News and Happenings

Julián and Sawyer start the new year off by revisiting some of the headlines you may have missed during the holidays, including Sen. Joe Manchin seemingly derailing President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda. They also commemorate the one year anniversary of the January 6th Capitol Riots and discuss its overall impact on our democracy.

Julián and Sawyer welcome their former presidential campaign colleague Maya Rupert to unpack some of the year’s most memorable news stories, from some of the most inspirational (involving women of color at the top of their field) to a few of the wackiest (did JFK Jr. really come back?). Even Q-Anon conspiracy theories can’t keep the team from reflecting on an impactful 2021.

Julián and Sawyer welcome writer and abortion rights activist Lauren Rankin to make sense of the Supreme Court’s latest efforts to potentially invalidate Roe v. Wade. They also chat with ‘In the Bubble’ host Andy Slavitt about the emergence of the omicron COVID variant and his work with the Biden administration earlier this year to help combat the virus.

Julián and Sawyer are back from the holidays and back to the DC chatter with special guest Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who explicitly outlines the work Congress still has to do before year’s end. Speaking of Congress, Julián and Sawyer criticize Republicans for their continued ambivalence toward racism and bigotry against their own colleagues while simultaneously casting more doubt on the new omicron COVID variant.

Julián and Sawyer talk about Julián’s decision to sit out the Texas gubernatorial race, which just welcomed former Congressman Beto O’Rourke this week. They also chat with ‘Words to Win By’ podcast host Anat Shenker-Osorio about her ‘Race-Class Narrative Project’ and the need for Democrats to hone their political messaging against Republican dog-whistling.

Julián and Sawyer walk through the disappointing Election Night results likely worrying the (slim) Democratic majority and offer answers as to what could’ve happened. They also welcome Julián’s twin brother, US Rep. Joaquin Castro, who provides an inside look as to how Congress was finally able to pass President Biden’s massive infrastructure deal late last week.

Julián and Sawyer talk about President Biden’s newly-amended framework for his Build Back Better Plan and how voters may react to certain legislative omissions like paid family leave and tuition-free community college. They also welcome Marguerite Casey Foundation CEO Dr. Carmen Rojas to unpack how the bill’s passage will impact the work of non-profit organizations.

Julián and Sawyer talk about the ever-evolving nature of President Biden’s two-tiered infrastructure package ahead of a purported final vote and the hotly-contested gubernatorial race down in Virginia set for next week. They also welcome renowned election law attorney Marc Elias to break down gerrymandering efforts in Texas and the continued fight to pass the Freedom to Vote Act.

Julián and Sawyer unpack the importance of the Jan. 6 select committee investigating the Capitol insurrection (which Trump is now suing) and analyze new poll numbers that may be enlightening for some Democrats ahead of the midterm elections. They also welcome BuzzFeed News immigration reporter Hamed Aleaziz to break down the current administration’s decision to maintain two widely-criticized Trump-era policies.

US Rep. Ayanna Pressley joins Secretary Julián Castro and new co-host Sawyer Hackett for our season two premiere to talk about President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda and the power of progressives on the Hill. Julián and Sawyer also discuss the latest judicial back and forth on Texas’s restrictive anti-abortion measure and a new study analyzing voter outreach in the Sun Belt states. And Julián thanks…Elon Musk?