Best Leadership Conference On Civil And Human Rights Podcasts (2025)

In this episode, we explore the harms of the Trump Administration’s “unleashing” of law enforcement and what that means for immigration enforcement and policing. As ICE raids and deportations increase, local police departments are being pressured to take on immigration enforcement duties. The lines between public safety and federal immigration poli…

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Speaking in Maine: Mid-Coast Forum on Foreign Relations: Joshua Landis 58:47

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5M ago58:47

58:47

Thursday, May 22, 2025

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S08 E03: Counting Chaos: The Fight for a Complete Census and Dependable Data 52:55

6M ago52:55

52:55

April 1 was the commemoration of Census Day, but the numbers that shape our country are under attack. From erasing critical datasets on government websites to revoking the census practice of counting noncitizens, the Trump Administration’s actions threaten democracy and economic stability. These changes to how we count people will impact everyday l…

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Speaking in Maine: Mid-Coast Forum on Foreign Relations: Martin Mühleisen 57:14

6M ago57:14

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On today's Speaking in Maine, we hear from financial diplomacy expert Martin Mühleisen at the Mid-Coast Forum on Foreign Relations.

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S08 E02: The Ballot & The Book: Access to Voting and Education Upon Selma’s 60th 51:40

7M ago51:40

51:40

On the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, we explore the deep connection between education and voting rights—two pillars of democracy that have long been intertwined. For decades, education determined one’s access to the polls, as literacy tests and other barriers were used to disenfranchise Black voters. Today, attacks on curriculum, book bans, an…

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Speaking in Maine: Mid-Coast Forum on Foreign Relations: Admiral Michael Rogers 58:41

7M ago58:41

58:41

Monday, March 31, 2025

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Speaking in Maine: 2025 Camden Conference: John Shattuck and Jennifer McCoy 58:11

7M ago58:11

58:11

Hear from former ambassador John Shattuck on the rise of Viktor Orban followed by political scientist Jennifer McCoy's analysis of Venezuela's backslide into authoritarianism.

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Speaking in Maine: 2025 Camden Conference: David Stasavage and Matt Goodwin 58:21

7M ago58:21

58:21

Today we return to the 2025 Camden Conference for a talk by David Stasavage: “What Is Democracy, How Did It Start, and When Does It Prosper?” followed by “Drivers of National Populism,” from Matt Goodwin.

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Speaking in Maine: 2025 Camden Conference: Maria Ressa and Joshua Tucker 59:42

7M ago59:42

59:42

Hear journalist and activist Maria Ressa's keynote address to the 2025 Camden Conference followed by political scientist Joshua Tucker's discussion of social media and the polarization of politics.

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Mid-Coast Forum on Foreign Relations: Henry Haggard 58:36

8M ago58:36

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Henry Haggard is the founding partner of Seekonk LLC. Following a twenty-five-year career at the U.S. State Department during which he attained the rank of Counselor in the Senior Foreign Service, From 2021-2023, he served as Minister Counsellor for Political Affairs at the United States Embassy in South Korea. Prior to that, he served as Director …

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S08 E01: Solidarity & Strategy: We the Majority Fighting Back 56:18

8M ago56:18

56:18

In this episode we will tackle how to respond to the new administration’s early attacks on civil rights. With a wave of executive actions already rolling back key protections—harming immigrants, undermining the federal workforce, and dismantling diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility—we will break down what this means for communities acros…

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Mid-Coast Forum on Foreign Relations: Doug Lute 58:24

9M ago58:24

58:24

Ambassador Douglas Lute is the former United States Ambassador to NATO. Appointed by President Obama, he assumed the Brussels-based post in 2013 and served until 2017. During this period, he was instrumental in designing and implementing the 28-nation Alliance responses to the most severe security challenges in Europe since the end of the Cold War.…

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S07 E12: Building an America as Good as It’s Ideals: A Year in Review 47:12

10M ago47:12

47:12

When season seven started in January of 2024, we set out to explore the progress and challenges in building a more equitable society. Anchored by milestone anniversaries -- Brown v. Board of Education (70th), Freedom Summer (60th), and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (60th) -- we discussed judicial diversity, justice reform, education, and voting righ…

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S07 E11: We Are Still The Majority: A Post-Election Conversation 49:03

11M ago49:03

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In this episode, we dive into the post-election political and policy landscape, analyzing how recent election outcomes will impact the future of civil rights in America. Our guest experts will discuss anticipated agendas from the White House and 119th Congress. They will unpack the major policy shifts, exploring potential executive and legislative …

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S07 E10: Part 2 – Protecting the Right to Vote 13:49

12M ago13:49

13:49

In this episode, we sit down with Khalid Pitts, Executive Vice Preside of Campaigns and Programs at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, to discuss the "And Still I Vote" campaign. Just days out from presidential election, Pod for the Cause continues the conversation about protecting and preserving the right to vote. We discuss the …

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S07 E10: Protecting the Vote, Preserving Democracy 42:55

1y ago42:55

42:55

With the historic and high stakes 2024 presidential election upon us, Americans must be vigilant in protecting their right to vote. Modern day voter suppression takes on various forms. It can look like voter roll purges, which often disenfranchise people of color and other marginalized groups. It can be the dangerous spread of misinformation and di…

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S07 E09: Civil Rights Act at 60 and Project 2025 44:55

1y ago44:55

44:55

This episode commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, reflecting on its profound impact in dismantling legalized segregation, securing voting rights, and expanding protections against discrimination. It explores the victories it represented for marginalized communities and how it catalyzed further reforms in education, hou…

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S07 E08: Freedom Summer at 60: The Fight for Voting Rights Continues 41:43

1y ago41:43

41:43

In this episode commemorating the 60th anniversary of Freedom Summer, we delve into the pivotal 1964 campaign that aimed to register African American voters in Mississippi and the Deep South and challenge systemic racial barriers. We will explore the courageous efforts of activists, the profound impact on the Civil Rights Movement, and the ongoing …

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S07 E07: Music and the Movement 38:49

1+ y ago38:49

38:49

June has been designated a month of awareness for several civil rights causes and constituencies. From LGBTQ Pride and Stonewall to Caribbean American Heritage and Juneteenth, the month reminds us of our ongoing efforts to achieve an America as good as its ideals. And as June is also designated Black Music Appreciation Month, we know that whatever …

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S07 E06: Brown v. Board at 70: Still Separate, Still Unequal 48:50

1+ y ago48:50

48:50

In recognition of the 70th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, this podcast episode delves into the sobering reality that, sixty years later, American schools remain starkly separate and profoundly unequal. Despite the Supreme Court's historic declaration against racial segregation in 1954, data reveals…

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S07 E05: Building a Diverse Judiciary 32:52

1+ y ago32:52

32:52

For our courts to work for all of us, our judges should reflect and represent the diversity of our society. Federal courts have been slow to include judges of color, women, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and judges from varied legal backgrounds, including those with civil rights experience. However, recent judicial appointments are changin…

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S07 E04: The State of Black Lives 49:00

1+ y ago49:00

49:00

February is Black History Month and an opportunity to consider the state of the Movement for Black Lives. Last year, we observed the 10-year anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s death, which compelled three Black women to turn a Black Lives Matter hashtag into a social movement. And this year marks the 10-year anniversary of the police killing of Michae…

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S07 E03: Centering Civil Rights in Technology 39:39

1+ y ago39:39

39:39

Technology is an integral part of our everyday lives. Thanks to technological advances, there are increased connections and efficiencies around how we learn, work, and play. However, technology, like every other aspect of our society, can perpetuate harms and inequities if we are not intentional around its development and implementation. Artificial…

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S07 E02: Attacks on the Dream: Dr. King’s Legacy Today 43:30

2y ago43:30

43:30

As we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in January, we are provided with an opportunity to discuss the state of Dr. King’s dream at this moment. Over the years, Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech has been weaponized to push for a colorblind society; and this year will be no exception. In fact, given the recent dismantling…

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S07 E01: Angelic Troublemakers: The Legacy of Bayard Rustin 36:41

2y ago36:41

36:41

Welcome back to Pod for the Cause Season 7! On today’s episode, our host, Kanya Bennett, managing director of government affairs at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, discusses the life and legacy of Bayard Rustin with President Clayola Brown, head of the A. Philip Randolph Institute, International Vice President of Workers United…

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S06 E12: 10 Years Since Shelby SCOTUS Decision: How Voting Rights Have Drastically Changed in a Decade 22:44

2+ y ago22:44

22:44

Join Kanya Bennett as she discusses the 10th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder with Carolyn Shields, President of the Shelby County Branch of the NAACP, and Deuel Ross, Deputy Director of Litigation at NAACP Legal Defense Fund. This episode was recorded before the Court rendered its decision in Merrill v. Millig…

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S06 E11: Honoring Juneteenth and the Need for Reparations for Black Americans 47:31

2+ y ago47:31

47:31

Join Kanya Bennett as she discusses Juneteenth and reparations with Jeff Robinson of The Who We are Project, Kavon Ward of Where is My Land, and Keenan Keller of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.By The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

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S06 E10: Attacks on Black Political Power 36:07

2+ y ago36:07

36:07

Join Kanya Bennett and cohost Jheanelle Wilkins, director of state and local government affairs at the Leadership Conference, as they discuss recent attacks on Black political power with District of Columbia Councilmember Robert White, Melissa Wasser of the ACLU-DC, Dr. Sekou Franklin of Middle Tennessee State University, and Patrice Willoughby of …

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S06 E09: Banning Books, Queer People, and Black History Part 2 28:00

2+ y ago28:00

28:00

Join our host, Kanya Bennett, as she continues the conversation around book bans and curriculum censorship with Maggie Tokuda-Hall.By The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

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S06 E09 Banning Books, Queer People, and Black History Part 1 32:27

2+ y ago32:27

32:27

Join our host, Kanya Bennett, as she discusses book bans and curriculum censorship with Karsonya "Kaye" Wise Whitehead and Khalil Gibran Muhammad.By The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

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S06 E08: Talking Traffic Stops: The Urgent Need for Police Accountability and Transparency 40:00

2+ y ago40:00

40:00

Join our host, Kanya Bennett, as she discusses police violence and reform with Chelsea Glass and Josh Adams of DeCarcerate Memphis and Krissy Roth, Senior Policy Associate at The NAACP Legal Defense Fund.By The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

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S06 E07: Until Justice Is Won: Civil Rights and Sports 29:34

2+ y ago29:34

29:34

Join our host, Kanya Bennett, as she discusses the role of sports in the civil rights movement with Domonique Foxworth — former NFL defensive back, senior writer for Andscape, and host of The Domonique Foxworth Show, an ESPN podcast.By The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

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S06 E06: Combatting Online Misinformation and Disinformation 39:51

3y ago39:51

39:51

Our host, Kanya Bennett, is joined by Joe Miller, President and CEO of The Washington Center for Technology Policy Inclusion (WashingTECH), and Dave Toomey, Voting Rights and Technology Fellow at The Leadership Conference to discuss the dangers of disinformation on social media and how we can advance the civil and human rights agenda online.…

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S06 E05: Now What?: Post-Election Accountability 44:00

3y ago44:00

44:00

Our host, Kanya Bennett, is joined by Paige Fernandez, the National Organizing Manager at the Center for Popular Democracy, and Tanya Clay House, Executive Vice President of Campaigns and Advocacy at the Hip Hop Caucus to discuss what advocacy and accountability look like to keep advancing civil rights, post-election.…

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S06 E04: Affirmative Action Means Opportunity for All 39:40

3y ago39:40

39:40

On today's episode of Pod For the Cause, our host, Kanya Bennett, is joined by Star Wingate-Bey, a 2016 graduate of the University of North Carolina and a student intervenor who helped defend UNC's admissions policy in the affirmative action case involving the universtiy and Genize Bonadies Torres, Associate Director for the Educational Opportuniti…

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S06 E03: Our Bodies are on the Ballot 38:13

3y ago38:13

38:13

On today’s episode of Pod for the Cause our host, Kanya Bennett discusses the intersectionality of abortion rights and voting and its impact on Black women with Marcela Howell, president and CEO of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Agenda.By The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

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S06 E02: Why Our Courts Matter 39:53

3y ago39:53

39:53

On today’s episode of Pod for the Cause our host, Kanya Bennett will discuss the importance of our courts with Kadida Kenner, chief executive officer of the New Pennsylvania Project and co-chair of Why Courts Matter – Pennsylvania, and Kim Tignor, executive director for the Institute for Intellectual Property & Social Justice and cofounder of #SheW…

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S06 E01: Vote to Save Democracy 45:38

3y ago45:38

45:38

Welcome back to Pod for the Cause Season 6! On today’s episode our new host, Kanya Bennett, managing director of government affairs at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and the Leadership Conference Education Fund, will discuss voting and civic engagement with Cece Huddleston, voting rights field coordinator for the Prepared to Vo…