At Our Table with Jaime Harrison

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joins us to talk about what leadership looks like in a moment of chaos. After a brand new segment where we ask him a series of rapid fire questions, we get into how Brooklyn shaped him, why House Democrats are governing from the minority with unusual force, and how he is keeping a diverse caucus united without demanding unanimity. We also talk about what it will take to win back the House and his vision for a Democratic majority. Along the way, he breaks down the strategy behind recent Democratic wins and how the party plans to connect more deeply with everyday Americans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re joined by Lauren Kapp and Parker Butler, two of the digital strategists who helped lead Kamala Harris’s online operation during the 2024 campaign. They share how Kamala HQ grew into one of the largest progressive accounts on the internet and what it was like running a digital war room in the middle of a presidential race. We also discuss how they’re now helping turn that massive following into a permanent digital platform focused on covering politics, holding the Trump administration accountable, and rethinking how Democrats build power between elections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk with A’shanti Gholar, president and CEO of Emerge, about what changes when government actually reflects the people it serves. We explore how Emerge trains Democratic women to run, why Black women and other leaders of the new American majority remain underinvested, and why community plays such a big role in representation. She also digs into voter suppression and the stakes of representation as well as what it takes to keep building a democracy where more women see themselves as ready to lead. We come away with a clearer path to building real pathways into public service. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We sit down with Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware for a conversation about history and heart. She talks about what it means to serve as one of the first two Black women ever to serve together in the Senate, how grief shaped her sense of purpose, and why democracy is a team sport. Senator Blunt Rochester also opens up about why making housing more affordable and expanding access to health care are urgent priorities at this moment. She also reminds us that none of it matters without a foundation of love and a clear focus on the prize in front of us. SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW: Newsletter: jaimeharrison.substack.com Instagram: @AtOurTableShow | @HarrisonJaime Twitter/X: @AtOurTableShow | @HarrisonJaime Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/AOTapple Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/AOTspot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We sit down with Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey for a conversation that covers the personal, the political, and everything in between. We trade marriage proposal stories and talk about the importance of mental health—especially for Black men—and why community is a lifeline. We connect it to policy: Medicaid and mental health access, childcare, senior care, and the Child Tax Credit. Then we get into power—voting, Senate gridlock, Supreme Court term limits, campaign finance, fair taxes—and what Democrats must stand for. And we close with a “Sit Your Ass Down” pick for leaders who abuse power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former U.S. Representative Colin Allred of Texas pulls up a chair for a candid talk about what shaped him and what’s next. We trace his path from being raised by a single mom in Dallas to the NFL, civil rights law, and Congress. He reflects on brokering the donation of a hospital to the VA as proof that leadership isn’t just about votes and legislation. We also unpack what he learned from his 2024 Senate race and why he pivoted to a new House district. We close by calling out “electability” attacks and the elite commentary Texas doesn’t need. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We sit down with Roland Martin, a Houston original who built an independent media empire by centering Black audiences and telling the full story. After the laughs about Texas teams, Roland gets blunt about how campaigns and corporations treat Black-owned media like an afterthought. We unpack why “no” is a complete sentence, how gatekeepers freeze out Black platforms, and what it will take to build real scale. We also dig into the shifting Black electorate and the cost of misinformation as well as why investing in trusted Black news is a democracy imperative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk with U.S. Representative Robert Garcia of California to talk about power, accountability, and the human cost of oversight. From his immigrant upbringing and values shaped by service, to becoming the youngest Ranking Member of House Oversight in more than a century, we dig into how he leads with kindness in a cynical moment. He unpacks government corruption, the Epstein files, ICE abuses, and what real accountability should look like. It’s a candid conversation about leadership shaped by lived experience and what it takes to stand firm when power is being misused. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We sit down with U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett of Texas for a deeply honest conversation about power, justice, and urgency. We trace her path from public defender and civil rights attorney to Congress and discuss how her current U.S. Senate run is rooted in lived experience and hard math. Rep. Crockett also explains why the system is designed to stay broken, why Black and Brown voters are key to changing Texas, and why waiting for permission is not an option when democracy is on the line. And throughout our conversation, she challenges the party’s comfort with “electability” narratives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re joined by Eliana Pinckney, daughter of the late Rev. Clementa Pinckney, to reflect on the Charleston massacre’s lasting impact and her father’s legacy of love, service, and civic duty. Eliana takes us back to being 11 and honors her mother’s quiet strength. She then talks about what it’s like to be part of the 9/11 generation shaped by gun violence, living with vigilance and exhaustion while “thoughts and prayers” continue to replace policy. We also talk about civic education, performative politics, and how Eliana turns art into activism and community into change. To learn more about the Clementa Pinckney Foundation, visit: https://pinckneyfoundation.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We kick off the new season in Los Angeles with Mayor Karen Bass, and she doesn’t hold back. She takes on her journey as a public servant and explains why she left Congress to come home and lead a city in crisis. We also dig into affordability and the policies that push people onto the streets and how her team has fought homelessness by cutting red tape and fixing broken systems. We also talk wildfire recovery, climate extremes, and the misinformation that fuels blame. Then Mayor Bass gets real about ICE raids, protests, and why nonviolent pushback matters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our season finale, we sit down with Kamala Harris for an unguarded conversation about the weight of leadership and the search for steadiness through faith, family, purpose, and friendships forged through fire. Vice President Harris reflects on building a presidential campaign in 107 days, making history with the confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, and refusing to let others define her right to be in the room. Together, we talk about a Democratic Party that can’t play it safe forever as well as the dangers of misinformation and disinformation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rachel Maddow joins us for a candid conversation about history and the fight for democracy. She traces her path from AIDS activism to journalism and explains how she learned to use stories to move hearts as well as minds. We also wrestle with PEPFAR, mass incarceration and Trump-era abuses, and we talk about protecting our own power and holding on to hope while we try to push this country forward. In the end, Rachel reminds us that telling the truth is its own form of power, and she challenges us to keep doing the work our moment demands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We sit down with Dr. Amy Acton to talk about her run for governor and why she believes Ohio is ready for honest, people-first leadership. She reflects on her childhood, leading Ohio through COVID, and why corruption and rising costs demand a new approach to government. Dr. Acton knows what it takes to rebuild trust and strengthen our communities. She reminds us that ordinary people can create extraordinary change. Together, we explore how courage, empathy, and real connection can move Ohio forward — and why this moment calls all of us to rise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fresh off our live Substack conversation (https://youtu.be/y03YuHvgPKY?si=Beilobr67rG0qqt6), we decided to revisit one of our most talked-about conversations. The insights from U.S. Representative Ro Khanna of California feel more timely than ever. He joins us to talk about why Democrats must reject Trump-style politics and lead with moral clarity. We discuss his push to release the Epstein files, his refusal to be part of policies that harm everyday Americans, and his belief that economic justice is key to rebuilding trust. He shares how his identity as an Indian American, shaped by Gandhi’s legacy, fuels his public service and how his long history with HBCUs sparked a broader commitment to equity, education, and opportunity for all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this special “At the Kids’ Table” episode, we flip the script and hand the mic to teen host Margo, and answer questions about the government shutdown and how it hurts families who rely on health care and SNAP. Together we dig into what leaders owe the people they serve and what makes a good president—all through the honest, unfiltered lens of a young voter in the making. Margo has no trouble reminding us that kids are paying attention and deserve real answers from grown-ups, not spin. Also, we give out the inaugural the “Sit Your Butt Down” Award. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we sit down with three of the hardest-working people in politics: party chairs of the early primary states. Ray Buckley of New Hampshire, Daniele Monroe-Moreno of Nevada, and Christale Spain of South Carolina talk about what it really means to run a state party. We dig into how under-resourced these operations are, why state parties are the backbone of democracy, and how early states shape the national conversation long before Election Day. It’s a reminder that real power starts close to home, and it starts with us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we bring together three of Washington’s top political minds — Chuck Rocha, Albert Morales, and Khalil Thompson — for a candid conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing men of color in Democratic politics. From the lack of Black- and Latino-owned consulting firms to the need for culturally competent messaging and leadership, the panel unpacks how power, access, and authenticity shape campaigns — and what it’ll take to truly diversify the party’s future. Plus: concrete fixes that turn rhetoric into results. Glossary: Coordinated Campaign A joint effort between the political party and candidates to share resources, data, and messaging during elections. DCCC (Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee) The national organization that recruits, funds, and supports Democrats running for the U.S. House of Representatives. DGA (Democratic Governors Association) The committee that helps elect and support Democratic governors across the country. DNC (Democratic National Committee) The governing body of the Democratic Party that manages national strategy, sets party rules, and organizes the Democratic National Convention. DSCC (Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee) The party organization focused on electing and reelecting Democrats to the U.S. Senate. IE (Independent Expenditure) Money spent by outside groups to support or oppose candidates without coordinating directly with campaigns. NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) A 1994 trade deal that eliminated tariffs between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, reshaping manufacturing and labor politics. Rooney Rule A policy requiring at least one candidate from an underrepresented background be interviewed for leadership or coaching positions, adopted from the NFL. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Representative Jim Clyburn of South Carolina sits down at the table to revisit his journey from a young boy in Sumter inspired by Harry Truman to one of the most influential voices in American politics. Together, we reflect on the lessons that shaped his leadership and the mentors and moments that defined his path. Through stories of faith, family, and history—and his new book The First Eight—we explore how America has always measured its greatness by repairing its faults, and how we can do it again by choosing unity, humility, and purpose over division. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this powerful roundtable, we sit down with Yolanda Caraway, Minyon Moore, Leah Daughtry, and Tina Flournoy—four trailblazing women known as “The Colored Girls.” Together, they trace their political lineage from Jesse Jackson’s historic campaigns to modern party leadership, unpacking lessons on power, representation, and resilience. They pull no punches, and they have all the receipts as they reflect on the 2024 election, the role of Black women in our democracy, and what it truly means to build—and protect—the Democratic Party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices