Start Me Up with Kimberley A. Johnson

Frank Figliuzzi was the Assistant Director for Counterintelligence at the FBI, where he served 25 years as a special agent and directed all espionage investigations across the government. In his current role as a respected national security analyst, he is a regular contributor to NBC News and MSNBC and a sought-after speaker on violence prevention and the threats, both external and internal, facing the United States. His latest book is LONG HAUL: Hunting the Highway Serial Killers. Topics: After talking about his new book, we discussed the GOP threat to defund the FBI; Frank describes a scenario where Judge Cannon could be removed from the espionage case; he weighs in on whether Judge Merchan will sentence Donald Trump to prison; keeping faith in a system that is on shakey ground; Rep. Scott Perry and Rep. Ronney Jackson have been appointed to the Intelligence Committee and why that's really dangerous. All that and more! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

D. Knight is the host of the Pardon the Insurrection Podcast. Topics: As the jury deliberates in the first trial of an ex-POTUS, D Knight and I discuss the possible verdict(s) based on what we know; the notes requested by the jury could spell trouble for Donald and the defense; the ongoing (failing) effort from the right to suggest black people are leaving the Democratic Party in droves; Democratic Eeyore voters and how they sabotage wins with pathetic, victim messaging; there is tape of Donald using the N-word (no surprise) and the likelihood of it emerging, all that and more! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Greg is back to talk about his latest book ROUGH BEAST: Who Donald Trump Really Is, What He’ll Do if Re-Elected, & Why Democracy Must Prevail. Other topics: Arrogant, corrupt right-wing SCOTUS Justices; the right is doubling down on extremism; the images of Trump BBQing with black Americans in the Bronx with palm trees in the background are laughable and obviously AI; will Trump be convicted?...all that and much more! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Billy Ray wrote the Oscar-nominated screenplay for Captain Phillips, for which he won the WGA award. Ray's films as writer, co-writer, or writer-director include "The Hunger Games," "Richard Jewell," "Shattered Glass," and Showtime's "The Comey Rule," which had the biggest debut of any limited series in that network's history. He provides messaging help to 85 sitting Members of the House and Senate. He believes in democracy, justice, and the Dodgers. Topics: After discussing his career in the film industry, we dove into politics: Democratic messaging--what works and what doesn't (he offers tangible examples); how voters can incorporate effective Dem messaging on social media; one possible solution to the SCOTUS corruption; what we have to be hopeful about and much more! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jo is back! It's been a while but she's so cool, we picked up where we left off... Topics: First, Jo talks about her unexpected ascension into the world of political social media pundits, and then we get into politics; There appears to be a quiet but forceful movement across the country because of the GOP abortion bans; the Red Tie Brigade was summoned by their master to show up for him in court--because his supporters are nowhere to be found; how the brigade and Michael Cohen play to the NY jury; Jo weighs in on what might happen if Trump is found guilty and much more! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Elizabeth is the CEO/Founder at The Gaia Leadership Project; Author of Becoming Heroines: Unleashing Our Power for Revolution and Rebirth and the host of #ResistanceLive on Youtube. Topics: the bear v. man debate; two AZ Republicans voted with Dems to repeal the 1864 abortion ban--and how that affects the election; Florida IS in play; campus protests; why Elizabeth thinks Trump might do time (and why the SS is not a big issue), all that and so much more! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Simon accurately predicted the 2022 midterms and he's been consistent in predicting subsequent elections. Follow him on Substack: Hopium Chronicles. Topics: Simon lists six things voters will learn about Trump in the coming months; why we should pay attention to polls; why we shouldn't rely on the Trump trials to save us; why the GOP is dealing with an existential crisis; why union support for Biden is so important; Simon shared a real-life story about the Biden boom and what we have to be hopeful about-but don't get happy! Do the work! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Rachel is back and her new book is titled Hit 'Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game. Topics: Rachel talks about why she wrote Hit'Em Where It Hurts and why it's so important voters understand how government and partisan political messaging work; how the Arizona abortion ban will affect the 2024 election; RFK Jr. is dangerous to democracy and he doesn't need much of the vote to tilt the election to Trump, and what everyday voters need to do to make sure democracy is preserved this November. Also: EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ PROJECT 2025--the fascist Republican plan if they win. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Craig Bierko has been acting for decades. Some of his most notable films include Cinderella Man & Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. TV: Sex and the City, Murphy Brown; Law & Order; Mad About You. Stage: The Music Man; Guys and Dolls and Company. No politics today! We had so much fun and I laughed. A lot. This show doesn't have the usual "topics." It's just a fun, organic conversation that went all over the place. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Christopher Bouzy is a serial entrepreneur, software engineer, and political maven and he’s the founder and CEO of both Bot Sentinel and Spoutible.com. Topics: First we discuss why the British tabloids (rag mags) are going after Christopher, and then we chat about American politics: Christopher has a bold 2024 prediction; the American press is not left-leaning; Abortion is THE issue for Democrats, Republican donations are going to Trump's legal bills, not GOP candidate and much more! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

D. Earl Stephens is the author of "Toxic Tales: A Caustic Collection of Donald J. Trump's Very Important Letters." He's the former managing editor of Stars & Stripes, a Navy vet, and a prolific writer. Topics: Biden and the Democrats are strong and growing stronger by the day. why every vote matters; polls and why they need to be taken with a grain of salt; Pence not endorsing Trump is a big deal; Nikki Haley and Liz Cheney are doing more damage to Trump than any other Republican in government, and much more! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Skyleigh is a disabled U.S. Army Veteran- Working in Activism in every corner needed, continuing the fight for democracy. Topics: Alex Jones advertised that he likes to eat ass; who we can trust in the biased media; Biden is kicking ass and news media needs to catch up; Kimberley shares a conspiracy theory; Dems are in a great position for the next election and much more! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

David Pepper is the author of Laboratories of Autocracy and Saving Democracy. Topics: What Biden should focus on in tonight's STOU; what Super Tuesday told us about this November; ways you can get involved; Democratic messaging; what if Trump doesn't go on trial before the election; how the media is framing this important race and much more. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I've got a new way of recording and I'm still working it out. The show is good, it's all the extras that will have to wait. Topics: Sarah and I discussed the SCOTUS choice to delay ruling on Trump's possible immunity; we are the ones who will save democracy and we must not allow the chaos to win. We covered a lot. And we remain optimistic despite the threat of a GOP takeover. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

D. Knight is the host of the Pardon the Insurrection Podcast. Topics: Dems continue to over-perform AND out-perform polls; news media is failing us with their skewed framing of the facts; Republicans are cash-poor in an election year as Dems keep raising more money; DKnight had an interesting take on what might happen if the Jan 6 trial is delayed until 2025, All that and much more. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Topics: Christopher addressed the Spoutible breach; we talked about Spoutible's first Town Hall on February 15th with Texas Rep. Jasmin Crockett (I am hosting); the upcoming SCOTUS rulings; the Senate in 2024; and if Trump is convicted before the election, GOP in bad shape...all that and more! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Brian Karem is a White House Columnist and his latest book is titled Free the Press: The Death of American Journalism and How to Revive It. He's a political analyst for CNN and hosts the "Just Ask The Question" podcast. Topics: Brian shares why he's not all that concerned over the red states supporting Texas in their defiance of the SCOTUS ruling regarding razorwire at the border; Trump's power is fading but we all must do our part to secure democracy; ways the Democratic messaging could improve and GOP is in another losing battle with pop icon Tayor Swift and more! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Cliff is back! Topics: Why Cliff and I both believe Trump *can't* win (legally); Nikki Haley is having fun baiting him into insanity-- and by doing so, she helps Democrats; Peter Navarro gets 4 months for criminal contempt--a good sign for things to come and much more. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Steph is back for great fun! First, we caught up, had fun and then we dove right into politics: SCOTUS will decide if Trump can be on the Colorado ballot in Feb; most of cable news is failing us; Nikki Haley might as well go home now; there's reason to be hopeful but we all have to do our part! All that and more. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Bob Cesca is back! Topics: How we spent our holiday; David Axelrod is on my LAST nerve; Bob shares why he believes a GOP Party split would benefit democracy more than Trump being kicked off state ballots; very soon, corrupt SCOTUS Justices will decide if Trump stays on ballots in Maine and Colorado; why there's reason to be cautiously optimistic about November but don't get happy. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy