Underdogs United

Ben MacConnell
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  • Personal Journals

This podcast is dedicated to the people who are interested in or currently dedicated to organizing people into a force for good. Ben MacConnell has been organizing professionally since 1998. In this limited series he answers some basic questions: (1) What is organizing? (2) Who are organizers? (3) How does organizing heal divides? (4) Why is grit so important? (5) Why should parents let their kids grow up to be organizers?    

Episodes

  1. 11/03/2024

    Organizing Heroes: Frank Smith Jr.

    In the third installment of "Underdogs United," Ben MacConnell interviews Frank Smith Jr., a civil rights organizer and the founder and director of the African American Civil War Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. Smith recounts his organizing career, beginning with his first "conscious moment" as a child when he viewed pictures of Emmett Till's body being pulled from the river in Jet magazine. He describes his frustration with local business leaders who sold out the college students leading integration efforts in Atlanta, and finally, his decision to join Bob Moses and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) to build power in Mississippi's 'Black Belt' by registering African-Americans to vote. His tales of courage and his ability to laugh—literally—at terrorism demonstrate that true heroism lies not in the pursuit of ease, but in the unwavering resolve found within when things get tough. For more on the tremendous history of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC): https://snccdigital.org/. To learn more or plan a visit to the African-American Civil War Memorial Museum:  https://afroamcivilwar.org/ Permission has been granted to use all music  in this podcast including: Song: Waiting Room from album: 13 Songs; written and produced by Fugazi, Dischord Records, released 1988 Song: Merchandise from album: Repeater, written and produced by Fugazi, Dischord Records, released 1990 Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/at-dawn; License code: WJJSYCE7FEDDVDOD Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/prisms; License code: C1AYWH9MNYRVUZDQ

  2. 10/01/2024

    Organizing People Works

    In the second episode of the Underdogs United Podcast series, the host, Ben MacConnell, brings to life the African proverb: "Until the lion tells the story, the hunter will always be the hero. He and his friend Rachel offers an authentic "Lion's Story" - a true tale told from the point of view of everyday people organizing to improve their community while running up right up against political gamesmanship. Featuring insights into the fears, lessons, heart, and motivations of local leaders, they use the local paper of record, County Commission recordings, and other footage to unearth the history of a local organizing group named Justice Matters' looking for a clean shot at improving their mental health system in spite of the persistent drive of local officials to marry their hopes to a bigger jail. Don't miss this demonstration of relational power, and stay tuned for our segment, "Storytime with Lee” Staples, author of Roots to Power. Permission has been granted to use all music  in this podcast including: Song: Waiting Room from album: 13 Songs; written and produced by Fugazi, Dischord Records, released 1988 Song: Merchandise from album: Repeater, written and produced by Fugazi, Dischord Records, released 1990 This podcast episode also includes references to and brief excerpts from the children's movie 'Chicken Run' under the principles of fair use as allowed by law. This usage is intended for educational and illustrative purposes only, without any monetary gain, to provide cultural commentary and facilitate discussion. Our aim is to explore themes of organization and resistance as depicted in the film, aligning with the episode's focus on grassroots community movements. We acknowledge and respect the ownership rights of the filmmakers and distributors. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/gray-north/tension-trail; License code: EDQTM81LSJKRHRD4 Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/monument-music/a-force-for-good; License code: 81HJA6KIRBIMJQ4R Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/tatami/into-the-sunshine; License code: VFMKJKD02HHAAWBQ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/kevin-macleod/lightless-dawn; License code: ASJNKEDMRGQFUYWV

  3. 08/28/2024

    Organizing People into a Force for Good Defined

    Ben MacConnell, an organizer who started his career in 1997, talks with Kim Bobo, author of Organizing for Social Change and Director of Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, Lee Staples author of Roots to Power, and Peter Block, author of several books on building community. Together, they define the concept of organizing people into a powerful force for good. It starts with a thought experiment: The Unorganized Bus Problem - a bus filled with strangers freezing together while the driver refuses to turn on the heat. It symbolizes human suffering, neglectful authority, and the need for relationship building.   Join us as we explore the transformative power of organizing, learn about the 3.5% rule, and discover how to turn the “Unorganized Bus Problem” into a testament to the power of organized people. This is Underdogs United – where ordinary people band together to create extraordinary change. Permission has been granted to use all music and media in this podcast including: Song: Waiting Room from album: 13 Songs; written and produced by Fugazi, Dischord Records, released 1988 Song: Merchandise from album: Repeater, written and produced by Fugazi, Dischord Records, released 1990 Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/deep-sea; License code: EFKOIBJRB1EH6VGY Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/cha-cha-groove; License code: TE3SWELASGX0FXQ9

  4. Season 1, Episode 1 Trailer

    Underdogs United Teaser

    This is the Underdogs United podcast teaser in preparation for the launch on September 9, 2024.

    Underdogs United Teaser
  • 1 Trailer
    3 Episodes

Trailer

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About

This podcast is dedicated to the people who are interested in or currently dedicated to organizing people into a force for good. Ben MacConnell has been organizing professionally since 1998. In this limited series he answers some basic questions: (1) What is organizing? (2) Who are organizers? (3) How does organizing heal divides? (4) Why is grit so important? (5) Why should parents let their kids grow up to be organizers?    

Information

  • Creator
    Ben MacConnell
  • Years Active
    2024
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Underdogs United
  • Show Website
    Underdogs United