Just Talks Podcast with Ali M. Collins

Ali M. Collins
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Education
  • Updated Daily

What happens when the fight for public education becomes the fight for our democracy? For the past several years, I've been tracking the rise of political attacks on our schools. In this new season, we're moving beyond the headlines to speak with the people actually winning the war for our future.  The stakes have never been higher. I started this podcast documenting the attacks on our educators and the resulting political fallout. Now, I’m expanding the lens. In Season 2, I’m bringing you exclusive conversations with artists, experts, and influencers who are fighting the good fight across the country. The disinformation machine is working overtime, and we need to connect the dots. From the local school board to the national stage, I’ll break down exactly what's happening and give you the tools to get involved. If you want to understand the real threats to our schools and neighborhoods and learn how to build a more just future, stay tuned. The fight for our democracy starts now!

  1. 46m ago ·  Bonus

    Toshio Meronek on SF Politics

    The interview is now available to the public! San Francisco's 'progressive' reputation is a costume. Here's who's paying for it. Check out the full interview here on: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JustTalksPodcast/posts/independent-vs-172486912 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-talks-podcast-with-ali-m-collins/id1869891373?i=1000797433212 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0ivE9fbLaM

  2. Oct 16

    Independent Media vs. the SF “Doom Loop” | Toshio Meronek (Sad Francisco), Just Talks S2E5

    Why do the people making SF worse get the broadest media coverage? 📍 Toshio Meronek of Sad Francisco podcast breaks down astroturfs, dark money, and who's really behind the headlines. We also talked about Miss Major's legacy and why independent journalism needs you now more than ever. Toshio is a brilliant writer and the host of Sad Francisco, a podcast exploring the end of capitalism through a far-left trans and queer lens. We talked about a wide range of topics. The SF "doom loop," how oligarchs and dark money shape what we read, the Wasian discourse, Astroturfing in local media, and his beautiful work preserving Miss Major's legacy — plus how we support independent journalists while platforms keep silencing us. I love that Toshio isn't afraid to tell you where he stands. That's rare. Because while corporate outlets chase "objectivity," the frames we get are chosen by the people who own them — oligarchs like Bezos and Musk, buying up newspapers and platforms, deciding what we see and what we don't. I also had a rare opportunity to speak with Toshio about working with Miss Major: "It was really kind of a gift that she gave me to let me be the one who got to decide what went into the book." A journalist honest about his perspective — and trusted to carry a Black trans elder's stories for the next generation of queer and trans kids. That's what solidarity and true journalism looks like. This episode is an opportunity to reflect on the way our news and social media is a lens for understanding the world. It's important for us to question who benefits from the way our feeds are framed. Paid Patreon subscribers get early access. The public can watch/listen to the interview as of Wednesday, October 22nd, here and on YouTube and Apple Podcast. Please share it with your community! 👇 Follow Toshio on social: 🔗 Website: https://toshiomeronek.com • 🎙️ Sad Francisco: https://sadfrancis.co • 💜 Patreon: https://patreon.com/sadfrancisco • 📸 Instagram: / sadfrancis.co • 📹 YouTube: / @sadfranciscopodcast 📚 Buy his book, Miss Major Speaks: https://www.versobooks.com/products/2787-miss-major-speaks

    Independent Media vs. the SF “Doom Loop” | Toshio Meronek (Sad Francisco), Just Talks S2E5

  3. Jun 17

    When Algorithms Erase Your Voice | Ernest Crim III, Just Talks S2E4

    Frederick Douglass didn't fight for freedom until he realized he shouldn't be a slave. 📖✊🏾 That line hit me hard when I first heard it from Ernest Crim III. And honestly? It underscores just how important our work preserving Black history is right now. We talk a lot about "curriculum" and "book bans" in the news, but Ernest made it personal. He talked about the rising tide of anti-Blackness in schools—not just as policy, but for his own children and community. That quiet, pervasive message that tells Black children they aren't welcome in academic spaces; their culture has no value. And then he said something that stuck with me: "Until we learn who we are... we will continue to be a target of this system, and we will continue to be played by the system as well." That's why the Trump administration is trying to erase us from the history books. This Juneteenth, we must remember that the fight for Black history IS the fight for our democracy. Just Talks Podcast is BACK for a 2nd season! I'm sitting down with folks like Ernest—educators, artists, activists, parents—who are doing the heavy lifting to reclaim those narratives. We aren't just talking theory; we're talking about real strategies to raise kids who know their worth and have the skills to take action. This isn't just an episode; it's a roadmap for anyone tired of seeing our stories erased. This episode drops June 18th on YouTube, Apple Podcast, and Patreon, just in time for Juneteenth! Share it with your community! 👉 WATCH THIS EPISODE NOW (before it hits public platforms) + get exclusive resources to take action in your community! Join the Just Talks Fam here 🎙️ I'd love to hear from you this Juneteenth: How are you paying it forward to preserve Black history for the next generation? Let's start a conversation in the comments. 👇

