Make It Plain with Mark Thompson

America is the wealthiest country in the world and yet our federal paid leave, or rather, lack thereof, comes up way short in comparison to other countries. Carol Joyner is the Director of Labor Project for Working Families and in today’s episode, she explains that we’re at a pivotal moment in our country’s history where we have the potential to pass the first federal paid leave mandate--but how likely is that to actually happen? She fills us in on the challenges the legislation faces, why she’s optimistic, and where there is still room for improvement on the granular details. She also details how Labor Project for Working Families, in conjunction with a nationwide network of unions, partners, and organizations, have worked to pass paid leave legislation in 9 states and Washington D.C. over the last 20 years. More information: https://familyvaluesatwork.org/laborproject/ Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertis

Racial injustices in the criminal justice system are front of mind for many people today, but one element of that system is not discussed nearly enough, says author Jonathan Rapping, and that’s public defenders. Jonathan is a criminal defense attorney and author of “Gideon’s Promise: A Public Defender Movement to Transform Criminal Justice,” where he explores this gap in our public discourse and unveils the burden it places on those who are arrested, often disproportionately affecting people of color. In today’s episode, Jonathan explains how public defenders are overburdened and that trickles down into what plays out in court, which he rightfully reframes as a violation of our constitutional right to access legal representation. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Throwback episode! While you enjoy your Memorial Day, we’re bringing you this panel discussion from March 2021. As more people gain access to the coronavirus vaccine, this panel discussion provides insight from leaders of both medicine and faith. Moderated by our own Mark Thompson, the panelists explore how the vaccine works, community fears and hesitations, and what outstanding questions remain.  Panelists: Dr. James K. Hildreth, President of Meharry Medical College; Rev. A. Oveta Fuller, Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Michigan Medical School; Dr. Chu Chu Onwauchi-Saunders, Pediatrician and Medical Epidemiologist; Rev. Dr. Gary V. Simpson, Leading Pastor at Concord Baptist Church of Christ Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Angelo Carusone, President of Media Matters for America, is back to MIP for an update on what the conspiracy factory known as Fox News is up to -- especially since the latest campaign to get companies to divest from the media conglomerate. Also on today’s agenda is CNN finally sending Rick Santorum packing for his inaccurate and racist comments on Native Americans and the history of the United States. Also out of CNN is the revelation that media personality Chris Cuomo had been participating in official planning conversations, complete with PR team, to advise his brother, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, on how to handle the sexual harassment allegations against him. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What’s Senator Joe Manchin getting in the way of this week? Markos Moulitsas is back for #ThursdayKos and he gives us the update on Manchin gumming up the works on the filibuster, infrastructure, and more. Mark and Markos also take a look at another senator, admittedly with more fondness, as they discuss Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s moves to hold big corporations accountable. And we also get the latest on the potential doom ahead for Trump and his withering legal team -- who will turn on him next? Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It was announced last week that the Supreme Court would be taking up a case on abortion, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, and major collective concerns were raised. Here to address those is Morgan Hopkins, Director of Political Strategies at All* Above All, an organization dedicated to their 4-part BOLD Action Plan in the continued fight for abortion justice and reproductive healthcare. Morgan shares her concerns on SCOTUS taking the case, but also dives deep into what has been, and will continue to, pop up in the meantime: state-level restrictions on access to reproductive healthcare and abortions. But she remains hopeful, especially as we wait on President Biden’s latest budget, which could include a key abortion-related detail that would be a milestone in reproductive justice. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcirc

We remember George Floyd on the day of his murder and measure the progress made in keeping Black people safe in their communities. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Scott Dworkin is the Co-Founder of the Democratic Coalition and Host of podcast “Dworkin Report.” He also founded the Impeachment Task Force, which makes him the perfect person to talk to on the latest Trump news, this time courtesy of New York Attorney General Tish James, who announced her office’s criminal investigation into the Trump Organization last week. Also on the topic of Trump, and the insurrection he helped fuel, Scott tells us why the GOP should have never ousted Liz Cheney because of her position on the events of January 6th, and why he thinks most people are missing a key detail that makes her an incredibly powerful figure. Scott also shares his thoughts on the 2022 midterms, including where he’s feeling optimistic and why he thinks we have no better option than the unfortunate Joe Manchin right now. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Op

Ari Berman is the Voting Rights Reporter for MotherJones, and he received an exclusive scoop via leaked video that shows the leader of a top conservative group bragging about being the architects behind the new voter suppression law in Georgia--and they’re doing the same thing with similar bills across the country (story/video link below). These were the words of Jessica Anderson, the executive director of Heritage Action for America, a sister organization of the Heritage Foundation, in front of a room of donors. Ari explains how the group is funded by dark money, having raised and shelled out at least $130 million dollars with absolutely no trace of where it came from. They also discuss why Ari is pessimistic about the potential for action in the senate to save voting rights and what actions we can take in our communities to protect against voter suppression. Read Ari's reporting on this and more HERE: https://www.motherjones.com/author/ari-berman/ Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany T

Markos Moulitsas, Founder of DailyKos and Civiqs, is here for his weekly installment of #ThursdayKos and as usual, there’s a boatload to cover. First up is how North Carolina police are gaslighting us over the video footage of Andrew Brown’s murder. Markos also gives his thoughts on Republicans changing their tune on the insurrection of January 6th for fear of Trump backlash, and can Liz Cheney actually be the person who stops him? They also explore how 2022 is becoming a referendum on Trump, as opposed to the actual president, and how that could help Democrats in the long run. Speaking of 2022, Republicans are noticeably frustrated their attacks on President Biden aren’t driving down his popularity, so they’re setting their sights on attacking The Squad ahead of the midterms in hopes it drums up support for their flailing party. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

