The Marianne Williamson Podcast

Author and entrepreneur Jeff Burningham joined Marianne for a Substack Live where they discussed his book THE LAST BOOK WRITTEN BY A HUMAN: Becoming Wise in the Age of AI.  JeffBurningham.com  JeffBurningham.Substack.com Sign up for Marianne's Substack at MarianneWilliamson.Substack.com

Transcribed - Published: 31 May 2026

Williamson speaks with award-winning documentarian Deeyah Kahn about the state of our democracy, what's happening in the world today and where things are headed now. Subscribe to Marianne's Substack: MarianneWilliamson.Susbtack.com Subscribe to Marianne's YouTube Channel Follow Marianne on Instagram Follow Marianne on Facebook Follow Marianne on TikTok Learn more at Marianne.com

Transcribed - Published: 2 March 2026

In an era when cynicism and despair can feel overwhelming, how do we recover the firebrand spirit needed for effective resistance without losing our moral center? Marianne Williamson talks with historian Harvey J. Kaye about Thomas Paine's role in turning rebellion into revolution, the power of education in nonviolent movements, and why history can be both instruction and inspiration. Plus, why this administration wants violence and why a disciplined nonviolent response matters.   Subscribe to Marianne's Substack: MarianneWilliamson.Susbtack.com Subscribe to Marianne's YouTube Channel Follow Marianne on Instagram Follow Marianne on Facebook Follow Marianne on TikTok Learn more at Marianne.com

Transcribed - Published: 30 January 2026

Why is the U.S. involved in Venezuela and what does oil have to do with it? In this thoughtful conversation, Marianne Williamson interviews the Center for Economic Policy and Research's Alex Main about U.S. foreign policy, Venezuela's political crisis, economic sanctions, and the history of American intervention in the region. They discuss Hugo Chavez, Nicolas Maduro, U.S. oil interests, Cold War ideology, and the growing fear among Latin American nations of renewed U.S. imperialism. This conversation provides crucial context missing from mainstream media coverage. Center for Economic Policy and Research: CEPR.net Subscribe to Marianne's Substack: MarianneWilliamson.Susbtack.com Subscribe to Marianne's YouTube Channel Follow Marianne on Instagram Follow Marianne on Facebook Follow Marianne on TikTok Learn more at Marianne.com

Transcribed - Published: 15 January 2026

Who are the techno billionaires who have decided to put their money behind the destruction of democracy as we know it, to be replaced by a corporate authoritarian state? Who are they, what is their vision, and what are they doing to effectuate it? Learn more about Jacob: JacobSilverman.com More about Gilded Rage: Linktr.ee/gildedrage Subscribe to Marianne's Substack: MarianneWilliamson.Susbtack.com Subscribe to Marianne's YouTube Channel Follow Marianne on Instagram Follow Marianne on Facebook Follow Marianne on TikTok Learn more at Marianne.com

Transcribed - Published: 9 December 2025

Amid voter anxiety over the economy and national discontent, Democrats swept the night's four big contests — NYC mayor, New Jersey and Virginia governorships, and California's Prop 50 redistricting measure. Mikie Sherrill (NJ) and Abigail Spanberger (VA) won their races, while democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani captured New York's mayoralty, defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo. In his victory speech, Mamdani invoked Eugene Debs and vowed to "turn the page on a politics that abandons the many." California approved Prop 50, letting legislators redraw districts ahead of the midterms, largely driven by anti-Trump sentiment. After GOP setbacks, Trump said Republicans must focus more on affordability. Marianne speaks with activist and political advisor Mark Van Landuyt about the election day. Subscribe to Marianne's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/MarianneWilliamson Subscribe to Marianne's Substack: mariannewilliamson.substack.com Follow Marianne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariannewilliamson Follow Marianne on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marwilliamsonofficial Learn more about Marianne at Marianne.com  

Transcribed - Published: 7 November 2025

When hate is loud, love cannot afford to whisper. When forces of oppression are on the move, lovers of freedom must respond. When those who seek to replace democracy with theocracy are gaining ground, those who are sworn to preserve and protect democracy must stand our ground. Jesus, of course, was neither oppressor nor hater nor promoter of theocracy. There are those who claim to speak for him at times, however, who are all of those things. One of the primary forces behind Project 2025 is a political movement called Christian Nationalism. Christian Nationalism speaks not of the teachings of Jesus - feeding the hungry, helping the poor, healing the sick, and kindness to the stranger. Their vision is not about love, but power - specifically a version of power that transgresses basic American Constitutional principles (subjugation of women, primacy of Christianity over other religions, and more). Progressive Christians are rising up in response, bringing to the theological as well as political sphere a voice that is much needed at this time. Theirs is a Jesus of the Gospels, recognizing that loving one another is indeed the salvation of the world. My guest in this interview is Brian Recker, author of HELL BENT: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love. Recker, a former Evangelical pastor, is an influential figure in the Christian Deconstructionist Movement. He explains a journey taken by millions of Christians in America today. who feel strongly that a Jesus of love, not retribution, should guide our hearts. Website: BrianRecker.com Substack: BrianRecker.Substack.com Instagram: @berecker   Subscribe to Marianne's Substack: MarianneWilliamson.Susbtack.com Subscribe to Marianne's YouTube Channel Follow Marianne on Instagram Follow Marianne on Facebook Follow Marianne on TikTok Learn more at Marianne.com

Transcribed - Published: 16 October 2025

When I read Madeleine Albright's book FASCISM: A Warning, I became deeply aware that what happened before could happen again. And it could happen here. But what is fascism, really? Is it hyperbole to make any mention of Hitler, to draw a comparison between today's politics and the Third Reich? The issue is critical. Nuance is important, but history's lessons are important too. History is a great illuminator. John Lestrange is called The History Wizard, and I've enjoyed his everyman's approach to teaching it. A scholar on Genocide Studies, he answered questions in our interview that cast light on a topic deeply relevant to our times. There is much to learn, and much to consider… Follow John on Instagram Subscribe to Marianne's Substack: MarianneWilliamson.Susbtack.com Subscribe to Marianne's YouTube Channel Follow Marianne on Instagram Follow Marianne on Facebook Follow Marianne on TikTok Learn more at Marianne.com

Transcribed - Published: 15 October 2025

Christian Nationalism is now a hot topic in the United States. It is not a religious movement articulating the love and teachings of Jesus as they relate to public policy. Rather, it is a political movement that bears little resemblance the teachings of the gospels - healing the sick, feeding the hungry, helping the poor, and being good to the stranger seem to have fallen by the wayside - and promotes the message that Christianity should take precedence over all other religions in this country. Its Seven Mountains Mandate is a rather chilling repudiation of religious freedom. My video today is a conversation with public theologian Brandan Robertson, in which he gives answers to many of the questions I've had about this movement. Who are they? What do they stand for? What is their connection to far right wing conservative politics? And what is their plan for America's future? A genuinely progressive Christianity, harkening back to the love of Jesus and its relevance to our individual as well as collective lives, is being powerfully articulated by such speakers as Robertson. Thankfully, progressive Christians are not quiet right now. Their numbers are growing, and they're speaking up. I hope you find the interview interesting. It's critically important that we understand what's going on. Rev. Brandan Robertson is a noted author, activist, and public theologian, dedicated to exploring the intersections of spirituality, sexuality, and social justice. He serves as the Pastor of Sunnyside Reformed Church in New York City and is the founder and Executive Director of The Devout Foundation. Known as the "TikTok Pastor," Robertson's inclusive theological content has garnered 10 million views. He has authored, contributed to, or edited 23 books, including the INDIES Book of the Year finalist True Inclusion. His work has been featured in TIME Magazine, CNN, and The Washington Post. Robertson is a sought-after speaker who regularly presents at prestigious platforms like The White House and Oxford University, continuing to inspire and challenge audiences around the world. Robertson acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry and Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute, an Master of Theological Study from Iliff School of Theology, and an Master of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration from Eastern Illinois University. He's presently pursuing a PhD in Biblical Studies at Drew University. He currently resides in New York City.  Subscribe to Brandan on Substack Subscribe to Marianne's Substack: MarianneWilliamson.Susbtack.com Subscribe to Marianne's YouTube Channel Follow Marianne on Instagram Follow Marianne on Facebook Follow Marianne on TikTok Learn more at Marianne.com

Transcribed - Published: 8 October 2025

Marianne Williamson at Unity of Houston - September 26, 2025   Marianne Williamson speaks to Unity of Houston on September 26, 2025.   Subscribe to Marianne's Substack: MarianneWilliamson.Susbtack.com Subscribe to Marianne's YouTube Channel Follow Marianne on Instagram Follow Marianne on Facebook Follow Marianne on TikTok Learn more at Marianne.com

Transcribed - Published: 1 October 2025

When I was growing up, my mother believed the food she fed her family was safe for us to consume. In fact, the 1950's was just the beginning of the corporate takeover of agriculture and food production in the United States. Over the next thirty years it would culminate in Big Ag, Big Chem, and Big Food all having their hey dey producing corporate profits at the expense of American's health. In a properly functioning democracy, the U.S. government - as part of its mandate to protect the common good - would regulate corporate behavior to insure profits were never placed before the safety, health and well-being of people and planet. Yeah, well….that would be nice. Beginning in the 1980's, our government began to promote corporate interests too often at the expense of our well-being. In area after area, corporate profits became America's bottom line. More and more Americans realize this now. We need a world in which the safety, health and well-being of our children takes precedence over an economic trickle-down theory of economics. This is a fundamental way in which we've gone astray, and one of the ways in which in time we will self-correct. My guest today is Bill Freese, science director at Center for Food Safety (CFS), a non-profit organization that supports sustainable agriculture and opposes harmful food production technologies. Take care. Stay informed. We're going to create a more beautiful world. You can find out more at: General website: https://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/victories https://www.thenewlede.org/2025/09/epa-has-failed-us-the-maha-commission-just-proved-it/ https://www.thenewlede.org/2024/04/an-herbicide-so-hazardous-that-courts-have-banned-it-twice/ https://www.thenewlede.org/2024/10/epa-not-protecting-public-from-neonic-exposure-analysis-suggests/ Subscribe to Marianne's Substack: MarianneWilliamson.Susbtack.com Subscribe to Marianne's YouTube Channel Follow Marianne on Instagram Follow Marianne on Facebook Follow Marianne on TikTok Learn more at Marianne.com

Transcribed - Published: 26 September 2025

Israel has begun a ground offensive in Gaza City that promises a new round of horror in an already existing humanitarian disaster. Despite widespread global condemnation, Netanyahu continues doing what he is doing to carry out his Right Wing messianic vision for Israel. Unfortunately, with Trump - just as with Biden - the U.S. continues to send financial support for the Israeli effort. While our Secretary of State Marco Rubio says "It's their war," many would argue it is Israel's war - and ours. In my interview today with Arab-American political advocate Raed Jarrar, he argues that without our help Israel could not do what they are doing. According to Jarrar, one phone call from Trump could stop all this. It's a bit of a mystery why President Trump is not willing to make it. Whatever his reason, the war continues to be an unending source of pain and suffering or the Palestinian people. In the Declaration of Independence, it says that "all men are created equal." And I don't think that means just all Americans. I believe God created us as One and loves us as One. Our job on earth is to learn to love as God loves. I hope my conversation with Raed gives you much to consider. I look forward to hearing your thoughts. Subscribe to Marianne's Substack: MarianneWilliamson.Susbtack.com Subscribe to Marianne's YouTube Channel Follow Marianne on Instagram Follow Marianne on Facebook Follow Marianne on TikTok Learn more at Marianne.com

Transcribed - Published: 17 September 2025

On September 5, 2018, an anonymous Op Ed appeared in the New York Times entitled I am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration. Obviously that caused a stir, followed by the publication of a book by the same author called A Warning. Someone was yelling from the inside: Get away from this man as fast as you can. You get the drift. Ultimately the Anonymous author revealed himself to be Miles Taylor, a former chief of staff at the US. Department of Homeland Security. Having worked in the Bush administration as well, Taylor knew how things were supposed to work in the White House - and how they were not supposed to work. He followed up A Warning with another bestseller, Blowback, in which he described what would happen in a worst case scenario during a second Trump term. Most of them have already occurred. In today's interview, Taylor told me it's now "time to engage in some radical thinking." He said we need a massive movement of non-violent resistance unlike anything America has ever seen. I've admired Taylor's writing, his courage, and his continued call to the American people to wake up before it's too late. If Paul Revere were alive today, he'd be called Miles Taylor. Subscribe to Miles Taylor's Substack: https://www.MilesTaylor.Substack.com  Support Miles' legal fund: https://endpresidentialrevenge.org/   Subscribe to Marianne's Substack: MarianneWilliamson.Susbtack.com Subscribe to Marianne's YouTube Channel Follow Marianne on Instagram Follow Marianne on Facebook Follow Marianne on TikTok Learn more at Marianne.com

Transcribed - Published: 11 September 2025

Marianne Williamson and John Fugelsang explore the intersection of moral values, spirituality, and politics in America.  Learn more and order John Fugelsang's latest book at JohnFugelsang.com  Subscribe to Marianne's Substack: MarianneWilliamson.Susbtack.com Subscribe to Marianne's YouTube Channel Follow Marianne on Instagram Follow Marianne on Facebook Follow Marianne on TikTok Learn more at Marianne.com

Transcribed - Published: 7 September 2025

I've been a fan of Sam Daley Harris for many years. His thinking and activism has motivated and inspired my own efforts in the non-profit world. An organization he founded called RESULTS is a citizen lobby dedicated to creating the political will to end poverty and hunger. His work has literally saved people's lives. He founded and now leads Civic Courage, providing all of us the opportunity to make a difference on the lives of people we will never even know. Sam's book Reclaiming Our Democracy is a testament to what's possible when citizens are engaged in the democratic process. Working through Civic Courage, Daley Harris and his volunteers have led successful efforts to block some of the draconian budget cuts in the Trump agenda, forming a bulwark against their cruelest effects. He is an important leader for such a time as this. Subscribe to Marianne's Substack: MarianneWilliamson.Susbtack.com Subscribe to Marianne's YouTube Channel Follow Marianne on Instagram Follow Marianne on Facebook Follow Marianne on TikTok Learn more at Marianne.com

Transcribed - Published: 26 August 2025

There's a general consensus about a few things regarding AI: It's here and it's not going anyplace. The world will never be the same. It's extremely convenient to use at times, though people should realize that sometimes it lies. The environmental damage it causes is huge. In the hands of corporations like Palintir, it's already being used for what could be government control and totalitarian purposes. The conversation we're having about it as a society is morally and ethically inadequate to the challenges it poses for the human race. I asked Brian O'Kelley, co-founder of AppNexus and Scope3, to help us start to figure all this out. It's not a conversation we should leave in the hands of those who've proven themselves careless about the fate of our democracy or our species. Also, Brian will join me for a zoom call with paid subscribers on Thursday night, 5pmPT and 8pm ET. We'll be sending you the link! So think of your questions and lets have the conversation. This one literally affects us all. Subscribe to Marianne's Substack: https://mariannewilliamson.substack.com Subscribe to Marianne's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/MarianneWilliamson Follow Marianne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariannewilliamson Follow Marianne on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marwilliamsonofficial Learn more about Marianne at https://marianne.com

Transcribed - Published: 22 August 2025

From deporting innocent citizens to criminalizing homelessness, America’s government today is breaking laws and normalizing cruelty. Tens of thousands of America’s unhoused population work part or even full time. Many have children. When homeless encampments are removed and people’s belongings trashed, how are those people to keep their jobs? How are the children to go to school? The level of trauma being inflicted on people is something beyond what any person of conscience should be willing to tolerate.I asked Jesse Rabinowitz, Campaign and Communications Director at National Homelessness Law Center, to help explain what’s happening and what we can do about it. Please support a bill currently before Congress that would actually help solve the problem. Make calls. Spread the word. Make noise.Cruelty is evil. We must not give in. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.transformarticles.com/subscribe

Transcribed - Published: 18 August 2025

From deporting innocent citizens to criminalizing homelessness, America's government today is breaking laws and normalizing cruelty. Tens of thousands of America's unhoused population work part or even full time. Many have children. When homeless encampments are removed and people's belongings trashed, how are those people to keep their jobs? How are the children to go to school? The level of trauma being inflicted on people is something beyond what any person of conscience should be willing to tolerate. I asked Jesse Rabinowitz, Campaign and Communications Director at National Homelessness Law Center, to help explain what's happening and what we can do about it. Please support a bill currently before Congress that would actually help solve the problem. Make calls. Spread the word. Make noise. Cruelty is evil. We must not give in. Subscribe to Marianne's Substack: https://mariannewilliamson.substack.com Subscribe to Marianne's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/MarianneWilliamson Follow Marianne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariannewilliamson Follow Marianne on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marwilliamsonofficial Learn more about Marianne at https://marianne.com

Transcribed - Published: 18 August 2025

Earlier today I posted a video about the shameless Congressional redistricting plan going on in Texas. I said I'd be back with my interview with Beto O'Rourke, so here it is! He's filled with great information and I'm glad to share it. No one need feel helpless in the face of Trump's onslaught, because there's a lot we can do. But We the People need to do it. Beto's organization POWERED BY PEOPLE is doing exactly what needs to be done to help protect the midterms in Texas and elsewhere. It doesn't matter what state you live in or who you are: if they're transgressing against liberty anywhere, they're transgressing against you. This isn't a moment to take our feet off the gas…not even for a moment. We're moved from "threat" to our democracy to full on on-going attack on our democracy. Generations not even born yet will register whether or not we show up for this moment of truth. Wake up. Rise up. And remember what my father used to say: "Don't let the bastards get you down."

Transcribed - Published: 3 August 2025

Earlier today I posted a video about the shameless Congressional redistricting plan going on in Texas. I said I’d be back with my interview with Beto O’Rourke, so here it is! He’s filled with great information and I’m glad to share it.No one need feel helpless in the face of Trump’s onslaught, because there’s a lot we can do. But We the People need to do it. Beto’s organization POWERED BY PEOPLE is doing exactly what needs to be done to help protect the midterms in Texas and elsewhere. It doesn’t matter what state you live in or who you are: if they’re transgressing against liberty anywhere, they’re transgressing against you.This isn’t a moment to take our feet off the gas…not even for a moment. We’re moved from “threat” to our democracy to full on on-going attack on our democracy. Generations not even born yet will register whether or not we show up for this moment of truth.Wake up. Rise up. And remember what my father used to say: “Don’t let the b******s get you down.” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.transformarticles.com/subscribe

Transcribed - Published: 1 August 2025

A lot of hope is riding on the 2026 midterm elections, not that any of us are naive about efforts the Trump administration will make (in fact, already is making!) to ensure Republicans keep control of both houses of Congress. A compliant Congress, after all, has been a primary vehicle for the passage of the Project 2025 agenda. I’ll gladly interview Congressional candidates who offer hope for real change in Washington. Today’s conversation is with J.D. Scholten of Iowa. J.D., now an Iowa State legislator, decided to jump into the race when he saw Senator Joni Ernst’s response to a constituent who complained that the Medicare cuts will cause people to die. She said, “Well, we all are going to die.” She then doubled down with a sarcastic apology that was pretty shocking even by today’s low standards. Wow.I hope you enjoy my talk with J.D. Washington will be a much better place if Scholten win this race, and I can give a personal endorsement that he’s a really, really, really good guy. Here’s J.D’s website. If you enjoy the interview, I hope you’ll throw in some support. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.transformarticles.com/subscribe

Transcribed - Published: 30 July 2025

A little change of pace today…I did an interview you might enjoy. Relationships, sociopaths and spirituality are the topics covered in my conversation with author Arielle Ford about her latest book, “The Love Thief.” The book is coming out this week, and if you find the interview compelling you can check it out at at www.thelovethief.com. It’s based on a true story and captures insights very relevant to the times in which we live.Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.transformarticles.com/subscribe

Transcribed - Published: 20 July 2025

A little change of pace today… I did an interview you might enjoy. Relationships, sociopaths and spirituality are the topics covered in my conversation with author Arielle Ford about her latest book, "The Love Thief." The book is coming out this week, and if you find the interview compelling you can check it out at at www.thelovethief.com. It's based on a true story and captures insights very relevant to the times in which we live. Enjoy!

Transcribed - Published: 20 July 2025

Marianne Williamson speaks with neurosurgeon & author Dr. James Doty about the brain-heart connection. Learn more about Marianne's Whole Health Plan: https://marianne2024.com/issues/whole-health-plan/ Support the campaign here: https://marianne2024.com/

Transcribed - Published: 25 August 2023

Marianne Williamson sits down with Dr. Steve Farber to discuss his experience providing healthcare in America. See Marianne's Whole Health Plan here: https://marianne2024.com/issues/whole-health-plan/ Learn more and support Marianne'e campaign: https://marianne2024.com/

Transcribed - Published: 10 August 2023

Marianne Williamson sits down with three members Gen Z to discuss their personal experience of life in America on today’s Firelight Chat. Learn more and Donate Today at https://Marianne2024.com

Transcribed - Published: 2 August 2023

Marianne Williamson speaks with author Nancy MacLean about the stealth campaign to limit the power of democracy on today’s Firelight Chat. Learn more and donate: https://marianne2024.com/

Transcribed - Published: 26 July 2023

Marianne Williamson interviews activists involved in the Stop Cop City movement. Learn more and donate at Marianne2024.com

Transcribed - Published: 19 July 2023

Marianne Williamson interviews climate scientist Peter Kalmus on the looming threat of increased global warming. Learn more about Marianne's campaign an donate at https://marianne2024.com/ Learn more about Marianne's climate action plan: https://marianne2024.com/issues/clima... Learn more about Peter Kalmus: https://peterkalmus.net/about/

Transcribed - Published: 13 July 2023

Marianne Williamson speaks with historian Harvey Kaye about the founding of this country and its meaning for today. Learn more about Marianne’s campaign at https://marianne2024.com/ Learn more about Marianne’s upcoming events at https://events.marianne2024.com Donate to Marianne's campaign at: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mar... Follow Harvey Kaye on Twitter at https://twitter.com/harveyjkaye

Transcribed - Published: 6 July 2023

Marianne talks to Congressional candidate Maebe A. Girl about TRANSGENDER IN AMERICA Learn more about Marianne’s campaign at https://marianne2024.com/ Learn more about Marianne’s upcoming events at https://events.marianne2024.com Donate to Marianne's campaign at: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/marwilliamson2024 Learn more about Maebe A. Girl at https://maebeagirlforcongress.org/

Transcribed - Published: 3 July 2023

Marianne interviews journalist Stephen Semler about the Military Industrial Complex and how we can begin to dismantle its power. Learn more about Marianne’s campaign and policies at https://marianne2024.com/ Stephen Semler's work can be found on his "Speaking Security" Substack: https://stephensemler.substack.com/ Follow Stephen Semler on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stephensemler

Transcribed - Published: 3 July 2023

Marianne Williamson discusses Israel and Palestine with Palestinian-American political analyst Omar Baddar and JStreet's Josh Lockman. Learn more and Donate Today at https://Marianne2024.com

Transcribed - Published: 3 July 2023

Marianne Williamson interviews screenwriters Jay Kogen and Billy Ray about the current stalemate between the Writers Guild of America and Hollywood studios. Donate at: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/flc Learn more about Marianne’s policies at Marianne2024.com Learn More about Marianne’s 21st Century Economic Bill of Rights at https://marianne2024.com/economic-bill-of-rights/ Learn more about Marianne’s Labor policies at https://marianne2024.com/issues/empowered-labor/

Transcribed - Published: 3 July 2023

The train derailment and subsequent environmental disaster on February 3rd in East Palestine, Ohio, is the embodiment of a greedy economic perspective and the damage it creates. The railroad industry, like so many others, produces billions of dollars in profit for its stockholders. Yet those profits are often at the expense of the safety, health and well-being of its workers and many others, as a greedy obsession with cutting costs gets precedence over humane concerns.The people of East Palestine and surrounding areas could be dealing with the after effects of this environmental disaster - one of the worst in U.S. history - for decades. The incident demonstrates the dire effects of putting short term corporate profit maximization before the well-being of people and the state of our world. This is an industry, remember, that only months ago fought tooth and nail to deny its workers sick pay.I asked Max Alvarez, editor of The Real News Network, to discuss with me what really happened in East Palestine; the workers who tried to warn executives at Norfolk Southern of the dangers posed by their antiquated brake system and merciless cost cutting - only to be rebuffed; and how, if we do not return to an era of appropriate regulation as a guardrail against corporate irresponsibility, the next disaster is just waiting to happen.The greedy overreach of such companies as Norfolk Southern make clear the importance of today’s resurgent labor movement in the United States. All of us have a part to play in ending the tyranny of corporate domination. Let’s pray it won’t take any more disasters to make it happen. The time for change is now.Learn more about Max and The Real News NetworkFollow Max on Twitter @maximillian_alv This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.transformarticles.com/subscribe

Transcribed - Published: 2 March 2023

Marianne Williamson talks to The Real News Network's Max Alvarez about the dire situation in East Palestine, Ohio and Norfolk Southern's actions that brought on the disaster. They also discuss where the labor movement is today.   Learn more about Max and The Real News Network Follow Max on Twitter @maximillian_alv

Transcribed - Published: 2 March 2023

In April of 2022, a young man named Christian Smalls led a powerful unionization drive at the Amazon warehouse in Staten Island, New York. An 8,000 person work force was working under conditions that Smalls, and others, found unfair and unsafe particularly during the COVID pandemic.Amazon spent over $4M to deter Smalls’ unionization efforts, which he funded with $120,000 raised on a Go Fund Me page. Yet as everyone now knows, Smalls’ David beat Amazon’s Goliath; the final vote was 2,654 yes votes, 2,131 no, with 68 challenges. While Amazon was left with more arrows in its quivers with which to beat unionization, the vote at JFK8 was a historic win with an indisputable emotional and psychological effect on labor activists around the country.  Was Amazon’s material power enormous compared to that of Smalls and his friends? Oh yes. Was it almost ridiculous to think that Smalls - particularly with so few resources compared to Amazon’s - would be able to rally enough support for his efforts? Absolutely. So what happened there? What was it about Smalls - about his commitment and his perseverance and dedication to his cause - that despite the forces arrayed against him enabled him to work a miracle? Speaking on the New York Times Daily podcast, Smalls referred to the process as “spiritual.” He said the effort was built on “love and caring for one another.” Amazon spent millions of dollars on anti-union consultants; Smalls put up a folding table on public property near the bus stop outside the warehouse, talking to Amazon workers as they got off and on the bus day after day, night after night. He talked to workers, he listened to their stories, he helped where he could, he built a community of sorts. They all sang together, he said, and even prayed together. In the end, the power of connection, community, human sharing and understanding, overcame Amazon’s gargantuan material power.Many have referred to Smalls as the David to Amazon’s Goliath. And there was far more to the Biblical David and Goliath than simply their difference in size. First of all, David wasn’t even a warrior; he was a shepherd delivering food. He knew nothing about fighting. But his heart was touched by the pain and fear of his brothers, and it was that which inspired him to volunteer to take on the giant. He was bound to win … because the giant had no soul.Smalls, like David before him, was going to hit Goliath in the one place where it has no defense: its lack of conscience. With his slingshot David hit Goliath at the midpoint of the giant’s forehead, a point referred to metaphysically as the Third Eye. If you have a conscience and the opponent doesn’t, then ultimately you will win. A soulless neoliberal economic order, devoid of ethics and human compassion, will have no power once confronted by a politics of love, of radical humanitarianism. The way Smalls discussed his union drive made me think he understands that.Amazon didn’t know what hit them.Most experts in the field of union organizing would have doubted Smalls’ effort, and the executives at Amazon certainly did. Amazon’s general counsel made the mistake of emailing a thousand people to describe Smalls as “not smart and not articulate,” a line that will go down in history as the famous last words of a dinosaur system. They became a rallying cry not only for Smalls but for thousands of people who could relate to the experience of their legitimate calls for justice going unheard, their needs being dismissed, and their very way of speaking being derided. The Amazon executive said he hoped the press would focus on Smalls as a kind of mascot for the unionization effort, as he felt it would be good for the company on the public relations front. If ever there was a “watch what you wish for” moment, that was it.Smalls didn’t try to look or sound like a union leader is “supposed” to look or sound. Nor did he look to professional organizers to build his union. He knew the experts had failed in their effort to unionize the Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama; only Smalls knew the workers themselves and what they were going through on Staten Island. He’s unabashedly of a new generation of labor leadership that is going to do things their way.We can’t beat the old system with the tools of the old system, for the old system is loveless. If we put our lovelessness up against its lovelessness - and it has more money or power of brute force than we do - then we will lose. It is only when we claim the power of deep human connection, of the authentically human, that we can invoke nonviolent revolution. Call it solidarity, call it community, call it brotherhood or call it love - whatever you call it, it’s the key to transforming the world.Interestingly enough, it was the American labor union advocate Nicholas Klein (not Gandhi, to whom the words have often been misattributed), who in 1918 said, “First they ignore you. Then they ridicule you. And then they attack you and want to burn you. And then they build monuments to you.” The quote was become popularized as “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, and then you win.”  Whichever way we say it, the point is that it’s true. There will definitely be monuments to Christian Smalls one day. He brought a deep human dimension to a field that had grown dry and sclerotic, like bringing a withered flower back to life. He, more than any other individual, has made labor organizing a thing again. He did something that so needed to be done, and now thousands upon thousands more will have the courage to do it too.I admire him greatly, and I hope you enjoy our conversation... (The episode can also be found on Spotify and Apple Podcasts)Marianne Williamson:Hi everybody, Marianne Williamson here, thank you so much for being with me. This is an exciting interview for me. It's something I've been wanting to do. It has been scheduled and rescheduled. I could do it, but then he couldn't do it. He could do it, but then I couldn't do it. And finally today was the big day I got to interview labor organizer Chris Smalls. Christian Smalls is someone who has already made history in his young life. He has actually led a successful union drive at Amazon.Amazon as we know is a huge corporate behemoth, and it is one of these huge corporate entities that has done everything in its power to keep unions out of its shop. Now, you might say, as I think any reasonable person would say, with the billions of dollars that Amazon makes - the billions of dollars in profit that accrue not only to its stockholders but also to the big man himself, Jeff Bezos - why would they not want to give workers all the safety benefits? All the health benefits, all the things that will just enable those workers to have a dignified life, to make a living wage and to be able to work with some happiness and some productivity and creativity that feels natural to them on a daily basis?Well, as you probably know, that is not the way Amazon has seen it. So Christian Smalls is the man who did what they said could not be done. He successfully unionized the Staten Island, New York warehouse, JFK8 in April of this year. Nobody would've thought that he could do it. It began when he was working at Amazon and he was upset by the lack of safety measures that were being taken at the beginning of the pandemic, when COVID was particularly dangerous. The company was not taking the measures that they needed to be taking to ensure the safety of its workers.He was just blown off. Then when he tried to stage a walk out, they fired him illegally and Amazon spent over $4 million on labor busting activities. They brought in the big guns. They brought in the so-called experts. Christian Smalls, and the gentleman who was his partner in this effort, Derrick Palmer, they raised $120,000 on a GoFundMe page. They did what they said could not be done. They built community. They built solidarity. They took a folding table, folding chairs, set them up outside the bus stop where workers came and went every day. They had food, they sang, they famously smoked weed and they talked and they prayed together. And they explained to people why it was to their benefit (to form a union). Now, even as we speak, Amazon is contesting the election saying it needs to be held again, complaining that the NLRB, the National Labor Relations Board was unfair in its help that it gave to the union.They're saying all the things you would expect them to be saying right now, but Christian Smalls has already made history. Christian Smalls has already enlivened single handedly, practically, the labor movement in this country along with incredible people like Sarah Nelson, so many others as well. There are thousands of people and more who have been involved in the larger effort. Now look at what's going on at Starbucks, what's going on at Walmart.What's starting to go on at Apple, Google, this is now a fire that has been lit. Labor is coming back and it's coming back in large part because of this one young man, Christian Smalls. I hope you enjoy our interview. Marianne Williamson:Chris Smalls, thank you so much for being with me. I'm really grateful, and I have really looked forward to speaking with you.Christian Smalls:Thank you. Thank you for having me.Marianne Williamson:You are very much man of the season. You've already made a historic difference, not only in the labor movement, but in our contemporary relationship with capitalism itself. People will be talking about you decades and longer from now. My interest in you, what I've thought about so much is why you? And so I'd like to discuss that with you today if you don't mind going over some of those details with me. You had been working at Amazon and you had a problem with the fact that you felt that they were not taking care of the health and safety of its workers in a way that was appropriate during COVID. Is that correct?Christian Smalls:Yes, absolutely.Marianne Williamson:Okay. So when you first went and complained about that, what kind of response did you get?Christian Smalls:It pretty much was just negative. It was nothing that was really a solution to what we were asking for. It was just nonchalant, business as usual, not really worried about our concerns. We needed PPE, we needed some guidance on to how to socially distance. It was nothing. It was just very vague. It wasn't really reaching anybody on the shop floor and I just couldn't stand with it.Marianne Williamson:So when you went and made that complaint, were you alone in the office with the HR person or were other people with you?Christian Smalls:At certain points, other people were with me, but initially, no. I went by myself and then I brought larger groups days following especially after my colleague tested positive, I started to organize workers in the break room.Marianne Williamson:So we all have to remember, this is at the height of the COVID pandemic? This is when this was a very serious situation, people were getting sick. What I'm curious about is your perseverance. What I'm curious about is the fact that they did not stop you. Now, if it had not been you, what would've happened for most people who were at Amazon at that time? They go, they complain to HR, HR just brushes off their complaints, and then what happens? Did people just figure there's nothing we can do?Christian Smalls:It would've been a lot more people deceased had I not did what I did. People would have lost their lives had I not did what I did. Amazon was forced publicly to provide the PPE and they made sure that week after I was fired, that they dropped all packages right to JFK8. And unfortunately, people still died that I've known that worked there.Marianne Williamson:So you're angry at that point, you feel the sense of injustice and you keep going. You don't let it go. You stage a walk out. At that point, Amazon starts realizing we might have a problem on our hands, but we don't really have a problem on our hands because Chris Smalls is "Not smart, not articulate." When you first do stage a walk out though, they fire you, right?Christian Smalls:Yes, two hours after the walk out on the same day they fired me.Marianne Williamson:What is it about you? What was going on inside you at that point that you said, "I'm not stopping." What was happening inside you? Who was talking to you? Was it friends? Was it family? Because not everybody would've persevered the way that you did. What was going on inside?Christian Smalls:Well, yeah. At the time, I was devastated by obviously losing my main source of income. So of course, I had to talk to my relatives, my mother.Marianne Williamson:I knew you were going to say your mother.Christian Smalls:Yeah.Marianne Williamson:I knew it. I knew it. All right. Tell me, what did your mother tell you, Chris?Christian Smalls:Well she always told me no weapon formed against me shall prosper. And she just motivated me to continue fighting for what's right. And I spoke to out of nowhere, Reverend Jesse Jackson called me, so I spoke to him. He really uplifted me, he gave me some legal counsel. And from that moment, I just continued to embrace whatever was thrown at me.Marianne Williamson:Right. So when you went down to Bessemer, Alabama, and you offered to be of service to their unionization efforts down there. That effort was being led by the people who supposedly know how to do all this. And they shoved you aside too. What did you know? You were just a worker, right? That would've also felt insulting and defeating.Christian Smalls:Yeah, it was definitely disheartening that I wasn't along with the people I went with who are actually Amazon workers that we didn't really have a connection with the union down there to really help them the first time around, which I saw we wanted to do originally. But we learned from their mistakes, we learned from the opportunities that we saw and we tried it our own way. And we don't regret the decision that we made. I felt that you're going to make decisions based on the workers in the warehouse, then who better than the workers in the warehouse.Marianne Williamson:I heard you say, actually, in talking about the community that you built. You got your folding chairs and your folding table, and you just set yourself up at the bus stop. You would bring food. Sometimes you would bring food that was more familiar to some of the immigrants who were the workers there, you would sing songs. You said you would pray together. You famously smoked weed together which Amazon is trying to use against you. Everybody else is saying, "Well, that was smart."Explain not only the community building that you did, but I want to go back a little bit to this David and Goliath issue as I'm sure you know because I'm sure your mother taught you well. King Saul took off his coat of armor and said to David, "If you're going to do this, the least I can do is give you my coat of armor." He put on Saul's coat of armor and gave it back, said, "If I'm going to do this, I have to do it my way." You pierced this incredible wall of power represented by Amazon, huge corporate power. You pierced that wall and you pierced it through the level of community building that you did. Am I correct?Christian Smalls:That's absolutely correct. Yeah, we wanted to do it our way. We really didn't even have to reject help because we didn't get any. So to know that we did it our way and to really be successful, there's no greater feeling. And to have it worker led through and through, the workers understand the power now. And that was the only way and the best way that could have been done, to have them do it themselves.Christian Smalls:And to me to be this outside, presence at the bus stop, knowing the ins and out of the company, we definitely wouldn't take it back. This was the way to do it, and we're just happy to share this experience with the world. So originally, we were approached by some unions that wanted to affiliate which means that obviously, we had to start over our campaign. So that was a no go, and then the rest were very vague type of help or if any, we didn't get it. So we didn't ask and vice versa. Yeah.Marianne Williamson:So you have already made history. You've already demonstrated what's possible. You've already started the reemergence of labor in a way that we have not seen in decades in this country whether it has to do with people at Starbucks, people at Apple all over the country now, there is this burning fire. First of all, I want to ask you about the efforts going on right now. You do feel that the NLRB, National Labor Relations Board, you do feel that they have served you well and that they have been fair and helpful, correct?Christian Smalls:Well, they've done what they can do. It's still a ways to go. Their laws are obviously outdated. They're way understaffed, they're way underfunded. So it really is a question is did the administration allow this NLRB to help us out? And the answer to that is they have some work to do. We want the PRO Act to be passed. We want some of these remedies to be quicker.It shouldn't take two years for somebody to get fired and get their job back. Companies shouldn't be able to control and dictate certain things that they are able to do now. And we're dealing with that as we pretty much progressed through our campaign. We're learning that there's still some things that need to be worked out when it comes to these labor laws in this country.Marianne Williamson:Well, right now, Amazon even as we speak is trying to get the election overthrown. What are the other things to which you're referring? Where you feel the administration could be giving you and by extension the entire labor movement right now greater support in its efforts?Christian Smalls:Well, number one, they definitely shouldn't be given $10 billion to Amazon which they are. That doesn't make any sense, and then these are taxpayer dollars. The public needs to be outraged as well. Not just the workers, it's not just up to the ALU and the workers to take on all of the responsibility for holding this company accountable. Biden should be using that executive order pin. There's something that he can do right now to help workers out immediately.Marianne Williamson:I want to make sure that nobody misses out on this. First of all, that 10 billion, right?Christian Smalls:Yep.Marianne Williamson:(Biden) had said at the beginning of his presidency that he would not be giving any government contracts to companies that were actively opposing unions, but that's an example of his doing exactly what he said he would not do. What are the other things that he could do by executive order right now to be of greater support to unions?Christian Smalls:Well, definitely signing an executive order if the PRO Act is not going to pass, there's certain things that they can take and get into order right now. Also, just allocating some more money towards the NLRB on a national level. We need to staff these offices so that they can take on the amount of cases and inquiries that are coming from workers. They can't even really keep up.Marianne Williamson:Yes. That's what I heard from union organizers at Starbucks when I asked about the NLRB. They said, "Yeah, they're trying." But they're understaffed. We have this idea of this huge government agency, but it's actually just a much smaller office than you would think, and that it should be. Okay. So we know the success that you have been. We know that regardless what they do now, regardless of even if they overthrow the election, you've already pierced the wall.You have already inspired the imagination. You have already given hope to thousands, if not millions of workers out in America to think, "Well yeah, maybe I could start a union. People who know that they can get online and see how it's done." I want to throw another compliment at you if I may. When this all happened, I was really looking as I'm sure many people were really looking closely at you because all of a sudden, you were all over the media and you did not waver. The kind of seduction techniques that the system uses to pull people over. Just please know that your demonstration of the solidity of your convictions, your unwillingness to waver, please know what a difference it has made to so many of us who are looking very carefully at what's going on.Christian Smalls:Well yeah, just thank you again for that compliment as well. Right now, the labor movement definitely is reaching different platforms that we haven't seen. It's unprecedented at these times. And I know I'm a big part of that going on different platforms, talking about labor, that's something that's necessary. And I see that the labor movement right now needs to be led by the younger generation.There's no other way around it. The older established unions are starting to see the resurgence of this type of revolution, the Starbucks workers, the Apple, Google, Amazon, you name it. Even Walmart, Dollars General, Target, they reached out to me. So it's just a beautiful thing to see really.Marianne Williamson:So what I hear you saying is that you recognize that your leadership role is not just in regard to what happens at Amazon, but that your leadership role along with people such as Sarah Nelson and others has to do with the larger picture of the reemergence of labor at this time. I know you had a friend, Derrick Palmer I believe.Christian Smalls:Yes.Marianne Williamson:Who really he joined with you, and I think that was a big deal. Having even one person who really believes in an effort, but in terms of the overall workforce at Amazon, was it a slow slog trying to convince people that this was possible? Trying to convince people it was a good idea? Did people seem too defeated to think it was possible?Christian Smalls:Yes. We definitely had to spend a large portion in the beginning of our campaign just educating people on what a union is. At first of course, there's so many questions. There was several conversations to be held, and it took some people two to three months to come on board, even some members of our core leadership with the ALU. Some of them didn't come until well after our first petition was even filed.So it took people time. It took people coming back to the bus stop, talking to me directly. There's been a lot of that throughout the course of the campaign, and just Derrick present along with the other leaders inside the building every single day advocating even though the company was union busting so hard. Just having that militancy in the building showed the workers that when we come together, there's nothing that could stop us.Marianne Williamson:What were the fears that people had about joining a union?Christian Smalls:Well, it's always about the money. Amazon always tried to make it about the union dues. They know that these workers barely make enough as it is which is sad because they work for them and they can pay them more, but they know that these workers are living check to check. So of course, to threaten somebody else, a third party which they tried to refer to us as coming in to take union dues, that's going to put fear in anybody's mind who thinks that we're coming to take their money and to make me rich, or to make me a millionaire. They even told the workers at one point that I'm going to take the union dues and go buy a Lamborghini. It was just making up just silly things every single week, and we had to combat that.Marianne Williamson:Then of course, the over $4 million that Amazon spent was on professional union busters. So these techniques are very tried and true for them. And if we will continue to just talk to people. Now, in the current effort that Amazon is making to overturn the election, are you hopeful about that that this will be okay and that they will not be able to do that?Christian Smalls:Very hopeful. We know, and I know that we followed the rules through and through. We didn't cheat, we beat them fair and square. Even if you can say fair and square, we're talking about workers beating a trillion dollar company and they're crying wolf. That's just what it is. They're mad that they lost and they're going to spend every dollar to try to overturn it, but there's nothing there. They're just dragging this out. From what I understand, I can't even tune in because we are removed from it. We just hope that the NLRB and we have a good set of lawyers that are fighting for us. We hope that the decision goes our way.Marianne Williamson:Jeff Bezos has so many billions of dollars. He's one of the richest men in the world. Amazon has profits of so many billions and all we're talking about is creating a situation where the workers for a company can have a living wage, dignity, reasonable benefits so that they can live a quality life. How does that just make you feel on a personal level that this corporate giant who has so many billions of dollars is working so hard to block you? Where are you in your heart about that?Christian Smalls:Yeah, it really just makes no sense how much greed somebody can have in a lifetime. Just thinking about the fact that one million of these dollars, one million can pay everybody $30 an hour. So it's just disheartening to hear it when you put in that perspective, but it also just continues to motivate us what we're fighting for and we're not going to give up no matter what they do, no matter how much union busting money they spend. The workers are past that point of return. There's no going back to what we saw and what we were getting pre-COVID. This is the turning point, and I think workers know their value now.Marianne Williamson:In this latest more modern era, the suppression of the union and the demonization of unions has been so strong for the last few decades. You have clearly made a dent in that in terms of the consciousness of the workers. What about just America in general? Do you think America's waking up just as a country to the recognition that the labor movement is an important antidote to overreach by capitalism?Christian Smalls:I really believe that the tides are definitely turning. Once again, labor is booming and up from I think it's believe 57% of unionizing elections this past year. So yeah, there's definitely something brewing here in the country nationwide. I've been traveling the country, I'm called the Hot Labor Summer Tour. I've been traveling ever since we won. I'm continuing to do so to spread awareness, spread our message and to really inspire people that want to unionize and no matter what industry you're in.So yeah, I think the conversation is starting to move. We just have to continue once again, keep our foot on the gas. We can't let up. We can't rely on the politicians. We can't rely on the corporations. Damn sure can't rely on our bosses to give us what we want. We have to go get it.Marianne Williamson:Is there anything else that you want people to know? That you want people to remember?Christian Smalls:I just want people to know and take note of what they witness. We're just ordinary people that came together. As I speak right now, I am an unemployed worker no matter if you're employed or not, you're still a worker and we're all a part of the same struggle. When we come together, we can defeat companies like Amazon. We can defeat companies like Walmart. It's just up to us to really come together and build off a commonality. I already said it to Lindsey Graham, it's not a left or right thing. It's the worker thing, and we've got to come together as people and really take on and fight back for what we rightfully deserve.Marianne Williamson:When you were speaking at a congressional hearing to Lindsey Graham, the one you just mentioned that of course was televised. I felt that something in him heard you and knew that you were speaking truth. Did you feel that way?Christian Smalls:At the moment, no, of course not, but I obviously watched the tapes and seen that that moment took off on the internet, I said, "Okay, maybe he did listen to me. Maybe not, but just to have workers speaking in the court hearing, that felt good." Workers need to hear that, people need to hear that message, and I'm glad that it resonated.Marianne Williamson:Well, you're making a very important point right there. It really doesn't matter whether or not Lindsey Graham heard you. What matters is that America heard you. And once again, the way you spoke to him, much like the way you spoke to Tucker Carlson, you do not waver from what you know to be the moral truth and integrity of your words. And it really obviously does not matter to you who buys it because you're talking to the larger audience of who's listening. God bless you. I think you're incredible, and if there's any way that I could possibly contribute to what you were doing, please call on me anytime. I'm one of your biggest fans.Christian Smalls:No, I know already, and I appreciate everything you've done for me already, and your support as well, very much needed in this fight. And yeah, just speaking about David and Goliath, the shirt that I'm wearing is actually David and Goliath. Somebody designed it.Marianne Williamson:Absolutely. He hit him in the third eye. He hit him in conscience, that's the one place where, and this is a very important spiritual truth about the story of David and Goliath. The one place where the giant was undefended was in the seat of the soul. And that is what you do, you speak right into conscience. You speak right into the hearts knowing that's how you made the movement happen.Marianne Williamson:I'm not surprised to hear that your mother had something to do with that. I have heard the little things that you've said about how the movement itself was spiritual, about how you prayed that morning. A lot of people have heard and have listened and you have definitely demonstrated the power of David to speak to the seat of the soul, and I think that you've only just begun. You've already made history and I hope you make a lot more of it. God bless you, sir.Christian Smalls:Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.Marianne Williamson:Thank you. Thank you so much. Okay, that was my interview with Christian Smalls. I hope that you enjoyed it as much as I did. Christian Smalls has made history and now, the rest of us have to find it in our hearts to do that which they say cannot be done. If you are working in a company or in an industry where you feel that there needs to be a union and there's not, I hope that you will go online, that you will find all the ways that you too could start a union drive among the people that you work with.This is a movement that having begun in the way it has now, this reemergence of labor - the fire has started and it's not going to stop. So if this is meant for you, I hope you'll take action. In the meantime, thank you for being with me. If you're enjoying the podcast, please subscribe, rate, and review on Apple podcast, check us out at YouTube. And remember, we all have an inner Christian Smalls. All my best to you. I'll see you next time. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.transformarticles.com/subscribe

Transcribed - Published: 31 July 2022

Mariane talks to labor organizer and Amazon Labor Union president Christian Smalls about his fight against Amazon and the larger impacts he's had on the current labor movement.  For more information visit MarianneWilliamson.Substack.com

Transcribed - Published: 5 July 2022

My father died in 1995, but for as long as he lived if you asked him after a presidential election “Who did you vote for, Daddy?” his response was always “Roosevelt.” Obviously I grew up in a home that honored the former president, and my mother would go on and on about Eleanor as well. The late president’s wife was still alive when I was a little girl and I remember her profound influence on the country.I was excited to have a chance to speak with historian Harvey Kaye about a president who feels so extraordinarily relevant right now. Faced with the horrors of the Great Depression, Roosevelt knew that in order to save the America economy his generation would “need to become fairly radical for a generation.” Those words echo powerfully today, along with all his calls for social justice and fundamental economic reform. We have much to learn from Roosevelt, and there’s no one better to teach us than Harvey Kaye.FDR on Democracy: The Greatest Speeches and Writings of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.Follow Harvey on Twitter @HarveyJKayeYou can also listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.transformarticles.com/subscribe

Transcribed - Published: 5 June 2022

Marianne Williamson discusses the legacy of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt with historian Harvey Kaye. Learn more at MarianneWilliamson.Substack.com Follow Harvey on Twitter @HarveyJKaye

Transcribed - Published: 5 June 2022

Should government be run like a business? No, says Donald Cohen, the founder and executive director of In The Public Interest and author of the book "The Privatization of Everything: How the Plunder of Public Goods Transformed America and How We Can Fight Back"   In this episode, Marianne & Donald go deep into the insidious ways that private industry exerts undue influence on our government. These interests "strip public goods of their power to lift people up, creating instead a tool to diminish democracy, further inequality, and separate us from each other." For more information visit MarianneWilliamson.Substack.com and InThePublicInterest.org.   

Transcribed - Published: 14 May 2022

Marianne interviews climate scientist Peter Kalmus for Earth Day.   For more infomration visit MarianneWilliamson.Substack.com and PeterKalmus.Net

Transcribed - Published: 23 April 2022

"Get me out of here." Five simple words religious scholar Diana Butler Bass heard repeatedly while sitting in a pew at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. But why? And who was whispering this to her?  Jesus. And she writes about why in her latest book, Freeing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way, and Presence  Diana and Marianne discuss what Jesus means to them individually and the importance of freeing him from the confines of doctrine and dogma. As Diana says, "When I think of Jesus I think of wisdom. I think of embodied compassion. I think of this incredible vision of justice." More at MarianneWilliamson.Substack.com  For more info about Diana visit DianaButlerBass.com

Transcribed - Published: 17 April 2022

Marianne Williamson discusses spirituality and brain science with stroke survivor and neuroscientist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor. The two talk about Dr. Taylor's recovery, the difference in the brains of boomers and millennials and how to create and keep a healthy brain. The conversation stems from Dr. Taylor's latest book, "Whole Brain Living: The Anatomy of Choice and the Four Characters That Drive Our Life." For more information visit MarianneWilliamson.Substack.com or DrJillTaylor.com.

Transcribed - Published: 12 April 2022

Marianne talks to Real News Network editor-in-chief Max Alvarez in the wake of the historic vote to unionize a Staten Island Amazon warehouse. The two discuss the lead up to the vote, why it was successful as well as the history of labor in the United States. Read, listen to and watch Max Alvarez's work: https://therealnews.com   Follow Max on Twitter: @maximillian_alv Max's book "The Work of Living" will be released by OR books this June   

Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2022

Thousands of Americans now reject the American experiment and are actively trying to tear the country apart. White nationalists have infiltrated just about every community, seriously armed, and can be found in towns and cities across the United Stares. Marianne discusses all of this with author Stephen Marche who details the problems we face in his frightening new book, "The Next Civil War: Dispatches from the American Future." For more information visit MarianneWilliamson.Substack.com and StephenMarche.com.

Transcribed - Published: 28 March 2022

Marianne speaks with Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) about his new book "DIGNITY IN THE DIGITAL AGE: Making Tech Work for All of Us," other progressive issues, and also the war in Ukraine.   For more information visit MarianneWilliamson.Substack.com

Transcribed - Published: 10 March 2022

The ascension of far right politics in this country didn't happen overnight - it was manufactured over decades. Marianne Williamson talks to author Nancy MacLean about her book "Democracy in Chains," chronicling how proponents of property rights absolutism thought they could only succeed by putting "democracy in chains." Democracy in Chains MarianneWilliamson.Substack.com  

Transcribed - Published: 1 March 2022

Williamson discusses the relationship between Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings with Harvard historian Annette-Gordon Reed.   To learn more visit MarianneWilliamson.Substack.com

Transcribed - Published: 21 February 2022

When I was growing up, fair news reporting was not only appreciated; it was codified into law. A single company was not allowed to own a town’s TV station, radio station and newspaper, so much did we value diversification of opinion. There was a Fairness Doctrine that required balanced reporting. I remember when I was a child, my father explaining that the sales department in a newspaper building was on a different floor than the news department, that the two staffs were never supposed to communicate about what they were doing, and in some buildings the elevators wouldn’t even go to both floors.Then all that when away.The Fairness Doctrine was repealed in 1987. The 1996 Telecommunications Act gave huge conglomerates almost unlimited power to dominate news markets; the consolidation of corporate media power can be traced directly to that piece of legislation. At the time the legislation was passed, for instance, there were approximately 55 media companies while today there are 5. Local newspapers lost funding, then readership, then relevance in the life of the average American.Fairness and independent reporting gave way to the demands of the market, as profit margins for huge corporations took precedence over balanced reporting and even truth itself. News became as much about entertainment as information, geared more toward getting people’s attention than creating informed citizens. Political programming based more on adrenaline-fueled opposition than intelligent debate became a sales technique (read Matt Taibbi’s Hate Inc.), leading to the dumbing down of American discourse.A reporter or editor telling too much truth ran the risk of angering the powers that be. Once the news became just another capitalist enterprise, a series of articles that might have gotten a newspaper reporter a Pulitzer Prize in years past now became as likely to get the reporter fired. This is why huge corporate monopolies having so much power in our lives is so destructive to society. Just think about it: A reporter wants to write about the factory downriver that is polluting the town’s water - but the company that owns the factory also owns the newspaper! One phone call saying “Kill the story,” and it’s done. Anything that didn’t sell became less important than that which did. Things that we as citizens most need to know about are often the things we’re least informed about, as mainstream media bases its priorities more on stockholder value than on citizen edification. One of the most tragic consequences of this decline in responsible reporting has been the diminishment of resources allowed to foreign correspondents. When 9/11 happened, far too many Americans seemed completely unaware that anyone out there hated us! But people were curious; they wanted to know what events had led to the disaster. I remember, in the days right after the tragedy, how the news was filled with meaningful, intelligent conversation about foreign policy - correspondents, scholars and political experts were going deep with the truth - and people were eating it up. I also remember the day, a week or so later, when someone clearly put the kabash on all that and Americans were told to just go back to shopping.But there has been a pushback to this overtaking of the news industry by an economic bottom line. It’s called Independent Media. My podcast interview this week is with one of the most important voices in independent media today, Jordan Chariton of Status Coup. From covering the Flint water crisis to last year’s re-emergence of a strong labor movement to Standing Rock to the BLM protests, Chariton has been on the front lines of some of the most important news stories of our time - stories too often given short shrift by the mainstream media, or even ignored completely.Jordan’s story is an important look into the state of the American news media today, and not all of it is pretty. But the only way we will change direction in this or any other area is if all of us become more informed about what’s happening. In the meantime, great independent media - a lot of it on substack! - continues to arise. It’s an important force at this critical time and it needs our full support.Listen on Spotify and Apple PodcastsOne more thing: If you want a good look at the news from an independent media perspective, I highly recommend Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar. In my opinion it’s a regular dose of the news as the news should be reported. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.transformarticles.com/subscribe

Transcribed - Published: 20 January 2022