Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams
The Battle for American Identity (w/ Ben Rhodes) artwork

The Battle for American Identity (w/ Ben Rhodes)

Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams
E9401:12:18
Play episode

Show notes

What can the great political speeches of the past teach us about the moment we’re living through today? Pod Save the World host and author of All We Say: The Battle for American Identity, Ben Rhodes joins Stacey Abrams to trace the history of civil rights in America through the words of some of the most influential voices across the political spectrum, from Martin Luther King Jr., Dolores Huerta, and Barack Obama to Alexander Stephens and Donald Trump. They also dig into the rise of modern authoritarianism, the latest in the Iran War, and how we can build community and find common ground in a time that feels increasingly fractured. Learn & Do More: BE CURIOUS: Pick up a copy of Ben Rhodes’ new book, All We Say: A History of the United States in Fifteen Speeches. SOLVE PROBLEMS: HeadCount is an organization that turns fans into voters by registering people at concerts, festivals, sporting events, and community gatherings anywhere you can turn a passion for culture into voting action. They need volunteers! Visit HeadCount.org to sign up to volunteer in your state or to donate. DO GOOD: With Monday’s massive earthquake in Colombia leading to casualties, as well as the recent devastating earthquake in Venezuela, it’s time to step up and help. Consider donating to World Central Kitchen, which provides meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises. Visit WCK.org to donate.

More from this show

More
  1. The AI Apocalypse, Supreme Court Takeover, and JD Vance’s Next Move (w/ Alex Wagner)

    Is the AI apocalypse already underway and will we get meaningful regulation before it’s too late? How did the “four horsemen” of the right-wing legal movement lay the groundwork fo…

    E10001:11:22
  2. Why Everyone Should Love Star Trek (w/ Tawny Newsome)

    Happy Star Trek Day, to all those who celebrate! In honor of the show’s 60th anniversary, Stacey sits down with fellow super fan, actor, comedian, writer and host of the podcast St…

    E9958:09
  3. Inside the Fight Over Meta, Paramount and ICE

    What does the Meta case mean for the future of social media and how children use these platforms? Could the Paramount merger ultimately push the company out of California, putting…

    E9801:10:28
  4. Data Centers, Police Surveillance, and the Fight for Democracy (w/ Katie Phang)

    Can state legislation be the key to saving our democracy? Lawyer, political commentator, and host of the Sidebar podcast Katie Phang joins Stacey to unpack Americans’ growing frust…

    E9701:08:14
  5. Is the South the Future of Democratic Politics?

    Is the South the new epicenter of American politics? National Association of Black Journalists President, The 19th Editor-at-Large, and host of Crooked’s new podcast Long Play, Err…

    E9601:02:40
  6. Kamala Harris Says Voters Are Done with the Status QuoBonus

    What is the future of the Democratic Party? How will redistricting shape voters’ power in the South? What are the latest primary results telling us about the political moment we’re…

    E9552:12
Now Playing