The Pledge Podcast

Allison Daskal Hausman
  • 5.0 (79)
  • GOVERNMENT
  • SEMIMONTHLY SERIES
The Pledge Podcast

The Pledge Podcast explores political activism through short audio portraits. We call it The Pledge because it celebrates activism as a commitment to the hard work of democracy. Making this pledge means taking risks, speaking out, working hard and fighting day after day. It’s not easy, and success is often slow and never guaranteed. But making a commitment—a pledge—can motivate us to stay engaged for the long haul, which is the only way to truly make change.

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  1. Releasing the Chains of our Ancestors

    EPISODE 1

    Releasing the Chains of our Ancestors

    Season 3 begins with the story of Sheena Meade, who was instrumental in the passage of Florida’s 2018 Amendment 4 and restoring the right to vote to 1.4 million returning citizens who had formerly been incarcerated. But for that vote to happen, it took the hard work and strategic talent to organize, organize, and organize some more. That’s where Sheena Meade came in.  In Part One of this two-part story, you’ll learn how Sheena has defied the odds over and over again, eventually becoming a powerful force behind the groundwork that led to this victory. You’ll also learn how Sheena supports and inspires the people around her, helping them grow in confidence as they build their movement together and face continuing challenges.   Find Us Online -Website: https://www.thepledgepodcast.com/ -Newsletter: https://bit.ly/2FJVtjN -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PledgetoAct -Twitter: https://twitter.com/PledgePodcast

    22 min
  2. This is Bigger than Us: Sheena Meade Part 2

    EPISODE 2

    This is Bigger than Us: Sheena Meade Part 2

    In the second episode featuring Sheena Meade and the fight to restore voting rights to returning citizens in Florida, we see how persevering in the face of expected and unexpected obstacles is a crucial part of making our democracy work. The amazing victory of Florida’s Amendment Four in 2018 was just the beginning of a long and ongoing battle to give people back their voice. As Hedrick Smith says, “Democracy is a participant sport. It’s not a spectator sport.” For Desmond and Sheena, democracy is also about a focus on people and their needs. This took on new meaning as COVID-19 began to impact their community.   Find Us Online -Website: https://www.thepledgepodcast.com/ -Newsletter: https://bit.ly/2FJVtjN -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PledgetoAct -Twitter: https://twitter.com/PledgePodcast

    20 min
  3. When People Have Power: Florida’s Fight to End Gerrymandering

    EPISODE 3

    When People Have Power: Florida’s Fight to End Gerrymandering

    This episode tells Ellen Freidin’s story of leading a successful gerrymandering reform campaign in Florida, and then fighting to make sure the new electoral maps were drawn fairly. Ellen’s story took place over several years, starting with her discovery of how damaging gerrymandered districts were to Florida’s democracy, and through the painstaking process of crafting a redistricting process that could honor a truly diverse group of stakeholders. Ellen asked many questions, she listened, and she persevered. Listen and remind yourself what’s possible!   Find Us Online -Website: https://www.thepledgepodcast.com/ -Newsletter: https://bit.ly/2FJVtjN -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PledgetoAct -Twitter: https://twitter.com/PledgePodcast

    24 min
  4. It Mattered! Gerrymander Reform in Michigan

    EPISODE 4

    It Mattered! Gerrymander Reform in Michigan

    In this episode we move to Michigan, where a group of novice activists got fed up with gerrymandered districts with politicians who were unaccountable to the people, and decided to do something about it.  Nancy Wang is the Executive Director of Voters Not Politicians, the nonprofit organization that led the 2018 campaign to defeat gerrymandering in Michigan, but that was never her plan. Responding to a Facebook post from a stranger, Nancy became one of the thousands of volunteers throughout the state to get involved. As an attorney, she ended up leading the policy committee that drafted the new amendment. Eventually she left her job teaching law at the University of Michigan to head up the organization full-time. Listen and feel hopeful. People-power is real!   Guests Nancy Wang is the Executive Director and a founding member of Voters Not Politicians. As a volunteer, Nancy led the policy committee that wrote the constitutional amendment language with input from the public, and served as Board President during the Proposal 2 campaign. @NancyWangVotes  Katie Fahey is the Co-Founder and Executive Director at The People. She started the grassroots campaign that ultimately became Voters Not Politicians. @KTeaFahey Art Reyes III is the founding Executive Director of We The People Michigan. He was born and raised in Flint, MI and hails from three generations of proud UAW members. @ArtReyesIII   Find Us Online -Website: https://www.thepledgepodcast.com/ -Newsletter: https://bit.ly/2FJVtjN -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PledgetoAct -Twitter: https://twitter.com/PledgePodcast

