Explore every episode of the podcast Start Me Up with Kimberley A. Johnson

Comedian Andy Kindler is back.

Topics: We talked some shit about Bill Maher's whining; both of us seeing a democracy light at the end of the fascist tunnel; donald is losing the narrative; we talked about so many different things: spirituality, hope, show business...come join us. A fun, light show!

Elizabeth is the CEO/Founder at The Gaia Leadership Project; Author of Becoming Heroines: Unleashing Our Power for Revolution and Rebirth and the host of #ResistanceLive on Youtube.

We discussed the potential political impact of donald's presidency and the release of Epstein files, and how these events could influence Republicans and the broader political landscape. We discussed the contents of files reviewed by DOJ agents and the procedural mechanisms for their potential release. We also discussed the recent Democratic wins and the growing involvement of community members in organizing efforts. Our conversation concluded with discussions about the upcoming midterm elections, strategies for resisting authoritarianism, and resources for further engagement in activism and political organizing.

Sarah Burris is a reporter at Raw Story, Alternet and Salon.

Topics: The beautiful big blue wave means DEMOCRACY IS NOT DEAD!!! The government shutdown may be stalled until after the Tennessee Special Election; donald's health and cognitive issues are getting worse by the hour and it looks like there's a manufactured fascist romance brewing with JD Vance and Erica Kirk. All that and more. 

My guest is Lisa Parker AKA Mamaw's Porch Politics. She's a liberal woman who lives in rural Ohio and was raised in Appalachia, and her political commentary has caught the attention of thousands of voters. Her social pages are growing quickly because her message resonates so deeply.

Topics: The importance of voter turnout (even in heavily gerrymandered districts) in upcoming elections, emphasizing the need for reform in voting systems and the Electoral College. Lisa highlighted the critical issues voters are concerned about, including securing Social Security and healthcare, and bodily autonomy. We talked about how MAGA signs are no longer as prevalent in her very red area and how cutting food stamps for millions will wake more of the base up. We had a wonderful chat and covered much more. Take a listen and follow her! 

David Pepper is a lawyer, writer, political activist, former elected official, and adjunct professor, and served as the Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party between 2015 and 2021. He's the author of Laboratories of Autocracy and Saving Democracy.

Topics: Strategies for effective activism in a fascist-run country; gerrymandering's impact on public institutions; the importance of running candidates in all districts across the country; the Epstein files are not going away and voters of all stripes agree the list should be released, and David shares easy, effective ways we can fight back (and most voters are NOT doing all that they they can.)

Cliff is back!

Topics: Cliff offers advice on the best kind of messaging for No Kings rally attendees; Vance does not have the charisma donald has, and Cliff weighs in on Vance taking over if donald is no longer POTUS; the races in NY & VA look good for Democrats, and we talk about the urgency of the 2026 midterms!

Jared Yates Sexton: Political Analyst, author of The Midnight Kingdom: A History of Power, Paranoia, and the Coming Crisis, Co-Host Muckrake Podcast, newsletter Dispatches From A Collapsing State, Board: The Change Campaign.

Topics: Is the tide turning against fascism? Posting defeatist comments online helps the regime; fascism is abuse by the state, and Jared correlates it to abusive behavior in families and personal relationships; why we can't/shouldn't only rely on elections to save democracy and would JD be worse than donald?...all that and more.  

Sarah Wood is back, and she's started a new social media consulting business!

Relevate Strategies

Topics: Capitalism trumped fascism; the Epstein scandal isn't going away; signs that the tides against donald are turning; and why it's important to not declare that democracy is dead if you're feeling frightened. All that and more!

Topics: Jody had brunch with Martin Sheen and that got us talking about the Charlie Sheen documentary. We also talked about her new podcast, The Politics Bar; cosmetic surgery; what it was like in Malibu in the '70s...and then we launched some political talk about trump, JD, their stupid, fascist agenda, and how free speech is only for the right.

Topics: Jody had brunch with Martin Sheen and that got us talking about the Charlie Sheen documentary. We also talked about her new podcast, The Politics Bar; cosmetic surgery; what it was like in Malibu in the '70s...and then we launched some political talk about trump, JD, their stupid, fascist agenda, and how free speech is only for the right. 

Steph is back!

Just two best friends talking about politics and life: The latest COVID vaccine; weight loss/menopause; Newsom is killing it; donald's poor health and much more! 

Actor Jon Cryer of Two and a Half Men & Pretty In Pink joins me to talk about acting, politics and Hollywood parties! Oh my!

Topics: We chatted a little about Hollywood parties, his career, “his famousness,” and then we discussed our current political nightmare: how Americans--including political leaders--are handling the fascist takeover; Boomers are showing up and protesting; many people are speculating about donald's health; what a Vance presidency could look like; resistance from voters during red state town halls, and so much more! 

Brian Karem is a White House Columnist and his latest book is titled Free the Press: The Death of American Journalism and How to Revive It. He's a political analyst for CNN and hosts the "Just Ask The Question" podcast.

Topics: How legacy media has eroded over the decades, Gavin Newsom's strategy to fight the Republicans; the strategy behind military operations being deployed in blue cities; The Epstein story is not going away and much more!

Brian Karem is a White House Columnist and his latest book is titled Free the Press: The Death of American Journalism and How to Revive It. He's a political analyst for CNN and hosts the "Just Ask The Question" podcast.

Topics: How legacy media has eroded over the decades, Gavin Newsom's strategy to fight the Republicans; the strategy behind military operations being deployed in blue cities; The Epstein story is not going away and much more!

Greg Olear is back! He's the author of Rough Beast, PREVAIL columnist & podcaster, and co-host of The Five 8 on YouTube.

Topics: We talked about Gavin Newsom's political strategy, and how his engagement with Trump is both effective and entertaining. Greg highlighted the importance of strong opposition leadership in the US, and compared current political dynamics to the rise of Hitler in Nazi Germany, emphasizing the lack of effective resistance in the early stages. Several Democratic governors are showing up for democracy, and more Democratic leaders need to step up their game. Melania came up--why is no one questioning her about her thoughts on Epstein and his relationship with her husband? All that and more! 

Sarah Wood is back!

Topics: Sarah shares whether or not she thinks fascism will take hold; misogyny is on the rise; the Epstein files--are they a threat to Donald or will MAGA care? Republicans have a history of protecting rapists and we have their quotes; what happens if Vance takes over? All that and much more.

Rachel is back and her new book is titled Hit 'Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game, and she's the co-host of This is America on The Cycle on Substack.

Topics: The 2026 midterms--where the focus needs to be, and will there even be elections? Musk’s possible third-party threat would hurt GOP if he actually goes through with it; Democrats are progressing in their fight against fascism, but the party as a whole is still not getting it; MAGA is currently unraveling over the Trump regime claim there is no list or that it’s a “Democrat hoax,” but will it last or does it eventually go away? If we want to win, it’s up to us to make sure the people in our lives who aren't paying attention understand what’s happening.

Jess Craven is a political content creator—she’s @jesscraven101 on all platforms-- the author of "Chop Wood, Carry Water Daily Actions” on Substack, and the co-host of the Practivist Pod. She aims to help average Americans become more engaged in the political process and to help elect more progressive lawmakers everywhere.

Topics: Jess weighs in on the "Will there be midterms?" debate. SPOILER, she does think they'll happen and she's very optimistic. We briefly discuss the trump/Musk feud and what it could mean if Musk follows through with a third party; how MAGA is reacting to the news there are no Epstein files; Democrats need a more unified messge and they need to delay, obstruct and fight MAGA every step of the way. Last, we talk about how grassroots organizing has always been the way of change and how we all need to recognize our individual power in the face of fascist autocracy.

Steph is back!

We had an in-depth chat about how the current fascist regime is affecting us-- us meaning all of us--and why it's so important to engage. Steph shared a story from grade school when she witnessed racism from a teacher, she told her father, and he confronted the principal--the outcome was positive. We discuss where Democrats need to step up their game, and it's up to voters to pressure those who need a push. We covered a lot, and we hope you'll come along for the ride.  

Sarah Burris is a reporter at Raw Story, Alternet and Salon.

Topics: Supreme Court sides with South Carolina in ruling allowing states to cut off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood and what that will mean; Trump's mental/physical health and corporate media's double-standard; the difference in what Raw Story reporters can cover compared to what's being reported on by the cable news shows; how the resistence is showing up and the Democratic Party is failing to meet this urgent, dangerous moment. All that and more.

Cheri is back for another rousing conversation.

We start the show with our critiques of "And Just Like That," and then we dive into politics. Topics: what constitutes an effective political ad; Tucker Carlson went after Ted Cruz and Cheri emphasizes that no matter what things may look like, there's always something nefarious going on behind the scenes; podcasters and influencers who are vocal resisters don't always feel safe--Cheri talked about her experiences as a vocal critic of donald, including being hacked, targeted, and banned from media appearances. We covered all that and much more.

Jared Yates Sexton: Political Analyst, The Midnight Kingdom: A History of Power, Paranoia, and the Coming Crisis, Co-Host Muckrake Podcast, newsletter Dispatches From A Collapsing State, Board: The Change Campaign.

Topics: the psychological and emotional toll of combating authoritarianism, the importance of self-care and maintaining a grounded perspective; our mixed feelings about Gavin Newsom, we acknowledgehis political skills while expressing skepticism about his trustworthiness due to past actions; Jared criticized politicians who switch sides without admitting to their past actions, particularly those responsible for creating Trumpism, and the importance of discomfort as a catalyst for change, both personally and on a national scale. Jared emphasized that Americans are now experiencing the same economic and political challenges that people worldwide have faced, urging voters to use this discomfort as a message to seek better solutions. All that and so much more. 

Wajahat Ali is the editor of The Left Hook Substack & Co-host of The Democracy-Ish Podcast.

Topics: Wajahat talked about the challenges of maintaining hope and mental health while resisting a right-wing authoritarian regime; the normalization of extreme conspiracy theories and violence under Trump's presidency; concerns about the integrity of future elections; the dangers of underestimating Trump's willingness to stay in power, including the possibility of declaring martial law and suspending elections; the potential for abuse of personal data and the creation of a surveillance state, highlighting Palantir's past support for Israel, and where legacy and independent media are now as well as where they need to go. All that and more!

David Pepper is a lawyer, writer, political activist, former elected official, and adjunct professor, and served as the Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party between 2015 and 2021. He's the author of Laboratories of Autocracy and Saving Democracy.

Topics: Courts say Trump tariffs are illegal--but will he obey the courts, and how would his defiance play to voters? Elon may be out of the White House, but is that good news? The "big beautiful" tax bill is devastating in many ways. David highlights some of the worst aspects of it and tells us where we should focus, specifically, cutting funding for public schools. We also discussed ways to get involved no matter your comfort level. So much packed into this conversation!

Jennifer Taylor-Skinner is a writer, essayist, and creator & host of the award-winning podcast, The Electorette—one of the longest-running feminist podcasts, offering analyses and solutions to the world's biggest political and social challenges, all through the lens of women.

Topics: Both of us feel more hopeful about democracy than we did six months ago; Bernie Sanders' recent comment on identity politics and why many found it offensive, WTF is up with Gavin Newsom?; David Hogg and what he's saying about the party and then we end with why we feel hopeful.

Kiersten is such a delight. No politics today. We chatted about her book, I wish I were an Ocelot: Adventures of an Essential Kitten; upcoming projects; the hate Pamela Anderson is getting for being and looking 57; the pressure women are under to look sexy (for others) their entire lives, and much, much more.

Stephanie is back!!!!

No prep...just two best friends talking about what's happening out there. Steph talked up Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and shared what happened when she met him; Stephanie passionately discusses the importance of providing healthcare to all, regardless of immigration status or other factors, emphasizing it as a human right; we talked about the protests and backlash against the t regime, what we have to be hopeful about and much more!

Cheri is back!

Today's show was more about our personal lives wth a little bit of politics thrown in.

Topics: What we do for self-care; Cheri weighs in on what may happen to Social Security; she also shared that surviving cancer has resulted in a healthier lifestyle; we shared rumors we heard about sex before we were sexually active, and we ended with supernatural experiences we've had. It was a light, fun show.

Topics: We discussed Ann's latest book series, "After the Apocalypse," and the Democratic party's response to the current political climate, focusing on the recent win of an important Supreme Court seat in Wisconsin and Cory Booker's 25-hour Senate filibuster. Ann emphasized the importance of Democrats showing up to town halls and engaging with constituents--as opposed to Republicans who belittle or run away from them. We also reminisced about our experiences in an acting class and discussed our vastly different high school experiences as well as the concept of manifesting life experiences and much more!

Jody is Back!!! We avoided politics save for one piece of good news.

I record on Zoom and this was the AI description of the show (lol) Kimberley and Jody discussed their personal experiences, including their emotional struggles, lottery wins, and encounters with celebrities. They also reminisced about their shared past, including their childhood trauma from watching a movie, their experiences at nightclubs, and their preferences for colder temperatures. The conversation also touched on their plans if they were to win the lottery, including buying properties and helping friends financially, as well as their desire to travel and explore new places.

Christopher Bouzy is a serial entrepreneur, software engineer, and political maven and he’s the founder and CEO of both Bot Sentinel and Spoutible.com.

Topics: We talked about the current state of the country and the need for stronger resistance against the fascist regime. Christopher's opinion on what happened in the 2024 election has evolved. We also touched on the potential shift in the Democratic party's identity and how that plays out in the midterm and general elections. The conversation also covered the decline of corporate media and the rise of independent media.

D. Earl Stephens is the author of "Toxic Tales: A Caustic Collection of Donald J. Trump's Very Important Letters."  He's the former managing editor of Stars & Stripes, a Navy vet, and a prolific writer. His Substack: Enough Already

Earl and I are pissed off and we vented BIGLY! We discussed the corrupt influence of money in politics and how it impacts Democratic optics/messaging; the impact of boycotts on companies--and the liberal scolds who only complain and refuse to unify; we shared concerns about the future of democracy, and the likelihood of the Orange scourge declaring a national emergency...SPOILER: He will. All that and a lot more!

Steve Pierson is back! He is an activist and seasoned campaign organizer who has dedicated his career to empowering grassroots movements. He and Jess Craven have launched The Practivist Pod -- the practice of activism made practical.

Topics: Steve shared the news about his new podcast and then we discussed the importance of focusing on gratitude in these very trying times. We also discussed an upcoming series of boycotts and economic actions aimed at large corporations, the potential impact of Republican actions on healthcare, midterm elections, and the concerns about Elon Musk's mental stability as well as some pushback from the right. Lastly, we talked about the importance of self-care and community action. Lots of good stuff here! 

Greg Olear is back! He's the author of Rough Beast, PREVAIL columnist & podcaster, and co-host of The Five 8 on YouTube.

Topics: We discussed our concerns about the current political climate, including the potential threat to Social Security and Medicare, and the importance of a shift in the political landscape. We also discussed the potential impact of a general strike on February 28th and the need for continued efforts to raise awareness and possibly impact politicians. The conversation also touched on the importance of self-care, the power of individual resistance, and the potential for change in the political landscape.

Writer/Director Jay Arnold is back! He directed and wrote the original screenplay for the 2023 award-winning romantic drama “Shoulder Dance.” Jay’s first Documentary “Sergio Dondoli’s Happy Life” releases in Spring 2025.

Topics: First, we talked about his upcoming documentary and then chatted a bit about self-care. Then we got into politics: Musk hacking into major government websites, how systemic racism affects all of us, fighting back against fascism and we end with what we have to be hopeful about.

Tara is back! She's a prominent resister, a freelance writer, and the author of THE SOUND OF SETTLING, A Rock & Roll Love Story. 

Topics: Tara talks about her book and why she wrote it. We both spent time discussing the importance of self-care and how to achieve goals with how we think and what we believe is possible. Then we focused on how Democrats can improve messaging--and how voters can help make that happen. We spent some time talking about ''liberal" frauds who grift off of whatever makes them money (Lindy Li) and who steal from other political influencers. We are both talkers and this show is jam-packed.

Sarah Wood is back and she's extra sweary today. We love when she's sweary and there's a lot to swear about!

Topics: the fascists want to overwhelm us so we disengage; Trump 2.0 will be worse than Trump 1.0 because many guardrails are gone but we still have power and we need to use it; focusing on self-care is vital; Germany knows Elon gave a Nazi salute; our news media is weak and it's failing us; ways to cope and Bishop Mariann Budde is a brave inspiration.

Mo Collins is an actress and comedian. A few of her credits include MadTV; Arrested Development, Curb Your Enthusiasm; Parks and Recreation; 40-Year-Old Virgin and much more.

After talking about the devastating fires in Southern California, Mo shared a bit about her life growing up in Minnesota, how she got into improv and comedy; what it's been like for her as a comedian and actress, and then we launched into politics. We discussed what needs to change and some happy and exciting news about what Mark Cuban is currently doing to help rescue democracy. We had a good time chatting and we hope you have fun listening.

Nick Knudsen returns! He's the Executive Director of DemCast USA--a digital movement to combat the prolific disinformation that is spreading online, we ask everyday social media users to share the truth and calls-to-action in their own social media feeds. 

Topics: Nick shares info about the premiere of his upcoming podcast; what everyday Americans can do to help rescue democracy; the Virginia special election this week was a win for Democrats (a hopeful sign); how we cope during the next four years; giving into hatred is what the right wants from us, and where we can find hope when everything feels hopeless. Important points made in this show about self-care and not allowing the firehose of news to get us down.

Jennifer Taylor-Skinner is a writer, essayist, and creator & host of the award-winning podcast, The Electorette—one of the longest-running feminist podcasts, offering analyses and solutions to the world's biggest political and social challenges, all through the lens of women

Topics: What we're doing to stay sane; trusted sources of the resistance; much of legacy media is obeying in advance; vigilantism; Jennifer highlights how gutting the Voting Rights Act in 2013 has affected US elections, and we talked about how Trumpism personally affects us.

Writer, performer, and activist, Lorraine Devon Wilke is back! She's the author of the award-winning novel, THE ALCHEMY OF NOISE; her next, CHICK SINGER, pubs March 2025, and her latest endeavor is a popular Substack titled "Musings of a Creative Loudmouth."

Today's conversation was centered around how the election affected us and what we're doing to cope. We talked about pragmatic, practical things each one of us can do to ease the fear of alarming news we hear daily, and we share personal stories of how non-religious faith (in The Force) is our power. Neither one of us is religious and we don't preach anything--it's more about finding strength and having faith in the loving force within that can help us do what needs to be done. 

Christopher Bouzy is a serial entrepreneur, software engineer, and political maven and he’s the founder and CEO of both Bot Sentinel and Spoutible.com.

Topics: Christopher makes a compelling argument on why he feels the 2024 election was not rigged; Chris also talks about what went wrong with his (and others') optimistic electoral predictions): who can we trust to deliver the news; how we resist now; Xwitter is finally dying, and I share where I am emotionally. Today's show is a bit different. There's no intro or outro music. It's bare-bones talking about what happened.

