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Block & Build

Convergence
Community Organizing
Authoritarianism
Fascism
Philanthropy
Racial Justice
Trump Administration
Social Justice
Grassroots Organizing
Mutual Aid
Safety
Labor Movement
Black Lives Matter
Gaza
Convergence Magazine
Resistance Strategies
Abolition
Parenting
Donald Trump
Zohran Mamdani
Historical Context Of Philanthropy

Block & Build is a newsmagazine podcast from Convergence Magazine that examines the balance of political forces in the US from a movement perspective. Every week, host Cayden Mak explores what's happening in politics—and what we can do about it. The show takes Convergence's Block & Build framework as a jumping-off point for responding to escalating authoritarianism in ways that focus on preventing... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes99Founded2 years ago
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Society & CulturePoliticsNews

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Latest Episodes

This week we are building April's Attention Economy Navigator, our guide to what you should be paying more attention to, and what you can probably pay less attention to. And why those stories might not be what you’d assume.

Joining to help build thi... more

Over the past few years, a series of popular uprisings across the world have been described by mainstream media as “Gen-Z Uprisings” – movements led by young people and described in western media as generally being against government corruption. Thes... more

On March 28th, Indivisible Project, one of the two primary organizations behind the No Kings protests, held its third such event. Along with their partners, the 50501 Movement, an estimated 8 million people were mobilized and took to the streets acro... more

YouTube

Examples like Zohran Mamdani’s win in the New York City Mayoral race last year or Brandon Johnson becoming mayor of Chicago a few years earlier, are some of the highest profile examples of progressive movement candidates winning local office. They’ve... more

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Recent Guests

Lee Tim Ly
Chief Operating Officer of the Center for Empowered Politics
Center for Empowered Politics
Episode: Feed Drop: Dear Rad Ops on Multi-Entity Infrastructure
Dr. Maribel Morey
Historian of US philanthropy and author of White Philanthropy
Author, White Philanthropy
Episode: Reimagining Philanthropy w/ Chris Landry and Maribel Morey
Chris Landry
Producer and director of the Reimagining Philanthropy film series
Episode: Reimagining Philanthropy w/ Chris Landry and Maribel Morey
Nikki Marín Baena
Co-director of Siembra, North Carolina
Siembra, North Carolina
Episode: The Attention Economy Navigator, November 2025 w/ Nima Shirazi
Josh Poe
Co-founder and organizing director at the Kentucky Tenants Union
Kentucky Tenants Union
Episode: Organizing for Tenant Power w/ Josh Poe
Kelly Hayes
Chicago-based writer, organizer, and podcaster
AK Press, Movement Memos
Episode: Listen to This When Things Fall Apart w/ Kelly Hayes
Gerald Horne
Historian and author of 'The Capital of Slavery, Washington DC 1800-1865'
University of Houston
Episode: The Capital of Slavery w/ Gerald Horne
Marzena Zukowska
An undocumented Polish immigrant, co-founder and co-director of POMOC, an immigrant rights organization
POMOC
Episode: Liberation Stories w/ Marzena Zukowska and Shanelle Matthews
Shanelle Matthews
Movement communication strategist and founder of the Radical Communicators Network
Radical Communicators Network
Episode: Liberation Stories w/ Marzena Zukowska and Shanelle Matthews

Host

Cayden Mak
Host of Block & Build, publisher of Convergence Magazine

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 35 ratings
  • Excellent podcast for movement thinkers, organizers, and communicators

    Block & Build has terrific guests who share all kinds of insights on timely topics ranging from the Epstein files to data centers and everything in between. Cayden, the host, also helpfully grounds it all in a recap of the week’s headlines before diving into substantive conversations with radical and progressive organizers with skin in the game who have fascinating things to say. You’ll laugh, you’ll nod your head…and sometimes you may even wanna take notes!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bkdc25
    United States2 months ago
  • Great guests and timely topics. Definitely with an ear to ground to what is happening in organizing and movement now.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Jon E D
    a year ago
  • This podcast has very good vibes, tho often wish for a single deeper-dive convo rather than two shorter ones. Otherwise, pacing and tone could offer an object lesson on HOW TO create fun, informative, and inspiring audio content.

    Podchaser
    5
    articolate
    a year ago
  • Love this podcast!

    And the whole Convergence project!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NibblesandUs
    United States2 years ago
  • Deep Movement Analysis

    I love this podcast because I’m not usually that tuned into the strategy

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    blanchardjeremy
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the weekly synthesis of headlines and in-depth conversations with organizers.
Guests are consistently high-caliber and bring real-world organizing insight.
Grounded in movement strategy with clear, actionable takeaways for campaigns.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Feed Drop: Dear Rad Ops on Multi-Entity Infrastructure
Q: How does building a multi-entity infrastructure increase the resilience of an organization?
Building a multi-entity infrastructure allows organizations to adapt and utilize different forms, like non-profits and for-profits, enhancing flexibility and resilience in operations.
The People Still March w/ Rachel O’Leary Carmona
Q: How should organizations support the media infrastructure amidst rising authoritarianism?
Renderos discusses the importance of supporting local community media and independent institutions that reflect the world we want to build.
The People Still March w/ Rachel O’Leary Carmona
Q: What are the main differences in organizing and mobilizing perspectives now compared to the 2017 Women's March?
Carmona emphasizes that the current climate is marked by post-COVID realities, political violence, and the George Floyd uprisings, making it significantly different from 2017.
Medi-Cal Under Attack w/ Christopher Wilson
Q: What are the specific proposals to cut Medi-Cal?
Wilson highlighted proposed work requirements as problematic, stating they are essentially traps designed to phase out support for those in need.
Medi-Cal Under Attack w/ Christopher Wilson
Q: What is the threat to state programs like Medi-Cal and why is Medi-Cal in particular so important?
Medi-Cal is crucial as it provides health benefits to low-income individuals, helping millions and is vulnerable to cuts, especially due to its reliance on federal funding.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Block & Build

What is Block & Build about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Block & Build consistently analyzes the balance of political power in the U.S. through a movement lens, pairing clear-eyed assessments of authoritarian threats with practical organizing strategies. Episodes often feature organizers, journalists, and scholars who unpack how to build durable power, resilience, and strategic unity for social justice goals, from philanthropy and narrative infrastructure to housing justice and immigrant rights. A standout pattern is the show's willingness to critique established systems (corporate power, surveillance, and state violence) while offering tangible steps for communities to win long-term changes. The host's grounding in movement work and a steady rotation of seasoned guests make the show a go-to for ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Block & Build?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Block & Build:

1. Movement Memos
2. How to Survive the End of the World
3. Becoming the People Podcast with Prentis Hemphill
4. Jacobin Radio
5. The Nation Podcasts

How many episodes of Block & Build are there?

Block & Build launched 2 years ago and published 99 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Block & Build?

Recent guests on Block & Build include:

1. Lee Tim Ly
2. Dr. Maribel Morey
3. Chris Landry
4. Nikki Marín Baena
5. Josh Poe
6. Kelly Hayes
7. Gerald Horne
8. Marzena Zukowska

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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