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• Erosion of the rule of law
• Loss of experienced public servants
• Rising hyper-partisanship

Panelists share firsthand insights and respond to questions from fellowship participants about public service, media, and civic engagement.

Speakers

• Brandon Stover – Network Manager, The Democracy Group
• Jenna Spinelli – Moderator, Founder of The Democracy Group
• Simone Leeper – Host of Democracy Decoded
• David Martin – Host of The Good Government Show
• David Beckemeyer – Host of Outrage Overload
• Fellowship Participants (Q&A)

Key Moments

00:00 – Introduction
Overview of the fellowship and panel purpose

01:08 – Simone: Threats to the Rule of Law

Executive overreach

Pressure on judicial independence

Election system concerns

06:42 – David Martin: Public Service Crisis

Loss of experienced civil servants

Institutional knowledge drain

Fear and silence within agencies

12:11 – David Beckemeyer: Hyper-Partisanship

Polarization as a root cause

Psychological blind spots

Citizens becoming “combatants”

16:53 – Q&A Begins

17:00 – Staying vs. Leaving Government

Ethical dilemmas for public servants

Personal trade-offs

21:59 – Young People in Politics

Encouragement to pursue public service

Importance of new leadership

24:21 – Media’s Role in Democracy

Amplifying underreported stories

Creating nuanced conversations

29:09 – Fellow Reflections

Inspiration and challenges

Desire for deeper, more balanced dialogue

Links

• The Democracy Group Podcast Fellowship
• Democracy Decoded
• The Good Government Show
• Outrage Overload

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00:00 Introduction 

00:49 Research Manager's Role and Survey Details

02:11 Inspiration and Process Behind the Study

03:27 Segmentation of Trump Voters

04:50 Reluctant Right and Immigration Views

09:06 Diversity in Trump's Coalition

14:37 Views on DEI and Critical Race Theory

17:36 Concluding Thoughts and Webinar Information

To learn more about each of the featured podcasts, visit the Shows page at democracygroup.org/shows.

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In this special episode from the Democracy Group Network, Aleena introduces her podcast 'Into the Woodland,' where she discusses the local government and events in The Woodlands, Texas. She explores the unique Woodlands Township government system, established in 2010, and details the roles of its Board of Directors and various advisory committees. Aleena also sheds light on the nine distinct villages within the Woodlands, each with their own village associations that host events and advocate for community change. Listeners are encouraged to participate in township meetings and access resources available on the township's website. 

• 00:00 Introduction to the Democracy Group Network 
• 00:23 Welcome to Into the Woodland 
• 00:37 Understanding the Woodlands Township Government 
• 01:06 The Role of Committees and Villages 
• 01:47 Conclusion and Farewell

Know a student interested in democracy and podcasts? Send them over to our fellowship to apply: https://www.democracygroup.org/fellowship

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 In this special episode, we dive into a candid conversation with Dr. Chris Beam, a research professor at Penn State focusing on political theory and social ethics. The episode covers Dr. Beam's academic background, his thoughts on the evolving relationship between Christian theology and democracy, and the rise of Christian nationalism in America. The discussion also delves into political dynamics, the economic focus of progressive politics, and the challenges faced by both the Democratic and Republican parties. Dr. Beam provides insights on how the U.S. political and cultural landscape has shifted over the years, the role of religion in shaping political ideologies, and the potential for progressive movements to regain their footing amidst current challenges. 

• 00:00 Introduction to the Democracy Group Network 
• 00:23 Guest Introduction and Background 
• 02:20 Christian Theology and Democracy 
• 05:02 Christian Nationalism and Its Implications 
• 07:36 The Role of Religion in American Politics 
• 23:04 Progressive Politics and Economic Issues 
• 31:44 Future of Progressive Politics 
• 41:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Know a student interested in democracy and podcasts? Send them over to our fellowship to apply: https://www.democracygroup.org/fellowship

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In this special episode of 'Democracy Reflected,' we sit down with Eric Pereira, Community Affairs Fellow at the Office of Council Member Shekar Krishnan, representing New York City's 25th City Council District. Eric discusses his role in connecting with constituents, addressing local issues, and the importance of representation in diverse neighborhoods like Jackson Heights and Elmhurst. He sheds light on the daily challenges and successes of ensuring that the voices of underrepresented communities are heard and their needs met. Eric shares how his team's linguistic diversity aids in building trust, the impact of legislative efforts on community advocacy, and his journey into public service inspired by his background. This episode highlights the real-world effects of effective local governance and offers insights into how young people can get involved in public service. 

• 00:00 Introduction to the Democracy Group Network
• 00:23 Meet Eric Pereira: Community Affairs Fellow
• 01:42 The Importance of Representation in Local Government
• 04:40 Challenges and Barriers in Political Spaces
• 07:48 Building Trust and Effective Communication
• 09:31 Future of Representation and Civic Engagement
• 23:06 Personal Journey and Inspiration for Public Service
• 24:36 Encouraging Youth Participation in Public Service
• 27:49 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

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The episode features an in-depth conversation with Kayla Pilgrim, a 19-year-old founder of Civic Success, about her journey in civic engagement, the motivations behind her work, and the innovative ways her organization is inspiring young people to participate in civic life. Kayla discusses the challenges and opportunities of modernizing civic engagement, the impact of social media, the barriers young people face, and the importance of sustained, meaningful involvement. The episode concludes with practical advice for young listeners looking to get involved in their communities. 

• 00:00 Introduction to the Democracy Group Network 
• 00:23 Welcome to Civically Thinking 
• 01:19 Meet Kayla Pilgrim: A Young Civic Leader 
• 02:40 Kayla's Journey into Civic Engagement 
• 05:20 The Civic Success Project 
• 10:01 Challenges and Innovations in Civic Engagement 
• 14:44 The Role of Social Media in Civic Engagement 
• 17:58 Personal Challenges and Staying Engaged 
• 23:36 Advice for Young People on Getting Involved 26:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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The conversation also delves into the critical issue of public disengagement, the absence of a shared reality, and the historical context behind these issues. Fellows react to these serious concerns, sharing their perspectives and personal connections to the topics discussed. 

The episode aims to encourage participation in the democratic process and offers insights into fostering more effective communication and connection across political divides. 

This panel was part of the Podcast Fellowship hosted by The Democracy Group and feature the fellows' reactions and reflections to the panels discussion.

Topics discussed:

•  Defining a Healthy Democracy
• First Amendment and Its Threats 
• Threats to Due Process 
• Challenges to Free and Fair Elections 
• Youth Disengagement and Political Corruption 
• Polarization and Historical Context 

Panelists include:

• Jenna Spinelle, host of Democracy Works
• Corey Nathan, host of Talkin' Politics N' Religion Without Killin' Each Other
• Stephanie Gerber Wilson, host of Freedom Over Facism
• Kamy Akhavan, Executive Director of USC Center for the Political Future
• Michael Baranowski, host of the Politics Guys

To learn more about each of the featured podcasts, visit the Shows page at democracygroup.org/shows.

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About Ben Rhodes

Rhodes is a writer, political commentator, and national security analyst. He is the author of the New York Times bestsellers After the Fall: Being American in the World We’ve Made, and The World As It Is: A Memoir of the Obama White House. He is currently co-host of Pod Save the World. His work has also been published in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Foreign Affairs.  

From 2009-2017, Ben served as a speechwriter and Deputy National Security Advisor to President Obama. In that capacity, he participated in all of President Obama’s key decisions, oversaw the President’s national security communications and public diplomacy, and led the secret negotiations with the Cuban government that resulted in the effort to normalize relations between the United States and Cuba.

To learn more about each of the featured podcasts, visit the Shows page at democracygroup.org/shows.

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We're bringing you a special series this week to answer help you answer the question, is this the end of democracy?

We'll be featuring episodes leading political scientists, legal scholars, and former government officials who have spent decades studying democratic systems—and their collapse.

If you'd like a comprehensive analysis of this question, you can visit the article linked  that explores the four pillars necessary for democracy to function properly, examine how democracies throughout history have failed, and identify the five major warning signs of democratic decline that experts are tracking today. Most importantly, we'll address what everyday citizens can do to strengthen democratic institutions before it's too late.

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We're bringing you a special series this week to answer help you answer the question, is this the end of democracy?

We'll be featuring episodes leading political scientists, legal scholars, and former government officials who have spent decades studying democratic systems—and their collapse.

If you'd like a comprehensive analysis of this question, you can visit the article linked  that explores the four pillars necessary for democracy to function properly, examine how democracies throughout history have failed, and identify the five major warning signs of democratic decline that experts are tracking today. Most importantly, we'll address what everyday citizens can do to strengthen democratic institutions before it's too late.

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We're bringing you a special series this week to answer help you answer the question, is this the end of democracy?

We'll be featuring episodes leading political scientists, legal scholars, and former government officials who have spent decades studying democratic systems—and their collapse.

If you'd like a comprehensive analysis of this question, you can visit the article linked  that explores the four pillars necessary for democracy to function properly, examine how democracies throughout history have failed, and identify the five major warning signs of democratic decline that experts are tracking today. Most importantly, we'll address what everyday citizens can do to strengthen democratic institutions before it's too late.

Enjoying the show? Subscribe to hear other lectures at Penn State McCourtney Institute for Democracy!

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We're bringing you a special series this week to answer help you answer the question, is this the end of democracy?

We'll be featuring episodes leading political scientists, legal scholars, and former government officials who have spent decades studying democratic systems—and their collapse.

If you'd like a comprehensive analysis of this question, you can visit the article linked  that explores the four pillars necessary for democracy to function properly, examine how democracies throughout history have failed, and identify the five major warning signs of democratic decline that experts are tracking today. Most importantly, we'll address what everyday citizens can do to strengthen democratic institutions before it's too late.

Enjoying the show? Subscribe to hear other lectures at Penn State McCourtney Institute for Democracy!

👉 Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/@mccourtneyinst

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We're bringing you a special series this week to answer help you answer the question, is this the end of democracy?

We'll be featuring episodes leading political scientists, legal scholars, and former government officials who have spent decades studying democratic systems—and their collapse.

If you'd like a comprehensive analysis of this question, you can visit the article linked  that explores the four pillars necessary for democracy to function properly, examine how democracies throughout history have failed, and identify the five major warning signs of democratic decline that experts are tracking today. Most importantly, we'll address what everyday citizens can do to strengthen democratic institutions before it's too late.

Enjoying the show? Subscribe to hear the rest of Democracy in Danger's episodes!

👉 Subscribe here: https://pod.link/1524519065

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're bringing you a special series this week to answer help you answer the question, is this the end of democracy?

We'll be featuring episodes leading political scientists, legal scholars, and former government officials who have spent decades studying democratic systems—and their collapse.

If you'd like a comprehensive analysis of this question, you can visit the article linked  that explores the four pillars necessary for democracy to function properly, examine how democracies throughout history have failed, and identify the five major warning signs of democratic decline that experts are tracking today. Most importantly, we'll address what everyday citizens can do to strengthen democratic institutions before it's too late.

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The Great Battlefield Podcast

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Featuring:

• Sasha Issenberg (Moderator): Groundbreaking Author on Modern Campaigns & Marriage Equality
• Jane Coaston: Journalist; CNN Contributor; Host of Crooked Media’s “What A Day"
• Reince Priebus: Former Chairman of the Republican National Committee
• Simon Rosenberg: Political Strategist; Author/Creator of Hopium Chronicles
• Chuck Todd: Chief Political Analyst, NBC News

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Let's Find Common Ground Podcast

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New Faces of Democracy podcast

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Contributing Washington Post opinion writer Dr. Ted Johnson joins us again to discuss his beautiful, powerful new book “If We are Brave: Essays of Black Americana.”

The program is faciliated by Dr. Nashid Madyun, Executive Director of Florida Humanities. Find the program online here.

This program is part of the series in partnership with Florida Humanities — “UNUM: Democracy Reignited,” a multi-year digital offering exploring the past, present and future of the American idea — as it exists on paper, in the hearts of our people, and as it manifests (or sometimes fails to manifest) in our lives.

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The Village SquareCast Podcast

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Ezra’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

1. Organize in your community with like-minded Americans 
2. Use your constituent power to influence the political calculus of your elected representative

Ezra Levin is the Co-Executive Director of Indivisible, which he co-founded with Leah Greenberg in the wake of the 2016 presidential election. He’s also the co-author of We Are Indivisible: A Blueprint for Democracy After Trump.

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Future Hindsight Podcast

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IN THIS EPISODE:

• The foundational role of housing in light of the affordable housing crisis.

• Senator Troy Singleton’s perspective on the status of affordable housing in New Jersey.

• Housing initiatives in New Jersey.

• Challenging dynamics around affordable housing.

• His journey into working in government.

• What changed for Senator Troy when he moved into a leadership position.

• Two tips to manage time and balance responsibilities.

• How people are feeling in New Jersey following the recent elections.

• Interests of different demographics.

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An Honorable Profession Podcast

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Braver Faith is one the newest and most vibrant groups within Braver Angels— America's largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement that works to push back against rigid polarization. Led by faith leaders from many different religious backgrounds and beliefs, Braver Faith is a civic organization that develops educational tools to build bridges between people who are divided over politics.

Mark Beckwith speaks with us about the group's goals and principles. "So many people that I talk to within Braver Angels tell me their commitment emerges from their particular faith", he tells us.

Ordained in the Episcopal Church in 1979, Mark Beckwith has served parishes in Connecticut, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Elected Bishop of Newark, New Jersey, he served in that capacity for 12 years before retiring in 2018. Bishop Beckwith is a liaison for Bishops United Against Gun Violence, and is the co-founder of Faith Leaders for Ending Gun Violence, a national ecumenical group of diverse leaders. He is the author of "Seeing the Unseen: Beyond Prejudices, Paradigms and Party Lines."

Braver Faith organized an online gathering the evening before President Trump's inaugural January 20. Here's a link. Three speakers shared their thoughts about how faith can play a role in building bridges. Prayers from a range of faith traditions were offered. We include short extracts in this podcast. 

"How Do We Fix It?" publishes frequently. We report on the projects, people, and ideas of Braver Angels.

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How Do We Fix It? Podcast

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What We Discuss:

• Strategies for practicing discernment in consuming media and news.
• The importance of mindfulness and staying present in times of uncertainty.
• How local and state-level civic participation can make a meaningful impact.
• Insights into nurturing relationships with those holding differing political views.
• The role of beauty, truth, and community in sustaining democratic ideals.

Episode Highlights:

1. Introduction: Corey shares updates on a recent wildfire evacuation and gratitude for firefighters' efforts.
2. Pro-Democracy Patriots: Corey explores how individuals committed to democracy can stay engaged and positive during anti-democratic times.
3. Reflecting on MLK Day: The significance of Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and the moral universe's arc bending toward justice.
4. Media Discernment: Corey discusses how he filters through news and commentary to focus on credible journalism and meaningful content.
5. Practicing Mindfulness: The importance of staying present in the moment to avoid spiraling into anxiety.
6. Truth and Beauty: A reflection on Kristen du Mez's advice to seek out beauty and truth for strength and grounding.
7. Navigating Relationships: Balancing relationships with those holding differing political views while maintaining personal boundaries.
8. Local Civic Engagement: Why local and state politics deserve more attention and how they affect daily life more significantly than federal issues.

Featured Quotes:

• “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” – Reflecting on MLK Jr.’s wisdom.
• “Practicing discernment means filtering out the junk from the substance and focusing on credible voices.” – Corey Nathan.
• “You can still love people who disagree with you—sometimes from a safe distance.” – Corey Nathan.
• “Truth is about staying generous in a world that baits you into resentment.” – Kristen Du Mez.

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Talkin‘ Politics & Religion Without Killin‘ Each Other Podcast

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Our guests this week, Rachel Kleinfeld of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Nicole Bibbins Sedaca of Freedom House and the George W. Bush Institute, are two of the leading voices on how to prevent political violence and create a healthier democracy. They join us to discuss what causes political violence and what democracies around the world can do to prevent it by addressing both cultural and structural issues in politics.

After the interview, Chris Beem and Cyanne Loyle discuss whether non-violent protest movements can successfully combat political violence amid growing polarization and support for political violence from some elected officials and political leaders.

Kleinfeld and Bibbins Sedaca are the authors of the article "How to Prevent Political Violence," which appeared in the fall 2024 issue of The Journal of Democracy.

Journal of Democracy article: How to Prevent Political Violence

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Democracy Works Podcast

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The Bully Pulpit Podcast

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In the season premiere of Democracy Determined, host Jenny Marquez delves into the crucial topic of youth involvement in democracy. Special guest Aliza Lifshitz, a coalition organizer and strategist for youth movements like Youth and Gov and Voters of Tomorrow, discusses her inspiring journey into political activism, her roles in youth-led organizations, and the unique challenges young leaders face. Aliza emphasizes the importance of resisting external narratives, the role of mentorship, and the need for coalition building. The episode concludes with reflections on the future of youth engagement and the legacy of current young activists.

00:00 Welcome to Democracy Determined 

00:41 Meet Aliza Lifshitz: Youth Movement Leader 

01:18 Aliza's Journey into Political Activism 

02:37 Youth and Gov: A Coalition for Change 

03:40 Voters of Tomorrow: Empowering Gen Z 

04:26 The Unique Role of Young People in Politics 

07:06 Challenges Faced by Young Leaders 

08:47 The Importance of Mentorship 

10:45 Ensuring Sustainability in Youth Movements 

13:24 Equipping Young People for Success 

16:10 Building a Legacy of Coalition and Unity 

18:09 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Know a student interested in democracy and podcasts? Send them over to our fellowship to apply: https://www.democracygroup.org/fellowship 

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In this inaugural episode of 'Democracy on Fire,' host Dashiell Quinn discusses the vulnerabilities and challenges facing democracy with special guest Mr. Hauser, an experienced lawyer and former federal prosecutor. The conversation dives into key issues such as political polarization, media manipulation, misinformation, and the integrity of politicians. Through insightful dialogue, they explore the current state of democracy, the historical context of political division, and potential paths forward. This episode underscores the importance of understanding our founding principles and emphasizes the need for a more informed and engaged public. 

00:00 Introduction to Democracy on Fire 

00:58 Understanding Democracy's Fragility 

01:21 Meet Our Special Guest: Mr. Hauser 

01:46 Mr. Hauser's Background and Experience 

03:33 Discussing Polarization and Partisanship 

09:06 Media Manipulation and Misinformation 

13:49 The Issue of Lying Politicians 

18:01 Maintaining Integrity and Honor in Democracy 

23:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode of Town Hall Conversations, Sabrina from Fairfield, Connecticut, interviews Jen Leeper, a state representative from the 132nd district of Connecticut. Jen shares insights into her background, journey to office, and passion for public policy. She discusses the importance of state government, outlines the process of how a bill becomes law, and responds to questions from Sabrina's classmates about her role and responsibilities. The conversation covers Jen's motivations, challenges, and achievements, including the significance of community engagement and young people's voices in shaping future policies. 

00:00 Introduction to Town Talk Conversations 

01:06 Meet State Representative Jen Leeper

02:50 Jen Leeper's Journey to Office 

04:39 The Role and Responsibilities of a State Representative 

06:29 The Legislative Process Explained 

14:00 Community Engagement and Policy Priorities 

30:58 Challenges and Reflections 

38:29 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

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In this episode of Dear Government, host Claire Baek and guests from Shansley High School's newspaper, The Purple Tide, analyze and discuss the unexpected results of the 2024 presidential election. The conversation dives into the electoral and popular vote outcomes that led to President Donald Trump's victory and the reactions of young voters. They also touch on the importance of the working class, the role of media and marketing in campaigns, the effectiveness of Kamala Harris's debate performance, and the value of voting in a democracy. Personal voting experiences and reflections on what democracy means to students are shared.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions

01:06 Election Results and Initial Reactions

02:16 Trump's Appeal to the Working Class

04:12 Media and Marketing Strategies

05:01 Presidential Debate Analysis

08:27 Young People's Perspective on Voting

13:35 Defining Democracy and Student Involvement

18:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In the end, the worst of everyone’s election fears — political violence, overt foreign interference or a razor-thin margin between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump leading to a hotly contested legal battle — did not come to pass. Instead, Donald Trump won a plurality of votes for president, and did so decisively. On January 20, 2025, he will once again become the country’s most powerful executive.

His victory raises weighty questions for the experts at Campaign Legal Center. Trump ran explicitly on a platform of behaving like an authoritarian, promising to fire U.S. civil servants, threatening opponents with jail, and brandishing military force against would-be dissenters. As his return to power approaches, we grapple with a paradoxical election, in which voters declared their preference for the candidate who repeatedly threatened the American system as we know it.

Joining Simone in this episode are Trevor Potter, CLC’s president and founder, and CLC senior vice presidents Paul M. Smith and Bruce Spiva. They offer their forecasts for the uncertain years ahead and explain what this election did (and did not) signify about the health of American democracy.

Read the full transcript

Host and Guests:

Simone Leeper litigates a wide range of redistricting-related cases at CLC, challenging gerrymanders and advocating for election systems that guarantee all voters an equal opportunity to influence our democracy. Prior to arriving at CLC, Simone was a law clerk in the office of Senator Ed Markey and at the Library of Congress, Office of General Counsel. She received her J.D. cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center in 2019 and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Columbia University in 2016.

Trevor Potter is President at Campaign Legal Center. A Republican former Chairman of the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Trevor was general counsel to John McCain’s 2000 and 2008 presidential campaigns and an adviser to the drafters of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law. To many, he is perhaps best known for his recurring appearances on The Colbert Report as the lawyer for Stephen Colbert’s super PAC, Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow, during the 2012 election, a program that won a Peabody Award for excellence in reporting on money in politics.

The American Bar Association Journal has described Trevor as “hands-down one of the top lawyers in the country on the delicate intersection of politics, law and money.” Trevor is the author of several books and manuals on lobbying regulation and disclosure, campaign finance and federal election law. He has provided testimony and written statements to Congress on federal election proposals, campaign finance regulation and, recently, the effects of the January 6th attack on our democracy. He has also taught campaign finance law at the University of Virginia School of Law and Oxford University, and he has appeared widely in national broadcast and print media. During the 2020 election season, Trevor was named to the cross-partisan National Task Force on Election Crises.

Bruce Spiva is Senior Vice President at Campaign Legal Center. He is an attorney and community leader who has spent his over 30-year career fighting for civil rights and civil liberties, voting rights, consumer protection, and antitrust enforcement.

Over the past three decades, he has tried cases and argued appeals in courtrooms across the country, including arguing against vote suppression in the United States Supreme Court in 2021. In 2022, in his first run for public office, Bruce mounted a competitive run in the primary election for Washington, D.C. Attorney General.

In addition to founding his own law firm where he practiced for eleven years, Bruce has held several leadership and management positions as a partner at two national law firms. Most recently, Bruce served as the Managing Partner of the D.C. Office and on the firm-wide Executive Committee of Perkins Coie LLP, where he also had an active election law practice. He first-chaired twelve voting rights and redistricting trials across the country, and argued numerous voting rights appeals in U.S. circuit courts and state supreme courts during his tenure at Perkins.

Paul M. Smith is Senior Vice President at Campaign Legal Center. He works directly with CLC’s talented team of litigators to protect and advance American democracy through innovative litigation strategies.

Paul has four decades of experience litigating a wide range of cases. He has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court 21 times and secured numerous victories, including in the important cases advancing civil liberties and civil rights, Lawrence v. Texas, the landmark gay rights case, and Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Ass’n, which established First Amendment rights of those who produce and sell video games.

In addition, Paul has argued several voting rights cases at the Supreme Court, including Vieth v. Jubelirer and Gill v. Whitford, involving partisan gerrymandering, LULAC v. Perry, involving the legality of Texas’s mid-decade redrawing of congressional districts and Crawford v. Marion County Election Board, involving the constitutionality of a voter identification law. He served as counsel for amici in several key campaign finance merits cases including McCutcheon v. FEC (on behalf of Democratic House members), Arizona Free Enterprise Club’s Freedom Club PAC v. Bennett (on behalf of the Committee for Economic Development) and Citizens United v. FEC (on behalf of the Committee for Economic Development).

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Democracy Decoded Podcast

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In this week’s episode, host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Pittsburgh, PA, City Controller Rachael Heisler. Heisler explains the role of the controller, which consists of three core functions: accounting, accounts payable, and auditing. She also discussed her role in making sure that tax dollars are used responsibly and effectively and that they are spent in accordance with legislation that was passed and contracts that were signed. They talk about the challenges of urban budgets as office buildings and downtowns remain empty in the aftermath of the pandemic, as well as how to build trust within your community, fight for what is right, and campaign in swing states. Tune in to learn about Controller Heisler’s approach to her role in government and as a community leader, how she has stood against antisemitism, and why she has so much hope for Pittsburgh’s future.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [01:04] Pittsburgh Controller Rachael Heisler, her role, and why the City Controller is especially important in Pittsburgh.

• [03:08] Navigating the interplay of holding office members accountable while serving in office.

• [05:40] Delivering tricky news in a swing state.

• [08:55] What Controller Heisler would like to see change in Pittsburgh’s working environment.

• [12:14] Her career path up to this point which started in education before she fell in love with public service.

• [16:13] Why running for office is truly the most humbling thing you could do.

• [18:41] Pittsburgh community members attunement with maintaining the city’s fiscal health.

• [19:41] How Controller Heisler experienced moving from a Deputy role to occupying the position of Controller.

• [22:38] Her approach to speaking out against antisemitism in Pittsburgh and why she believes this is important.

• [30:47] Sentiment in Pittsburgh leading up to the elections and the incredible energy on the ground.

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An Honorable Profession Podcast

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We discuss deepening our understanding of the climate crisis, the urgent need for decarbonization, and our role in speaking truth about phasing out fossil fuels.

Genevieve Guenther is the founding director of End Climate Silence and affiliate faculty at The New School. Her most recent book is The Language of Climate Politics: Fossil-Fuel Propaganda and How to Fight It.

Genevieve’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

Call your elected representatives and demand policies to phase out fossil fuels.

If extreme weather comes up in conversation, connect the dots to climate change and say: “We really need to phase out fossil fuels so we can halt global heating.”

Follow Genevieve on X:

https://x.com/DoctorVive

Read The Language of Climate Politics:

https://bookshop.org/shop/futurehindsight

Follow Mila on X:

https://x.com/milaatmos

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The Democracy Group listener survey

Future Hindsight Podcast

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Regina Wallace-Jones joins The Great Battlefield podcast to talk about her career in tech, politics and business and her current role as CEO of ActBlue, a nonprofit fundraising platform for progressives, and where she wants to take it.

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The Great Battlefield Podcast

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Cynthia Miller-Idriss, one of America's leading experts on the far right, joins us this week to discuss what draws people to political extremism online and offline — and what we can do to combat it.

Miller-Idriss is the director of the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL) at American University and author of the book Hate in the Homeland: The New Global Far Right. As you'll hear, PERIL takes a public health approach to preventing violent extremism and provides tools and resources to help communities create resilient democracies.

In the interview, Miller-Idriss discusses how extremism and political violence are linked to our desire for community. This dynamic means that extremist ideas can pop up in seemingly innocuous places from martial arts groups to online wellness communities. She says understanding this dynamic is key to moving people away from extremist spaces and into constructive communities.

Miller-Idriss visited Penn State as part of the Mellon-funded Sawyer Seminar exploring the theme, "Birthing the Nation: Gender, Sex and Reproduction in Ethnonationalist Imaginaries."

Democracy Works Podcast

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We wanted you wonderful SquareCast listeners to know that we didn't plan for this episode to drop on Leap Day and we didn't plan on it being (we kid you not) Episode 100. But both things just happened. At the very least, we think that's a sign that you really ought to listen. Were we "the universe has a plan" maximalists, though, we'd say it means you need to quit your day job and follow bridge builders like Jon Haidt and The Village Square around like Jack Kerouac groupies. 

You pick. Here's our blurb to help inform your imminent life choice:

What if, at a pinnacle of our civilization’s technological achievement, everything just broke — the institutions we’ve come to rely upon in navigating a modern complex world, the shared stories that hold a large and diverse democratic republic together, and even a common language through which to navigate the rising tide of crisis.  According to renowned social psychologist and author Jonathan Haidt, this describes our current reality, one that he calls “After Babel.” In this new normal, we are scattered by a digital environment into feuding tribes that are governed by mob dynamics and driven by a minority of ideological outliers, made stupid at warp speed by group think, and — thanks to social media — armed with billions of metaphorical “dart guns” with which to immediately wound “the enemy” in ways that are hardly only metaphorical. What could go wrong?

Our very special guest, Dr. Jonathan Haidt, will delve into the profound impact of social media on democratic societies, dissecting the intricate web of challenges it poses to civic trust and civil discourse. Don’t miss this chance to hear from one of the foremost thought leaders of our time — one who has generously given his counsel to The Village Square, and countless efforts like ours — on this existential challenge of our time. Read Why the Past Ten Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid  in The Atlantic and learn more about Dr. Haidt by clicking the MORE button, below.