Steph is BACK for Election Eve

Steph is one of my best friends. She works for Planned Parenthood and we had an incredibly uplifting conversation about why there's so much to be optimistic about. She knocked on doors in Nevada and what she experienced was very positive. I detail why Florida is in play, and we both talk about how effective the DNC and the Harris campaign have been. If you're freaking out, listen to us. I promise you will feel better. Plus, we ALWAYS have fun!

D. Earl Stephens is the author of "Toxic Tales: A Caustic Collection of Donald J. Trump's Very Important Letters."  He's the former managing editor of Stars & Stripes, a Navy vet, and a prolific writer.

Topics: With a little over a week away from Election Day, Earl and I weigh in on what we think the results will be and we specifically talk about Texas, Florida, and Wisconsin; will Gen Z show up this year; Trump and MAGA Republicans are embracing Hitler's ideology; Trump is clearly in mental decline; legacy media is a disaster, but the early vote numbers are encouraging.

Jennifer Taylor-Skinner is a writer, essayist, and creator & host of the award-winning podcast, The Electorette—one of the longest-running feminist podcasts, offering analyses and solutions to the world's biggest political and social challenges, all through the lens of women.

Topics: Trump's campaign is in freefall, he had a disastrous Town Hall in PA earlier this week and a disastrous Univision Town Hall with Latino voters while Harris is nailing every media appearance, including an adversarial interview on Fox; JD Vance's only focus is on demeaning childless women; it has become clear this is about a Vance presidency; Jennifer talks about Harris' Opportunity Agenda for Black Men and how the black community is being pushed out of the voting process by Republicans; and the problematic white women who keep voting red. All that and more! 

D. Knight is the host of the Pardon the Insurrection Podcast.

Topics: We discuss the idea of a possible silent majority: will there be massive support for Harris that isn't being measured, or is the race as close as legacy media tells us? Independent media is on the rise; The Harris campaign messaging is what Democratic voters have been waiting to see; talking with MAGA relatives and much more.

Democratic Strategist Rachel Bitocofer is back. She's the author of Hit 'Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game.

Topics: What Democrats are getting right in their messaging and how they can improve; the importance of down-ballot voting AND messaging; how the latest Jack Smith filing could affect the election; Donald Trump's rhetoric is increasingly more dangerous as Harris rises in the polls; how important the VP debate was and what you can do before Election Day. All that and more. 

Brian Karem is a White House Columnist and his latest book is titled Free the Press: The Death of American Journalism and How to Revive It. He's a political analyst for Salon and hosts the "Just Ask The Question" podcast.

Topics: Brian weighs in on Harris doing more interviews; the Harris campaign has the momentum, Trump is desperate and begging for money; the Olivia Nuzzi scandal is about journalistic integrity and not about an affair; the Walz/Vance debate will be entertaining but will it sway voters? We discuss Trump's sentencing--the possible outcomes and so much more! 

Writer Sarah Wood is back!

That wonderful, fabulous, historic presidential debate! We're still on a high and we celebrate all of the Harris goodness; Trump was humiliated on the world stage--in a way we've never witnessed--and from what we've seen of him to date, it's a good guess he'll spiral into an even more deplorable version of himself before this is all over; the Haitian pet rumor is already causing real-world damage; Sarah and I did our best to navigate what's happening now--all the joy and hope but we temper it with the fact that Trump and the GOP are still a gigantic threat to American democracy. Don't get happy. All gas, no brakes, but we have a real chance at victory this November.

Steph is BACK and we had SO MUCH FUN!

Steph is one of my best friends. She works for Planned Parenthood and had the opportunity to go to the DNC this year. We had such an optimistic and hilarious conversation about Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, the future of American democracy and how good it feels to get back to hope and joy. I spill a little tea at the end...Such a fun show.