Today on the show we've brought on Jesse Barnett, a musician and a co-founder of All Power Books in L.A.

All Power Books is more than a bookstore: it's a volunteer-run community space that offers a wide range of programs, from a free store with food, cleaning supplies, and menstrual products; to a free community clinic; to music classes, poetry readings, and reading groups; sewing and repair workshops; film screenings, bike repairs, the list goes on.

We spoke with Jesse about the origins of All Power Books, the importance of mutual aid and building connections with neighbors, why the left can feel so divisive sometimes — and how to avoid it — the economic and political realities of Los Angeles, and a whole lot much more.

Resources:

• All Power Books' website, Twitter, and Instagram
• Jesse Barnett on Instagram
• Stick to your Guns

Episode credits:

• Host, producer, and editor: Robert Raymond
• Executive producer: Tom Llewellyn
• Theme Music: "Meet you on the other side" by Cultivate Beats

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The Response is a podcast series from Shareable.net.