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For the past few episodes, Maren has explored the reality of immigration detention, uplifting the conditions in Department of Homeland Security (DHS) centers where thousands are held under the presumption that they may be threats to national security. In the season finale of Bad Watchdog, we return to where we started, with the DHS’s counterterrorism mission. Maren breaks down the current landscape of terrorism in the United States, where the most dangerous threat isn’t posed by those who’ve crossed our borders illegally, but by homegrown, far-right, violent extremists. And, as Maren learns, domestic violent extremism isn’t just a problem across the country — it’s a problem in DHS’s own ranks as well.

Domestic terrorism experts Daryl Johnson and Alejandro Buetel walk Maren through the rise of far-right violent extremism in the U.S. and interrogate whether DHS is taking the threat seriously. Maren discusses both shortfalls and potential solutions for how DHS could address far-right violent extremism with the Brennan Center for Justice’s Liberty’s Spencer Reynolds. POGO Senior Investigator Nick Schwellenbach shares his investigation into just how many Oath Keepers are or were employed at DHS. And Maren connects with people who are working to make this broken system more humane, including activists Arely Westley and Berto Hernandez, Las Americas Director of Cross-Border Strategies Crystal Sandoval, former POGO Senior Researcher Freddy Martinez, and POGO Senior Paralegal Lance Sims.

To report waste, fraud, or abuse in the federal government, please visit us at https://www.pogo.org/send-us-a-tip.

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Claassen grew up in South Africa and was 16 when the country held its first democratic elections. His interest in democracy continued through college and into his career as a political scientist. Today, he is a professor of political behavior at the University of Glasgow. One area of his research focuses on how to measure support for democracy. In a recent paper, he and colleagues developed 17 survey questions that cover all eight components of liberal democracy as defined by the V-Dem project in an effort to refine what people mean when they say the support or don't support democracy.

Berkman and Claassen also discuss how support for democracy is part of the 2024 U.S. election. Note that this interview was recorded in late October 2024 before the election took place.

Referenced in this episode: 
McCourtney Institute for Democracy Mood of the Nation Poll
Episode with Cynthia MIller-Idriss on communities and political extremism

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More than 150,000 readers each day turn to Tangle, a website read by liberals, conservatives and independents. Every day Tangle tackles one current debate in American politics, and summarizes arguments from left, right, and center. All Sides Bias Checker gives Tangle a "middle" rating, which means the site neither leans left nor right.

Our guest, politics reporter Isaac Saul, started Tangle in 2019 as an independent, ad-free, nonpartisan newsletter. He grew up in Bucks County Pa. — one of the most politically divided counties in America — where he was exposed to a huge range of political opinions and values. As a young journalist, Isaac learned the media ecosystem was broken when he found that he wasn’t being judged based on his writing, but where it was being published. 

On Tangle "you will encounter a wide range of views, including some you really disagree with," Isaac tells us. 

"We're trying to be a big tent news organization and we are succeeding at that... Our readership is split almost evenly between conservative and liberal readers." 

"I'm working from the premise that the reds and blues don't understand each other," he says. "I really do want to bring people under one roof with a shared set of arguments to analyze and talk about, and a shared set of facts to work from."

About this show: Every couple of weeks we release a new episode hosted by Richard Davies about the work, the ideas, and the people of Braver Angels, a remarkable band of brothers and sisters who get together across political divides in person and online: Reds and Blues who do battle against toxic polarization. In this show we speak with a fellow traveler of this effort. 

Links to news sites that feature a range of opinions on a single issue:

Tangle, All Sides, and Ground News.

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Do we need the Senate? What has caused gridlock in the Senate? What would the Senate look like during a second Trump term? These are some of the questions Sean, Lee, and James ask in this week’s episode.

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Topics Mike and Stephen discuss include:

- why tribal loyalty often overrides material self-interest

- demonizing outsiders to reinforce in-group virtue

- conservative disgust vs liberal disdain

- the ‘malignant, intuitive genius’ of Donald Trump

- the dark side of political purity

- the importance of being morally multi-lingual

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Maria Teresa’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

VOTE!

Share your excitement to vote with everyone you know, especially young people.

Maria Teresa Kumar is the President and CEO of Voto Latino, a civic engagement organization focused on educating and empowering a new generation of Latinx voters, as well as creating a more robust and inclusive democracy.

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Host and Guests:

Simone Leeper litigates a wide range of redistricting-related cases at CLC, challenging gerrymanders and advocating for election systems that guarantee all voters an equal opportunity to influence our democracy. Prior to arriving at CLC, Simone was a law clerk in the office of Senator Ed Markey and at the Library of Congress, Office of General Counsel. She received her J.D. cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center in 2019 and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Columbia University in 2016.

Stephen Richer is the 30th Recorder of Maricopa County.  He was elected in November 2020 and took office in January 2021. His office of approximately 150 employees records hundreds of thousands of public documents every year, maintains a voter registration database of 2.4 million voters -- the second largest voting jurisdiction in the United States -- and administers the mail voting component of all elections in Maricopa County. Prior to his time as Recorder, Stephen worked in various business sectors and, later, as an attorney at the law firms Steptoe & Johnson LLP and Lewis Roca LLP.  He holds a J.D. and M.A. from The University of Chicago and a B.A. from Tulane University.  He is completing his PhD at Arizona State University.

Adav Noti is Executive Director at Campaign Legal Center. He has conducted dozens of constitutional cases in trial and appellate courts and the United States Supreme Court. He also advises Members of Congress and other policymakers on advancing democracy through legislation. Prior to joining CLC, Adav served for more than 10 years in nonpartisan leadership capacities within the Office of General Counsel of the Federal Election Commission, and he served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. Adav regularly provides expert analysis for television, radio, and print journalism. He has appeared on broadcasts such as The Rachel Maddow Show, Anderson Cooper 360, PBS NewsHour, and National Public Radio's Morning Edition, and he is regularly cited in publications nationwide, including the New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, Politico, Slate, and Reuters.

Mia Hoffmann is a Research Fellow at Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology. Her research focuses on AI harm incidents, aiming to provide a deeper understanding of failure modes and the efficacy of risk mitigation practices. In recent work, she examined the uses of AI in US election administration and their risks to electoral integrity. Prior to joining CSET, Mia worked at the European Commission and as a researcher in Brussels, where she studied AI adoption and its implications. She holds a MS in Economics from Lund University and a BS in International Economics from the University of Tuebingen. 

Links:

How Artificial Intelligence Influences Elections, and What We Can Do About It - Campaign Legal Center

How 2024 presidential candidates are using AI inside their election campaigns - CNBC

Nonprofit group plans ad campaign using AI misinfo to fight AI misinfo - Politico

CLC Op-Ed Examines Artificial Intelligence Disinformation in Elections - Campaign Legal Center

Congress should pass bipartisan bills to safeguard elections from AI - Campaign Legal Center

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IN THIS EPISODE:  

• [01:03] Introducing Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) President Heather Williams who joins us to discuss state legislative elections.

• [02:55] President Williams shares the three buckets that her work falls into this year.

• [06:55] An overview of the DLCC’s work and the cycle it follows.

• [09:54] How enthusiasm for the Harris-Walz Campaign differs from state-specific voting sentiment.

• [12:20] Factors that currently drive voter turnout including access to information.

• [15:01] Why it is important to give voters a clear option to vote for issues such as reproductive healthcare.

• [17:48] The important moment created by the Dobbs decision and how it widened people’s understanding of Roe.

• [19:34] The experience of recruiting candidates in 2024.

• [22:35] President Williams’ journey to public service.

• [25:55] What sparked a transition in representation in 2010 and how that has unfolded today.

