In this episode of We're Still Here - Simon Moya Smith, an Oglala Lakota and Chicano journalist, and Julie Francella, a mental health professional with deep roots in Indigenous communities, join John Fugelsang to discuss the recent cultural moments that highlight Indigenous voices, including Billie Eilish's Grammy speech and the backlash surrounding it. Then, their conversation delves into the significance of recognizing stolen land, the complexities of tribal sovereignty, and the impact of climate change on Indigenous populations. Listen in for an enlightening discussion that challenges mainstream narratives and advocates for a deeper understanding of Indigenous rights and history.

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John talks about Trump speaking about his version of Christianity at the National Prayer Breakfast and Speaker Mike Johnson trying to out Christian the pope by mansplaining how borders are in the bible and they're what God wants. Then, he speaks with Boston Globe staff writer Abdallah Fayyad about Trump and his obsession with rigging elections and the increasing problems with the ICE Gestapo. And John interviews author Sasha Abramsky about his new book American Carnage: How Trump, Musk and DOGE Butchered the US Government.

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In this episode - John talks about The Washington Post cutting a third of its entire workforce at the behest of owner Jeff Bezos to capitulate to King Trump. John also discusses the new revelations about Steve Bannon's close relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Then, Podcast star Bob Cesca jumps on to joke about the latest dirt in the Epstein files and Trump suing the IRS. Next, John brings in The God Squad = Dillon Naber Cruz and Desimber Rose and they discuss the UNCHRISTIAN behavior of ICE and the republican party. And then closing it up, Dr. Tracy Pearson returns to help listeners with their legal questions about Trump's lawlessness.

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Two topics for John today. First - a federal judge put DHS's plans to target Haitian immigrants in Ohio on hold, ruling their Temporary Protected Status is good for another 6 months. Second - A testy Trump snapped at CNN’s Kaitlin Collins when asked about Jeffrey Epstein’s survivors who are upset their faces and names were left unredacted in the Friday file dump, he tells Collins she needs to “smile more”. Then, he interviews Kelly Dietrich who is founder and CEO of the National Democratic Training Committee (NDTC), with decades of experience on the campaign trail with candidates. Kelly’s expertise in fundraising and staff training have shaped NDTC into an industry leader in Democratic politics. Heading into midterms, this year will indeed be one battle after another, and electoral wins have become both urgent and necessary. Kelly explain how candidates can meet this alarming moment and choose what potential impact they could have on the crucial midterms. Then finally, John jokes with Comedy Daddy AKA Keith Price and they chat with listeners about ICE getting chipped away and Trump getting outed in the recent Epstein file dump.

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This time John talks about Texas democrats flipping a red jewel of a republican district, one that Trump won by 17 points in 2024 - and he talks about Tulsi Gabbard defending her presence at the FBI search of a Georgia elections hub. Gabbard, who is prohibited from participating in domestic law enforcement as director of national intelligence, said she facilitated a call between FBI agents and President Trump. Also, John discusses Trump saying he will "Take Over" elections in blue states. Then, Professor Corey Brettschneider is back and they talk about 5 year old Liam Ramos and his father who were released from detention over the weekend, per a judge’s order and another Judge blocking the Trump administration’s stripping of Haitian refugee's protected status. Then fianlly, John jokes with Ms. Rhonda Hansome and the talk about the Grammys and chat with listeners about their right wing bubble trouble.

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This time John's monologue is about The Justice Dept releasing millions more pages related to Jeffrey Epstein, revealing more casual ties to Trump and Trumpworld goons like Howard Lutnick and Elon Musk, who both denied having any involvement with Epstein in the decade before his death. He also talks about Don Lemon and Georgia Fort who were the two journalists arrested for covering an anti-ICE protest at a St. Paul, MN church. Then John welcomes 2 guests:

Rep. Aisha Gomez who is an an organizer, an environmentalist, a public servant, and a mom. She represents legislative district 62a in the Minnesota House of Representatives, which includes parts of south Minneapolis in Hennepin County, Minnesota, bisected by Interstate 35W. They discuss the push-back in the communities where ICE agents have focused their terror campaign and where Renee Good and Alex Pretti lost their lives.

TV's Frank Conniff is a comedy writer and performer who began his TV career writing for the Peabody Award winning Comedy Central series Mystery Science Theater 3000, where he also played TV’s Frank. He then went on to be a writer, producer and actor on the ABC TV series Sabrina the Teenage Witch and he was a writer and producer on The Drew Carey Show on ABC. He’s a prolific author and comedian and his books and Mads Are Back shows are available at Dumb Dash Industries Dot Com.

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In this episode - Simon Moya Smith, and Julie Francella, talk with John about the resurgence of the American Indian Movement (AIM) in Minneapolis, drawing striking parallels between historical and contemporary struggles faced by Indigenous communities.

Simon and Julie emphasized the importance of understanding that the fight for Indigenous rights is not merely a relic of the past, but a living, breathing movement that continues to evolve. They pointed out that the emergence of social media has changed the landscape of activism, allowing Indigenous voices to share their stories and experiences in real-time, bypassing traditional media channels that historically marginalized their narratives.

The discussion also delved into the impacts of colonization on Indigenous identity and the ongoing trauma that Indigenous people face. Julie highlighted the psychological effects of racial profiling and the necessity for Indigenous youth to constantly prove their identity to authorities that often fail to recognize their sovereignty.

One of the most poignant moments in the episode came when Simon remarked, "For Indigenous people, it has been about protecting our community and life." This statement encapsulates the essence of the American Indian Movement's mission, which has always been about safeguarding not just Indigenous lives, but the entire community.

As the conversation unfolded, both Simon and Julie expressed their hope for a future where understanding and respect for Indigenous history and rights are paramount. They called on listeners to recognize that "nobody's illegal on stolen land," challenging the prevailing narratives that often ignore the historical context of Indigenous peoples' presence on their ancestral lands.

The episode culminated in a powerful reminder that the fight for justice is ongoing and that each generation has a role to play in advocating for the rights of Indigenous peoples. As Simon aptly put it, "The more things change, the more they stay the same." This sentiment resonates deeply in a world where the struggles of the past continue to echo into the present.

For anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of Indigenous issues and the complexities of identity, this episode is a must-listen. Simon and Julie's insights provide a valuable perspective on the importance of community, activism, and the enduring legacy of the American Indian Movement.

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John this time talks about Senate Democrats who struck a deal with the White House to avoid a partial government shutdown. The deal involves passing a budget bill that does not include DHS funding, allowing several more weeks of negotiation on Democratic demands to defund ICE. He also discusses the distractions and stalling from Team Trump on releasing the Epstein files. Next, he speaks with Susan J. Demas who's the CEO and Executive Editor of Lincoln Square, one of the fastest-growing independent political publications in the nation. And lastly, John laughs with comedians Mark Riccadonna and Gary Alan as they take calls from the Evil Army of the Night.

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