Best Tanya Acker Podcasts (2025)

1
Dwayne Betts Decides to Write His Own Story: Part 1 29:29

22h ago29:29

29:29

In part one of this conversation, poet and lawyer Reginald Dwayne Betts reflects on his journey from incarceration to Ivy League education, how reading reshaped his life, and the beginnings of Freedom Reads—a project that brings books into prisons and reimagines what justice can look like.By Tanya Acker

1
Ezzedine Fishere Decides to Urge Palestinians and Israelis to Make the Second Best Decision for Ending the Crisis in Gaza 39:07

8d ago39:07

39:07

The Dartmouth distinguished scholar and former Egyptian and UN diplomat proposes a solution to the Gaza crisis that may be no one’s first choice, which is precisely why it might work.By Tanya Acker

1
Deciding to Stop Online Sextortion (with SC State Senator Brandon Guffey) 27:40

13d ago27:40

27:40

After online sextortionists drove his son Gavin to suicide, South Carolina state senator Brandon Guffey changed the law and created a forum for saving young people through his charity, LessThan3.com (<3). LessThan3 provides resources for targets and potential victims of sextortion and an important reminder too - Tomorrow Needs You.…

1
Public Counsel Decides to Take On the Fight Against Masked ICE Raids 37:42

20d ago37:42

37:42

In this powerful episode, Tanya sits down with Public Counsel's Senior Special Counsel Mark Rosenbaum to discuss the recent legal victory against ICE's immigration raids in Los Angeles. Described by LA Mayor Karen Bass as a 'reign of terror,' these raids, targeting non-criminals based on appearance and Spanish language, have raised significant conc…

1
Amanda Litman (“When We're in Charge: The Next Generation’s Guide to Leadership”) Decides That Power Needs a Refresh 33:27

22d ago33:27

33:27

The President and Co-Founder of Run for Something talks about breaking the “gerontocracy,” empowering new leadership, and how not to be a “Bad Boomer Boss.”By Tanya Acker

1
Special Re-Release: Emmy Nominee Katherine LaNasa (“The Pitt”) Decides to Embrace the Moment 32:19

28d ago32:19

32:19

The veteran actor talks about what it means to have audiences embrace “The Pitt” and her character, Nurse Dana; the influences that led her from the ballet stage to acting; and how much she loves the fun of it all.By Tanya Acker

1
Stacey Abrams Decides to Take On the Future of AI in “Coded Justice” 38:36

29d ago38:36

38:36

Stacey Abrams discusses her prescient new novel “Coded Justice”, the dangers of unregulated AI, and how reclaiming personal power is essential in the fight against authoritarianism.By Tanya Acker

1
ACLU President Deborah Archer Decides To Blow The Whistle on Segregation’s (Not-So-Secret) Strategies for American Cities 33:40

1M ago33:40

33:40

The NYU law professor, president of the ACLU, and author of Dividing Lines: How Transportation Infrastructure Reinforces Racial Inequality, discusses her book, the importance of rule of law, and why she still remains an optimist.By Tanya Acker

1
Deciding to Reshape Your Relationship to the Internet (with Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker) 23:37

1M ago23:37

23:37

Over the last decade, our Internet experience has become increasingly dictated by algorithms- data-driven equations that try to anticipate (and elicit) our desires. The problem is, they often get it wrong. The math doesn't math. Kyle Chayka (staff writer, The New Yorker) has written a new book on the subject entitled "Filterworld." This week, Tanya…

1
Journalist Alex Thompson (Axios) Decides to Pull Back the Curtain at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue 45:29

1M ago45:29

45:29

Axios National Political Correspondent and co-author of “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again” discusses the controversy around the book, the media’s role in holding power accountable, the hidden history of presidential health cover-ups, and the deeper issues shaping both major parties in Ame…

