Majority 54
243 episodes - English - Latest episode: 25 days ago - ★★★★★ - 6K ratingsA weekly primer for progressives interested in knowing where the party is headed and persuading others to join our majority. Co-hosts Jason Kander and Ravi Gupta draw on their experience winning progressive campaigns in red states to understand the other side and how to flip them from red to blue.
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Episodes
Emergency Pod: The First Debate
September 30, 2020 04:54 - 46 minutesJoe Biden's discipline, the effectiveness of Trump's demeanor and an argument against zingers. Jason is back with a new season and a new co-host, Ravi Gupta. Each week, they'll tackle our most pressing issues, giving you the tools necessary to successfully have conversations across the aisle. Majority54 is a Wonder Media Network production. It's produced by Grace Lynch and Edie Allard. Theme music provided by Kemet Coleman. Special thanks to Diana Kander. Majority 54 on Twitter Jason on Twit...
Abortion, Lindsey Graham, and Bill Barr
September 24, 2020 10:00 - 58 minutesJason and Ravi are joined by Swati Mylavarapu to discuss the Supreme Court vacancy and how it could affect healthcare and abortion access. Plus, Lindsey Graham exceeds expectations and Swati breaks down how to most effectively contribute to campaigns. Volunteer to text voters in South Carolina for Jaime Harrison Volunteer for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris Support Majority 54 with a 'Grab an Oar' t-shirt available on Bonfire Today's episode is brought to you by SimpliSafe, the no-brainer home...
Emergency Pod: R.B.G.
September 19, 2020 01:25 - 29 minutesJason and Ravi react to the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and grapple with what to do in this critical moment. -- Jason is back with a new season and a new co-host, Ravi Gupta. Each week, they'll tackle our most pressing issues, giving you the tools necessary to successfully have conversations across the aisle. Majority54 is a Wonder Media Network production. It's produced by Grace Lynch and Edie Allard. Theme music provided by Kemet Coleman. Special thanks to Diana Ka...
Only you can prevent climate denial
September 17, 2020 11:00 - 39 minutesHelix Sleep Everybody’s unique and Helix knows that, so they have several different mattress models to choose from. They have soft, medium, and firm mattresses, mattresses great for cooling you down if you sleep hot, and even a Helix Plus mattress for plus-size folks. Helix is offering up to 200 dollars off ALL mattress orders and two free pillows for our listeners at HelixSleep.com/MAJORITY54 Jason is back with a new season and a new co-host, Ravi Gupta. Each week, they'll tackle our most pr...
The Trump tapes
September 10, 2020 10:00 - 53 minutesThis episode is brought to you by Bonfire.com. Bonfire is the easiest way to design, sell and order premium shirts -- all virtually and risk free, with no out of pocket costs. You can check out the Grab an Oar shirt we designed at wondermedianetwork.com/bonfire to continue supporting the show and our team at Wonder Media Network. This episode is brought to you by Nutrafol. Nutrafol supports healthy hair growth from within by targeting the five root causes of thinning: stress, hormones, envir...
The flaws in Trump's law and order argument
September 03, 2020 10:00 - 46 minutesSign up to be a #PollHero Today’s program is brought to you by Athletic Greens, the all-in-one daily drink to support better health and peak performance. To receive the free D3/K2 wellness bundle with your first purchase - that’s up to a ONE YEAR supply of Vitamin D - go to AthleticGreens.com/MAJORITY Today's episode is also brought to you by Blinkist. Blinkist takes the key takeaways from thousands of nonfiction books and condenses them down to just 15 min synopsis you can read or listen t...
Fighting RNC lies, one by one
August 27, 2020 10:00 - 44 minutesToday's episode is also brought to you by Blinkist. Blinkist takes the key takeaways from thousands of nonfiction books and condenses them down to just 15 min synopsis you can read or listen to. For a limited time, Blinkist has a special offer for Majority 54 listeners. You can try it FREE for 7 days and save 25% off your new subscription when you go to: Blinkist.com/MAJORITY54 Today's episode is brought to you by SimpliSafe, what US World and News Report calls the "best overall home security...
Mike Schur on the only thing that matters
August 20, 2020 10:00 - 49 minutesHelix Sleep Everybody’s unique and Helix knows that, so they have several different mattress models to choose from. They have soft, medium, and firm mattresses, mattresses great for cooling you down if you sleep hot, and even a Helix Plus mattress for plus-size folks. Helix is offering up to 200 dollars off ALL mattress orders and two free pillows for our listeners at HelixSleep.com/MAJORITY54 NOOM Noom is the habit-changing solution that helps users learn to develop a new relationship with f...
Jason Sudeikis gives us hope
August 13, 2020 10:00 - 53 minutesToday's episode is brought to you by SimpliSafe, what US World and News Report calls the "best overall home security of 2020". Listeners can modernize their home security with their 60-day risk free trial and free shipping by going to: SimpliSafe.com/MAJORITY54 United State Of Women is calling on women to take action by pledging to join their "Week of Action", and to stand in solidarity with the full protection of voting rights for all women. Take the pledge at bit.ly/allwomenvote We want to...
A friendly VP wager
August 06, 2020 10:00 - 44 minutesToday's episode is brought to you by SimpliSafe, what US World and News Report calls the "best overall home security of 2020". Listeners can modernize their home security with their 60-day risk free trial and free shipping by going to: SimpliSafe.com/MAJORITY54 Today's episode is also brought to you by Blinkist. Blinkist takes the key takeaways from thousands of nonfiction books and condenses them down to just 15 min synopsis you can read or listen to. For a limited time, Blinkist has a speci...
Our first mailbag episode!
July 30, 2020 10:00 - 46 minutesToday's episode is brought to you by Helix Sleep, the experts in giving you a customized mattress that will give you the best sleep of your life thanks to their two-minute sleep quiz. Helix is offering up to $200 off ALL mattress orders and two free pillows for our listeners at helixsleep.com/MAJORITY54 We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail by calling 508-687-2589 and you could have your voice on the show. Jason is back with a new season and...
Don Calloway knows this is crazy
July 23, 2020 10:00 - 49 minutesToday's episode is brought to you by Helix Sleep, the experts in giving you a customized mattress that will give you the best sleep of your life thanks to their two-minute sleep quiz. Helix is offering up to $200 off ALL mattress orders and two free pillows for our listeners at helixsleep.com/MAJORITY54 This episode is also brought to you by SimpliSafe, who've got everything you need to protect your home with none of the drawbacks of traditional home security. Try SimpliSafe today at SimpliSa...
Three's Company with Stacey Abrams
July 16, 2020 10:00 - 46 minutesWe want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail by calling 508-687-2589 and you could have your voice on the show. Jason is back with a new season and a new co-host, Ravi Gupta. Each week, they'll tackle our most pressing issues, giving you the tools necessary to successfully have conversations across the aisle. Majority 54 is a Wonder Media Network production. It's produced by Grace Lynch and Edie Allard. Special thanks to Diana Kander. Learn more ...
Roll out the flawed plans!
July 09, 2020 10:00 - 47 minutesWe want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail by calling 508-687-2589 and you could have your voice on the show. Jason is back with a new season and a new co-host, Ravi Gupta. Each week, they'll tackle our most pressing issues, giving you the tools necessary to successfully have conversations across the aisle. Majority 54 is a Wonder Media Network production. It's produced by Grace Lynch and Edie Allard. Special thanks to Diana Kander. Learn more ...
The no-conspiracy conspiracy theory
July 02, 2020 10:00 - 46 minutesJason is back with a new season and a new co-host, Ravi Gupta. Each week, they'll tackle our most pressing issues, giving you the tools necessary to successfully have conversations across the aisle. Majority 54 is a Wonder Media Network production. It's produced by Grace Lynch and Edie Allard. Special thanks to Diana Kander and Echo Mountain Recording Studios. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
677 days later...
June 25, 2020 10:05 - 49 minutesJason is back with a new season and a new co-host, Ravi Gupta. Each week, they'll tackle our most pressing issues, giving you the tools necessary to successfully have conversations across the aisle. Majority 54 is a Wonder Media Network production. It's produced by Grace Lynch and Edie Allard. Special thanks to Diana Kander and Echo Mountain Recording Studios. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We're Back
June 25, 2020 10:00 - 6 minutesWe're back, this time with our friends at Wonder Media Network! Welcome to a weekly primer for the 54% of Americans who didn't vote for Donald Trump and want to change the minds of those who did. Co-hosts Jason Kander and Ravi Gupta draw on their experience winning progressive campaigns in red states to give you the tools necessary to combat the latest in misinformation, propaganda, and whatever your right-wing co-worker saw on Facebook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad...
Introduction to Professional AF with Diana Kander
May 06, 2019 07:03 - 6 minutesJason and Diana are here to introduce you to Diana's podcast Professional AF which is focused on essential habits for women at work. Diana interviews authors and thought leaders who have something to teach women about how to be more awesome at work. Diana acts like a guinea pig for each episode, trying the advice and instruction before each taping to report back on how well it worked for her. Several episodes are already available so subscribe to Professional AF on Diana's feed (search for D...
What We Can Do About Hate Crime
August 17, 2018 07:01 - 48 minutesIn 2014, there was a shooting outside the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park, Kansas - a suburb of Kansas City. The gunman was a white supremacist and the former grand dragon of the Ku Klux Klan. He picked this location because he was sure he would find Jewish children preparing for a talent show. The gunman killed three people, none of whom were actually Jewish. Of the three people killed, two of them were related to Mindy Corporon. One was her 14 year-old son, Reit. The other was he...
What is the Role of Business in Social Progress?
August 10, 2018 07:01 - 50 minutesOne of the best parts of doing this podcast is getting to highlight friends of mine who are doing big things or have big ideas or both. Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has a history of public service, and now he’s continuing it from the private sector. He’s a deeply thoughtful guy and he’s really made me think differently about what expectations we should put on the business community in America. I mean, yes, as progressives we think big business should pay its fair share of tax...
Book Special Takeover with Jon Lovett
August 07, 2018 07:01 - 36 minutesJon Lovett takes over Majority 54 to interview Jason about his new book. "Outside The Wire" tells the story of Jason Kander's experiences as a deployed American soldier and what he's learned about working in politics while keeping your soul intact. Join us for this Crooked crossover episode with the host of Lovett or Leave It. "Outside The Wire" is available today, wherever books are sold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Behind The Scenes Of The Travel Ban: What Is Our Responsibility Now?
August 03, 2018 07:01 - 51 minutesThis episode is for everyone who has listened to this show, thought about the change they’d like to make in the world, and hesitated to take action because they either weren’t an expert or weren’t directly affected by the thing they wanted to change. We’ve been debating the Muslim ban since the 2016 campaign, and we’ve even done an episode of this show on Islamophobia, but today we wanted to tell you about the woman behind the legal fight for refugees. She’s not a long-time human rights atto...
Why Redistricting is the Key to Saving our Democracy
July 27, 2018 07:01 - 55 minutesGerrymandering is the process of redrawing the districts and reviewing the power structure of voting in America, but often for less than bi-partisan means. Every ten years, the party in power works with recent census data to determine the "best" way for voters to be represented. The process is becoming a bitter power play, and the people who are fighting against it are finding incredible backing from other voters who are tired of watching their voice in our government get muted more with each...
Engaging The Other Side on LGBTQ Rights
July 20, 2018 07:01 - 57 minutesThis is a show all about reaching across the aisle and engaging with people that you might think could never change their mind. So, it's a real pleasure to talk to someone who has flipped a seemingly impossible stance in a public figure. I absolutely want to ask them about how they pulled it off, and what we can learn from that and/or emulate in our own battles. Remember a few years ago when the owner of Chick-fil-A made some anti-gay remarks and it lead to a national boycott of the fast foo...
Why We Have To Raise The Minimum Wage
July 13, 2018 07:01 - 57 minutesOur guest today had never been a political person, mostly because he simply did not have time to. He works three jobs trying to support a family. And that is the issue: based on the minimum wage in America, he is still struggling to provide for his family. It certainly isn't due to a lack of work ethic. Here is my very personal conversation with minimum wage activist Terrance Wise about how we can right the ship. If you're a fan, check out our new line of t-shirts from the Crooked ...
