The Resistbot Podcast

The war against critical race theory is a hot issue that people want to bury out of shame and guilt which unfortunately has been done already in some states. As we now lack a proper education on Black history in our nation, the time for raising awareness and spreading knowledge on the past is as important as ever. When delving into the uncomfortable truth behind the Black history of our country, sometimes the best way to get people engaged in learning is through comedy! Throw in some drinks with our guest and it’ll be a good time with great conversations! We’re joined by comedian and one of the hosts of Drunk Black History, Gordon Baker-Bone to talk about some of the current events that are paralleling Black history and how they are disproportionately affecting Black communities around the country.

Our guests today:

• Gordon Baker-Bone

Mentioned on the air:

• President Biden, we need you to fight for medication abortion!
• Stop the attacks on trans people! Introduce and pass the EQUALITY Act now!
• Subscribe to ErinInTheMorning!
• Pass H.R.7647, the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2022!
• Vote No on the DATA Act & RESTRICT Act
• Text “RESIST” to 50409!

Follow the thoughts of host Melanie Dione on her Twitter feed.

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter!

When dealing with progressive policies that not everyone who votes blue can agree with, it can feel like a huge mountain to overcome. When dealing with one of the most protected groups in the entire country, that mountain just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Documentation of police brutality and the need for change is higher than ever, yet the leap of progress we were expecting never came. Organizing with conditions like these can seem like an intimidating jump to make with the issues that concern you the most, but our guest has a secret for you. It’s not a short battle, we’re in it for the long haul! For anyone starting their journey into organizing, our guest has you covered! We’re joined by DeRay McKesson from Campaign Zero to talk safety beyond policing, policing policies, and their story with approaching organizing.

Our guests today:

• DeRay McKesson

Mentioned on the air:

• Campaign Zero
• Eight Can’t Wait
• Text “RESIST” to 50409!

Follow the thoughts of host Melanie Dione on her Twitter feed.

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter!

Regardless of which state you live in, blue or red, what’s happening in other states around the country directly affects you and those who can’t fight by themselves. In an area where support for social justice issues isn’t as abundant as blue states, red states really need all the support possible. So instead of ushering people to leave red states, which isn’t realistic or an actual solution in the first place, let’s look towards the amazing organizers in those red states who are fighting relentlessly for those who need the help. In the red state of Louisiana where bodily autonomy is under attack, Lift Louisiana is stepping up to challenge the oppression against our rights. Michelle Erenberg, the co-founder and executive director of Lift Louisiana, joins us and shares the great work her organization is doing and how you can join the fight for our bodily autonomy wherever you are in the states! 

Our guests today:

• Michelle Erenberg

Mentioned on the air:

• Lift Louisiana 
• President Biden we need you to fight for medication abortion! 
• Tell Walgreens to Protect Abortion Pill Access!
• Text “RESIST” to 50409!

Follow the thoughts of host Melanie Dione on her Twitter feed.

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter!

✊🤖With the endless onslaught against trans people accumulating more and more in our legislation, it can be difficult to keep up with what our trans friends are facing around the country. Distressingly, 440 active pieces of anti-trans legislation are currently targeting trans youth and adults. That overwhelming amount is enough to get people to check out, but with the relentless action our guest has for tracking LGBTQ+ legislation, you can keep up with ease. We are ecstatic to be joined by independent reporter and activist, Erin Reed! With an extensive and impressive track record, Erin has done so much for the LGBTQ+ community, specifically the trans community and continues to do so with her widespread reporting via social media and her newsletter Erin In The Morning. We dive into what drives Erin to do the work she does for the community and what you can do to get involved yourself!

Our guests today:

• Erin Reed

Mentioned on the air:

• Erin In The Morning
• Congress must urgently protect transition care
• Support Gender-Affirming Care in Missouri!
• Vote NO on SB 1029

Follow the thoughts of host Melanie Dione on her Twitter feed.

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter!

✊🤖 When we open up our table for everyone to sit at, we must make sure that everyone can get to our table in the first place. There has been a quiet fight for accessibility happening all over the country for years, yet little to nothing has been done about it. As universities continue to dance around abiding by the Americans with Disabilities Act, the need for accessibility grows bigger and bigger. No matter where you land on the disability spectrum, our guest today shows us that there is always more to be learned and understood about disability rights. We are joined by Resistbot user and activist Megan Lynch of UC Access for an in-depth conversation on the University of California’s consistent ignorance of including accessibility for all and the demandifesto that has come out of this situation.

