Elizabeth Barcohana: Why Kids Can’t Read. The Education Battle Nobody Wants to Talk About |DSH #1825

We sit down with Elizabeth Barcohana (LA-based activist and political organizer) to talk about what she says is really driving the deterioration of daily life in Los Angeles: crime, cost of living, homelessness, and a broken revolving-door justice system. Elizabeth breaks down how public safety has changed for families, why she believes policy choices (not funding) are the root issue, and how the teachers unions + curriculum battles became a major turning point after 2020. We also get into the online spike in anti-Semitism, how misinformation spreads when people don’t have a historical foundation, and the internal infighting on the right she believes is being fueled by media ecosystems and social platforms. 🎯 What You’ll Learn 🚨 Why Elizabeth says LA crime feels “normalized” now 👩‍👧 The real-world safety habits moms have had to adopt 🏙️ How homelessness intersects with mental illness + addiction ⚖️ Why “revolving door” justice (and bail policy) changes outcomes 🧠 Why she thinks education is the upstream battleground 📚 How textbook markets can shape what the whole country learns ✡️ Why anti-Semitism spikes during unstable social/economic periods 🗣️ How online narratives can divide people inside the same movement ⏱️ Chapters (timestamps) 0:00 — “Threats” and division inside political media ecosystems 0:40 — Meet Elizabeth Barcohana (AmFest Day 3) 0:55 — What she’s fighting in LA: crime 1:33 — “A new skill moms had to learn” 1:53 — Homelessness: mental illness + addiction (her view) 2:20 — Jails, staffing, and the “revolving door” 3:26 — Anti-Semitism: what changed and when it escalated 5:09 — Fighting back: why she focuses on K–12 education 7:14 — Teachers unions, charter schools, and “competition” 12:01 — Her 2020 turning point + going from anonymous to public 🎙️ APPLY OR CONNECT 👉 Interested in being a guest? Apply here: https://www.digitalsocialhour.com/application 💼 SPONSORS 🥗 Fuel your health with Viome: https://buy.viome.com/SEAN Use code “Sean” at checkout for a discount! The Light Systems: https://www.thelightsystems.com/ Discount Code: SEAN 📩 Business Inquiries & Sponsorships sean@digitalsocialhour.com 👤 GUEST Elizabeth Barcohana: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethfromcalifornia/ 🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST 🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digital-social-hour/id1676846015 🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jn7LXarRlI8Hc0GtTn759 📸 Follow the Host Sean Kelly on Instagram: @seanmikekelly ⚠️ DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed by guests on Digital Social Hour are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, Sean Kelly, or the Digital Social Hour team. The host and producers are not responsible for statements, claims, or opinions shared by guests during the show. This content is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, financial, or professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to do their own research and consult qualified professionals when appropriate. While we aim to share accurate and reliable information, no guarantees are made regarding completeness or accuracy. 🔥 Stay tuned for more conversations with creators, founders, and innovators shaping the digital world. Keywords Elizabeth Barcohana, Elizabeth from California, E_Barkana, AmFest, Los Angeles crime, California cost of living, homelessness, mental illness, drug addiction, LAPD staffing, no cash bail, criminal justice reform, Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.