Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams cover art

Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams

Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams

By: Crooked Media
Listen for free

About this listen

Let's face it, sometimes the world feels broken. We can see what needs fixing, yet more and more, it feels like the problems are too big and the bad guys are winning. But the truth is, they’re not. They’re just hoping we stop fighting. Welcome to Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams, a new podcast from Crooked Media and Democratic changemaker Stacey Abrams. Stacey knows better than anyone that societal shifts happen when a group of ordinary people decide that a problem is solvable, and are willing to pitch in and work towards the solution. Each week, Stacey will break down the biggest issues we face into digestible, actionable items, introduce us to the warriors for good already working towards solutions, strategize, and share tangible ways to get involved. Because we can't fix everything, everywhere, all at once; but we can each do something, somewhere, soon.© Crooked Media. All Rights Reserved. Social Sciences
Episodes
  • How We Can Save Our National Story - One Park at a Time
    Jul 10 2025

    National parks and public lands tell us who we are - and remind us of how we fit into the grander scheme of things. They give people the chance to connect with the awe-inspiring beauty of nature, create jobs and fuel economic growth, and preserve vital historical and cultural landmarks. But despite their broad, bipartisan popularity, Republicans appear determined to dismantle our parks and auction off our natural history to the highest bidder. Back in February, the administration began gutting the National Park Service—firing over a thousand employees. And the destruction hasn’t stopped. At the center of this assault is Trump’s barbaric megabill that guts a wide variety of crucial programs. The version that recently passed the Senate further slashes the National Parks Service budget and opens public lands to private development and fossil fuel development… all to help fund tax cuts for billionaires. This week, Stacey sits down with former U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, who walks us through the rich history of public lands as cultural and historical resources and the devastating impact these proposed cuts could have. Then, conservation activist and Outdoor Afro founder Rue Mapp joins the conversation to share the importance of public lands for all of us, including marginalized communities who do not always have access to the outdoors, how we can protect these lands, and how we fight to keep them public.

    For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

    Note: Our interviews this week were recorded before the budget bill was signed into law.

    Learn & Do More:

    1. BE CURIOUS: No matter where you live, you’re probably near a place that is part of our network of public lands. Get curious about what’s in your neighborhood, and look beyond just the National Parks. National Historic Sites, National Forests, National Wildlife Refuges, and National Monuments are all managed by our federal government in trust for the public. There are city, state and tribal managed lands too. Go visit these places and inform yourself about their history. And stay up to date with local news to inform yourself about what’s happening with public lands near you.
    2. SOLVE PROBLEMS: Our local, state, and national representatives are always making decisions about our public spaces. There are often open rounds of public comment when changes are being made, so make your voice heard and let local leaders know what you think. And call your members of Congress to let them know what you think of cuts to the National Parks Service and other land bureaus. Let them know you want to see these places conserved, not exploited.
    3. DO GOOD: Donate to organizations doing the work to advocate for the protection of our parks and lands, and who tell an inclusive story about who the public lands are for. You can donate to The Wilderness Society at act.wilderness.org and the National Parks Conservation Association at support.npca.org. Organizations like these advocate for strong environmental policies, fight legal battles to stop destructive development, and work to ensure public lands stay public. You can also support Rue Mapp’s work connecting marginalized people with natural spaces, in this critical time of political upheaval. Find Outdoor Afro at https://outdoorafro.org/donate
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • The Danger of Trump’s Supreme Court
    Jun 26 2025
    Late June marks the end of the Supreme Court term—a moment when some of the most consequential decisions in American life are handed down. At stake are rulings that could reshape democracy and redefine or limit civil rights. Still pending: major cases on the future of birthright citizenship, transgender rights, the Affordable Care Act’s coverage of preventive care services, and more. This week, Stacey sits down with Leah Litman, University of Michigan law professor, co-host of Strict Scrutiny, and New York Times bestselling author of Lawless, to break down SCOTUS’ latest decisions and preview what to expect in these last days — what they mean and why they matter. Then, Stacey is joined by journalist and TransLash Media founder, Imara Jones, for a deep dive into one ruling’s direct impact on the transgender community, how it causes harm, why it’s a proof of concept for the right, and how we fight back. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.Stacey also weighs in on a tragedy close to home in Georgia, three years after the Supreme Court stripped millions of women of their civil rights in the Dobbs decision. Adriana Smith was a nurse and young mother who suddenly fell very ill. After she went untreated for brain clots, she was declared brain dead. But she was also pregnant, and due to Georgia’s inhumane abortion laws, her family was forced to keep her on life support to incubate her pregnancy. Last week, Adriana was finally taken off life support after her forced birth was delivered via C-section. As states continue to eviscerate abortion rights and put lives at risk, inaction is unacceptable. This week’s tool kit is about how to fight on.Learn & Do More:Be Curious: We must renew our attention to the ever-present issue of abortion rights. There are many excellent resources for keeping up on abortion-related news. Jessica Valenti’s substack, Abortion, Every Day, rigorously covers attacks on reproductive rights across the country. The Center for Reproductive Rights has a useful guide outlining abortion laws by state so that you can better understand your rights.Solve Problems: According to the Mayo Clinic, half of all U.S. states have laws on the books that invalidate a pregnant woman's wishes about her medical care if she becomes incapacitated, and a majority of states don't disclose these restrictions in advance directive forms. Your state legislators are the first line of defense against laws like these, and any laws that threaten abortion access. Call them and ask them to take action.Do Good: Donate to the National Network of Abortion Funds and Planned Parenthood. Abortion funds directly finance abortion care for those in need, and Planned Parenthood has remained a lifeline for people seeking the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare access. You can also research local opportunities to support doulas who provide physical, emotional, and logistical support to women during the abortion process. Depending on where you live, training opportunities may also be available.Outside of the scope of abortion care, we must also support members of the trans community, especially in light of recent attacks. As discussed with Imara, the Trump administration shut down its LGBTQ suicide prevention hotline. Please visit The Trevor Project, an organization that focuses on suicide prevention for LGBTQ young people, to donate and find out more about how you can get involved. And make sure to research opportunities to get involved with local LGBTQ organizations. You can also check out the Transgender Family Handbook by New York Magazine’s The Cut, an excellent resource for parents and others who want to support young trans loved ones.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 9 mins
  • ICE Raids, Military Force on American Soil, and the Fight for Justice in America
    Jun 19 2025

