Positively Progressive

Luis Ponce: Union Solidarity Builds Social Solidarity!

In this episode of Positively Progressive, we hear from Luis Ponce, SEIU local 105, in Colorado. We explored issues related to the horror in the immigrant community during these times and also what unions can help us do to energize more people in their own communities to stand up - together. Ponce brings the brilliance of his training as an attorney and a wide, justice-driven dedication to service in the Latino community and for everyone in our nation. 

Social Security on the Line. We Are Called to Rise.

Positively Progressive's latest episode, hosted by PDA Advisory board chair Donna Smith features another important and urgent conversation. With the looming threat of deep cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, millions of Americans are on the edge, wondering what’s next for their healthcare and retirement security. Those Americans are right to be on edge, and you'll want to share this episode far and wide.
Donna interviews Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works—a fierce advocate in the fight to protect and expand these essential programs. Together, they unpack the dangerous policies being pushed under the guise of so-called “efficiency,” including the DOGE axe wielded by none other than Elon Musk. What does this mean for everyday people? Who’s really pulling the strings? And most importantly—how can we fight back?

Michael Lighty on Winning Single-Payer Universal Health Care

In the latest episode of Positively Progressive, Donna Smith chats with California single-payer healthcare advocate and activist Michael Lighty. Not everyone agrees on the best path through the policy and political trenches of the U.S. healthcare system to get to a universal plan, and Michael is a lightning rod of energy and promise for the movement to achieve health justice. Join us as PDA continues to stand for the human right to healthcare in California and throughout the land.

Positively Progressive Returns with Texas CD36 candidate Dayna Steele

After the busy summer convention season and in anticipation of the upcoming election, we settled in for an interview with a brave, determined woman running for Congress despite long odds. Dayna Steele has the right stuff for her Houston district. And continuing PDA’s 20th-anniversary celebration, we invited the devoted, long-time communications pro and organizer Mike Hersh of Maryland. From throughout the country, being positively progressive includes knowing, to borrow a phrase from our future president, “We are not going back.” 
 
Enjoy this episode and share it with your friends and neighbors. Thank you!

Mimi Kennedy Celebrating PDA's 20th Anniversary

In this installment of Positively Progressive, podcast host Donna Smith interviews one of PDA’s founders, Mimi Kennedy. This interview begins the celebration of PDAs first 20 years and many of the people who have helped PDA thrive over the years. Mimi is also an award-winning actor and brilliant writer who was in Roxbury in 2004 when progressives gathered to form a new inside-outside organization to reflect a growing influence in the party ranks. Donna and Mimi spend time helping listeners appreciate PDA’s strength in its people.Donna Smith is the host of Positively Progressive and the chair of PDA’s national advisory board. Donna joined PDA in 2007 after she and her husband were featured in Michael Moore’s award winning documentary, SiCKO, about the broken US healthcare system. Donna worked as the national single-payer organizer and advocate for single-payer, Medicare for all health policy for the California Nurses Association and National Nurses United. Donna lived and worked in Washington, D.C., during the the Obama administration’s healthcare effort and passage of the Afoordable Care Act. She has spoken in 48 U.S. states, Cuba, Canada, and Australia about health policy reform. She continues writing and speaking through Healthcare-NOW!, the national grassroots advocacy group support single-payer reform.

John Padora, Progressive Candidate for Congress (CO-4)

This episode of Positively Progressive features the amazing John Padora, PDA’s endorsed candidate in the hotly contested primary in Colorados CD4. John not only holds and advocates for the values that PDA has long held, he is also the only Democratic primary candidate with the fire, the energy and the grassroots support to beat the Trump-emboldened carpetbagging Lauren Bobert. Bobert moved into the district because she assessed it would be easier to win in CD4 and keep a seat in Congress than to run in her original home district where voters grew sick of her embarrassing and nearly voted her out in the 2022 election. John Padora is the candidate who can finally defeat Bobert. Take a listen and share with others who are Colorado voters and ask those voters to share too.
Coming up next on Positively Progressive is the launch of our PDA 20th Anniversary series during which we will hear from the people who have kept our amazing Progressive family growing and thriving.Share the podcast and tell others why you listen. Your voice only matters when you make it heard. Thanks for listening and sharing.

Healthcare Now's Gillian Mason & Vermont State Senator Kesha Ram Hinsdale

Positively Progressive presents the new leader of Healthcare-NOW, our longtime partner on the road to improved, expanded, single-payer Medicare for all. Veteran organizer Gillian Mason takes the helm from Benjamin Day as he moves on to organize around the climate crisis. In the second segment, Positively Progressive highlights another amazing, young leader Vermont State Senator Kesha Ram Hinsdale who gives inspiration to all of us as she ascends to one elected leadership position after another while also raising her young, growing family. Keisha fights for women, economic equity and the progressive policies that allow all of us to thrive.
Enjoy these two amazing women on this installment of Positively Progressive, hosted by Donna Smith.

The New Generation: Jena Griswold and YPDA

In this installment of Positively Progressive we here from Young Americans taking the lead in forging a progressive present and future.  First, host Donna Smith and PDA Executive Director Alan Minsky are joined by the brilliant and pathbreaking Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, who is on the front lines of protecting American Democracy from the reactionary MAGA movement.  Then, Donna speaks with three members of the Steering Committee of the newly reformed Young Progressive Democrats of America: William Walter, Kendall Avenia, and Tyler Rivera.

Building Progressive Power with Inside/Outside Leadership and Feeding Our Bodies and Minds

Indira Dugurala is now the second vice chair of the Colorado Democrat Party. In this episode of Positively Progressive, she brings her perspective as a first-generation immigrant and how generational change infused in the state party organization lights the path inside the DNC as well. Donna and Indira met through PDAs Denver chapter. In the Best of the Story segment focusing on young voices, we feature a young nutritionist and dietician, Julie Hampton-Lyon, who explores the critical role food insecurity plays in our public health status. Julie works with federal and state nutrition education and access for mothers and their children — and we take a peek at her busy life and unwavering commitment to equality and equity for all, including in their access to food. 

Junie Joseph: Pursuing Pathbreaking Progressive Change at the State Level

In the third installment of Positively Progressive, Donna speaks with Colorado State Representative Junie Joseph from Boulder. If you think that groundbreaking progressive change only happens at the Federal level. or on one of the coasts, meet Junie Jordan and prepare to replace that negaitive thought with a positive sense of promise! Also, in the Best of the Story, we meet Andrew a 7th grade public school teacher, literally on the eve of his 30th birthday, who has faith in the direction that young Americans will take the country.