Did 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/;...

I'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 @elisabetvelasquezpoetry --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/natasha-t-baker/message Support this podcast:...

It'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...

On 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...

Last 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. --- Send in a voice message:...

I 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=5gwxVIdvTryeVLKm4ljWNQ --- Send in a voice message:...

As 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...

What'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. --- Send in a voice message:...

A 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...

Today 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...

Oakland 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...

If 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...

The 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...

The 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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/natasha-t-baker/message Support this podcast:...

A 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:...

On 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...

The 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...

Today'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). --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/natasha-t-baker/message Support this podcast:...

First 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...

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...

Immigration 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.com --- Send in a voice message:...

Today'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.org --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/natasha-t-baker/message Support this podcast:...

You 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...

Some 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 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/natasha-t-baker/message Support this podcast:...