Laura Flanders and Friends: Solutions-Focused Progressive Perspectives on Politics, News, and Culture

Kimberlé Crenshaw and expert guests unpack the critical role Black voters played in the midterm elections and how independent media outpaced mainstream coverage. This episode comes by way of Crenshaw's "Intersectionality Matters" podcast produced by the African American Policy Forum.

Description:  In this special bonus episode, Laura Flanders joins a post-election roundtable for the “Intersectionality Matters!” podcast hosted by African American Policy Forum Co-Founder & Executive Director Kimberlé Crenshaw. Guests Laura Flanders, Kaye Wise Whitehead and Tim Wise discuss the differences between the money media and independent media’s coverage of the midterms, key takeaways from exit polls, and how B...

In 'Meanwhile', Jacqueline Woodson and Catherine Gund weave together the words of literary legends to explore the intersection of art, grief, and social justice.

Description: James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Muhammad Ali and Nina Simone are some of the artists featured in the moving new film “Meanwhile”, from National Book Award-winner Jacqueline Woodson and Emmy-nominated producer & director Catherine Gund. Their meditations on grief, art, breath and more are beautifully woven together as the film poses the question, how do you keep breathing amidst the chaos? Catalyzed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the police killing of George Floyd, Gund and...

In 'Meanwhile', Jacqueline Woodson and Catherine Gund weave together the words of literary legends to explore the intersection of art, grief, and social justice.

Description:  James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Muhammad Ali and Nina Simone are some of the artists featured in the moving new film “Meanwhile”, from National Book Award-winner Jacqueline Woodson and Emmy-nominated producer & director Catherine Gund. Their meditations on grief, art, breath and more are beautifully woven together as the film poses the question, how do you keep breathing amidst the chaos? Catalyzed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the police killing of George Floyd, Gund and W...

Explore the grassroots organizing tactics that flipped Georgia and empowered Democrats, with lessons for inspiring voters and combating election denial.

Description:  Organizers in Georgia did the impossible back in 2020: they managed to get overlooked voters to the polls and cracked the code on how to spark civic involvement. The election of two Democrats to the Senate from the state handed the presidency to Joe Biden and control of Congress to the Democrats that year. But as you’ll hear, this was no flash in the pan; it was the result of decades of organizing. There’s lots to le...

Before the 2026 midterm elections we revisit "The Georgia Way:  How to win elections", a conversation from 2020 with the book's editors.

Description:  Organizers in Georgia did the impossible back in 2020: they managed to get overlooked voters to the polls and cracked the code on how to spark civic involvement. The election of two Democrats to the Senate from the state handed the presidency to Joe Biden and control of Congress to the Democrats that year. But as you’ll hear, this was no flash in the pan; it was the result of decades of organizing. There’s lots to lea...

This October we’re putting together the first-ever Book Month on Laura Flanders and Friends— just in time for Indigenous People’s Day and election season. And every extraordinary book we’re featuring this month is more timely than ever.

It’s our members that have kept this show available to hundreds of thousands of listeners and viewers like you, but it takes a lot of funds to keep the show flowing nationally. We do not take corporate or government underwriting, we rely on you.  Go to: https://Substack.com/LauraFlanders

Description:  Salman Rushdie praised A.M. Homes’...

This October we’re putting together the first-ever Book Month on Laura Flanders and Friends— just in time for Indigenous People’s Day and election season. And every extraordinary book we’re featuring this month is more timely than ever.

It’s our members that have kept this show available to hundreds of thousands of listeners and viewers like you, but it takes a lot of funds to keep the show flowing nationally. We do not take corporate or government underwriting, we rely on you.  Go to: https://Substack.com/LauraFlanders

Description:  Salman Rushdie praised A.M. Homes’...

This October we’re putting together the first-ever Book Month on Laura Flanders and Friends. And every extraordinary book we’re featuring this month is more timely than ever.

It’s our members that have kept this show available to hundreds of thousands of listeners and viewers like you, but it takes a lot of funds to keep the show flowing nationally. We do not take corporate or government underwriting, we rely on you.  Go to: https://Substack.com/LauraFlanders

Description: Can a novel become a catalyst to help us address impending climate disaster? That’s...

This October we’re putting together the first-ever Book Month on Laura Flanders and Friends. And every extraordinary book we’re featuring this month is more timely than ever.

It’s our members that have kept this show available to hundreds of thousands of listeners and viewers like you, but it takes a lot of funds to keep the show flowing nationally. We do not take corporate or government underwriting, we rely on you.  Go to: https://Substack.com/LauraFlanders

Description: Can a novel become a catalyst to help us address impending climate...

This month we take a deep dive into the archives featuring timeless treasures from forward thinking authors in fiction and non fiction.
 

Synopsis:  Join acclaimed poet Joy Harjo for an illuminating conversation on finding courage and embracing our stories, as she discusses her new guide "Girl Warrior: On Coming of Age"

This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate

Description:  We are in what today’s guest calls a dark night of our national soul. Many of us are feeling hopeless, uncomfortable and stuck...

This month we take a deep dive into the archives featuring timeless treasures from forward thinking authors both fiction and non fiction.
 

Synopsis:  Join acclaimed poet Joy Harjo for an illuminating conversation on finding courage and embracing our stories, as she discusses her new guide "Girl Warrior: On Coming of Age"

This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate

Description:  We are in what today’s guest calls a dark night of our national soul. Many of us are feeling hopeless, uncomfortable and stuck...

This month, on Laura Flanders & Friends, we’re taking a closer look at criminal justice—through the lens of abolition, accountability, and the power of the creative arts to tell fuller, truer stories.  Across these conversations, a common thread emerges: what happens when we move beyond fear, beyond punishment, and toward systems rooted in dignity, truth, and possibility?

This show is made possible thanks our members! To become a sustaining member go to https://LauraFlanders.org/donate   Thank you for your continued support!

Description:  What happened when Illinois ended cash bail? As Laura’s guests explain, t...

This month, on Laura Flanders & Friends, we’re taking a closer look at criminal justice—through the lens of abolition, accountability, and the power of the creative arts to tell fuller, truer stories. This week we’ll look closely at what’s wrong with cash bail—and how one state chose to end it.

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Description: What happened when Illinois ended cash bail? As Laura’s guests explain, this deeply discriminatory and unjust system puts “a ransom on people’s heads,” disproportionately impacts Black and Brown people, and favors the wealthy who can buy their...

This month, on Laura Flanders & Friends, we’re taking a closer look at criminal justice—through the lens of abolition, accountability, and the power of the creative arts to tell fuller, truer stories. This week we’ll look closely at what’s wrong with cash bail—and how one state chose to end it.

Subscribe to Laura on Substack

Description: What happened when Illinois ended cash bail? As Laura’s guests explain, this deeply discriminatory and unjust system puts “a ransom on people’s heads,” disproportionately impacts Black and Brown people, and favors the wealthy who can buy their...

This month, on Laura Flanders & Friends, we’re taking a closer look at criminal justice—through the lens of abolition, accountability, and the power of the creative arts to tell fuller, truer stories.  This week we’ll examine abolitionist approaches to migrant justice, separating fact from fear when it comes to mass detention

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Description:  When it comes to crime and migration, all sorts of politicians have justified mass detention and incarceration in the name of confronting a dangerous crisis. But what's real and what's fear mongering, and how can refor...

This month, on Laura Flanders & Friends, we’re taking a closer look at criminal justice—through the lens of abolition, accountability, and the power of the creative arts to tell fuller, truer stories.  This week we’ll explore how artists like Akinsanya Kambon bring histories of colonization and liberation to life—connecting past and present in ways that demand we rethink punishment, justice, and repair.

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Description [original release date September 2025]: With each glimmering piece he creates, artist Akinsanya Kambon brings suppressed histories of both colonization and liberation to life. His ceramic w...

This month, on Laura Flanders & Friends, we’re taking a closer look at criminal justice—through the lens of abolition, accountability, and the power of the creative arts to tell fuller, truer stories.  This week we’ll explore how artists like Akinsanya Kambon bring histories of colonization and liberation to life—connecting past and present in ways that demand we rethink punishment, justice, and repair.

Subscribe to Laura on Substack  

Description [original release date September 2025]: With each glimmering piece he creates, artist Akinsanya Kambon brings suppressed histories of both colonization and liberation to life. His ceramic wor...

This month, on Laura Flanders & Friends, we’re taking a closer look at criminal justice—through the lens of abolition, accountability, and the power of the creative arts to tell fuller, truer stories.  At a time when fear too often drives policy, we’re lifting up voices that challenge the narratives shaping our systems— This week we feature filmmakers using their craft to bring judges a more complete, human picture of those facing prison for nonviolent offenses.

Subscribe to Laura on Substack:  https://lauraflanders.substack.com/

Description:  An individual facing prison time may also be a dedicated...

This month, on Laura Flanders & Friends, we’re taking a closer look at criminal justice—through the lens of abolition, accountability, and the power of the creative arts to tell fuller, truer stories.  This week we'll explore a new documentary, CYCLE, that's breaking the silence around police killings.

Subscribe to Laura on Substack:  https://lauraflanders.substack.com/

Description: Would we know from our media that over 1,000 people are killed by police every year in the U.S.? The stories of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor are exceptions, but for the victims we don’t hear about, t...

This month, on Laura Flanders & Friends, we’re taking a closer look at criminal justice—through the lens of abolition, accountability, and the power of the creative arts to tell fuller, truer stories.  This week we'll explore a new documentary, CYCLE, that's breaking the silence around police killings.

Subscribe to Laura on Substack:  https://lauraflanders.substack.com/

Description: Would we know from our media that over 1,000 people are killed by police every year in the U.S.? The stories of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor are exceptions, but for the victims we don’t hear about, t...

This month, on Laura Flanders & Friends, we turn to the state of journalism—at a moment of deep disruption, consolidation, and consequence.  But journalists aren’t simply standing by—they’re pushing back, reimagining their work, and, in many cases, taking matters into their own hands.   This week we’ll hear from the long-running independent collective Third World Newsreel, still thriving in an era some are calling “media carnage,” showing what it looks like to endure—and to resist.

This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate

Description: It’...

This month, on Laura Flanders & Friends, we turn to the state of journalism—at a moment of deep disruption, consolidation, and consequence.  But journalists aren’t simply standing by—they’re pushing back, reimagining their work, and, in many cases, taking matters into their own hands.   This week we’ll hear from the long-running independent collective Third World Newsreel, still thriving in an era some are calling “media carnage,” showing what it looks like to endure—and to resist.

This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate

Description: It’...

This month, on Laura Flanders & Friends, we turn to the state of journalism—at a moment of deep disruption, consolidation, and consequence.  But journalists aren’t simply standing by—they’re pushing back, reimagining their work, and, in many cases, taking matters into their own hands.

This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate

Description:  Journalism is at an inflection point. Under a hail of lawsuits, firings, new hires, and mercenary mergers, the business of media is in shambles even as the need for reliable, truthful informatio...

This month, on Laura Flanders & Friends, we turn to the state of journalism—at a moment of deep disruption, consolidation, and consequence.  But journalists aren’t simply standing by—they’re pushing back, reimagining their work, and, in many cases, taking matters into their own hands.

This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate

Description:  Journalism is at an inflection point. Under a hail of lawsuits, firings, new hires, and mercenary mergers, the business of media is in shambles even as the need for reliable, truthful informatio...

This month, on Laura Flanders & Friends, we turn to the state of journalism—at a moment of deep disruption, consolidation, and consequence. Across the country and around the world, newsrooms are shrinking, ownership is concentrating, and the very idea of a free and independent press is under pressure. But journalists aren’t simply standing by—they’re pushing back, reimagining their work, and, in many cases, taking matters into their own hands.This week we explore whether worker-owned media might offer a path forward, as reporters and editors respond to industry collapse by building new models rooted in accountability and coll...

This month, on Laura Flanders & Friends, we turn to the state of journalism—at a moment of deep disruption, consolidation, and consequence. But journalists aren’t simply standing by—they’re pushing back, reimagining their work, and, in many cases, taking matters into their own hands. This week we explore whether worker-owned media might offer a path forward, as reporters and editors respond to industry collapse by building new models rooted in accountability and collective power.

This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate

Description:  The business...

This month, on Laura Flanders & Friends, we turn to the state of journalism—at a moment of deep disruption, consolidation, and consequence.  Across the country and around the world, newsrooms are shrinking, ownership is concentrating, and the very idea of a free and independent press is under pressure. But journalists aren’t simply standing by—they’re pushing back, reimagining their work, and, in many cases, taking matters into their own hands.

This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate

Description: Mainstream media has a lot to accoun...

This month, on Laura Flanders & Friends, we turn to the state of journalism—at a moment of deep disruption, consolidation, and consequence.  Across the country and around the world, newsrooms are shrinking, ownership is concentrating, and the very idea of a free and independent press is under pressure. But journalists aren’t simply standing by—they’re pushing back, reimagining their work, and, in many cases, taking matters into their own hands.

This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate

Description: Mainstream media has a lot to accoun...

This month on Laura Flanders & Friends we’re lifting up the people, the stories, and the ideas driving disability justice forward.  This week we revisit a Peabody Award–winning documentary about a summer camp that helped spark a disability revolution—reminding us that transformation often begins with community.

This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate

Description:  Crip Camp is a Peabody Award-winning documentary from Netflix and Higher Ground Productions that tells the story of Camp Jened, a summer camp in the 1960s where disabled youth could be...

This month on Laura Flanders & Friends we’re lifting up the people, the stories, and the ideas driving disability justice forward.  This week we celebrate the life and legacy of Alice Wong with two of her closest collaborators, reflecting on the movement she helped to build.

This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate

Description: Alice Wong lived longer than she expected, but not long enough. The celebrated disability activist lived by the principle that disability justice is integral to all liberation movements, and centered disabled sto...

