Beyond Voting
Welcome to Beyond Voting! In Season 2, we continue exploring the state of American democracy as it shifts under President Trump’s second term. With seasoned leaders, movement workers, and journalists- you’ll hear visions for a future rooted in care, radical imagination, and everyday people taking action to protect democracy- grounded in working-class solidarity and Indigenous leadership. We dig into what’s changing, who’s paying attention, and how people are fighting back. Because despite the present, it’s not too late to write our future. For more, check out Season 1 for our award winning conversations taking a critical look at the 202...
Can Worker Solidarity Take Down Project 2025? ft. Maurice Mitchell
In the Season 2 finale of Beyond Voting, host Emily Williams talks with Maurice Mitchell, National Director of the Working Families Party, about building a grassroots movement capable of challenging corporate power and authoritarianism. They explore how progressive candidates can deliver meaningful change, build multiracial working-class coalitions, combat misinformation, and help everyday people recognize their power to shape democracy beyond the ballot box.
Together, they make the case for sustained collective action that turns political frustration into people-powered change.
Learn more about the Working Families Party at https://workingfamilies.org/
Love Beyond Voting?? Here's 3...
Is Climate Change a Social Justice Issue? ft. Jenni Monet
What if we've been talking about climate change all wrong?
Emily Williams sits down with Indigenous climate journalist Jenni Monet to examine the climate crisis through the lenses of colonialism, democracy, and justice. From Standing Rock to AI data centers, this conversation explores who bears the greatest burden- and how Indigenous leadership offers a path toward a more just future.
We’d love to hear from you! Rate & review the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help others find us.
Join the conversation and follow ou...
Big Tech, Big Power, Big Consequences: A Deep Dive with Jathan Sadowski
Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming embedded in everything, from our workplaces to our government. But who really benefits from the world Silicon Valley is building?
In this super sized episode of Beyond Voting, host Emily Williams speaks with tech researcher and author, Jathan Sadowski about the growing power of Big Tech and the rise of what some call the “tech broligarchy.” They explore how social media captured our attention, how AI could reshape creativity and critical thinking, and why the deepening partnership between tech companies and government should concern anyone who cares about democracy.
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We're Back, Again...and Beyond Voting Needs You!
As Beyond Voting resumes season two, we’re entering a new chapter - fully independent and committed to continuing this work into season three and beyond.
Like so many independent media projects, the political and economic realities of this moment have reshaped how the show is funded and sustained, but our mission remains the same: to tell the truth, hold power accountable, and imagine what civic life can look like beyond the ballot box. With the show heading to SXSW, this moment feels especially urgent - we’re bringing these conversations into new rooms, new audiences, and new...
Beyond Target: Can Boycotts Still Break Corporate Power? (with Earl Ofari Hutchinson & Nikki Porcher)
After Trump’s new executive orders dismantle federal DEI programs, corporations like Target follow suit, shuttering racial equity initiatives and cutting ties with Black-owned businesses. Communities respond with boycotts—but do they still work in an economy dominated by giants like Amazon and Google?
Host Emily Williams speaks with:
ICE, DOGE, and Democracy on the Brink (with Karen Attiah)
Democracy in the U.S. is under siege. From ICE raids and mass deportations, to Elon Musk’s
“Department of Government Efficiency” dismantling federal protections, to attacks on education and the press—our institutions are unraveling at unprecedented speed.
In this episode, host Emily Williams sits down with award-winning journalist Karen Attiah (former Global Opinions Editor at The Washington Post) to unpack how we got here and what it will take to resist. Karen shares lessons from her “Resistance Summer School,” explores the dangers of authoritarianism cloaked in efficiency, and argues that radical empathy and educatio...
Season 2- Beyond Voting Returns!
In Season 2, we’re taking a closer look at the state of American democracy as it shifts under President Trump’s second term. We dig into what’s changing, who’s paying attention, and how people are fighting back.
This season features conversations with incredible journalists, organizers, and community leaders, including:
Karen Attiah (Washington Post) on how a more organized administration is testing the rules of democracy.Jenni Monet (Indigenous affairs and climate reporter) on the Arctic as both a political and environmental warning for the rest of the world.Maurice Mitchell (Working Families Party) on how comm...Democracy: The Illusion of Choice. Featuring Dr. Melina Abdullah and Madiba Denning
Do not despair, we have the power to organize, build supportive communities, and challenge harmful policies.
In our special post election edition episode on Beyond Voting. We’re joined by two special guests, Madiba Dennie and Dr. Melina Abdullah. We did a legal lightning round with Madiba Dennie, Deputy Editor of BallsandStrikes.org, to explore how we got here and understand the legal challenges and issues that had such a profound effect on our elections across the country. We also spoke with 2024 VP Candidate, Dr. Melina Abdullah about her experience on the campaign trail with the Justice fo...
Activism: Are We Ready For This Moment? Featuring Charlene Carruthers
Have you lost your voice?
On the sixth episode of Beyond Voting, we dive deep with Charlene Carruthers, community organizer, writer, filmmaker, and Black Studies PhD candidate. Charlene is the founding national director of BYP 100, a Chicago -based social justice organization led by Black youth activists. Her work spans more than 20 years of community organizing across racial, gender,and economic justice movements. She is also the author of the 2018 bestselling book, Unapologetic: a Black, queer, and feminist mandate for radical movements. It provides a vision and a framework for young activists to build power, create a...
The Supreme Court: Political Tool or Arbiter of Justice? Featuring Dr. Nicole Nguyen
Is the Supreme Court for us or against us?
On the fifth episode of Beyond Voting, we dive deep with Dr. Nicole Nguyen, associate professor of criminology, law, & justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She’s also a feminist geographer whose research contributes to, and draws on, grassroots struggles challenging racialized policing, war and empire, particularly in collaboration with community organizations.
We spoke with Nicole about how the Supreme Court is meant to function versus how it actually does, why it’s facing a legitimacy crisis, how some of their recent rulings are...
Fascism: Modern Threat or Facade? Featuring Alberto Toscano
Fascism: Modern threat or facade?
On the fourth episode of Beyond Voting, we dive deep with Alberto Toscano, critical theorist, professor in the School of Communications at Simon Fraser University, and also co-director of the Centre for Philosophy and Critical Theory at Goldsmiths, University of London.
We spoke with Alberto about what modern fascist movements look like, where we see real examples of anti-fascist resistance, and what we can learn - particularly from Black radical traditions- about how to fight back against the spread of new fascisms in the United States and beyond.
The Third Way Forward. Featuring Rosa Clemente
Have you ever considered a third party as an option?
On the third episode of Beyond Voting, we dive deeper with Rosa Clemente, a black Puerto Rican scholar, activist, journalist, organizer, and former vice presidential candidate alongside Cynthia McKinney on the Green Party ballot in 2008.
We spoke with Rosa after she had just interviewed third party presidential candidate with the Justice For All Party, Dr. Cornel West. So third-party campaigns were front and center in her mind.We spoke with her about her introduction to the Green party, how third party campaigns help influence policy...
The Uncommitted Movement: Another way to vote. Featuring Esam Boreay
Do you stay in the process or do you check out?
On the second episode of Beyond Voting, we dive deep with Esam Boraey, Egyptian-American political activist and academic, into what it looks like working within the confines of electoral politics, what it can do for us, and what its limitations are – through the lens of the Uncommitted Movement.
We spoke with Esam only a few days after the Democratic National Convention wrapped up its week-long festivities in Chicago. He shared his thoughts on his experience with the Uncommitted movement, tells us about their treatment by...
To Vote or Not to Vote? Featuring Feminista Jones
Are you voting between a rock and a hard place?
On this first episode of Beyond Voting, we get real about voting our values with Dr. Michelle Taylor, also known as Feminista Jones- the award-winning author of Reclaiming Our Space: How Black Feminists Are Changing the World from the Tweets to the Streets.
We spoke with her after the 2024 Democratic National Convention and took a critical look at where we find ourselves with Vice President Harris, our new Democratic nominee. She shared her thoughts on voting as harm reduction, the importance of developing a political c...
Beyond Voting Coming September 24th
Are you ready to move beyond the ballot box and become a more engaged citizen?
Beyond Voting is rooted in our conviction that democracy requires more participation than just voting. It’s up to all of us to take action if we want to see real change.
Hosted by Emily Williams, Executive Director of The Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership at Kalamazoo College.
We’ll feature conversations with leaders, activists, and educators discussing the state of our country’s institution...
New podcast from The Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership!
Listen to the newest show from the Arcus Center!
On September 24th we’ll be dropping our new podcast, Beyond Voting, right here on this feed. And since you're already here- you don’t have to do anything but stay locked in!
If you’ve enjoyed our previous podcast, Radical Futures Now, then I’m sure you’ll enjoy our new show Beyond Voting. It’s a show about raising our consciousness, inspiring new leaders, and redesigning the democracy we deserve.
So, if you want to be part of that- listen to Beyon...
Youth Organizing and Pan-Africian Philosophies with Aya Chebbi
Aya Chebbi discusses Pan-Africanism and Youth Organizing with us. Aya Chebbi is a diplomat, peacebuilder and activist. Aya is also a multi-award winning Pan-African feminist. Aya has transformed the youth participation space across Africa, specifically with building the Afrika Youth Movement which is one of Africa's largest youth-led movements.
Time Banking with Alice Bagley
Alice Bagley shares about timebanking, urban farming and community-building through and through. Unity in Our Community Timebank is an organization in Southwest Detroit focused on sharing services and building community one hour at a time. Alice Beagley is currently organizing learning circles with Michigan Alliance Timebanking and farming at Fields of Plenty.
Interconnectedness and power in Hip Hop With Mazi Mutafa
Mazi Mutafa discusses the sacredness of the cypher, and the expansiveness of Hip Hop as a music and culture. Mazi Mutafa is the Executive Director of Words Beats & Life inc, a non-profit based in Washington, D.C. that teaches, convenes and presents Hip-Hop around the world. Mazi Mutafa began this organization as an after school program dedicated to creating transformative learning experiences in non-traditional classrooms, teaching the elements of Hip-Hop.
Statement on Atlanta with historical lens with Cat March
Cat March discusses the murders in Atlanta through a historical, gender and racial lens. Cat March (they/them) is a Gender Studies and English scholar. They have a personal passion for Asian American histories, especially Japanese internment camps in the United States. They are currently the student advisor at the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership at Kalamazoo College and finishing up their graduate program in higher education.
Statement on Atlanta and Leftist Asian-American Organizing With Mika Hernandez
Mika Hernandez discusses their feelings after the murders in Atlanta, and post-Atlanta organizing rooted in the Ohlone Land (Bay Area). Mika Hernandez (they + she) is a queer and non binary community organizer whose work is rooted in trans and queer liberation, abolition, transformative justice, and community care. They put this work into practice within their political and movement homes: Asians4BlackLives, APIENC, and the Bay Area Transformative Justice Collective. Mika is currently enrolled in an herbal medicine program at Ancestral Apothecary.
The Impacts of Colonization on Spirituality and Family Structure - Baba Buntu
Dr. Baba Buntu speaks on building stronger relations within family structures and returning to ancient African. Dr. Buntu is an Activist Scholar and Founding Director of eBukhosini Solutions; a community-based company in Johannesburg, specializing in Afrikan-Centered Education. Dr. Buntu has founded a number of community interventions based on practical approaches to Black Consciousness and decolonial methods.
Community Surveys and Feminist Methodologies with Jaime Grant
Jaime Grant discusses community-based surveys, intersectional feminism, and the expansiveness of gender and sexuality. Jamie Grant is a lesbian writer and activist, and author of Injustice at Every Turn: A Report of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey and Great Sex: Mapping your Desire. She is currently working on a LGBTQ+ Women’s community survey that centers anyone who identifies as a woman and those who used to identify as a woman and would like to speak about their experience.
Co-hosted by Rhiki Swinton and Paige Chung: audio edited by Gilbert Daniel Bwette.
Community Care and Performative Allyship with Abeni Jones
CW: mentions of suicidality. Abeni Jones discusses with us her articles for Autostraddle and workshops regarding community care and avoiding performative allyship. Abeni Jones is currently Managing Editor at PushBlack, a non-profit media organization for Black Americans, using the power of narrative to educate and activate readers. She is also a writer for Autostraddle.
The Importance of having a historical analysis when participating in movement work - Mia Henry
We’re back for part two with Mia Henry, she discusses The Importance of having a historical analysis when participating in movement work.
Mia Henry is the founder of Freedom Lifted, an organization that creates learning spaces for youth and adults to grow as social justice leaders. Prior to her work with Freedom Lifted, Mia was the founding director of the Chicago Freedom Schools and the executive director of the Arcus Center. Mia also organizes civil rights tours in the south which creates transformational experiences for people by reconnecting them with the United States History.
Food as a form of resistance - Mia Henry
Mia Henry discusses the role that food plays in exploring different cultures and histories. Mia Henry is the founder of Freedom Lifted, an organization that creates learning spaces for youth and adults to grow as social justice leaders. Prior to her work with Freedom Lifted, Mia was the founding director of the Chicago Freedom Schools and the executive director of the Arcus Center. Mia also organizes civil rights tours in the south which creates transformational experiences for people by reconnecting them with the United States History.
Detroit Organizing and Building the Grace Lee Boggs Center with Shae Howell
Shea Howell discusses everything Detroit. Shea has organized, as one of the founders of the Grace Lee Boggs Center, developing intergenerational relations, within the Council of Elders, and so much more. She is currently working in the water struggle in Detroit and celebrating the most recent win to pause the water bill during the covid-19 pandemic.
Resistencia de mujeres Afrocolombianas con Luz Marina Becerra
En este episodio de Futuros Radicales Ahora entramos en conversación con Luz Marina Becerra, lideresa de AFRODES y la COMADRE de AFRODES, sobre experiencias de lxs Afrocolombianxs, la opresión por parte del Estado, y su resistencia. Este episodio está presentado por Marcos Ferguson Morales, y editado por Marcos Ferguson Morales y Paige Chung
// In this episode of Radical Futures Now we discuss with Luz Marina Becerra, leader of AFRODES and la COMADRE de AFRODES, about the Afrocolombian experience, State oppression, and their resistance. This episode is cohosted by Marcos Ferguson Morales, and edited by Marcos Ferg...
Up To Us: APIENC’s Community Survey with Samie & Yuan
Sammie Ablaza Wills and Yuan Wang discuss trans-centered organizing, community based participatory research, and solidarity.
APIENC is a grassroots organization building transgender, non-binary and queer API power in the Bay Area. APIENC recently conducted a community based participatory research called Up to Us that was conducted by and centered transgender API community members.
Hip-Hop Culture and Black Movements with Msia Clark Kibona
Hip-Hop is more than just a genre of music; it is a form of resistance and storytelling. Hip-Hop also plays an integral role in Black Movements. We speak with Msia Kibona Clark, Associate Professor of African cultural & feminist studies in the Department of African Studies at Howard University. Her work examines hip-hop in Africa’s importance as social commentary, especially around Pan Africanism and African feminist thought. Msia describes the parallels and differences of Hip-Hop culture in the states and on the continent. Co-hosted by Rhiki Swinton and Trevor Loduem-Jackson: audio edited by Gilbert Daniel Bwette.
We're Back! Season Two of Radical Futures Now
Welcome to Season 2 of Radical Futures Now. Get the inside scoop about our rebrand and the reasoning behind it. Listen and get to know the members of the Racial Futures Now team. Learn about our roles, passions, and why we love to do this work. Hear about what guests and topics we have in store for you.
Transmasculinity and Being a Transformer with Willy Wilkinson
The transgender movement has come a long way in the last six decades, from very little visibility and support to growing awareness and acceptance. We speak with Willy Wilkinson, author of the Lambda Literary Award-winning book Born on the Edge of Race and Gender: A Voice for Cultural Competency, about his journey coming out as a young trans child in the early sixties. Now a sought-after public health consultant who helps organizations and institutions develop LGBTQ-affirming services and systems, Willy describes his work in the LGBTQ movement, the challenges he and other transmasculine people of color face, and the...
Voter Suppression - Tamara Morrison
Voting shouldn't be hard but, between voter suppression and misinformation spreading, the right to participate and vote in this year's election becomes an imminent threat. In this episode, we talked to Tamara Morrison about voter suppression in the U.S. and how we are coming up against the odds.
With the Arcus Center staff out of the office, we missed having morning chats around the kitchen island and getting each others' opinions on current events. Given the upcoming elections, in this series, we chat about our hot takes on the two party system, voter suppression, and inevitable dissatisfaction...
Politics No Thank You! with Tamara Morrison (Part 2)
With the Arcus Center staff out of the office, we missed having morning chats around the kitchen island and getting each others' opinions on current events. Given the upcoming elections, in this series, we chat about our hot takes on the two party system, voter suppression, and inevitable dissatisfaction talking about U.S. electoral politics. This second part dives in deeper into the two party system and our collective reluctance to trusting it.
Catch us in our two-part series with our guest Tamara Morrison, and Arcus Center Staff: Rhiki Swinton, Tirrea Billings, Trevor Loudem-Jackson, and Paige Chung; video...
Politics No Thank You! with Tamara Morrison (Part 1)
With the Arcus Center staff out of the office, we missed having morning chats around the kitchen island and getting each others' opinions on current events. Given the upcoming elections, in this series, we chat about our hot takes on the two party system, voter suppression, and inevitable dissatisfaction talking about U.S. electoral politics. Catch us in our two-part series with our guest Tamara Morrison, and Arcus Center Staff: Rhiki Swinton, Tirrea Billings, Trevor Loudem-Jackson, and Paige Chung;
video edited by Tirrea Billings and audio edited by Gilbert Daniel Bwette
Movement Reflections and Pan-African from a Black Panther with Charlotte Hill O'Neil/ Mama C
As the Black Lives Matter uprisings continue, we look back at our history and invite Charlotte Hill O’neil Mama “C” to speak on her triumphs and journey as a former Black Panther. Currently at the United African Alliance Community Center in Tanzania, where Covid19 is not prevalent, Mama C is living her best life: writing her memoir Hard Head and spending time with the community. She shares her insights on the parallels between the Black Panther movement and Black Lives Matter movement today.
Check out more of Mama “C”’s work:
www.uaacc.net
soundcloud.co...
Emergent Strategies and Pleasure Activism with Adrienne Maree Brown
With American current socio-political climate, The Radical Zone podcast team had a conversation with Adrienne Maree Brown to discuss emergent strategies and pleasure activism.
In this episode, Adrienne breaks down their life's work in activism with various communities
Adrienne Maree Brown is the author of Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good,
Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds and the co-editor of Octavia’s Brood: | Science Fiction from Social Justice Movements. She is the co-host of the How to Survive the End of the World and Octavia’s Parables podcasts. Adrienne is rooted in Detroit.
Defunding Police & Black Lives Matter Organizing in Canada with Sandy Hudson
With everything on right during this pandemic of covid19, black people and people of color have to continue to fight for their rights and systemic injustice especially in America. In this BLM Mini series, we got a rare opportunity to talk with Toronto-based organizer of Black Lives Matter movement to share her thoughts about the contrast and similarities between Canada and United States Of America with regards to black people and systemic relations with the state.
Sandy Hudson is a Toronto-based organizer, communication specialist, political strategist, writer, and abolition activist a founder of the Black Lives Matter Movement...
Grassroots Organizing & Student Activism with Majyck D
This time around, we take time out to focus on localized grass root organizing & activism. we talked to Majyck D in our #BLM mini series to understand how what has been happening in Kalamazoo Michigan lately. The Killing of George Floyd resulted in protests and demonstrations in cities across the nation, with Kalamazoo Michigan being one of those cities. We also learned about the relationship between Kalamazoo Public Schools and the community?
Discussed what measures are being considered to end police presence in Kalamazoo Public Schools and policing students in general.
Electoral Politics & Immigration Rights with Jason De Leon
The COVID-19 pandemic has made things complicated around the world, and America has been equally affected by this global health crisis and the impact it has had on society. The radical Zone Podcast brought back professor Jason De Leon to help us understand and decipher immigration rights and electoral politics in America.
In this episode, we dive deep into issues of diversity and differences between various minority groups in America in context of the political build up towards the upcoming national election. Jason De Leon also provides his professional thoughts and opinions about the re-opening of universities...
