The Accidental Activist

Hey listeners, we're bringing you an episode of another Wonder Media Network show we think you'll love: The Brown Girls Guide to Politics. This season, A'shanti is doing a deep dive into Project 2025. The 920 page document represents a vision for government unlike anything we've seen before. In this first episode, A'shanti speaks with Kimberly Atkins Stohr and Dr. Tammy Greer about the authors and vision of Project 2025, and why former President Donald Trump has been quick to distance himself from it. Plus: how its policy proposals would change the way the U.S. government operates.

The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast is all about amplifying the voices of women who are too often forgotten in media coverage. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. In the BGG to Politics blog, A’shanti created a space for women of color to learn about the current state of politics, to support others breaking into the political sphere, and to celebrate incredible women changing the course of the country. A’shanti founded the blog in 2018 and Wonder Media Network is thrilled to extend her platform to audio.

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We're bringing you another podcast from Wonder Media Network that we think you'll love: White Picket Fence. White Picket Fence interrogates the structures of inequity affecting women since America’s founding. On the newest season, host Julie Kohler investigates the institution of marriage to uncover what’s behind this latest push for the return of a traditional family structure. Join us in exploring where America—and Americans—have fallen short and what we can do to create a better future.

Billy Porter has been blazing trails his entire career — from his Tony Award-winning performance in “Kinky Boots” to his starring role in FX’s “Pose” and his daring, gender-bending red carpet fashion. In the season two finale, Isha and Billy talk about his journey from the church choir to the heights of television and Broadway success. Billy opens up about the homophobia he experienced in his church community and the indignities he experienced early in his theater career as a gay Black man. Billy also talks about his decision to reveal his HIV diagnosis after years of keeping it a secret from the public. And, of course, he and Isha talk politics — from Billy’s anger about current threats to LBTQ+ civil rights to how we can remain hopeful for the future. 

Read Billy’s memoir: Unprotected: A Memoir a book by Billy Porter

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As the holiday season begins, it is easy to get caught up in the thrill of consumerism. But this should also be a season of gratitude and generosity. That’s why the Accidental Activist team is observing Giving Tuesday. We ask that our listeners look inwards and think about some of the issues we’ve discussed this season: from reproductive rights to racial justice to the assault on human rights in Turkey. We welcome you to use giving Tuesday as an opportunity to support these causes — or any others that matter most to you. Thank you, and enjoy the holiday season! 

Here is a link to some of the organizations we support:

She’s the First 

Color of Change

WPDI

Autistic Self Advocacy Network 

Covenant House

So Other Might Eat 

Peace for DC

National Network of Abortion Funds

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This week, Isha is joined by fellow journalist Noor Tagouri. From her childhood obsession with Oprah to launching her journalism career when she was only 15 years old, Noor has demonstrated a tireless commitment to storytelling. Isha and Noor delve into how she uses her years of reporting and life experience to tell honest, human stories about communities that don’t often get nuanced coverage. She opens up about her choice to wear the hijab while reporting and how that decision has been covered by media outlets over the years — usually negatively, according to Noor. They also discuss her recent podcast “Rep,” which delves into how Muslims have been portrayed in the media over the last few decades. And Noor explains why she wants to do more than combat harmful stereotypes — to tell stories that leave people and communities at the center.  

Support Noor’s nonprofit: ISeeYou Foundation

Listen to the “Rep” podcast here: Rep on Apple Podcasts  

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This week, Isha is joined by former NBA player and activist Enes Kanter Freedom. Enes has always understood the value of free speech — he grew up in Turkey under a dictatorship. Now, he’s using his platform to combat global human rights violations, from media suppression in his home country to the genocide of Uyghur Muslims in China. Enes and Isha break down his journey to activism and just how much his public stances against injustice have cost him and his family. They also revisit the pivotal game when Enes risked — and lost — his NBA career, and why he still doesn’t regret it. 

Follow Enes’s activist work here: http://enesfreedom.org

Learn more about Turkey’s human rights violations here: https://turkeypurge.com

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This week, Isha is joined by comedian Roy Wood Jr. Roy is a correspondent on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, where he uses comedy to force viewers to pay attention to the injustices happening around them. Isha and Roy discuss how growing up as a young Black man in Birmingham, Alabama shaped his understanding of American racial politics, and why he didn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a civil rights journalist. They also talk about why Roy’s stand up sets have become more political over the years, his take on cancel culture, and his next steps as Trevor Noah leaves The Daily Show after a seven-year run. Oh, and Roy does a great West African accent — just ask Isha. 

Join Roy in improving literacy in children: I See Me, Inc.

Help Roy in supporting childhood education:  Our Vision | Genius MAP

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Jemele Hill isn't shy about speaking her mind — about playoffs or politics. From her time as an anchor on ESPN’s Sportscenter to her current role at the Atlantic, Jemele has faced backlash from sports fans who prefer to keep politics out of the game. This week, she joins Isha to talk about how her long career has led her to become an outspoken advocate for Black athletes. Jemele opens up about breaking into sports media as a young Black woman and how she’s learned to call out injustice and bigotry when she sees it, even when it’s risky. 

Jemele Hill isn't shy about speaking her mind — about playoffs or politics. From her time as an anchor on ESPN’s SportsCenter to her current role at the Atlantic, Jemele has faced backlash from sports fans who prefer to keep politics out of the game. This week, she joins Isha to talk about how her long career has led her to become an outspoken advocate for Black athletes. Jemele opens up about breaking into sports media as a young Black woman and how she’s learned to call out injustice and bigotry when she sees it, even when it’s risky. 

Read Jemele’s new memoir: Uphill: A Memoir - MahoganyBooks

Listen to Jemele’s podcast: Jemele Hill is Unbothered | Podcast on Spotify

Follow Isha Sesay on Twitter and Instagram. 

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This week, Isha is joined by actress Busy Philipps. Busy got her start starring in the beloved teen dramas “Freaks and Geeks” and “Dawson’s Creek,” but she does a lot more than acting these days. In addition to growing her online following, Busy’s been a huge leader in the fight against abortion restrictions. Isha and Busy discuss her decision to publicly and proudly share her personal abortion experience and how she’s continuing to advocate for equal access to reproductive healthcare. Busy also opens up about how she balances a packed schedule with parenting two children — and how she’s helping to get more working moms elected to public office through the organization Vote Mama. 

Learn more about Vote Mama:  Vote Mama

Check out Busy’s weekly podcast: Busy Philipps is Doing Her Best

Follow Isha Sesay on Twitter and Instagram. 

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