Civic Cipher

Latest Episodes:

What is Socialism? A Conversation with Bobby Nichols (Part 1) Jul 12, 2025

Show notes

Today’s guest is Bobby Nichols—the former Phoenix Democratic Socialist of America's chapter chair and current member. He is the founder of Arizona Works Together, a pro-union political action committee operating at the state level. Additionally, Bobby Nichols works for the Office of the Arizona Attorney General as a state attorney representing Arizona's Departments of Child Safety and Economic Security in Superior and Administrative Court cases involving the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of minor children and vulnerable adults.

In the first half of the show, Bobby explains socialism in simple terms and provides a historical context for the societal framework.

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The Democratic Socialists of America (Part 2) Jul 12, 2025

Show notes

In the second half of the show, we discuss socialist principles and how they won New York City over in the recent mayoral race.

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The Supreme Court Hands Additional Power to Trump (With Pineapple Lawyer Amy Owen) Part 1 Jul 05, 2025

Show notes

Today’s guest is Amy Owen—a Civil Rights Attorney that has worked major civil rights cases alongside Ben Crump. She is known for working alongside professional athletes, celebrities, and other high-profile individuals. Find her online as Pineapple lawyer.

In the first half of the show, Amy discusses the new powers bestowed upon the Trump administration by the Supreme Court, as well as the limiting of the powers of the lower courts. We discuss the implications of this decision and what people can expect.

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Trump Discusses Deporting U.S. Born Citizens (Part 2) Jul 05, 2025

Show notes

In the second half of the show, we discuss the capacity of Trump to deport citizens of the United States, and the president’s new immigration facility in Florida known as ‘Alligator Alcatraz.”

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Millions Racially Reclassified by U.S. Census with Asian Soph Jun 28, 2025

Show notes

Today’s guest is a social media influencer and activist that goes by the name of Asian Soph found online at the handle @asian_soph or @MixedPresent. She speaks on and organizes around the mixed BIPOC/multiracial experience in the United States.

In the first half of the show, Soph talks us through the changes made to the racial classification system at the U.S. Census and the implications of the move. We discuss who is affected, and the potential reasons behind the change.

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Right-Wing Plants in Left-Wing Demonstrations -- A Conversation with Asian Soph Jun 28, 2025

Show notes

In the second half of the show, Soph discusses recent protests in LA, as well as how outliers, infiltrators, and plants can/do shift the optics of otherwise largely peaceful protests.

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The ICE Raid Protests in LA with Activist Wendy Amara (Part 1) Jun 21, 2025

Show notes

Today’s guest is Wendy Amara—an activist, board member of Roots and Wings (a content creator group that uplifts the stories of immigrants) and the host of the Yes, Mujer--Build It! podcast. She can be found online @wendyamara.

In the first half of the show, we get some insight into the Ice Raid protests in Los Angeles, the culture of protesting in Los Angeles, and what outcomes the protesters want to see.

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What Conservatives Say About Immigration (Part 2) Jun 21, 2025

Show notes

In the second half of the show, we address the right-wing pushback on immigration protests and try to uncover why immigration is such a challenging issue for the country to reconcile with.

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Trump’s Challenge to the Judicial Branch (Part 1) Jun 14, 2025

Show notes

Today’s guest, Vladimir Gagic, is an independent nonpartisan political and legal commentator, former lawyer, and social media influencer found online at @ToxikVlad

In the first half of the show, we examine Trump’s challenges to the Judiciary Branch of the government, and ways that Republican leadership are ensuring the strengthening of the Executive Branch. We discuss the protests in Los Angeles and the legal justification for Trump deploying the National Guard.

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The Powers of the Judiciary with Vladimir Gagic (Part 2) Jun 14, 2025

Show notes

Today’s guest, Vladimir Gagic, is an independent nonpartisan political and legal commentator, former lawyer, and social media influencer found online at @ToxikVlad

In the second half of the show, we discuss the justification for the legal attacks on Trump and from Trump and examine the merits of the cases. We also discuss the powers of the judiciary in this country.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.