This month on Laura Flanders & Friends we’re lifting up the people, the stories, and the ideas driving disability justice forward.  This week we celebrate the life and legacy of Alice Wong with two of her closest collaborators, reflecting on the movement she helped to build.

This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate

Description: Alice Wong lived longer than she expected, but not long enough. The celebrated disability activist lived by the principle that disability justice is integral to all liberation movements, and centered disabled sto...

This month on Laura Flanders & Friends we’re lifting up the people, the stories, and the ideas driving disability justice forward.  This week, We’ll hear from a comedian and unapologetic voice weaving together disability rights and Palestinian identity with humor and sharp political insight.

These audio exclusives are made possible thanks to our member supporters. Become a supporting member at https://LauraFlanders.org/Donate

Description [Original Release Date December 8, 2024]:  Israel’s US-backed war on Gaza has been a mass disabling event. Today’s guest says we must create a “viable, accessible future” for the disabled Pales...

This month on Laura Flanders & Friends we’re lifting up the people, the stories, and the ideas driving disability justice forward.  This week, We’ll hear from a comedian and unapologetic voice weaving together disability rights and Palestinian identity with humor and sharp political insight.

These audio exclusives are made possible thanks to our member supporters. Become a supporting member at https://LauraFlanders.org/Donate

Description [Original Release Date December 8, 2024]: Israel’s US-backed war on Gaza has been a mass disabling event. Today’s guest says we must create a “viable, accessible future” for the disabled Pale...

This month on Laura Flanders & Friends we’re lifting up the people, the stories, and the ideas driving disability justice forward.  This week, a candid conversation with two leading disability rights organizers on the ongoing fight for recognition, respect, and full inclusion for the largest minority in the country—these stories push us to rethink what justice really looks like.

This show is made possible by you!  To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate  Thank you for your continued support!

Description:  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990, a significant mileston...

This month on Laura Flanders & Friends we’re lifting up the people, the stories, and the ideas driving disability justice forward.  This week, a candid conversation with two leading disability rights organizers on the ongoing fight for recognition, respect, and full inclusion for the largest minority in the country—these stories push us to rethink what justice really looks like.

This show is made possible by you!  To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate  Thank you for your continued support!

Description:  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990, a significant mileston...

This month on Laura Flanders & Friends we’re lifting up the people, the stories, and the ideas driving disability justice forward.  This week, two artists expand our ideas about beauty, mobility and inclusion.

This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate

Description:  As the nation marks another anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), disability advocates are calling attention to the work still left undone—from expanding accessibility and representation in public life to protecting disability rights and ensuring equitable access to the arts. In this e...

This month on Laura Flanders and Friends, we’re revisiting conversations around solidarity, kinship and what it means to be human.  This week we learn from the feminist philosopher Donna Haraway about  thinking beyond binaries, cultivating community and taking risks.

This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate

Description: “Thinking requires action and passion,” says feminist philosopher and scholar, Donna Haraway in this unique conversation. In her 1985 essay “A Cyborg Manifesto” and 2003 work, “The Companion Species Manifesto”, Haraway challenged patriarchal, capitalist, binary, species-ist ways of looking at the world. It...

This month on Laura Flanders and Friends, we’re revisiting conversations around solidarity, kinship and what it means to be human.  This week we learn from the feminist philosopher Donna Haraway about  thinking beyond binaries, cultivating community and taking risks.

This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate

Description: “Thinking requires action and passion,” says feminist philosopher and scholar, Donna Haraway in this unique conversation. In her 1985 essay “A Cyborg Manifesto” and 2003 work, “The Companion Species Manifesto”, Haraway challenged patriarchal, capitalist, binary, species-ist ways of looking at the world. It...

This month on Laura Flanders and Friends, we’re revisiting conversations around solidarity, kinship and what it means to be human.  This week we celebrate Marsha P Johnson's life and legacy with two trans activists who are carrying on her work. 

This show is made possible by you!  Make a one off donation or make it monthly at LauraFlanders.org/donate. 

Episode Description: Activist and artist Marsha P. Johnson was one of the key founders of the gay liberation movement after the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, but it’s taken years for her to receive recognition. On this spe...

This month on Laura Flanders and Friends, we’re revisiting conversations around solidarity, kinship and what it means to be human.  This week we celebrate Marsha P Johnson's life and legacy with two trans activists who are carrying on her work. 

This show is made possible by you!  Make a one off donation or make it monthly at LauraFlanders.org/donate. 

Description: Activist and artist Marsha P. Johnson was one of the key founders of the gay liberation movement after the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, but it’s taken years for her to receive recognition. On this special...