Our guests today:

• Megan Lynch

Mentioned on the air:

• UC Access Now: University of California Must Be Accessible To All!

Follow the thoughts of host Melanie Dione on her Twitter feed.

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter!

Creators & Guests

• Megan Lynch - Guest
• Melanie Dione - Host
• Angel Barrera - Producer

✊🤖 We’re back botters! Although we’re in the season of being grateful, it can be easy to take our basic freedoms for granted.  When we look to the news about the recent rising aggression from China towards their own citizens and Taiwan, we can be reminded of the privileges we have while living in our democracy. This is a topic that many may have trouble approaching and connecting with, but our guest breaks it down for you for easy understanding! We are happy to be joined by Resist Bot OG Christine Lu for an international perspective on the China and Taiwan conflicts, the protests happening in China, and how you can do your part in these discussions. We close this episode by tying these topics back to the current protests happening in the states for rail workers’ rights. Stick around until the end to learn how you can use the bot to take action in these fights!

Our guests today:

• Christine Lu

Mentioned on the air:

• Railroad workers deserve fair pay and time off!

Follow the thoughts of host Melanie Dione on her Twitter feed.
Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter!

✊🤖 The midterms are finally here! Tuesday, November 8th is election day which means high voter turnout, long lines, and possible voter intimidation. With our democracy at risk, we’re here to keep you prepared for the polls! We’re joined by Ría Thompson-Washington to discuss your voter rights and how to secure your vote for this midterm election. It’s not too late to learn about how you can turn out voters with Resistbot's new vote drives!

Our guests today:

• Ría Thompson-Washington

Mentioned on the air:

• The Redress Movement
• Text DRIVE to 50409

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter!

✊🤖 Tuesday, November 8th is Election Day across the country! Early voting has begun in many states, so this week we are revisiting some of the incredibly insightful conversations surrounding voting, bodily autonomy, housing insecurity, and issues you need to keep in mind when deciding how to vote. Stick around all the way to the end to learn about how you can turn out voters with your thumbs with Resistbot's new vote drives!

Mentioned on the air:

• Rashida Peterson
• Kia Smith
• Diondra Elan
• Lauren Rouse
• Bianca Mack
• Debra Cleaver

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter!

✊🤖 When there are endless issues our country and loved ones face, you probably feel compelled to help and get involved. Don’t know where to start? Our guest this week has you covered! Activist, organizer, and Resistbot user Jess Craven chats with us about what keeps her motivated, the midterms, and personal experiences with her work.

Our guests today:

Jess Craven

Mentioned on the air:

• Chop Wood, Carry Water
• Pass the 21st Century Courts Act (H.R.7426 / S.4010) to hold SCOTUS accountable!
• POTUS don't reappoint Moak for an additional 1 year term on the USPS board!
• Pass S 736, the Assault Weapons Ban, NOW!

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter!

✊🤖 Wednesday, October 12, 2022 is National Farmer’s Day. Historically, through chattel enslavement and sharecropping, agriculture in the United States has relied heavily on the labor of Black people.  However, as of November 2021, less than 1.4% of farmers identify as Black, and those numbers continue to dwindle. Listen in as Kaleb J. Hill of Oko Vue Produce Co. explains the challenges that come with keeping Black farming alive in this country, why he is passionate about continuing his family legacy, and how he uses food as activism in the battle against food insecurity in Louisiana.

Our guests today:

• Kaleb J Hill

Mentioned on the air:

• OkoVue Produce

✊🤖 This week we take a look at the Texas A&M chapter of Students for a Democratic Society. With a legacy built on white supremacy, Texas A&M University is one of the most beloved colleges in the US. Known for its traditions and cult-like indoctrinations, the university insists on keeping these years-old traditions alive while actively ignoring all of their harmful beginnings. Listen along as we are joined by Ellis Howard and Jyothis James from the Texas A&M chapter of Students for a Democratic Society to learn what they’re doing to dismantle the racist foundation of the university and the multiple challenges many marginalized students still face to this day.