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Maybe we all need a hope vaccine. An injection of kindness, curiosity and understanding for those who see the world differently than we do. 

In our latest report on the work, ideas, and people of Braver Angels, the nationwide citizen-led campaign against political polarization, we learn more about its Election Day Initiative: A volunteer-led effort to push back against political climate change— the hurricane of hate resentment and disdain that many on the left and right feel for the other side.

Our guests in this episode are liberal Dorsey Cartwright and conservative Roger Haynes. They are two of many red/blue pairs of citizens who will sit and stand together outside polling places across America.

M. Dorsey Cartwright is a retired marriage and family therapist in Austin, Texas. She travelled internationally leading workshops for couples, individuals, adult children and parents, as well as for communities. Valuing the healing of relationships, Dorsey has turned her attention to America’s political environment. First as an active member of No Labels and its mission to depolarize the House and Senate, and then Braver Angels, with its mission to depolarize our citizenship. Her politics lean blue.

Red-leaning Roger Haynes is a retired Chief Master Sergeant with 23 years of active military service and he recently left a civil service appointment with the government.  He has served in his community in various roles including HOA, City Commission, and is also active helping local Friends of NRA committees raise grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. He’s passionate about the First and Second Amendments.

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In this episode of Democracy Fix, two seasoned election officials, Tonya Wichman, Director of Elections in Defiance County, Ohio, and Wesley Wilcox, Supervisor of Elections in Marion County, Florida join Dr. Carah Ong Whaley and Angelina Clapp to discuss the evolving role of election administration, and how they’re standing up against the tide of misinformation and political interference to ensure the integrity of our elections. Both Tonya and Wesley are featured in the powerful new documentary, The Officials, which shines a light on the pressures and challenges they and their colleagues across the country face as they prepare for the 2024 presidential election.

Links in this episode: 

The Officials film and companion toolkit

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In this episode, we’re joined by Mona Charon, Policy Editor at The Bulwark and host of the podcasts Just Between Us and Beg to Differ. We explore the state of democracy, the role of media, and the evolving definitions of conservatism. Mona reflects on her experiences living in Israel, the challenges of peace negotiations, and her perspective on the Biden administration's policies. We discuss the extremism in both U.S. political parties, the impact of Trump's leadership, and the Republican Party's future post-Trump. Mona also details her work at The Bulwark and advocates for media integrity and accountability.

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Our framers, for the first time in history, asserted that a citizenry had “natural rights” as human beings, given to them only by God, to follow (and be responsible for) our individual consciences — including the right to not believe at all. These rights could then not be taken by the government. Those dudes in tights, both Christian and Deist, had birthed a country where all sorts of religious belief would thrive.

Turns out high principles about freedom for everyone all at the same time wouldn’t be a piece of cake and after 250-ish years of disagreement, we’re still haggling over those darn specifics — partly because we’re masters of not seeing the log in our own eyes. God Squad goes right to the real conversation on this age-old prickly topic.

Learn more about the program and meet the God Squad here.

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What are direct primaries? Why do Americans rely on them? When did they first start using direct primaries in federal elections? And what are the consequences? These are some of the questions Nick, Lee, and James ask in this week’s episode.

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In his book Liberalism as a Way of Life, Lefebvre argues that liberalism isn’t just a set of neutral procedures; it’s a comprehensive way of life that shapes the way we live and think and work and love in innumerable ways. He also argues that it’s a way of life worth robustly defending, drawing on examples from pop culture and recent history.

Lefebeve is a professor of politics and philosophy at the University of Sydney. He teaches and researches  political theory, the history of political thought, modern and contemporary French philosophy, and human rights.

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Topics Mike & Matt Discuss Include:

- the educultural realignment in American Politics

- the degree divide as an international phenomenon

- if the progressive left has moved too fast

- the dangerous ramifications of destroying institutional trust

- the political right and ‘woke capitalism’

- why liberals dominate popular culture

- conservatives’ attempts to set up parallel institutions

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Danielle explains voter purges, mass challenges to voter registrations, and their effects on voters. And she lays out actions that states and individuals alike can take to ensure registering to vote is safe and secure ahead of Election Day.

Host and Guests:

Simone Leeper litigates a wide range of redistricting-related cases at CLC, challenging gerrymanders and advocating for election systems that guarantee all voters an equal opportunity to influence our democracy. Prior to arriving at CLC, Simone was a law clerk in the office of Senator Ed Markey and at the Library of Congress, Office of General Counsel. She received her J.D. cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center in 2019 and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Columbia University in 2016.

Danielle Lang is Senior Director for Voting Rights at Campaign Legal Center. Danielle has worked as a civil rights litigator her entire career. At CLC, she has led litigation against Texas's racially discriminatory voter ID law, Florida's modern-day poll tax for rights restoration, Arizona's burdensome registration requirements, North Dakota's voter ID law targeting Native communities, and numerous successful challenges to signature match policies for absentee ballots. Previously, Danielle served as a Skadden Fellow in the Employment Rights Project of Bet Tzedek Legal Services in Los Angeles, where she represented low-wage immigrant workers in wage and hour, discrimination, and human trafficking matters. From 2012 to 2013, Danielle clerked for Judge Richard A. Paez on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. 

Links:

Frivolous Mass Challenges to Voter Eligibility Damaging to Democracy - Campaign Legal Center

Our Strict Laws Ensure Only U.S. Citizens Vote in Federal Elections - Campaign Legal Center

How To Prevent Unfair Voter Purges - Campaign Legal Center

Modernizing Voter Registration - Campaign Legal Center

What Does the U.S. Supreme Court’s Recent Arizona Decision Mean for Voters? - Campaign Legal Center

Texas Expands Push to Halt Democratic Voter Registration Efforts - Bloomberg Law

Tweet from Kyle Huddleston

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Bexar County Voter Registration Case - The New York Times

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Their civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

1. Have a conversation with people with whom you disagree
2. Remain open-minded.

Jennifer Berkshire and Jack Schneider are co-hosts of the education podcast Have You Heard. Their new book is The Education Wars: A Citizen’s Guide and Defense Manual. 

Follow Jennifer on X: 

https://x.com/BisforBerkshire

Follow Jack on X: 

https://x.com/edu_historian

Read The Education Wars: 

https://bookshop.org/shop/futurehindsight

Follow Mila on X: 

https://x.com/milaatmos

Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/futurehindsightpod/

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She highlights the challenges faced by election officials across the country, including the need for consistent and reliable federal funding, the impact of the spread of false election information, and the rise in threats against election workers. Despite the challenges, Wisee’s dedication to increasing voter participation and improving election systems remains unwavering.

Whether you're a policy wonk or just curious about what goes on behind the scenes in our elections, this episode is packed with insights on how to build a more inclusive and transparent democratic process.

Tune in to hear about the inspiring work being done in King County, WA to strengthen the foundation of our democracy.

Episode links: 

• King County, WA Elections
• Voter Education Fund

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IN THIS EPISODE:  

• [04:08] What it was like to be on the floor of the DNC this year.

• [09:13] Freedom as a central narrative of the Democratic campaign.

• [12:41] Congresswoman Annie Kuster on the framing of freedom by the Democratic Party.

• [13:39] Ilana Rubel’s insights on how attacks on reproductive rights impact broader freedoms.

• [17:52] Jesse Ferguson on campaigning on the subject of reproductive rights.

• [18:42] Passing the torch to a younger generation within the party; appealing to young voters.

• [20:58] Olivia Julianna’s insights on what young people are most concerned about.

• [23:47] Mike Madrid on reaching Latino voters and the importance of a pro-housing agenda.

• [27:06] Why it’s so important to build a broad coalition from the middle out.

• [29:28] Simon Rosenberg on patriotism as an antidote to MAGA’s nationalism.

• [32:19] Karen Finney’s thoughts on acknowledging the daily anxieties of Americans.

• [35:00] The role of An Honorable Profession and NewDEAL going forward.

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In this episode we welcome Anne Applebaum, Pulitzer-prize winning historian, staff writer at The Atlantic and senior fellow at the Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University. After discussing her motivations, experiences, and insights into the autocratic regimes and their impacts on global democracy, we dive into Anne’s new book Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World. We explore how autocracies collaborate, ways the rest of the world is complicit in autocratic behaviors, and strategies to combat these influences. The conversation also touches on Anne's personal history and initial fascination with the history, literature, culture and politics of the “Borderlands,” a region that includes Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia and beyond.

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They close with Mike introducing his presidential prediction model, which Jay rightly pokes fun at, and then consider the utility of these models more generally.

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Democracy depends on truth, and as Americans we should prize truth over tribe. A lot of disinformation is hiding behind the First Amendment – telling lies as a right to free speech. We are overrun with disinformation. One of the strategies is to exhaust us by constantly pumping false claims into the media ecosphere, so that we become cynical or disengage. That is fertile ground for would-be authoritarian regimes. For example, in response to the big lie that the 2020 election was stolen, a number of states have passed laws making it more difficult to vote. Defending truth is vitally important when it is under attack. 

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Why did the United States become the only democracy in the world that gives its voters a decisive voice in candidate selection? When did Americans begin using primary elections to select a party’s candidates for office? What is the difference between open and closed primaries? How did primary elections change in the 1960s and 1970s? Did the Democratic and Republican parties sideline reformers and take over primary elections during that period? How do different factions within each party view primary reform? These are some of the questions Robert and Lee ask in this week’s episode.

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This show is our second episode on the work, people, and ideas of the volunteer-led cross-partisan campaign, Braver Angels. In the coming months, we'll report on their initiatives and projects. 

Americans who are pissed off with politics are sometimes called "the exhausted majority." Many are tuning out toxic, divisive rhetoric that aims to settle scores instead of solving what's broken. Our guest, Braver Angels senior fellow Mónica Guzmán, has suggestions about how to be truly curious and have better conversations with those who see things differently.

This loving liberal daughter of conservative immigrant parents who came to the US from Mexico, is a bridge builder, journalist and author. Her podcast is "A Braver Way". Modi’s recent book is “I Never Thought of It That Way." Our "How Do We Fix It?" interview was recorded a couple years ago. This show includes highlights and also an extract from Móni's podcast. 

"When you want to ask why people believe what they believe, instead ask how they came to believe what they believe," she tells us. When you ask how instead of why, you're asking for their story and then what people do is take you on a tour instead of being put on trial."

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IN THIS EPISODE:  

• [01:04] Introducing today’s guest, Oklahoma’s Representative, Arturo Alonso-Sandoval.

• [01:15] What listeners can expect to hear during today’s conversation.

• [02:00] He unpacks his decision and motivation to run for office in his senior year of college.

• [06:20] We discuss ideas on how to get more people, like Representative Alonso-Sandoval to run for office (at all levels).

• [10:00] Representative Alonso-Sandoval describes in detail his experience running for office.

• [12:48] He talks about his slogan “The Future is Ours” and the heart behind it.

• [13:50] What it’s like serving in office in Oklahoma.

• [15:15] His thoughts on creating sustainable systems using his engineering concepts.

• [17:55] How he advocates for his community and breaks down assumptions about himself.

• [21:54] We look at anti-immigration measures, mobilizing communities against them, and the prospects going forward.

• [28:36] He expounds on one of the projects he’s involved with: You Have a Voice.

• [29:16] He sheds light on his concerns with anti-immigration laws.

• [32:00] We discuss AI regulations and his work with AI in the legislature.

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But before we get into all that, we dive into Jon's two most recent pieces in THE ATLANTIC: One from 7/1/24 titled "The World Is Realigning | An emerging Axis of Resistance confronts the Liberal Alliance;" and the other from the 7/23/24 edition titled "The Party Is Not Over | Nominations belong to parties, not to candidates."

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They close the episode by looking at the Secret Service failures and congressional testimony that led to the resignation of director Kimberly Cheatle. Mike and Trey think Cheatle should have resigned sooner, with Mike arguing that President Biden should have called for her resignation shortly after the magnitude of the failure became evident.

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The heart of our democracy is for the community to come together and cooperate. One example is to advocate for democratic reforms, which are nonpartisan. Being apathetic or cynical helps the slide into autocracy. Resisting the allure of quick, hot takes and practicing slower thinking are also crucial to democracy. The founding fathers were deeply invested in balance, especially when it comes to the power of a president being balanced by Congress. A.J. reminds us that everyday citizens can control whether the sun is rising or setting on democracy. 

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After a years-long legal fight from the Department of Homeland Security, a court order finally gave Nick and other investigators access to 33 reports detailing conditions in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities. The documents showed a disturbing pattern of abuse that extended far beyond the gates of Adelanto Detention Center, spreading throughout ICE detention facilities across the United States. In this episode, Maren gets into the conditions in ICE detention and raises the question: What needs to change for this broken system to be fixed?

Maren breaks down the reports with POGO’s Senior Investigator Nick Schwellenbach and former Senior Researcher Freddy Martinez. She talks with activists Berto Hernandez and Arely Westley about their experiences of the conditions in ICE detention, and she visits a Louisiana airport with LA-AID volunteer Sarah Jones to meet people who were recently released from ICE facilities. Finally, to untangle just how immigration policy became entwined with counterterrorism — and how we can fix it — Maren talks with POGO’s Katherine Hawkins, the Brennan Center for Justice’s Spencer Reynolds, and The Ohio State University Professor César Cuauhtémoc García Hernández.

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Bad Watchdog Podcast

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IN THIS EPISODE:  

• [01:04] Introducing Illinois State Representative Bob Morgan and his efforts to work on gun safety.

• [02:36] The stories of gun violence that ignited his passion for taking this issue seriously.

• [05:23] Prospects for reducing these kinds of incidents in US communities.

• [07:43] Representative Bob’s journey to public service.

• [13:17] Building and maintaining relationships with colleagues by building your understanding of them.

• [14:26] Issues he has worked on and why healthcare is a focus for him.

• [20:04] Why no changes have been made to daylight savings.

• [22:40] Facing the rise of antisemitism as a member of the Jewish caucus.

• [27:26] Predictions for the upcoming convention and the elections to follow.

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An Honorable Profession Podcast

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What is the state of American democracy? Are concerns that it is failing overblown? Or are they justified? What is the best standard to evaluate the quality of representation in the United States? How does that standard change based on the different types of democracy? These are some of the questions Jake, Lee, and James ask in this week’s episode.

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Politics in Question Podcast

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The New York Health Act is a current bill in the New York State Legislature that would implement a single payer healthcare system in New York, similar to Medicare for All. Instead of accessing health insurance, this bill would provide access to health care without the middleman, which is the insurance industry. The United States is the only industrialized country in the world that does not have universal health care. We spend the most amount of money with worse health outcomes. In addition, we allow millions of Americans to go into medical debt. More information on the Campaign for NY Health is here: https://www.nyhcampaign.org/

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Future Hindsight Podcast

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Democracy in Danger Podcast

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After that, they turn to the Supreme Court ending Chevron deference, in a ruling that will have major implications for government agencies, Congress, and the courts. Mike has long been a supporter of Chevron but thinks that the Court made the right call here, which both surprises and pleases Jay, who’s never been a fan of Chevron.

