About the show

Everything’s Political with Junius Williams examines the politics we don't see that shape our lives. Through conversations about social justice issues, Junius and his guests help the listener connect the dots to reveal the true American experience, as it plays out in the community, or in our living room. Junius Williams is a civil rights organizer, lawyer, community leader, musician, and author of the book Unfinished Agenda: Urban Politics in the Era of Black Power. Join us for a conversation about the hidden side of politics.

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Episodes

  • Episode 4: The Power of Music: Stefon Harris & Jason Moran on Practice, Blues, Community + Harmony Cloud (Live at Express Newark)

    February 28th, 2026  |  Season 6  |  43 mins 46 secs
    1-4-5 progression, 12 bar blues, african american history, black church music, black culture, black history month, black music, blues, blues podcast, call and response, community, dominant seventh, ear training, everything’s political podcast, express newark, gospel, harmony cloud, improvisation, jason moran, jazz, jazz education, jazz podcast, junius williams, music education, newark nj, rutgers newark, stefon harris, storytelling, thelonious monk

    A Black History Month fireside conversation with Jason Moran and Stefon Harris on the Everything’s Political Podcast, recorded at Express Newark (Rutgers University–Newark) in Newark, New Jersey. Host Junius Williams explores the power of Black music—the blues, Black church traditions, and jazz—and how practice, listening, and community shape creativity and life. Includes live musical demonstrations, an accessible breakdown of the 12-bar blues, 1–4–5 progression, and dominant seventh chords, plus Stefon Harris’s new music education app, Harmony Cloud.

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    Episode 3: Episode 3: Music As A Force In Life

    January 29th, 2026  |  Season 6  |  40 mins 10 secs

  • Episode 2: Homeboy Comes From Richmond featuring Ngoma Hill

    December 3rd, 2025  |  Season 6  |  36 mins 20 secs

  • Episode 1: Meet Junius Williams, The Musician

    October 31st, 2025  |  Season 6  |  23 mins 3 secs

  • Turnout, Tension, and a First Try at Power: Newark’s Youth Vote

    August 7th, 2025  |  Season 5  |  21 mins 56 secs
    elections, newark, politics, voting, youth movements

    In this candid commentary, host Junius Williams breaks down Newark’s historic first “Vote 16” school board election, where just 71 of 1,842 registered teens cast ballots.

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    Sharing the Mic: Deborah Smith Gregory on Bridging Generations and Vote 16

    April 15th, 2025  |  Season 5  |  37 mins 6 secs
    elections, newark, politics, voting, youth movements

    In this episode of Everything’s Political, host Junius Williams talks with veteran activist and Newark NAACP President Deborah Smith Gregory about what it really means to share power with young people.

  • Nathan Deguid and Vote 16: Mobilizing Youth to Transform Newark's Political Story

    March 27th, 2025  |  Season 5  |  39 mins 23 secs
    elections, newark, politics, voting, youth movements

    In this episode of Everything's Political, host Junius Williams sits down with Nathan Deguid, founder and president of the Young Voters Association, to discuss Newark's groundbreaking "Vote 16" initiative. Nathan shares insights into empowering younger generations through civic engagement, highlighting the necessity of grassroots organizing and stating, "Pure and prolific unity will come against anything in this world."

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    Democracy in Action: Governor Murphy on Vote16 and Youth Empowerment

    March 13th, 2025  |  Season 5  |  21 mins 59 secs
    elections, newark, politics, voting, youth movements

    In this inspiring conversation with host Junius Williams, Governor Murphy champions the transformative power of youth leadership through the Vote16 initiative, emphasizing that "when young people lead, our democracy is reborn," as he actively works to empower emerging voices and expand voting rights.

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    Young, Empowered, and Ready: Preparing the Next Generation of Voters

    February 26th, 2025  |  Season 5  |  30 mins 36 secs
    elections, newark, politics, voting, youth movements

    In this installment of our Vote 16 series, host Junius Williams talks with Jennifer Made, Director of Youth Programs at the Abbott Leadership Institute, about how Newark’s 16- and 17-year-olds are preparing to vote in school board elections for the first time.

  • When we come together

    February 1st, 2025  |  Season 5  |  26 mins 13 secs
    elections, newark, politics, voting, youth movements

    Listen to the full episode on @everythingspoliticalpodcast to learn more about #Vote16 and its impact on the school board election, as well as empower our younger generations to revive their passion for democracy and give them a seat at the table.

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    Gen Z, Power, and the VOTE!

    September 30th, 2024  |  Season 5  |  21 mins 55 secs
    elections, newark, politics, voting, youth movements

    In our newest season of Everything’s Political Podcast, we explore how Newark high schools break barriers by allowing students 16 and above to participate in school board voting

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    Environmental Justice

    July 8th, 2024  |  Season 4  |  31 mins 34 secs

    Season 4, Episode 6 takes you to the heart of the battle for environmental justice. Witness firsthand how community advocates challenge the status quo, pushing for transformative change.