Chapter 21 is a marvelous inspiring story of electoral success. Us, us overcoming obstacles & succeeding. Chapter 22 continues with the lessons of how things really work

Chapter 20- Amish Country Stands Up, or How Progressive Organizing Works in a Conservative Area

Sep 27th, 2021 36m 35s

We're from PA, and this chapter is based on a story that happened here on the Eastern side of our state. I think it an be used as a lesson in organizing. A big shout out to our friends in Lancaster.

Chapter 19 - Two Nations, Indivisible

Sep 1st, 2021 30m 32s

Here's an interesting chapter about the birth of a small new progressive organization that happened at the beginning of the trump presidency. This chapter gave me a new appreciation for the organization Indivisible. It also, once again demonstr

Chapter 17 & 18 - Uncorked & Obama's Farewell Gift : AKA A Story of The Bottom of the Party & the Top of the Party, as trump Takes Power

Aug 17th, 2021 32m 26s

These two chapters fit well together, a contrast between the top of the Dem Party & the dynamic activism at the bottom.Chapter 17 is a story of how people all over the country, particularly women, became politicized & activated upon trump bein

Chapter 16 - Orientation, AKA A New Political Orientation Becomes Visible

Aug 10th, 2021 25m 1s

This was a fun chapter. We get to see Bernie run for President & the how it affected the all the political possibilities. It was a big leap forward for the US public's political consciousness.

Chapter 15 - Occupy Washington or What Starts to Happen When We Figure Out What To Do

Aug 4th, 2021 39m 26s

First of all, this episode is a little longer than the other: almost 40 minutes. That's because, since this is the end of Part 1 of the book, we tried to summarize what we thought Part 1 was about at the the end of this episode. Our goal is to

Chapter 14 - Senator Warren (this chapter doesn't need a subtitle lol)

Jul 27th, 2021 22m 5s

This chapter gives a little more of Elizabeth Warren's history. It also has a really good example of inside/outside political teamwork. And just as a little aside, I make a little mistake in my commentary about who's blocking nominations. Sorr

Chapter 13 - The Belt Tightens (AKA That Time the Dems Gave Up the Fight for Necessary Economic Policies)

Jul 13th, 2021 27m 41s

It was the economic recession, before the pandemic, when the crookedness of the big financial institutions crashed the economy & we needed to recover. National Dem Party had not yet accepted the fact that they'd have to fight like hell to get a

Chapter 11, part 1 - The Public Option

Jun 28th, 2021 23m 31s

The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was one of the most important large-scale legislative victories of our lifetime. It was such an awful compromise because the Congressional Progressive Caucus was divided & didn't have the unity

Chapter 11, part 2 - The Public Option (AKA: Why the Congressional Progressive Caucus Needs to Find Unity & Build Their Power)

Jun 28th, 2021 22m 29s

Here's the second half of Chapter 11, the big struggle that happened as we came down to the wire. Listen to this episode to find out how the sausage was made.

Chapters 10 & 12 - The Elizabeth Warren Chapters

Jun 8th, 2021 36m 22s

We combined these two chapters since they both prominently feature Elizabeth Warren. We skipped the chapter in between to reduce confusion.Again, Ryan Grim gives us a window into how legislation passes, as he shows us the battle that Warren fo

Chapter 9 - Heart Attack

Jun 1st, 2021 25m 25s

In 2008, in the US, our economic system suffered a huge break. When the housing market crashed, the US public suffered terribly. Wall Street, however, just wanted it to be business as usual. This chapter describes how that started to play out a

Chapter 8 - The Dream

May 25th, 2021 28m 45s

Though the last episode landed on a happy note, this round leaves us with a knowledge of work we still need to do. The US needs to get right with immigration policy. Here's a little info on what's happened in recent years.

Chapter 7 - The Triple Rainbow

May 18th, 2021 28m 43s

You're probably aware of the profound difference marriage equality has made in our society, but do you know how we got there? This chapter is exciting, uplifting & informative. If we want to keep going, if we want to get to other good places, t

About This Book

May 4th, 2021 3m 26s

We finally figured something important about how to read & analyze this book

Chapters 1 & 2 - Tune Inn & The Beginning of the Rainbow

May 4th, 2021 18m 42s

We start with at the bar, with a little atmosphere and then we go to Chicago & Michigan for a lesson about our foundation.

Chapter 6 - Political Genius

May 4th, 2021 25m 23s

If we were naming this chapter we'd either call it: Is Toxic Masculinity the Right Organizing Principle for the Dem Party OR Were They Really Telling Us the Truth About Electability? Either way, this chapter has a lot of good data you might nee

Chapter 5 - The Dean Bat

Apr 27th, 2021 18m 15s

In this chapter, the Internet is discovered to be an important political tool. Let us take you back to where that began

Chapter 4 - The Making of Rahm Emmanuel

Apr 27th, 2021 11m 50s

This chapter shows a certain career trajectory for political careers, using as an example someone who will play a key role in future chapters

Chapter 3 - Pelosi's Party

Apr 20th, 2021 22m 46s

As promised, here's the chapter summary for Chapter 3 of Ryan Grim's book, We've Got People, so that you can listen to it before Book Club on Wednesday. Anyone new who wants to attend the What You Need to Know Book Club/Study Group being conduc

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