Episodes

  • Somali-American Trump Supporter Reacts to “Garbage” Comments; Citizen Chased by Feds Speaks Out

    Somali-American Trump Supporter Reacts to “Garbage” Comments; Citizen Chased by Feds Speaks Out
    Dec 6 2025
    President Trump says he wants all people from Somalia out of the country and calls Somali people “garbage”. How does a Republican Somali-American who supported Trump in 2024 feel about that? Victor asks Salman Fiqy, a business owner in Minnesota who says the President’s rhetoric has “crossed a line”. Immigration enforcement is surging in the New Orleans area, and a U.S. citizen got caught up in it this week. Home security camera video shows the moment a woman is chased into her home by federal agents, before her stepfather came out to confront them. Both Jacelynn and Juan Carlos Anglin join Victor to talk about what happened and react to an explanation offered by the Department of Homeland Security. The Trump administration's crackdown on programs and initiatives seen as "DEI" appears to have made its way to the University of Alabama. The school is shutting down two university-funded student magazines, citing "legal obligations". Victor speaks with the current editor-in-chief of Alice Magazine, Gabrielle Gunter, and the founding editor of Nineteen Fifty-Six Magazine, Tionna Taite, about the concern among students that their first amendment rights are being violated. Victor follows-up on the story of Mercedes Wells, the mom who was escorted out of an Indiana hospital while in labor, only to give birth minutes later. Her husband Leon Wells and attorney Cannon Lambert share their reaction to a meeting the family just had with hospital leadership, and an update on the health of Mercedes and her newborn. Plus, there are reports that "Rush Hour 4" could soon be a thing, apparently at the urging of President Trump. Does bringing back the franchise make sense in this era? Victor speaks to writer Isaac Rouse, who says it's not the right time for that kind of comedy. And in our “Art is Life” series this week, Victor shares the story of a performance that asks: What would it sound like if Franklin produced the soundtrack to the iconic holiday special “A Charlie Brown Christmas"? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • "We Ain't Buying It!": Protest Movement Targets Major Stores on Holiday Weekend

    "We Ain't Buying It!": Protest Movement Targets Major Stores on Holiday Weekend
    Nov 29 2025
    On a special holiday edition of the show, there is a new movement calling out Target, Home Depot and Amazon during the busiest shopping time of the year. Victor speaks with LaTosha Brown, an organizer of “We Ain’t Buying It”. She explains why we shouldn’t call the movement a “boycott”. Plus, “Beyond the Gates” actor Brandon Claybon talks to Victor about his personal connection to Alzheimer's and his mission to raise awareness of the disproportionate impacts of the disease on Black Americans. Later, Chef Shawn Osbey reacts to Victor’s very controversial opinion of certain classic holiday recipes and shares some alternatives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Victor Interviews Mom Who Gave Birth on Side of Road Minutes After Hospital Sent Her Home

    Victor Interviews Mom Who Gave Birth on Side of Road Minutes After Hospital Sent Her Home
    Nov 22 2025
    The story of Mercedes Wells went viral this week, after video showed the mom being led out of a hospital in Indiana despite saying she was in labor. Minutes after leaving, she gave birth on the side of the road to a baby girl. The hospital is now apologizing and taking action. Victor speaks with Mercedes and her husband Leon, along with their attorney Cannon Lambert. Plus, Charlotte business owner T.R. Burns explains to Victor his decision to close his restaurant to protect Latino employees fearful of federal law enforcement cracking down on immigrants. 18-year-old landscaper and U.S. citizen Fernando Vazquez speaks out about being detained by immigration enforcement, only to be left behind in a wooded area a short time later. Victor also gets perspective from Allison Socol on new research revealing how race can be a factor in which students get access to algebra classes.And the first known Native American woman to have a production on Broadway, Larissa FastHorse, explains the inspiration behind “The Thanksgiving Play,” which imagines the struggles of four white people trying to stage a "politically correct" holiday performance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • Victor Interviews Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Shaggy (not at the same time)

    Victor Interviews Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Shaggy (not at the same time)
    Nov 8 2025
    Victor sits down with TSA worker Aaron Barker, who just missed a second full paycheck due to the federal government shutdown. He describes to Victor why he and his colleagues are struggling to make ends meet while in “crisis mode”.Meanwhile, Democrats in the Senate say they'll agree to end the shutdown if Republicans agree to a one-year extension on Obamacare subsidies. Victor asks Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries if he agrees with the proposal from his Senate colleagues.Native American communities are facing an especially uncertain time with SNAP benefits suspended. Victor speaks with Conscious Alliance’s Pine Ridge Reservation Field Director Natalie Hand, who is trying to help feed families on the reservation, which is feeling the impact of this ongoing shutdown harder than most places. Plus, Grammy award-winning artist Shaggy joins Victor after visiting Jamaica to help with hurricane relief. He shares what he saw, and information on how others can help. Later, the family of Norman Rockwell is calling out the Trump Administration for using the iconic painter’s artwork in their social media posts. For “Art is Life” this week, Victor asks Norman Rockwell’s granddaughter, Daisy, why she says the Department of Homeland Security is “twisting” his legacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • Food Aid Recipient Speaks Out on Funding Limbo; Actress Karen Pittman advocates for SNAP

    Food Aid Recipient Speaks Out on Funding Limbo; Actress Karen Pittman advocates for SNAP
    Nov 1 2025
    It's the first of the month and there are millions of people whose food benefits are in now limbo, with no clear solution coming quickly to ensure SNAP recipients get the aid they depend on in November. Victor speaks with SNAP recipient Laterese Johnson, Hope Atlanta’s Elizabeth Banks, and the director of a childcare center, LaToya Logan. Plus, actress Karen Pittman joins Victor to share her personal story, as families deal with food insecurity like she once did as a single mom. A Houston teen says he was roughed up by immigration agents, even as he told them he's a U.S. citizen. 16-year-old Arnoldo Bazán and his sister Maria join Victor to share the story of what they say happened. Former President Barack Obama is heading back to the campaign trail ahead of this year’s elections, and there is new CNN reporting that’s raising the question: should he be the leader of the Democratic party…again? Abby Phillip makes a special appearance to talk about that, and her new book on Jesse Jackson and Black political power titled “A Dream Deferred”. And this week’s edition of “Art is Life” features the Day of the Dead. Victor speaks with Ofelia Esparza, whose altars helped popularize Día de los Muertos in the United States. The 93-year-old reflects on the new retrospective of her art now on view at East L.A.’s Vincent Price Art Museum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Teen Battling Cancer Fights for Dad’s Release After Immigration Arrest

    Teen Battling Cancer Fights for Dad’s Release After Immigration Arrest
    Oct 25 2025
    A 16-year-old in Chicago who is fighting cancer has a message for immigration officials after her father was arrested. Victor shares the story of Ofelia Torres and gets reaction from her father’s attorney, Kalman Resnick, to a judge’s ruling saying the mandatory detention of Ruben Torres Maldonado was “unlawful”. Plus, hear President Trump's short answer to a question about funding SNAP as we're just a week away from millions of Americans losing food benefits and the government shutdown drags on. Victor speaks with founder and CEO of The Baby Pantry, Chlorey Campbell, about what she’s hearing from people coming to her organization for help. After a deadly crash, right-wing voices are speaking out against immigrant truck drivers, particularly those from India. Bhupinder Kaur of UNITED SIKHS joins Victor to share her concerns about the rhetoric. In our latest installment of The Algorithm, Victor speaks with a content creator who says there are social media accounts “stealing my face” with AI. 200 years after transforming the United States, commemorations of the Erie Canal anniversary in New York are also taking stock of the impact the waterway had on Native Americans. Victor speaks with Brian Trzeciak of the Buffalo Maritime Center about balancing remembrances of that history, as he gets close to wrapping up a 33-day trip on a boat called the "Seneca Chief". And later, Victor speaks with Hamza Walker about a new exhibit called “Monuments” that is putting decommissioned confederate symbols back on display in unexpected new ways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • Rest or Resist: Black Women Speak Out on Trump Protest Strategy and “No Kings” Movement

    Rest or Resist: Black Women Speak Out on Trump Protest Strategy and “No Kings” Movement
    Oct 18 2025
    Some Black women say they're debating whether to take part in “No Kings” Anti-Trump protests after feeling let down by the results of the 2024 election. Victor discusses “the 92%” with Black Voters Matter co-founder LaTosha Brown, RISE CEO Mary-Pat Hector and AJC Reporter Brooke Leigh Howard. Plus, South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn joins Victor to talk about the President's threats to “Democrat” programs during the shutdown, tension over the state of voting rights, and his new book “The First Eight”. Victor also shares an update on the devastating damage done to Native Alaskan villages, and the role climate change is playing in determining whether residents will ever be able to return home. Plus, Victor takes a moment to pay tribute to D'Angelo and get real about the risks Black people face from pancreatic cancer, and what to do about it. Later, Rafael Gomes from SCAD shares with Victor the story behind a new exhibit honoring fashion icon André Leon Talley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • Leader of Largest Federal Employee Union Reacts to Trump Calling For “Democrat Oriented” Layoffs

    Leader of Largest Federal Employee Union Reacts to Trump Calling For “Democrat Oriented” Layoffs
    Oct 11 2025
    Civilians in Gaza are making the journey to see what's left of their homes as the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas holds. Victor discusses what comes next with Ruwa Romman, a Palestinian American running for governor who got national attention when she was denied a slot to speak about Gaza at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, and Republican Georgia official John F. King, a retired major general in the Army National guard and a former Police chief. Thousands of federal workers are getting fired as the government shutdown drags on. President Trump says his administration is focusing on jobs that are quote "Democrat oriented". Everett Kelley, the president of the American Federation of Government Employees, which is the largest union representing federal workers, joins Victor to respond in his first interview since layoffs began. A right-wing group is pitching an "All American" Super Bowl performance as an alternative to Bad Bunny. Michaela Angela Davis joins Victor to react and discuss her new memoir, “Tenderheaded”. Hispanic residents in Mobile County, Alabama are speaking out against an ICE-themed Halloween display. Victor explains why the identity of the couple that put up the decorations is a big reason why. Plus, a new mural that’s meant to teach people about a racist massacre that happened more than 100 years ago is sparking debate. Critics argue the inclusion of violent imagery is problematic, and the community should have had more input. Victor speaks to the artist, Fabian Williams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    41 mins