424: Mastering the Algorithm w/ Jesse Johnson

A federal appeals court revives a lawsuit against DeRay McKesson, prompting warnings that the decision could threaten First Amendment protections. In Los Angeles, a former police commander wins a $5.7 million judgment after alleging she was held to a different standard than her male colleagues. And in culture, Telfar announces it will donate 100% of net profits to global liberation efforts. DeRay interviews researcher and journalist Chenjerai Kumanyika about his podcast Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD.Judge warns revival of lawsuit against Black Lives Matter organizer 'imperils' First AmendmentLAPD commander fired over drunken incident wins $5.7 million lawsuitDid Telfar just begin the revolution? And by a Black Muslim woman at that.Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.

Kash Patel announces that UFC fighters will help train FBI agents, the Washington Post experiments with subscription prices set by algorithms using readers’ personal data, and after years helping run one of morning TV’s biggest shows, a CBS News producer Shawna Thomas steps away with a simple message: “I’m tired”. DeRay interviews former Washington State Representative for the 30th Legislative District Jesse Johnson. News'I’m tired y’all': CBS producer Shawna Thomas leaves network to prioritize restKash Patel Confirms UFC Fighters Will Train FBI Agents: "Historic Opportunity"The Washington Post Is Using Reader Data to Set Subscription Prices. How Does That Work?Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram. 

A growing “pardon industry” helps wealthy offenders hire lobbyists to secure clemency from the White House, Chinese billionaires use surrogacy to produce dozens of U.S.-born heirs to inherit their empires, and Jill Scott tops the R&B charts with “Pressha,” a reminder that while the powerful build dynasties, the culture does too.NewsPardon Industry Offers Rich Offenders a Path to TrumpChinese billionaire who has fathered more than 100 children hopes to have dozens of U.S.-born boys to one day take over his business Jill Scott's 'Pressha' Hits No. 1 at R&B RadioFollow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.

A tech billionaire makes a $108 billion push to continue the conservative takeover of traditional media, Kansas orders trans residents to surrender their driver’s licenses on one day’s notice, and at the BAFTAs, a racial slur interrupts a celebration of Black artistry.NewsA Father, a Son and Their $108 Billion Push for Media MoguldomKansas Orders Trans Drivers to Surrender Licenses With One Day’s Notice Anti-blackness is the Grammar of the World: The BAFTAs and the AfterMathFollow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.

Middle-class Americans are increasingly selling their own plasma to keep pace with an economy that keeps taking more than it gives, election officials in Georgia find fraudulent ballot applications tied to a PAC backed by Elon Musk, and international travelers are skipping the United States as ICE and aggressive border enforcement make visiting America feel less like a vacation and more like a risk.NewsWhy the United States Is Seeing an Ongoing Tourism Slump Turns Out There Was Voter Fraud in Georgia—by Elon MuskMiddle-class Americans are selling plasma to keep up with rising costsFollow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram. 

Advocates outline a concrete roadmap to dismantling ICE, new data shows Black defendants in San Diego are increasingly steered toward life-without-parole charges, and a reminder that being bougie and Black isn’t a trend but a legacy.NewsA clear roadmap to ending ICE starts with what we can demand today.In San Diego, the racial divide in charges that can lead to life without parole has grownBeing Bougie & Black: Then, Now & AlwaysFollow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.

Republicans unveil the most extreme federal voting restrictions proposed in modern history, Tennessee officials are accused of quietly propping up a payday lender’s failed sports betting operation, and scholars warn the U.S. may be entering the early stages of genocide against trans Americans.NewsNew GOP anti-voting bill may be the most dangerous attack on voting rights ever How a Tennessee Official Kept Advance Financial’s Sports Betting Company AliveExperts Warn U.S. in Early Stages of Genocide Against Trans Americans Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.

Trump signs a “Board of Peace” charter as allies push back on his Gaza plan, Illinois investigates allegations that a landlord tipped off ICE to target Black and Hispanic tenants in a Chicago building, and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners makes Oscar history with a record 16 nominations. NewsTrump signs Board of Peace charter at Davos as allies split on Gaza planIllinois Investigates Claim That Landlord Tipped Off High-Profile ICE Raid'Sinners' tops Oscars with record 16 nominations. Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.

The Justice Department moves to block the release of Epstein files, SpaceX rockets explode over active flight paths with little consequence, and a prominent gospel singer faces sexual abuse allegations—another reminder of how power shields itself across institutions and industries. NewsJustice Department urges a judge to reject a request from US Reps on the release of Epstein files“We’re Too Close to the Debris”Grammy-winning gospel singer and pastor accused of sexually abusing a young man Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.

Utah lets artificial intelligence start prescribing medication, Elon Musk’s Grok AI violates privacy by “undressing” non-consenting users, and a death inside a Mississippi jail raises familiar questions about brutality, cover-ups, and accountability. DeRay interviews Brooke Butler, Political Director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, about Our Power, Our Country—the party’s earliest-ever investment to mobilize voters of color and rural communities ahead of the 2026 midterms. NewsArtificial intelligence begins prescribing medications in Utah‘Misogyny by design’: Is it possible to escape getting ‘undressed’ by AI?Death at a Mississippi Jail: Brutal Beating or a Fall From Bed?Follow @PodSaveThePeople on Instagram.