A Black Eye, a Pocket Full of Drugs, and a Trail of Carnage

John talks about the last final rulings for the Supreme Court - giving Republicans everything they want as it concludes its nine-month term ahead of a summer break. He also discusses the Senate pushing ahead to pass Trump's Big Beautiful Budget Bill which will sever nearly 12 million people from their health coverage. Then, he talks with Charles Derber, Professor of Sociology at Boston College about his new book "BONFIRE: AMERICAN SOCIOCIDE, BROKEN RELATIONS, AND THE QUEST FOR DEMOCRACY". And closing it up, John welcomes back TV's Frank Conniff to joke with him and listeners about trending stories and Trump's latest mishigas.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

30 Juni 1h 30min

This week on "We're Still Here", Simon and Julie join John to talk about the 149th anniversary of the Battle of Little Bighorn—not as Custer’s Last Stand, but as a rare Native victory against invasion, where Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors defended their homelands and won. They also dig into the Trump administration’s latest move to strip protections from 58 million acres of national forest -- land that includes sacred sites, ancestral territories, and climate-critical ecosystems. Plus, Julie shares thoughts from her latest Substack, Tobacco Is a Sacred Medicine—a reflection on ceremony, colonization, and reclaiming Indigenous relationships with plants and power. They received some fantastic calls from listeners who reminded us why it's important to have these conversations.Simon Moya-Smith - instagram.com/simonsaidtakeapic threads.com/@simonsaidtakeapicJulie’s Substack “The Fire I Keep” https://substack.com/@juliefrancella?r=1u83jb&utm_medium=iosCheck out Julie's artwork on her website - juliefrancella.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

28 Juni 37min

John discusses the Supreme Court striking a deadly blow to healthcare provider Planned Parenthood, ruling that states are entitled to withhold funding from the org and Medicare recipients do not have a right to choose them as a provider. He also talks about Trump holding a pep rally at the White House for his budget bill, which has been handed nearly daily defeats from the Senate Parliamentarian. Then, he interviews Kansas Rep. Sharice Davids. She is the first openly LGBTQ Native American elected to congress, the first openly LGBTQ elected to congress from Kansas, and one of the first two Native American women (alongside Deb Haaland) elected to congress. They talk about her triumphs and struggles being a Democrat in a deeply red State. And then he speaks with author Lawrence C Ross Jr. on his new social media site for creative people who are looking community and inspiration called The Metaphor Club.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

27 Juni 1h 24min

John discusses the big win for progressive politics in New York as Zohran Mamdani stormed the first round of ranked choice voting, forcing Andrew Cuomo into a concession speech that now makes Mamdani the presumptive Democratic nominee for Mayor. Zohran will face off against a Republican challenger in November, plus whatever superPAC dark money is aligned against him by sore-loser centrists. Then, he chats with Bob Cesca about the latest news and pop culture. And finally, the God Squad returns to trash the evils of Christian Nationalists.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

26 Juni 1h 27min

John talks about the hinky excuses and double talking jive from Trump and company over the bombing of Iran without congressional approval. He also discusses the tight race in the New York City mayoral primary. Then, Professor Corey Brettschneider joins the show to talk about the Iran Attack and what the law says about war powers; plus, the recent Supreme Court rulings on deportations. Then finally, John chats with Rev. Barry Lynn. He's an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ who served as the executive director for Americans United for the Separation of Church and State until his retirement in 2017. They talk about Texas schools being required to display the 10 commandments.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

25 Juni 1h 26min

John discusses Trump's decision to send missiles to Iran's nuclear sites without consulting congress... then immediately declaring victory the next day. He then interviews Shermin Kruse about her new book "Stoic Empathy: The Road Map to a Life of Influence, Self-Leadership, and Integrity". Next, John speaks with one of New York City’s Democratic Mayoral Primary candidates Michael Alexander Blake about what he can do for New York as mayor. And winding it up, comedian Rhonda Hansome is back to joke with listeners about Trump's destructive lies and war cosplay.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

24 Juni 1h 26min

For his Juneteenth Special - John interviews author and journalist Mark Whitaker. They talk about his new book "The Afterlife of Malcolm X: An Outcast Turned Icon's Enduring Impact on America". Next, he speaks with Nourbese Flint who is President of All* Above All and All* Above All Action Fund. They talk about All* Above All’s work to achieve abortion justice and build the political power of voters of color.  And finally, John interviews City of Charlotte Council Member Malcom Graham about his new book "The Way Forward: Keeping the Faith and Doing the Work Amid Hatred and Violence". Graham shares a personal journey of loss, grief, and resilience, deeply rooted in the heart-breaking tragedy at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

23 Juni 1h 9min

This week on We’re Still Here, Julie Francella and Simon Moya-Smith join John to reflect on Juneteenth and the deep, often overlooked history of Black-Indigenous solidarity—from Afro-Indigenous freedom fighters to interwoven kinship systems that resisted colonial violence together. They discuss Julie’s latest Substack post exploring the Seven Grandfather Teachings and Senator Mike Lee’s latest political maneuverings, while also taking thoughtful and inspirational calls from listeners. The conversation also touches on the horrific legacy—and ongoing reality—of forced birth control and the continuing sterilization of Indigenous women in Greenland, Canada, and the United States. Plus, they unpack Trump’s recent withdrawal from a key salmon protection agreement with native tribes. Then, they celebrate Simon’s beautiful contribution to the brand new book "A Steady Brightness of Being: Truths, Wisdom, and Love from Celebrated Indigenous Voices" which is available now from Penguin Random House.Simon Moya-Smith - instagram.com/simonsaidtakeapic threads.com/@simonsaidtakeapicJulie’s Substack “The Fire I Keep” https://substack.com/@juliefrancella?r=1u83jb&utm_medium=iosCheck out Julie's artwork on her website - juliefrancella.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

21 Juni 41min