Pod Save the People

About Pod Save the People

On Pod Save The People, host DeRay Mckesson explores social justice, culture, politics – and the various ways they all collide – with cohosts Myles E. Johnson and Sharhonda Bossier. Each Tuesday, the crew digs into the current events driving the political discourse – bringing cultural context, actionable insights, and a hot take or two – to help empower listeners to engage as thoughtful members of their communities…and their group chats. Alongside special guests, the show uplifts overlooked news stories that impact people of color and amplifies underrepresented voices who are working to create meaningful change.

Publisher

Pod Save the People

Category

news · news · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

25 Apr 2017

Latest episode

24 Mar 2026

Latest episodes

97 of 441 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   24 Mar 2026

   425: Selective Accountability w/ Chenjerai Kumanyika

   A federal appeals court revives a lawsuit against DeRay McKesson, prompting warnings that the decision could threaten First Amendment protections. In Los Angeles, a former police commander wins a $5.7 million judgment after alleging she was held to a different standard than her male colleagues. And in culture, Telfar announces it will donate 100% of net profits to global liberation efforts. DeRay interviews researcher and journalist Chenjerai Kumanyika about his podcast Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD.

2. 

   17 Mar 2026TRANSCRIPT

   424: Mastering the Algorithm w/ Jesse Johnson

   Host DeRay Mckesson interviews CBS News producer Shawna Thomas about her experiences and the challenges of modern media.

3. 

   10 Mar 2026TRANSCRIPT

   423: They’re All in Cahoots

   A growing “pardon industry” helps wealthy offenders hire lobbyists to secure clemency from the White House, Chinese billionaires use surrogacy to produce dozens of U.S.-born heirs to inherit their empires, and Jill Scott tops the R&B charts with “Pressha,” a reminder that while the powerful build dynasties, the culture does too.

Inside a recent episode

424: Mastering the Algorithm w/ Jesse Johnson

Published 17 Mar 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] And then I saw a story about the post informing its current subscribers that they are using an algorithmic formula to now set subscription prices. We've talked a lot about dynamic pricing around like food and other essential items, right, because we've talked about how stores are now using those digital price tags so that they can change them in real time. But this is the first time I'm seeing a story about something like a news or media outlet choosing to adopt that practice. I'm going to read a little bit because I want to share with folks some of the data points that WAPO is likely using to decide what your subscription prices versus mine. […]

Who has been a guest on Pod Save the People

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Jesse Johnson
• Brooke Butler
• Bench Ansfield
• Brandon Terry
• Brian Goldstone

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

12,966,219

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.7 / 5

8,748 ratings

Spotify

4.6 / 5

360 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 96 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

96

Social presence

97

YouTube

93

Engagement

98

Contact Pod Save the People

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about Pod Save the People