Defense of Democracy Podcast

In this inspiring episode Karen welcomes 16 year old Moxxie, a high school junior from California, who has become an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and civil liberties in the face of restrictive policies imposed by the local school board.  Moxxie is a high school junior dealing with the challenges of advanced classes, and he shares his journey into advocacy work. The conversation delves into the schoo...

In this episode, Karen welcomes Sarah, the founder of American Advocates for Equality, a grassroots organization that emerged in response to alarming issues of library censorship and LGBTQIA+ book bans. Sarah shares her journey and insights into the challenges her organization has faced while advocating for civil rights and equality in public schools. Sarah's organization began with a small g...

In this episode Karen talks with Brevard County school district activists, Amy and Kelly. The discussion delves deep into the tumultuous landscape of education in Brevard County, offering critical insights into its historical context, the rise of the Moms for Liberty, and recent challenges related to book bans within the district. Karen and her guests explore how these challenges have affected stu...

In this episode, Karen talks with Toby, an octogenarian, advocate, and voice for marginalized communities.  Toby shares her journey into activism and education and discusses her involvement with Defense of Democracy.  She emphasizes the importance of diversity, tolerance, and respect in education and how these values shape children's perspectives. Toby also highlights her hope for the current...

In this episode, Karen talks with John, a candidate running for the school board in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.  John shares his motivation for running, which stems from his concern about attempts to ban books in his son's school. He believes in defending students' rights to access books and ensuring that parents and citizens have a say in their education.  John discusses the challe...

In this episode, Karen interviews Abe, an advocate, volunteer, and TikTok influencer who is dedicated to fighting against fascism and protecting democracy.  Abe shares his personal journey as a child of Holocaust survivors and how it has shaped his activism. He emphasizes the importance of speaking up and being engaged in civic duty.  The conversation delves into the parallels between the rise of...

In this episode, Karen talks with Laura Leigh, the co-founder of Defense of Democracy. Their discussion centers around Laura's journey from being an ordinary citizen to becoming an accidental activist, spurred by her encounter with divisive signs promoting religious influence in local schools. Laura shares her emotional reaction to these signs and how they motivated her to take a stand. The c...

In this episode, Karen talks with Sarah, the founder of American Advocates for Equality, an organization committed to advocating for civil rights and equal representation in public schools.  Sarah discusses her motivation for creating the organization, which emerged from her concern over library censorship and LGBTQ+ book bans. She recounts her journey from the initial small group to a thriving co...

**Subject Matter Advisory** Listener Discretion Advised** In this episode, Karen talks with Mike, the leader of the New Jersey Public Education Coalition.  The conversation covers their efforts to defend public education against extremist groups targeting school boards, curricula, and educational policies.  Mike shares his experiences in facing opposition, engaging communities, and countering misi...

In this episode, Karen talks with Chloe, a TikTok creator known for her heartfelt messages and advocacy for social justice. Chloe discusses her journey and her perspective on the anti-CRT (Critical Race Theory) movements in America. Chloe shares that she initially noticed the anti-CRT movements in Missouri and decided to attend different meetings to understand the concerns. She emphasizes that her...

In this gripping episode, Karen sits down with Abigail, a fearless mother determined to expose a horrifying incident at her children's school. When Abigail received a shocking TikTok video revealing racist and violent threats against black children within the school, her world turned upside down. Despite her urgency and concern, the initial response from the school district was dismissive, do...

In this gripping episode, Karen interviews Jen, a mother from New York, about her experiences with her transgender daughter, Cole, and the challenges they have faced at school.  Jen shares the story of Cole's journey from a young age, expressing a strong desire to be a girl. With COVID-19 allowing Cole to explore her gender identity more freely at home, the family noticed her preference for g...

In this powerful and captivating episode, Karen sits down with Erika, a brave and passionate veteran who recently faced a shocking incident at a press conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Erika shares her journey from military service in Afghanistan to becoming a vocal advocate for defending democracy at home. The incident occurred during a press conference where Erika and fellow members of Defense of D...

Join us in this captivating episode as Karen dives into a powerful conversation with Dave, an actor and musician, about his experience and advocacy for love, acceptance, and the rights of children.  Dave shares his journey of self-discovery as a gay man growing up in a time of societal prejudice and the challenges he faced while accepting his true identity.  We explore the importance of open commu...

In this episode Karen Svoboda engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Jen, the Chair of Faith Leaders Defending Democracy and a pastor.  Together, they delve into the pressing issues surrounding Christian nationalism, its infiltration into public schools, and the importance of fostering inclusivity. Jen shares her personal journey as an ordained pastor and a parent, highlighting her passi...

In this captivating episode, Karen sits down with Diana, a transgender Navy veteran and passionate advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and veterans' benefits. Diana shares her personal journey, from her time in the military to becoming an activist and advocate for marginalized communities. As the Commander of Veterans Defending Democracy , she fights against Christian nationalist groups' attemp...

In this episode of the Defense of Democracy podcast, Karen talks with the fearless drag queen and advocate for inclusivity, Cookie Doe.  They discuss Cookie Doe's experience organizing a drag story hour at the Montgomery bookstore and the intense protest it attracted. Despite facing violent pushback and receiving hate messages, Cookie Doe remains determined to spread love and inspire others. ...

In this episode, Karen Svoboda sits down with Senator Nikil Saval from Senate District 1 in Philadelphia County.  The conversation takes an intense turn as they discuss the upcoming Moms for Liberty Summit and its choice of venue, the Marriott.  Senator Saval shares the details of his letter to the Marriott, challenging their decision to host an event by an organization that promotes discriminatio...

In this episode of the Defense of Democracy Podcast, Karen talks with Walter, who has made an incredible donation of $10,000 and offers to match up to $10,000 in donations for the rest of the month of June (2023). They discuss Walter's experiences living in the South and witnessing the rise of right-wing ideologies, racism, and anti-democratic movements.  They shed light on the challenges fac...

In this gripping episode, Karen Svoboda engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Jenna Barbee, a first-year teacher who found herself at the center of a national controversy but turned it into a catalyst for change. It all started when Jenna decided to show a movie to her students on a standardized testing day, a common practice in many elementary schools.  However, one parent, who happene...

Join us in this captivating episode of the Defense of Democracy podcast as Karen Svoboda engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Annette Deigh, the newly appointed chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee.  Karen acknowledges the need for greater representation of people of color within the organization and explores the challenges and importance of addressing this iss...

Welcome to the Defense of Democracy podcast. Hosted by Karen Svoboda Defense of Democracy is made up of people from all walks of life passionately committed to nonpartisanship. We welcome anyone who is interested in protecting their fellow Americans - in particular those in marginalized communities - from oppression. We advocate for legislators, educators, and administrators who will work to maint...