Connecting Through Comedy / The Liberal Redneck
July 06, 2018 07:01 - 46 minutesHis name is Trae Crowder but you might know him under a different name: The Liberal Redneck. From his porch, Trae films videos on his phone where he goes on rants about social issues. You instantly feel he’s about to venture into very upsetting territory, and some of that comes from his mix of anger and a heavy southern accent. And then, when he hits his stride, The Liberal Redneck shifts into a position of openness, and general woke-ness, that turns your expectations on their head. Now, him ...
How Do We Solve The Opioid Epidemic?
June 29, 2018 07:01 - 52 minutesPhil Spagnuolo is a state representative in New Hampshire, and someone who has personally struggled with opioid addiction. Last year, he flipped the seat from red to blue for the very first time in the history of that state. During the campaign for the 2016 election, Trump came to New Hampshire and made a lot of claims about the opioid epidemic and his plans to solve it. As you might have guessed, there’s been no progress on this issue from the Trump administration. But there has been progres...
Hacktivism
June 22, 2018 07:01 - 56 minutesToday, we’re talking to one of the biggest names in the tech entrepreneur world. He experienced a total political shift the night of the 2016 election, while he watched in horror, as most of us did. Unlike most of us, he set about creating a means for change to prevent this from ever happening again. Eric Ries inadvertently became very influential in the Resistance against Donald Trump’s policies (and many of you probably have used a tool he invented without even knowing it). We’re going t...
The Truth About Labor Unions
June 15, 2018 07:01 - 51 minutesWelcome to Majority 54. We’re talking to the 54% of Americans who did not vote for Donald Trump about where we go from here. Senator Yvanna Cancela is a millennial union leader who thought she was headed for a much different destination. She listened to her calling and became the political director of Culinary Local 226, Nevada’s largest union. Now, Cancela has led protests, lobbied state lawmakers and played a pivotal role in turning Nevada blue last November when most of the nation wound...
Criminal Justice Reform
June 08, 2018 07:01 - 51 minutesWelcome the official start of season two of Majority 54. If you’re new to Majority 54, I’m Jason Kander, the president of Let America Vote: an organization dedicated to making sure that every American gets to vote by creating political consequences for anyone who wants to diminish the most basic American right. And we’re talking to the 54% of American who did not vote for Donald Trump about where we go from here. He's a District Attorney for Nueces County in Texas. He's a proponent of crimi...
Lin-Manuel Miranda - #MoreOfUs
May 25, 2018 07:01 - 47 minutesIf you’re new to Majority 54, I’m Jason Kander, the president of Let America Vote: an organization dedicated to making sure that every American gets to vote by creating political consequences for anyone who wants to diminish the most basic American right. And we're talking to the 54% of Americans who did not vote for Donald Trump about where we go from here. In the first episode of this second season, we talk to someone who has an incredible platform about how he uses it to do good. That man...
"Season 2 - Coming This Friday!"
May 23, 2018 07:01 - 6 minutesJason Kander previews Season 2 of Majority 54... coming this Friday! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Season One Finale: Taxes and Healthcare
January 26, 2018 08:01 - 41 minutesToday we’re talking health care, taxes, and activism with Ady Barkan. Like me, you probably first became aware of Ady when a video of him confronting Jeff Flake went viral. But that wasn’t Ady’s first stab at activism – far from it in fact. A graduate of Columbia and of Yale Law, he could have done anything he wanted. He could have made a whole bunch of money right out of school, but instead, he started representing low-wage workers in New York City in pursuit of everything from paid sick...
Voting Rights
January 19, 2018 08:01 - 1 hourToday we’re talking Voting Rights. In my mind, there is no issue of greater importance in the country right now – and that’s because it affects every other issue. As you may know, I’ve put a good chunk of time into this cause. I spent four years fighting voter suppression as Secretary of State in Missouri and I’ve spent the last year fighting it as the President of Let America Vote, an organization I founded. It’s a broad issue because there are a lot of different pieces to it, so in the se...
