A Moment with Erik Fleming

Making Race & Rearranging Power Featuring Dr. Laura Chavez-Moreno and Jacquetta Van Zandt

Host Erik Fleming speaks with Dr. Laura Chavez-Moreno about her book "How Schools Make Race," exploring how education shapes Latinx racial identities, bilingual programs, and racial projects. He also interviews political strategist Jacquetta Van Zandt on Boston politics, community power, and strategies for advancing Black leadership and Democratic prospects.
The episode highlights how schools construct race through policy and practice, the importance of anti-racist teaching, and the role of organizers and political operatives in reshaping power structures at local and national levels.

Evolve & Advocate Featuring Cheryl Ann Wadlington and Kristen Torres

Host Erik Fleming interviews Cheryl Ann Wadlington, founder of Evoluer House, about her two-decade fight to heal and prepare Black and brown teen girls for college and life — and Kristen Torres, a Mississippi-born public policy strategist who explains how nonprofits and local governments can navigate Congress and federal agencies.
The episode mixes uplifting success stories, policy insights on advocacy and lobbying, and practical ways to support community-led programs, with news highlights and calls to action from the host.

Discovery & Action Featuring Bremond MacDougall, Lisa Cooper and Tomekia Moore

Host Erik Fleming welcomes return guests Bremond MacDougall and Lisa Cooper, who run Quite Literally Books, and a community leader driving change in Arkansas. The episode features lively discussion about three newly republished books — a women-only utopia by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, a witty Civil War-era satire by María Amparo Ruiz de Burton, and a charming 1892 guide to intimate dinners — plus insights on the challenges of small-press publishing. Later, Tomekia Moore explains community action work in Arkansas, including Kids to College savings accounts and statewide efforts to improve digital access and lift families out of poverty.

Dialogue & Understanding Featuring Rajiv Vinnakota and Howard Yaruss

Host Erik Fleming welcomes listeners and interviews two experts: Rajiv Vinnakota on rebuilding civic culture in colleges and engaging Gen Z, and Howard Yaruss explaining clear, practical economics.
The episode explores constructive campus dialogue, the college presidents initiative for civic preparedness, how young people want to engage in person, and accessible explanations of tariffs, crypto, national debt, and Social Security.
Erik closes with reflections on leadership, recent national events, and calls to support the podcast and civic causes.

Home & Heart Featuring Lorena Quiroz and Anne Hand

Host Erik Fleming speaks with Lorena Quiroz about organizing after the 2019 mass worksite raids in Mississippi and efforts to prepare and protect immigrant communities, and with Anne Hand about reclaiming family history and pursuing Austrian citizenship through a restorative program.
The episode explores themes of belonging, due process, humane immigration policy, intergenerational history, and the role of community and kindness in political action.

Revival & Purpose Featuring Michael Bedenbaugh and Rep. Pamelya Herndon

Host Erik Fleming discusses revival and purpose with Michael Bedenbaugh on constitutional reform and civic renewal, and Representative Pamelya Herndon on New Mexico’s universal childcare, gun safety, mental health in schools, and community justice initiatives.

Ethics & Empathy Featuring Dr. Wylin Wilson and Dr. Terri Givens

Host Erik Fleming speaks with Dr. Wylin D. Wilson and Dr. Terri Givens about ethics, womanist bioethics, the role of the Black church in community care, and the politics of radical empathy. The episode covers Hurricane Melissa relief, recent election outcomes, and how education, empathy, and faith shape civic life and public health.

Open Your Political Mind Featuring Les Leopold, Veronica Cardenas and John Bonifaz

Host Erik Fleming leads a wide-ranging conversation with three experts: Les Leopold on labor and runaway inequality, Veronica Cardenas on immigration and humane legal support, and John Bonifaz on free speech, voting rights, and constitutional reform. The episode also includes a news roundup and calls for civic engagement.
Listeners will hear concrete policy ideas, personal stories, and practical resources to stay informed and get involved.

A Great Show Featuring Dr. C. Nicole Mason, Maura Gillespie and Will Cooper

Host Erik Fleming sits down with Dr. C. Nicole Mason, Maura Gillespie, and author Will Cooper to unpack women’s political power, the recent No Kings rallies, the state of American civic life, and Cooper’s new fictionalized take on Donald Rumsfeld. The episode blends policy analysis, grassroots strategy, and cultural commentary aimed at helping listeners connect the dots and take action.

Actors of Democracy Featuring Sahar Aziz and Wala Blegay

Host Erik Fleming interviews Professor Sahar Aziz and Councilmember Wala Blegay in a wide-ranging episode about law, activism, and public service.
Aziz examines national security, Islamophobia, campus protests, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, while Blegay discusses local governance, the impact of federal layoffs, EV infrastructure, and a Food-as-Medicine initiative to improve community health.
Together they explore how activists and elected officials work to protect civil rights, shape policy, and hold power accountable.