We’ve pulled this never-before-aired interview with Nafessa Williams from the vault (recorded in 2020 prior to her filming season 4) to hear from Thunder herself as the incredible series Black Lightning comes to a close next week, and Nafessa finishes her reign as the first Black lesbian superhero. Mark and Nafessa talk about the days before she was a member of the DC universe, when she was pursuing a career as a lawyer and even interned at the District Attorney’s office in Philadelphia. So what, or who, was it that inspired such a drastic, life-altering change? Nafessa reveals that and more in today’s episode. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

John Judis an Editor-at-Large at Talking Points Memo, as well as a journalist and author of his latest book (out now), “The Politics of Our Time: Populism, Nationalism, Socialism.” In today’s episode, he joins Mark to discuss the intersections and differences between the three and which of them he believes have plateaued as a movement (for the time being, anyway). He considers this in the context of the upcoming 2022 midterm elections, which have the potential to put us in another legislative stalemate if Republicans win the House back. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

President Biden has the highest rating in the history of polling a president's popularity--but you're not seeing that in the media anywhere. Eric Boehlert, Founder of Pressrun,media, is calling the hypocrisy to our attention (especially because of all the in-depth media coverage that Trump supporters got, as some sort of misunderstood majority). He's also curious as to why the press isn't treating the far-right Republicans as a radical entity that is trying to undermine democracy, He's asking the important questions of our biggest media sources in today's episode. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dr. Ayesha Chaudhry was born in Toronto to parents who practiced a puritanical form of Islam, which they believed would shield them from racism. In her latest book, “The Colour of God,” Dr. Chaudhry weaves her life’s experiences into a universal narrative about how we belong in the world and also our families, the meaning of life, what happens after death, and who we are outside of the systems that oppress us. In today’s episode, she talks about her upbringing, her evolving religious beliefs, some significant stories from the book, and why her own unveiling was her least important story to share. Dr. Chaudhry is a Professor of Gender and Islamic Studies at the University of British Columbia. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It’s #ThursdayKos with Markos Moulitsas, Founder of DailyKos, Civiqs, and host of podcast “The Brief,” and he and Mark are talking 2022 midterms. Markos notes they’re always a referendum on the incumbent, but this time, it’s actually set to be based on the idea of Trump versus Biden--he explains what that means and more specifically what it means for Democrats. What we should focus on, what to pay attention to regarding voter suppression, and how the census redistricting could impact us, is all covered in today’s episode.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dr. Cameron Webb is on President Biden’s COVID-19 Response Team and he joins the show for an update from inside the White House on the state of equity with both the virus and the distribution of the vaccine. He’s also working on behalf of the White House to spread the word on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, hoping to quiet any fears or hesitations that might prevent you from getting it. He also addresses some of the remaining challenges we have with the coronavirus. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Anoa Changa is a journalist, retired attorney, and host of the podcast "The Way with Anoa.” She joins MIP today to discuss some of her latest reporting, which includes the revisionist history that Rep. Justin Lafferty recently pushed while discussing the three-fifths compromise, and how this rhetoric speaks to a larger problem with what's being taught in classrooms about American history. Anoa also digs into New York Attorney General Letitia James’ recent project: coming for the GOP candidates who are trying their hand at disinformation and voter suppression. Mark and Anoa also unpack Rep. Cori Bush’s recent remarks on “Black birthing people” and how the criticism focuses solely on her gender-neutral language and misses the point of her testimony entirely. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The April Jobs Report is out and Chad Stone, Chief Economist at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, is back to give us his breakdown and put the numbers into perspective. President Biden said the new unemployment number was “disappointing,” but Chad explains why there’s still reason to be optimistic. However, it’s still women of color who are disproportionately affected, and women across the board are struggling the most. Read his report here: https://www.cbpp.org/research/economy/congress-should-heed-president-bidens-call-for-fundamental-ui-reform Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Donna Haskins grew up in poverty in one of the most racially segregated cities in America with seemingly all the odds stacked against her. She was sexually assaulted at 13, and when she had an abortion, she thought she could never fulfill her dream of becoming a nun. Later in life, in a crisis about her identity as a Black woman and on the brink of suicide, she hears a sermon that shook her to her core and permanently changed her course. Dr. Onaje X.O. Woodbine is today’s guest, author of "Take Back What the Devil Stole: An African American Prophet’s Encounters in the Spirit World," where he introduces us to Donna Haskins and her transformed life as a prophet. Dr. Woodbine worked with Donna for four years to document her life’s work, dedicated to helping others without accepting a dime, her Afro-Caribbean roots, and how it all intertwines with her Christianity. And if you want to believe in miracles, listen to the incredible story of Donna’s visions that brought a woman the family she thought she’d ne

Markos Moulitsas, Founder of DailyKo & Civiqs, and Host of podcast “The Brief,” is back and there’s a mixed bag of issues covered in today’s episode. We get an update on the latest thing that Senator Joe Manchin is standing in the way of, some context on Facebook keeping Trump off their platform, and the political aspirations of Sen. Tim Scott, Herschel Walker, and Nikki Haley. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy