Here's a little something for the soul... "I’ve listened to this speech countless times with my hands holding each other. We have to often remind ourselves and each other that our hands are tools. When we believe in ourselves these tools are all that is needed to lay down a foundation, and when we support one another we can use that foundation to build a future worth fighting for, the future we all deserve. Stacey told me in times of turmoil, creating art is one of the most sacred forms of grounding the self, your foundation. I chose sound, Phillip chose words. These two just happened to meet randomly with a simple pretext and understanding that our hands are dedicated to the restructuring of this broken system and renovation of the home the universe has assigned to us. Where every voice matters and no one is left behind. Whether you are alone or among the masses, and you are fighting for the next world, I kindly ask you to please squeeze a hand." -Sam Alexaxis, PPL! Producer and Sound Engineer

Political Party Live

Please Squeeze A Hand (Phillip Agnew)

In a far-reaching interview, the crew sits down with New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, in the latest episode of the presidential caucus season. With special guest co-host Akwi Nji – award-winning writer and spoken word performer – the interview covers healthcare, gun violence, race relations, tribal politics, and the moral moment facing America. Sen. Booker also gets stunningly candid about his controversial education initiatives in Newark, his faith, and his quest to ban Conan O’Brien from the entire state of New Jersey. This episode was live-recorded at The Graduate Hotel near the campus of the University of Iowa.

Ep. 20 - The High Ground w/ Cory Booker

In this special episode, the crew sits down with Chanté Thurmond and Rada Yovovich, the founders of The Darkest Horse – the woman-owned consultancy that explores the intersections of radical inclusion, emerging tech, the future of work, and health, well-being, and human potential – for a conversation spanning a range of topics ahead of a visit by New Jersey Senator Cory Booker. The crew recorded this episode live at The Graduate Hotel near the campus of the University of Iowa.

Ep. 19 - The Warm-up w/ The Darkest Horse

On his repeat effort for the presidency, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders joined the crew to talk about the big issues facing Americans. The interview covers his thoughts on universal healthcare, his support of workers across the country striking for a living wage, the legalization of marijuana, issues of race, criminal justice reform, reparations, his litmus test for Supreme Court nominees, the power of thinking big, and much more. In addition to chatting with Senator Sanders, our crew also heard from the Harvard-trained behavioral scientist, Robert Reynolds and J.D. Scholten, the rising star in progressive politics who made a name for himself after running against Rep. Steve King of Iowa last election cycle. This episode was live-recorded before an audience at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and was broadcast nationally by C-SPAN.

Ep. 18 - Thinking BIG with Bernie Sanders

For their fourth episode of the Iowa caucus season, the crew sits down with former Obama Administration cabinet official, Julián Castro for an in-depth discussion about his candidacy for president. The live-recorded event took place at the historic Mill Restaurant and Bar in Iowa City in front of a capacity crowd. The conversation covered Secretary Castro’s views on immigration reform, his decision to prominently display the accent mark in his name on his campaign material, and how he plans to break through a crowded field of talented candidates. The show was opened up by a performance from award-winning poet, Steven Willis and an interview with Crissy Canganelli, the Executive Director of the Shelter House, an organization working to implement a “housing first,” strategy to end chronic homelessness.

Ep. 17 - Breaking the Box: A Conversation w/ Julián Castro

It was Beto Day across America, following Beto O'Rourke's announcement that he would enter the race for president. One day after his announcement, the Political Party Live! crew sat down with the three term Congressman at RAYGUN in Cedar Rapids for his first in-depth interview as a presidential candidate. The conversation took many turns and national headlines were made as we discussed issues ranging from race and privilege in America, white supremacy and terrorism, his developing policy platform, and his pathway to victory.

Ep. 16 - Beto's Big Day

For our second episode of the caucus season, the crew sat down with entrepreneur, social activist, and candidate for president Andrew Yang for a lively discussion at the legendary Yacht Club in Iowa City. We heard Yang’s views on criminal justice reform, the coming “automated economy,” and how a universal basic income, or a “freedom dividend,” where all Americans receive a $1,000 monthly paycheck can save us all. Check it out!

EP. 15 - #YangGang at the Yacht

The Political Party Live! kicks off its third season with an interview of Sarah Ziegenhorn, Executive Director and Founder of the Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition and special guest US Senator Kamala Harris, Democratic Candidate for President. The live podcast event takes place in front of a packed and energetic crowd at the historic CSPS Hall in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. And the conversation ranges from US drug policy, criminal justice reform, to the historic nature of Kamala Harris’s run for higher office. Give it a listen and let us know what you think!

Ep. 14 - The Kickback w/ Kamala

The crew returns with a special “Back to School,” episode where they pay tribute to Aretha Franklin and highlight her legacy of advocacy for civil rights. The trio unpacks a dynamic primary season in Iowa – which included a hotly contested gubernatorial race – before diving into a conversation with representatives from Students Against School Shootings, an organization formed by young people pushing for sensible gun reform measures across the country. After an inspiring conversation, the group welcomes Andre Perry – writer, musician, and the Executive Director of the historic Englert Theatre – to discuss a range of issues, including the role of the artist during these tenuous times in which we live, and the problematic nature of artists like Kanye West.

Episode 13 - Should the College Dropout Go Back to School? (8/16/2018)

Recorded by: Siya Mali of KRUI's Homeland to Heartland In our first episode recorded live at KRUI studios, we were joined by special guest Sen. Jeff Merkely from Oregon. Sen. Merkley recently made national headlines when he attempted to inquire about the status of immigrant children who have been separated from their parents at the border. The Trump administration's "zero-tolerance" policy has led to the separation of families entering the US seeking asylum and has raised serious humanitarian concerns. On this special edition of Political Party Live we discuss immigration, marijuana legalization and a range of other topics, including the hit TV show Portlandia!

Episode 12 - With Senator Jeff Merkley

Recorded on the stage of the Englert Theatre; co-hosts Simeon Talley, Misty Rebik and Stacey Walker catch up on life, the way forward for progressives in electoral politics and of course the Laurel vs. Yanny debate.

Episode 11: Part 1

At Cortado Cafe In Iowa City For their season two debut, the trio discusses the recent shooting in Parkland, Florida and how a group of courageous high school students might be changing the political landscape when it comes to standing up to the NRA and enacting gun reform. They also dive deep into a discussion about the recording breaking Black Panther movie and its impact on American culture before recapping the results of the Iowa Caucuses. They finish the episode with an in-depth interview with Deidre DeJear, a Democrat running for Iowa Secretary of State, who has a chance to make history as the first African American woman ever elected to the post.

Ep.10- Deidre DeJear 2:23:18

Progress, Protest and Patriotism: Background Checks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wqOApBLPio We close out 2017 with a forward looking discussion featuring Jason Kander, President of Let America Vote. Jason is one of the youngest people ever to be elected to a statewide office and rose to national fame running as a progressive candidate against Roy Blunt Jr. for US Senate in Missouri in 2016. Outperforming the top of the ticket, Jason's campaign went viral when it released an ad in favor of background checks. Recorded in front of a live audience, the conversation focused on relevant social issues like race and how progressives can win in 2018 and beyond. Many thanks to our partners and sponsors for this event -- Jason Kander, Let American Vote & FilmScene.

EP. 9 Progress, Protest and Patriotism: A Conversation with Jason Kander

On this episode, the crew kicks off the school year by visiting with University of Iowa alum and progressive activist Zach Wahls for a smart discussion on the recent terrorist attack in Charlottesville and an emboldened white supremacist movement in America. Next, they get a campus perspective from Lilian Sanchez who serves as Vice President of the UISG. They close the episode with an in-depth conversation with the award-winning professor Dave Gould about a new community-centered approach to education. Check it out!

Episode 8 - Syllabus Week

The trio returns to Des Moines to co-host the Revolution Iowa Annual State Convention After Party in partnership with Iowa CCI Action Fund. The group chats with CCI organizer Jack Reardon about the healthcare crisis in America and Eli Shepherd of Iowa Student Action about emerging national student-led movements on college campuses. The featured guest for the episode is Bree Carlson, Deputy Director for People’s Action and a powerful voice in the progressive movement. Their conversation explores topics from the difference between activism and advocacy to the purpose of power. The episode concludes with a shrewd critique of the Obama Administration and its impact on the progressive movement, analyzing both its successes and failures, while also considering the constraints of race and obstructionism

Episode 7 - Protest to Power

Recorded in front of live audiences across the state of Iowa, Political Party Live! features leading political and cultural voices to discuss important and timely issues.

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Political Party Live

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