This week, Slingshot The Podcast dives deep into the impact of defunding public education and public broadcasting — and how these decisions fuel the school-to-prison pipeline. Inspired by the iconic PBS series Reading Rainbow, we reflect on how stories, voices, and representation shape generations, and what happens when those resources are stripped away.

Joining us for this extended episode is Brent Johnstone, co-founder of FathersRead365, who is using the power of reading and mentorship to uplift Black and brown youth. Together, we explore how to keep young people engaged, motivated, and joyful even in turbulent political times.

💬 In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:

✅ The legacy of Reading Rainbow, PBS, and public broadcasting as tools for education and empowerment

✅ How harsh school policies push kids toward the criminal justice system

✅ How defunding public television and schools connects to the school-to-prison pipeline

✅ Brent Johnstone’s mission with Father’s Read 365 and the role of fathers in literacy and leadership

Whether you grew up with Reading Rainbow or are currently advocating for equitable education, this conversation will inspire you to take action on behalf of the next generation.

📌 Stay Connected:

🌐 Website: https://slingshotthepodcast.org/

📸 Instagram: @slingshotthepodcast

📘 Facebook: @SlingshotThePodcast

📺 YouTube: @SlingshotThePodcast

⏲️ TikTok: @slingshotpodcast

📩 Contact: media@newpaproject.org

The revolution will not be televised, but it will be live. In Episode 11 of Slingshot The Podcast, we reflect on Gil Scott-Heron’s timeless words and why they matter just as much today.

Joining host Kadida Kenner is Charles Gregory, bringing a sharp perspective on what revolution really looks like in 2025 from redistricting battles in Texas to the fight for voting rights and the dangerous normalization of authoritarian tactics.

💬 In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:
✅ Why Gil Scott-Heron’s message still speaks to today’s democracy crisis
✅ How redistricting and gerrymandering strip power from Black and brown communities
✅ The role of performative politics — from Jasmine Crockett’s clapbacks to Cory Booker’s marathon speech
✅ Trump’s latest executive orders and what they mean for our rights, safety, and democracy

This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a call to action. The revolution won’t be handed to us by TV pundits — it will be lived, organized, and fought for in real time by people like you.

📌 Stay Connected:
🌐 Website: https://slingshotthepodcast.org/
📸 Instagram: @slingshotthepodcast
📘 Facebook: @SlingshotThePodcast
📺 YouTube: @SlingshotThePodcast
⏲️ TikTok: @slingshotpodcast
📩 Contact: media@newpaproject.org

🎉 We’ve hit double digits! Episode 10 is here, and we’re celebrating this milestone with a powerful conversation on the role music, community, and leadership play in driving real change.

Joining us are Cory Long, Sr., D.J. Cory Da 1, and D.J. Papo (Papo Hernandez), three Pennsylvania-based DJs with dynamic voices who know how to move a crowd and move a community forward. From the dance floor to the voting booth, they share how DJs and community leaders can use their platforms to inspire action, protect rights, and bring people together.

🎶 We’ll take you back to 2020 COVID quarantine nights when DJs like DJ Jazzy Jeff and D-Nice kept our spirits alive with #ClubQuarantine, and show you how those same skills can be used today to motivate people to take action.

💬 In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:
✅ How DJs became lifelines during quarantine and kept hope alive through music
✅ Why community spaces and cultural events are critical for joy, unity, and resilience
✅ Practical ways to use your talents and influence to speak out on the issues that matter most

Whether you’re here for the music, the movement, or the message, this episode will leave you inspired to get involved and keep fighting for the causes you believe in.