    21 min
  5. Let's Get Out There! Organizing in Detroit

    EPISODE 5

    Let's Get Out There! Organizing in Detroit

    As a sixteen year old growing up outside Detroit, Vanessa Velazquez was shocked by her family’s outrageous water bill. After helping her mom pay the bill, she questioned the bigger political context of social justice issues in her city. In Let’s Get Out There, we learn how that experience motivated her to study political science at Michigan State, and end up as an organizer in the Detroit area fighting to do something about it. Now, as the Field Director for Detroit Action, Vanessa is managing a team of organizers working nonstop to reach 150,000 potential voters in their critical swing state. Their goal goes far beyond getting the residents to vote--they’re building power and a voting culture that can transform the political context and guarantee people’s basic rights--rights like secure housing and government accountability. Of course, voting in November is a crucial first step! Guest: Vanessa Velazquez--Field Director for Detroit Action Find Us Online: -Website: https://www.thepledgepodcast.com/ -Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://bit.ly/2FJVtjN -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PledgetoAct -Twitter: https://twitter.com/PledgePodcast

    13 min
  6. Persevere with Dignity and Grace - Organizing Asian Americans in Michigan

    EPISODE 6

    Persevere with Dignity and Grace - Organizing Asian Americans in Michigan

    Laura Misumi, a fourth generation Japanese American, will give you hope! With her innovative strategy for organizing and mobilizing Asian Americans in Michigan, she is building community and fostering lasting political engagement. She will also open your eyes to the ways in which Japanese Americans have been fighting for justice for decades. Laura’s organization, Rising Voices for Asian American Families, is targeting 183,000 Asian American voters in carefully selected counties in this very important swing state. It’s an effort and a constituency that absolutely have the capacity to change the outcome of the State and Federal elections. Guests: Laura Misumi (Managing Director, Detroit Action and Executive Director, Rising Voices of Asian American Families) Munni Rahman (Canvasser) Branden Snyder (Executive Director, Detroit Action) Find Us Online: -Website: https://www.thepledgepodcast.com/ -Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://bit.ly/2FJVtjN -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PledgetoAct -Twitter: https://twitter.com/PledgePodcast

    16 min
  7. Now is the Moment

    EPISODE 7

    Now is the Moment

    The Moment is Now takes us to the grassroots campaign centered on reproductive justice - meaning the right to decide if, when, and how to have children. Katrina Rogers's story shows us the potentially devastating impact of Amendment One on lower-income people and people of color. We also hear from Kim O’Brien, a white, economically secure professional, who shares her story of being forced to go out of state to terminate a pregnancy after she learned that the child she and her husband eagerly expected would have severe neurological defects. Her story gives perspective on the burden that restrictive abortion laws impose on parents that may already be suffering, but it also shows that when the state takes away abortion rights, it’s really just taking away the right to choose from the people with fewer resources.  Guests: Katrina Rogers - Campaign Manager, Louisiana for Personal Freedoms Kimberly O'Brien - Reproductive Rights Advocate Find Us Online: -Website: https://www.thepledgepodcast.com/ -Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://bit.ly/2FJVtjN -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PledgetoAct -Twitter: https://twitter.com/PledgePodcast

    22 min
  8. Season Three Trailer

    SEASON 3 TRAILER

    Season Three Trailer

    In the past four years, we have seen both critical progress and set-backs with voting and voter empowerment across the country.  Starting August 6th, we are bringing stories of women from 3 different states determined to secure voting rights for every citizen. The COVID-19 pandemic has paralyzed so many of us, making these stories of action are more important than ever. This season we are also excited to collaborate with Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Hedrick Smith to provide broader context for each episode.

    1 min
See All Season 3 (8)

Trailers

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About

The Pledge Podcast explores political activism through short audio portraits. We call it The Pledge because it celebrates activism as a commitment to the hard work of democracy. Making this pledge means taking risks, speaking out, working hard and fighting day after day. It’s not easy, and success is often slow and never guaranteed. But making a commitment—a pledge—can motivate us to stay engaged for the long haul, which is the only way to truly make change.

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