The Pledge Podcast

The Pledge Podcast explores political activism through short audio portraits. We call it The Pledge because it celebrates activism as a commitment to the hard work of democracy. Making this pledge means taking risks, speaking out, working hard and fighting day after day. It’s not easy, and success is often slow and never guaranteed. But making a commitment—a pledge—can motivate us to stay engaged for the long haul, which is the only way to truly make change.

Now is the Moment 10/29/2020

Now is the Moment Katrina Rogers's story shows us the potentially devastating impact of abortion restrictions on lower-income people and people of color. We also hear from Kim O’Brien, a white, economically secure professional, whose story shows the burden that restrictive abortion laws impose on parents that may already be suffering - and also shows that when the state takes away abortion rights, it’s really just taking away the right to choose from the people with fewer resources. /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/16574618

Persevere with Dignity and Grace 10/15/2020

Persevere with Dignity and Grace Laura Misumi, a fourth generation Japanese American, has an innovative strategy for organizing and mobilizing Asian Americans in Michigan while building community and fostering lasting political engagement. She will open your eyes to the ways in which Japanese Americans have been fighting for justice for decades. Laura’s organization is targeting 183,000 Asian American voters in this very important swing state. They absolutely have the capacity to change the outcome of the State and Federal elections! /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/16409009

Let's Get Out There! 10/01/2020

Let's Get Out There! As a sixteen year old growing up outside Detroit, Vanessa Velazquez’s was shocked by her family’s outrageous water bill. After helping her mom pay the bill, she questioned the bigger political context of social justice issues in her city. In Let’s Get Out There, we learn how that experience motivated her to study political science at Michigan State, and end up as an organizer in the Detroit area fighting to do something about it. /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/16225292

It Mattered! Gerrymander Reform in Michigan 09/17/2020

It Mattered! Gerrymander Reform in Michigan Nancy Wang is the Executive Director of Voters Not Politicians, which led the 2018 campaign to defeat gerrymandering in Michigan. That was never her plan! Responding to a Facebook post from a stranger, Nancy became one of the thousands of volunteers to get involved. She ended up leading the policy committee that drafted the new amendment. Eventually she left her job teaching law at the University of Michigan to head up the organization full-time. /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/16041455

When People Have Power 09/03/2020

When People Have Power Ellen Freidin led a successful gerrymandering reform campaign in Florida, and then fought to make sure the new electoral maps were drawn fairly. Her story took place over several years, starting with discovering how damaging gerrymandered districts were to Florida’s democracy, through the painstaking process of crafting a redistricting process that could honor a truly diverse group of stakeholders. Ellen asked many questions, she listened, and she persevered. Listen and remind yourself what’s possible /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/15853910

This is Bigger than Us: Sheena Meade Part 2 08/20/2020

This is Bigger than Us: Sheena Meade Part 2 In the second episode featuring Sheena Meade, we see how persevering in the face of expected and unexpected obstacles is a crucial part of making our democracy work. /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/15682577

Releasing the Chains of our Ancestors 08/06/2020

Releasing the Chains of our Ancestors Sheena Meade was instrumental in the passage of Florida’s 2018 Amendment 4, restoring the right to vote to 1.4 million citizens. /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/15496853

Season Three Trailer 07/23/2020

Season Three Trailer Starting August 6th, we are bringing stories of women from 3 different states determined to secure voting rights for every citizen. The COVID-19 pandemic has paralyzed so many of us, making these stories of action are more important than ever. This season we are also excited to collaborate with Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Hedrick Smith to provide broader context for each episode. /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/15321224

The Blessing of All This Madness 01/17/2020

The Blessing of All This Madness In this final episode of Season 2, we meet a dedicated group of chef-activists who have created a new recipe for change in Virginia, without ever leaving their home in state of Vermont. Their solution is instructive, inspiring, and delicious! /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/12779426

My Whole World Shifted 01/05/2020

My Whole World Shifted Three women—Kathryn Laughon, Althea Laughon-Worrell, and Miss Katrina Turner—had their worlds shifted by the events surrounding the hate rallies in Charlottesville, VA in August 2017. Hear their stories of how they were affected, and how it has motivated them to fight for justice in their communities. /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/12618689

You Saw his Greatness 12/19/2019

You Saw his Greatness Learn about Valerie Slater’s tireless efforts to transform juvenile justice in Virginia with her organization, RISE for Youth, and meet Douglas Johnson, a teenager she has helped. Valerie’s remarkable journey from high-school drop-out through law school, together with her strong faith, helps her see the value and potential in every young person. Now, she is unstoppable at protecting the rights of youth and creating alternative solutions that support them so they have a chance to grow and thrive. /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/12464732

It's Painfully Easy to be Ignored 12/05/2019

It's Painfully Easy to be Ignored Janine worked with faculty and other students to expose the strings attached to private donations to George Mason University. Janine grew into a leadership role following a chance encounter with group co-founder Samantha at a political rally. She learned valuable and empowering lessons about her own abilities to make change. Their work brought them all the way to the Virginia Supreme Court with a case that could have implications for transparency for university donations everywhere. /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/12285473

If I don't say anything, nobody says anything! 11/21/2019

If I don't say anything, nobody says anything! In this first of two episodes highlighting activists working to expose the influence of big-money donors to American universities, we learn why Bethany has devoted herself to fighting for the rights of marginalized people - and how she refused to ignore the growing but hidden influence of dark money at George Mason University in Virginia. /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/12118562

No Sir! Not on my watch! 11/07/2019

No Sir! Not on my watch! Learn how Kim experienced the growing threats of climate change amidst the increasingly powerful hurricanes on the coast of Virginia and became an organizer for Mothers Out Front. Her activism helped Kim transform her life, and led her to start helping and inspiring others. Also meet Cindy Burbank to learn about her efforts to bring more conservatives into the fight against climate change. /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/11941214

What the Heck? Why is this not a thing? 10/24/2019

What the Heck? Why is this not a thing? Lisa Sales drew energy from her past trauma to become a tireless advocate for women’s rights. Now she is fighting to help Virginia tip the scales for the Equal Rights Amendment by becoming the 38th and last state required for ratification. We also hear from the Executive Director of Generation Ratify, adding the voices and energy of young people who want to see equal rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution.. /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/11755736

The Pledge Joins the Global Climate Strike 09/19/2019

The Pledge Joins the Global Climate Strike Thanks to #Podstrike for supplying this feed for podcasts supporting the Climate Strike on Friday September 20th. Listen, get inspired, and make your voice heard. I'll be joining the protest in Boston. Where will you be? /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/11318645

Virginia is for Lovers...and The Pledge 09/12/2019

Virginia is for Lovers...and The Pledge Season 2 of The Pledge Podcast will focus on the promise of people working together across ages, race, and even party to use their collective power on specific issues in Virginia. /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/11226929

What Change Really Means 08/23/2019

What Change Really Means In this episode, Allison shares her own story of political activism in the 2018 midterm elections. Using audio diary entries along with interviews with friends who shared the journey, Allison explores the highs, lows, and ultimate rewards of organizing support for candidates in the southeastern US. Ultimately, Allison became the Southeast Regional Coordinator for Swing Left and focussed her energy on the long-shot congressional campaign of Tabitha Isner in Alabama. /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/10963712

I love it here - and I'm not leaving! 07/11/2019

I love it here - and I'm not leaving! The Pledge asks people on the street about their pledges to work for our democracy. We also bring you an update on plans for Season Two! /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/10485005

Civil Rights Hero Joyce Ladner 06/27/2019

Civil Rights Hero Joyce Ladner For this second episode of the mini-bonus season of the Pledge, we’re going to hear an interview with Dr. Joyce Ladner, from the podcast Democracy Works. /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/10314536

What Change Really Means 06/09/2019

What Change Really Means In the first episode of our bonus mini-season of the Pledge, Allison shares her own story of activism in the 2018 midterm elections. Using audio diary entries along with interviews with friends who shared the journey, Allison explores the highs, lows, and ultimate rewards of organizing support for candidates in the southeastern US. Ultimately, Allison became the Southeast Regional Coordinator for Swing Left and focussed her energy on the long-shot congressional campaign of Tabitha Isner in Alabama. /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/10101200

Coming Soon: Bonus Mini-Season 05/30/2019

Coming Soon: Bonus Mini-Season The Pledge announces three bonus episodes for our listeners to be released in June - stay tuned! /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/9986180

I’m angry. I’m not scared. 04/28/2019

I’m angry. I’m not scared. Mary Wilson spent most of her life keeping her thoughts under wraps, only taking them out on the piano keys. After her husband was unjustly laid off she realized it was time to speak her mind. A self-defined "feisty old broad", Mary is not afraid to proudly confront people who think she should keep her political views to herself. /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/9552611

Rally Up! 04/14/2019

Rally Up! Nancy Deabler, a traditional White, Southern woman, breaks every stereotype. She demonstrates what it means to link her liberal politics to her Christian values, and to have these values inform every part of her life. Nancy reminds us that we have to act now — our democracy, and Alabama's children, can’t wait. /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/9384398

How do you break that mentality? 03/31/2019

How do you break that mentality? Listen to The Pledge as Ashley tells her story of the ongoing struggle for equal rights and justice in the footsteps of the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery march for voting rights. /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/9203477

Are you scared of the cafeteria lady? 03/18/2019

Are you scared of the cafeteria lady? Episode Three of The Pledge tells the story of Oni. A resident of one of Birmingham’s poorest neighborhoods, Oni regularly visits barbershops and strip clubs to speak with members of the community where they congregate, to inform then of their rights and encourage them to speak out. /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/9046961

Not just my little world, the whole world. 03/04/2019

Not just my little world, the whole world. Episode Two introduces us to Stacie Propst, the Director of Emerge Alabama, who is training and supporting a generation of first-time woman candidates in Alabama. Growing up Stacie fit in well with her anti-feminist republican peers, but she sensed something was wrong with how outsiders were treated and how women were expected to behave. Now Stacie is certain that the future of Alabama, and the country, depends on more women gaining political power and breaking up the status quo. Listen to The Pledge as Stacie shares the story of her own political evolution, and what keeps her working every day to strengthen democracy in Alabama. /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/8866577

They actually called me back! 02/17/2019

They actually called me back! Episode One of The Pledge tells the story of Elizabeth, who found her political voice in the Alabama special election for Senate and just keeps fighting for change. Listen as we explore what motivates this inspiring and tireless activist, and follow her evolution as a political force in her state. /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/8677109

Introducing The Pledge 01/30/2019

Introducing The Pledge In this pilot episode we introduce The Pledge Podcast and meet host Allison Daskal Hausman. We are also introduced to some of the inspiring Alabama activists who will be featured in Season One. /episode/index/show/thepledge/id/8458928

The Pledge Podcast

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