For this special weekend podcast - John chats with Simon Moya Smith and Julie Francella for their "We're Still Here" segment. They talk about Indian myths, indigenous traditions, and what Thanksgiving means to the Native Americans. Simon is an Oglala Lakota and Chicano journalist. He’s a contributing writer at NBC News and TheNation.com. Julie is a mental health professional with over 30 years of experience in handling complex trauma with Indigenous youth and families. She is an enrolled member of the Ojibway of Batchewana First Nation Reserve, and teaches Indigenous Studies at Durham College, focusing on the impacts of colonization on First Nations people. Then, he welcomes back democratic political blogger Heather Digby Parton to discuss Trump's "Red Scare".

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John discusses former Senator Matt Gaetz withdrawing his name for consideration as Attorney General and Trump then naming his former attorney Pam Bondi as Gaetz' replacement. He also talks about the creepy backgrounds of a few other cabinet picks including RFK Jr. and Pete Hegseth. Next, he interviews Jorge Elorza who is Chief Executive Officer of Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) which works to get Democratic leaders to embrace and enthusiastically champion innovative, evidence-based, high-quality public education options for all students, particularly students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, and other historically underserved students. Then, John chats with listeners about education and public funding for schools. And winding it up - he talks with Chris and listeners about the bravery of transgender congresswoman Sarah McBride standing up to the bullying of Rep. Nancy Mace.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John's monologue is about the House Ethics Panel voting to block releasing the sexual allegations report on former Senator Matt Gaetz. And he discusses Rep. Nancy Mace who is pushing to ban transgender women from women's restrooms at the US Capitol. Then, he jokes with podcast star Bob Cesca on pop culture and politics, Next, author and former pastor Desimber Rose along with progressive theologian Dillon Naber Cruz AKA The God Squad is back once again to speak with listeners about the intersection of religion and politics. And finally, legal analyst Dr Tracy Pearson joins John and the crew to talk legal sense and comfort worried Democrats.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.