The COVID-19 delta variant is spreading in the U.S., accounting for 20% of new infections. The strain is more contagious than other variants. To discuss, we FEATURE Dr. Renu Singh. Dr. Singh is a Research Assistant Professor within the Division of Public Policy and a Junior Fellow at the Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. As a political scientist and microbiologist by training, she aims to bridge the worlds of science and policy through her research on comparative social policy, global health security, and the political economy of health. Media includes: Foreign Policy Magazine, Shape Magazine, Duck of Minerva.

Workers across the U.S., especially retail and food industry workers, are leaving their jobs. In interviews, many mentioned that the stress of the pandemic was a big factor in their decision. To discuss, we FEATURE Angela N. Hanks. Hanks is the Deputy Executive Director of the Groundwork Collaborative, working to advance a cross-cutting economic narrative for the progressive movement. Before joining Groundwork in 2019, Angela served as director of the Center for Postsecondary and Economic Success at CLASP, director of workforce development policy at the Center for American Progress (CAP), and senior federal policy analyst at the National Skills Coalition. Media includes: The New York Times, Washington Post, The Atlantic, Forbes.

Eric Adams leads in the Democratic primary, with Maya Wiley second, but the final results may not be announced for weeks. To discuss, we FEATURE Christina M. Greer. Greer is an Associate Professor of Political Science and American Studies at Fordham University. Her primary research and teaching interests are racial and ethnic politics, American urban centers, presidential politics, and campaigns and elections. Her additional research interests also include transportation, mayors and public policy in urban centers. Dr. Greer is also the co-host of the New York centered podcast FAQ-NYC. Media includes: The New York Times, Comedy Central, WNYC, MSNBC, ABC, NPR.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) cannot prevent student athletes from getting paid. To discuss, we FEATURE Stephanie Vardavas. Vardavas has enjoyed a varied career spanning more than 35 years in the sports business, and is one of a very small number of attorneys who have represented a major sports league, athletes and an athlete representation agency, major sports events, and a major sponsor. Since 2013 she has led legal workshops and taught in the University of Oregon's Lundquist College of Business. Her course is called "Legal and Ethical Issues in Sports and Outdoor Product Management." Extensive media experience.

The UN Generation Equality Forum will be in Paris from June 30-July 2. The forum is a gathering for gender equality. To discuss, we FEATURE Akila Radhakrishnan. Radhakrishnan is the President of the Global Justice Center. She directs GJC’s strategies and efforts to establish legal precedents protecting human rights and ensuring gender equality. In 2010, she helped to conceptualize GJC’s August 12th Campaign to ensure access to abortion services for girls and women raped in war as a matter of right and has since led legal and advocacy efforts on the project. Media includes: The New York Times, Time Magazine, The Independent, Broadly, The Atlantic, Vice, Al Jazeera.

Two members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) have resigned citing the organization's toxic environment and resistance to change. To discuss, we FEATURE April Reign. As the creator of the viral hashtag-turned-movement, #OscarsSoWhite, Reign has been challenging the lack of representation of marginalized communities in Hollywood and beyond since 2015. Reign sustains a movement that has resulted in the most permanent systemic change ever seen in the over 80-year history of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Media includes: The Huffington Post, The Guardian, Forbes, Al Jazeera America, CNN, BBC.

A federal judge overturned California's longterm ban on assault rifles, claiming that they are no more dangerous than a swiss army knife. The ruling was blocked by the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, pending the outcome of another case challenging the ban. To discuss, we FEATURE Kristin Goss. Goss is the co-author (with Philip J. Cook) of The Gun Debate: What Everyone Needs to Know (Oxford University Press, 2014) and author of Disarmed: The Missing Movement for Gun Control in America (Princeton University Press, 2006, 2009), which examines the strategic and political barriers to mass mobilization for stricter firearms regulation. Her current research projects focus on the evolution of gun-related advocacy over the past decade and on the role of philanthropic billionaires in policy debates. Media includes: Newark Star Ledger, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Raleigh News & Observer.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced his support for changes to the military justice system that would remove sexual assault and related crimes from the chain of command. This follows an unrelated recent report by the RAND Corporation that found one-third of female soldier assaults occurred in five Army bases. To discuss, we FEATURE Antonieta Rico. Rico is a fellow at Women in International Security and a Senior Strategic Communications Specialist at GAP Solutions. Previously, she was the Director of Communications and Policy at the Service Women's Action Network (SWAN), where she led their public affairs efforts. She served in the U.S. Army from October 2001 to September 2008, working as a military journalist and public affairs NCO. She has been published in various outlets including USA TODAY and has written in TIME about the military's sexual assault epidemic and #MeToo. Media includes: Task & Purpose, National Geographic, USA Today, TIME.

During Pride month, Sesame Street introduced a family with two dads. The episode was titled "Family Day" and is a groundbreaking moment for the show. To discuss, we FEATURE Jennifer Chrisler. Chrisler is the Executive Director of Family Equality Council, and one of the foremost national advocates dedicated to full equality for modern American families. As head of the Family Equality Council, she works to support, represent and connect the one million families in the U.S. with parents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and their two million children. Under Chrisler’s leadership, Family Equality Council has grown into the leading policy advocate on federal and state issues that impact today’s modern families, including foster care and adoption, safe schools, family medical leave, parenting protections, domestic partnership and marriage. Media includes: The New York Times, USA Today, Huffington Post, Out Magazine, MSNBC, CNN.