Approaching the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, the official plaque honoring the police who defended democracy is nowhere to be found.

Season 2 of At Our Table kicks off in Los Angeles with Mayor Karen Bass, who takes us 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.

YouTube video by At Our Table with Jaime Harrison

YouTube video by At Our Table with Jaime Harrison

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.

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. -- Timestamps -- 00:00 - From East Texas to Politics: Chuck Rocha's Unique Path 05:17 - Albert Morales on Early Campaign Challenges and Invaluable Political Advice 10:55 - Empowering Black Men: Khalil Thompson's Civic Engagement Work 15:08 - The Need for Black and Latino-Owned Consulting Firms 23:16 - Navigating Identity Politics with Cultural Competency 26:41 - Identifying the Core Issues in Democratic Campaign Strategy 29:37 - How Polling and Consultants Shape Campaign Messaging 43:12 - Challenging the Consultant Cabal: Opening Doors for Diverse Firms 50:59 - Why Constituent Service is the Game Changer in Politics 01:05:29 - A Powerful Example of Constituent Service in Action 01:11:48 - Analyzing 2024 Voter Shifts and Democratic Challenges 01:19:11 - Addressing Disinformation and the Need for New Leadership 01:23:33 - SYAD 01:28:55 - Looking Ahead: Key Races and Candidates for 2026 01:31:55 - Thank You and Episode Credits

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Chief Justice John Roberts says that the Constitution remains a sturdy pillar for the country, a message that comes after a tumultuous year in the nation’s judicial system with pivotal Supreme Court decisions on the horizon.

Former RNC Chair and MSNBC host Michael Steele comes to the table with a candid, funny, and deeply personal conversation about his accidental rise through the Republican Party and the moral compass that guided his leadership. We reflect on the loneliness of party chairmanship, Chair Steele’s resistance to Trumpism, and the broken culture of politics today. With stories from the farm to the convention floor, this episode is part family reunion, part political therapy. And ends with one of our best-ever Sit Your Ass Down Awards. -- Timestamps -- 00:00 - From South Carolina Farms to Political Stages 05:34 - Reshaping the Presidential Primary Process 13:01 - Michael Steele's Unconventional Journey to Politics 28:45 - Inside the Fight to Change Political Party Culture 43:55 - Michael Steele on the GOP's Current State 01:03:18 - Navigating Political Futures, SYAD, and Final Reflections

YouTube video by At Our Table with Jaime Harrison