s impetus for change 10:33 – Why Bridget traded physical therapy for political science 13:33 – Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) explained 17:15 – The "Longmont Example" of the vote-splitting effect 21:20 – How to change a city charter for voting reform 26:28 – Dennis Rodman’s take on the political duopoly 31:14 – How the Forward Party got on the ballot in Colorado 34:54 – Multi-winner districts and ending gerrymandering 38:40 – Addressing local issues: The reality of housing46:25 – The business of complaining vs. the business of solving 56:45 – How to get involved with the Forward movement#weneedarevolution #forwardparty #coloradopolitics #rankedchoicevoting #politicalreform #thirdparty #localgovernment #nonpartisan #politics2026
Transcribe →The Housing Trap: What's Killing the American Dream with John Gravelyn
4w ago00:51:48Tap to summarizeIs the American Dream of homeownership officially dead for the next generation, or have we just been spoiled by a decade of unsustainable economics? Kevin and John sit down with real estate expert John Gravelyn to dismantle the private equity plague and the mechanics currently swallowing the housing market.We dive into how housing was transformed from a place to live into a high-yield financial product for institutional investors. John breaks down the lockdown effect of low interest rates, the reality of the 1.37 million dollar wealth gap between renters and owners, and why the starter home as we knew it has vanished. We also discuss the controversial role of the Realtors Political Action Committee and whether government assistance programs are actually moving the needle for first-time buyers.Chapter Timestamps:00:00 Thomas Jefferson and the prey of the rich 02:12 The Presidents Ayurvedic doctor and public transparency 04:46 Tax loopholes and the 1% money 07:42 Why is it so hard for first time homebuyers? 08:42 The Lockdown Effect: Why supply is frozen 11:13 The million dollar wealth gap 15:36 Global markets and luxury homes as status symbols 16:50 The real threat: Blackrock vs. mid-tier investors 18:28 Airbnb and the destruction of local supply 20:31 The death of the 1,100 square foot starter home 25:16 1031 exchanges and building wealth without taxes 27:08 Programs for the common person: Down payment assistance 30:00 Lobbying: How much the Realtors Association spends on elections 33:54 Can we build our way out of this? 42:52 Are houses actually at a 50 year mean for affordability? 49:36 First time homebuyer perks and retirement withdrawalsConnect with John Gravelyn:Official Site: https://thefppartners.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-gravelyn/Join the Revolution: We record LIVE on YouTube every Wednesday at 9pm ET. Subscribe and hit the bell to get notified when we go live! https://www.youtube.com/@WeNeedaRevolutionShow#weneedarevolution #housingmarket #realestate #privateequity #nonpartisan
Transcribe →Fixing the Democratic Party: Reclaiming the Working Class with Brendan Frasier
Apr 901:01:45Tap to summarizeWhat happens when you realize the political party you grew up in no longer speaks your language? In this episode, Kevin Rosenquist and John Banks are joined by Brendan Frasier, a student at the University of Cincinnati and a Democratic precinct captain who is working to pull his party back to its working-class roots.Brendan shares his journey from a rural Ohio community devastated by power plant closures to the floor of the National Young Democrats convention. We discuss the disconnect between urban political strategies and rural realities, the difference between neoliberalism and New Dealism, and why young voters are feeling increasingly alienated from the status quo. From the corruption in state politics to the unexpected ways data centers are uniting Ohioans across the aisle, Brendan offers a boots on the ground perspective on how to subvert the political duopoly from the inside.Read Brendan's op-ed in The Hill: https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/5665419-new-dealism-future-democratic-party/Connect with the Clermont County Young Democrats:Official Site: https://www.clermontfwd.comChapter Timestamps: 00:00 Alice Walker and the power of the individual 01:45 Introducing Brendan Fraiser: Subverting the duopoly at 20 04:04 The Zimmer and Beckjord plant closures: A rural wake up call 06:07 Why I didn't quit the Democratic Party 08;21 Economic policy and the death of local industry 10:39 What exactly is a delegate? 12:05 What exactly is a precinct captain? 13:49 Neoliberalism vs. New Dealism: Where the party lost its way 18:42 The branding of democratic socialism vs. social capitalism 21:57 It is the economy, stupid: Why paycheck politics still win 24:26 Overturning Citizens United: The Montana strategy 25:43 Competition and small business: A capitalist critique 31:36 International perspectives: Why the world is nervous to visit 38:14 The 3C Strategy: Why ignoring rural Ohio is a losing game 44:01 Data centers and the unlikely alliance of farmers and activists 58:33 Building a movement: How to get involved locallyJoin the Revolution:We record LIVE on YouTube every Wednesday at 9pm ET. Subscribe today! https://www.youtube.com/@WeNeedaRevolutionShow#weneedarevolution #ohiopolitics #workingclass #politicalreform #youngdemocrats #ruralamerica #nonpartisan #news #politics2026