Our guests today:

• Ellis Howard
• Jyothis James

Mentioned on the air:

• Students for a Democratic Society 
• Malayalees for Social Justice
• BCS_SDS

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter!

✊🤖 Welcome to Season 2 of Resistbot Live. This week we take a look at Day Without Us: National Teach In. Are you exhausted from your day-to day, pandemic worries, the housing crisis, economic insecurities, and having multiple systems fail us? Day Without Us is an invitation to abandon borders, boundaries, and binaries to build solidarity across the country. Listen along as we are joined by Leslie Mac, Tiffany Flowers, and Vilissa Thompson from Day Without Us to expand on what this movement is and how you can join in on the fun on September 30th!

Our guests:

• Leslie Mac
• Tiffany Flowers
• Vilissa Thompson

Mentioned on the air:

• Day Without Us
• The Frontline

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter!

✊🤖 Welcome to Episode 28, where we discuss the fallout from the leaked SCOTUS draft opinion over the ongoing fight for abortion rights and reproductive justice. Listen along with our amazing guests Helmi Henkin, the abortion fund link fairy, and Robin Wilson-Beattie, a disability, sexual health, and reproductive educator. This podcast is broadcast live every Sunday on Youtube; please subscribe!

Chapters

• (0:00) Intro
• (0:51) Melanie Introduces the Show
• (3:36) Conversation with Susan Stutz
• (5:16) The Draft
• (13:12) Lousiana Bill
• (19:18) Interview with Helmi Henkin and Robin Wilson-Beattie
• (20:56) Robin's upbringing and how she got started in her activism
• (24:23) How abortions differ for those with disabilities
• (30:59) How Helmi started her activism
• (33:09) How abortion bans have made Helmi's work harder
• (36:10) What abortions looked like for slaves and what we can learn from it
• (38:46) A message to liberals
• (45:04) Where to find Robin
• (45:47) How Helmi Got Her Nickname: The Abortion Fund Link Fairy
• (48:03) Abortion Funds Document List and donate4abortions.com
• (51:36) Petitions
• (53:57) Where to find Helmi
• (55:29) Monthly Donors
• (56:52) Closings

Mentioned on the Air

• Codify Roe v. Wade
• Codify Roe v. Wade and expand SCOTUS now
• Day One of Writing Until Abortion is Protected by Law
• Susan’s Article: They belong to us
• Robin’s Herbalist Guide
• Helmi’s abortion fund website

This Week's Panel

• Melanie
• Susan
• Helmi Henkin
• Robin Wilson-Beattie

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter here!

✊🤖 Welcome to Episode 27, where we discuss how democracy often finds itself in the crosshairs of authoritarianism, and look to Taiwan as an example. Listen along as we hear from our panelist, Christine Lu, and her personal experiences as a Taiwanese American as well as the history and current state of Taiwan and China and their citizens. This podcast is broadcast live every Sunday on Youtube; please subscribe!

Chapters

• (0:00) Intro
• (0:56) Melanie Introduces the Show
• (2:13) Introducing the Panel
• (2:20) Susan Stutz
• (4:00) Christine Lu
• (4:53) Christine’s Background
• (12:41) What Working in China Was Like for Christine
• (17:03) China’s Awareness of Power
• (21:30) What Life Looks Like for Chinese students in America
• (25:03) The Lack of Freedom within American Borders and Extreme Consequences
• (30:44) Petitions
• (35:00) Panelists Closings
• (37:49)  Monthly Donors
• (38:25) Closings

Mentioned on the Air

• Text RESIST to 50409 and create your own petition!
• Protect International Students in the US from Authoritarian Governments

This Week's Panel

• Melanie
• Susan
• Christine

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter here!

✊🤖 Welcome to Episode 26 where we analyze the current attack on the unhoused being waged by New York, Tennesse, and other states in the union. Listen along as we discuss how the policies to combat homelessness further marginalize unhoused people and look at who is doing the amazing work to help these neighbors and how you can do the same! This podcast is broadcast live every Sunday on Youtube; please subscribe!

Mentioned on the Air

• Text RESIST to 50409 and create your own petition!
• Fund Homelessness Prevention
• Shelter is a Human Right

This Week's Panel

• Melanie
• Athena
• Susan

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 0:56 Melanie Introduces the Show
• 2:20  Introducing the Panel
• 2:30 Athena Fulay
• 2:51 Susan Stutz
• 6:30 Homelessness in DC
• 9:54 Who makes up the unhoused population
• 12:32 Liberal areas and their relation to homelessness
• 15:23 Athena's spotlight organizations and how to help in your area!
• 22:22 Petitions
• 28:42 Houston's success with housing the unhoused
• 35:00 Panelist’s Closings
• 38:44  Monthly Donors
• 39:02 Closings

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter here!

✊🤖 Welcome to Episode 25 where we revisit the ongoing war in Ukraine and put a spotlight on a similar crisis happening in Tigray. Listen along as we discuss the harsh realities of what our Ukrainian and Tigrayan neighbors are facing, the dangers of misinformation, and how to support our neighbors in need with our panelists and special guest Vitali Dorosh. This podcast is broadcast live every Sunday on Youtube; please subscribe!

Mentioned on the Air

• Text RESIST to 50409 and create your own petition!
• Protect Ukraine’s Skies
• Protect Ukraine Now
• More military and Humanitarian aid to Ukraine
• Collapsing Healthcare in Tigray: Urgent Actions Needed
• Re: Genocide Determination on Tigray

This Week's Panel

• Melanie
• Susan
• Christine
• Vitali Dorosh

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 0:56 Melanie Introduces the Show
• 2:16  Introducing the Panel
• 2:23 Susan Stutz
• 4:44 Christine Lu
• 8:02 Interview with Vitali Dorosh
• 17:07 How to Support our Ukraine Neighbors
• 17:28 Misinformation and the war
• 21:24 How the war is impacting supply chains
• 26:34 Open Letters and Petitions
• 29:20 Tigray Open Letters
• 31:17 Current state of China’s Covid Lockdown
• 34:43 Panelists Closings
• 36:34  Monthly Donors
• 36:57 Closings

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter here!

✊🤖 Welcome to Episode 24 where we take a look at the situation in Mason, Tennesse regarding the Ford motor company and the corrupt plans that are being planned for the town. Listen along as we look at how funding, company DE&I, and community within corporations are affecting working minorities today with Qiana Patterson. We also briefly discuss the first-ever Amazon union and its leader Chris Smalls! This podcast is broadcast live every Sunday on Youtube; please subscribe!

This Week's Panel

• Melanie
• Athena
• Christine
• Qiana Patterson

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 0:56 Melanie Introduces the Show
• 3:07 Introducing the Panel
• 3:14 Christine Lu
• 4:48 Athena Fulay
• 7:18 Interview with Qiana Patterson
• 14:15 What Indicates Proper DE&I?
• 20:19 The Relationship of Corporations and Community
• 30:42 Text RESIST to 50409 and create a petition!
• 35:40 First Amazon Union
• 38:11 The Importance and significance of Chris Smalls
• 43:26 Where to find Qiana
• 44:49 Panelists Closings
• 47:30 Monthly Donors
• 48:07 Closings

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter here!

✊🤖 Welcome to Episode 23 where we honor and recognize the powerful femme voices that run Resistbot and got it to where it is now! Listen along as we look back at some of the best moments on the podcast with our guests and very own Resistbot power-organizer Jessica Craven. This podcast is broadcast live every Sunday on Youtube; please subscribe!

Related Petitions

• Confirm Lisa Cook and Biden's other Fed nominees NOW!
• Or, write your own: text FEDERAL to 50409

Mentioned on the Air

• Indigeneity in America
• What Happens When Your Coup Fails
• Voting Rights: What’s at Stake
• Protect Trans People
• Understanding Defunding The Police
• Common Sense and the Hallway Commute

This Week's Panel

• Melanie

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 0:56 Melanie Introduces the Show
• 4:30 Jaike Spotted Wolf - Indigeneity in America
• 11:27 Nee Nee Taylor - What Happens When Your Coup Fails
• 18:06  Debra Cleaver - Voting Rights: What’s at Stake
• 22:13 Diondra Elan - Protect Trans People
• 26:03 Ría Thompson-Washington - Understanding Defunding the Police
• 31:29 Vilissa Thompson - Common Sense and the Hallway Commute
• 35:38 Interview with Jessica Craven
• 52:08 Petitions
• 54:09 Monthly Donors
• 54:31 Closings

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter here!

