As co-creator and former head writer of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, and co-founder of Air America Radio, Lizz Winstead has emerged as a critically-acclaimed political writer and producer. Both The Daily Show and Air America Radio have been credited with playing an essential role in the mobilization of the youth vote in America, and Winstead has embraced her role as a trailblazer on the political landscape.

Her comedy with a message approach has truly set her apart in an industry heavily saturated with low-brow, and often times trite, humor. Winstead’s comedic style is always current, entertaining, and refreshingly irreverant. Having appeared on several talk shows on MSNBC and NPR - among others - she always has a relevant, thought-provoking, and witty take on the world around us.

Winstead has been recognized as one Entertainment Weekly’s "100 Most Creative People," nominated “Best Female Club Performer” by The American Comedy Awards, and has had numerous television appearances including HBO’s Women of the Night, The US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, and Comedy Central Presents..., as well as several basic cable stand-up comedy specials and VH-1 “Greatest” series.

As a performer, Winstead brought her sharp political wit to The Daily Show as a Correspondent and later to the radio co-hosting Unfiltered, Air America Radio’s mid-morning program with Hip Hop legend and commentator Chuck D, and renowned politico Rachel Maddow.

Currently, Winstead is head writer, producer, and co-host of Wake Up World, a satirical morning show performed as a live stage show with her comedy troop, Shoot the Messenger. She is also a regular guest on MSNBC's The Ed Show, a frequent contributor to The Huffington Post, writes a bi-monthly column for the environmental magazine Plenty, and is also touring the country with her stand-up comedy to keep America laughing during these difficult times.

At the podium, Lizz discusses how The Daily Show and Air America were conceived, the media's role in our lives, the ever-decreasing amount of "real news" on the network morning shows, and how comedy can be used as a tool for social change.