Hellbent

Devon and Varsha discuss DHS and ICE separating children from their families at our borders, voter suppression in Ohio and the depths of Scott Pruitt's dickwaddery.  ActBlue is taking donations on behalf of a number of organizations dedicated to helping the kids at the border. Please donate. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/kidsattheborder

Devon sits down with hosts of Rewire.News' podcast Boom, Lawyered to discuss the Masterpiece Cakeshop SCOTUS ruling. They talk about what the ruling means, and more importantly, what it DOESN'T mean. They also talk about kitten stationary.

Devon and Varsha discuss Samantha Bee's use of a controversial word, Roseanne Barr's racism, presidential pardons and SCOTUS' non-decision on the future of civil rights for LGBT citizens.

Devon sits down with Jessica Post, the executive director of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, which focuses on getting Democratic candidates elected to state and local office. They discuss getting involved, why state legislatures are so important and what it takes to run a successful state campaign. Follow Jessica Post http://www.twitter.com/JessicaPost Follow DLCC http://www.twitter.com/thedlcc Find a local candidate at http://www.races.dlcc.org to see who is running in your state elections. Our sponsor today is Everytown for Gun Safety. Tomorrow, June 1 is National Gun Violence Awareness Day. We ask that everyone wear orange to raise awareness of the issue of gun violence in this country. Post pictures of yourself with #WearOrange - Hellbent social media will also be following the hashtag and will share pictures of Hellions wearing orange. Go to http://wearorange.org to find an event near you this weekend.

Devon and guest host Varsha discuss 2 separate stories about ICE and the Office of Refugee Resettlement and how this administration's immigration policies are being executed and why. They also discuss North Korea, diplomacy and what Chinese telecommunications company ZTE has to do with Ivanka Trump. Thank you to our sponsors for this week: Blinkist -Blinkist is the only app that takes thousands of the best-selling nonfiction books and distills them down to their most impactful elements, so you can read or listen to them in under 15 minutes, all on your phone. Go to http://www.blinkist.com/hellbent for a free trial or 3 months off of a year subscription Framebridge - This company allows you to upload pictures or send items in to be professionally framed at a fraction of the cost. Go to http://www.framebridge.com and use promo code HELLBENT for 15% off. Everytown for Gun Safety - Join the movement by Wearing Orange this Friday, June 1st, and don’t forget to post your pictures online using the hashtag #WearO

Devon sits down with Rabbi Jaclyn Cohen to discuss the complex issues that surround the conflict in the Middle East and she offers an American Jew's connection to Israel. They discuss nuance, compassion, and what needs to be done to break some of the tension in the region and get people talking again.

Devon and VERY SPECIAL GUEST HOST Varsha Venkatasubramanian (Hellbent's very talented researcher) discuss Title X funding, what a domestic gag rule means, the school shooting at a Santa Fe, Texas high school, and the violence against women that lurks behind mass shootings. Hellbent's favorite lawyer, Aditi Juneja, also joins us to help clarify the legal issues surrounding the Trump administration's attempt to implement a gag rule here in the US. We also learn that Varsha can read in German, BECAUSE OF COURSE SHE CAN. A special thanks to our sponsor for this week, Tommy John. They just launched a women's line of underwear and PJs and I swear it is the most comfortable underwear I've ever worn. Go to http://www.tommyjohn.com/hellbent for 20% off your order. Using or trying our sponsor's products and services helps keep the lights on and anger flowing here at Hellbent HQ. Follow Devon http://www.twitter.com/DevonHandy Follow Varsha http://www.twitter.com/_varsha_venkat Follow Aditi http://www.twitter.com/a

Devon sits down with Shruti Sandara and Yvonne Wandera to talk about their group, OwnHero, which is aiming to reframe the narrative around sexual abuse and assault. They also discuss what it's like to be two women of color working in Hollywood today and what changes the entertainment industry is slooooowly making.

Devon and special guest host Aditi Juneja (lawyer, activist, writer and host of Self Care Sundays podcast) discuss Michael Cohen, John Kelly, just how disgusting this administration is, and the dangerous path towards autocracy that the White House is on. They also discuss Iowa's abortion bill that outlaws abortions at 6 weeks pregnant. Devon also responds to listener feedback regarding Episode 114: Men Are Fucking Trash. Follow Aditi http://www.twitter.com/AditiJuneja3 Follow Devon http://www.twitter.com/DevonHandy Listen to Self Care Sundays: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/self-care-sundays/id1231811517?mt=2&i=1000411267950 (It is amazing!)

Devon sits down with lawyer, writer, activist and podcast host Aditi Juneja. They discuss Aditi's work with Protect Democracy and the most salient threats to the framework of our government. They also discuss how race and gender are weaponized by governments to create authoritarian regimes and how the Trump administration is employing similar techniques. Aditi also talks about her podcast, Self Care Sundays, and what she does to take care of herself in these dark times. Follow Aditi - http://www.twitter.com/AditiJuneja3 Follow Devon - http://www.twitter.com/DevonHandy Listen to Self Care Sundays - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/self-care-sundays/id1231811517?mt=2#episodeGuid=4a1c6380eaf827859efde2baf5573a6a

Devon and Drexel discuss Eric Schneiderman, Melania Trump's "Be Best" nonsense, and what pulling out the Iran Nuclear Deal means for the US's global standing. Thank you to our sponsors for this week: Framebridge - custom frame your art right off your phone or Instagram feed at an affordable price and free shipping. Go to http://www.framebridge.com and use promo code HELLBENT for 15% off Sun Basket - easy-to-make meals delivered straight to your door. Go to http://www.sunbasket.com/hellbent for $35 off your first order.

Devon sits down with comedian, actress and  Full Frontal with Samantha Bee writer Ashley Nicole Black. They discuss feminist comedy in a diverse writer's room, talking to Trump voters face-to-face and speaking truth to power. Follow Ashley @ashleyn1cole Follow Devon @DevonHandy

Devon and Drexel discuss the travel ban (but really it's a Muslim ban) and the arguments being made for and against it in front of SCOTUS. They also discuss the White House Correspondences' Dinner and the eyeshadow joke heard 'round the world. Drexel goes into Kanye West's MAGA behavior and why, at his core, he's just like Trump.

Devon sits down with Sharon Kann, the reproductive rights program manager at Media Matters for America. They discuss why media oversight is so crucial in this era of #FakeNews and what has changed - and what hasn't changed - about how the news covers abortion rights and reproductive justice. They also discuss Kevin Williamson's whiney WSJ article and outline who exactly is oppressed in that narrative. (Spoiler alert: it isn't Kevin Williamson) Devon also discusses a new study that shows white Trump voters were less concerned with economic issues and more concerned about keeping their white privilege intact. (Fucking duh.) The prevailing media narrative that Hillary Clinton ignored the white working class and that's why Trump won is complete and utter bullshit. Follow Sharon Kann @SharonKann Follow Media Matters for America @mmfa Follow Devon @DevonHandy Thank you to our sponsors for this week: (Using or trying these products keeps the lights and and the anger flowing!) Tommy John: get 15% off your order

Devon and Drexel discuss the 3rd round of student-led school walkouts that took place on Friday, April 20th on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine shooting. They also talk about the DNC lawsuit against Russia, Don Jr., and the Trump Campaign and what it means for Democratic messaging for the 2018 midterms.

Devon sits down with Natalie Telyatnikov, founder of Better Postpartum, an organization dedicated to lowering the maternal mortality rate and help women get through Postpartum Depression and other Postpartum medical issues. Devon also discusses racism in healthcare and how that directly relates to pregnant women of color.

Devon and Drexel discuss race and education in America, and what it means that Paul Ryan is not seeking reelection in November.

Devon sits down with Cecile Richards, past president of Planned Parenthood, expert organizer, and exceptional troublemaker. They discuss her new book, Make Trouble: Standing Up, Speaking Out, and Finding the Courage to Lead and how Hellions can "raise hell" in their own communities, even if they have never been engaged with the political process in the past. We also get some insight into her fears, future predictions, and, of course, which Hogwarts house she's in.  Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Make-Trouble-Standing-Speaking-Lead-My-ebook/dp/B074ZPTRYT/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523568951&sr=8-1&keywords=make+trouble Follow Cecile: http://www.twitter.com/cecilerichards Follow Devon: http://www.twitter.com/DevonHandy

Devon and Drexel discuss the chemical weapons attack in Syria that happened on Saturday, as well as the escalating tariffs Trump is threatening to levy on China.  Please visit our sponsors for this week: Framebridge - Get beautiful custom framing starting at just $39\. Go to http://www.framebridge.com and use promocode HELLBENT for 15% off your first order Daily Harvest - Delicious smoothies, breakfast bowls, soups and sundaes delivered right to your door. Go to http://www.daily-harvest.com/hellbent and use promocode HELLBENT for 3 FREE items in your first box

Devon sits down with Christina Reynolds, the Vice President of Communications at Emily's List. They discussed sexism and misogyny directed at women running for office and why more women in politics is always a good thing. To put the interview in a larger context, we included clips from Lauren Underwood, Alexandra Chandler, and Jess Phoenix about their experiences with sexism during their campaigns. Follow Christina - http://www.twitter.com/creynoldsnc Follow Emily's List - https://twitter.com/emilyslist Follow Lauren Underwood - https://twitter.com/LUnderwood630 Follow Alexandra Chandler - https://twitter.com/a_chandler Follow Jess Phoenix - https://twitter.com/jessphoenix2018 Take a moment to find out who is running for congress in your district, and if there are progressive women on the ballot, get involoved! Donate, volunteer, go to campaign events. We need more women in politics and we can do it. Women are running, and women are winning.