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This weeks podcast features in interview with David Walker of ACLU Iowa & Executive Committee member of NAACP Des Moine Branch. Iowa has now made it legal and easier for people with a criminal past to vote! We learned about the outstanding work David and several other groups have done to give Ex Incarcerated individuals the right to vote in Iowa. We touched on Voting, on serving on juries, and helping people who've committed felonies gave a chance to work by getting rid of the "are you a felon" box on job applications. We talked about the effect of Local Elections on the health and safety of families. Personally, this episode has helped me redefine the course of my life as I've started an organization with a formerly incarcerated individual to become whole free men. Thank you David Walker.

Marquis interviews Sean Bagniewski, Chair of the Polk County Democrats about organizing and activism in the age of Covid-19. Marquis and Sean talk about the move to digital organizing, the Polk County Steak Fry, how volunteers nationwide can get involved in the fight for IOWA and Marquis accidentally breaks into his Obama impression.

Marquis interviews Assaf Gleizner, a brilliant musician and composer. Assaf is a member of the acclaimed band, The Swingeroos, founded the organization Arts for Immigrants, and has several projects on and off Broadway. Assaf and Marquis discuss the elections, voting and elections in Israel, and what does it mean to be an artist. We also talked about the beautiful song, Arts for Immigrants performed, Give me Your Tired, arranged with God Bless America.

Marquis interviews Jevin Hodge, who is running for a seat on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. He serves as the Chair of the Booker T. Washington Child Development Center, is the former President of the Tempe Union High Schools Education Foundation, and sits on the boards of several non-profit charitable institutions around Arizona. Professionally, he is the National Engagement Director of LINK Strategic Partners, a strategic communications consulting firm based in Washington, D.C.He formerly served as the Vice-Chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party, through which he spent three years traveling across Arizona to engage people civically and learn about the short- and long-term challenges facing those who work, study, and live in our state.

July 27th, 2004 - A little known State Senator from Illinois took the stage at the Democratic National Convention and gave America a glimpse into its future. John Kerry accepted the nomination of his party, but it was Barack Obama who made everyone think HE should be the next President of the United States. Hearing Senator Obama tell the story of his origin, bringing together two continents, two families, two completely different paths which merged to forge one man, allowed us to hope. His verse,“We’re not red states, We’re not blue states, We’re the United States of America!” still echoes within the soul of those who worked to turn his candidacy into a Presidency. He showed us that America is still the land where impossible dreams can be made into reality. He gave me, a black man from Chicago, goosebumps.August 26th, 2020 - I was on a Zoom Call, interviewing a little known candidate for a County Supervisor in Maricopa County, Arizona I got those familiar goosebumps. Hearing Jevin Hodge, a young man raised by a single mom, tell you about the time he told his class of underserved students “I Love You” will make you remember the goodness of this country. Listening to him, I felt the love in my heart and the spirit of hope bubbling in my chest. Then, hearing Jevin talk about how to bridge the communication divide between the four generations in our workforce and how to make smart investments to build our future gave me the certainty that he has the mental capacity to keep pace with our ever-changing society. He has the heart to inspire hope and the mind to deliver change.Listening to how confident and competent Jevin is, one could envision him defeating any Arizona Republican in the 2022 Governor’s Race or being in contention for The Presidency in 2028 or 2032 (Yes, he’s that good!). These are the moments where you water the seeds to harvest the bounty of greatness.Jevin is deeply involved in his community. He serves as the Chair of the Booker T. Washington Child Development Center, is the former President of the Tempe Union High Schools Education Foundation, and sits on the boards of several non-profit charitable institutions around Arizona. Professionally, he is the National Engagement Director of LINK Strategic Partners, a strategic communications consulting firm based in Washington, D.C. Leading operations in the Phoenix-area, Jevin works with community partners to design media strategy and manage public relations for governments, non-profits, and businesses hosting major events around the US and abroad.He formerly served as the Vice-Chairman of the Arizona Democratic Party, through which he spent three years traveling across Arizona to engage people civically and learn about the short- and long-term challenges facing those who work, study, and live in our state. Jevin was elected by the ADP’s State Committee twice to serve as the youngest African American statewide official in the entire Democratic Party. He previously chaired committees that succeeded in passing bond and override resolutions for Tempe Elementary and Tempe Union High School Districts, augmenting the education of 50,000 students in Arizona. He is the President of the Booker T. Washington Child Development Center, which provides early childhood education and other services to underserved families in South Phoenix.Jevin Hodge was born in Tempe, Arizona and was raised by Berdetta Hodge, his mother and role model. Berdetta, the first black woman elected in the City of Tempe as the President of the Tempe Union High School District Governing Board, instilled in Jevin and his brother a love for service and community. Jevin has a degree in Public Policy from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.Listen to this podcast… Visit his website JevinHodge.com… Volunteer for and Donate to his movement.Follow him on Twitter or InstagramDownload your own Vote Plan at https://www.voteplan.us/vote-plan/Follow Vote Plan on Social Media:https://www.instagram.com/voteplan2020/https://twitter.com/VotePlan2020Facebook.com/voteplan2020Follow Marquis:TwitterInstagramFacebookMediumDailyKos

Marquis interviews Miles Stroth, Owner of The Pack Theater in Los Angeles. Marquis & Miles explore listening as a means of having better political conversations, improv games to build agreement within a family, the history of improv, and the work The Pack Theater is doing to make a more diverse and inclusive community. They also talk about how the world of improv will impact the world of politics. They also philosophize about religion.

Marquis Interviews Foreign Policy Advisor for Pete Buttigieg's Presidential Campaign, Matt Wigler. Matt was a poll worker in Ireland during the beginning of the pandemic. His life was turned upside down when the President announced all flights from Europe were going to be cancelled in 48 hours. Matt also shares his experiences working as an intern for the UN when were nearly at war with North Korea.

Marquis interviews Troy Fritzhand, the creator of Ballot, an application to help count Vote By Mail ballots. Learn about the vote by mail process and what inspired this company.