✊🤖 Welcome to episode 22, where we discuss the weight of student loan debts and how they affect marginalized groups and the youth in our country. Listen along as we have an open and relatable conversation with our panelists about student loans and tuition evolution over the decades and personal experiences surrounding them. This podcast is broadcast live every Sunday on Youtube; please subscribe!

Related Petitions

• Continue Student Loan Repayment Freeze and Cancel Student Debt
• Cancel 50k in Student Loan Debt
• POTUS: Extend the Pause on Student Loan Debt
• POTUS: Cancel Student Loan Debt Now
• POTUS: Cancel 50k in Student Loan Debt Now
• Cancel Student Loan Debt
• Or, write your own: text FEDERAL to 50409

Mentioned on the Air

• The Crushing Weight Of The Mortar Board by Susan Stutz
• POTUS: Use Executive Orders to Close the "Boyfriend Loophole"

Go Deeper on the Issue

• Here are the benefits of erasing $1.6 trillion, no strings attached.
• The jury's still out on that $1.6 trillion in student loan debt
• Whitehouse Introduces Bills to Grant Student Loan Forgiveness to Frontline Health Workers and Teachers
• Dems fret Biden's inaction on student debt will burn in midterms
• More than 60% of voters support some student loan debt forgiveness
• Student Loan Debt is a Gender Issue
• Deeper in Debt: Women & Student Loans

This Week’s Panel

• Melanie
• Athena
• Susan
• Christine

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 0:56 Melanie Introduces the Show
• 2:05 Introducing the Panel
• 2:07 Athena Fulay
• 2:45 Susan Stutz
• 3:05 Christine Lu
• 4:36 Student Loan Debt Over The Years
• 7:25 Student Loan Debt and Women
• 10:08 Tuition: Past vs. Present
• 18:37 Student Loan Forgiveness
• 21:28 Pell Grants
• 25:27 Petitions and Student Loans
• 30:15 Eyes on This! Panelist’s Petitions
• 37:42 Panelists Closings
• 40:11 Monthly Donors
• 40:28 Closings

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. You can find her on Twitter here if you need a show edited!

✊🤖 Welcome to Episode 21, where we have a critical conversation with our panel about the current threats and hardships trans people face in our country. Learn more about the dangers to our trans youth, listen to personal experiences, and learn how to support our trans neighbors. Resistbot encourages you to research what's happening in your state capitol on this and any other issue. Use your voice, or others will speak for you! This podcast is broadcast live every Sunday on Youtube; please subscribe!

In the News

• Transgender girls and women are now barred from female sports in Iowa
• Idaho lawmakers seek to punish parents who take trans youth to other states for health care
• Transgender Texas kids are terrified after governor orders that parents be investigated for child abuse
• 13 trans models strut against Arkansas' anti-trans laws
• Florida House passes 'Don't Say Gay' bill
• More than 150 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced so far this year

How You Can Help

• To Write Love on Her Arms
• Freedom for All Americans
• Equitable Giving Circle
• Anti-LGBTQ Legislative Tracker

Related Petitions

• Protect Texas Youth: Denounce Abbott's Directive
• Protect Texan Families, Children, and Medical Professionals
• Protect Trans Children
• or write your own, text STATE to 50409

This Week's Panel

• Melanie
• Susan
• Jason
• Diondra Elan
• Andrea Segovia
• Lauren Rouse
• Bianca Mack

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 0:52 Melanie Introduces the show
• 2:42 Introducing the Panel
• 2:48 Susan Stutz
• 3:31 Jason Putorti
• 4:29 Diondra Elan 
• 5:13 Lauren Rouse 
• 6:14 Bianca Mack 
• 16:37 Interview with Andrea Segovia from TENT
• 30:44 Where to Find and Support TENT
• 43:23 Petitions
• 46:18 Panelist Closings
• 46:39 Where to Find Lauren Rouse
• 47:22 Where to Find Bianca Mack
• 49:22 Where to Find Diondra Elan
• 52:12 Donor Appreciation
• 52:59 Closings

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. You can find her on Twitter here if you need a show edited!