599 episodes

Award winning host, author and journalist Laura Flanders interviews forward-thinking people from the world of politics, business, culture and social movements. The show explores actionable models for creating a better world by reporting on the people and movements driving systemic change. We spotlight the solutions of tomorrow, today. The show airs on PBS stations in over 200+ US markets, and airs on 40+ community radio stations, and is available on YouTube and as a podcast. Online subscribers receive lots of video and audio web exclusives. Recent specials include "Indigenous People's Power", "James Baldwin: Lessons for the US", "Building Public Trust for Public Health", "Countering the Coup From the Grassroots Up". Recent special guests include Representative Karen Bass, environmental activist Jane Fonda, economist Robert Reich, author/activist Naomi Klein, agrarian reformer Shirley Sherrod, novelist Arundhati Roy, economist Michael Hudson and ’Next System” theorist Gar Alperovitz.

Laura Flanders and Friends Laura Flanders

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.9 • 124 Ratings

Award winning host, author and journalist Laura Flanders interviews forward-thinking people from the world of politics, business, culture and social movements. The show explores actionable models for creating a better world by reporting on the people and movements driving systemic change. We spotlight the solutions of tomorrow, today. The show airs on PBS stations in over 200+ US markets, and airs on 40+ community radio stations, and is available on YouTube and as a podcast. Online subscribers receive lots of video and audio web exclusives. Recent specials include "Indigenous People's Power", "James Baldwin: Lessons for the US", "Building Public Trust for Public Health", "Countering the Coup From the Grassroots Up". Recent special guests include Representative Karen Bass, environmental activist Jane Fonda, economist Robert Reich, author/activist Naomi Klein, agrarian reformer Shirley Sherrod, novelist Arundhati Roy, economist Michael Hudson and ’Next System” theorist Gar Alperovitz.

    Angela Davis: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Building a Better Future

    Angela Davis: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Building a Better Future

    SPECIAL INVITE: Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 7pm Eastern join us for our Season Premiere Watch Party for our first episode as Laura Flanders & Friends featuring Angela Davis; then join Laura afterwards to discuss the interview and share your thoughts. Subscribe to our newsletter for all the details at LauraFlanders.org

    In this first episode of Laura Flanders & Friends (formerly The Laura Flanders Show), Laura is joined by Angela Davis, a leading voice in the movement for abolition and feminism who has lots to share about her evolution and how decades of activism are coming together. From Palestine to elections, to our carceral state and collective liberation, this kickoff conversation is packed with her insight.

    Guest: Angela Y. Davis: Professor, Activist, Scholar & Writer; Author, Abolition: Politics, Practices, Promises, Vol. 1.

    April 2024 The Laura Flanders Show is rebranding as ‘Laura Flanders & Friends’: This change marks a new era for the award-winning host, Laura Flanders. The upcoming season will introduce a collaborative hosting format, featuring a diverse array of co-hosts from different backgrounds and different regions of the country. Expect new faces, unique perspectives, and impactful conversations that will leave viewers feeling inspired.

    • 29 min
    North Carolina's LGBTQ Community Stands Against Domestic Terrorism

    North Carolina's LGBTQ Community Stands Against Domestic Terrorism

    Join Laura Flanders as she speaks with residents of Moore County affected by a targeted power outage during a drag show, uncovering potential motives behind the sabotage.

    Last December, an attack on two electrical substations in Moore County, North Carolina left 45,000 households and businesses without power for up to five days. It was the biggest domestic terrorist attack on the electricity grid in the U.S. Did the sabotage attack have anything to do with LGBTQ harassment or the drag performance scheduled that night?

    Guests:
    • Naomi Dix: Drag Artist, Activist & Member of Durham NC BIPOC Operated House of Coxx; Co-Chair, Pride: Durham, NC
    • Alex Lafferty: Daughter of Erica Street, High School Student & Youth Activist
    • Tori Grace Nichols: Drag Artist & Cultural Organizer
    • Serena Sebring: Executive Director, Blueprint North Carolina
    • Erica Street: Mother of Alex Lafferty; Co-founder, PFLAG Southern Pines

    Music Credits:  “No One Else Has Your Magic” by Muva of Earth from her album Align with Nature’s Intelligence released on Brownswood Records.  Additional music by Podington Bear “Hearts Aflutter,” “Mont Blanc,” “Beachhead,” “Tender and Curious

    SPECIAL INVITE: Tuesday, April 9, at 7pm Eastern join us for our Season Premiere Watch Party for our first episode as Laura Flanders & Friends featuring Angela Davis; then join Laura afterwards to discuss the interview and share your thoughts. Subscribe to our newsletter for all the details at LauraFlanders.org

    • 30 min
    Inside ALEC: 50 Years of Driving Extreme Policies in America

    Inside ALEC: 50 Years of Driving Extreme Policies in America

    Many people have never heard of the American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC – but for 50 years, the group has been the driving force behind some of the most extreme policies in this country. Guests Rep. Ro Khanna & Lisa Graves say ALEC and its wealthy pool of funders are a real threat, but there are ways to take action and progress has already been made.
    Guests:
    Lisa Graves: President of the Board, Center for Media & Democracy; Executive Director, True North Research
    Ro Khanna: Congressman California's 17th District

    The Laura Flanders Show is Re-branding as Laura Flanders & Friends:
    This change marks a new era for the award-winning host, Laura Flanders. The upcoming season will introduce a collaborative hosting format, featuring a diverse array of co-hosts from different backgrounds and different regions of the country. Expect new faces, unique perspectives, and impactful conversations that will leave viewers feeling inspired starting April 2024.

