In this episode, Jess and John discuss the impact of climate disasters on local communities, emphasizing the importance of mutual aid in times of crisis. They share personal experiences from recent flooding in West Virginia and the formation of mutual aid networks to support affected individuals. The conversation also touches on John's Emmy win for a documentary piece, the political landscape in America, and the rise of Zohran Mamdani as a significant political figure. They explore the implications of wealth inequality and the recent Big Beautiful Legislation, highlighting the need for systemic change and community solidarity.
Jessica Burbank and John Russell go over the best memes and reactions from the Elon Musk-Donald Trump break up.
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@jessandjohnpod
Jessica Burbank and John Russell interview content creator and traveling nurse, Alexis Hinkley. She shares her journey from a privileged upbringing in Issaquah, Washington, to becoming a frontline healthcare worker. She discusses the challenges faced by nurses, the impact of COVID-19, and the systemic issues within the American healthcare system, including the lack of unions and the influence of insurance companies. Alexis emphasizes the need for universal healthcare and highlights the importance of community support and empathy in addressing societal inequalities.
Follow her work at https://www.tiktok.com/@travelingnurse
Hosts: Jessica Burbank and John Russell
Producer: Gabi Schulte
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Is America heading for a class war—or a political awakening?
In this episode of The Jess and John Podcast, the hosts break down the growing class divide in America, sparked by the controversial Big Beautiful Legislation (BBL) and its impact on social services. They tackle the aging leadership of the Democratic Party, why youth engagement is more urgent than ever, and what the latest polling in Iowa reveals about the rise of populist candidates.
From the Israel-Palestine conflict to punk rock backyard shows by the All-American Rejects, this conversation connects politics, culture, and the power of grassroots movements in shaping the future.
Watch and share!
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jessandjohnpod.substack.com
@jessandjohnpod
In this episode of the Jess and John pod, hosts Jess and John discuss various topics including the Luigi Mangione case, cultural trends like recession hair, the dynamics within the Democratic Party highlighted by David Hogg's situation, and the need for a labor party in America. They also critique Pete Buttigieg's political positioning and the broader implications of wealth distribution in the current political landscape. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of government bureaucracy, the political will needed to address societal issues, and the erosion of rights under the current administration. They discuss the implications of white supremacy in immigration policies, the corruption within the Trump administration, and the absurdity of reality TV politics. The conversation culminates in a critique of FEMA's new direction and the potential consequences of these changes on disaster response.
Follow us at jessandjohnpod.substack.com
EXCLUSIVE: Jessica Burbank sits down with Nathan Sage, who is stepping up as the Democratic challenger to take on Republican Sen. Joni Ernst in her bid for a third term. He talks about his working class roots and his path to to the campaign trail.
Learn more @jessandjohnpod
Jess and John discuss the news of the day plus, Jess talks with co-founder of the Student Debt Collective, Astra Taylor, about student debt, economic populism, and the fight for public education as a basic right.
Learn more: debtcollective.org
Join Jessica Burbank and John Russell for a special May Day episode where they talk with "Big Friggin" Mike Francingue and Eric Blanc about labor politics in today's anti-worker environment.
You can find more from Mike Francingue on TikTok @michaelfrancingue and from Eric Blanc at https://www.laborpolitics.com/
Episode is produced by: Gabi Schulte
Open animation and logo design by: Biso Sarraf
Jess & John react to this week's biggest news stories, including the alleged arrest of a Wisconsin judge, accused by the FBI of obstructing an ICE arrest.
Show notes:
https://www.axios.com/2025/04/25/fbi-arrests-judge-wisconsin-hannah-dugan-kash-patel
https://www.theholler.co/p/34000-showed-up-for-bernie-and-aoc?r=4pli8t&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Jessica Burbank and John Russell react to the news of the week. Plus interview with journalist Jose Olivares explains recent reporting that a secret deal with Bukele is allegedly driving Trump’s surge in El Salvador deportations.
Read here: https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/secret-bukele-trump-deal-grenas
Produced by: Gabi Schulte
Intro animation by: Biso Saraff
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Class Divide Podcast
06:06 The Rise of Fascism and Political Response
09:59 The Role of Journalism in the Current Climate
13:59 Tech Monopolies and Antitrust Cases
20:26 Antitrust Leadership and Corporate Influence
25:36 The State of American Capitalism
31:04 Emerging Political Candidates in the Midwest
39:36 Challenges for Democratic Candidates in Iowa
41:59 The Future of the Democratic Party: A Working-Class Agenda
45:01 Iowa's Unique Political Landscape and Voter Expectations
48:02 Candidate Introductions: Abdul Al-Sayed's Vision
51:00 Healthcare and Economic Insecurity: A Call to Action
53:53 The Role of Celebrity Culture in Politics
01:00:06 Critique of Billionaire Culture
01:01:57 Harvard's Prestige and Cultural Impact
01:03:10 Free Speech and University Accountability
01:06:27 The Role of Harvard in Political Resistance
01:08:49 Introduction to Jose Olivares and El Salvador's Situation
01:09:11 Human Rights Abuses in El Salvador
01:10:07 Conditions in Bukele's Prisons
01:12:50 Due Process and Immigrant Rights
01:14:01 Political Implications of Immigrant Detention
01:15:28 The Future of Immigration Policy
01:19:12 The State Secrets Privilege and National Security Negotiations
01:20:07 The Security State Post 9/11 and Domestic Surveillance
01:21:02 Bukele's Anti-Gang Crusade: Political Theater or Reality?
01:22:58 Negotiations with MS-13: The Dark Side of Bukele's Governance
01:24:44 The Fallout of Bukele's Pact with MS-13
01:26:09 Extradition and Corruption: The U.S. and Bukele's Administration
01:28:39 The Strongman Image: Trump and Bukele's Law and Order Narrative
01:30:56 The Role of History in Current Political Dynamics
01:32:39 The Future of Resistance and Political Mobilization
Jessica Burbank and John Russell react to President Trump hitting pause on most tariffs.
Jess & John discuss President Trump's tariff announcements and react to listeners "horrible bosses" stories.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and New Format
02:39 Discussion on Tariffs and Their Implications
20:08 Elon Musk's Influence in Politics
24:47 Cory Booker's Filibuster and Its Impact
33:57 The Emergence of a New Labor Party
40:16 Local Control vs. State Overreach
48:15 The Threat to Federal Unions
55:43 The Need for Political Change
56:58 Horrible Bosses: Real Stories from the Workplace
01:03:42 Sicko Mode and Bad Bosses
01:04:07 Tulsi Gabbard: A Wild Card Boss
01:05:32 Personal Encounters with Tulsi Gabbard
01:06:33 The Mean Boss Archetype
01:10:20 Navigating Toxic Work Environments
01:12:59 The Importance of Unionization
01:14:14 Shitty Jobs and Worker Exploitation
01:18:04 The Reality of Labor Conditions in America
Jessica Burbank interviews lawyer Rachael Cohen after she quit over Donald Trump’s growing influence over U.S. law.
Watch on YouTube:
A bombshell report in the Atlantic reveals how White House security officials accidentally included the outlet’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, in a group chat where they discussed war plans. The chat included National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, Vice President Vance, Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, DNI Tulsi Gabbard, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe—joined by top Trump insiders, including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and hardline strategist Stephen Miller, signaling the inner circle's deep involvement.
Read the full story here.
Also, John details how he stopped by Colorado to attend one of Bernie Sanders and AOC’s “Fight the Oligarchy” tour rallies and the new change in the Overton window regarding the populist momentum the country is feeling amid Trump’s second term in office.
Production note: A big thanks to Biso Sarraf for our sick new open!
Hosts: Ka (Jessica) Burbank and John Russell
Producer: Gabi Schulte
Follow us @jessandjohnpod
Ka (Jessica) Burbank and John Russell discuss the latest news this week:
* Schumer and GOP budget passage
* Mahmoud Khalil
* Colorado Worker Bill SB 25-005
* Bernie Sanders Oligarchy Tour
* Conservatives rage over…Love is Blind?
* Listener mailbag!
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Produced by: Gabi Schulte
Ka (Jessica) Burbank and John Russell discuss the implications of Biden's policy decisions and how they paved the way for the GOP's proposed anti-working class budget with Stephen Semler author of the Polygraph substack.
Follow on x, YouTube, instagram and tikok for more: @jessandjohnpod
Produced by: Gabi Schulte
In this episode, Ka (Jessica) Burbank and John Russell chat about what they’ve been working on.
Jess’s recent work:
John’s latest work:
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In this episode, Jess and John explore various political themes, including election security, the implications of cybersecurity breaches, and the realities faced by Haitian migrants in America.
They also discuss the impact of economic conditions on communities, investigate rumors in Springfield, Ohio, and reflect on the need for political accountability and the influence of corporations on daily life. The conversation highlights the importance of cultural activism and the potential for change in the political landscape.
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Produced by: Gabi Schulte , The Daily Scroll
In this episode, Jessica Burbank and John Russell explore the historical context of fascism in America, drawing parallels to modern political movements as well as react to Elon Musk’s “Nazi” salute during Trump’s inauguration.
They also discuss the rise of fear and insecurity as tools for authoritarianism, the implications of the two-party system, and the importance of grassroots organizing and community engagement in combating these trends.
Thanks for reading Jess & John Pod! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
Hosts: Jessica Burbank and John Russell
Producer: Gabi Schulte
Follow us at @jessandjohnpod
Insta | TikTok | YouTube: @jessandjohnpod
NOTE: OK, so that was the shortest ban ever? We recorded this pod where Jessica Burbank and John Russell discuss their thoughts on the Tik Tok ban leading up to the fateful day, but then…it came back online!
We have an updated episode on that coming up but wanted to share this conversation with you anyways!
Hosts: Jessica Burbank and John Russell
Producer: Gabi Schulte
Follow us at Jess & John Pod
Insta | TikTok | YouTube: Jess & John Pod
