DIY Democracy

Continuing the theme of the previous interviews with Dr. Thea Riofrancos and Dr. Mijin Cha about the ethical concerns that come with trying to transition away from fossil fuels and to a clean energy system, in this episode I  spoke with Dr. Matt Biggar about how he thinks we can move in that direction.  You can find his book, Connected to Place on  the author's website or on Bookshop . In addition...

Continuing the theme of the previous interview with Dr. Thea Riofrancos, I spoke with Dr. Mijin Cha about the ethical concerns that come with trying to transition away from fossil fuels and to a clean energy system. A Just Transition for All: Workers and Communities for a Carbon-Free Future Additional resources she recommended: Climate and Community Institute The Climate Jobs Institute at Cornell...

I spoke with Dr. Thea Riofrancos about the ethical concerns that come with trying to transition away from fossil fuels and to a clean energy system, specifically focusing on lithium mining as the example she highlighted in her book. Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism Music is by Evan Schaeffer

I spoke with journalist and author  Osita Nwanevu  about his recently published book,  The Right of the People: The Case for a New American Founding . In this episode, I share our second conversation, about why we should have a new founding of American Democracy, and what that might look like. In the previous episode, we talked about the first half of the book: how do we define (and identify) demo...

I spoke with journalist and author Osita Nwanevu about his recently published book, The Right of the People: The Case for a New American Founding . In this episode, we talked about the first half of the book: how do we define (and identify) democracies, and what are the arguments for and against democracy as a form of government. In the next episode, I'll share our second conversation, about why w...

I spoke with Lily Geismer and Brent Cebul about their recent book, Mastery and Drift: Professional Class Liberals Since the 1960s. We discussed what we mean when we talk about liberal as a political philosophy, and how the application of that principle has evolved in the last half-century in the United States especially, and consider the notable shortcomings that have resulted. Mastery and Drift:...

I interviewed Brian Jones about his book Black History is for Everyone, in which he details his personal journey to understanding the truth and importance of that statement. You can find the book Black History is for Everyone at Bookshop.org and at  Haymarket Books (currently 40% off as this episode posts).   Music is by Evan Schaeffer.   

For this episode, I spoke with Prof. Manisha Sinha of the University of Connecticut, historian and author of the recent book The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic: Reconstruction, 1860-1920 . We spoke about what a "new founding" of American democracy has looked like in the past, and what we might learn from that. Because we spoke for a good long while, I split it into two parts. Today...

For this episode, I spoke with Prof. Manisha Sinha of the University of Connecticut, historian and author of the recent book The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic: Reconstruction, 1860-1920 . We spoke about what a "new founding" of American democracy has looked like in the past, and what we might learn from that. Because we spoke for a good long while, I'm splitting it into two parts....

I spoke with Dr. Vaughn Joy, author of a recent book on Christmas movies and politics. We spoke about Frank Capra, his celebration of America through film, and his ostracization as an alleged Communist, despite that. Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy Music is by Evan Schaeffer. 

I spoke with Kim Kelly, labor journalist and author of the recent American labor history: Fight Like Hell about the book and about what we can learn from labor history to help us today. Music is by Evan Schaeffer.

I spoke with Professor Sara Bronin to learn about zoning: what is it, what is its purpose, and how does it work.  Link to her book on bookshop:  Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World Link to her website tool to learn about zoning generally and in your area: National Zoning Atlas   Music is by Evan Shaeffer.

In advance of an upcoming interview about democracy with Osita Nwanevu, I revisited a 2020 interview with Lawrence Lessig about what the rule of law is, in order to be a better defender of and advocate for it. It's aged perfectly well for the general ideas. Some statements aged, not exactly poorly, but not well. I'd say they were maybe better described as "prophetic" in discussing the path not tak...

I spoke with Nicole Williams, a Philadelphia activist and organizer with Mt. Airy Community Fridge & Pantry about the work that the community fridge does as mutual aid and about mutual aid more broadly.  Music is by Evan Schaeffer. 

I spoke with Dr. Jess Calarco about her recent book, Holding It Together: How Women Became America's Safety Net . In the first half, which posted in the previous episode, Dr. Calarco shared how there are many labor-intensive tasks that are required for society to run in its current form and structure. But rather than ensure that those necessary tasks are done and paid for by the society that deman...

I spoke with Dr. Jess Calarco about her recent book, Holding It Together: How Women Became America's Safety Net . Dr. Calarco shared how there are many labor-intensive tasks that are required for society to run in its current form and structure. But rather than ensure that those necessary tasks are done and paid for by the society that demands them, we dump them onto women, in the process limiting...

I spoke to Josh Shepperd about his book, Shadow of the New Deal. In his book, Shepperd analyzed the history of how public media developed in the United States. You can find his book at bookshop here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/shadow-of-the-new-deal-the-victory-of-public-broadcasting-josh-shepperd/18826284?ean=9780252087257&next=t    

I spoke with Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy about her book, Corporatocracy, and about how money influences politics and what we can do about it. You can buy her book at Bookshop ( Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians ). Also, check out her podcast, Democracy and Destiny .   Music by Evan Schaeffer

I revisit an interview with Annette Gordon-Reed ( @agordonreed ) on her book,  On Juneteenth and consider how best to celebrate the history of the holiday and build on and defend its legacy. For more Juneteenth resources, see  Penn Law's resources on Juneteenth .  Music by Evan Schaeffer

I revisited an interview with Eitan Hersh  on his book Politics is for Power: How to Move Beyond Political Hobbyism, Take Action, and Make Real Change . Music by Evan Schaeffer 

In light of recent national news involving young citizens being sent out of the country, I revisited an interview from 2021 about historical efforts to strip citizenship rights, including the right to remain, from Americans. In the inverview, I spoke with Amanda Frost about her book on the topic. You can find her book here: You Are Not American: Citizen Stripping from Dred Scott to the Dreamers by...

I interviewed Will Bunch of the Philadelphia Inquirer, to discuss his recent column about the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia and the importance of that case to everyone in the United States.  Why Kilmar Abrego Garcia is the Jenga piece that could topple the American Experiment

An interview with Rebecca DeWolf ( @outofthetowerh ), author of Gendered Citizenship: The Original Conflict Over the Equal Rights Amendment, 1920-1963

An interview with Tom Moore of the Federal Election Commission about some creative solutions to reduce the influence of big money in politics. 

An interview with Eitan Hersh  on his book Politics is for Power: How to Move Beyond Political Hobbyism, Take Action, and Make Real Change . Music by Evan Schaeffer