    • 29 min
    Full Conversation- Unpacking Christian Nationalism: 'God & Country' Documentary Explores the Roots of Violence at the Capitol

    Full Conversation- Unpacking Christian Nationalism: 'God & Country' Documentary Explores the Roots of Violence at the Capitol

    The following full uncut conversation is from our recent episode "Faith & Fascism: Rob Reiner & Dan Partland Tackle Christian Nationalism with “God & Country.”" These full uncut conversations are made possible thanks to our member supporters.

    In the documentary “God & Country”, producer Rob Reiner and director Dan Partland explore Christian Nationalism — a toxic brew of patriarchal White Nationalism and messianic faith. Christian Nationalism poses a real and immediate threat, not only to the very idea of secular democracy but also to Christianity itself. Whether you’re a Christian or a concerned citizen, this episode is a must-watch.

    Guests:
    • Dan Partland: Director, God & Country
    • Rob Reiner: Producer, God & Country

    • 42 min
    Facing Climate Change Head-On: How Survivors Are Leading the Charge for Justice

    Facing Climate Change Head-On: How Survivors Are Leading the Charge for Justice

    Explore the vital insights from Colette Pichon Battle on combating climate change through the lens of social justice and global reparations.

    In our continuing coverage of the ongoing climate catastrophe, we often ask what we can learn from the experiences of people living on its frontlines. From New Orleans to New York and Seattle to Maine — and from suffocating wildfires to deadly heat waves, drenching rain, hurricanes, floods and saltwater intruding into drinking water —many Americans have experienced the devastating impacts of the climate crisis. Now they have begun asking: How much more can we take? Colette Pichon Battle, an award-winning lawyer and climate justice organizer whose work focuses on creating spaces for frontline communities to gather and advance climate strategies that help to steward the water, energy, and land, has some answers.

    Guest: Colette Pichon Battle, Esq.: Co-founder, Vision & Initiatives Partner for Taproot Earth

    April 2024 The Laura Flanders Show is rebranding as ‘Laura Flanders & Friends’.
    This change marks a new era for the award-winning host, Laura Flanders. The upcoming season will introduce a collaborative hosting format, featuring a diverse array of co-hosts from different backgrounds and different regions of the country. Expect new faces, unique perspectives, and impactful conversations that will leave viewers feeling inspired.

    • 29 min
    Exploring 'Practicing New Worlds': Andrea Ritchie's Guide for a Safer, Just Society

    Exploring 'Practicing New Worlds': Andrea Ritchie's Guide for a Safer, Just Society

    "Practicing New Worlds: Abolition and Emergent Strategies" by Andrea J. Ritchie provides a visionary toolkit for anyone eager to build a safer, more equitable society. The Essentials of Organizing for Justice: What It Really Takes.

    Andrea J. Ritchie, a self-described “Black lesbian immigrant survivor” who has been engaged since the 1980s in anti-violence, labor, and LGBTQ organizing, and in movements against state violence and for racial, reproductive, economic, environmental, and gender justice, offers a toolkit for organizers. If you’ve been wondering how to create a world that is collectively based, safer and more just — and curious as to what is actually required to make the changes that we want to see in society — Ritchie’s newest book, Practicing New Worlds: Abolition and Emergent Strategies, published by AK Press, is a visionary and practical workbook and toolkit. Some of her other books include Invisible No More: Police Violence Against Black Women and Women of Color and No More Police, co-authored with Mariame Kaba. She also co-founded Interrupting Criminalization and the In Our Names Network, a network of over 20 organizations working to end police violence against Black women, girls, trans and gender nonconforming people.


    Guest:
    Andrea J. Ritchie: Author, Practicing New Worlds: Abolition and Emergent Strategies; Co-Founder, Interrupting Criminalization

    This podcast is made possible thanks to our member supporters. Join our members by making a one time donation, or make it monthly => LauraFlanders.org/donate Thank you!

    April 2024 The Laura Flanders Show is rebranding as ‘Laura Flanders & Friends’: This change marks a new era for the award-winning host, Laura Flanders. The upcoming season will introduce a collaborative hosting format, featuring a diverse array of co-hosts from different backgrounds and different regions of the country. Expect new faces, unique perspectives, and impactful conversations that will leave viewers feeling inspired.

    • 28 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
124 Ratings

124 Ratings

slate nickname ,

Intelligent, unique, and fun show

Laura covers interesting and important subjects that you will not find anywhere else.

She brings the best out of her guests, and her own analysis is always incisive

Highly recommend this show to anyone interested in the world, politics, and progress.

Andy R. Smalls ,

Insightful Information for Intellectual Self-Defense

The Laura Flanders Show covers a wide range of important topics: from the importance of culturally grounded education to cooperative economics. Hear from guests that do the work on the ground, the slow building of a democratic and radical society. Truly a worthwhile listen each and every time.

Egebby09 ,

Highlighting the Change-Makers!

TLFShow is so good at connecting the big picture to the concrete actions it takes to create the change we need. Highlighting problems is relatively easy but finding people doing the real work is hard and that is precisely where this show shines.

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