Our America with Julián Castro

Lemonada

What the heck is happening in America? Secretary Julián Castro, as you’ve never heard him before, helps listeners understand how to make sense of a non-stop stream of headlines affecting our daily lives. Joined each week by his long-time communications strategist, the unfiltered Sawyer Hackett, plus a collection of political leaders, journalists, and operatives from across the country, Julián reveals insider perspectives and witty hot takes on the issues troubling Our America. New episodes every Wednesday. Our America is funded in part by The Marguerite Casey Foundation.

What the heck is happening in America? Secretary Julián Castro, as you’ve never heard him before, helps listeners understand how to make sense of a non-stop stream of headlines affecting our daily lives. Joined each week by his long-time communications strategist, the unfiltered Sawyer Hackett, plus a collection of political leaders, journalists, and operatives from across the country, Julián reveals insider perspectives and witty hot takes on the issues troubling Our America. New episodes every Wednesday. Our America is funded in part by The Marguerite Casey Foundation.

Location:

United States

Genres:

News & Politics Podcasts

Networks:

Lemonada

Description:

Language:

English

Website:

https://www.lemonadamedia.com/

Episodes

Special Episode: The Impact of the End of Roe v. Wade

6/25/2022

The producers of this series wanted to share another Lemonada Media series with you as a resource in the wake of the recent Supreme Court verdict. In this special breaking-news edition of In the Bubble with Andy Slavitt, Andy helps you understand the impact of yesterday's Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade. As health clinics in several states halt abortion procedures due to the decision, Andy gets reaction and action items from Caitlin Cruz, a reporter from Jezebel who covers reproductive...

Duration:00:43:30

Introducing V Interesting

6/10/2022

The producers of this series wanted to share with you another Lemonada Media series that they know you’ll love. V Interesting is hosted by V Spehar - who is out from under the desk and into your ears! They're starting off by sharing some of the headlines you may have missed this week, including exactly who’s rewriting the national reading curriculum, how Biden may have actually started the U.S. student debt crisis, and how people feel about returning to the office after working remotely...

Duration:00:47:19

Our America Mixtape: A Special Treat from Hark

6/1/2022

With Season 2 coming to an end, Julián recalls some of his favorite Our America moments in this special episode put together by a new podcast app called Hark Audio. Julián will walk you through some of his favorite moments from conversations with top thinkers in politics and media, including MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan, Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke, and famed newsman Dan Rather. If you haven’t yet binge listened to every episode of Our America, here’s a little invitation of some...

Duration:00:41:58

Remembering Uvalde & Hoping for Change

5/25/2022

Julián addresses the devastating news out of Uvalde, Texas, where a young man on Tuesday gunned down at least 19 elementary school students and two adults. He and Sawyer then talk about this week’s state primaries, the latest on Title 42, and President Biden’s most-recent approval numbers ahead of the midterms. They’re later joined by Director Gustavo Velasquez of the California Department of Housing and Community Development to talk about the innovative ways in which his agency is tackling...

Duration:01:10:17

The Swift Evolution of Home Ownership

5/18/2022

Julián and Sawyer chat with Ruby Bolaria Shifrin, the head of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s housing affordability project, about the realities of modern-day home ownership and the lessons learned from the pandemic. Later they’re joined by Laurie Goodman of the Urban Institute to look into some of the statistics guiding housing experts. Follow Laurie’s work at the Urban Institute online at @urbaninstitute or @MortgageLaurie. Ruby of @ChanZuckerberg can be found at @Ruby_Bee. Keep up...

Duration:00:50:26

Shifting Political Power Through Organizing

5/11/2022

Julián and Sawyer ask Marguerite Casey Foundation President Dr. Carmen Rojas about her thoughts on how the leaked Supreme Court decision seemingly invalidating abortion rights will impact the state of organizing in the months to come. They also welcome MCF Freedom Scholar Dr. Alisa Bierria of UCLA’s Gender Studies Program to talk about the potential for mass criminalization following the end of Roe. Follow Dr. Rojas online at @crojasphd and the Marguerite Casey Foundation at @caseygrants....

Duration:00:51:10

The End of Roe (with Lauren Rankin)

5/4/2022

Julián and Sawyer break down the devastating news out of DC in which a leaked draft opinion shows the Supreme Court’s decision to officially overturn abortion rights nationwide. They welcome reproductive rights activist and author Lauren Rankin to talk about the prospective end of Roe v. Wade and how it may set the scene for both a national abortion ban and other protection removals. Follow Lauren online at @laurenarankin. Keep up with Julián on Twitter at @JulianCastro and Instagram at...

Duration:00:43:51

BEING Trans: Introducing Audio Reality

5/3/2022

The producers of this series would like to share with you another show they know you’ll love. BEING is reality TV for your ears, an innovative new audio format like no other podcast you've ever heard. This season, it’s BEING Trans. This week, we meet Sy, a nonbinary transgender legal assistant in Los Angeles. They transitioned after marrying their husband, Robert, and having a baby. While things seem great on the surface, Sy confesses they've been putting off having a tough conversation with...

Duration:00:21:52

Championing Democracy from the Hood to the Holler (with Charles Booker)

4/27/2022

Julián and guest co-host Maya Rupert speculate on Twitter’s future now that Elon Musk has officially bought the social media giant. They also dive into Trump’s new legal troubles and President Biden’s commitment to financially assist Ukraine in its ongoing fight against Russia. The two then welcome US senatorial candidate Charles Booker of Kentucky to talk about his exciting campaign and his newly-released memoir: From the Hood to the Holler. Follow Charles online at @Booker4KY and Maya...

Duration:00:55:54

Can Biden Rebound?

4/20/2022

Julián and Sawyer talk about the shocking, but unsurprising, news of the nearly dozen mass shootings that took place nationwide over the weekend and how it's an indication of continued inaction by our leaders on proper gun reform. They also unpack new polling numbers showing that only a third of respondents approve of President Biden’s performance. The two then tackle news of Elon Musk’s proposed acquisition of Twitter and the possible demise of InfoWars. Keep up with Julián on Twitter at...

Duration:00:47:22

Suiting Up to Protect LGBTQ Rights (with Charlotte Clymer)

4/13/2022

Julián and Sawyer talk about a shocking abortion case in Texas that plays into the GOP’s overall goal of ending reproductive rights in America. The two also discuss the empowering news of Amazon employees unionizing for the first time ever and the reverberations that’s caused for workers nationwide. Later they welcome trans activist and speaker Charlotte Clymer to talk about the onslaught of anti-LGBTQ legislation following the passage of Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bil. Follow Charlotte...

Duration:00:46:28

Last Day Preview: Everyone Out Here is Armed

4/12/2022

In episode 1, our team travels to Montana, where cowboy culture reigns supreme, everyone is armed, and 86% of firearm deaths are suicides. There, we meet a couple that represents all the contradictions at the root of America’s gun debate: One is a suicide prevention advocate, and the other is the most adamant Second Amendment supporter we’ve ever met. Plus, our team tries out shooting some big-ass guns. To hear the rest of this episode of Last Day, search for Last Day wherever you are...

Duration:00:26:01

What’s Merrick Garland Waiting For? (with Elie Mystal)

4/6/2022

Julián and Sawyer discuss the Biden administration’s long-awaited removal of Trump’s Title 42 policy that paralyzed the asylum-seeking process at the height of COVID. They then unpack the latest from the Jan. 6th House committee’s investigation into Trump’s alleged involvement in the Capitol insurrection. Later the two welcome MSNBC contributor and The Nation’s justice correspondent Elie Mystal to talk about his new book and to offer his thoughts on Attorney General Merrick Garland’s...

Duration:00:54:29

Everything is Chaos from Will Smith to SCOTUS (with Mark Joseph Stern)

3/30/2022

Sawyer and guest co-host Maya Rupert unpack the shocking Oscars moment that saw Best Actor winner Will Smith physically assault comedian Chris Rock over an insensitive joke. They then focus on the GOP’s treatment of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson at her Supreme Court nomination hearing as well as the deafening calls for Justice Clarence Thomas’s resignation over his wife’s alleged role on Jan. 6th. Slate senior writer and courts expert Mark Joseph Stern joins to provide additional thoughts on...

Duration:00:58:26

Ketanji Brown Jackson Makes History

3/23/2022

Julián and Sawyer compare the first days of Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic Supreme Court nomination hearing to those of Trump’s candidates, including Brett Kavanaugh. They then talk about the latest out of Ukraine amidst the ongoing Russian assault. Later they welcome Marguerite Casey Foundation CEO Dr. Carmen Rojas to talk about voting rights, police reform, and the power of Women’s History Month. Follow Dr. Rojas online at @crojasphd and the Marguerite Casey Foundation at...

Duration:00:54:35

Midterm Messaging (with Jason Kander)

3/16/2022

Julián and Sawyer talk about the GOP’s misleading rhetoric regarding Russian sanctions and their effects on American gas prices, while also examining the Democratic Party’s messaging choices ahead of the 2022 midterms. They then welcome Majority 54 podcaster Jason Kander to chat about his advocacy work, especially when it comes to bipartisanship in a post-Trump society. Follow Jason online at @JasonKander. Keep up with Julián on Twitter at @JulianCastro and Instagram at...

Duration:00:58:11

Ukraine Fights Back (with Michael McFaul)

3/9/2022

Julián and Sawyer condemn the anti-LGBTQ policies constructed by right-wing conservatives in both Texas and Florida, including the so-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill. They also welcome Michael McFaul, Stanford University professor and former US ambassador to Russia, to get an unvarnished take on the “young war” waging in Ukraine and to learn how its courageous residents are faring amidst the chaos. Follow Prof. McFaul online at @McFaul. Keep up with Julián on Twitter at @JulianCastro and...

Duration:00:54:22

SOTU & TX Election Results (with Rep. Joaquin Castro)

3/3/2022

Julián and Sawyer welcome US Rep. Joaquin Castro to talk about President Biden’s State of the Union address, the results of the Texas primary elections, and Gov. Greg Abbott’s assault on transgender children and their families. They also comment on Biden’s historic nomination of federal judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the US Supreme Court and the uphill battle she may face on Capitol Hill. Follow Congressman Castro online at @JoaquinCastroTX. Keep up with Julián on Twitter at...

Duration:00:47:46

Russia’s War Games

2/23/2022

Julián and Sawyer give an update on the Russian conflict against Ukraine while also tackling domestic issues like President Biden’s most-recent polling numbers and the state of the Democratic Party, especially before next week’s Texas primaries. They also chat with housing advocate and All Home founder Tomiquia Moss about her organization’s fight to curb California’s homelessness problem. Follow Tomiquia’s organization online at @allhomeca and at allhomeca.org. Keep up with Julián on...

Duration:00:58:05

Putin on the Blitz? (with Nayyera Haq)

2/16/2022

Julián and Sawyer chat about mask mandate removals in cities and states nationwide, the Canadian trucker protest energizing North American right-wingers, and Texas early voting amidst new election restrictions. They also welcome Black News Channel host and former Obama State Department advisor Nayyera Haq to address the growing tension between Russia and Ukraine that’s worrying international diplomats. Follow Nayyera online at @nayyeroar. Keep up with Julián on Twitter at @JulianCastro...

Duration:01:01:49