Impossible to Inevitable: Evan Wolfson's Lessons on Fighting the Backlash
Release Date: 02/05/2025
Resilience in the Wild: How Nature Grounds Us in Turbulent Times
Wide Awake America
Woniya Thibeault joins Wide Awake America with Nadine Smith to discuss how ancestral skills offer more than survival—they ground us amid today’s political turbulence. From winning Alone Frozen to teaching resilience through connection with nature, Woniya shares how reclaiming these practices can empower us to face an uncertain world with confidence and community.
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The Media's Crisis of Courage
Wide Awake America
In this episode, Nadine sits down with Eric Deggans, NPR’s first full-time TV critic, media analyst, and author of Race-Baiter: How the Media Wields Dangerous Words to Divide a Nation. They tackle the state of journalism today, the impact of social media and AI on news consumption, and the ethical dilemmas facing reporters in an age of weaponized lies and political intimidation. From the rise of influencers to the decline of local news, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone concerned about the future of truth and accountability in media. --------- Welcome to Wide Awake America,...
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Trump's War On Public Health and the Lessons of The Black Angels
Wide Awake America
Trump’s War on Public Health and the Return of Deadly Diseases In this episode of Wide Awake America, we examine how Trump’s war on science has paved the way for new and deadly disease outbreaks, including the largest tuberculosis outbreak in modern U.S. history. With public health agencies gutted, vaccine skepticism on the rise, and research suppressed, we are facing a resurgence of infectious diseases—including drug-resistant TB—that could set us back decades. We also revisit the heroism of the Black Angels, the Black nurses who risked everything to combat tuberculosis when white...
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Impossible to Inevitable: Evan Wolfson's Lessons on Fighting the Backlash
Wide Awake America
Evan Wolfson knows about defying the odds. In 1983, he argued for same-sex marriage in his Harvard Law thesis—an idea dismissed as impossible at the time. Three decades later, he led Freedom to Marry to a nationwide victory. Now, as LGBTQ rights and democracy face renewed threats, Wolfson’s strategic insights are more urgent than ever. In a recent conversation on Wide Awake America, he shared his take on the current landscape and what comes next.
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Leaving the Light On: The Road Out of MAGA
Wide Awake America
In this compelling episode of Wide Awake America, host Nadine Smith sits down with Rich Logis, founder of Leaving MAGA, to explore his extraordinary journey out of the MAGA movement. Once a dedicated Trump supporter, Logis shares how doubt crept in, what finally pushed him to leave, and how he now helps others break free from the grip of political extremism. From confronting the myths that held him in place to grappling with the loss of an entire community, Logis offers a raw and honest look at what it takes to walk away. He explains why many MAGA supporters feel trapped, the emotional toll of...
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Hope As A Counteroffensive To Russian Propaganda
Wide Awake America
Journalist Tim Mak shares powerful firsthand accounts of ordinary Ukrainians' resilience amidst the war and reveals how these stories counter Russian propaganda. He explains the broader stakes of the conflict, not just for Ukraine, but for democracies worldwide, including the United States. Tune in to hear why this fight is about more than just borders—it’s about the future of freedom and self-determination.
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Mary McLeod Bethune's Blueprint for Freedom Today
Wide Awake America
Come January 20th, a convicted felon and an adjudicated rapist will occupy the White House, having run primarily as a hateful voice of racism, xenophobia, and assorted bigotries. He and his backers want us to feel overwhelmed, powerless, and immobilized. But history shows us how to access our strength and rise together to meet this moment. Mary McLeod Bethune is one such guide, and her story, beautifully captured in Noliwe Rooks’ book, A Passionate Mind in Relentless Pursuit, offers lessons we urgently need today.
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Weaponizing Fear: The Dark Art of Digital Propaganda
Wide Awake America
In a new episode of Wide Awake America with Nadine Smith, Dr. Emma Briant discusses how personal data weaponization threatens democracy. Drawing from cases like Cambridge Analytica, she examines how microtargeting and fear tactics manipulate voters. Dr. Bryant explores solutions through community building and reformed education, offering insights on preserving democracy in the digital age.
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Reconstruction, the Rise and Fall of Democracy, and Lessons for Today
Wide Awake America
On this episode of Wide Awake America, host Nadine Smith talks with historian Manisha Sinha to explore the echoes of Reconstruction in America’s current political landscape. From the triumphs and betrayals of the Second American Republic to the roots of systemic voter suppression and authoritarianism, Sinha offers an unflinching examination of how history’s patterns repeat—and how they can be broken. Together, they delve into the resilience of grassroots movements, the unfulfilled promises of constitutional amendments, and the stark parallels between post-Civil War America and our...
info_outlineEvan Wolfson knows about defying the odds. In 1983, he argued for same-sex marriage in his Harvard Law thesis—an idea dismissed as impossible at the time. Three decades later, he led Freedom to Marry to a nationwide victory. Now, as LGBTQ rights and democracy face renewed threats, Wolfson’s strategic insights are more urgent than ever. In a recent conversation on Wide Awake America, he shared his take on the current landscape and what comes next.