    When Algorithms Erase Your Voice | Ernest Crim III, Just Talks S2E4

  4. Season 2, Episode 3 Trailer

    Trailer S2E4. The Power of Owning Our History

    "Frederick Douglass didn't fight for freedom until he understood he shouldn't be a slave." That insight set the tone for a powerful conversation with Ernest Crim III. For years, Ernest used social media to teach overlooked histories—from Aunt Polly wielding a butcher knife against slave catchers to modern-day activists fighting local injustice. His platform grew to over 400k followers. Then, in late 2025, everything went dark. Hacked, shadowbanned, then deleted. "I don't come into that space as an influencer. I come into that space as a human being. As an activist." But when the app bans you, where do you go? This isn't just about one creator losing an account; it's about a community losing its voice. As Ernest puts it, "It's like you're leasing the space to sell your coffee... and the landlord could at any point say, 'I don't want you here no more.'" In Season 2, Episode 4, we break down: • How social media is actually "media" first, not "social" • Why the revolution won't happen on TikTok • The importance of documenting your family and local history • How to build genuine community off the apps 👇 Want to hear the uncut conversation—and get early access to the next video? Join my Patreon. Your support elevates these vital narratives.🎙️Membership to the Just Talks Fam includes: early access to upcoming videos, exclusive newsletters, access to private community chats, and live workshops. Public access to this episode drops on Tuesday, June 16th—Just in time for Juneteenth! 💕 Help me elevate more voices like Ernest's. Join my Patreon community starting at $5/month. Your contribution ensures we keep building spaces for truth-telling that the algorithm can't control. Get early access to podcast episodes, members-only benefits and more! Upgrade to paid. #JustTalksPodcast #ErnestCrimIII #DigitalRights #HistoryMatters #BlackHistory

  5. Season 3, Episode 2 Trailer

    Trailer S2E3. How Social Media is Saving Democracy 🛡️📱"

    Feeling like your community is flying under the radar? Li Lovett exposes a critical truth: when people are too stressed or isolated to track what's happening, their rights are the first to be stripped away. In this powerful clip, she reveals how social media is transforming into a lifeline for democracy. From farm workers with massive followings to hyper-local outlets reaching remote areas, she explains how these digital voices are forcing policymakers to finally listen and respond to crises that would otherwise go unseen. Whether you're a content creator, a community organizer, or just a neighbor looking to stay informed, this is your reminder that knowledge and transparency are the only shields we have against injustice. 🔗 Watch the full podcast on https://patreon.com/justtalkspodcast #DemocracyInAction #SocialMediaForGood #CommunityVoices #ImmigrantRights #Transparency #JustTalksPodcast #LiLovett #DigitalActivism Tags Community Organizing immigrant rights social media activism local politics transparency

  6. May 31

    Stop the Deportation Machine | Li Lovett, Just Talks S2E3

    Get early access to new episodes and members-only content ➡️➡️➡️https://www.patreon.com/justtalkspodcast/membership This one’s a bit later than usual. Normally I try to post new podcast episodes on Fridays to provide early access for paid members (giving everyone access on Tuesdays.) This episode took a bit more time, because it’s JAM PACKED with helpful tips on protecting immigrants and supporting community ethnic media!.To help you and your community take action, I created a one-page Action Guide, FREE for members of the Just Talks Fam! (See attachment below.) How do you protect immigrant communities when federal policies are designed to be cruel by design? In this episode of Just Talks Podcast, I sat down with Li Lovett, a veteran educator, journalist, and coordinator for the Aquí Estamos project at American Community Media. Li draws on two decades of experience in public education and policy to expose the "under the radar" realities of immigration enforcement, from local sheriff collaborations with ICE to the administrative attacks on asylum seeker rights. She shares how ethnic community media share essential information for holding local leaders accountable—the fight for democracy is happening right now at your local city hall, not just in Washington D.C. In this episode, we cover: 🎙️ The hidden crisis: How administrative changes are stripping legal immigrants of their status. 🎙️ Local vs. Federal: Why city council meetings and school boards are the new battlegrounds for human rights. 🎙️ The media consolidation crisis: How the hollowing out of local ethnic media outlets silences vital community voices. 🎙️ Actionable steps: How public records requests, Rapid Response Networks, and independent journalism can protect vulnerable communities. Whether you are an activist, a neighbor, or a concerned citizen, this conversation provides a roadmap for pushing back against the "detention industrial complex" and building a more just future. 👇 Just Talks Fam members can access the Free Action Guide for this episode in the link below. 💬 Question of the Day: Which ONE action from my "Just Talks Action Guide: Supporting Immigrants and Independent Ethnic Media" will you commit to this week? Let us know in the comments below! 💕 Support my work and access members only content (including my FREE One-Page Action Guide) here: 🔗 Follow American Community Media (ACoM) via the following links: American Community Media (ACoM) website:  https://americancommunitymedia.org/ Aquí Estamos/Here We Stand: https://americancommunitymedia.org/here-we-stand/ Weekly news briefings: https://americancommunitymedia.org/media-briefings/ 👇 And on Social Media: 🎬 YouTube:     / @americancommunitymedia   • 📸 Instagram:     / americancommunitymedia   • ⏰ TikTok:    / americancommunitymedia   • 📘 Facebook:     / americancommunitymedia   𝐗/Twitter:     / amcommmedia

    Stop the Deportation Machine | Li Lovett, Just Talks S2E3

  7. May 22

    Why Activists Must Lead | Ami Chen Mills, Just Talks S2E2

    Get early access to new episodes and members-only content ➡️➡️➡️https://www.patreon.com/justtalkspodcast/membership How do you bring activist energy into local governance without losing your community roots? In this episode of Just Talks Podcast, host Ali Collins interviews Ami Chen Mills, a Santa Cruz educator, author, radio host and mayoral candidate challenging the status quo. Ami is a longtime community activist, author, and member of the Santa Cruz Democratic Central Committee who's now running for mayor. She opens up about her journey from journalism and radio hosting to grassroots organizing and electoral politics. She discusses the intense pressure of local politics, the influence of Silicon Valley wealth on housing markets, and her determination to bring "activist energy" to the city council to protect civil liberties and ensure affordable housing for locals. In this episode, we cover: 🎙️ Why activists bring fresh energy and expertise to political office 🎙️ The fight against surveillance technology (ALPR/Flock cameras) and why data privacy matters 🎙️ Housing affordability, gentrification, and the tension between development and community needs 🎙️ Why local elections matter more than ever for protecting surveillance expansion, housing, and the environment 🎙️ How to bridge the divide between activists and policymakers to stop "friendly fire" Whether you're a local resident, an activist looking to run for office, or simply interested in how communities can push back against corporate influence and get involved in supporting progressive candidates, this conversation offers actionable insights into what community-led governance looks like in practice. Paid members get early access to this content. If you are not a paid member, upgrade your membership below! 💬 Question of the Day:  "If you could run for a local office tomorrow (School Board, City Council, etc.), what is the ONE issue you would tackle first? 👇 Let's hear your ideas!" 📍 Support Ami in her run for mayor of Santa Cruz: https://www.amichenmills.com/ Donate to her campaign! https://secure.actblue.com/donate/amichenmills 👇 Follow Ami on Social: ⌨️ SubStack: Moment of Truth Dispatch https://momentoftruth.substack.com • 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amichenmills • 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amichenmills Music Credits:    / @unlearntheworld

    Why Activists Must Lead | Ami Chen Mills, Just Talks S2E2

  8. Season 2, Episode 2 Trailer

    Trailer S2E2: Silicon Valley wealth is changing our towns. | Ami Chen Mills, Just Talks

    Silicon Valley wealth is changing our towns. Who will stop it? 🏠🚧 Amy Chen Mills joins Ali Collins to discuss the urgent battle for Santa Cruz. From skyrocketing housing prices driven by tech commuters to the fight against mass surveillance, Amy explains why "expert" activists are the only ones who truly understand the stakes. She breaks down how to bridge the divide between community members and elected officials, and why waiting for someone else to save us isn't an option anymore. 👉 Watch the full podcast on https://patreon.com/justtalkspodcast #HousingJustice #TechBro #CommunityOrganizing #SantaCruzMayor #Grassroots #JustTalksPodcast #PoliticalAction #AmiChenMills #CivicsEducation

See All (14)

Trailers

About

What happens when the fight for public education becomes the fight for our democracy? For the past several years, I've been tracking the rise of political attacks on our schools. In this new season, we're moving beyond the headlines to speak with the people actually winning the war for our future.  The stakes have never been higher. I started this podcast documenting the attacks on our educators and the resulting political fallout. Now, I’m expanding the lens. In Season 2, I’m bringing you exclusive conversations with artists, experts, and influencers who are fighting the good fight across the country. The disinformation machine is working overtime, and we need to connect the dots. From the local school board to the national stage, I’ll break down exactly what's happening and give you the tools to get involved. If you want to understand the real threats to our schools and neighborhoods and learn how to build a more just future, stay tuned. The fight for our democracy starts now!

Information