Civic Cipher

News & Politics Podcasts

Civic Cipher is a weekly radio show created to foster allyship for social justice. Hosted by Ramses Ja and Q. Ward, this show is dedicated to empowering Black and Brown voices, allowing them to engage directly with diverse populations across the country. Self-determination is critical to securing a future free of oppressive systems, and Civic Cipher exists to facilitate discussions toward this end. Furthermore, Civic Cipher seeks to inform non-POC allies who may not be privy to these types of discussions and optics. Finally, Civic Cipher seeks to provide long-form conversations in spaces where there is often a lack of significant resources, potent dialogue, or the necessary engagement for facilitating a healthy and productive civil discourse. FB/Instagram/Fanbase: @civiccipher

Location:

United States

Genres:

News & Politics Podcasts

Description:

Civic Cipher is a weekly radio show created to foster allyship for social justice. Hosted by Ramses Ja and Q. Ward, this show is dedicated to empowering Black and Brown voices, allowing them to engage directly with diverse populations across the country. Self-determination is critical to securing a future free of oppressive systems, and Civic Cipher exists to facilitate discussions toward this end. Furthermore, Civic Cipher seeks to inform non-POC allies who may not be privy to these types of discussions and optics. Finally, Civic Cipher seeks to provide long-form conversations in spaces where there is often a lack of significant resources, potent dialogue, or the necessary engagement for facilitating a healthy and productive civil discourse. FB/Instagram/Fanbase: @civiccipher

Twitter:

@civiccipher

Language:

English

Contact:

8184157831

Website:

https://hot983.iheart.com/featured/civic-cipher/

Email:

ramsesja@gmail.com

Episodes

The Deep Roots of MAGA Hate / Who is Truly Responsible for Politically Motivated Attacks? (Part 1)

9/20/2025

In the first part of today’s program, we discuss the deep roots of the MAGA movement. We uncover memes and cultural elements that fester in the deep corners of the web. We also discuss the data that suggests that most politically-motivated violence in this country stems from the right rather than the left. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:27:02

Civic Cipher 5th Anniversary Episode (Part 1)

9/13/2025

Can you believe it? We are 5 years old this week! In the first half of today’s program, we tall our origin story and discuss why we felt a show like this was important to create and distribute around the country. Our hope is that our story will encourage you in your own social justice endeavors! Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:27:02

Civic Cipher 5th Anniversary Episode (Part 2)

9/13/2025

In the second half of the show, we examine our story since starting Civic Cipher. We have had many ups and downs as a show and as a country and we use this segment to reflect on all of it—and also invoke a bit of optimism for the future! Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:58

Dr. Christopher Towler – Why Democrats Must Repair Their Relationship with Black Voters (Part 1)

9/6/2025

Christopher Towler, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at California State University, Sacramento…He is the Director of the Black Voter Project, Co-Founder of Black Insights Research and the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Race, Ethnicity, and Politics In the first half of today’s program, we discuss Dr. Towler’s opinion piece featured in Newsweek entitled From Decline to Revival—Why Democrats Must Repair Their Relationship with Black Voters. We cover much of the data his team has procured and examine the results to determine some of the lessons Democrats should have learned from the 2024 election. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:27:02

Why Democrats Must Repair Their Relationship with Black Voters (Part 2)

9/6/2025

Christopher Towler, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at California State University, Sacramento…He is the Director of the Black Voter Project, Co-Founder of Black Insights Research and the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Race, Ethnicity, and Politics In the second half of the show, we look ahead to the strategies that may be successful for Democrats ahead of the midterm elections as well as the role of Democratic Socialism in modern politics. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:58

Democratic Socialism—A National View with Bobby Nichols (Part 1)

8/30/2025

Bobby Nichols is 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 today’s program, we discuss the DSA National Convention, key takeaways for the forthcoming political season, and revisit the merits of socialism relative to other economic models. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:27:02

Socialism in Your Community - A Conversation with Bobby Nichols

8/30/2025

Bobby Nichols is 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 second half of the show, we discuss the implementation of socialist ideas in local communities, how to get involved in local politics, and we discuss Bobby’s own campaign for City Council. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:58

The Resilience of Black Women in America—A Conversation with Areva Martin (Part 1)

8/16/2025

Areva Martin is a Harvard-trained civil rights attorney, author, disability justice advocate, and founder of Special Needs Network. She’s on the front lines of today’s most pressing racial and social justice issues, leading the charge in California’s landmark Palm Springs reparations case and helping Black families navigate systemic barriers in special education. In today’s conversation we cover everything from DEI rollbacks to the intersection of civil rights and disability rights. This inspirational speaker keeps us motivated as we endure a challenging administration and gives us the guidance to be effective in our collective pursuits. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:27:02

The Resilience of Black Women in America—A Conversation with Areva Martin (Part 2)

8/16/2025

Duration:00:22:58

Who Pays When DEI Disappears and Voting Power Is Stripped? (Part 1)

8/9/2025

In the first half of today’s program, we discuss the overlooked merits of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and how they benefit a company’s bottom line. We also discuss the implications of a disenfranchised voter base and how these things can—and are shaping society. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:27:02

Black Creators Choosing Community Over Corporate Gatekeeping (Part 2)

8/9/2025

In the second half of the show, we discuss the importance of speaking truth to power. We delve into the recent DEI rollbacks from Google and highlight some of the creators that are pushing back against the normalization of these divisive undertakings. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:58

Melinda Grisby (@BrownGirlPride) on the History of Indigenous and Latino Populations in the U.S. (Part 1)

8/2/2025

Our guest is Melinda Grisby—known online as @browngirlpride is a social media activist, Former Air Force Medic twice deployed to Iraq, and a public speaker with a focus on history and decolonization. In the first half of today’s program, Melinda discusses the history of the racial classification of Latino people in the United States that the implications of the Latino vote. She also corrects some widely circulated misinformation and makes a case that the narrative associated with Latino voters is inaccurate and has led to harmful responses from other racial groups. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:27:02

Melinda Grisby (@BrownGirlPride) on the History of Indigenous and Latino Populations in the U.S. (Part 2)

8/2/2025

Our guest is Melinda Grisby—known online as @browngirlpride is a social media activist, Former Air Force Medic twice deployed to Iraq, and a public speaker with a focus on history and decolonization. In the second half of the show, we discuss the implications of this country’s colonialist roots and how Native American populations were (and continue to be) affected. Our Way Black History Fact contains the story of $5 Indians and the massive governmental fraud that further subjected Native peoples. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:58

Police Accountability—Or Lack Thereof (Part 1)

7/26/2025

In the first half of today’s program, we bring you several news stories of police accountability (or lack thereof) from high-profile incidents around the country. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:27:02

Viral Video of Officer Punching Black Motorist for Headlights

7/26/2025

In the second half of the show, we discuss the viral video of a Florida officer breaking the window of and punching the face of William McNeil Jr. over a headlight dispute and McNeil Jr. asking for a supervisor. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:58

What is Socialism? A Conversation with Bobby Nichols (Part 1)

7/12/2025

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. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:27:02

The Democratic Socialists of America (Part 2)

7/12/2025

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 second half of the show, we discuss socialist principles and how they won New York City over in the recent mayoral race. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:58

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

7/5/2025

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. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:27:02

Trump Discusses Deporting U.S. Born Citizens (Part 2)

7/5/2025

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 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.” Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:22:58

Millions Racially Reclassified by U.S. Census with Asian Soph

6/28/2025

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. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:26:57