As Republicans work to pass a "big, beautiful" bill that would grant tax cuts to wealthy and give billions to defense and ICE, potential cuts are looming over three essential public assistance programs: Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). These programs support millions of low-income Americans, providing healthcare, food security, and stability to vulnerable populations, especially children and families.

I'm joined by Joan Alker, Executive Director of the Center for Children and Families, to breakdown what these programs do, who they serve, and what the proposed reductions could mean for millions of families across the country. We discuss these potential changes and how these changes could impact healthcare access, food security, and children’s well-being—especially among low-income communities. And we tackle the misinformation surrounding this topic while we're at it.

Since March 2nd, no humanitarian aid has been allowed into the Gaza Strip, creating a man-made famine. And while Israel continues to bomb the strip, resulting in new deaths every day, it has largely faded from mainstream headlines. The atrocities unfolding in Gaza demand renewed attention.

Joining me is Khaled Elgindy, former director of the Middle East Institute’s Program on Palestine and Israeli-Palestinian Affairs. We discuss the deepening starvation crisis, the recently proposed aid plans from the U.S. and Israel, and Israel’s blatant strategy for full control over Gaza. It’s a difficult conversation—but one we cannot afford to ignore.

In a time when autocrats dominate headlines and war feels like a permanent backdrop, how do we fight back against injustice? In this episode, I’m joined by Kenneth Roth, who spent 30 years as the executive director of Human Rights Watch, to discuss his powerful new book Righting Wrongs: Three Decades on the Front Lines Battling Abusive Governments.

Drawing from a lifetime of confronting dictators, documenting atrocities, and pressing world leaders to act, Roth offers a rare, inside look at what it takes to defend human rights in the face of power. From the ongoing crises in Gaza and Ukraine to the conflicts in Congo and Sudan, he shares lessons on building effective advocacy, engaging reluctant governments, and sustaining pressure for accountability—even when justice feels out of reach.

Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. is once again spreading controversy — this time with factually inaccurate and harmful claims about autism. At a time when autism affects 1 in 31 children in the U.S., it's more important than ever to confront misinformation with truth. I’m joined by Zoe Gross (no relation!), Director of Advocacy at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, for a conversation that cuts through the noise. We dive into the real science behind autism, challenge RFK Jr.’s misleading rhetoric, and talk about what it actually means to live as an autistic person. This episode is a powerful reminder of why autistic voices must lead the conversation — not conspiracy theories or fear.

The re-election of Donald Trump, combined with the sweeping Republican victory across Congress, has left the Democratic Party in disarray. As the new administration approaches its first 100 days, the party is still working to regain its footing and chart a clear path forward.
To explore the internal divisions and the future direction of the Democratic Party, I'm joined by Debbie Cox Bultan, CEO of NewDEAL Leaders—a national network of rising Democratic officials. Together, we dive into the challenges facing the party and what lies ahead.

If you’ve seen El Salvador in the news and want to understand what’s really happening — this is the episode you need to hear.

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has emerged as one of Donald Trump’s strongest international allies in the crackdown on immigration — and at the heart of that alliance is CECOT, the country’s massive mega-prison.

In this episode, we uncover how migrants deported from the U.S. — often without due process — are being funneled into CECOT under the radar, raising serious human rights concerns.

Joining me is Mneesha Gellman, associate professor at Emerson College and expert witness in Salvadoran U.S. asylum cases, to unpack the real story behind the headlines. We trace the roots of El Salvador’s gang violence, Bukele’s rise to power, and the brutal reality inside CECOT.

We also break down the evolving relationship between Bukele and Trump, and examine the chilling case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia — a Maryland resident mistakenly deported to El Salvador and imprisoned.

Read some of Mneesha's most recent articles:

https://theconversation.com/beatings-overcrowding-and-food-deprivation-us-deportees-face-distressing-human-rights-conditions-in-el-salvadors-mega-prison-250739

https://jacobin.com/2025/04/el-salvador-bukele-trump-authoritarianism

On April 2nd, President Donald Trump unveiled wide-sweeping tariffs as part of his so-called 'Liberation Day'. The effects? Economic turmoil, uncertainty, and drastic changes to international trade as we once knew it. I'm joined by David A. Gantz, the Will Clayton Fellow in Trade and International Economics at The Baker Institute, to break down Trump's actions and rhetoric. We break down the trade deficits, what an increase in American manufacturing would look like, and how to manage this economic uncertainty.

Mass firings at HHS. The dismantling of USAID. Billions in public health funding wiped out. In just a few months, the foundations of public health have been shaken like never before.

I'm joined by Dr. Craig Spencer, an ER doctor and public health expert, to break down how these purges are crippling public health infrastructure domestically and internationally, and leaving the country vulnerable to future crises.

The Department of Education is under fire, with Donald Trump and hard-line conservatives pushing for its closure. But what would dismantling the DOE actually mean for students, teachers, and schools? To break it all down, I’m joined by Kevin Welner, Director of the National Education Policy Center, for a deep dive into the role of the DOE, its bipartisan origins, and the potential fallout if it were eliminated.

President Donald Trump took a drastic move in his fight against immigration, invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport alleged members of Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang. This controversial move has led to the deportation of hundreds of Venezuelan nationals to El Salvador, raising significant legal and ethical questions. I'm joined by Richard J. Pierce, a law professor at GW, to break down the constitutional questions about Trump's use of this executive power. We explore the historical context of the Alien Enemies Act, its intended purpose during wartime, and the unprecedented nature of its application in this scenario.