Episodes

9/11: 25 Years Later — A Moment of Reflection and Gratitude Twenty-five years later, we pause to remember September 11, 2001, and the lives forever changed by one of the darkest days in American history. Often overlooked in the retelling is a painful truth: the first victims were airline crews and passengers—people who began their day simply doing their jobs or traveling to their destinations. Recorded at the Women’s Veterans Museum, this special tribute brings together moments of reflection,...

🎙️ AMERICA AT 250: WHO GIVES A DAMN ABOUT THE AMERICAN WORKER? The eight-hour workday, weekends off, overtime, workplace safety, collective bargaining, healthcare benefits, and retirement security weren’t corporate gifts. Workers fought for them! In Season 5, Episode 75 of Cuckoo4Politics, I’m joined by Keturah “KJ” Johnson, International Vice President of AFA-CWA, for a Labor Day conversation about worker power and the future of organized labor. Using the airline industry as a lens, we tackl...

The Debrief continues our thought-provoking conversation with Pastor Selena Dionne Brown about faith, justice, and America’s unfinished promise. In this episode, we explore what it truly means to walk by faith in a nation deeply divided by politics, race, and religion. Pastor Brown reminds us that authentic faith requires believers to remain connected to God. As Jesus teaches in John 15, He is the vine and we are the branches. That spiritual connection gives us the strength to endure life’s cha...

As America commemorates its 250th anniversary, a profound question remains: Has the nation truly fulfilled its promise of liberty, justice, and equality for all—or are we still confronting freedoms delayed and promises unfinished? Pastor Selena Dionne Brown, a passionate community leader with more than three decades of ministry experience, joins Cuckoo4Politics for a powerful conversation about faith, justice, and America’s unfinished promise. Together, we examine how faith and politics interse...

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Americans are asking difficult questions about democracy, freedom, race, identity, and whether the nation is still living up to the ideals upon which it was founded. In the premiere episode of the America at 250 series, host Michael Desrosiers sits down with Tameko Patterson, former Chair of the Monroe County Democratic Committee, corporate executive, and community leader, for an in-depth conversation about the political and cultural crossr...

After the votes are counted, what happens next? In this episode of The Debrief, host Michael Desrosiers sits down with former PA-7 congressional candidate Carol Obando-Derstine for an honest conversation about the realities of running for office — and what campaigns reveal long before Election Day. Carol reflects on the role of endorsements, fundraising, outside influence, voter engagement, and the challenges of building a grassroots movement in a low-turnout environment. She shares lessons le...

The Debrief, hosted by Michael Desrosiers, is an extension of the Cuckoo4Politics Podcast — a space where conversations continue beyond the formal interview to unpack deeper meaning, reflection, and perspective. Using reflections from recent interviews — including a conversation with congressional candidate , Carol Obando-Derstine — this episode examines how meaningful engagement does not always end when the recording stops.In this episode, Carol Obando-Durstein, a dedicated community advocate a...

On this edition of The Debrief on the Cuckoo4Politics Podcast, host Michael Desrosiers continues the conversation with the outgoing United Airlines MEC President Ken Diaz for a deeper look into the long game behind airline labor negotiations. Building beyond the TA2 discussion, Ken breaks down how the Railway Labor Act, prolonged negotiations, targeted bargaining strategies, leadership accountability, and industry restructuring continue shaping the future of flight attendants and airline worker...

On this episode of the Cuckoo4Politics Podcast, host Michael Desrosiers sits down with Ken Diaz, Master Executive Council President representing United Airlines Flight Attendants, which is part of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA), for an in-depth conversation breaking down the realities behind one of the airline industry’s most closely watched labor negotiations.From the overwhelming rejection of the tentative agreement to the ongoing debates surrounding retro pay, sit time, sc...

Season 5 of the Cuckoo4Politics Podcast premieres with host Michael Desrosiers sitting down for a timely and engaging conversation with Carol Obando-Derstine, candidate for Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District. Together, they explore grassroots organizing, coalition-building, and the changing political landscape shaping communities across Pennsylvania and beyond. Carol shares her campaign philosophy centered on accessibility, transparency, and genuine community connection — discussing mult...

Breast cancer often surfaces in the moments people don’t talk about—appointments pushed months out, mixed messages from providers, and the quiet fear that something serious might be brushed aside. In this episode, Michael Desrosiers sits down with flight attendants Kimberly Burckhalter and Derrian Aversa, whose diagnoses are decades apart yet shaped by the same need to push for answers. Kim recalls finding a lump in her early thirties and refusing to accept reassurances that didn’t feel right. ...

In this episode of Cuckoo4Politics, host Michael engages with Shaneka Storey, a candidate for the East Stroudsburg School Board. They discuss the challenges facing the school district, including funding issues, educational equity, and the importance of diverse representation in education. Storey shares her personal motivations for running, emphasizing her commitment to advocating for all children and the need for better support and compensation for teachers. The conversation also touches on comm...

Welcome to Shift Change- Closing Arguments . In this pivotal episode, titled Closing Argument, I am joined by the union president who helped lead negotiations for the tentative agreement with United Airlines. As the vote deadline approaches, he delivers more than just a case for the agreement—he offers a message about leadership, unity, and the personal toll this entire process has taken on him , the entire negotiating team and most importantly the entire union membership. With honesty and em...

In this episode , I sit down with a passionate union member who stands firm against the recently proposed tentative agreement. Despite the known challenges, he is advocating that a better deal can be made with emphasis in the need for stronger protections and fairer terms for flight attendants. In this episode, we explore perspectives on what it means to push for change from within and the importance of holding both the union and the company accountable. Tune in for an insightful conversation on...

In this episode of Cuckoo4Politics, host Michael engages with negotiator Ken Diaz to discuss the intricacies of union negotiations, particularly focusing on the recent tentative agreement (TA) affecting flight attendants. They delve into various topics including hotel standards, dispute resolution processes, changes in communication methods, the significance of side letters in contracts, retirement plans, corporate loyalty, training pay, and the distinction between retro pay and bonuses. Through...

Flight attendants are asking for more than better pay. They’re asking to be seen for the long hours, the missed time with family, and the toll that decades of demanding schedules have taken on their lives. Michael Desrosiers reconnects with Ken Diaz, a longtime flight attendant and the lead negotiator for United’s union, to talk through the tentative agreement now in the hands of the members. Ken speaks openly about what the union won, what it couldn’t, and why he’s choosing to vote yes. But th...

What happens when a 100-year-old labor law meets a modern airline CEO determined to draw the line on healthcare? In Part 2 of the Shift Change series, Michael welcomes back Ken Diaz, President of the United Airlines Master Executive Council, for a frank and detailed look at what really happens at the bargaining table. What’s behind the years-long delays in reaching a contract? And why is healthcare, something most people take for granted, suddenly a flashpoint for flight attendants? Ken doesn’...

When corporate profits hit record highs but workers are still fighting for fair pay, safe conditions, and a seat at the table, something’s off. In this premiere episode of The Debrief, a special series from Cuckoo 4 Politics, host Michael Desrosiers brings you one-on-one conversations and post-show commentary that go deeper than the main episode ever could. These are the follow-ups, the “after the mic” moments where the real talk continues and nothing’s left on the cutting room floor. Michael ...

Flight attendants are the face of the airline industry, yet many still aren't paid until the plane leaves the gate—while executives take home millions. Michael Desrosiers talks with Sara Nelson, International President of the Association of Flight Attendants, about what’s behind the latest contract fight at United Airlines and why this moment matters for every airline worker. With decades of experience in labor organizing, Sara lays out how outdated laws, corporate tactics, and union density sh...

When governments want to help, they do. Refugees learn quickly who is seen and who is overlooked. Michael Desrosiers talks with Kayra Martinez, the founder of Love Without Borders for Refugees in Need, about what real support looks like and who gets it. Kayra has spent nearly a decade working with refugees in Greece, building an art-centered nonprofit that gives people more than just supplies. It gives them agency. How does someone with no formal training end up running a global humanitarian e...

Immigration is a human story shaped by trauma, resilience and the fight to be seen beyond stereotypes. Michael Desrosiers is joined by Kayra Martinez, the founder of Love Without Borders for Refugees in Need, for a conversation that moves beyond headlines to the lived experiences of those forced to leave everything behind. What do we really know about the people crossing borders in search of safety? And how much of that understanding is shaped by fear rather than fact? Kayra shares what she’s ...

Families are drifting apart, friendships are fading, and the political divide feels deeper than ever. Michael Desrosiers sits down with returning guest Ken Diaz to talk about the personal cost of today’s political climate. Ken, a longtime advocate for workers’ rights and LGBTQ+ issues, shares how his own family relationships have unraveled over politics. What happens when a loved one shuts you out, not because of something you did, but because of who you voted for? The conversation explores ho...

Union power, corporate influence, and a presidency without guardrails—Michael Desrosiers and Ken Diaz break down what’s ahead for labor rights in Trump’s second term. Michael sits down with Ken Diaz, Master Executive Council President for United Airlines Flight Attendants, to talk about the challenges unions may face under the new administration. With Trump back in office, what happens to the surge in worker activism? Will the momentum behind union organizing hold, or will corporate influence p...

“Is this America that I woke up to? I was naive to think we’ve moved forward,” says Michael Desrosiers in this episode of Cuckoo 4 Politics. Joined by his Raw & Uncut “sidekick” Sam Jean and Dr. Damary Bonilla-Rodriguez, an expert in diversity-focused leadership, Michael confronts the “aftermath”—raw emotions and deeper truths revealed by the recent election. Why do so many voters support flawed candidates? What keeps racism, sexism, and privilege so firmly embedded in our systems? Why does pro...