A federal jury has found R. Kelly guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering. To discuss, we FEATURE Mallory Littlejohn. Littlejohn is Legal Director at the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation. In that role, she has managed a growing team of attorneys who assist survivors of sexual harm and sex trafficking. She has presented on trauma informed advocacy at the National Victim’s Rights Law Conference, the 7th Circuit’s National Employment Lawyer’s Conference, and regularly trains attorneys and legal advocates statewide on Victim’s Rights and civil laws related to sexual harm. Media includes: Chicago Triibune, Lifetime, WBEZ.

Thousands of Haitian migrants were deported from southern Texas this week. To discuss, we FEATURE Sarah Dawn Petrin. Petrin has served as a professor of Peace Operations and Human Security for the U.S. military and a Senior Civilian Advisor to NATO on the protection of civilians in conflict zones. She is the author of a book, Bring Rain: Helping Humanity in Crisis, which describes her work in over 20 countries in conflict and disaster including the Haiti earthquake, Afghanistan war, Tsunami in Southeast Asia, and refugee crises along the Thailand-Myanmar, Kenya-Somalia, and Ukraine-Russia border. Media includes: New Atlanticist, BBC, CNN.

Thousands of health care workers in New York may lose their jobs over their refusal to get vaccinated. To discuss, we FEATURE Juliette Blount. Blount is an Adult Nurse Practitioner in New York City where she provides Primary and Women’s Healthcare to diverse patient populations. She is also an experienced speaker and educator in the areas of racial health disparities and health equity. She has 30 years of clinical experience, has been recognized with awards for both Customer Service and Clinical Excellence, and volunteers in her community by educating the public about becoming empowered healthcare consumers. Media includes: Well+Good, Clinician Business Institute, AANP News.

The German federal election has ended with Germany's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) narrowly coming out ahead. To discuss, we FEATURE Heidi Tworek. Tworek is Associate Professor of History and Public Policy at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. She is a Non-Resident Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States and the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. She researches health communications, hate speech, social media, and the history of news in Europe and North America. Tworek is the author of the award-winning book News from Germany: The Competition to Control World Communications, 1900-1945. Media includes: The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Financial Times, CBC, CNN.

Former ABC news executive Shelley Ross has accused Chris Cuomo of sexually harassing her in 2005. To discuss, we FEATURE Sheerine Alemzadeh. Alemzadeh is an attorney and the co-founder and co-director of Healing to Action, a non-profit organization building a worker-led movement to end gender violence. A legal expert on workplace sexual violence, she has forged strategic partnerships across the nation to develop community-based, survivor-centered responses to gender-based violence against low-wage workers. In addition to litigating sexual harassment, sexual assault, and civil rights cases, Alemzadeh co-founded the Coalition Against Workplace Sexual Violence, a collaboration between rape crisis agencies, civil rights organizations, workers centers, and government agencies. Media includes: The Chicago Reporter, Huffington Post, U.S. News & World Report, MPR News.

On October 2nd, many will gather in front of the Supreme Court for the Rally for Abortion Justice. The rally is in response to the court rejecting an emergency request to block Texas' abortion ban. To discuss, we FEATURE Renee Bracey Sherman. Sherman is an award-winning reproductive justice activist and the author of Saying Abortion Aloud: Research and Recommendations for Public Abortion Storytellers and Organizations. She is an activist with extensive advocacy, messaging, and digital media experience consulting with organizations in the the reproductive health, rights, and justice movements. Media includes: The Guardian, EBONY, Salon, Fusion, TIME, The Atlantic, BBC.

The Supreme Court will reconvene on Monday. To discuss, we FEATURE Renee Knake Jefferson. Jefferson is a law professor and an award-winning author who regularly speaks about issues related to legal ethics, gender equality, and the judicial system, especially the United States Supreme Court. She holds the Doherty Chair in Legal Ethics at the University of Houston Law Center where she teaches ethics, constitutional law, and a seminar on gender, power, law, and leadership. Media includes: Associated Press, Bloomberg Law, Chicago Tribune, Christian Science Monitor, Ms. Magazine, The New York Times, Politico, Slate.

National Hispanic American Heritage Month continues until October 15th. To commemorate, we FEATURE Arianna Genis. Genis is Engagement Director with Mijente. In 2020, she dedicated her time to building the political power of the Latinxs with Mijente, leading efforts in the battleground state of North Carolina as part of Fuera Trump, a successful nationwide campaign dedicated to mobilizing the Latinx vote against Trump. As the North Carolina State Director, Genis built a statewide team in a region where the number of Latinxs involved in electoral politics is minimal. Media includes: The Lily, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone.