Just Talks Podcast with Ali M. Collins

Why Activists Must Lead | Ami Chen Mills, Just Talks S2E3

Get early access to new episodes and members-only content ➡️➡️➡️https://www.patreon.com/justtalkspodcast/membership [https://www.patreon.com/justtalkspodcast/membership] How do you bring activist energy into local governance without losing your community roots? In this episode of Just Talks Podcast, host Ali Collins interviews Ami Chen Mills, a Santa Cruz educator, author, radio host and mayoral candidate challenging the status quo. Ami is a longtime community activist, author, and member of the Santa Cruz Democratic Central Committee who's now running for mayor. She opens up about her journey from journalism and radio hosting to grassroots organizing and electoral politics. She discusses the intense pressure of local politics, the influence of Silicon Valley wealth on housing markets, and her determination to bring "activist energy" to the city council to protect civil liberties and ensure affordable housing for locals. In this episode, we cover: 🎙️ Why activists bring fresh energy and expertise to political office 🎙️ The fight against surveillance technology (ALPR/Flock cameras) and why data privacy matters 🎙️ Housing affordability, gentrification, and the tension between development and community needs 🎙️ Why local elections matter more than ever for protecting surveillance expansion, housing, and the environment 🎙️ How to bridge the divide between activists and policymakers to stop "friendly fire" Whether you're a local resident, an activist looking to run for office, or simply interested in how communities can push back against corporate influence and get involved in supporting progressive candidates, this conversation offers actionable insights into what community-led governance looks like in practice. Paid members get early access to this content. If you are not a paid member, upgrade your membership below! 💬 Question of the Day:  "If you could run for a local office tomorrow (School Board, City Council, etc.), what is the ONE issue you would tackle first? 👇 Let's hear your ideas!" 📍 Support Ami in her run for mayor of Santa Cruz: https://www.amichenmills.com/ [https://www.amichenmills.com/] Donate to her campaign! https://secure.actblue.com/donate/amichenmills [https://secure.actblue.com/donate/amichenmills] 👇 Follow Ami on Social: ⌨️ SubStack: Moment of Truth Dispatch https://momentoftruth.substack.com [https://momentoftruth.substack.com] • 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amichenmills [https://www.instagram.com/amichenmills] • 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amichenmills [https://www.facebook.com/amichenmills] Music Credits:    / @unlearntheworld   [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLM_qJ7FcOj9KII7Olq64iQ]

Trailer S2E2: Silicon Valley wealth is changing our towns. | Ami Chen Mills, Just Talks

Silicon Valley wealth is changing our towns. Who will stop it? 🏠🚧 Amy Chen Mills joins Ali Collins to discuss the urgent battle for Santa Cruz. From skyrocketing housing prices driven by tech commuters to the fight against mass surveillance, Amy explains why "expert" activists are the only ones who truly understand the stakes. She breaks down how to bridge the divide between community members and elected officials, and why waiting for someone else to save us isn't an option anymore. 👉 Watch the full podcast on https://patreon.com/justtalkspodcast [https://patreon.com/justtalkspodcast] #HousingJustice #TechBro #CommunityOrganizing #SantaCruzMayor #Grassroots #JustTalksPodcast #PoliticalAction #AmiChenMills #CivicsEducation

S2E1. Reclaiming Your Voice in the Age of AI, Ranier Maningding, Just Talks

Get early access to new episodes and members-only content ➡️➡️➡️ https://www.patreon.com/justtalkspodcast/membership [https://www.patreon.com/justtalkspodcast/membership] How do you amplify marginalized voices in a digital landscape designed to silence them? In this episode of Just Talks Podcast, host Ali Collins sits down with Ranier Maningding, founder of LLAG Media, to discuss the art of storytelling for social justice. Ranier is a communications and marketing expert with a career dedicated to supporting socially conscious brands, creators, and racial justice campaigns. He opens up about his personal journey as a cultural critic and his pivotal work elevating Asian American voices in online spaces where they have historically been invisible. In this episode, we cover: 🎙️ The power of storytelling as a tool for education and social change. 🎙️ Why AI will never replace human creativity 🎙️ Why it's important to own your platform and brand in "treacherous" social media environments 🎙️ How to use your voice to fight the information war and advocate for positive change Whether you are a creator, an activist, or simply looking to better understand the current digital landscape, this conversation offers actionable advice for pushing back against disinformation and making your voice heard. Paid members get early access to this content. If you are not a paid member, upgrade your membership below! 💬 Question of the Day:  How would you like to see technology in society evolve to support human connectivity, creativity, ingenuity, and interaction? 💕 Support my work and access members-only content on Patreon:   / justtalkspodcast   [https://www.patreon.com/c/JustTalksPodcast/membership] 🎥 Check out Ranier's YouTube channel:    / @llagmedia   [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Bv2AhMlFjgmxFosQzoxqA] 👇 Follow Ranier on Social: 🔗 LLAG Media: https://LLAGMedia.com [https://LLAGMedia.com] • 📸 Instagram:   / the.llag   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVdzNWJUb1B3ZmJGNThFcWlrdUNjaDRhbDNVQXxBQ3Jtc0treFA0T08yUEdtOF9PVGNwTGdzVjI4TWtiaDFFMkNVejN1d19TU2lVRi0tNVZrZWNKVEZ3SEtncDc4MV9HUXFJbkktUl9TOXIyV05aQ1B1ZEJhbXAtdXE3c1VoUzFCUVRmXzlhQnBHTFZYTW8zQW9oTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Finstagram.com%2Fthe.llag&v=TmcZjgdG6WQ] • 📘 Facebook:   / thellag   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0JqRVpNUmNma1NSSk1kOUhRc08xRmlKLV81d3xBQ3Jtc0tuVWx1NE0wX1JCMG1SUWxRYjlKRDdRSEU5MmVrSWh1T0JzLTVaam0xOFdyck9rTmhoX3BsdEo3NTlmakRyd1l4TF85dEVNUEk5VnRMbk1uZzA3UWFveUJyZURIOWZUSWQ0ZzNqRE1SZDN0SElZcHZQWQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ffacebook.com%2FtheLLAG&v=TmcZjgdG6WQ] • ⏰ TikTok:   / the.llag   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjVVc0Fod3pZakJwX3hnMGF3YjV0MS1hbTVhZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttSFFHLU1PR1VXbE1abjhiUHN0c3pNTGVtSFZRZ3lMbXQ5TTQzSkczdUkwT0ltVnpzTmFaQ1VfRy1rWndkQk4yZ0tNa1lVNzVRa2lvbm9nWEl6dFVrandoWURvZFZrUGowVHk4dEdISDhLRHpkcDJPRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40the.llag&v=TmcZjgdG6WQ] Music Credits:    / @unlearntheworld   [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLM_qJ7FcOj9KII7Olq64iQ] #AliCollins [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/alicollins] #RanierManingding [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/raniermaningding] #Activism [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/activism] #AsianAmerican [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/asianamerican] #ContentCreator [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/contentcreator] #Disinformation [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/disinformation] #SocialChange [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/socialchange] #SocialJustice [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/socialjustice] #AsianAmericanVoices [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/asianamericanvoices] #Storytelling [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/storytelling] #LLAGMedia [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/llagmedia]

Trailer: Ranier Maningding Starts Off Season 2 of Just Talks Podcast!

The second season of Just Talks Podcast is coming soon, and the stakes have never been higher. I started last season in 2021 by documenting the attacks on our educators and the resulting political fallout. Now, I’m expanding the lens. This season, I’m bringing you exclusive conversations with artists, experts, and influencers who are fighting the good fight across the country. Why tune in? Because the disinformation machine is working overtime, and we need to connect the dots. From the local school board to the national stage, I’ll be breaking down exactly what's happening and giving you the tools to get involved. If you want to understand the real threats to our schools and neighborhoods and learn how to build a more just future, stay tuned! I will be providing early access to the first episode here on Patreon and then posting to YouTube later. If you are a paid supporter, I deeply appreciate your support! Check out a sneak peek from my podcast above. Make sure to become a paid members so you can receive early receive early access to the video next week. RANIER MANINGDING ON RECLAIMING DEMOCRACY THROUGH STORYTELLING  What happens when the fight for public education becomes the fight for our democracy? For the past several years, I've been tracking the rise of political attacks on our schools. In this new season, we're moving beyond the headlines to speak with the people actually winning the war for our future.   Joining me in the first episode of the season is Rainier Maningding, founder of LLAG Media. He's a master of storytelling and digital strategy who has helped countless BIPOC-led orgs and brands navigate the most treacherous corners of the internet. Today, he's here to teach us how to spot the traps, understand the new era of disinformation, and use the power of storytelling to reclaim our democracy.

How School Board Attacks Are Hurting Our Most Vulnerable Students | Carrie Sampson, Just Talks Ep.4

IN THIS EPISODE Carrie Sampson, Ph.D. is an associate professor in the Division of Educational Leadership and Innovation at Arizona State University. Many of those most targeted are leading education justice work. In this Interview she shares that the impacts of these attacks is having major impacts on students ultimately the future of public education. GET EDUCATED AND TAKE ACTION! Carrie talks about the history of parent involvement in our schools and the ways that racial discrimination has informed decision making about our public education system. Join as a Patreon member to engage with other members of the JustTalks Fam to discuss ways to get educated and take action in your community! LET’S TALK ABOUT IT! On Patreon, I have created space for members of the Just Talks Fam to engage with one another and extend our learning. Below, I've posted a few questions to get the dialog going. Feel free to post your responses or share questions or observations of your own: * Carrie challenges us to think historically about parent input in our schools. Whose voices have traditionally had the power to determine what curriculum is taught and what programs are resourced? * What education leaders have been under attack for several years. How are these attacks impacting public schools in your location? How is this affecting their ability to serve historically marginalized children?