• Stacey’s Post-Election Message and The Power of Music
    Nov 7 2024

    Stacey offers a reflection and a call to action to move beyond resistance and into insistence after the re-election of Donald Trump. Then she speaks with Grammy, Pulitzer, and MacArthur Genius Grant winning musician Rhiannon Giddens about the connection between politics and art. Giddens dives into the way categorization divides the music industry, the deep and multicultural history of the banjo, and how she has put her unique stamp on every genre from opera to folk music.

    For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

    We want to hear your questions. Send us an email at assemblyrequired@crooked.com or leave us a voicemail at 213-293-9509. You and your question might be featured on the show.

    Learn & Do More:

    • Watch the documentary Stacey Abrams and Selena Gomez produced called “Louder: The Soundtrack of Change”.
    • Support independent musicians like Rhiannon Giddens and her group The Silk Road Ensemble.
    • Plan ahead for Biscuits And Banjos, a festival Giddens is organizing dedicated to the reclamation and exploration of black music, art, and culture.
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    51 mins
  • How Your Vote Can Combat Extreme Weather and Save the Planet
    Oct 31 2024

    Stacey talks with meteorologist and veteran hurricane expert, John Morales, who describes how growing up in Puerto Rico led him to his career and how important it is to talk about extreme weather effects. He explains the science of why storms are getting stronger, heatwaves are getting hotter, and droughts are becoming more frequent. Plus they discuss how your vote can help push policy makers to mitigate climate change and the most impactful actions we need to take to help our communities.

    For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.


    We want to hear your questions. Send us an email at assemblyrequired@crooked.com or leave us a voicemail at 213-293-9509. You and your question might be featured on the show.

    Learn & Do More:

    • Visit the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
    • Participate in the support group Extreme Weather Survivors
    • Locate your mutual aid organization at Mutual Aid Hub
    • Be vigilant about disinformation and listen to our episode “Deepfakes, Lies, and How to Fight Disinformation”
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • How To Fix America’s Maternal Health Crisis and Fight For Reproductive Freedom
    Oct 24 2024

    Giving birth in the United States can be dangerous – but it doesn’t have to be. Stacey talks to Representative Jennifer McClellan of Virginia about the disparities in maternal health outcomes in the U.S. and policies to expand access to reproductive healthcare and affordable childcare. Then, Stacey welcomes ProPublica reporter Kavitha Surana to discuss her story on the deadly impact new state abortion bans are already having on pregnant people – and the importance of sharing these stories.


    We want to hear your questions. Send us an email at assemblyrequired@crooked.com or leave us a voicemail at 213-293-9509. You and your question might be featured on the show.

    For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

    Learn More:

    Abortion Bans Have Delayed Emergency Medical Care. In Georgia, Experts Say This Mother’s Death Was Preventable (ProPublica)

    The19thNews.Org

    The Only Doctor (PBS)

    Black Maternal Health Caucus

    The Momnibus

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    50 mins
  • How Technology Is Transforming Art & Why We Should Care
    Oct 17 2024

    Stacey sits down with artist KNA to discuss how artists are impacted by AI and other evolving technologies, how they can use them to fuel their creativity, as well as what next steps need to be taken to secure resources and protection for the arts in an increasingly digital world.

    For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

    We want to hear your questions. Send us an email at assemblyrequired@crooked.com or leave us a voicemail at 213-293-9509. You and your question might be featured on the show.

    Do More:

    - Read the terms and conditions of social media and streaming platforms

    - Support artists directly by buying their art and merchandise

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    50 mins
  • The Future of Hollywood with Bryan Cranston
    Oct 10 2024

    Stacey sits down with award-winning actor, producer and activist Bryan Cranston to talk about how the entertainment industry is evolving one year on since the writers’ and actors’ strikes, how Hollywood can sustain our thirst for content, as well as the livelihoods of the artists who make it.

    For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

    We want to hear your questions. Send us an email at assemblyrequired@crooked.com or leave us a voicemail at 213-293-9509. You and your question might be featured on the show.

    Learn More:

    Pencils Down! The 100 Days of The Writers Guild Strike

    Entertainment Community Fund

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    55 mins
  • The Fight for Voting Rights Across the Country
    Oct 3 2024

    Stacey is joined by Mother Jones’ national voting rights correspondent and author, Ari Berman, to untangle threats to voting rights ahead of November’s election, what’s changed since the last presidential election, and how to push back to protect access this year and beyond.

    For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

    We want to hear your questions. Send us an email at assemblyrequired@crooked.com or leave us a voicemail at 213-293-9509. You and your question might be featured on the show.

    Learn More:

    Links to Ari Berman's books:

    Minority Rule: The Right-Wing Attack on the Will of the People

    Give us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America

    Marc Elias’ Democracy Docket

    To register to vote or update your registration: vote.gov

    To find volunteer opportunities and get involved in protecting the right to vote: fairfight.com/lfgv

    Stacey's new children's book: Stacey Speaks Up

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    54 mins
  • The Right to Read and Fighting Book Bans with LeVar Burton
    Sep 26 2024

    In honor of Banned Books Week, Stacey is joined by two guests: Her mom and former librarian, Reverend Carolyn Abrams, and actor, director, and literacy advocate, LeVar Burton. The trio discuss the transformative power of story and strategies to combat book banning.

    For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

    Learn More:
    Banned Books Week: https://bannedbooksweek.org/events/
    https://twitter.com/BannedBooksWeek
    https://www.instagram.com/banned_books_week/
    https://www.facebook.com/bannedbooksweek/

    American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom Banned Books Report: https://www.ala.org/tools/challengesupport/report

    American Library Association Dear Banned Author Campaign:
    https://www.ala.org/bbooks/dear-banned-author

    Stacey Speaks Up: https://bookshop.org/p/books/stacey-speaks-up-stacey-abrams/21172602

    LeVar Burton Reads: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/levar-burton-reads/id1244649384

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    54 mins
  • The Rent is Too Damn High, But Renters Are Even More Powerful
    Sep 19 2024

    If there’s power in numbers, then there are arguably few groups as powerful American tenants. Stacey is joined by founding director of the KC Tenants Union, Tara Raghuveer, to highlight the vast political potential they’re building through their organization in Kansas City and beyond.

    For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

    We want to hear your questions. Send us an email at assemblyrequired@crooked.com or leave us a voicemail at 213-293-9509. You and your question might be featured on the show.

    Learn More:

    Read Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond

    Visit the KC Tenants website for a link to donate, an organizing toolkit, and resources on how to organize a campaign, write letters, and more.

    Look up your local mutual aid groups for fund drives, food banks, and other ways to volunteer.

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    57 mins