Justice Over ICE: Fighting for Fair Immigration
2025-10-22 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | BigTent Zoom Room
On October 22, BigTentUSA hosted a thought-provoking conversation with Kerry Kennedy, President of ‪RFK Human Rights and ‪Senator Chris Murphy‬ (D-CT), moderated by ‪The Bulwark‬’s Sam Stein.
Rather than focusing solely on policy reform, the speakers explored how decades of broken promises from both Democrats and Republicans — coupled with the lack of a shared understanding of what it truly means to be American — have fueled the intolerance underlying today’s immigration crisis. They reflected on how this erosion of shared values has weakened trust in institutions and deepened divisions across the country.
The discussion also examined the broader democratic moment, from the real-world impact of the ongoing government shutdown to the growing threats posed by authoritarianism. Kennedy and Murphy emphasized that lasting progress depends not only on government action but on the collective power of citizens and civil society organizations to push for accountability and justice.
It was an illuminating and deeply human conversation — a call to restore our sense of common purpose and to harness the power of civic engagement in defense of democracy and human rights.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Kerry Kennedy is president of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, where she partners with courageous activists around the world to advance justice and human dignity. A human rights lawyer and author of the New York Times bestsellers Being Catholic Now and Speak Truth to Power, Kennedy has spent more than four decades championing causes from women’s rights and criminal justice reform to freedom of expression and environmental justice.
The seventh child of Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy, she has led hundreds of human rights delegations globally and appears frequently as a commentator and contributor in national media. Kennedy serves on the boards of the U.S. Institute of Peace and the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation, among others, and has received numerous international honors for her advocacy. She is a graduate of Brown University and Boston College Law School and the proud mother of three daughters.
Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), the junior United States Senator from Connecticut, has dedicated his career to public service as an advocate for Connecticut families. Senator Murphy has been a strong voice in the Senate fighting for job creation, affordable health care, education, sensible gun laws, and a forward-looking foreign policy.
Senator Murphy is a consensus builder and many times throughout his political career has worked to bridge the political divide. He led a bipartisan effort to reform the mental health system, working across the aisle to craft the first comprehensive mental health bill in the Senate in decades. Following the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school in 2012, Senator Murphy became one of the leading proponents of commonsense reforms to reduce gun violence. He has championed a number of bipartisan bills aimed at expanding background checks and keeping guns out of the hands of criminals. And most recently, he was the lead Democratic negotiator of the breakthrough bipartisan border reform agreement.
Sam Stein is managing editor for The Bulwark. Prior to then he was Deputy Managing Editor for Politics at Politico. He held similar posts at both The Daily Beast and HuffPost, where he founded the site’s D.C. bureau. He has been a longtime contributor on MSNBC. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College, where he met his wife!

Joyce Vance Book Event: "Giving Up Is Unforgivable"
2025-11-11 19:00 - 20:00
On November 11, BigTent hosted an urgent and inspiring virtual conversation with Joyce Vance — former U.S. Attorney, MSNBC legal analyst, and author of the new book Giving Up Is Unforgivable — moderated by Vanita Gupta, NYU Law Scholar and Director of the Center for Law and Public Trust at NYU Law School.
Framed around Joyce’s powerful new book, the discussion explored the threats facing American democracy — including the Administration’s ongoing efforts to limit voting rights, the erosion of the rule of law, and the dangers posed by attempts to expand executive power. Joyce offered expert legal analysis on these challenges and what they mean for the future of the country.
Throughout the conversation, Joyce shared riveting stories of hope and resilience from her decades in public service, inspiring us all to stay engaged, defend our democratic values, and never give up.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Joyce White Vance is a Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Alabama, a legal analyst for NBC and MSNBC, and the author of the Civil Discourse newsletter. She co-hosts the podcasts #SistersInLaw and Insider with Preet Bharara. A former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama under President Obama. Joyce lives in Alabama with her husband, retired Judge Robert Vance Jr., their four kids, a collection of pets—and she knits, a lot.
Vanita Gupta is a Distinguished Scholar in Residence and Director of the Center for Law and Public Trust at NYU Law. She served as the 19th Associate Attorney General of the United States (2021–2024), leading key Justice Department divisions and initiatives on police reform, reproductive rights, and environmental justice. Previously, she was President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and led the DOJ Civil Rights Division under President Obama. Earlier, at the ACLU and NAACP Legal Defense Fund, she helped overturn wrongful convictions in Tulia, Texas. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Yale College and NYU Law.

After the Election: What Voters Really Think
2025-11-19 17:00 - 18:00
BigTentUSA hosted a lively post-election conversation on November 19 with Sarah Longwell of The Bulwark, journalist and founder of The Up and Up Rachel Janfaza, and political strategist Lis Smith. The group dug into what actually drove voters in 2025, the surprises that even longtime experts didn’t see coming, and what all of it might mean as we head toward 2026.
A big message from the conversation was that candidates need to rethink how they connect with people. The speakers talked about the importance of better storytelling, being more comfortable and creative on social media, and showing greater empathy for what voters are going through. They also pointed out how crucial it is for political parties to support candidates who truly understand their local communities and to build a “big tent” that welcomes people with different experiences and ideas.
Overall, the event offered a clear and candid look at where voters are right now — and what it will take to earn their trust moving forward.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Sarah Longwell is the publisher of The Bulwark, which she co-founded in 2019, and host of the podcast The Focus Group, now in its sixth season. The Bulwark is one of the fastest-growing independent digital media companies and a home for honest, pro-democracy news and analysis.
A recognized expert in qualitative research, Sarah has hosted hundreds of focus groups and spoken with thousands of voters nationwide. Her work digs into what motivates voters and how they view major political issues, with a focus on persuadable swing voters, including current and former Trump voters. Her insights have been featured on PBS NewsHour, CNN, MSNBC, and elsewhere.
Rachel Janfaza is the founder of The Up and Up – a newsletter about young voters – and and a consultant on youth civic engagement and media strategy. A member of Generation Z, she is laser-focused on the cohort’s civic attitude and has convened listening sessions with hundreds of young people across the country. Her written work has been featured in The New York Times, CNN, The Free Press, Glamour, POLITICO Magazine, Teen Vogue, Vogue, Elle, Cosmo, and Bustle. And her on-air analysis has been featured on CNN, C-SPAN, The Hill TV, NY-1, WNYC Public Radio, and NPR/WBUR.
Lis Smith has been hailed as a “next-gen gunslinger,” “not your grandfather’s political consultant,” and “the hard-charging New York operative [who] helped turn an obscure Indiana mayor into a national name.” She is one of the most in-demand strategists in today’s political environment. Named to Fortune’s “40 under 40 in Government” and Crain’s “50 Most Powerful Women in New York,” Smith continues to work as a strategist and regularly contributes opinion pieces to publications like the New York Times, Washington Post, and Vanity Fair, in addition to appearing as a frequent guest on MSNBC, CNN, Fox News, and HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher.

From the Campaign Trail: Faith and Politics in Texas
2025-12-08 10:00 - 11:00
BigTentUSA and COURIER Texas recently hosted a thoughtful conversation featuring Texas State Representative James Talarico, COURIER Texas Organizing Director Dawn Jones, and independent journalist Aaron Parnas. The panel reflected on the rapidly evolving political environment in Texas and how upcoming statewide battles could shape the years ahead.
The discussion highlighted the essential role of reliable, community-rooted journalism—especially as Texans confront ongoing redistricting fights, a high-profile Senate race, and the road to the 2026 midterms. Speakers emphasized that strong local reporting helps voters cut through noise, hold leaders accountable, and stay informed in a complex media landscape.
Rep. Talarico spoke openly about the values guiding his public service, noting how staying true to his beliefs helps him connect with constituents across party lines. Throughout the conversation, the panel underscored the importance of removing special-interest influence from politics and refocusing government on meeting community needs.
They closed by encouraging viewers to take an active role in their neighborhoods—whether through civic engagement, supporting trusted local news sources, or helping strengthen democratic participation at the grassroots level.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
James Talarico is an eighth-generation Texan, former middle school teacher, and preacher.
Born to a single mom in Round Rock, James earned degrees from The University of Texas at Austin, Harvard University, and Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Before serving in the Legislature, he taught English on the Westside of San Antonio — one of Texas’ poorest zip codes.
Elected as state representative at the age of 29, he has led the fight against the billionaire mega-donors and their puppet politicians who have taken over our country. Now, he is running for U.S. Senate to take his fight against Big Money and corruption to Washington and win back power for working people in a system that’s rigged for the ultra-wealthy.
Learn more at jamestalarico.com
Dawn Jones, born and raised in Houston, Texas, is a proud two-time graduate of Texas Southern University. She has dedicated the past decade to social justice advocacy, managing student organizing programs for presidential, senate, and gubernatorial campaigns. With extensive experience in building grassroots movements, she now serves as the Texas Organizing Director for COURIER Texas, where she bridges the gap between organizing and civic media.
Aaron Parnas is one of the leading Gen Z voices shaping how news is consumed today. An independent journalist, political commentator, strategist, and attorney, Aaron has quickly become a key figure in the national political conversation, offering sharp insights at the intersection of law, media, and policy.
He first gained widespread attention through viral, educational content that breaks down complex political issues in a fast, accessible way—particularly resonating with younger, highly engaged audiences. His rapid-response analysis of major court decisions, legislative battles, and election narratives has made him a trusted voice for millions across platforms.

2026 Midterms: The Game Plan
2025-12-11 19:00 - 20:00
BigTentUSA wrapped up its final virtual event of the year with an energizing conversation featuring Gretchen Barton of Worthy Strategy Group and Michael Frias of Catalist. They broke down what the 2025 results and new exit polling are telling us about the road ahead and shared the key shifts that will shape the fight to win back Congress in 2026.
The speakers reminded everyone that real progress happens when Democrats connect with swing voters by listening, finding shared values, and showing there’s room for them in the bigger pro-democracy community—rather than pushing them away.
They also dug into what the 2025 electorate revealed about persuasion and turnout, how different groups showed up, and where the biggest opportunities lie next year. And they closed with practical advice on how people, campaigns, and organizations can step up now—including smart ways to direct political donations so they make the strongest possible impact.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Gretchen Barton is the founder of Worthy Strategy Group, a research and strategy firm shaping influential narratives in American public life. A leading researcher and strategist, she has led national studies on poverty, women and leadership, the youth vote, immigration, gender in America, global nuclear disarmament, how Americans discern truth, what they seek in their next president, and what the Democratic and Republican brands signify. Over the past three years, she has spearheaded research and messaging in support of Ukraine and advocated for the return of Ukrainian children captured by Russian forces. Her work has been used by the U.S. State Department, global governments, and NGOs. She has also worked extensively to identify programs and messaging that reduce antisemitism. Gretchen has conducted interviews with over 3,000 Americans and designed polling reaching more than 200,000. She heads the American Leadership Project and advises History Wars. A Cornell graduate, she has authored multiple publications and research studies.
Michael Frias is the Chief Executive Officer of Catalist, the premier progressive data and analytics firm supporting campaigns, advocacy groups, and civic organizations nationwide. As Catalist’s first Latino CEO, he has led the company through a period of innovation, strengthening its role as a trusted source of rigorous and actionable insights into the American electorate. Michael brings over twenty years of experience at the intersection of politics, government, and national security. At the Department of Homeland Security, he served as Deputy Chair of the Common Vetting Task Force, where he led the creation of a big data environment to improve information sharing across DHS and the intelligence community, earning the Secretary’s Award for Excellence from Secretary Jeh Johnson. His political experience includes serving as Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick, holding senior roles in Governor Janet Napolitano’s administration, and leading statewide and national campaigns. He advises several innovation- and equity-focused organizations.
