National Radio Project

Kirsten made her way out of jail and addiction with the help of a special court on the Penobscot Nation reservation in Maine. There, culture and justice work together to bypass traditional punitive measures for more restorative ones. Reporter Lisa Bartfai visits the Healing to Wellness Court to see how it all works.

2020 and the first few months of 2021 are shaping up to be some of the biggest periods ever for U.S. firearms sales. In California, however, gun sales last year decreased slightly. In this episode we hear from members of the gun and mental health communities on what they are doing to help prevent gun violence in the wake of surging national gun sales.

From farm to fork, few things matter more than the food we eat. We all want the freedom and opportunity to choose what ends up on our plate- but when a handful of companies control most of the brands you see at the grocery store- what choices are really left?

On this edition Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food and Water Watch, author of Foodopoly, and one of the nation’s leading healthy food advocates, says it’s time to turn the tables on big agribusiness.

Learn more on the Making Contact website.

2011 marks the year for redistricting – the once-in-a-decade process to draw boundaries that determine your elected officials from local school boards to state and congressional representatives. On this edition, we examine the U.S. redistricting system and some of its pitfalls.

American Arabs and Muslims are under the microscope, and the effect on those communities has been devastating.  On this edition, we’ll hear stories about the past 10 years of America’s homeland war on Muslims and Arabs, and about racial profiling during previous war times.

American Arabs and Muslims are under the microscope, and the effect on those communities has been devastating.  On this edition, we’ll hear stories about the past 10 years of America’s homeland war on Muslims and Arabs, and about racial profiling during previous war times.

Youth and their use of social media have been cited as leading factors for Egypt’s “January 25^th” revolution. But women also came out in force to protest Hosni Mubarak’s 30 years of dictatorial power. On this edition, we look at the role women played in the 2011 revolution– and in Egypt’s history.

Youth and their use of social media have been cited as leading factors for Egypt’s “January 25^th” revolution. But women also came out in force to protest Hosni Mubarak’s 30 years of dictatorial power. On this edition, we look at the role women played in the 2011 revolution-- and in Egypt’s history.

This week, we revisit a recent show about a natural gas drilling method called "hydraulic fracturing" or "fracking." We'll hear excerpts from the oscar-nominated documentary "Gasland." We'll also hear from people from Pennsylvania to the mountains of Colorado who are trying to prevent the toxic fallout from 'fracking' before it starts.

This week, we revisit a recent show about a natural gas drilling method called "hydraulic fracturing" or "fracking." We'll hear excerpts from the oscar-nominated documentary "Gasland." We'll also hear from people from Pennsylvania to the mountains of Colorado who are trying to prevent the toxic fallout from 'fracking' before it starts.

About one in four adults in the United States suffers from a “diagnosable mental disorder” in any given year, according to the National Institute for Mental Health.

But some Americans don’t find it useful to label their psychological experiences as ‘disorders.’

On this edition, we hear from people who say they have ‘dangerous gifts.’ They tell us about their experience with mainstream mental health care, and how they say they are navigating the space between brilliance and madness. We also look at some alternative  models for care.

About one in four adults in the United States suffers from a “diagnosable mental
disorder” in a given year – that’s according to the National Institute for Mental Health.
But some Americans don’t find it useful to label their psychological experiences
as ‘disorders.’ On this edition, we hear about alternative models for mental health care.

The controversy over WikiLeaks has deep implications for the future of free speech in the Internet era. Beyond journalistic and national security issues that stem from the website, other concerns need to be considered as well. On this edition, we take you to a panel discussion focused on the importance of WikiLeaks within a legal, business and technology framework. Does the public have the right to know the secrets of its government? Should private companies keep commercial interests ahead of public interest?  What role does the Internet hold for whistleblowers?

Special Thanks to The Real News Network.

Professor Michelle Alexander, author of ‘The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness’ makes the case that the US’ criminal justice system policies can be traced directly back to slavery.  The target then, and now, are African Americans.

Many retirees enjoy the rest and relaxation that eluded them during their working years. But for some, retirement means opportunities to affect change in their communities. We profile three elders who became activists in the second half of their lives.

 

With the UN’s climate negotiations faltering, indigenous and other grassroots community groups are re-strategizing.  We’ll hear voices from the streets of Cancun, and a look at where the world might turn for answers to a perilous problem. 

 

If you’ve ever stepped into a nail salon, you know the smell of a chemical cocktail that hits you like an invisible wall. While consumers may tolerate it during a short visit, the nail salon workers find themselves stewing in a toxic bubble for years. On this edition, we take a look at the health impacts of chemical exposure, the shoddy regulation of cosmetics, and the movement towards greener nail salons.

The 1973 Roe versus Wade decision was hailed as a victory by many advocates of a woman’s right to choose. But decades later, many young people still lack the resources to make informed choices about sex – choices that could affect the rest of their lives. On this edition, we bring you a discussion about sex education in schools, federal funding for sex-ed and how advocacy groups and parents are making their voices heard on the issue.

The earthquake in Haiti.  The BP oil spill.  A crumbling US economy and educational system.  And domestic workers in New York receive a historic bill of rights.  We look back at some stories we brought you in 2010, and look ahead to 2011.

We look at how people are meeting each others' needs, without charity, or even exchanging a dollar.

From courtroom battles to government regulation, we take a look at how citizen groups around the world are holding oil companies accountable for environmental contamination and human rights abuses.

 

So-called ‘quality of life’ policing may temporarily decrease crime, but it has harsh consequences for innocent people caught up in the frenzy of arrests. If it’s illegal to be on a city’s sidewalks, parks and plazas, where else can people go?

We re-examine the question of race - how far we've progressed, where we still need to go, and how to get there. We take you to the Facing Race conference in Chicago, for an in-depth discussion by prominent racial and social justice organizers.

If you’re a young person looking for a job, it looks pretty dismal out there, and it may not brighten up anytime soon. On this edition of How We Survive, we look at how the economy is hitting the “millennial generation.”

 

Arizona’s SB 1070 put immigration enforcement in the national spotlight.  On this edition, we look at the controversial law – its effects In Arizona and across the country, and how it has motivated immigrant communities to become politically active.

At the 2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancun, Mexico, discussion will center on market based solutions.  On this edition, a roundtable discussion about alternative ways to both understand, and solve the climate crisis.  Must it be done through economics?

Harvard professor Ogletree speaks about his book, The Presumption of Guilt: The Arrest of Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Race, Class and Crime in America.

Stretched by fighting two wars, the US military has stepped up efforts to recruit teenagers and young adults.  Guest host Anna Sussman hosts a roundtable discussion about the new face of military recruiting, and counter-recruiting efforts taking place.

Californians go to the polls this November, to vote on whether to legalize pot for all adults to smoke. We look at the damage wrought by the failed war on marijuana, with a focus on the millions caught in the criminal justice system.  How might things change if prop 19 is passed into law?

 Long time Middle East correspondent Robert Fisk speaks about the power of words in shaping public opinion and public policy, and the tragic consequences of a press corps that toes official line: in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Palestine.

 

Violence against women pervades every culture. Sources say one of every three women is abused at some point in their lives. In Latin America, sexism and impunity contribute to violence against women. But the region is also home to powerful female voices, and effective movements for the advancement of women.

We hear about hip-hop and change in Cuban society, and what people on the ground are saying about new phases in the Cuban revolution. 

 

We go to Michigan, where from the city of Detroit, to the farmlands and countryside, citizens are battling to gain greater control over the bounty of the great lakes.

We look at how political marching bands are stirring up public spaces; from the streets, to supermarkets to your Facebook feed.

On September 11th, 1973, a US-backed military junta toppled Chilean president Salvador Allende, marking the beginning of decades of repression.

We bring you a documentary about a group of Chilean exiles and musicians in the US who transform their experience of terror into artistic expression.

It’s been decades since the U.S. has had a powerful labor movement and recent efforts to revive it have mostly fallen flat. But there is hope for a new labor movement that goes beyond the unions.

We go to the Gulf Coast to hear why, despite the dangerous and deadly consequences, locals aren't ready to turn their back on the oil industry. What does that mean for the rest of us, as we pursue a future free of fossil fuels?

We go to California, America's leading producer of fruits, vegetables, and dairy, to see some examples of how the nation's agricultural industry is slowly but surely moving away from factory farms. 

We look at how the unemployed are getting creative about making ends meet, from starting their own businesses to work-sharing.

We'll hear excerpts from the movie Gasland, including stories from residents who say their drinking water catches on fire--one of the toxic effects of hydraulic-fracking: an increasingly controversial natural gas drilling technique.

Sports writer Dave Zirin tells the story of how the Phoenix Suns basketball team took a stand against their state's anti-immigrant bill SB1070. He says athletes, too, can be revolutionaries.

We take a look at the police killing of Oscar Grant in Oakland, and the debate over who gets to decide when an officer has done something wrong.

Venezuela is undergoing a modern day revolution.  Workers, small farmers and the poor consistently vote for socialist President Hugo Chavez. Economically better-off citizens denounce the president as a communist who is destroying the country, but even some on the left criticize Chavez.

We'll hear from experts who insist the U.S. has a lot to learn from social movements in Latin America -- especially in times of crisis.

This June, thousands of grassroots activists converged on Detroit, Michigan to attend the 2010 United States Social Forum.  We were there and on this edition of Making Contact, we'll bring you some of the local and international voices we found.

In a special collaboration with “Feet in 2 Worlds,” we hear the story of an immigrant family torn apart after an immigration raid in Phoenix, Arizona.  And we report on a successful grassroots effort to change policies at “Hutto.”

It’s been decades since the U.S. has had a powerful labor movement and recent efforts to revive it have mostly fallen flat. But there is hope for a new labor movement that goes beyond the unions.

An interview with James Lawson, the chief architect of the 1960 lunch counter sit-ins, and confidant to Martin Luther King. Lawson touches on everything from Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez to the modern gay rights and environmental movements.

For many people in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community, the struggle to legalize gay marriage across the U.S. remains the priority political battle.  But others in the LGBT community disagree.

Art is everywhere...but why do we do it? On this edition we speak with young artists of diverse backgrounds who use their independent experiences and creative impulses to talk about race, identity, and politics...and along the way to self-reflect.

This June, the US Social Forum will be held in Detroit, Michigan.  We look at how Domestic Workers got organized at the last US Social Forum and we ask, what can we learn from the fall and rise of one of America’s great industrial cities?

State budgets are strapped and deep cuts to public programs continue. On this edition, we look at the crisis in K through 12 education. While the Obama administration pushes states to “Race to the Top,” teachers, parents and students are resisting budget cuts from the bottom up.

We’ll hear part two of a documentary called Heavy Weather, produced by freelancer Barbara Bernstein.  She’ll look at how climate change is creating new challenges in urban communities as they recognize the need to think and act sustainably.

On this edition, we hear from LGBTQ immigrants in the U.S. who not only have to hide  their legal identity, but their sexuality too. Their stories demonstrate why living illegally in the U.S. is not only their refuge, but also their biggest fear.

We’ll hear part one of a documentary called Heavy Weather, produced by freelancer Barbara Bernstein.  She’ll explore the connections between the increase in extreme weather and our changing climate and landscapes.

We take a look at tax revolt movements you might not have heard about, including upper income folks asking for tax increases on themselves.  And we compare the tax burdens and benefits in Europe and the United States.  

The business model of journalism is collapsing. Thousands of journalists have lost their jobs, newspapers are folding, and major dailies are in bankruptcy. This week we hear a discussion about government subsidies and new funding models to save the Fourth Estate.

Author Paul Loeb is re-releasing his book, ‘Soul of a Citizen: Living with Conviction in Challenging Times’. He’s collected stories of everyday people working for social justice.  On this edition, we’ll hear from Loeb and two people profiled in the book.

We present a panel discussion that looks at net neutrality and the digital divide. What is it? Why should we care? What’s at stake for immigrant communities and communities of color in the fight over who controls the Internet?

The climate talks at Copenhagen closed in 2009 with no binding agreements or timetables for curbing greenhouse gas emissions. Only pledges were made to avoid more than a two degree Celsius temperature increase and avoid dangerous climate change. On this edition, we hear from climate justice activists who went to Copenhagen. They say we need a system change, not climate change.

Social programs have been cut, living wage jobs are scarce and our economic system is in upheaval. On this edition, we bring you the ColorLines TV special “Race and Economic Recovery,” featuring untold stories of how racism hurts all of our economic futures.

Dr. Joanna Macy is a long-time peace, justice, and ecology activist.  A celebrated Buddhist teacher, Dr. Macy’s wide-ranging work spans Eastern and Western thought. She spoke at the 2009 Bioneers Conference held in San Rafael, CA. 

We continue our series, How We Survive. This week? It’s a time of crisis in higher education. And as administrators cast an eye toward privatization, students are mobilizing for change…and a voice in the system.

Are food, housing, and health care human rights? A round table discussion about the right to healthy food, the right to housing, and the right to healthcare. Do Americans have these, and if not, what’s standing in the way?

It's a time of economic transition, and systems that may have seemed stable over the past few decades are proving to be far from it. But how did we get here? This week, we hear from three people who've been sounding the alarm about capitalism's house of cards for years.

In the aftermath of one of the worst natural disasters in recent history, we look at Haiti’s history with the United States, the militarization of American relief efforts, and the economic policies that have contributed to the devastation.

We go to two communities sorting through the aftermath of Bush-era federal immigration raids, and to Los Angeles, where American Apparel became the first test case of the Obama administration’s new approach to workplace hiring violations.

Stupak, the Hyde Amendment, and religion.  We take a look at some of the threats to abortion access, more than thirty-five years after Roe V. Wade legalized a woman's right to have an abortion.

We profile two government leaders tackling the monumental problem of war –– Gambia's Fatou Bensouda, Deputy Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court and retired Colonel Ann Wright, a former United States military leader and diplomat for the State Department.

A look into how struggling communities around the U.S. are meeting each others needs, without charity, or even exchanging a dollar. 
 

Two wars continued, the economy remained in freefall, and as hardship ensued, people crafted creative solutions.  We look back at some of the most compelling stories we brought you during 2009, and find out where things are headed for 2010.

A look into the roots of a long-standing conflict between a powerful oligarchy and a dispossessed majority.

We hear from Israeli settlers in Palestine and get reactions to related Obama administration policy.

We meet a New York City street canner who’s changed his life and community one can at a time, and a San Francisco couple paying the bills with pickles. And, author John Curl says an unemployment movement may be on the rise.

We revisit the voices from that Seattle WTO protests and find out how global economic forces have shifted in the past decade.

An agricultural renaissance has taken root among the Taos Pueblo people in New Mexico. Sustainable agriculture is returning, after years of unhealthy food, poor health and obesity.

Journalist Dahr Jamail talks about the on-going wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the growing refusal to serve in the US military.

A look at food deserts in both urban and rural areas, and the community gardens that are sprouting up in them

A former narcotics officer and a drug reform activist suggest how to move away from current drug policy

The story of the weeping woman has been told since the time of the Spanish conquest. This Hallowee, we re-tell the myth of La Llorona.

An immigrant family is torn apart after a raid in Arizona, and grassroots efforts help change policies at a Texas detention center.

Marine Corporal Rick Reyes and other anti-war activists travel to Afghanistan to meet with government officials, women’s rights activists and ordinary Afghans.

The business of borrowing isn't always fair. We talk to lenders who do things differently and those who stave off financial scams.

From toxic water clean-ups to a long-standing watershed war, we take you to the frontlines of efforts to protect water.

Three T-shirt designers use garments to mourn, fight racism, and communicate cultural identity.

Dave Zirin and Elizabeth Terzakis take a look back at the history of discrimination against women in sports.

We hear from renters and renters’ advocates about the invisible victims of the mortgage meltdown.

We take a look at the Employee Free Choice Act and the future of labor unions.

We'll hear how two different communities are dealing with the economic crisis by taking matters into their own hands.

We talk to river stewards across the U.S. working to protect, cleanup and restore our valuable fresh waterways.

Who polices the police? The ongoing battle between the people and the police.

A look into how communities and everyday people around the U.S. are resisting foreclosure of their homes. We take a stab at the question: are rescue programs actually working?
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A controversial vaccine is at the intersection of immigrant rights and
reproductive justice organizing. The HPV vaccine is mandatory for permanent
resident status, and advocates say it follows a history of controlling the
bodies of women of color.

We hear about the gay community’s struggle for legal rights in India, and their prospects for cultural acceptance after a historic victory in court.

We hear from physicians and others who are taking a stand for a national health care plan for all.

Three African-American community leaders talk about Obama's presidency and how it has changed their perspective on what black power is...and isn't.

Inside the war as it comes home to our communities, with a focus on the special role our educational institutions can play in helping former soldiers adjust to civilian life

On this edition, we look at the greening of America. Is it really a new deal for everyone?

Thousands of Nepali-speaking refugees from this Buddhist-majority nation are arriving on North American soil. Starting a new life is full of hard times, especially in this economy.

Queer youth share their stories, perspectives and create social change on the radio.