In light of this week's Supreme Court hearing that could redefine birthright citizenship in the United States, we’re revisiting one of our most insightful episodes from 2019.

Historian and legal scholar Martha S. Jones joins The Electorette to discuss her groundbreaking book, Birthright Citizens: A History of Race and Rights in Antebellum America. In this conversation, Professor Jones traces the legal and political battles waged by free Black Americans in the decades before the Civil War—activists who challenged the idea that citizenship was the exclusive domain of white Americans. Their efforts laid the groundwork for the 14th Amendment and reshaped the meaning of belonging in a multiracial democracy.

This episode explores the deep historical roots of birthright citizenship, its radical origins in Black freedom struggles, and the enduring threats it faces today. Whether you’re new to the topic or returning to it with fresh urgency, this conversation offers critical context for understanding the legal, moral, and democratic stakes.

(00:00) The History of Birthright Citizenship

Professor Jones and I revisit the critical history of birthright citizenship in America, exploring the struggles of formerly enslaved Black Americans.

(06:57) Interpreting the Constitution for Citizenship

Free African Americans used military service and economic contributions to advocate for citizenship and equality, utilizing their legal literacy and the omission of race in early constitutional texts.

(16:43) Debating Citizenship and Colonization

William Yates, a white abolitionist, authored "The Rights of Colored Men" to align abolitionism with the founding ideals of the US.

(28:44) Threats to Citizenship and Forced Removal

Former slaves pursued citizenship in the US to avoid colonization, but faced fears and pressures, leading to self-deportation and parallels with modern immigration policies.

(43:41) Global Implications of Citizenship Debate

Political and humanitarian debates have global implications and contribute to ongoing crises, emphasizing the need for vigilance and awareness.

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In this episode of The Electorette, host Jen Taylor-Skinner is joined by Sophia Lin Lakin, Director of the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project, to discuss the organization’s leading legal challenge against a dangerous new executive order from Donald Trump. While the SAVE Act has stalled in the Senate, this executive order picks up where it left off—imposing a proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration and threatening to disenfranchise millions of eligible voters. Lakin breaks down the overlapping threats, including mass voter roll purges and the decertification of voting machines that could throw election systems into chaos. This conversation is a critical look at how the ACLU is working to defend voting rights and prevent the erosion of our democratic institutions.

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Disenfranchisement Through Voting Restrictions

Discussion of ACLU lawsuit against Trump's executive order on voter registration, potential disenfranchisement, and impact on voting machines.

(12:36) Challenging Voter Registration Provisions

A court has issued an injunction against an executive order changing voter registration, impacting organizations and upcoming elections.

(25:49) Protecting Voter Rights and Elections

Establishing safeguards and rules to protect voters and democracy in the face of polarization and erosion of norms.

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What happens when states gain the power to decide which healthcare providers Medicaid recipients can access? In this episode, host Jen Taylor-Skinner is joined by Elizabeth Taylor, Executive Director of the National Health Law Program, to break down the high-stakes Supreme Court case Medina v. South Atlantic. At its core, the case challenges whether individuals have the right to choose their own healthcare provider under Medicaid—a right that could be stripped away, with profound implications for reproductive health, gender-affirming care, and essential services for low-income, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ communities.

Together, they explore how this case—and others like Health and Hospital Corp. v. Talevski—could reshape the legal tools individuals have to protect their healthcare rights, especially as conservative state leaders target clinics like Planned Parenthood. Elizabeth Taylor offers critical insight into the legal landscape, the political motivations behind these efforts, and why protecting Medicaid access is more urgent than ever.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone concerned about reproductive justice, healthcare equity, and the future of Medicaid.

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Medicaid Recipients' Right to Choose Providers

Medicaid recipients' right to choose health care providers, implications for access to care, and private enforcement of Medicaid rights.

(10:56) Enforcing Medicaid Rights and Protections

Supreme Court case impacts Medicaid rights enforcement, Section 1983 crucial for individual enforcement, potential threats to access to healthcare.

(21:03) The Future of Medicaid and Healthcare

Medicaid's critical role in providing sexual and reproductive health services, potential consequences of cutting funding, and the importance of treating healthcare as a public good.

(27:53) Potential Impact of State Prevailing

State's victory in legal case could lead to loss of healthcare rights for low-income individuals. Stay informed on timeline and thank Elizabeth Taylor for coverage.

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Tariffs, Tax Cuts & the Corporate Scam Economy

In this episode of The Electorette, host Jen Taylor-Skinner sits down with Lindsay Owens, Executive Director of Groundwork Collaborative, to dissect the chaos of Trump’s economic policies—and the hidden logic behind them. From erratic tariff announcements to the looming extension of the 2017 tax cuts for the wealthy, Lindsay reveals how economic “whiplash” is not just confusing—it’s calculated.

We explore how these policies are fueling inequality, harming working families, and creating fertile ground for corporate profiteering. Lindsay also explains how recession fears—some legitimate, others manufactured—are being used as cover for price gouging, layoffs, and cuts to essential services like Medicaid and food assistance.

This episode also revisits the devastating legacy of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, its role in pandemic-era profiteering, and why the American public never saw the promised benefits. With recession risks rising and the corporate safety net growing stronger while ours is being shredded, this is a must-listen for anyone trying to make sense of the headlines—and the high prices.

(00:00) Tariffs and Economic Uncertainty

Trump's tariffs create economic uncertainty, disproportionately affecting working and middle-class Americans while benefiting the wealthy and potentially causing a recession.

(08:52) Effects of Economic Policies on Americans

Trump's economic policies create uncertainty, risking recession and exploitation, with potential foreign policy motivations behind the trade war with China.

(21:44) The Impact of Economic Policies

Nature's impact on inflation in America and other countries, Biden's successful management, corporate price gouging, concerns about budget resolution's consequences.

(30:49) Republican Tax Cuts Under Trump Presidency

Republican trifecta focuses on tax breaks for the wealthy, with potential economic impacts and political motivations discussed by Lindsay Owens.

#Tariffs #Shrinkflation #TaxCuts #TrumpEconomy #RecessionWatch #LindsayOwens #EconomicJustice #Electorette #GroundworkCollaborative #PriceGouging #BidenEconomy #ConsumerConfidence #PoliticalPodcast #FeministMedia #Medicaid

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What happens when disinformation meets cutting-edge AI—and Black communities are caught in the crosshairs?

In this powerful episode of The Electorette, host Jen Taylor-Skinner speaks with Esosa Osa, Founder and CEO of Onyx Impact, about the alarming rise in AI-generated political disinformation targeting Black voters. Together, they unpack how misinformation campaigns are designed to exploit emotions like anger and disappointment—sowing distrust and disengagement, especially during election cycles.

Esosa introduces the Digital Green Book, a modern tool inspired by its historic namesake, built to help Black communities navigate digital spaces safely and find truth in an era of algorithmic manipulation. Backed by Black news and cultural sources, this AI-powered guide offers fact-checking, media literacy tools, and data privacy resources designed specifically for Black users.

We explore the staggering reality that 42% of online content is generated by malicious bots, why tech billionaires profit from unsafe platforms, and how we can protect our kids, our communities, and our votes in this digital information war.

🎧 Learn more and explore the Digital Green Book: digitalgreenbook.org

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Disinformation's Impact on Black Communities

Disinformation, fueled by AI, targets Black voters and influences broader culture; Digital Green Book helps navigate online harms.

(06:16) Combatting Disinformation With Digital Green Book

Digital Green Book combats misinformation with AI, emphasizing education and skepticism in online information for Black communities.

(15:17) Navigating Disinformation in the Digital Age

Digital privacy, disinformation, AI, and state-level privacy acts are discussed in the context of voter suppression and Black communities.

(22:38) Navigating Misinformation With Empathy

Empathy and understanding are needed to address misinformation and conspiracy beliefs within families, perpetuated by social media's profit-driven engagement.

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What if the clean energy revolution isn’t coming—it’s already here, quietly reshaping global power, American manufacturing, and the way we heat our homes?

In this episode of The Electorette, host Jen Taylor-Skinner sits down with energy policy expert Kate Gordon to unpack the largest climate investment in U.S. history—and why most Americans barely noticed it. Together, they explore the ambitious trio of laws passed under the Biden administration—the Inflation Reduction Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act—which together form a bold, strategic roadmap for decarbonization, domestic manufacturing, and energy independence.

Kate walks us through the rarely-discussed connections between AI, electrification, and rising energy demand, the geopolitical aftershocks of Russia’s war in Ukraine, and why our energy future hinges on the power grid, community investment, and supply chain resilience.

We also confront the dangers ahead: environmental protections being rolled back, mass layoffs at the Department of Energy, and a growing political movement determined to unravel decades of climate progress.

This is a conversation about what’s working, what’s under threat, and why the clean energy transition isn’t just about science—it’s about power, politics, and the future of democracy itself.

Kate Gordon is an energy policy expert, and the CEO of California Forward, a statewide organization dedicated to a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive economy across every region of the state.

Episode Chapters/Timestamps

(00:00) Investments in Climate Change Mitigation

The Biden administration's IRA includes transformative bills for clean energy, grid resilience, EV infrastructure, and semiconductor technology.

(07:17) Energy Dominance

Fracking's impact on U.S. energy dominance, European demand for American gas, and balancing fossil fuels and renewables for future energy needs.

(12:47) Climate Investment Rollbacks and Tax Cuts

Rollback of environmental protections, tension in clean energy projects, contradictions in domestic manufacturing policies, and lack of coherence in climate action.

(24:20) Strategic Manufacturing and Resource Economics

Domestic manufacturing's complexities, strategic necessity of producing goods, geopolitical implications of resource economics, and challenges faced by Department of Energy.

(29:24) Impact of Federal Job Cuts

Recent staffing changes at DOE have led to loss of skilled professionals and highlight inefficiencies in federal hiring processes.

(33:47) Energy Security and Strategic Relationships

The Department of Energy's role in managing nuclear infrastructure, risks of operational missteps, cybersecurity for the power grid, energy independence, and challenges in communicating these concerns to the public.

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The Senate Finance Committee just advanced the nomination of Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), bringing his confirmation one step closer to reality. In this bonus episode, Jen Taylor-Skinner is joined by Nourbese Flint, president of All* Above All, for a critical conversation about what’s at stake.

CMS oversees vital programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act—making its leadership role one of the most powerful in shaping national healthcare policy. Dr. Oz, widely known for promoting unscientific treatments and holding controversial views, raises serious concerns—particularly for reproductive justice and the health of marginalized communities.

Nourbese shares her perspective on the qualifications this role demands and reflects on the legacy of past CMS leaders, such as Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. We discuss the broader implications of Dr. Oz’s potential confirmation, including its impact on maternal health and the risks posed to vulnerable populations.

Our conversation also explores the importance of grassroots resistance and political engagement in holding policymakers accountable. Nourbese offers strategies for community action and underscores why staying informed and involved is more important than ever.

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How can we combat disinformation in rural communities and empower voters with accurate information? In this episode, host Jen Taylor-Skinner sits down with Sarah Jaynes, Executive Director of the Rural Democracy Initiative, to explore how grassroots efforts, local media, and community influencers are pushing back against misinformation and mobilizing civic engagement in small towns across America.

They discuss the shifting political landscape in rural areas, the economic consequences of recent policy decisions—such as cuts to USAID and Medicaid—and the power of local elections in reshaping the future. Sarah also dispels common myths about rural communities, highlighting their diversity and the often-overlooked support for progressive policies, LGBTQ rights, and workers' issues.

With democracy at a crossroads, Sarah and Jen examine what it will take for Democratic leaders to show real strength, the impact of rural organizing in key swing districts, and why rural voices are essential in shaping national policy.

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Amber Nicole Thurman was a 28-year-old medical assistant, devoted mother from Georgia, and one of the first women to die following the Dobbs decision. In August 2022, she sought a medication abortion due to an unplanned pregnancy. Following the procedure, she experienced severe complications, including a grave infection. Despite her critical condition, medical staff at Piedmont Henry Hospital delayed performing a necessary dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure for over 20 hours, reportedly due to concerns about Georgia's restrictive abortion laws. In this episode, Amber Thurman's mother, Shanette Williams, speaks with Jen Taylor-Skinner about her daughter's death, the delayed care, and the urgency to restore reproductive rights across the country.

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Congressional Republicans have fast-tracked the SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act)—legislation that could disenfranchise tens of millions of American voters by imposing strict new citizenship verification requirements. Is this bill really about election integrity, or is it an unprecedented voter suppression effort?

Host Jen Taylor-Skinner sits down with Eliza Sweren-Becker from the Brennan Center for Justice to break down the dangers of the SAVE Act, who it targets, and how it could reshape American democracy. From hidden costs to criminal penalties for election workers, this bill is more than just restrictive—it’s a direct attack on voting rights.

This episode of The Electorette explores what’s at stake, why it’s happening now, and how you can take action before it’s too late.

Learn more about the SAVE Act from The Brennan Center for Justice: https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/house-bill-would-hurt-american-voters

📢 Call your representatives and tell them to vote NO on the SAVE Act.

✉️ Subscribe for more in-depth discussions on voting rights, democracy, and justice.

#SAVEAct #VotingRights #ElectionIntegrity #ElectorettePodcast

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