The Electorette

Electorette
  • 4.4 (181)
  • Politics
  • Updated Weekly

The Electorette is one of the longest running feminist podcasts, and offers analyses and solutions to the world's biggest political and social challenges, all through the lens of women. Hosted by Jennifer Taylor-Skinner, The Electorette regularly features award-winning authors, politicians, academics, activists, and organizers like the founder of Mom's Demand Action, Shannon Watts, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and author and MacArthur 'Genius Grant' Fellow, Nicole Fleetwood. The Electorette is independently owned and operated—please support us by subscribing to the podcast on your favorite platform! 

  1. Why Expanding the Supreme Court Isn't the Whole Answer | Meagan Hatcher-Mays

    2d ago

    Why Expanding the Supreme Court Isn't the Whole Answer | Meagan Hatcher-Mays

    (Archive Episode) Long before today's debates over Supreme Court legitimacy, ethics, and reform dominated the headlines, The Electorette explored one of the central questions facing American democracy: How do we fix the Supreme Court? In this archival conversation, host Jen Taylor-Skinner sits down with Meagan Hatcher-Mays to discuss one of the most debated reform proposals—expanding the Supreme Court—and whether adding justices alone is enough to restore public trust in the nation's highest court. Together, they examine the legislative path to court expansion, the political challenges of passing reform through Congress, and why many advocates argue that structural changes—including term limits, stronger ethics rules, and greater transparency—are also essential to preserving the Court's legitimacy. This conversation also explores how Supreme Court decisions shape issues ranging from voting rights and reproductive freedom to immigration and the health of American democracy, making the case that judicial reform extends far beyond partisan politics. Originally released in 2021, this conversation offers timely context for today's ongoing debates over the future of the Supreme Court. If you found this conversation helpful, like this video and follow @electorette for more political midterm coverage, election analysis, and nuanced discussions that go beyond the headlines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    36 min
  2. America at 250: All Roads Lead South | Rebekah Curthers

    Jul 3

    America at 250: All Roads Lead South | Rebekah Curthers

    As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Rebekah Caruthers, President and CEO of Fair Elections Center, joins The Margin to examine why this moment may be the most consequential for American democracy since Reconstruction. Using the All Roads Lead South march in Selma, Alabama, as a starting point, this conversation explores why today's fight for voting rights feels fundamentally different—and why many civil rights leaders believe the South is once again at the center of the nation's democratic future. Caruthers shares the remarkable story of her great-great-great-great-grandfather, who was enslaved, emancipated after Juneteenth, and went on to found a town in Texas. His extraordinary journey becomes a powerful lens for understanding Reconstruction, the violent backlash that followed, and what that history reveals about the unfinished work of American democracy. In this episode: Why Selma feels like the beginning of a new civil rights movement What America's 250th anniversary reveals about the unfinished work of democracy The parallels between Reconstruction and today's political moment The impact of recent Supreme Court decisions on voting rights Why Black political representation has reached Reconstruction-era levels What history teaches about democratic backsliding—and how to prevent it Why today's generation refuses to lose another century of civil rights "It took 87 years for Black folks to get their rights back. I'll be damned if we're gonna take another 90 years to get our rights back." — Rebekah Caruthers The Margin is a special midterm election series from The Electorette and URL Media, hosted by Jen Taylor-Skinner. If you found this conversation helpful, like this video and follow @electorette for more political midterm coverage, election analysis, and nuanced discussions that go beyond the headlines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    23 min

  3. Jun 30

    Birthright Citizenship: The History Behind the Debate | Martha S. Jones (Re-Release)

    A timely re-release exploring the history behind one of the Supreme Court's most consequential constitutional questions. With the Supreme Court poised to issue a landmark ruling on birthright citizenship, I'm re-releasing one of the most important conversations we've had on the subject. In this episode, historian Martha S. Jones discusses her groundbreaking book, Birthright Citizens: A History of Race and Rights in Antebellum America, which traces the origins of birthright citizenship long before the Fourteenth Amendment—and long before today's immigration debates. We explore how free and formerly enslaved Black Americans fought to define who belonged in the United States, challenged efforts to deny them citizenship, and helped lay the foundation for one of the Constitution's most consequential guarantees. We also discuss the Dred Scott decision, the colonization movement, the legal strategies Black Americans used to claim their rights, and why understanding this history is essential to understanding the debate today. Although this conversation was originally recorded in 2019, its historical context is arguably even more relevant today. If you found this conversation helpful, like this episode and follow @electorette for more conversations on democracy, constitutional rights, and the people shaping America's future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    52 min

  4. Jun 29

    The Instigators: The Black Women Who Shaped American Democracy | Atima Omara

    For generations, Black women have been among the most influential voices in the fight to expand American democracy. Yet many of their stories have been overlooked—or erased altogether. In this episode, political strategist, organizer, and author Atima Omara joins me to discuss her new book, The Instigators, which traces the legacy of Black women who challenged injustice, organized their communities, ran for office, and helped shape the country we know today. We discuss why Black women have so often been the catalysts for democratic change, the historical figures whose contributions deserve far greater recognition, what Shirley Chisholm's legacy still teaches us about political leadership, and why today's movements have so much to learn from the women who came before them. If you found this conversation helpful, like this episode and follow @electorette for more conversations on politics, democracy, and the people shaping America's future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    29 min
  5. Can Democratic Governors Protect Democracy? | Jocelyn Benson

    Jun 25 ·  Bonus

    Can Democratic Governors Protect Democracy? | Jocelyn Benson

    Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson joins The Margin to discuss her campaign for governor and the challenges facing Michigan—from housing affordability and economic growth to protecting voting rights in an increasingly polarized political climate. Benson reflects on defending Michigan's 2020 election in the face of election denialism, explains why she believes states must step in as federal voting protections continue to erode, and discusses the role Democratic governors can play as a constitutional check on presidential power. The conversation also explores her plans to increase housing affordability, support small businesses, grow wages, and strengthen Michigan's economy. The Margin is a special midterm election series from The Electorette and URL Media exploring the issues, races, and ideas shaping the 2026 elections. If you found this conversation helpful, like this episode and follow @electorette for more political midterm coverage, election analysis, and nuanced discussions that go beyond the headlines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    22 min
  6. Mamdani, Media, and the Challenge of Governing | Taylor Jung

    Jun 22

    Mamdani, Media, and the Challenge of Governing | Taylor Jung

    Taylor Jung on how Zohran Mamdani uses media, messaging, and policy to shape public perception Zohran Mamdani has been mayor of New York City for less than a year, but his influence already extends far beyond the five boroughs. In this episode of The Margin, Taylor Jung, a journalist with Epicenter NYC, joins host Jen Taylor-Skinner to discuss Mamdani's first months in office, the excitement surrounding his inauguration, and why his approach to politics has captured national attention. The conversation explores the policies Mamdani has begun to roll out, from housing to childcare, the challenges of governing after running on a bold progressive vision, and the growing role of content creators in shaping political narratives. Jung also discusses how Mamdani's team has used social media and highly produced digital content to build a national audience, the evolving relationship between journalists and influencers, and what it all means for political communication in the digital age. As Mamdani's administration takes shape, the conversation offers a window into the opportunities—and challenges—of governing in a rapidly changing media environment. If you found this conversation helpful, like this video and follow @electorette for more political midterm coverage, election analysis, and nuanced discussions that go beyond the headlines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    26 min
  7. The Mamdani Effect: The Coalition Reshaping New York Politics—and What It Means Nationally

    Jun 21

    The Mamdani Effect: The Coalition Reshaping New York Politics—and What It Means Nationally

    Just one year after Zohran Mamdani's rise to City Hall, New York City voters are headed into one of the most consequential primary elections of the 2026 cycle. With more than 200 offices on the ballot, the results could reveal whether the coalition that helped propel Mamdani to victory—a multiracial alliance of young voters, immigrants, and progressives—has the power to reshape New York politics for years to come. In this episode of The Margin, host Jen Taylor-Skinner speaks with Mitra Kalita, co-founder and CEO of URL Media, former Senior Vice President for News, Opinion and Programming at CNN Digital, and founder of Epicenter-NYC. Together, they unpack the races drawing national attention, the candidates aligned with—and challenging—the city's political establishment, and the growing influence of issues like immigration, affordability, and economic justice on local elections. They also explore what some are calling the "Mamdani Effect": the emergence of a new generation of candidates, a changing Democratic coalition, and whether New York's political transformation offers a roadmap for Democrats heading into the 2026 midterms and beyond. Topics include:• The candidates and races to watch in New York City's primary elections• Zohran Mamdani's endorsements and political influence• Immigration, affordability, and economic justice in local politics• The future of progressive politics in New York• What New York's elections could signal for Democrats nationwide Mitra Kalita is the co-founder and CEO of URL Media, a network of Black and Brown community news organizations. A veteran journalist and media executive, she previously served as Senior Vice President for News, Opinion and Programming at CNN Digital and has held leadership roles at The Wall Street Journal, Quartz, and the Los Angeles Times. She is also the founder of Epicenter-NYC, a community-driven local news outlet serving New Yorkers. If you found this conversation helpful, like this video and follow @electorette for more political midterm coverage, election analysis, and nuanced discussions that go beyond the headlines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    50 min
  8. Authenticity, Electability, and the Road to 2028 | Maya Rupert

    Jun 16 ·  Bonus

    Authenticity, Electability, and the Road to 2028 | Maya Rupert

    One of the most common—and least examined—words in politics is authenticity. We hear it constantly when discussing candidates, campaigns, and electability. But who gets to be seen as authentic? And are all candidates judged by the same standard? In this episode of The Margin, Jen Taylor-Skinner speaks with political strategist Maya Rupert, author of The Real Ones: How to Disrupt the Hidden Ways Racism Makes Us Less Authentic. Together, they explore how race, gender, and unconscious bias shape perceptions of authenticity in politics—and why those perceptions can have real consequences for candidates and campaigns. Drawing on examples ranging from Kamala Harris and Barack Obama to Donald Trump and Jasmine Crockett, Rupert argues that authenticity is often less about honesty than about who voters and the media are willing to see as credible, relatable, and trustworthy. As the 2026 midterms approach and attention begins to shift toward 2028, this conversation offers a timely look at the hidden standards that continue to shape American politics. The Margin is a special election series from The Electorette and URL Media exploring the races, issues, and voters that will shape the future of American democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    44 min
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4.4
out of 5
181 Ratings

About

The Electorette is one of the longest running feminist podcasts, and offers analyses and solutions to the world's biggest political and social challenges, all through the lens of women. Hosted by Jennifer Taylor-Skinner, The Electorette regularly features award-winning authors, politicians, academics, activists, and organizers like the founder of Mom's Demand Action, Shannon Watts, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and author and MacArthur 'Genius Grant' Fellow, Nicole Fleetwood. The Electorette is independently owned and operated—please support us by subscribing to the podcast on your favorite platform! 

Information

  • Creator
    Electorette
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    328
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved | The Electorette
  • Show Website
    The Electorette

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