We’ve joined the airwaves to help spark conversation and activism on some of the most critical issues of today. From the courts to immigration, we’re seeing unprecedented attacks on the values we hold near and dear. At Pod for the Cause, we’re going to tackle these issues and more. Our friends in the movement will be stopping by to have these conversations, and they promise to be real, straightforward and honest. This podcast was created for those of you wanting to effect change, who understand the importance of restoring our democracy and want to engage in deep conversation around the issues. So check out the first episode of Pod for the Cause, and subscribe below!
S05 E02: The Biden Scorecard Episode
October 28, 2021Our host Vanessa Gonzalez is joined by Lena Zwarensteyn, Senior Director of the Fair Courts Campaign at The Leadership Conference and The Education...
Learn moreS05 E01: The Intersections of Abortion Bans
September 20, 2021Our host Vanessa Gonzalez is joined by Aimee Arrambide, Executive Director at Avow Texas; Leila Abolfazli, Director for Federal Reproductive Rights...
Learn moreVision For Justice: Reimagining Public Safety
August 5, 2021On the finale of the Vision for Justice miniseries, our guest host, Monifa Bandele, Movement for Black Lives Leadership Team, reimagines public saf...
Learn moreVision For Justice: Pretrial Justice
July 26, 2021Our host Vanessa Gonzalez is joined by Congressman Ted. Lieu (D-Calif.) to discuss pretrial justice, its current framework, and the inequities that...
Learn moreVision For Justice: The ’94 Crime Bill
July 13, 2021On this second episode of our special series, Vision For Justice, our host Vanessa Gonzalez is joined by Congressman Bobby Scott (D-Va.) to discuss...
Learn moreVision For Justice: The 50th Anniversary of the War on Drugs
June 22, 2021Our host Vanessa Gonzalez is joined by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), to discuss the policies and ramifications of the War on Drugs. T...
Learn moreS04 E08: School in the Time of COVID
June 17, 2021Vanessa Gonzalez is joined by Sylvia Tanguma, president of the McAllen American Federation of Teachers and a teacher at James Bonham Elementary in ...
Learn moreS04 E07: Unmasking Reopening
May 12, 2021Pod for the Cause host Vanessa N. Gonzalez is joined by mental health experts: Melvin Wilson (Senior Policy Advisor for Social Justice and Human Ri...
Learn moreS04 E06: We Must Keep Fighting Barriers to the Ballot
April 28, 2021Pod for the Cause host Vanessa N. Gonzalez is joined by voting rights leaders: Bo Shuff (Executive Director at DC Vote), Lisa Cylar Barrett (Direct...
Learn moreMeet the Host
Kanya Bennett is the managing director of government affairs at The Leadership Conference — a coalition of more than 220 organizations serving as a strategic hub of the civil rights movement. Kanya Bennett has advanced a civil rights policy agenda for more than a decade in Washington, DC, a city she calls home by way of Chicago. She currently serves as the Managing Director for Government Affairs at The Leadership Conference. A social justice lawyer by day, and basketball momager by night, you can catch Kanya on the sidelines when she’s not on Capitol Hill.