College Affordability
January 12, 2018 08:01 - 40 minutesRemember two years ago when we still talked about the college debt crisis? Remember when what to do about it was one of the defining topics of the Democratic primary for president? I’m nostalgic for those days, and I lament the fact that it barely qualifies as one of the most divisive issues anymore – solely because the people in power refuse to care about it. I’m interested in reviving the conversation. After today’s interview, I’ll address the talking points you hear from the other side a...
Gun Sense in America
January 05, 2018 08:01 - 1 hourI have an F rating from the NRA. They’ve spent millions against me. The leaders of the NRA hate me, but they loathe Shannon Watts. And I have a feeling you’re gonna love her. We closed 2017 by talking to a life-long activist and imploring you to deepen your involvement, so it makes sense to open 2018 talking to someone who grabbed an oar a few years ago and hasn’t stopped rowing since. Shannon founded Moms Demand Action, one of the most effective groups working to reduce gun violence, the ...
Special Episode: Grab an Oar: A conversation about activism with Cecile Richards
December 22, 2017 08:01 - 51 minutesThis is a special episode of Majority 54. Usually this show focuses on a single divisive issue by talking to a single individual experiencing it in their everyday life. But from the beginning, I wanted to conclude this year with a different kind of conversation – one specifically about activism. 2017 has been a year of progressive activism. It’s drawn people out of their homes in so many inspiring ways, and from the women’s march to the #MeToo movement, the resistance has been especially ...
The Border Wall
December 15, 2017 08:01 - 59 minutesIt’s hard to think of a more polarizing issue than the wall Trump wants to build on our southern border. The conversation you’re about to hear was recorded in a wooden barn, on Tony Sedgwick’s ranch in Nogales, Arizona. Tony’s a Republican who didn’t vote for Donald Trump. In fact, Trump drove Tony all the way out of the party. He’s a small-town lawyer turned full-time Arizona rancher working the land that’s been in his family for generations. If President Trump is going to build his wall, ...
Public Education
December 08, 2017 08:01 - 1 hourThis week I spoke to my friend Steve Droske, an elementary school principal, about the way public education gets treated by politicians. This episode is pure fire! We covered everything including: Betsy Devos, teacher pay, school choice and much more! Be sure to listen to the very end for a behind the scenes conversation where Steve talks about the fear of using his platform. Important links: @droskes @Majority54 @JasonKander [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. ...
Islamophobia
December 01, 2017 08:01 - 51 minutesI sat down with my friend Salam, an Afghan man from Kansas City, who I first met in Afghanistan in 2006 when he was assigned as my main translator. I’m sure you’ve noticed that it’s hard to argue issues like national security, terrorism, or foreign policy anymore without the other side pulling you into a debate about Islam itself, so given that, it makes sense to dedicate a whole episode to Islamophobia. That's why I also address the following Republican arguments: Islam is an inherently v...
Trump vs. The Intelligence Community
November 24, 2017 08:01 - 52 minutesToday I’m introducing you to former CIA officer A.J. Twombly for insight on the Trump Administration’s campaign against the American intelligence community. The President does a lot of talking about them and they don’t get to answer back. As a former Army intelligence officer myself, I know how I feel about his rhetoric, and I thought it was important to talk to a non-military individual in intelligence to see how they view the current environment. Common talking points we'll answer: Wheth...
Race and Policing
November 17, 2017 08:01 - 55 minutesBruce Franks (https://twitter.com/brucefranksjr) joins the show to discuss Ferguson, Black Lives Matter and the relationship between the African American community and the police. You’ll find out about the importance of making people uncomfortable, Bruce’s take on American History, and surprisingly, that I am a battle rapper. Important links: Bruce: @brucefranksjr Jason: @jasonkander Cathy’s Kitchen: https://www.facebook.com/CathysKitchenrestaurant/ Learn more about your ad choices...
Introduction to Majority 54
November 07, 2017 23:02 - 6 minutesJason Kander is an army veteran from Kansas City, Missouri and the first millennial elected to statewide office in the United States. He's traveling the country to help the 54% of us who didn't vote for Donald Trump talk to those of us who did about the most divisive issues in our country. Majority 54, coming November 17th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices