the roots of change podcast

Hi y’all! 👋🏽 We connect with our regular techs-pert Joe Cardillo (they/them) about growing off of Big Tech and for profit social media that only steals our data, manipulates our emotions, and harms our connection to each other. We discuss the fediverse as an alternative that hearkens back to the early Internet of social networking & community. For organizations looking to de-Big Tech their communications, we have advice on how to setup and build on the fediverse. Plus, get the 📋 Mastodon for Social Change Follow List to expand your fediverse follows! Watch today's preview on PeerTube.Become a member: www.rootschangemedia.com/private-podcast/#/portal/account/plansIn the EpisodeWhat is the Fediverse?Why Transition Away from Big Tech?Walled Gardens vs. the MeadowCapitalization of the InternetWhy Creators & Non-Profits Should Join MastodonTips for Migrating AudiencesUsing Independent Social Media for Deeper Audience ConnectionsLiberatory Communications Off Big TechReferences / Resources📲 Get Started on Mastodon (Privacy Guides)📋 Mastodon for Social Change Follow List✊🏽 Gaza Verified🎬 Follow Us on Mastodon / PeerTube📲 Follow Sam on Mastodon📲 Follow Joe on Mastodon📚 Toying with Our Emotions: The Social Media Algorithm📚 Why Even Post? Can Social Media Work for Social Change?📚 Anti-Gaslighting Guide to Social MediaGrow with Healthy Media:Explore healthy media & techBecome a Seedling MemberFollow us on Mastodon, PeerTube, & BlueSkySupport independent media & assist an activist ★ Support this podcast ★

Hey y'all! 👋🏽 This year is a midterm election year and another opportunity to push back against the fascist agenda. We jump back to October 2024 and what it was like on the road talking to voters to stop Trump's 2nd term. Bear and I are going back out on the road to reflect on how we got to Trump's America in 2026 and how the roots of our history are holding us back. Watch today's preview on PeerTube."This is my muddy boy, Bear. He is a full pembroke welsh corgi and my travel buddy."Become a member: www.rootschangemedia.com/private-podcast/#/portal/account/plansIn the Episode2024 Election and Trump's 2nd RiseWhat themes does media & tech intentionally miss?Talking with voters and understanding the cracks of the U.S.Trump vs. Kamala's Future AmericaReflecting on the stakes of 2024 electionMore about Bear the corgi!References / Resources🎬 Southwest Swing State Roadtrip Video Series 🌱 Flexing Native Voting Power Against a GOP-Controlled Arizona🌱 Subverting U.S. Progressive Power: The Democratic Way🌱 How the Court was Corrupted: A Brief History of the Federalist Society🌱 Combatting Resistance to Biden's Diverse Cabinet🌱 Yes We Kahn! AI Climate & Regulation🧠 Art & Science of Changing Minds Zine Library📚 Build Your Voter Outreach Strategy | Guides & TemplatesGrow with Healthy Media:Explore healthy media & techBecome a Seedling MemberFollow us on Mastodon, PeerTube, & BlueSkySupport independent media & assist an activistThank you for being a listener of the roots of change agency! To access our podcast, media, & memberships, visit our website at rootschangemedia.comWant to share & support our work? Gift a membership to a heart-first activist in your life.  ★ Support this podcast ★

Hi y’all! 👋🏽 We are back from our month-long hiatus to dig into the major news we missed and root into the long game of organizing against our polycrisis to build the future we deserve. While elites, Big Tech, and white supremacy are throwing everything they can at us, the truth is they are all the same root. Watch today's preview on PeerTube."We deserve to tell our stories. We deserve to build the liberatory future."Become a member: www.rootschangemedia.com/private-podcast/#/portal/account/plansIn the EpisodeElites & Big Tech work to control & hoard Building news and media literacyOrganizing through an escalating polycrisisHow we navigate the ragging waters collectivelyOur theory of change and finding your role in social changeCorgi booty as community caredReferences / Resources🗞️ The Pope Calls Out AI🗞️ Peter Thiel Preaching Anti-Christ at Vatican's Door🗞️ Malaysia Suing Israel Over Torture of Gaza Flotilla Activists🗞️ Trump's DOJ Gifts Him $1.8 Billion Slush Fund for Allies🗞️ The Supreme Court Ends Multiracial Democracy as We Know It 🗞️ Tennessee GOP Moves to Decimate Black Voting Power After SCOTUS Blessing of Jim Crow🗞️ More US Americans Buying Beans to Offset Costs🗞️ Billionaires, Dark Money Unprecedented Spending for 2026 Midterms🗞️ Big Tech & Elite's Stealing Water, Energy, & Resources🌱 Our Theory of Change: Storytelling for Social Change✊🏽 Explore Our Refreshed Resource HubGrow with Healthy Media:Explore healthy media & techBecome a Seedling MemberFollow us on Mastodon, PeerTube, & BlueSkySupport independent media & assist an activist ★ Support this podcast ★

Hey y’all, 👋🏽 May the 4th Be with You! Star Wars Day also happens to be my birthday. To celebrate, we're re-releasing our Live panel discussion with Get Free about Andor and Star Wars as a place for organizing lessons.Sam Chavez (she/they/he) chats with Natalie (she/her) and Anthony Torres (he/him) from Get Free about their new program to get Star Wars fans involved in organizing called Project Fulcrum. In the hour-long conversation, we discussed:How Star Wars fandom can inform our activism on Earth todayMon Mothma’s unique role in The Resistance as someone with privilege within The EmpireNemik’s Manifesto and what lessons we can take about movement buildingGet Free’s Project Fulcrum as an opportunity for Star Wars fans to get involvedWhy we need The Force and joy for long-term movement buildingExplore the roots of change agencyRead our Weekly Activist DigestFollow us on YouTube, Bluesky & MastodonHealthy Tech & Communications ResourcesAccess Our Private ChatsBecome a Seedling MemberAbout Get FreeJoin Project FulcrumFollow Get FreeGrow with Healthy Media:Explore healthy media & techBecome a Seedling MemberSupport independent media & assist an activistAmplify Grounded Activism🎬 Watch on YouTube or PeerTubeSubscribe to our weekly digest(s)Follow us on Mastodon, PeerTube, & BlueSkyBypass the algos on YouTube, Instagram, & TikTokJoin our secure Signal broadcast channelAccess Private Podcast FeedAbout Natalie Green (she/her)Natalie Green is a leader on Project Fulcrum, a Get Free initiative that mobilizes Star Wars and Andor fans across races, backgrounds, and generations to rebel against real-world authoritarianism. A lifelong Star Wars fend, she blends pop culture with politics to inspire action and build community. Natalie is a progressive communications strategist with over a decade of experience advancing the rights of women, survivors, and communities of color. She currently works in the reproductive rights movement and has previously served on Senator Elizabeth Warren’s digital team and as Communications Manager at UltraViolet, where her campaigns reached tens of millions. Originally from New Jersey, she now lives in Washington, D.C.About Anthony Torres (he/him)Anthony Vidal Torres is the Communications Director for Get Free. Anthony is a messaging specialist, political strategist, and organizer originally from Long Island, New York. He’s supported winning campaigns across the country and most recently served as the Director of Collaboration at ASO Communications and has been a key steward and trainer of the Race Class Narrative. Prior to this, he led communication efforts for the national grassroots campaign to impeach Trump in 2019, and held a variety of leadership roles in the climate movement.Get updates when new podcasts & resources are out:Explore the roots of change agencyRead our Weekly Activist DigestFollow us on YouTube, Bluesky & MastodonHealthy Tech & Communications ResourcesAccess Our Private ChatsBecome a Seedling MemberSam Chavez (she/they/he) chats with Natalie (she/her) and Anthony Torres (he/him) from Get Free about their new program to get Star Wars fans involved in organizing called Project Fulcrum. In the hour-long conversation, we discussed:How Star Wars fandom can inform our activism on Earth in 2025Mon Mothma’s unique role in The Resistance as someone with privilege within The EmpireNemik’s Manifesto and what lessons we can take about movement buildingGet Free’s Project Fulcrum as an opportunity for Star Wars fans to get involvedWhy we need The Force and joy for long-term movement building ★ Support this podcast ★

Hi y’all! 👋🏽 The pope and the president are fighting and no that's not a punchline for a dad joke. We celebrate Easter the way the radical organizer, Jesus, would want, by talking about community and radical love! I sit down with two of my pastors from Middle Church, Rev. Natalie Perkins and Jillian Langford, to discuss Jesus, the rise of Christian Nationalism, and how Middle Church is building a community that's moving for change. This was originally recorded on August 19, 2025 as part of our ongoing Road Trippin' for Change series. Watch today's episode.In the EpisodeJesus Teachings vs. Christian NationalismHow a church fire transformed Middle ChurchChurch as love and communityThe complexity of Christianity in the U.S.The spiritual work of becoming human beings, not human doingsChurch as movement organizingThe intersection of history and religionUsing religion and spirituality to move through the rise of Christian NationalismOctavia Butler's God is ChangeMedia, Resources, & NewsMiddle ChurchFierce Love by Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis🎙️ New York Organizing for Our Future Today with Chris TorresUbunutu & Other Lessons from Black LiberationThe Will to Change by bell hooksFreedom Rising ConferenceNazis & Hegseth: Christian Nationalism Rhythms🌱 Become a Seedling Member Today! Get more behind-the-scenes action from our trip and go deeper with activists & organizers at just $2/month.Grow with Healthy Media:Explore healthy media & techBecome a Seedling MemberSupport independent media & assist an activistAmplify Grounded Activism🎬 Watch on YouTube or PeerTubeSubscribe to our weekly digest(s)Follow us on Mastodon, PeerTube, & BlueSkyBypass the algos on YouTube, Instagram, & TikTokJoin our secure Signal broadcast channelAccess Private Podcast Feed ★ Support this podcast ★