Listen up!

here's a playlist of our favorite protest songs to take you into the weekend, plus some new podcast appearances, and info on two upcoming LIVE SHOWS

Tom Morello knows his way around a protest song. (Photo by Joby Sessions/Total Guitar Magazine/Future via Getty Images)

A few weeks ago, I found myself “damning Alabama” (Thanks, Governor Mee Maw!), and it reminded me how much I love “Mississippi Goddam” and the legendary Nina Simone. If you missed that essay, check it out:

In that essay I asked you to leave your favorite protest songs in the comments. There were so many good ones! And then me and Kelly (who helps me run this) began thinking about our favorites. So anyway, here’s a Spotify playlist of all those songs to kick off your weekend! Or your Monday depending on when you get this. . .

Give it a listen. Tell me what we missed, what got you fired up, and what’s on heavy rotation. I’ll be back next week with another essay!

You’re With Me!

Here are some updates:

Upcoming Events

Live Wire in Portland on Thursday 4/11

Look at this line up!

Portland, Oregon people! I’m going to be in town THIS THURSDAY 4/11. I’m doing the live podcast Live Wire with this intimidatingly smart, funny, and righteous lineup — Ijeoma Oluo, John Craigie, and Jane Marie. There are a few tickets left. Get yours now! Live Wire is always a good time.

Stand-Up Comedy in Asheville on Wednesday 6/19

I’m doing stand-up in Asheville. (photo: Aundre Larrow/CNN)

HOLY CATS! I BOOKED A REAL STAND-UP COMEDY SHOW! Am I really back to stand-up? I still don’t know. But if you are in Asheville, North Carolina in June, I’m doing stand-up at at the Orange Peel on June 19th. Tickets just went on sale. See you there.

Recent Podcast Appearances

I was a guest on Stars and Stars with Isa, where I learned a whole lot of things I never knew about astrology. Apparently I have an Aquarius Sun, Scorpio Moon, and Taurus Rising. I had no idea what that meant. Listen in to hear me find out! It was a really fun time. Isa is awesome. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

On the Daily Beast’s “The Last Laugh” I talked with host Matt Wilstein about my ambivalence around pursuing the life of a comic right now. We also talked about comedy’s role in the Biden vs. Trump rematch, why comedians like Joe Rogan have embraced third-party spoiler RFK Jr., the fallout from my ‘We Need to Talk About Cosby’ docu-series and a lot more. Next week, I’ll write more about the “fallout” from this episode. 😬

DonorsChoose

Now let’s get these DonorsChoose projects across the finish line! We have such a good track record so far. You all have really made some teachers very happy. Make sure you remember that as you walk around the world. In honor of our conversation about protest songs, we’re going to fund some music projects:

• Ms. McGibboney needs percussion instruments for her students in a Title 1 elementary school in Baton Rouge, LA. This one’s only $502!

• Mrs. Holton needs mics and cables for her students’ performances at their Title 1 elementary school in Tifton, GA! Right now they only have ONE microphone for everyone to share. As a comedian and the dad of a singer, how could I not pick this one?!

• More drums! This Kansas City middle school needs percussion instruments for the drumline. Let’s help their teacher, Mr. Roath, get the marching band fully equipped.