The Progressive Happy Hour

The 2018 midterm elections are less than 18 days away, and many Americans are already voting in what many hope will be a momentous election for progressives. On the October 19 episode of “The Progressive Happy Hour,” host Drew Courtney talks to PFAW Political Director Lizet Ocampo about this year’s bellwether races, the races she’s most excited about, and the shameful and dishonest tactics Republicans are employing to try to get ahead.

Last weekend, Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Supreme Court, ending a process that was corrupt from the start. When he was first nominated by Trump in July, progressive activists were energized for the fight, but many of us find ourselves unsure of how to move forward in the wake of his confirmation. On the October 12 episode of “The Progressive Happy Hour,” cohosts Drew Courtney and Cici Battle debrief with each other about the fight to stop Kavanaugh and how progressives can move forward from her

Since Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination, progressive organizations and activists have fought tirelessly against his nomination, but right-wing extremists and media have reacted differently to his nomination and the allegations of sexual assault against him. On the October 5 episode of “The Progressive Happy Hour,” co-hosts Drew Courtney and Cici Battle talk with Peter Montgomery, senior fellow of People For the American Way, about the far Right’s reactions to the Kavanaugh hearings.

Since Trump took office, conversations on self care have become common. But for those working in progressive spaces, fighting for justice has been especially draining, and self care has become vital. On the September 28 episode of “The Progressive Happy Hour,” Drew Courtney and Addie Stan chat with Yamani Hernandez, executive director of National Network of Abortion Funds, about working at the intersections of reproductive, economic, and racial justice and how they practice self care as a team.

Since the early 1900s, progressive organizations and activists have fought to ensure that reproductive rights remain protected. On the September 21 episode of “The Progressive Happy Hour,” cohosts Drew Courtney and Cici Battle sit down with Kelley Robinson, national organizing director for Planned Parenthood, to discuss her work as an organizer, her thoughts on Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s allegations against Brett Kavanaugh and how activists can support sexual assault survivors.

As Florida’s population continues to grow, it has become a key battleground state in national elections. And Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum’s recent primary win is just one indicator of Florida’s changing political tide. In the September 14 episode of “The Progressive Happy Hour,” co-hosts Drew Courtney and Cici Battle talk to Corryn Freeman, project manager for Florida’s Statewide Alignment Group, about the state’s electoral landscape and the push for more equal rep

Disability activists have noticed that disability representation is an issue that remains underrepresented in progressive spaces. In the September 7 episode of “The Progressive Happy Hour,” Drew Courtney and Diallo Brooks talk to Rachna Sizemore Heizer, disability rights activist and board member of Virginia Autism Project, about the fight for a more inclusive progressive movement that holistically incorporates disability rights and issues.

Over the past several years, as deadly mass shootings continue to occur with alarming frequency, gun violence prevention has been hotly debated by our federal and state officials and the general public. In the August 29 episode of “The Progressive Happy Hour,” co-host Drew Courtney and guest host Diallo Brooks talk to Kris Brown, co-president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, about gun violence’s dangerous impact and Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s dangerous stance on guns.

Hard-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ podcast was banned from Spotify, Google, YouTube, Apple and other tech companies for violating of their terms of service. In the August 24 episode of “The Progressive Happy Hour,” co-hosts Cici Battle and Drew Courtney catch up with Right Wing Watch’s Jared Holt, whose tweet helped to spark the Infowars bans, about the alt-right movement’s dangerous intersection with technology and how social media companies might address violent rhetoric on their sites.

The midterm elections are less than 3 months away, and progressive young candidates and data suggests that young progressive voters are galvanizing to take the ballot box by storm. Friends of the podcast may recall that the PFAW Foundation’s Young People For empowers young folks with the tools and resources they need to cultivate their leadership and grow their networks. And in this special August 17 episode of “The Progressive Happy Hour,” we hit the road with co-host Cici Battle to chat with YP4 al

Bigotry and racism have become increasingly normalized, and in response, young people are boldly leading the charge for systemic policy change. Affiliate PFAW Foundation’s Young People For (which co-host Cici Battle leads) leverages young folks’ passion and energy to become progressive leaders in their communities. In the August 10 episode of “The Progressive Happy Hour,” co-host Drew Courtney interviewed Battle to discuss Young People For’s work and the issues young people are fighting for.

Trump’s anti-Muslim bigotry is no secret. Aside from his hateful rhetoric, he’s enacted the Muslim ban and other policies attacking Muslims that have caused damage to millions of families around the world. In the August 3 episode of “The Progressive Happy Hour,” co-hosts Drew Courtney and Cici Battle spoke with Muslim Advocates’ Legal Director Johnathan Smith to discuss the Trump administration’s anti-Muslim ideology and the Supreme Court’s complicit role in upholding that animus.

Progressive activists are fighting back against Trump and his enablers, but it’s local politics that addresses community issues and creates immediate change—and young people are leading the charge. In the July 27 episode of “The Progressive Happy Hour,” co-hosts Drew Courtney and Cici Battle sat down with DC State Board of Education Representative and Young Elected Officials Communications and Program Coordinator Markus Batchelor to discuss his road to political leadership.

Since Brett Kavanaugh was nominated to the Court, activists are spreading the word about what’s at stake for the LGBTQ community if he were confirmed. In the July 20 episode of “The Progressive Happy Hour,” co-host Drew Courtney and PFAW’s Right Wing Watch Research Director Adele Stan chat with Lambda Legal Staff Attorney Sasha Buchert to discuss the importance of the judiciary and the threats to LGBTQ civil rights if he is confirmed.

Last Monday, July 9, Donald Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh to replace Anthony Kennedy in the Supreme Court. In the July 13 episode of “The Progressive Happy Hour,” co-hosts Drew Courtney and Cici Battle sat down with All*Above All Senior Policy and Legislative Manager Kelsey Ryland discuss how our courts have shaped abortion access, how abortion restrictions further tightened even with Roe v. Wade in place, and what’s at stake if Brett Kavanaugh is confirmed.