    Last week, ICE stormed through Los Angeles, raiding Home Depots, warehouses, and schools in a cruel, targeted crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Those raids sparked a wave of protests as thousands of Angelenos marched through downtown, denouncing the Trump administration’s unjust actions. What began as largely peaceful demonstrations escalated after Trump defied both the California governor and LA mayor by deploying the National Guard and the Marines to the city. It was a deliberate show of force and a warning to other blue states: this is what happens when you resist. But LA didn’t back down. Over the weekend, Angelenos joined millions of other demonstrators in every state for the No King’s protests, while Trump held an underwhelming military parade on the streets of Washington DC. It’s a stark contrast in a moment when we must continue to stand up to the onslaught anti-Democratic power grabs and strongman tactics. This week, Stacey sits down with MSNBC's senior Washington correspondent and co-host of MSNBC's the Weekend, Eugene Daniels and Immigrant Defenders Law Center (IMMDEF) attorney Yliana Johansen-Méndez to help us unpack what's happening right now and prepare for what's coming next.

    For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

    Learn & Do More:

    1. Be Curious: To better understand the current national debate around immigration, our June Assembly Required reading recommendation is “The End of Asylum” by Philip G. Schrag, Andrew I. Schoenholtz, and Jaya Ramji-Nogales. These leading immigration law experts trace the evolution of the U.S. asylum system and expose how the Trump administration dismantled America’s long-standing role as a refuge for the persecuted. And as Eugene mentioned, watch your local news, subscribe to your local paper, and stay plugged into what's happening in your own community. To learn more about how you can support local journalism, visit the American Journalism Project at www.theajp.org.
    2. Solve Problems: As the rule of law continues to erode, it’s more important than ever to support those on the front lines—legal aid organizations, researchers, and advocates serving immigrant communities. Find out how you can get involved and make a difference in your own area. If you're in Southern California, connect with our guest Yliana’s organization, the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, at www.immdef.org.
    3. Do Good: Protest works—but not everyone can take to the streets. Start where you are and use what you have. If you're on social media, amplify the voices and stories of those directly impacted by the Trump administration’s campaign of fear. If you’re able to volunteer, find a local organization supporting immigrants and get involved. If you would like to contribute directly to a detained immigrants bond fund, you can visit Clue Justice at https://www.cluejustice.org/support-the-detained-immigrant-bond-fund/ Every action counts.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 7 mins

What listeners say about Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.