1
Special Re-Release: CNN's Laura Coates on the Sean “Diddy” Combs Trial 39:11

1M ago39:11

39:11

With this week's decision on the Sean Combs case, we return to our talk with Emmy-nominated CNN anchor Laura Coates. Together, Laura and Tanya break down the inner workings of the courtroom and defense that led to Comb's acquittal of sex-trafficking.By Tanya Acker

1
Hurl Taylor Decides to Master Life (and Business) at 86 36:45

2M ago36:45

36:45

The Army veteran and “lifelong learner” became, at 86, the oldest graduate of Emory’s 2025 class when he received his Masters in Business for Veterans. He talks to Tanya about solving problems, learning new things, addressing conflict while not losing oneself, and dating!By Tanya Acker

1
Special Re-Release: Author Martha Wells (‘The Murderbot Diaries’) Has Helped Create the Show of the Summer 22:57

2M ago22:57

22:57

We're throwing it back to one of our favorite episodes of the season, with author Martha Wells. We talk all things “The Murderbot Diaries” (now streaming on Apple TV+), the innovation of the new sci-fi series, and what it means to be human.By Tanya Acker

1
Author Kyra Davis Lurie Decides To Tell A Hidden Story 47:25

2M ago47:25

47:25

The author of The Great Mann discusses the real-life inspiration for the novel, how she fights back against historical erasure, and “holding love for the work of deeply-flawed people.”By Tanya Acker

1
Deciding to Fight for Your Differently-Abled Child 32:20

2M ago32:20

32:20

Celebrity hairstylist Angela Stevens talks about navigating an unexpected and difficult diagnosis, the importance of early advocacy, and finding your tribe.By Tanya Acker

1
Deciding What to Make of the Sean “Diddy” Combs Trial (with Laura Coates) 39:11

2M ago39:11

39:11

The Emmy-nominated CNN anchor breaks down what’s happening inside the courtroom, the strategic choices the prosecution and defense have made so far, and what we can expect next.By Tanya Acker

1
Katherine LaNasa (“The Pitt”) Decides to Embrace the Moment 32:19

2M ago32:19

32:19

The veteran actor talks about what it means to have audiences embrace “The Pitt” and her character, Nurse Dana; the influences that led her from the ballet stage to acting; and how much she loves the fun of it all.By Tanya Acker

1
Deciding To Be Intentional About the Aging Journey - Caregivers Need Care Too 31:12

2M ago31:12

31:12

Tanya talks to Carlene Davis, co-founder of Sistahs Aging with Grace and Elegance (SAGE) about doing better by our elders and how caretakers - both current and future - can take better care of themselves, too. Plus, what the “Missing Middle” can do to ensure it has the resources it needs to look after themselves and the people they love.…

1
Author Kennedy Ryan (“Before I Let Go”) Decides to Tell Love Stories 44:23

3M ago44:23

44:23

Tanya talks to bestselling author Kennedy Ryan about why she tells the stories she does, her ability to remain so prolific, navigating depression during the pandemic, and how “love shines brightest when it’s tested.”By Tanya Acker

1
FYC: Writer and Showrunner Shaye Ogbonna (“Fight Night”) Decides to Tell a New Heist Story 28:08

3M ago28:08

28:08

Tanya interviews Shaye Ogbonna, creator of the Peacock series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist. They discuss the context behind this 1970s Atlanta story, his advice for aspiring filmmakers, the impact of Issa Rae, and the beauty and representation he was determined to capture in the series.By Tanya Acker

1
Ronald Young Jr. (‘Weight For It’) Decides That Radical Acceptance Is the Path 31:27

3M ago31:27

31:27

Tanya talks to the influencer and host of the award-winning podcast “Weight For It” about body, learning to love the moment, and living your best life when life happens.By Tanya Acker

1
Author Martha Wells (‘The Murderbot Diaries’ ) Decides to Tell a Story About Humanity 22:38

3M ago22:38

22:38

Tanya talks to the author of The Murderbot Diaries (now playing on Apple TV+) about her innovative sci-fi series and what it means to be human.By Tanya Acker

1
Deciding What to Make of the Tariffs - With Peter Harrell 42:30

3M ago42:30

42:30

Tariffs here and tariffs there. What is this tariff situation about? Why is it happening and what does it mean? Listen as Tanya and Peter Harrell, host of the podcast “Security Economics,” break it all down.By Tanya Acker

1
We're Back! 1:48

3M ago1:48

1:48

After a brief hiatus, The Tanya Acker Show is back with The Art of Deciding series. Every Tuesday and Thursday, Tanya will sit with newsmakers, trendsetters, and leaders of every stripe to talk through the forces that drive their decision making. New episodes begin this Thursday, May 15th, featuring tariff expert and host of podcast Security Econom…

1
204: Tribunal Justice Judge Adam Levy KNOWS Right vs. Wrong, Accountability, Critical Thinking & Family Values 33:22

7M ago33:22

33:22

Adam Levy brings over 25 years of diverse legal experience to the bench, serving as one of three judges on Prime Video's Tribunal Justice, created by Judge Judy Sheindlin. Podcast Highlights: • Levy talks about being part of a legal dynasty, including his mother, Judge Judy Sheindlin • Levy discusses how the "rule of law" applied at home • Levy sha…

1
Why is LA Burning? Tanya talks to NYT energy reporter Ivan Penn 32:37

7M ago32:37

32:37

Today, Tanya discusses the devastating Los Angeles wildfires with New York Times reporter Ivan Penn. They dive into how power grid issues may have contributed to the fires, ongoing investigations, detected electrical faults, and the complexities of power line infrastructure. They also unpack the city's efforts to upgrade the grid and, in turn, resp…

1
203: John Quiñones KNOWS Human Nature, the Element of Surprise & What You SHOULD Do 29:02

7M ago29:02

29:02

John Quiñones is an ABC News correspondent who reports across "20/20," "Nightline" and "Good Morning America." During his 40-year tenure at ABC News, he has reported extensively for all programs and platforms and served as anchor of "What Would You Do?" and "Primetime." This discussion focused primarily on his work on "What Would You Do?," which ju…

1
Writer and Showrunner Shaye Ogbonna ("Fight Night") on Telling New Stories and the Art of the Heist 28:08

7M ago28:08

28:08

Tanya interviews Shaye Ogbonna, creator of the Peacock series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist. They discuss the context behind this 1970s Atlanta story, his advice for aspiring filmmakers, the impact of Issa Rae, and the beauty and representation he was determined to capture in the series.By Tanya Acker

1
Deciding How to Define-A Conversation with author Nicola Yoon about her latest book, One of Our Kind 31:33

9M ago31:33

31:33

Tanya and the New York Times bestselling author talk about her latest novel, One of Our Kind, which explores what “community” means and how we see ourselves.By Tanya Acker

1
A Trip to His Late Father’s Homeland With Vice President Kamala Harris. A Decision to Tell Untold Stories. 29:20

9M ago29:20

29:20

Tanya talks to KBLA White House correspondent Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey, author of Kamala, The Motherland and Me, about his trip to Africa with Vice President Kamala Harris and in particular, his visit to Ghana, from where his late father emigrated to America. From that trip came a determination not only to build new relationships between Americans…

1
Tanya talks to Vanity Fair Special Correspondent Gabriel Sherman 29:04

10M ago29:04

29:04

Vanity Fair Special Correspondent Gabriel Sherman decided to write a movie, The Apprentice, about former President Trump’s early days in New York. Why did Sherman decide to take on such a project? Because he had to.By The Tanya Acker Show

1
Deciding to Protest and Wanting to Win – Tanya talks to ESPN Reporter Ramona Shelburne 1:01:09

10M ago1:01:09

1:01:09

The Los Angeles Clippers wanted a ring and were closer than ever when they had to confront a dark story that was one of sports’ open secrets. What pressures came to bear and how did they manage them? And what was the domino effect of decisions that forced them to confront what others had long ignored? Tanya talks to ESPN Reporter Ramona Shelburne, …

1
202: Steven Petrow KNOWS How You Can MAKE Joy 35:11

11M ago35:11

35:11

Not long ago, Steven Petrow experienced one of the worst years of his life. He lost both his parents, separated from his husband, and learned that his sister had metastatic cancer. He began to question: how can one find joy during incredibly difficult times? Award-winning Washington Post columnist Petrow explains that joy is not only around us, but…

1
201: Geri Jewell KNOWS Writing, Comedy, Joy & How to Maxmimize Your Abilities 28:17

12M ago28:17

28:17

Geri Jewell started her career as a stand-up comic, and is best known for her role as “Cousin Geri” on the ground-breaking sitcom NBC’s “The Facts of Life,” and a reoccurring role in HBO’s “Deadwood.” Geri has appeared on numerous comedy cable shows such as A&E’s Evening at the Improv, VHI’s Spotlight, and Comedy Central. She appeared in the Emmy® …

1
200: Tanya Acker KNOWS Compassion, Compromise, Community and How to Get to the Truth 29:21

1y ago29:21

29:21

Today we are celebrating our 200th Episode with the return of a special friend of the podcast, Judge Tanya Acker. Acker serves as one of three judges on Amazon Freevee's Tribunal Justice, created by Judge Judy Sheindlin. Acker also hosts "The Tanya Acker Show" podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Overcast, and Pocketcasts. Most recently, Acker …

1
199: Rolonda Watts KNOWS Exploration, Self-Discovery, Balance & Minding Your Business 35:39

1y ago35:39

35:39

Rolonda Watts’ name, face, and distinctive voice have been known by audiences everywhere, thanks to her many award-winning works in television, radio, film, theatre, digital media, stand-up comedy, motivational speaking, and author of DESTINY LINGERS, her award-winning romance suspense novel, endorsed by Dr. Maya Angelou. Most know her by one name,…

1
198: Michael Sheldrick KNOWS Ideas, Impact, Influence and How You Can Make a Difference Now 41:03

1y ago41:03

41:03

Michael Sheldrick is a global gamechanger. A policy entrepreneur, Co-Founder and Chief Policy, Impact and Government Affairs Officer at Global Citizen, he is also the author of the amazing new book, “From Ideas to Impact.” He is a driving force behind the efforts of Global Citizen to end extreme poverty. Michael leads the organization’s campaigns t…

1
197: Judge Patricia DiMango KNOWS Responsibility, Humanity, Humor & How to Honor Life After Death 32:14

1+ y ago32:14

32:14

Justice Patricia M. DiMango serves as one of three judges on Amazon Freevee's Tribunal Justice, created by Judge Judy Sheindlin. Most recently, Justice DiMango was a judge on the Emmy-nominated series, "Hot Bench." Justice DiMango was first appointed to serve as a Judge of the Criminal Courts for the City of New York by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. She …

1
How Do We Stop Hating the Internet? 23:37

1+ y ago23:37

23:37

Over the last decade, our Internet experience has become increasingly dictated by algorithms- data-driven equations that try to anticipate (and elicit) our desires. The problem is, they often get it wrong. The math doesn't math. Kyle Chayka (staff writer,The New Yorker) has written a new book on the subject entitled "Filterworld." This week, Tanya …

1
196: Peter McGraw KNOWS How You Can Build a Remarkable Life on Your Own 38:06

1+ y ago38:06

38:06

Peter McGraw is a business school professor at the University of Colorado Boulder. He hosts the podcast “Solo—The Single Person’s Guide to a Remarkable Life,” writes for Single Insights—The Science of Solos, and hosts The Solo Salon. In 2014, McGraw co-authored “The Humor Code.” He has written for Slate, Wired, Fortune, and HuffPost. His work has b…

1
195: Dr. Judy Ho KNOWS Attachment, Relationships, Healing & How to Secure Your Life Vision 33:44

1+ y ago33:44

33:44

Dr. Judy Ho is a triple board certified and licensed clinical and forensic neuropsychologist, a tenured associate professor at Pepperdine University, television and podcast host, and published author. Dr. Judy conducts neuropsychological and psychodiagnostic evaluations, serves as an expert witness in legal cases, conducts clinical research, provid…

1
194: Kevin Goetz KNOWS Movies, Audiences, Filmmakers, Humanity, Gratitude & Barbie 45:23

1+ y ago45:23

45:23

Kevin Goetz, a well-known personality within the entertainment industry, is currently a leading expert in motion picture marketing and tech-enabled research. He is often the “go-to” person when filmmakers and studios need insights into how to fix or market their pictures. His company, Screen Engine, is one of the few firms worldwide that conducts s…

1
Tanya talks to Host and Journalist Tamron Hall 33:52

1+ y ago33:52

33:52

Tanya talks to the Emmy Award-winning television show host and best-selling author about her latest novel, Watch Where They Hide, and how she's plotted her own life’s path.By The Tanya Acker Show

1
193: Roslyn Kind KNOWS Music, Romance, Storytelling, Kindness & Barbra Streisand 36:44

1+ y ago36:44

36:44

Barbra Streisand's sister, Roslyn Kind, has been busy over the last few years producing and releasing songs such as "Save the Country," "Light of Love," and "It Only Takes a Moment: Kiss Me Now." Roslyn is a dynamic, multi-talented entertainer who has forged a successful career in all facets of entertainment, from critically acclaimed recordings to…

1
192: Brad Szollose KNOWS Imagination, Branding, Controversy, Liquid Leadership & Human Connection 52:11

1+ y ago52:11

52:11

The celebrated host of AWAKENED NATION podcast, Brad Szollose is a business consultant, former C-Level Executive of a public company, global business adviser, Web pioneer, Generation Y expert and keynote speaker who helps smart companies like Dell and Master Card understand how much technology has transformed corporate culture and behavior—especial…

1
Tanya talks to Rahsaan Thomas 36:17

1+ y ago36:17

36:17

Tanya and the podcaster, journalist, filmmaker and advocate talk about how he is “proof of concept” about the benefits of opportunity and inclusion. Listen as they discuss justifiable fears; not fearing too much; and how to change lives, communities, and cultures - all while growing the tax base!By The Tanya Acker Show

1
Special Re-Release: Zamaan Qureshi On How to Make Social Media Safer 28:00

1+ y ago28:00

28:00

This week the Senate pressed chief executives of Meta, TikTok, X, Snap and Discord over what lawmakers are calling “a crisis in America” -- accusing the tech giants of ignoring the harmful content against children on their respective platforms. It's a conversation we first had on this program back in November of last year, when Tanya sat down with …

1
191: Craig Carnelia KNOWS Creativity, Music, Broadway, Wordplay, Working & Maximizing Solitude 59:00

1+ y ago59:00

59:00

The extraordinary Craig Carnelia has had four shows produced on Broadway. Working with composer Marvin Hamlisch, he wrote the lyrics for “Sweet Smell of Success,” with book by John Guare, and “Imaginary Friends” with Nora Ephron. As both composer and lyricist, Craig wrote the score for “Is There Life After High School” and contributed songs to “Wor…

1
190: Maria Ho KNOWS Vegas, Poker, Strategy, Risk-Taking & How to be a Boss 32:32

1+ y ago32:32

32:32

Maria Ho, one of the most notable names in poker today, is the youngest woman ever to be inducted into the Women in Poker Hall of Fame. She is also the 2019 Global Poker Award Broadcaster of the Year winner. Her commentary work includes the WSOP Main Event on ESPN, the PokerGO Super High Roller Bowl on CBS Sports, and WPT’s King of the Club on FSN.…

1
Special Re-Release: Emmy and Peabody Award-winning writer, producer and director Ann Druyan 46:16

1+ y ago46:16

46:16

Tanya talks to Ann Druyan about space, love, facts, and voting. Plus, how to come back when people laugh at you for being smart and curious.By The Tanya Acker Show

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Tanya Acker Podcasts

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