Following that they discuss two other major decisions of the Court – one that allows women in Idaho to obtain abortions to preserve their lives and health and another in which the Court decided that plaintiffs arguing the government censored their social media posts don’t have standing to sue.

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The Politics Guys Podcast

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Renée DiResta is the Technical Research Manager at Stanford Internet Observatory. In this conversation we delve into the challenges of misinformation, online manipulation, and the impact of algorithmic curation on public discourse. Renée discusses her career journey, her work on election integrity, and the concept of "bespoke realities." The episode explores how media ecosystems shape our perception and the importance of fostering meaningful dialogue across differing viewpoints.

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Talkin‘ Politics & Religion Without Killin‘ Each Other Podcast

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To find out, Maren talks with Daryl Johnson, who recounts his work as the former lead analyst for domestic terrorism at DHS. She also speaks with Alejandro Beutel, a criminologist who focuses on domestic terrorism, and Berto Hernandez, who shares their story of being brought into the U.S. as a child and held in detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement years later.

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Bad Watchdog Podcast

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But what if passionate pro-life and pro-choice movement leaders could get together in the same room and learn how to disagree better? That is exactly what happened in Massachusetts, beginning in the mid 1990's. Leaders on both sides held secret discussions over the course of several years . 

These wrenching conversations began in the mid 1990’s at a very difficult time— after two women were murdered by an anti-abortion extremist in Brookline, Massachusetts.

We hear from The Reverend Anne Fowler, an Episcopal Priest who served on the board of directors for the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, and lawyer Fran Hogan, who's been President of Women Affirming Life. They’re among the six women profiled in the 2023 documentary, "The Abortion Talks". 

This interview was first published last year.

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Let's Find Common Ground Podcast

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• [01:04] Welcome to Virginia Mayor Phillip Jones, the youngest person to be elected Mayor of his hometown.

• [02:36] His favorite thing about being Mayor so far and why his parents are his toughest constituents.

• [05:08] The two initiatives that funding allocated to the youth is going towards: Night Nets and Youth Career Program.

• [08:52] Why education is always top of mind for Mayor Phillip and the results he has seen.

• [11:55] His efforts to impact climate change.

• [13:06] What Mayor Phil loves most about his city.

• [15:05] How service became such a major theme in his life.

• [16:21] The journey to running for office.

• [20:29] How education became a priority prior to his appointment as mayor.

• [21:58] Which issues Mayor Phil hears about the most and how he is responding to them.

• [23:10] Advice for young people looking to get involved in politics.

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An Honorable Profession Podcast

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The Great Battlefield Podcast

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Inclusive Constitutionalism interprets the Constitution in a way that makes inclusive democracy real. By contrast, originalism interprets the meaning of the Constitution as fixed in time in the 1800s. However, the Reconstruction Amendments that were enacted in the wake of the Civil War tried to address the status of newly freed, formerly enslaved people. The Amendments were designed to foster a multiracial democracy for the first time. In addition, the public has a role in articulating what it believes the Constitution means.

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Future Hindsight Podcast

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What does it mean to live in a democracy? What is the state of American democracy? Is it a flawed democracy? If so, what can be done to fix it? These are some of the questions Rep. Sarbanes and Lee ask in this week’s episode.

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Politics in Question Podcast

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The real free speech problem on campus: Penn State's Brad Vivian on the problems with "campus free speech" discourse and media coverage. We discuss how this narrative has been applied to protests about the war in Gaza that happened on some campuses near the end of the spring semester. Follow Brad's Substack for his more recent work on the Gaza protests and more.

A different kind of political divide - Yanna Krupnikov from the University of Michigan on the divide between people who follow politics closely and those who don't. We're seeing this divide play out in recent polling that shows support for Donald Trump is higher among people who say they are not politically engaged, while support for Biden is higher among those who follow news and politics more closely. 

Debating the future of debates: John Hudak from Brookings talks about the value of presidential debates to democracy. We recorded this episode in 2022 after the RNC announced it would not participate in events organized by the Commission for Presidential Debates. Now that two debates are scheduled for the next few months, we discuss whether they'll actually happen and how much they'll matter. 

This is our last new episode until early September. We'll use the next few months to plan for our fall season. Please send us an email if you have ideas for topics we should tackle or guests we should interview.  Have a great summer!

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Democracy Works Podcast

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Liz Joyner is the executive director of the Village Square, a nonprofit dedicated to reviving civic connections across divisions inside American communities. She oversees the Village SquareCast, a Village Square podcast.

Corey Nathan started out as a stockbroker by day while studying at a theatre conservatory at night. Corey loves theology, politics and culture and enjoys invigorating conversations with renowned experts of these subjects on his podcast, Talkin’ Politics & Religion Without Killin’ Each Other.

Mila Atmos, a global citizen based in New York City, is the producer and series host of Future Hindsight, a weekly podcast that aims to spark civic engagement through in-depth conversations with citizen changemakers. 

Michael Baranowski is a political scientist with a Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky. His focus is American political institutions, public policy, and media. He spends most of his time indoctrinating students at Northern Kentucky University.

To learn more about each of the featured podcasts, visit the Shows page at democracygroup.org/shows.

To read the full Q&As with each of the featured podcasts, visit the Meet the Hosts section at democracygroup.org/blog.

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Using a solutions-based approach, Uneven Grounds will discuss inequalities in geography and navigate geographic social issues in each episode. Host Maggie LeBeau wants to bring attention to the many problems people across America encounter daily because of where they live with a solution to each of the issues. The first episode explores election inequality and how they are related to geography, such as through gerrymandering. LeBeau recently graduated from Glenbard East High School in Lombard, Illinois, where she served as editor-in-chief of the school’s newspaper, the Echo. Outside of school, she is a part of the Media Wise Teen Fact-Checking Network and PBS Student Reporting Labs.

Know a student interested in democracy and podcasts? Send them over to our fellowship to apply: https://www.democracygroup.org/fellowship 

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With Simran Gupta’s network of friends from all over the world, Laws Across Borders will explore educational topics like the school systems, technology or academic pressure and how they vary from country to country. The first episode will talk about school environments, touching on both the technological and academic sides.Gupta is a rising high school senior in Georgia She believes that life is all about learning new things, but interpreting information in a way that’s meaningful is difficult, especially in this day and age where news is readily available and shared whether it’s accurate or not.

Know a student interested in democracy and podcasts? Send them over to our fellowship to apply: https://www.democracygroup.org/fellowship 

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Make America Great For Everyone will take a deep dive into the American justice system through conversations with policemen, ex-prisoners and people who experienced the injustice firsthand. Host Kayla Anderson will talk about all of the different issues currently plaguing the American system that is supposed to be just, starting with a heartfelt conversation with her brother in the first episode. Anderson is a rising fourth-year political science major on the pre-law track at Ohio State. She currently serves as the vice president of the Undergraduate Black Law Student Association, treasurer of the Minority Collegiate Outreach and Support Team, and DEI committee co-chair for her Law and Society Scholars Program.

Know a student interested in democracy and podcasts? Send them over to our fellowship to apply: https://www.democracygroup.org/fellowship 

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