Hi y’all! 👋🏽

We're officially back in 2026 with an amazing organizer, educator, and storyteller. Chris Torres from the Leadership for Democracy and Social Justice joins host Sam Chavez (she/they/he) to discuss the current political landscape and the importance of organizing in uncertain times. Watch the pod on YouTube or PeerTube.

"It's about trusting people."

Chris, an experienced organizer and movement strategist, shares how LDSJ is using a relational approach to leadership and building the next movement leaders. Despite the intentional chaos, Chris and Sam share a hopeful vision for activists to get involved and dig into practical strategies for movement leaders and the significance of staying rooted in community.

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Timestamps

1. Navigating the Current Political Landscape
2. Mamdami's Success in New York as People Power
3. Strategies for Energizing Campaigns
4. Building the Next Leaders at LDSJ
5. Marketing vs. Storytelling
6. Moments for Radical Release
7. Movement Leaders for Inspiration
8. Opportunities for Emerging Activists

"We want them to feel agency."

References / Resources

1. Leadership for Democracy and Social Justice
2. Marshall Ganz at Harvard Kennedy School
3. Rockwood - Personal Ecology
4. LDSJ's Radical Release
5. Deepak Bhargava

About Chris Torres (he/him)

Executive Director at Leadership for Democracy and Social Justice

Chris Torres has over 15 years’ experience as a community organizer, electoral campaigner, and movement strategist. He’s worked for a variety of progressive organizations and electoral campaigns including Community Change Action, The Industrial Areas Foundation, New Organizing Institute, The Working Families Party, National Immigration Forum, and United We Dream. He got his start organizing the political campaigns for U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) and former President Barack Obama. Most recently, Chris served as MoveOn’s Political Director where he mobilized voters, small-dollar donations, and endorsements to elect progressive candidates and to advance public policy. Chris is dedicated to strengthening the progressive movement. In addition to his work, he serves on the board of the Alliance for Justice, is a trainer with the Leading Change Network, and is a master’s student at the CUNY School of Labor & Urban Studies (SLU).

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