Transcribe →The Illusion of Choice: Inside the Political Closed Loop with John Goodwin
Mar 2600:59:24Tap to summarizeOur government is failing because the system is designed to protect the players, not the people. This week, Kevin and John are joined by John Goodwin, Communications Director for the Forward Party, to discuss the structural barriers that keep the two-party duopoly in power.A veteran of Capitol Hill and corporate leadership, John explains how the closed loop of American politics rewards resource accrual over problem-solving. We explore the massive disparity in ballot access, where an independent in Arizona may need ten times as many signatures as a major party candidate, and how "lawfare" is used to disqualify challengers before they ever reach a voter.In this episode, we discuss:The mission of the Forward Party and its values-based approach to policy.Why closed primaries drive extremism and disenfranchise 27 million unaffiliated voters.The reality of ballot access and why signature requirements are intentionally confusing and expensive.How Ranked Choice Voting could eliminate the "spoiler effect" and the "wasted vote" narrative.The Forward Party strategy for the 2026 midterms and building a durable local infrastructure.Links mentioned in the show:Forward Party Official Site: https://www.forwardparty.com/Forward Party Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ForwardPartyLearn about your local chapter: https://www.forwardparty.com/chaptersWe are taking next week off, but we will be back live on Wednesday, April 8th at 9pm ET with political strategist Brendan Frasier.
Transcribe →The Front Lines of Trans Rights: Workplace Transition and the School Disclosure Battle with Erica Healey-Kagan
Mar 1201:03:13Tap to summarizeEmployment law partner Erica Healey-Kagan joins the show to discuss the evolving legal landscape for transgender individuals in the workplace and the court system. We dive deep into the specific challenges faced during gender transition on the job, the rise of subjective performance metrics used to mask bias, and the high-profile legal battles currently taking place over school disclosure policies.In this episode, we discuss:The Workplace Transition: Why the period of transition is often the most legally vulnerable time for an employee and how "performance issues" are often concocted to mask discrimination.Subjective vs. Objective Metrics: How corporations shift from measurable goals to subjective labels like "aggressive" to create a paper trail for termination.The Corporate Legal Complex: Defining the David vs. Goliath struggle between a single employee and the massive resources of corporate HR and legal departments.Mirabelli v. Bonta: A deep dive into the California case involving teachers, parental rights, and student privacy regarding gender identity.The Arc of Justice: Why Erica remains optimistic about the long-term trajectory of civil rights despite a rise in local anti-LGBTQ legislation.Connect with Erica Healey-Kagan and Phillips & Associates: https://www.filippatoslaw.com/Chapter Timestamps:00:00 – Patriotism, Edward Snowden, and the mission of the Revolution03:24 – News: Potential drone threats in California and US naval actions04:51 – Interview: Introducing Erica Healey-Kagan06:53 – Erica's Journey: From passing out at the sight of blood to law school07:48 – The evolution of LGBTQ rights and marriage equality10:58 – Is the arc of justice actually bending in the right direction?13:50 – Combatting anti-LGBTQ legislation on the local level18:41 – The reality of workplace discrimination during transition21:52 – Red Flags: How subjective metrics are used to hide bias26:53 – Defining the Corporate Legal Complex: David vs. Goliath33:58 – Forced arbitration clauses in employment contracts40:25 – Mirabelli v. Bonta, the California identity case that put parents vs. the school01:01;48 – Outro: How to connect with EricaJoin the Revolution:We record LIVE every Wednesday at 9pm ET on YouTube.Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/@WeNeedaRevolutionShow
Transcribe →Why Your Paycheck is Shrinking While Profits Explode with Daniel Altman
Mar 500:58:34Tap to summarizeThe media says the economy is booming, but for most workers, it is a dismal and dangerous place. In this episode, Kevin Rosenquist and John Banks sit down with economist Daniel Altman, international best-selling author of Outrageous Fortunes and the voice behind the High Yield Economics newsletter.We pull back the curtain on the K-shaped economy to see why corporate profits are hitting record highs while the poorest 20% of Americans have lost 9.3% of their purchasing power in just three years. We also dive into the truth behind the skills gap myth, the use of AI as a wage-suppression tool, and how recent legislation in Washington acted as a Trojan Horse for the ultra-wealthy.Connect with Daniel Altman:Website: https://www.danielaltman.com/Outrageous Fortunes: https://www.amazon.com/Outrageous-Fortunes-Surprising-Reshape-Economy/dp/1250001730/High Yield Economics on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/high-yield-economics-7019345753049534464/Pre-order "The Best Decisions You’ll Ever Make": https://www.amazon.com/Best-Decisions-Youll-Ever-Make/dp/B0GLGC7FXK/ref=sr_1_1 (Available November 2026)In this episode, we discuss:08:20 – The K-Shaped Reality: Why the bottom 80% can afford less food than they could three years ago.14:15 – The Death of Bargaining Power: How automation and AI are being used as threats to keep wages low.22:30 – The Hyundai Raid: Is the skills gap a real thing or an excuse to hire cheaper labor from overseas?31:45 – The One Big Beautiful Bill: How a 4.5 trillion dollar tax cut was sold to the working class as a win.40:10 – The 1% Remittance Tax: Why the government is squeezing pennies out of migrant families.48:55 – Local Pushback: Why voters are turning to grassroots leaders like NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani.Join the Revolution:We record LIVE every Wednesday at 9pm ET on YouTube.Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/@WeNeedaRevolutionShow
Transcribe →The Nursing Pipeline is Breaking: Why We are Turning Away 80,000 Future Nurses with Jason Banks
Feb 2601:04:57Tap to summarizeOur healthcare system is experiencing a quiet, structural atrophy. This week, Kevin Rosenquist and John Banks are joined by Jason Banks, a veteran nursing home administrator with three decades of experience on the front lines.The conversation moves past the headlines of burnout to the reality of moral injury and the deep distress felt by healthcare workers when systemic shortages prevent them from providing ethical care. Jason breaks down the math of the crisis, noting that while the state of Alabama needs 40,000 more nurses by 2027, the current pipeline only accounts for about 5,000.In this episode, we discuss:The Nursing Pipeline: Why schools are forced to turn away over 80,000 qualified applicants because they lack the faculty and clinical space to train them.The Corporate Extraction: How private equity groups are buying facilities, stripping assets, and compromising patient safety for profit.The AI Integration: How automated vitals and dictation tools are helping nurses reclaim time for patient care.Patient Advocacy: Why you should never be in a hospital without a family member there to act as your advocate.The Future of Care: A candid look at the role of community, the potential for dignity in death, and why the current business model is failing the people who need it most.Chapter Timestamps:00:00 – Scarcity: The first lesson of economics and politics00:45 – Gemini: John’s new AI assistant and the future of work03:11 – State of the Union: Why the hosts are opting out of political theater05:04 – Interview: Jason Banks on 30 years in healthcare administration08:35 – Moral Injury vs. Burnout: The psychological toll of understaffing15:15 – A personal wake-up call: Surviving a nursing shortage as a patient20:55 – The cell phone struggle: Professionalism in a crisis 29:10 – The Education Bottleneck: Why we can’t train enough nurses41:48 – Private Equity: Sucking the marrow out of nursing homes53:38 – The Right to Die: A difficult conversation on dignity and resources1:03:12 – Outro: Coming up next week with economist Dan AltmanWe record live every Wednesday at 9pm ET on YouTube and stream everywhere the next day. Join the conversation and help us find a better way forward.Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/@WeNeedaRevolutionShow#weneedarevolution #healthcarecrisis #nursing #patientadvocacy #systemicchange
Transcribe →Why Your Outrage is Their Best Weapon: Dr. Leah Howard on the Science of Division
Feb 1901:02:11Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Kevin and John sit down with Dr. Lia Howard, a political scientist and Director of the Political Empathy Lab at the University of Pennsylvania. We dive into the concept of affective polarization and how our political identities have become dangerously stacked with our social identities.Dr. Howard shares fascinating insights from her research traveling across Pennsylvania, where she and her students spent a summer simply listening to strangers to understand the roots of our national divide. Plus, we discuss the loneliness epidemic and why something as simple as making eye contact might be the first step in saving our democracy.Chapter Timestamps:00:00 – Malcolm X, 1964 and the WNAR mission00:49 – Kevin’s computer crisis and John’s big move02:48 – The clickbait culture: Why "annihilating" the opposition gets views04:46 – Introducing Dr. Lia Howard08:09 – Affective Polarization: How outrage became a manufactured system10:41 – The danger of stacked identities and seeing others as less than human14:55 – The Loneliness Epidemic: How screens are killing our social connections17:51 – Inside the Political Empathy Lab: Learning to listen in a swing state23:48 – Dealing with scripted talking points and conspiracy theories56:22 – Outro: Coming up next week on WNARJoin the Revolution: New episodes are LIVE every Wednesday at 9pm ET and streaming everywhere the next day.#weneedarevolution #politicalempathy #leahhoward #nonpartisan #news #affectivepolarization #politics
Transcribe →Lessons from Hungary: How We Are Losing Our Grip on the American Dream with Matt Borka
Feb 1201:03:12Tap to summarizeEpisode Summary: Is the United States becoming the next Hungary? Guest Matt Burka joins Kevin Rosenquist and John Banks to explain why the American system is beginning to mirror the decay of Eastern European democracies. From the "wealth pump" that extracts capital from the working class to the "elite overproduction" that fuels political vitriol, we explore why the system feels rigged and where the American dream has actually migrated.Key Discussion Points:The Decay of Institutions: Matt discusses how the Hungarian government monopolized industries and used gerrymandering to stay in power, noting similar patterns emerging in the U.S.Digital Feudalism: A look at how Meta and Google control the "active eyeballs" of the world, charging small businesses arbitrary prices without transparency.The Education Trap: Why $200,000 degrees are failing to prepare young people for a workforce being rapidly transformed by AI.The Global Shift: Why talented Americans are moving to places like Thailand to find the safety, cost of living, and entrepreneurial freedom they can no longer find at home.Timestamps:00:00 – Democracy vs. concentrated wealth10:32 – Defining Eastern European-ization21:42 – Lobbying and the death of innovation27:52 – The hidden costs of digital advertising36:07 – Peter Turchin and the wealth pump44:33 – The American dream in Southeast Asia54:34 – Brain drain and the shift in global economicsMore from Matt: https://www.youtube.com/@matt_borkaConnect with the Show: Watch live every Wednesday at 9pm ET on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeNeedaRevolutionShow
Transcribe →The Billionaire Tax Playbook: Bob Lord on the Secrets of the Ultra-Rich
Feb 500:57:31Tap to summarizeIf you earned $1 million every single day since the calendar began 2,026 years ago, you would still be less wealthy than Elon Musk. This week, we are joined by Bob Lord, Senior VP of Patriotic Millionaires and a former tax attorney for the 1%, to discuss why the American tax system is designed to fail the middle class.We dive into the mechanics of wealth concentration, exploring how the tax code defers the recognition of investment gains until they are sold, allowing the ultra-rich to accumulate hundreds of billions while paying an effective annual rate lower than that of the average worker. Bob explains the "Buy, Borrow, Die" strategy and shares details on new legislative efforts to create a more progressive system that exempts basic cost-of-living wages from federal income tax.Key Topics:The massive gap between economic income and what shows up on a tax returnHow the "Buy, Borrow, Die" strategy allows billionaires to avoid taxes entirelyThe mission of Patriotic Millionaires to save democracy from wealth destabilizationProposed legislation: The Equal Tax Act and the $46,000 basic cost-of-living exemptionTimestamps:00:00 – Welcome to the Revolution: Ending "documentary bipartisanship"03:50 – Tax rates 101: The surgeon vs. the investor05:50 – Bob Lord’s transition from high-level tax attorney to advocate08:15 – Debunking the myth of high billionaire tax rates11:30 – The path to the first trillionaire14:40 – Inside the Patriotic Millionaires movement16:00 – Policy solutions: The Equal Tax Act and median income exemptions19:40 – Deep dive into the "Buy, Borrow, Die" loophole27:20 – How the tax code threatens democracy55:40 – Next week: Elite overproduction with Matt BurkaLinks: Patriotic Millionaires: https://patrioticmillionaires.org/ We Need A Revolution YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeNeedaRevolutionShow#weneedarevolution #taxtherich #patrioticmillionaires #economicjustice #nonpartisan #politics2026 #news #wealthgap #elonmusk #jeffbezos #trump #2026midterms
Transcribe →