Shows
Natasha Explains It AllEpisode 60 - Interview with San Jose Spotlight Co-Founder Joshua BarousseIn today's episode, I interview Joshua Barousse, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit news outlet San Jose Spotlight. We discuss the importance of local, independent journalism.Looking for your local nonprofit newspaper? Check out the Institute for Nonprofit News to find yours.2025-04-1651 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 59 - Ainda Estou Aqui (I'm Still Here)I review the excellent, Oscar-nominated film Ainda Estou Aqui (I'm Still Here) about Brazil's military dictatorship and what it says about the current regime in the US.2025-02-2449 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 58 - Playing Capoeira in BeirutContinuing on the theme of navigating modern times and the importance of our closest relationships, particularly friendship, I share a piece I wrote recently:Playing Capoeira in Beirut.2025-02-1017 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 57 - Book Report: My Friends by Hisham MatarI did not buy this book to get through the current moment, but it is helping me get through the current moment. A beautiful story of how to live through dictatorship, particularly about the role of friendship. “The question, arguably the most important question of all, is how to escape the demands of unreasonable men.”My Friends by Hisham Matar*sorry if you can hear a faint noise in the background of the recording - I had my heater on!2025-02-0730 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 56 - It Makes Sense: Reflections on the Inauguration and the Legacy SitesWe're a week away from the inauguration, and I keep thinking about my recent visit to the Equal Justice Initiative's Legacy Sites in Montgomery, Alabama. That visit made it all make sense. 2025-01-1359 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 55 - Reading with Your DollarI'm back. In the era of billionaire bros, voting with our dollars has taken on great importance. I share some thoughts on how to do that and why there is reason for hope as we go through this Gilded Age reboot.
Bookshop.org alternative to Amazon for books
The StoryGraph alternative to GoodReads for book reviews and tracking
Fossil Free Funds for sustainable investment options
Muckraking journalism by Judd Legum2024-12-2927 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 54 - Pizza to the PollsWe are a few days away from the end of voting in the United States, and many are facing long lines to vote. Pizza to the Polls is here to help, by sending pizza to voters facing long lines.
Facing an 1+ hour long wait to vote? Request pizza from Pizza to the Polls here.
Pizza to the Polls is available in all states for this election except Georgia, which criminalized the provision of food and water to voters following 2020, when Georgia voted for Joe Biden and for two Democratic senators.2024-11-0311 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 53 - A Blue TrifectaWelcome to Season 5! If you're feeling election anxiety, I've got a way for you to direct that energy towards winning in November. In addition to winning the White House, we also need to retake the House and keep the Senate; the change we need requires a blue trifecta. With that in mind, here are a few places where you can donate to key congressional races, i.e. races that are really close and underfunded, so a boost in funding can make a difference in the voter turnout needed to ensure a blue trifecta.
key House races
2024-10-2309 minNatasha Explains It AllSpecial Announcement: Second Collaboration with Singing for SurvivalI have collaborated again with Mike Pinto, host of the Singing for Survival capoeira history podcast. This time, we discuss sexual abuse in capoeira and what we as capoeiristas can do to address the wrong that has happened and how to prevent it moving forward. One of those ways is to support CapoeirAcolher, an organization in Brazil that supports victims of such abuse.2024-10-1302 min
Singing for Survival: Capoeira HistoryRevisiting Hard Topics: Abuse in Capoeira and What We Can DoToday’s episode is a departure from the standard format of this podcast to revisit a topic we explored back in 2021, which is sexual abuse in capoeira. This remains an ongoing issue, and with this episode, where I am joined by Natasha Távora Baker (Pequena) of the Natasha Explains It All podcast, we hope to get listeners up to speed on what’s been happening since the last episode and what we as a capoeira community can do about it.Trigger warning: this episode includes discussion of sexual violence and abuse, including of minor...2024-10-121h 34Natasha Explains It AllEpisode 52 - Part Two: Vote No on Prop. 36My thoughts on voting no on Prop. 36.
More information:
LA Times Editorial Board piece on No on Prop. 36
Stop Prop. 36 campaign
Independent journalist Judd Legum has done several pieces on retail theft and Prop. 36:
California's shoplifting laws are not broken. California is "fixing" them anyway
A closer look at California's $267 million war on "organized retail crime"
UPDATE: The truth about Target
The Vera Institute Infographic on Prop. 36 and longer analysis
Politico coverage on Prop. 36
How California's incarceration rates compare to other states and countries, by t...2024-10-0948 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 51 - Part One: Vote No on Prop. 36I will be doing a two-part series on why to vote NO on Prop. 36. Part one is a quick share on some upcoming opportunities to learn about Prop. 36 from reputable criminal justice organizations.
Wednesday, September 25th at 5:30pm PST (virtual) - Initiate Justice's No on Prop. 36 Workshop
Thursday, October 3rd at 6pm PST (in-person in Oakland) - Ella Baker Center and Urban Peace Movement Prop. 36 Town Hall
Stay tuned for part two!2024-09-2104 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 50 - Get Out The VoteWith the November election coming up soon, it's time to get out the vote! In this episode, I share some ways you can help boost voter turnout.
register to vote
check your voter registration status
save the Election Protection Hotline number to your phone: 866-687-8683
Vote Save America's Empower GOTV initiative - get paid to get out of the vote in swing states
North Carolina - register to vote by mail. To learn about what's been going on in NC on the voting front, check out this article.
Neighbor2Neighbor initiative by Indivisible
Postcards to Voters
sign...2024-09-1817 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 49 - Vote Nikki Bas for Alameda County Supervisor, District 5As part of my election series, today's episode is about why I am voting for Nikki Bas for Alameda County Supervisor, District 5.
To hear directly from the candidates, check out the candidate forum on zoom on September 5th from 4-5:30pm.
I discuss the Oakland Reimagining Public Safety Task Force Report that Nikki was highly involved in and why that's a great thing.
I talk about the MACRO program, which Nikki was instrumental in making a reality.
I also discuss why Nikki is more likely to implement the Care First, Jails Last Taskforce...2024-08-2740 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 48 - Book Report: Violeta by Isabel AllendeA gorgeous work of historical fiction that tells the story of a woman born during the Spanish flu pandemic and who dies during the coronavirus pandemic 100 years later. Allende introduces us to multiple generations of a family and their loves and losses, hopes and disasters, while exploring historical events like the military dictatorships in Chile and Argentina during the 1970s and 80s. I reflect on how this book reminds me of my own grandmother and what this book can teach us about the current moment.
I recommended the following movies for a deeper dive:
Machuca2024-08-1734 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 47 - What a MomentMy reflections on the 2024 US presidential election.2024-07-3057 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 46 - Voter Guide: Vote Yes on End Slavery in California Act (Prop. 6)In California, slavery is still legal — as long as you're incarcerated. Incarcerated people are forced to labor for little-to-no-pay under threat of punishment. In November, California voters have the opportunity to change that by voting YES on Prop 6 (formerly ACA 8), the End Slavery in California Act.
I mentioned the Foresty & Fire Recruitment Program, which was founded by formerly incarcerated firefighters and which helps formerly incarcerated firefighers obtain careers in firefighting upon release from prison. For more info, check out https://www.forestryfirerp.org/.
For more about Prop 6 and the broader movement to #EndTheException, check out:...2024-07-0123 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 45 - #FlaggateYou may have heard recently about #flaggate - the scandals related to Supreme Court Justice Sam Alito flying flags at his homes in support of the Jan. 6th insurrection and Christian nationalism.
More news has also come out about Justice Thomas' corruption, specifically around his receipt of millions of dollars worth of gifts from GOP donors.
All of these developments are more reason to put pressure on Congressional Dems to put pressure on the Supreme Court, especially in light of this fall's presidential election. An ethics bill is not enough. 2024-06-1428 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 44 - How to Call Your Elected OfficialsDid you know you can call your elected officials and share your thoughts on what matters to you? In this episode, I explain how to do that, why it matters, and how to stay informed on what your elected officials are up to.
To be connected to the offices of your federal elected officials, you can dial the congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121.
A couple of options of newsletters to sign up for to stay up to date on what Congress is doing: https://www.govtrack.us/; https://idueprocess.org/
I also mentioned...2024-05-1127 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 43 - Book Report: Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl GonzalezI'm back with another book report and this one is all about family, love, activism, identity, politics, and American and Puerto Rican culture.
Other resources mentioned in the episode:
The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein
Independent reporter Bianca Graulau @biancagraulau
Author and poet Elisabet Velasquez @elisabetvelasquezpoetry2024-04-2123 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 42 - How to Stay Sane in an Election YearIt's an election year and the deluge of negative news can make it easy to feel disillusioned and want to check out. I offer some tips and tools to help you feel informed, engaged, and yes, even hopeful.
Tldr: pick a handful of journalists and/or a podcast or two to follow and one cause or campaign to support. And set a daily timer on your news apps! Quality over quantity is the key here.
Folks I mentioned as suggestions on who to follow on social media/subscribe to their newsletters/read their stuff:
...2024-04-0841 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 41 - Interview with Candidate Jennifer Esteen for Alameda County Supervisor, District 4On March 5th, residents of District 4 of Alameda County will be voting for their supervisor, who will represent them on the county's Board of Supervisors. The candidates are 24-year incumbent Nate Miley and his challenger, Jennifer Esteen. Esteen joins me to talk about her campaign and why voters should support her. We talk about public safety, mental health, housing and homelessness, the Coliseum, and more.
To learn more about Jennifer Esteen, visit jenniferesteen.com.
Two upcoming candidate forums:
Feb. 25th, Skyline Church in Oakland, 5-6:30pm, in-person and virtual. More info here: https://s...2024-02-201h 20Natasha Explains It AllEpisode 40 - Brazil and US Insurrections Part FourLast week, there were major developments in the insurrection cases against both former Brazilian president Bolsonaro and former US president Trump. Let's explore.
Early in the episode, I mention another podcast called "Alexandre," which is focused on Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. You can listen here.
I also recommend checking out this interview with Elie Mystal on Political Roots to get more in depth on what's at stake in the US.2024-02-1239 minNatasha Explains It AllSpecial Announcement: Collaborative Podcast Episode with Singing for SurvivalI want to share a fun collaborative podcast project I did with Singing for Survival host Mike Pinto to discuss the abolitionist movement in Brazil. We focus on one key person in that struggle, Dragão do Mar, and explore the ties to capoeira and the ongoing struggle for a better world. I hope you'll take a listen: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4FjaP2hpSj81aRNT7xfkEO?si=5gwxVIdvTryeVLKm4ljWNQ2024-01-1703 min
Singing for Survival: Capoeira HistoryDragão do Mar and Brazil's First Free CityIn this episode, I collaborate with Natasha Távora Baker (Pequena) from the podcast Natasha Explains it All to talk about how organized labor actions led to the abolition of slavery in Fortaleza, 5 whole years before the passing of the Golden Law in 1888! We dig into a key figure in this process, Dragão do Mar, and also dig into the history and timeline of the abolition movement in Brazil.Natasha's Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Qozp50WJWy03nnUQw42O8?si=97e20c0695fe480f2024-01-151h 26Natasha Explains It AllEpisode 39 - New (Traffic) Law AlertAs of Jan. 1, 2024, new laws have gone into effect in California regarding traffic stops and enforcement. These laws have implications for pretext stops, racial profiling, and road safety. I explore. *does not constitute legal advice*
For more:
AB2773, requiring police to explain why they have pulled you over
AB645, Speed Safety Systems Pilot Program
I also recommended Allow Me to Retort by Elie Mystal if you want to learn more about the seminal case on pretext stops, Whren v. United States.
This is the last episode of Season 3. Stay tuned for Season 4, coming soon. :)2024-01-0347 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 38 - Civil vs. Criminal CourtsWhat's the difference between civil and criminal courts? A recent conversation with friends led me to this topic. I dive in and also talk about how the public can access court records online.
Another example of civil cases I didn't touch on in this episode: product liability/consumer protection. A product is defective, dangerous, and/or there was false advertising and the company gets sued over it - that suit will be in civil court.2023-12-2437 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 37 - #LegalizeItA recent interview I watched with @AGoodWitchOfficial and the fact that Ohio just became the 24th state to legalize marijuana sparked this episode. I share some thoughts on why legalization is good policy and that the continued illegality of marijuana at the federal level and in some states, as well as criminal court policies, actually exacerbate the opioid epidemic.
Plus, I share some fun stats about where listeners of Natasha Explains It All are tuning in from around the world.
If you want to learn more about drug policy in the US, I recommend checking...2023-11-1721 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 36 - Book Report: Pequena Coreografia do Adeus by Aline BeiToday I share my first foreign title, still currently unavailable in English: Pequena Coreografia do Adeus (Little Choreography of the Goodbye) by Brazilian author and poet Aline Bei. This book, written as one long poem, is beautiful and painful. It is about how a family (particularly the daughter) navigates a divorce. Aline Bei plays a lot with format to convey meaning, which reminds me of another excellent book I read recently, Maps of our Spectacular Bodies by Maddie Mortimer.
Click here for an interview with Aline Bei about the book.
You can buy Pequena Coreografia...2023-11-0217 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 35 - Be Part of the Solution: Activate OaklandOakland is giving out grants for individuals, groups, and orgs to host free public events to build community and safety. I talk about this initiative (deadline is October 12th!) and share personal stories about the importance of public spaces. We can be part of the solution!
For more info on the Activate Oakland grants, check out the grant website and read this Oaklandside article.
In this episode I also mention the Trash Falcons and the Urban Compassion Project, two groups doing fantastic work to beautify Oakland that are always looking for volunteers. 2023-10-0523 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 34 - Be Part of the Solution: The Urban Compassion ProjectIf you live or work in Oakland, CA, you've likely noticed illegal dumping/blight/trash heaps. One organization -- founded by a formerly unhoused Oakland native -- is tackling this problem, one cleanup at a time. The Urban Compassion Project does weekly clean ups around the city (in addition to other awesome work) and is always looking for volunteers and donations. Please consider supporting.
Check out the Urban Compassion Project at www.urbancompassionproject.org, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/urbanparkcleanup and on Instagram @urbancompassionproject
2023-09-1711 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 33 - The (Nonconsensual) Kiss Seen Round the WorldThe real-life novela of Spanish soccer federation head Rubiales clinging desperately to power following his sexual misconduct at the Women's World Cup trophy ceremony continues. Let us hope that #SeAcabó.
For more:
I brought World Cup glory to Spain, so I can kiss whomever I want by Sally Jenkins: https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/08/26/luis-rubiales-spanish-soccer-kiss/
When a sports administrator like Rubiales thinks he's a rock star, it's time to get rid of him by Malachy Clerkin: https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/2023/08/25/malachy-clerkin-when-a-sports-administrator-like-rubiales-thinks-hes-a-rock-star-its-time-to-get-rid/
David Squires on … Luis Rubiales and the gaslighting sca...2023-08-3043 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 32 - We Can't Just Win: Sexism in the Women's World CupThe Women's World Cup just wrapped up and was filled with excitement, firsts, and joy. But it was also mired by sexism and sexual harassment, taking focus and energy away from the incredible accomplishments of these incredible athletes. I explore the situations faced by the Spanish and Zambian national teams and hope for a day where women players can just focus on winning. 2023-08-2337 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 31 - Racism Exists, but I'm Not RacistA recent survey of Brazilians found that the vast majority of Brazilians believe Brazil is a racist nation, but only a small minority believe that they themselves hold discriminatory views. I share more about this survey and make comparisons to American attitudes on race.
Cited during the episode:
Instituto Peregum: https://peregum.org.br/
The Seta Project: projetoseta.org.br
Boletim Folha podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/br/podcast/boletim-folha/id1501368386
2021 Gallup study: https://news.gallup.com/poll/352544/larger-majority-says-racism-against-black-people-widespread.aspx
2023 Pew Research Center study: https://www.pewresearch...2023-08-1329 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 30 - Action Alert! #VoteNoInAugust and Protect Reproductive Rights in OhioOn Nov. 7th, Ohioans will have the chance to vote on a constitutional amendment to protect reproductive rights. This amendment is polling very well, with about 59% of the public in support. Upset by this, Republican legislators have added an election on August 8th to vote on Issue 1, which would change the threshold to amend the state constitution by referendum from 50% + 1 vote to 60% — virtually guaranteeing that the Nov. reproductive rights measure will fail.
We need to stop Issue 1 by boosting turnout for the August 8th election (which is a historically low turnout time, which is why they picked it...2023-07-2020 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 29 - Action Alert! #StopCopCityThe City of Atlanta wants to spend $90 million in taxpayer dollars to tear down forest and build a police training center, where they will build a mock city for training for urban warfare, engage in explosions testing, have shooting ranges, and controlled building burns. This proposal is deeply unpopular among Atlanta residents, who want the money to be spent on several other areas where there are pressing needs, including education and healthcare. The major supporters of Cop City are major corporations - not the actual residents who will be targeted by the police trained at Cop City.
...2023-07-1415 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 28 - SCOTUS Has No StandingToday's episode focuses on one of the Supreme Court cases decided last week, 303 Creative v. Elenis, which held that businesses can refuse service to gay customers. This case is bad news, and in this episode, I explain why.
I also mention the website www.oyez.org, where you can listen to all Supreme Court oral arguments and read the opinions (the decisions of the justices).2023-07-0544 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 27 - Book Report: Rest is Resistance by Tricia HerseyFirst episode of season 3!
Today I talk about the quick yet powerful read called Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey. In a capitalist society, our worth is measured by our productivity. Unfortunately, that measurement is unsustainable, not only for us, but for the planet as well. I reflect on Tricia's book and examples from various countries around the world about how we can make the world better if we prioritized rest more.
Buy it on Bookshop.org at https://bookshop.org/p/books/rest-is-resistance-a-manifesto-tricia-hersey/18255493?ean=9780316365215
Buy it on BetterWorldBooks.com at https://www...2023-06-0858 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 26 - Part Six: How Do Criminal Courts Work?Today we continue exploring how criminal courts work. We start by building off of last episode's discussion about the prohibitive cost of jail/prison phone calls with good news that Minnesota is making calls in its state prisons free. To learn more about that, check out Worth Rises: https://worthrises.org/pressreleases/minnesota-connecting-families-win. We then skip ahead in the criminal court process to talk a little bit about the reentry process and how incarceration sets people up for a very difficult road in reintegrating into society. As an example, I talk about Mary Henderson-Uloho, who was featured in the...2023-05-2730 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 25 - Some Basics about Immigration in the USImmigration has been in the news a lot lately and the usual fear mongering about the southern border seems to be everywhere. To help understand what’s actually happening, I interview immigration lawyer (and immigrant herself) Natalia Santanna. To learn more, Natalia recommended the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies: www.cgrs.uchastings.edu. To learn more about Santanna Law, please visit: www.santannalaw.com2023-05-191h 06Natasha Explains It AllEpisode 24 - Book Report: Leaving Isn't The Hardest Thing by Lauren HoughToday's episode is another in the Book Report series. I review this memoir composed of a series of essays. Ever wondered what it’s like to grow up in a cult? Be a cable guy? Be gay in the army? Go to jail? Be a bouncer? Question the American Dream? Well, Lauren Hough has a perspective for you.
To purchase:
Better World Books
Bookshop.org2023-04-3015 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 23 - Public CorruptionYou may have seen headlines about a corruption scandal involving Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. I explore. You may not have heard about another corruption scandal concerning former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro. I explore that as well. In this episode I also mention legal scholar Steve Vladeck, whom you can follow on Twitter at @steve_vladeck to learn more about what’s happening with the Supreme Court. I also mentioned the organization Demand Justice, which is pushing to expand the Supreme Court. You can learn more about Demand Justice at www.demandjustice.org2023-04-2359 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 22 - Some Genuinely Good News About Criminal JusticeSome positive criminal justice news today!
Expansion of voting rights for people with felony convictions in New Mexico
Expansion of voting rights for people with felony convictions in Minnesota
The Sentencing Project report on felony disenfranchisement
Rikers Island jail is not going to digitize mail (for now)
The problem of digitizing prison mail
2023-04-1615 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 21 - Part Five: How Do Criminal Courts Work?In this episode, we talk about plea bargaining and how expensive it is to stay in jail.
Read the Prison Policy Initiative's report on how jails and prisons across the country are privatizing (read $$$) mail for incarcerated people.
Check out Worth Rises' work to make calls from jails and prisons free.2023-04-1029 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 20 - Book Report: You Can't Be Serious by Kal PennI'm starting a new series called Book Report, where I share books I've read/listened to and liked enough to recommend to listeners. This memoir, You Can't Be Serious, is a funny and touching look into what it's like being the son of immigrants and making it in Hollywood (while also doing a stint at the Obama White House).
If you're interested in purchasing this book, rather than buying it on Amazon, please consider buying it at your local independent bookstore or on these websites:
Bookshop.org
Better World Books
And n...2023-04-0316 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 19 - Action Alert! Stop Deaths at Santa Rita JailYou are invited to come to Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, CA on April 1st at 1pm to demand an end to deaths at the jail and for funding of community-based mental health services. This rally is being organized by the Care First Coalition, which you can follow on Instagram @freesrj.
Four people have already died in the jail this year alone, and we're only in March. That's in addition to dozens of other deaths in the past decade. The jail is unsafe and county officials need to do better. Please come out to support and learn...2023-03-2616 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 18 - Unionizing on Capitol Hill: Interview with Kevin MulshineFirst guest interview! Joining me today is Kevin Mulshine, former deputy general counsel for the Architect of the Capitol and current Special Advisor to Demand Progress Education Fund. We talk about efforts to unionize congressional employees, how those efforts tie into broader labor trends across the country, what the Architect of the Capitol does and how that relates to the Jan. 6th insurrection, and how Kevin and I met as volunteers for Herd on the Hill.
For more reading:
Unions in the House of Representatives - report by Kevin Mulshine
Union Organizing Rights o...2023-03-201h 02Natasha Explains It AllEpisode 17 - You May Be Eligible: New Cases Expand SS Survivors' Benefits to Queer CouplesLast episode we talked about how to have hope, and this episode is a great example of a reason for hope. In a pair of recent cases called Ely v. Saul and Thorton v. Commissioner of Social Security, the non-profit legal organization Lambda Legal has secured some really important wins: queer people who were previously denied Social Security Survivors' Benefits because they and their partners were not able to get legally married (and therefore be eligible for survivors' benefits upon the death of one spouse) are now eligible! Listen to this episode to learn more. For more, see the...2023-03-1721 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 16 - How to Have HopeThings seem heavy and dark. There is a never-ending doom-and-gloom news cycle. And yet. There is reason to be hopeful. Some thoughts on how and why to stay hopeful.
Here is a song I love to listen to when things get heavy and need some help to keep going: The Keep Going Song by The Bengsons
I also mention the news outlet Rewire News and the podcast Boom Lawyered in this episode.2023-03-1330 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 15 - CPAC & BolsonaroFormer Brazilian president Bolsonaro recently spoke at CPAC - the Conservative Political Action Conference. CPAC is held annually in the US as a platform for conservative leaders. Bolsonaro's presence is an example of how Brazil continues to be a relevant testing ground for US-origined, far-right messaging and policy priorities. Let's explore.
***Correction to make: in this episode, I said that Nikki Haley was President Trump's Secretary of State. She was not. She was Trump's ambassador to the United Nations. My apologies.2023-03-0529 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 14 - Part Four: How Do Criminal Courts Work?Welcome to Season Two of Natasha Explains It All! (Yes, each season will consist of 13 episodes, or a Baker's dozen).
In this episode, we continue to explore pretrial supervision and then talk about how prosecutors use pretrial detention to coerce pleas. To learn more about how prosecutors upcharge, read The Trial Penalty.2023-02-2629 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 13 - Tyre Nichols and Internalized RacismTyre Nichols' murder has prompted conversations about internalized racism because the main police officers who killed Tyre are also Black. Let's unpack.
For data on how often police kill, see Mapping Police Violence.2023-02-1929 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 12 - Action Alert! Stop Family Separation at the BorderAction Alert: CBP/DHS has resumed family separation at the border. Lawyers for Good Government is organizing a public awareness campaign around it and urging people to call CBP/DHS and object to this change in policy.
Here is what to do:
Call the public comment lines for CBP (Customs & Border Partrol) at 877-CBP-5511 and DHS (Dep't of Homeland Security) at 202-282-8495 and share that you oppose the new "dangerous and impossible policy of forcing all members of a family to secure a separate appointment and to instead KEEP FAMILIES TOGETHER." (Language in quotes...2023-02-1715 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 11 - Part Three: How Do Criminal Courts Work?As we continue to explore how criminal courts work, I use this episode to talk about what happens if you're able to post bail: most people will be put on some sort of pretrial supervision, with tons of conditions (like drug testing and electronic monitoring) that they'll likely have to pay for. Can't pay? You're likely to go back to jail. 2023-02-1229 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 10 - Action Alert! Time to Stop the Execution of an Innocent Man #JusticeForRaheemThis is the first of "action alert" episodes, where I will share a time-sensitive action for all of us to participate in that yes, can make a difference. Today's is to stop the execution of Leonard "Raheem" Taylor, who is scheduled to be executed by the state of Missouri on Feb. 7th, despite his innocence.
Please call Governor Parson at 573-400-0357 or 573-751-3222 today and say the following (script provided by Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty):
"Hello, my name is [name], and I am from [add city] calling today to ask...2023-02-0611 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 9 - #BoycottHertzHertz filed (at least) hundreds of false police reports against customers falsely accusing them of stealing Hertz's vehicles. This resulted in life-altering changes to innocent people's lives: arrests, jailing, criminal records, losing employment, suffering health problems, etc. Even after getting sued, Hertz has tried to escape responsibility by trying to keep documents sealed that detail their abuse. Corporations don't change until their bottom line is hurt. Let's use our power as consumers to vote with our dollar and #BoycottHertz #truthHertz
For more reading:
‘I Could’ve Been Dead’: Hundreds of False Stolen Car Reports Put Black ...2023-02-0529 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 8 - Part Two: How Do Criminal Courts Work?In part two, we talk more about money bail and how it's an example of the financial incentives baked into the criminal court system. We also talk about diversion programs.
For more reading on why money bail needs to go:
After Cash Bail: A Framework for Reimagining Pretrial Justice by The Bail Project
Money Bail Might Be the Most Racist, Immoral Part of America’s Criminal Injustice System by Michael Harriot (The Root)
Bail Reform by The Vera Institute2023-02-0327 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 7 - Part One: How Do Criminal Courts Work?How do criminal courts work? This episode is part one of a series where I dive into how the system actually works (sorry, tv and news stories are generally not that accurate or representative). In this episode, I mention the importance of bail funds to help those who cannot afford bail, so that fewer people are in jail simply because they can't afford bail. Here is a list of some bail funds:
The Bail Project (national focus)
LGBTQ Freedom Fund (national focus)
Colorado Freedom Fund (greater Denver area)
Bukit Bail Fund...2023-01-2729 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 6 - Brazil and US Insurrections Part ThreeMore mass shootings in the US. Through the ties between the Trump and & Bolsonaro camps, Brazil is adopting US gun culture. The newly-elected Brazilian president Lula is undoing a lot of the gun expansions enacted under former president Bolsonaro. I sincerely hope that Brazil does not become home to the type of mass shootings so commonplace in the US.
For additional reading, some suggestions:
Jair Bolsonaro and guns: A US culture war raging in Brazil
Jair Bolsonaro wants every Brazilian to have a gun
Lula decreta redução de normas que fa...2023-01-2413 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 5 - George Santos and the Importance of Local JournalismNewly-elected Republican member of Congress George Santos has lied about a lot of stuff, yet somehow the lies have only surfaced after he was elected. Some have argued that his story illustrates the importance of local journalism and that makes sense to me. I explore.
In this episode, I highlight one local news outlet I support called San Jose Spotlight.2023-01-1817 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 4 - Postcards to VotersSince today is MLK Day and we've been discussing voting and democracy in prior episodes, here is one way that you can promote voting and voter engagement: volunteering with Postcards to Voters. I'm a volunteer, so in this episode I'll share what my experience has been. 2023-01-1615 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 3 - Prison Gerrymandering & Felony Disenfranchisement in the USLast time we talked about voter suppression in the US. We talked about tactics like reducing polling locations, reducing early voting, not allowing vote by mail, etc. Let's look at a couple of additional ways that suppression plays out: prison gerrymandering and felony disenfranchisement.
In the episode, I talked about the Prison Gerrymandering Project by the Prison Policy Institute.
I also mentioned the book Let My People Vote by Desmond Meade, about the Amendment 4 fight in Florida to restore the right to vote for people with felony convictions.2023-01-1529 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 2 - Brazil and US Insurrections Part TwoSome follow up thoughts from the last episode. Let's dive in deeper to the history of democracy in the US and Brazil.2023-01-1429 minNatasha Explains It AllEpisode 1 - Brazil and US InsurrectionsAn insurrection in Brazil on Jan. 8th closely parallels an insurrection in the US from Jan 6, 2021. Why? I explore.2023-01-1329 minNatasha Explains It AllNatasha Explains It All (Trailer)2023-01-1200 min