Pod for the Cause

Welcome to the official podcast of The Leadership Conference

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!


S04 E02: The First 100 Days of Biden-Harris
February 9, 2021

Pod for the Cause host Vanessa N. Gonzalez is joined by Monica Simpson (Executive Director of SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collec...

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S04 E01: This Is America
January 26, 2021

On the season 4 premiere of Pod for the Cause, Wade Henderson, civil rights lawyer, human rights activist, and interim president of The Leadership ...

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S03 E09: Goodbye 2020, Hello 2021
December 29, 2020

2020 has been a year unlike any other - from the COVID-19 pandemic to racial injustice, a historic presidential election and more - as we close th...

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S03 E08: Allyship 101: Listening, Learning, and Loving Others in the Age of Black Lives Matter
November 24, 2020

Schuyler Bailar, athlete, activist, life coach, and the first openly trans NCAA Division I athlete and swimmer, and Sam White, social impact strate...

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S03 E07: Election Breakdown with Travon Free & Jenny Yang
November 12, 2020

On our first post-Election episode, comedians Travon Free and Jenny Yang join host Allyn Brooks-LaSure to break down the 2020 Election and the stat...

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S03 E06: The Election Episode
October 27, 2020

Welcome to The Election Episode of Pod for the Cause! Host Allyn Brooks-LaSure sits down with Leigh Chapman, Program Director of Voting Rights at T...

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S03 E05: Courts & Voting
October 13, 2020

On this week's Pod for the Cause, we talk all about the Supreme Court confirmation hearings and voting with Aklima Khondoker (Georgia State Directo...

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S03 E04: College During COVID
September 29, 2020

How are college students feeling during COVID-19? What's it like to be an undergrad during a global pandemic? On this week's Pod for the Cause, we...

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S03 E03: Healing Our Hearts and Minds During COVID-19
September 15, 2020

This week's Pod for the Cause episode hosted by Allyn Brooks-LaSure is all about the psychological impacts of COVID-19, especially for communities ...

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Meet the Host

Kanya Bennett headshot

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.

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