Majority 54

Latest Episodes:

Why Redistricting is the Key to Saving our Democracy Jul 27, 2018

Show notes

Gerrymandering 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 passing election.

Katie Fahey refused to accept this status quo, and so with a single Facebook post she wound up launching one of the biggest social forces fighting gerrymander-- all from her home in Michigan.

While you're here, check out our new line of t-shirts from the Crooked Media Store at https://store.crooked.com/collections/majority-54

Important links:

@NotPoliticians

@Majority54

@JasonKander

hellomajority54@gmail.com

Produced by Brock Wilbur

Ads:

GetQuip.com/Majority54

Engaging The Other Side on LGBTQ Rights Jul 20, 2018

Show notes

This 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 food chain? Well, did you ever wonder why you stopped hearing about that guy? CEO Dan Cathy experienced a personal shift in beliefs, and it wasn’t just about losing money. It was about a friendship he made with LGBTQ activist Shane Windmeyer.

Here is my conversation with Shane Windmeyer about changing a mind by making a friend.

While you're here, check out our new line of t-shirts from the Crooked Media Store athttps://store.crooked.com/collections/majority-54

Important links:

@campuspride

@Majority54

@JasonKander

hellomajority54@gmail.com

Produced by Brock Wilbur

Ads:

SunBasket.com/54

Blinkist.com/Majority54

Why We Have To Raise The Minimum Wage Jul 13, 2018

Show notes

Our 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 Media Store at https://store.crooked.com/collections/majority-54

Important links:

@fightfor15

@Majority54

@JasonKander

hellomajority54@gmail.com

Produced by Brock Wilbur

Ads:

ZipRecruiter.com/54

GetQuip.com/Majority54

Connecting Through Comedy / The Liberal Redneck Jul 06, 2018

Show notes

His 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 and his co-comedians WellRED Comedy are touring the country, engaging with audiences of all types, and headed for an inevitable network TV show of their own.

Here is my conversation with Trae Crowder about how we can use a few good jokes to offset the darkness.

Also, check out our new line of t-shirts from the Crooked Media Store at https://store.crooked.com/collections/majority-54

Important links:

@‏traecrowder

www.wellredcomedy.com

@Majority54

@JasonKander

hellomajority54@gmail.com

Produced by Brock Wilbur

Ads:

HelixSleep.com/Majority54

How Do We Solve The Opioid Epidemic? Jun 29, 2018

Show notes

Phil 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 progress from Phil Spagnuolo. He’s a certified substance misuse recovery coach who founded his own clinic.

Phil says he’s here today, alive on this earth, because of Medicaid. And now he’s in a position to defend Medicaid from the inside, so that it can help other people stay alive.

Here is my conversation with State Representative Phil Spagnuolo about his own battle with addiction, what he’s learned, and what he’s trying to teach his colleagues.

Also, check out our new line of t-shirts from the Crooked Media Store at https://store.crooked.com/collections/majority-54

Huge thank you to Ryan Wilson, a majority 54 fan who created the new logo. Ryan is a freelance designer and creator, who you could possibly employ via his website at www.RyanGWilson.com

Important links:

@PhilSpagnuoloNH ‏

@Majority54

@JasonKander

hellomajority54@gmail.com

Produced by Brock Wilbur

Here are links to the advertisers mentioned on the show:

Blinkist.com/Majority54

SunBasket.com/54

HelixSleep.com/Majority54

Hacktivism Jun 22, 2018

Show notes

Today, 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 to discuss how the online landscape has changed the political and the person forever, and what we can do in the face of it. Eric's story is one in a million, and we hope you feel as inspired by the conversation as I was.

Important links:

@ericries

startuplessonslearned.com

@Majority54

@JasonKander

hellomajority54@gmail.com

Produced by Brock Wilbur

The Truth About Labor Unions Jun 15, 2018

Show notes

Welcome 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 up red.

We’re going to discuss how unions are perceived in America, both positively and negatively, and what the future of organized labor looks like. Hope you enjoy!

Important links:

@YvannaCancela

@Majority54

@JasonKander

hellomajority54@gmail.com

Produced by Brock Wilbur

Criminal Justice Reform Jun 08, 2018

Show notes

Welcome 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 criminal justice reform. He's a self-proclaimed "Mexican biker lawyer covered in tattoos." He's a Dallas Cowboys fan. He's never prosecuted a single case. He's Mark Gonzalez, and he's our guest today.

We're going to discuss how law enforcement impacts real people, how sweeping reform needs to come to America, and how District Attorneys can change enforcement on a local level.

We hope you enjoy listening to this interview as much as we enjoyed discussing Mark's colorful history and bright future.

Important links:

@Majority54

@JasonKander

hellomajority54@gmail.com

Produced by Brock Wilbur

Lin-Manuel Miranda - #MoreOfUs May 25, 2018

Show notes

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 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 is someone that a couple of you may know: Mr. Lin-Manuel Miranda. The creator of In The Heights and Hamilton discusses making politics entertaining and engaging, as well as how to choose fundraising campaigns to maximum effect. Then, we ask when he's going to run for Secretary of Treasury, since he has more experience than the current Secretary of Treasury.

This is just a killer interview and we hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed recording it.

There are only a few days left to support the campaign Lin-Manuel is running, which benefits Let America Vote among other worthwhile organizations. The links for that campaign is prizeo.com/hamilton-dc

Important links:

@Lin_Manuel

prizeo.com/hamilton-dc

@Majority54

@JasonKander

hellomajority54@gmail.com

Produced by Brock Wilbur.

"Season 2 - Coming This Friday!" May 23, 2018

Show notes

Jason Kander previews Season 2 of Majority 54... coming this Friday!