Podcast Category: Politics

  • Emanuel Franklin Jr. – Father of Desmond Franklin

    Emanuel Franklin Jr. – Father of Desmond Franklin

    A few weeks ago I assisted the People’s Archive of Police Violence in Cleveland in setting up and conducting an interview with Emanuel Franklin, father of Desmond Franklin.  On April 9, 2020, plain clothed Cleveland Police officer Jose Garcia, badge #2168 shot and killed Desmond. Garcia drove in an unmarked car, fired five shots into…

  • Cuyahoga County Ballot Panel Discussion

    Cuyahoga County Ballot Panel Discussion

    BZ Douglas moderates a panel discussion with local activists about who they’re voting for up and down the Cuyahoga County ballot, and how they feel about their choices. Panelists: Mariah Crenshaw – Chasing Justice, LLC Kareem Henton – Black Lives Matter Cleveland Keith Wilson – Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus

  • Mariah Crenshaw – Chasing Justice, LLC

    Mariah Crenshaw – Chasing Justice, LLC

    Today’s episode contains bombshell revelations that have the potential to shake Ohio law enforcement to its core. My guest is Mariah Crenshaw of Chasing Justice LLC. According to her research, a significant portion of officers in the state (“40-60%” in her opinion), are currently operating while designated as “cease function” according to Ohio Revised Code…

  • Tim Tolka – Author, “Blue Mafia”

    Tim Tolka – Author, “Blue Mafia”

    Today my guest is Tim Tolka, author of Blue Mafia, which is best described by the closing line of the first chapter: “This is the story of two police departments, their turbulent relationship with the local community, and how a ‘crazy’ lawyer risked everything to bring in a higher authority.” Blue Mafia has many lessons…

  • A People’s Archive of Police Violence in Cleveland

    A People’s Archive of Police Violence in Cleveland

    Today I am interviewing members of the People’s Archive of Police Violence in Cleveland. I first learned of them while covering a Black Lives Matter Cleveland “Defund the Police” protest on the fourth of July, where volunteer Emily Forsee spoke about the importance of documenting police brutality. In this episode I’ll be speaking with Emily…

  • Kareem Henton – Co-founder of Black Lives Matter Cleveland

    Kareem Henton – Co-founder of Black Lives Matter Cleveland

    Kareem Henton joins me today to discuss what first roused him to activism, how BLM functions as an organization nationally and locally, and what his greatest hopes and fears are for the outcome of this national protest movement. BLMCLE: https://www.facebook.com/BLM216/ https://www.paypal.me/blmcle Other orgs that need support: The Bail Project Cuyahoga County Jail Coalition Northeast Ohio…

  • Devorah Phillips – Bernie Victory Captain and Delegate

    Devorah Phillips – Bernie Victory Captain and Delegate

    On today’s episode I interview local delegate and organizer for Bernie, Devorah Phillips. We chat about what led her to becoming a Bernie Sanders supporter, our recollections of the 2016 campaign, the lessons learned and ongoing frustrations with the primary process, and what a delegate does and how to become one. Most importantly, we discuss…

  • Not BZ, Us!

    Not BZ, Us!

    Today I’m going to do something a little different, which might draw in some new listeners, but that’s not the point. The point is for the weeks remaining before the Ohio primary on March 17th, I am going to devote this podcast to advocating for Bernie Sanders. Listeners will know that I’ve taken quite a…

  • The War On Everyone by Robert Evans – Chapters 4-7

    The War On Everyone by Robert Evans – Chapters 4-7

    The podcast will be returning in September, but I wanted to share the new audiobook “The War on Everyone” by former guest, journalist Robert Evans. This is the second half, Chapters 1-3 are in the previous episode. Robert is the host of one of my favorite podcasts, “Behind The Bastards”, where he profiles some of…

  • The War On Everyone by Robert Evans – Chapters 1-3

    The War On Everyone by Robert Evans – Chapters 1-3

    The podcast will be returning in September, but I wanted to share the new audiobook “The War on Everyone” by former guest, journalist Robert Evans. Robert is the host of one of my favorite podcasts, “Behind The Bastards”, where he profiles some of the worst people in history. The work he has done to catalog…

  • Jane Arnoff Logsdon – Stand Up to Trump CLE Organizer

    Jane Arnoff Logsdon – Stand Up to Trump CLE Organizer

    On today’s episode, at the top I announce a brief break from the show, and some state of the podcast reflections as the show nears its first anniversary. There may be a surprise episode or two, but no regularly scheduled music until September. Today’s guest is Jane Arnoff Logsdon. I met Jane randomly last year…

  • Lulu Friesdat – Election Security Journalist

    Lulu Friesdat – Election Security Journalist

    Lulu is an Emmy award-winning journalist and filmmaker whose election security investigations have received over 4 million views on Now This. They’ve also resulted in a top Florida election official’s conduct being declared illegal, and voting machines in Wisconsin being decertified. Her work has been featured on Politico, MSN.com, the Young Turks, The Hollywood Reporter,…