Make It Plain with Mark Thompson

You might be eligible for SNAP benefits, formerly known as food stamps, because of how the coronavirus has impacted your life (and in some states, they've changed their rules to accommodate the increase in struggling citizens). According to Rose Afriyie of mRelief, a quick 3-minute self-assessment on their site will determine if you are, and if you or someone you know doesn't have internet access, they've got you covered! Listen to today's episode to hear about the super easy process to access the resources you're entitled to, and head to mRelief.com for more. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The United States government could implement a permanent universal basic income, says David A. Love, Executive Editor of BlackCommentator.com, but they won't, because it would expose the system of capitalism in America. There's also a connection to the administration's blatant racism. Mark and David explore this tangled web and more on today's episode of Make It Plain. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The April jobs report shows the worst unemployment numbers since the Great Depression. Despite the fact that it wasn't a surprise, it's still a painful realization that presents a lot of open-ended questions and challenges. Mark and Chad Stone, the Chief Economist at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, get into the specifics on economy recovery, stimulus checks, an explainer on the wage growth that came along with last month's jobs numbers, and more. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Why is paid leave not guaranteed in America? We are one of the only countries in the world that does not have a cohesive national paid leave policy, says Dawn Huckelbridge of the Paid Leave for All Act, even though it ends up saving the federal government money in the long run. In today's episode Dawn talks about the demand from both sides of the aisle for access to emergency paid sick family and medical leave in the midst of coronavirus, and what they're doing with Paid Leave for All to make that happen on a legislative level. Go to paidleaveforall.org for more. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Did you know white women are the only demographic who sway back and forth on their approval for Trump? Markos Moulitsas, founder of DailyKos and Civiqs, is on for #ThursdayKos and he breaks down three major Republican voting blocs and where they stand right now on Trump. They also get into Tara Reade's allegations against Joe Biden and how these situations are handled on each side of the aisle. Plus a little debate on who Biden's VP pick should be. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The truth of the matter is this: we don't know what state our country will be in when November rolls around--if we'll be in quarantine, if coronavirus will be back with a vengeance--we just don't know. That's why Tiana Epps-Johnson, Executive Director of the Center for Tech and Civic Life, says we need a plan that involves technology to lessen the need for people to show up in person on Election Day. Smoother processes and more options are a start, but listen to today's episode with this tech expert for more. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What if internet access were a utility we were guaranteed with housing, just like cable and electric? That's what Elandria Williams, Executive Director of PeoplesHub is thinking about lately, and strategizing the ways that could become a reality. And in a time where we are so disconnected, we need that access more than ever, especially in communities dominated by people of color who rely on personal connection to lift them up in trying times. Listen to today's episode and head to peopleshub.org to find out more. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Last week, armed civilians conducted their version of a protest at the Michigan capitol to demand the lock-down be lifted, a display to threaten both civilians and lawmakers, says Shannon Watts, Founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. Meanwhile, gun sales continue to surge--and all of this fuels the work that Moms Demand Action does every day. Shannon tell us that long after the coronavirus ends, Americans will still be suffering the consequences of the spike in gun ownership, resulting in increased domestic violence, accidental shootings, and gun suicide. In today's episode she also talks about the legislation Moms Demand Action is fighting for, all born out of online activism, staring with a Facebook page created right at her kitchen table. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy &a

Abortion access is under direct threat right now--with greater intensity than in the time before coronavirus--because states that were previously trying to ban the medical procedure are using COVID-19 as leverage to push their agenda. How, exactly, are lawmakers trying to sneak their revamped abortion ban in? Could Roe v. Wade actually be overturned in the midst of this pandemic? Mark talks with legal historian, FSU professor, and author of several books on abortion (her latest is "Abortion and the Law in America") Mary Ziegler, who shares her expert insight and analysis on what could happen to the historic ruling that protects women's rights and what can be done to save it. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

75-percent of coronavirus cases have no race and ethnicity data, despite the fact that it's a basic principle of public health. Dr. Judy Lubin, President of The Center For Urban and Racial Equity, explains that the data is critical in order to track the virus and target resources--and not having those numbers can creat a domino effect in unexpected ways. Dr. Lubin explores that and more in today's episode of MIP--be sure to catch her announcement for the upcoming webinar focusing on black public health and organizing around that. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sen. Sherrod Brown is fighting for workers who didn't get the option to work from home during the pandemic, as their jobs became more essential than many of us ever realized--think bus drivers, grocery store workers, custodial workers, health care workers, etc.. In today's episode, he talks about his conversations with those essential employees and why they should receive a lump sum bonus for putting their lives at risk. Also in today's episode is an eye-opening conversation with Dr. James Hildreth, President of Meharry Medical College, where they recently rolled out Nashville's mobile testing, where they are up to 200+ people per day, and most are African-American. Aside from his insight on testing (and how there isn't enough happening nationally), but he has some harsh (and necessary) truths to share, and why you should plan on keeping your face masks at the ready for months to come. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand knows the importance of the United States Postal Service--especially in the upcoming presidential election--and she has a plan to save it. Did you ever consider the possibility of banking at the post office? Sen. Gillibrand has, and that is just one portion of her three-part plan to keep this crucial resource from sinking under the weight of coronavirus. ALSO in this episode is Eric Boehlert, Author and Publisher of pressrun.media, who refuses to sugarcoat Trump's misinformation campaigns OR how the press is covering him--and he is fed up with networks airing his daily "briefings." Listen to today's episode to learn about something Trump pulled straight from Putin's playbook: the fog of unknowability. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https

The death toll from coronavirus in the United States has topped 50-thousand, and Sam Smith, Founder and Editor of prorev.com, let's us know that's more than we lose to suicide in an entire year. Another death that Sam and Mark discuss, is that of the United States Postal Service--its still standing now, but the future is uncertain, and it just might have something to do with Trump not wanting people to be able to vote by mail in November. That and more with Sam Smith on today's episode of Make It Plain. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Senator Kamala Harris knows the public health crisis comes first, and the economic crisis follows--because without healthy Americans, nothing else matters. And that's why she's fighting for items in the next coronavirus stimulus package like free medical treatment and data collection based on race, in order to better target resources based on need. It's also why she's worried about states reopening businesses too soon, and what the repercussions could look like. Mark covers this and so much more with the former presidential candidate in today's episode. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Did you know about the test before the test? It's the first step in the COVID-19 screening process that determines if you'll get the swab test--and it's linked to one of the reasons that African-Americans are disproportionately affected by coronavirus. Dr. Leon McDougle is the President Elect of the National Medical Association and he is on with Mark today to offer insight into the screening and testing process, how implicit racism could be a driving force, and why we're still missing crucial data. He also shares the details of the COVID-19 Health Manifesto collaboration with the National Medical Association and Rainbow PUSH. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Many, if not most, religious communities in COVID-19 affected areas are reacting responsibly to the coronavirus and implementing practices to honor social distancing--but we can't discount the effect of far-right propaganda. Katherine Stewart is an investigative journalist, frequent New York Times op-ed contributor, and author of "The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism," and in today's episode she dives into what Religious Nationalism is, how it comes into play with the Trump administration, and how that ultimately affects our country's response to coronavirus (with bits of reproductive justice and voter suppression mixed in--after all, we're talking conservatives here). Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com

For every one COVID-19 mobile testing site in the United States, there are about 100 gun shops that offer drive-through purchasing--which is a new service made available in the midst of the pandemic, thanks to the Trump administration classifying these businesses as essential. And what we learned from March's data is that there were 1 million additional gun permit applications as opposed to March of 2019. Igor Volsky is the Executive Director of Guns Down America and an expert in gun ownership and the subsequent violence and deaths, and he says that while gun permit numbers are up, so are the number of phone calls to domestic violence and suicide hotlines, and that's not the only trouble afoot. Listen to this episode to hear more startling revelations, potential implications, and some ideas for how you can get involved from home. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-

In the midst of the coronavirus, Trump has been communicating with leaders all over the world, but none as much as Putin, who he's been having regular phone calls with. This is what Max Bergmann, Co-Founder of The Moscow Project tells us in today's episode. He and Mark also get into how the coronavirus can potentially impact Putin's regime, how Trump's relationship with Putin has strained our ties with the European Union in ways that were once unimaginable, Putin's relishing in the transatlantic instability, and how Russia's efforts to interfere in our election are actually made easier by all of this chaos. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Trump administration continues to expand access to firearms during the Coronavirus pandemic, and so gun sales continue to rise, which is no coincidence--we’ve seen similar statistical jumps when Barack Obama was elected to office, as well as just after 9/11. That makes it a particularly interesting time to sit down with Frank Smyth, author of “The NRA: The Unauthorized History," who shares insight on how the ideology of the NRA's fiercely supportive members are a huge part of what upholds the organization, even in the midst of a national crisis. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What happens to those who are incarcerated when a pandemic takes hold of our country? April Grayson is a National Surrogate for the REPRESENT JUSTICE Campaign, in addition to her work for the Young Women’s Freedom Center, a coalition of currently and formerly incarcerated women creating awareness of the unique issues facing women in prison, and she is working to shed a light on the vulnerability of inmates. There are no social distancing requirements within prisons, and if staff and guards choose not to wear masks, gloves, or other protective gear, they can easily walk the virus right inside. That brings us to Grayson's work, where she is asking governors and lawmakers to consider releasing the elderly or immunocompromised sooner than planned. She also discusses her experience as she was incarcerated for both the SARS and H1N1 outbreaks, and how inmates are left without information or resources to protect themselves from getting sick. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor