In episode three of Making of an Activist we discover that after stints in Baltimore and Harlem Children’s Zone, DeRay Mckesson heads to Minneapolis to lead the human capital department for Minneapolis Public Schools. In the safety and security of a career-defining role, DeRay watches the immediate aftermath of Mike Brown’s brutal murder at the hands of a police officer in Ferguson and simply cannot sit still. There is no going back for DeRay, we discover what sparked his drive down to Ferguson, and how life changed forever. Expert and historical context provided by Harvard Professor Brandon Terry, and others. We learn more about what came before the death of Mike Brown and the systemic issues of policing in the US.

In episode three of Making of an Activist we discover that after stints in Baltimore and Harlem Children’s Zone, DeRay Mckesson heads to Minneapolis to lead the human capital department for Minneapolis Public Schools. In the safety and security of a career-defining role, DeRay watches the immediate aftermath of Mike Brown’s brutal murder at the hands of a police officer in Ferguson and simply cannot sit still. There is no going back for DeRay, we discover what sparked his drive down to Ferguson, and how life changed forever. Expert and historical context provided by Harvard Professor Brandon Terry, and others. We learn more about what came before the death of Mike Brown and the systemic issues of policing in the US.

Good Things Presents: Making of an Activist (Part 3 of 3)

Aldine Independent School District in Texas began the journey of drastically changing how reading is taught in 2020 – not knowing that a global pandemic was on the horizon. When COVID hit, the district didn’t abandon the plan; they persevered. In part three of our series on literacy, host Gloria Riviera talks with Aldine Superintendent LaTonya Goffney and Executive Director of Literacy and Social Studies Jacqueline Beas about what it was like to make the seismic shift.

This episode is created in partnership with the Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Thank you to Aldine Independent School District for making this conversation possible. 

Aldine Independent School District in Texas began the journey of drastically changing how reading is taught in 2020 &ndash; not knowing that a global pandemic was on the horizon. When COVID hit, the district didn&rsquo;t abandon the plan; they persevered. In part three of our series on literacy, host Gloria Riviera talks with Aldine Superintendent LaTonya Goffney and Executive Director of Literacy and Social Studies Jacqueline Beas about what it was like to make the seismic shift.
This episode is created in partnership with the Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Thank you to Aldine Independent School District for making this conversation possible.&nbsp;

Aldine: Creating a Seismic Shift

What does the upcoming Trump presidency mean for the care economy and the over 105 million family caregivers in our country? In this post-election bonus episode, caregiving expert and policy advocate Ai-jen Poo returns to tell us what challenges lay ahead for families and care workers, and how we can keep fighting for a better system that allows us to truly show up for care. 

This season of Uncared For is presented by the Commonwealth Fund, a nonprofit foundation making grants to promote an equitable, high-performing health care system.

What does the upcoming Trump presidency mean for the care economy and the over 105 million family caregivers in our country? In this post-election bonus episode, caregiving expert and policy advocate Ai-jen Poo returns to tell us what challenges lay ahead for families and care workers, and how we can keep fighting for a better system that allows us to truly show up for care. 
This season of Uncared For is presented by the Commonwealth Fund, a nonprofit foundation making grants to promote an equitable, high-performing health care system.

Showing Up for Care in 2025

In episode two of Making of an Activist we dive into DeRay Mckesson’s college years where he was the first and only class and student body president at Bowdoin, DeRay was the centre of civic life on campus. We explore the formative experiences on and off campus, what drew him to the classroom, and revisit what key people in his life at that time remember about DeRay the student, leader, and teacher.

In episode two of Making of an Activist we dive into DeRay Mckesson’s college years where he was the first and only class and student body president at Bowdoin, DeRay was the centre of civic life on campus. We explore the formative experiences on and off campus, what drew him to the classroom, and revisit what key people in his life at that time remember about DeRay the student, leader, and teacher.

Good Things Presents: Making of an Activist (Part 2 of 3)

At age 14, Luz Hernandez left her home country of Honduras to cross borders into the U.S. She was fleeing poverty, sexual abuse, and medical malpractice. The journey was harrowing and so was making a new start in the U.S. Eventually, Luz became a social worker and now offers youth and families the support she had needed when she arrived. In the second episode of our two-part series created with Voice of Witness, host Maya Rupert talks to Luz about grit and determination, hope and belonging, and why hearing directly from immigrants is crucial to understanding the topic of immigration.

This episode is created in partnership with Voice of Witness, an oral history nonprofit that advances human rights by amplifying the stories of people impacted by—and fighting against—injustice. To learn more, visit voiceofwitness.org.

You can read Luz’s full story in the Voice of Witness book “Solito, Solita,” along with the powerful oral histories of fourteen other youth refugees from Central America.

For more info about this storytelling project and others, including education resources and ways to take action, visit voiceofwitness.org and subscribe to the newsletter.

At age 14, Luz Hernandez left her home country of Honduras to cross borders into the U.S. She was fleeing poverty, sexual abuse, and medical malpractice. The journey was harrowing and so was making a new start in the U.S. Eventually, Luz became a social worker and now offers youth and families the support she had needed when she arrived. In the second episode of our two-part series created with Voice of Witness, host Maya Rupert talks to Luz about grit and determination, hope and belonging, and why hearing directly from immigrants is crucial to understanding the topic of immigration.
This episode is created in partnership with Voice of Witness, an oral history nonprofit that advances human rights by amplifying the stories of people impacted by—and fighting against—injustice. To learn more, visit <a href="http://voiceofwitness.org">voiceofwitness.org</a>.
You can read Luz’s full story in the <a href="https://voiceofwitness.org/books/solito-solita/">Voice of Witness book “Solito, Solita,”</a> along with the powerful oral histories of fourteen other youth refugees from Central America.
For more info about this storytelling project and others, including education resources and ways to take action, visit <a href="http://voiceofwitness.org">voiceofwitness.org</a> and subscribe to the newsletter.

Immigrant Justice: Taking Back the Narrative

We hope you have been enjoying the incredible guests and stories from this season of Good Things. Now, we want to hear from you. We’re conducting a survey with three simple questions: Did you learn something, has your opinion changed, and do you feel empowered to put these new ideas into action? You can complete this simple, three question survey at bit.ly/goodthingssurvey.  

We hope you have been enjoying the incredible guests and stories from this season of Good Things. Now, we want to hear from you. We’re conducting a survey with three simple questions: Did you learn something, has your opinion changed, and do you feel empowered to put these new ideas into action? You can complete this simple, three question survey at <a href="http://bit.ly/goodthingssurvey">bit.ly/goodthingssurvey</a>.

Tell Us About YOUR Good Things

How do stories help us challenge, shape, and navigate our democracy? In this two-part series created with Voice of Witness, we’ll explore oral histories as powerful tools of resistance and belonging. In this first episode, host Maya Rupert sits down with Ashley Hemmers, a member of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe, whose path winds from growing up on her reservation to attending Yale to returning home again. Now a tribal administrator, Ashley shares how storytelling is both a bridge to the past and a pathway to her tribe’s future. 

This episode is created in partnership with Voice of Witness, an oral history nonprofit that advances human rights by amplifying the stories of people impacted by—and fighting against—injustice. To learn more, visit voiceofwitness.org.

You can read Ashley’s full story in the Voice of Witness book How We Go Home, along with the powerful oral histories of eleven other Indigenous narrators fighting for justice: https://voiceofwitness.org/books/how-we-go-home-voices-from-indigenous-north-america/

How do stories help us challenge, shape, and navigate our democracy? In this two-part series created with Voice of Witness, we’ll explore oral histories as powerful tools of resistance and belonging. In this first episode, host Maya Rupert sits down with Ashley Hemmers, a member of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe, whose path winds from growing up on her reservation to attending Yale to returning home again. Now a tribal administrator, Ashley shares how storytelling is both a bridge to the past and a pathway to her tribe’s future. 
This episode is created in partnership with Voice of Witness, an oral history nonprofit that advances human rights by amplifying the stories of people impacted by—and fighting against—injustice. To learn more, visit <a href="http://voiceofwitness.org/">voiceofwitness.org</a>.
You can read Ashley’s full story in the Voice of Witness book How We Go Home, along with the powerful oral histories of eleven other Indigenous narrators fighting for justice: <a href="https://voiceofwitness.org/books/how-we-go-home-voices-from-indigenous-north-america/">https://voiceofwitness.org/books/how-we-go-home-voices-from-indigenous-north-america/</a>

Indigenous Justice: Looking for a Future

Nurturing relationships with safe and dependable adults, like early childhood educators, can make a profound difference for kids who’ve experienced early adversity. Early childhood expert Kai-leé Berke knows this firsthand and she’s spent her career working to improve resources for early childhood educators. Through training and awareness, these educators can help prevent the damaging impacts of trauma, and instill skills like how to love, how to trust, and how to learn.

This episode is made possible with support from Lillio, whose mission is to elevate early childhood programs with innovative design, quality content, and professional growth opportunities, delivering joyful learning experiences for all children. To learn more, visit lillio.com. 

Nurturing relationships with safe and dependable adults, like early childhood educators, can make a profound difference for kids who’ve experienced early adversity. Early childhood expert Kai-leé Berke knows this firsthand and she’s spent her career working to improve resources for early childhood educators. Through training and awareness, these educators can help prevent the damaging impacts of trauma, and instill skills like how to love, how to trust, and how to learn.
This episode is made possible with support from Lillio, whose mission is to elevate early childhood programs with innovative design, quality content, and professional growth opportunities, delivering joyful learning experiences for all children. To learn more, visit <a href="http://lillio.com">lillio.com</a>.

Why Relationships are Crucial for Child Development

Danielle Atkinson has been organizing mothers of color since 2012 to not only knock on doors, but to knock down the doors of power. Danielle is the founder and executive director of the grassroots advocacy organization Mothering Justice. With the 2024 election upon us, host Maya Rupert talks with Danielle about how BIPOC mothers can shape some of the most critical issues this election, like childcare, paid sick leave and improving wages. And what it looks like to build a future that truly centers families and caregivers.

This episode is presented by Mothering Justice, a grassroots policy advocacy organization that provides mothers of color in America with the resources and tools to use their power to make equitable changes in policy. Learn more and get involved at motheringjustice.org.

Danielle Atkinson has been organizing mothers of color since 2012 to not only knock on doors, but to knock down the doors of power. Danielle is the founder and executive director of the grassroots advocacy organization Mothering Justice. With the 2024 election upon us, host Maya Rupert talks with Danielle about how BIPOC mothers can shape some of the most critical issues this election, like childcare, paid sick leave and improving wages. And what it looks like to build a future that truly centers families and caregivers.
This episode is presented by Mothering Justice, a grassroots policy advocacy organization that provides mothers of color in America with the resources and tools to use their power to make equitable changes in policy. Learn more and get involved at <a href="http://motheringjustice.org">motheringjustice.org</a>.

A Mama's Agenda for Justice

In episode one of Making of an Activist we explore DeRay Mckesson’s early years in Baltimore, growing up with two parents struggling with addiction. However, with the assistance of a broader support system, DeRay manages not just to survive, but to thrive. At a young age, he was already campaigning and organizing. We explore the nature and nurture circumstances of DeRay’s activism. Expert commentary and historical context provided by Harvard Professor, Brandon Terry, and other experts.

In episode one of Making of an Activist we explore DeRay Mckesson’s early years in Baltimore, growing up with two parents struggling with addiction. However, with the assistance of a broader support system, DeRay manages not just to survive, but to thrive. At a young age, he was already campaigning and organizing. We explore the nature and nurture circumstances of DeRay’s activism. Expert commentary and historical context provided by Harvard Professor, Brandon Terry, and other experts.

Good Things Presents: Making of an Activist (Part 1 of 3)

Good Things from Lemonada Media is a podcast about the good people in the world who are rolling up their sleeves and working hard to make things better. Each week, we'll be talking about this country's most complex and confounding issues in an effort to affect systemic change, with a rotating cast of incredible guests and Lemonada hosts. From the dire condition of the American foster care system to the decline of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, protecting democracy, and more, we’re focusing on solutions – with the people putting them into action.

Good Things from Lemonada Media is a podcast about the good people in the world who are rolling up their sleeves and working hard to make things better. Each week, we'll be talking about this country's most complex and confounding issues in an effort to affect systemic change, with a rotating cast of incredible guests and Lemonada hosts. From the dire condition of the American foster care system to the decline of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, protecting democracy, and more, we’re focusing on solutions – with the people putting them into action.

Good Things from Lemonada

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