the roots of change podcast
the roots of change podcast

the roots of change podcast

the roots of change agency

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🧑‍🌾 Cultivating Connections, Empowering Change - Host Sam Chavez (she/they/he) connects with fellow organizers, communicators, and movement leaders boldly creating change in today's social, political, tech, & media landscape with heart, hope, & a grounded nervous system. Let's grow and build our collective organizing together! Become a Seedling Member to unlock our private podcast and library of resources. Learn more and get our private podcast

Recent Episodes

🎙 The Ragging Waters of Our Polycrisis | Summer Podcast Kick Off
JUN 1, 2026
🎙 The Ragging Waters of Our Polycrisis | Summer Podcast Kick Off
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 ★
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7 MIN
🎙 [Re-Air] Andor & Star Wars as Lessons in Activism with Get Free
MAY 4, 2026
🎙 [Re-Air] Andor & Star Wars as Lessons in Activism with Get Free
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 ★
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47 MIN
🎙️ From Human Doings to Human Beings Radical Love at Middle Church
APR 6, 2026
🎙️ From Human Doings to Human Beings Radical Love at Middle Church
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 ★
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33 MIN
🎙️ [Preview] Texas-Sized Stories: Christian Nationalism & the Republican Party
MAR 30, 2026
🎙️ [Preview] Texas-Sized Stories: Christian Nationalism & the Republican Party
Hi y’all! 👋🏽 this week, we stay in Southwest Texas to talk about the rise of christian nationalism, Republican Messaging strategies, and the complex web of the early history of the U.S. Bear hits the streets of Marfa, TX to reflect on small town, rural life and how we can empower the people politically and socially. Watch today's preview on YouTube or PeerTube.In the EpisodeChristian Nationalism and settler colonialismJesus' teachings vs. MAGABeing two spirit and beyond genderInside Elon Musks's Election StrategyBreaking down Republican votersDemocrat's Messaging Failures in 2024 🌱 Become a Seedling Member Today! Get more behind-the-scenes action from our trip and go deeper with activists & organizers at just $2/month.References / Resources📚 Things fall apart by Chinua Achebe🎬 Dazed and Confused (1993)🌱 Reawakening to Indigenous Queer Wisdom🎬 Giant (1956)✊🏽 Stop the Bloated Billionaire Bill with People Power📚 The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love by bell hooks🌍 MAGA Morphing of the Grand Old Party (GOP)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 ★
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5 MIN