Topics: The latest on the mid-term elections and the meaning of the recent, deadly hate attacks in America. Why we should be all energized to peacefully fight even harder for social progress and to elect progressive candidates. Plus, some solace from Allen Ginsburg.

Guests: Rabbi Rachel Grant Meyer, HIAS' Director of Education, Community Engagement and Senior Rabbi Rachel Timoner of Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn.

Music: Zot Nit Keynmol (Song of the Warsaw Ghetto) By Paul Robson from the album "On My Journey- Paul Robeson's Independent Recordings. "Sahara" by Songhoy Blues with Iggy Pop" from the album "Resistance"

Topics include: Bombs sent to prominent Democrats and Trump responds by blaming the victims. national and mid-term elections and NYC voting procedures, novel "Everything Belongs to Us"

Guests: Yoojin Grace Wuertz an American novelist, acclaimed novelist, and Onida Coward-Mayers, Director, Voter Assistance, NYC Votes Campaign Finance Board

Music: "Tibo Gadeina" by Leila Gobi from the album "Leila Gobi 2017;" "True Dark" by Murder by Death from the album "The Other Shore;" Can You Get to That" by Mavis Staples from the Album One True Vine;" "Wealth Center – Risk Capital" by Mothers the Album "Render Another Ugly Method"

Discussion of the mid-term elections, Trump covering up murder and inciting violence, single payer health care, and the New Democratic movement.

Guests: Ramell Ross, filmmaker of "Hale County, This Morning This Evening" and Will Marshall, president and founder of the Progressive Policy Institute

Music: "Convex" by St Paul and the Broken Bones from the album Young Sick Camelia; "Water on Mars" the Nude Party from their self-titled debut album; "When Mavis Sings" by Mike Farris from the album "Silver and Stones"

Discussions of: Kanye West in the Oval Office, the mid-term elections, an inspiring personal immigration story, a documentary about Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and a tribute to baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett

Guests: author Reyna Grande, political science professor Dr. Christina Greer, and Joseph Dorman and Toby Perl Freilich, the filmmakers behind "Moynihan: the Movie"

Music: "Dock of the Day" by the World Saxophone Quarter from the album "Rhythm and Blues"

Discussion of the sordid state of judicial nominations with Bert Brandenburg, a former Department of Justice official.

Discussion of the precarious state of immigration "dreamers" with Dr. Laura Emiko Soltis, the Director of Freedom University, and with Arizbeth, a dreamer.

 Music:

"Sweetener" by Ariana Grande from the Album "Sweetener"

"Nanda" by Pedrinho from the album "Synthesize the Soul: Astro-Atlantic Hypnotica from the Cape Verde Islands 1973-1988"

Topics:

Mid-term elections

Kavanaugh nomination

New threats to immigrants

Updated report on U.S. income and poverty

Co-Host:

Jennifer Jones Austin

Guests:

Leslie Marshal, nationally-syndicated, liberal radio talk show host

Rebecca Vallas, Vice President, Poverty to Prosperity Program, Center for American Progress.

Yasmine Chahkar Farhang, Lead Immigration Attorney at Make the Road NY

 Music:

Alejandro Escovedo - "Outlaw for You" from the album "The Crossing"

This show focused on what the Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas sexual harassment hearing teaches us about the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation fight and the sliming of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. Also includes discussion of why Mike Bloomberg would be a horrible Democratic candidate for President. Plus child immigrant detention update. Also features songs: ""I Just Lived a Country Song" by Robbie Fulks and Gail Lewis, "Right in the Middle" by Bettye Lavette, and "America the Beautiful" covered by Band of Heathens covering Ray Charles' version of the song.

Guests:

 Tom Colicchio, Chef, TV host, and food activist

Donna Minkowitz, journalist whose article for the Village Voice Brandon Teena story inspired the film Boys Don't Cry

Joel's brother Mark, talking about sports

Topics:

John McCain's mixed mostly negative legacy , Anti-Trump Op-Ed in NY Times by Trump appointee, Kavanaugh nomination fight, new report on hunger in America, the movie "Eighth Grade," and the book "The Roosevelt I Knew" by Frances Perkins

Music Review:

Review of the album "Kin Sonic" by Jupiter & Okwess, a Congolese funk/rock/afropop band

Special guests were:

- Congressman Jim McGovern, a House Democratic leader from Massachusetts, discussing the importance of which party controls the House and why the GOP is wrong for continuing to try to slash SNAP (food stamps) benefits

- AnnMaura Connolly, President, Voices for National Service, talking about the importance of the AmeriCorps National Service Program

-Peter Graham, Managing Director of Policy and Research at Climate Advisers, discussing how trees combat climate change.

Also, the show featured the world premiere of the Swamp Pig Theme Song, and a review of the album Ruins by the Swedish alt folk/pop duo First Aid Kit, along with the cut from that album.

Plus Joel argued with a caller who espoused the chemtrail conspiracy theory and another who claimed to be a Green Party supporter but thought Trump "wasn't that bad."

This is the premier broadcast of "America, We Need to Talk", hosted by Joel Berg, on August 24, 2018. It featured interviews with:

 * Conservative talk radio show host Joyce Kaufman;

 * Music journalist and guitarist Banning Eyre, who specializes in African pop music; and

 * New York State Commissioner of Agriculture Richard Ball.

The show also includes: a special tribute to Aretha Franklin's gospel music; a listener call-in; a brief sports report from Joel's sports-crazed brother followed by Joel's point that sports don't really matter; and a humorous but frightening Trump Administration corruption quiz.