Explore every episode of the podcast Civic Cipher

Before, during, and after election season, many people encounter misinformation, disinformation, or what they consider bad political takes from across the aisle. Add to it that gloating sometimes ensues after the opposition wins and takes their victory lap. We break down our experiences with this phenomenon and help you decide if unfollowing the political opposition is the right move.

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Our Way Black History Fact covers the historical mass-switching of Black people from the Republican party to the Democratic party.

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For the second part of today’s episode, we take a look at the police shooting death of Brandon Durham in Las Vegas. He called them to his home to apprehend an intruder, but the police ended up shooting him dead and taking the intruder into custody.

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Podcast host Jacquees Thomas joins us to discuss her show BLK LIT. We chat about everything from readership in Black communities, to protecting Black literature from political attacks, to books best suited for allies! 

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Councilwoman Anna Hernandez joins us for the first half of today’s episode where we discuss key roles in local politics and how they shape communities around the country. She explains the process for launching a political career, and how to make inroads without using established political party frameworks.

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Our Way Black History Fact covers the mysterious circumstances surrounding the assassination of Malcolm X.

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Councilwoman Anna Hernandez sticks around for the second half of today’s episode to discuss the role local politics can play in combating Trump’s agenda on the ground in communities around the country.

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Author Rita Omokha joins us to discuss her new book Resist: How a Century of Young Black Activists Shaped America. We discuss the reelection of Donald Trump, historic and modern forms of activism, and the place literature has in the future of this country.

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The first half of today’s episode is dedicated to addressing the increase in what we are deeming Anti-Woman Hate Speech. We track the increases across online platforms and offline institutions as well.

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Our Way Black History Fact discusses the erasure of Black History from the National Archives Museum.

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In the second half of today’s episode, we try to determine how both political parties are supposed to work together to make the country work as well as it can.

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The first half of today’s episode sees us processing Kamala Harris’ loss to Donald Trump. We reflect on some of Trump’s promises and what they mean for our future as a people in this country.

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Our Way Black History Fact discusses the first woman to be arrested for failing to give up her bus seat—Claudette Colvin.

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In the second half of today’s episode we reflect on the shortcomings of the Democrats and how they missed the mark for this election.

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Today we are joined by Army Veteran, Social Worker, and Arizona State NAACP President Sarah Tyree to discuss navigating the NAACP agenda in a swing state during a presidential election, issues that people should remain mindful of when voting, police reform, and activism in our current political climate.

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Today's Way Black History Fact examines the roots of the best known civil rights organization in the United States--the NAACP.

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In the second part of today's episode, we are joined by Army Veteran, Social Worker, and Arizona State NAACP President Sarah Tyree to discuss navigating the NAACP agenda in a swing state during a presidential election, issues that people should remain mindful of when voting, police reform, and activism in our current political climate.

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Recently we had a live event called Courageous Conversations where we sat down in front of a group of Black men to discuss some of the pressing questions surrounding the election and politics in general. We had several questions we weren't able to address while at the event, but we promised to answer them here! We discuss everything from what Democrats have done for Black people to what are best practices for strategizing to achieve the political outcomes that would be most beneficial to our community--and everything in between!

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Nicole Tisdale joins us to discuss the security of the U.S. Election, the tactics used by foreign agents to interfere with public opinion, and the importance of having faith in our democracy. The conversation covers steps people can take to ensure they are consuming valid information, the differences in policy from the two competing administrations, and other pertinent things to keep in mind before, during, and after casting your ballot!

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Camille Stewart Gloster joins us to discuss national security threats, online best practices, and election integrity ahead of Tuesday's election. She helps us identify vulnerabilities in our digital lives as well as in the fabric of our country!

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Today's episode was necessary to highlight the Trump effect on the population. We discuss the racist rhetoric spewed from the Madison Square Garden stage and how Trump is very much responsible for the political climate in which we live.

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Longtime friend of the show Jacob Raiford AKA Roqy Tyraid joins us to discuss other ways people can get engaged and push an agenda forward ahead of the election...and what to do afterwards!

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The younger sister of the Vice President, Maya Harris joins us to discuss her sister's bid for the presidency, address some of the misinformation surrounding her bid for the White House, and what it was like growing up with the most powerful woman in the world!

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Tony West is an attorney, former government official, and the Senior Vice President and chief legal officer of Uber. Before Uber, he was Associate Attorney General of the United States under President Obama and general counsel of PepsiCo. He previously served as the Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Division, the largest litigating division in the Department of Justice...oh and he's also the VP's brother-in-law!

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Yannick Gill is a human rights lawyer based in Washington, D.C. Yannick worked in Congress with 2 progressive members of the House of Representatives. He served as Legislative Director to Representative Summer Lee from the 12th District of Pennsylvania, the first Black woman to represent Pennsylvania and as Legislative Counsel to Representative Madeleine Dean, former impeachment manager from the 4th District of Pennsylvania. Prior to this, he lived, researched, and promoted human
rights issues across Latin America and the Caribbean with the Organization of American States, The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the United States Agency for International Development. Yannick’s work, which focuses on the intersection of migration, race, democracy, and law, has been presented before the American Society for International Law and the International Association for the Study of Forced Migration.

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We got a chance to sit with the woman who served as the 22nd director of the United States Domestic Policy Council from 2021 to 2023, as the 27th U.S. ambassador to the United Nations from 2009 to 2013, and as the 23rd U.S. national security advisor from 2013 to 2017. Ambassador Susan Rice--having worked under three former presidents--offers a breakdown of the two potential administrations and gives us some insight into what we can expect.

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Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett sat down with us to discuss what our future would look like under the presidency of Kamala Harris. We discuss her economic policy, her accomplishments, what she is doing to win votes from Black males, and we discuss the Clapback Queen, herself!

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Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett sat down with us to discuss what our future would look like under the presidency of Kamala Harris. We discuss her economic policy, her accomplishments, what she is doing to win votes from Black males, and we discuss the Clapback Queen, herself!

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Eric Holder joins us for a conversation on the election that covers early voting, the importance of swing states in this election, and Kamala Harris' opportunity agenda for Black men. 

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A Black man, who is deaf and has cerebral palsy is facing felony aggravated assault and resisting arrest charges after he was repeatedly punched and tasered by a pair of Phoenix police officers. Join us as we discuss one of the most violent and racist police departments in the country.

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In part 1 of our show, the mayor of Tempe, AZ stopped by to discuss what a Harris-Walz presidency would look like, the impacts on life in Black America, and the importance of voting down-ballot!

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In part 2 of this special episode, the mayor of Tempe, AZ stopped by to discuss what a Harris-Walz presidency would look like, the impacts on life in Black America, and the importance of voting down-ballot!

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The first part of today’s show covers a few recent stories that call into question whether or not Black people’s rights are respected by law enforcement in this country. We have a dialogue about where respect ends and abuse of power begins insofar as Black people are concerned.

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Our Way Black History Fact highlights Matthew Alexander Henson—the Black man who is likely the true first man to reach the North Pole.

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In the second part of the show, we discuss capital punishment and how erroneous the processes can be in determining whether or not people should pay for their crimes with their lives. We also examine how disproportionately this error rate affects Black people on death row.

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The first part of today’s show covers the confessions made by one of the officers responsible for murdering Tyre Nichols. We examine his testimony where he comes clean about his abuse of power and his violation of Tyre’s human rights. We discuss the systemic nature of problems like these and the implications felt throughout marginalized communities.

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In the second part of the show, we discuss whether or not Africans were kidnapped and forced into slavery. The fact that Africans were sold into slavery is well documented but due to an effort from historical conservative forces, the fact that many Africans were kidnapped often goes undiscussed. We lean on a content creator @levertthebassman to get our dialogue started.

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Our Way Black History Fact highlights the other ways (besides purchasing) that White slavers obtained African slaves.

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In the second part of the show, we discuss the effects of the repeal of Affirmative Action in the Asian-American community. We discuss whether or not this community has benefited as some predicted.

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Our Way Black History Fact highlights First Officer LeRoy W. Homer Jr…one of the unsung heroes of 9/11

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Suzanne Yatim-Aslam joins us again to bring us up to speed on some of the latest developments on the ground in Palestine. We use the first half of the show to discuss some of the work Suzanne has done since her last visit as well as get her thoughts on recent headlines.

In the second part of the show, we discuss the decision-making process that we should bear in mind when heading to the polls. With Kamala Harris replacing Joe Biden, on the Democratic ticket, there are many factors to consider.

Our Way Black History Fact discusses the slavery-based roots of tipping in the United States.   

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In the first half of today’s show, we take you back through the origin story of Civic Cipher! We’ve done lots of growing with the support of our listeners, and we share some of the lessons we’ve learned along the way!

In the second part of the show, we discuss the progress we’ve seen as a country over the past 4 years. Sometimes the outlook can seem bleak so it’s important to remind ourselves how far we’ve travelled.  

Our Way Black History Fact is the former slave letter from Dayton, Ohio, August 7, 1865 entitled
To My Old Master, Colonel P. H. Anderson, Big Spring, Tennessee.   

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In the first half of today’s show, we discuss the many Black conservatives that help shape the identity of the right, far right, and MAGA movements in this country. We explain how their input provides cover for White supremacist values and ideals, as well as provide a degree of deniability for folks who are hard-pressed to challenge their own biases and racist beliefs. We also discuss what incentivizes Black conservatives beyond simply espousing “traditional values.”

In the second part of the show, we discuss an online pamphlet that has gone viral entitled “Things You N***** Should Know Before You Vote” which is a great starting point for challenging a good amount of the disinformation that is circulating online and in political conversations across the country.

Our Way Black History Fact highlights the events leading up to the Watts Riots of 1965.

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In the second part of the show, we discuss a violent police interaction where a woman—Victoria Lee—suffering from a mental health crisis lost her life at the hands of the police. We examine the broken system that claimed the life of another person who could have been saved. 

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www.civiccipher.com
Follow us: @CivicCipher @iamqward @ramsesja

Consideration for today's show was provided by:
Major Threads menswear www.MajorThreads.com
Hip Hop Weekly Magazine www.hiphopweekly.com
The Black Information Network Daily Podcast www.binnews.com

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Our Way Black History Fact highlights some of the many claims of racism directed toward Donald Trump over the years.

Support the Show.

www.civiccipher.com
Follow us: @CivicCipher @iamqward @ramsesja

Consideration for today's show was provided by:
Major Threads menswear www.MajorThreads.com
Hip Hop Weekly Magazine www.hiphopweekly.com
The Black Information Network Daily Podcast www.binnews.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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In the first half of today’s show, we discuss the many forms that voter suppression initiatives can take. We use one of our favorite lawyers and a former guest on our show, Qasim Rashid to help us make the point that voting is sacred, and there are lots of folks who would rather we didn’t exercise our right so they can more easily shape the country for their benefit.

Support the Show.

www.civiccipher.com
Follow us: @CivicCipher @iamqward @ramsesja

Consideration for today's show was provided by:
Major Threads menswear www.MajorThreads.com
Hip Hop Weekly Magazine www.hiphopweekly.com
The Black Information Network Daily Podcast www.binnews.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a Text Message.

In the second part of the show, we discuss engaging with online political opposition. We finish the segment with some best practices and words of wisdom to ensure people better understand the state of play when it comes to online disagreements and discussions.

Support the Show.

www.civiccipher.com
Follow us: @CivicCipher @iamqward @ramsesja

Consideration for today's show was provided by:
Major Threads menswear www.MajorThreads.com
Hip Hop Weekly Magazine www.hiphopweekly.com
The Black Information Network Daily Podcast www.binnews.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a Text Message.

Our Way Black History Fact celebrates the life of Afro-Cuban singer Celia Cruz as she is now on the quarter and her coin is being distributed by the U.S. Mint.

Support the Show.

www.civiccipher.com
Follow us: @CivicCipher @iamqward @ramsesja

Consideration for today's show was provided by:
Major Threads menswear www.MajorThreads.com
Hip Hop Weekly Magazine www.hiphopweekly.com
The Black Information Network Daily Podcast www.binnews.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a Text Message.

Today we are joined by Talei Hornback and Brandy Ervin…two community activists who are also AKA Sorority members—and literally the women standing behind Kamala Harris during her viral campaign rally stop in Glendale, AZ. We take the first part of the show to discuss the importance of Harris’ campaign to Black women, as well as address some of the online opposition they face.

Support the Show.

www.civiccipher.com
Follow us: @CivicCipher @iamqward @ramsesja

Consideration for today's show was provided by:
Major Threads menswear www.MajorThreads.com
Hip Hop Weekly Magazine www.hiphopweekly.com
The Black Information Network Daily Podcast www.binnews.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a Text Message.

The first part of today’s episode is about two examples of reports uncovering police misconduct, brutality, and corruption in two major cities in the U.S. The findings were uncovered by the United Nations, and the U.S. Justice Department.

Support the Show.

www.civiccipher.com
Follow us: @CivicCipher @iamqward @ramsesja

Consideration for today's show was provided by:
Major Threads menswear www.MajorThreads.com
Hip Hop Weekly Magazine www.hiphopweekly.com
The Black Information Network Daily Podcast www.binnews.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.