Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams

Stacey speaks to Dr. Céline Gounder, an infectious disease specialist, epidemiologist and editor at large for public health at KFF Health News, about the threats to public health with the incoming Trump Administration. They talk through Trump’s appointees for the nation’s top health and science agencies like RFK Jr., how to bring scientific thinking back to policy making, and how to differentiate between public health and individual healthcare. Then Stacey explains how to make change by “power-mapping” an issue, finding out who is responsible for the problem, who has jurisdiction over it, and who is already thinking and talking about solutions. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here [https://youtu.be/VACqXh8GC4o]. 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:  * Check out KFF Health News [https://www.kff.org/] to get health news and read about health policy research, and sign up for their newsletters at KFF.Org/Email [http://kff.org/Email] * Begin Power Mapping [https://commonslibrary.org/power-and-power-mapping-start-here/] and researching the issue you care about most. Who is already thinking about this? Who is responsible for addressing it in your state or local government? Let’s get to work!

Stacey talks to Kate Nazemi, a local education activist and parent, and Jon Valant, director of the Brown Center on Education Policy at the Brookings Institution, about the future of public education during a second Trump Administration. They break down Project 2025’s education policy prescriptions, the threats to the Department of Education, and what changes a President can and cannot make. Then, they discuss how to best get involved at the local level to make change in your community – from attending local school board meetings, to writing to your local representatives.  For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here [https://youtu.be/hyduaJj0l08]. 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 [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:  * Check out the work of Advocates For Inclusive Education @afiebucks [https://www.instagram.com/afiebucks/] on Instagram, or at their website [https://advocatesforinclusiveeducation.org/] * Make a list of people in your network and community that are working to do good, or could be potential partners for good. * Follow the work of Jon Valant [https://www.brookings.edu/people/jon-valant/] and The Brown Center on Education Policy at the Brookings Institution [https://www.brookings.edu/centers/brown-center-on-education-policy/], or check out Chalkbeat [https://www.chalkbeat.org/], a nonprofit newsroom devoted to covering education across the United States.

Stacey talks to Rachel Sweet, who has successfully used ballot initiatives in tough states to change the rules. Most recently, she served as campaign manager for Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the coalition that passed abortion rights via a ballot measure in Missouri during the November elections. They discuss how ballot initiatives can be a tool for positive change, even in conservative states, and how to build coalitions at the state and local level to protect and expand our rights during a second Trump administration. Then, Stacey answers a listener question about the power of leading with compassion in difficult political moments – instead of reacting with only anger. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here [https://youtu.be/HNNKA7BOpoU]. 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 [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 Ballot Initiative Strategy Center at Ballot.Org [https://ballot.org/] * Visit Indivisible.org [https://indivisible.org/resource/guide] to learn more about getting involved in the legislative process in your state

Stacey talks to renowned chef, activist, and Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio about why the United States has a food insecurity crisis despite being the richest country in the world — and why this issue is especially pressing with an incoming Trump administration. They discuss what can be done to address the problem head on, including what Colicchio has learned from years of advocating for school lunches and solving for food deserts on Capitol Hill. Then, Stacey answers a listener question about what the potential appointment of Robert F. Kennedy will mean for the FDA, CDC, and America’s health in general.  For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here [https://youtu.be/BQ8-vrr6vSE]. 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 [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 “A Place At The Table” [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbfS_AJP-Iw&t=1715s] * Visit Double Up Food Bucks [https://doubleupamerica.org/] to see if your state has this program, or how to get it there * Check out Food Research and Action Center [https://frac.org/healthy-school-meals-for-all] for information on your state’s school meal programs * Support the Eco-Friendly Mobile Farm Stand Project [https://www.efmfsp.com/] * Donate to children and families in need at your local food bank, Feeding America [https://www.feedingamerica.org/] or No Kid Hungry [https://www.nokidhungry.org/].

Stacey speaks with historian Heather Cox Richardson to see what history can teach us about moving forward after Trump’s reelection. They discuss strategies for countering disinformation, how Democratic leaders are preparing to use states’ rights to their advantage to challenge Trump’s federal overreach, and how the era following William McKinley’s presidency can be a guide for progressives. Then, Stacey answers questions from the audience on how to get involved in politics, and how to respond to community in this post-election environment.   For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here [https://youtu.be/xhFUwOpjR5Y]. 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 [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:  * Read Heather Cox Richardson’s nightly newsletter, “Letters from an American”, or her book, “Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America”. * Build community and find ways to help locally at Unitedway.org [http://unitedway.org]