Let's Talk Democracy

If you’ve been scrolling through your feeds lately, you’ve probably felt it—that heavy, unmistakable sense of emotional whiplash. One minute you're watching international unrest flare up, and the next you're reading about the systemic strain fracturing democracies worldwide. It feels massive, overwhelming, and entirely out of our hands. But in this special host-only season finale, we are turning t...

What if democracy isn’t failing because people disagree — but because we’ve forgotten how to engage with one another? In this episode of Let’s Talk Democracy , host Tina interviews Dr. Alice Siu, Associate Director of the Deliberative Democracy Lab at Stanford University, about the growing crisis of political polarization, “phantom opinions,” affective polarization, and the future of deliberative...

Let´s Talk Democracy revisits a conversation from its archive on Iran. A conversation that is not only timely, but essential. Host, Tian Johnson and Zolal Habibi, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran take deep dive into the long struggle for a free Iran. #LetsTalkDEMOCRCY #NCRI #HumanRights #WomenRights #FreeIran #Selfdetermination

In this episode of Let’s Talk Democracy , host Tina Johnson explores the meaning of mutual aid and how it is reshaping our understanding of democracy, care, and collective power in practice. Tina is joined by Vjolla Emiri (they/them), a trans, queer, and Muslim Kosovo-Albanian artist, grassroots organizer, facilitator, somatic practitioner, and weaver based in Oslo. Together, they examine how comm...

What does democracy actually look like when you’re inside it? In this episode, we move beyond theory and explore how democratic systems function in real life—through participation, decision-making, and everyday interaction. Democracy is often described as a set of institutions or processes. But from the inside, it operates very differently. It becomes something that depends on attention, coordinat...

This week on Let’s Talk Democracy host, Tina Johnson delivers a concise, reflection on what democracy really requires: presence, effort, and human participation. While social media and technology shape how we engage, the heart of democracy is lived in real-world spaces —from global protests to local community actions like No Kings . Tina reflects on the difference between digital engagement and ac...

In this episode of Let’s Talk Democracy , host Tina Johnson speaks with Ramon Perez, founder of the Digital Democracy Project, about the future of digital democracy and civic engagement. How can mobile voting, blockchain technology, and AI transform the way citizens interact with government? Ramon shares how his platform enables real-time voter input on legislation, creating a more participatory a...

What happens to democracy when social media becomes the public square? In this episode of Let’s Talk Democracy , host Tina Johnson speaks with technologist and civic activist Daniel Bingham about how platforms like Facebook and Twitter reshaped civic life — and how their ad-driven business models may be fueling polarization instead of healthy dialogue. Together, they explore: How venture capital a...

Social media was once celebrated as a tool for connection — but today, it often divides us, amplifying outrage and eroding public trust. In this episode of Let’s Talk Democracy , I speak with Paul Bonifacio , a French tech professional turned social entrepreneur, about the role of platform design in shaping behavior, amplifying extremes, and influencing the health of our democracies. We explore a...

How does social media affect democracy? Are digital platforms promoting informed debate—or fueling polarization and conflict? In this episode of Let’s Talk Democracy , host Tina Johnson and Lisa Schirch, Professor of Peacebuilding and Director of the Peacetech and Polarization Lab at the University of Notre Dame, explore the impact of social media on democracy, political polarization, and public d...

It’s only January — and the world already feels heavy. In the Season 3 premiere of Let’s Talk Democracy , Tina Johnson reflects on global unrest, domestic protests, and the emotional whiplash of watching democracy tested in real time.

In the Season 2 finale of Let’s Talk Democracy , host Tina Johnson responds to listener questions that capture the season’s central themes: fear, participation, trust, and the future of democracy. While acknowledging concerns about democratic backsliding and misinformation, Tina emphasizes the importance of curiosity and informed engagement. The episode examines why fear-based political messaging...

In this episode of Let’s Talk Democracy , host Tina Johnson speaks with Farzana Elhem Kochai , former Member of Parliament in Afghanistan’s House of Representatives ( Wolesi Jirga ). Farzana reflects on her journey into politics as a young woman and women’s rights activist, the challenges of legislating within a deeply patriarchal and unequal system, and the pain of witnessing the systematic erosi...

Host Tina Johnson explores how authoritarian populism and the “crisis of perception” are challenging democracies around the world — from Hungary to Brazil to the U.S. She breaks down how fear and misinformation can undermine facts and democratic institutions, and shares how citizens can take action to protect democracy. A must-listen for anyone who cares about the future of civic life.

In today’s episode, host Tina Johnson is joined by pollster Doug Kaplan to unpack the complicated—and sometimes controversial—role that polling plays in American democracy. Together, we dive into how polls both reflect and shape public opinion, why they sometimes miss the mark, and how shifting voter behavior, rapidly evolving technology, and the national mood all impact what polling can—and can’t...

How fear, media, and false prophets are reshaping democracy—and how hope can fight back. Host Tina Johnson speaks with historian Professor Thomas Weber about the global rise of authoritarian populism and the crisis of perception that’s shaking democracies worldwide. Together they explore how fear, media, and misinformation empower populist movements—and how hope, empathy, and truth can help restor...

In this episode of Let’s Talk Democracy , host Tina Johnson explores how protest movements—when grounded in strategy and clear demands—can protect and transform democracy. Drawing from her organizing experience during the People’s Climate March and recent No Kings protests across the U.S. and globally, Tina unpacks the power of collective action, how authoritarian leaders attempt to silence dissen...

What’s more dangerous than the rise of the far right? The silence that allows it to grow. In this episode, host Tina Johnson explores the global surge in far-right ideology — from MAGA politics in the U.S. to the growing power of nationalist parties in Europe, Scandinavia, and even Nepal. But this isn’t just about loud extremists. It’s about the quiet voters, the silent supporters, and the normali...

In this thought-provoking episode of "Let's Talk Democracy," host Tina Johnson sits down with political strategist Blair Talmadge to explore the profound changes in the U.S. political landscape over the past decade. They challenge the notion that politics is about policy, arguing instead that it's increasingly driven by emotion rather than reason. The conversation begins with a personal anecdote a...

What does it mean to fight for a democracy that has yet to be realized? In this episode, we turn to Iran, where citizens have been engaged in a decades-long struggle for freedom, justice, and self-determination. Our guest, Zolal Habibi , is a human rights activist and a leading voice for democracy and women’s rights in Iran. She serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Re...

Join host Tina Johnson and guest Jennifer Kamau, the Executive Director of International Woman's Space, as they take a deep dive into the complex relationship between migration and democracy from a European perspective. In this powerful and thought-provoking conversation, Jennifer—whose work is centered on human rights in the context of migration—explains how politicians weaponize migration to pol...

On this episode of Let's Talk Democracy , host Tina Johnson is joined by historian Donna Haverty-Stacke, a Professor of History at Hunter College and the CUNY Graduate Center. They dive into a timely and insightful conversation on why unions are essential to a thriving and inclusive democracy. The discussion traces the profound evolution of unions, from early journeyman societies to the powerful o...

In the Season 1 finale, host Tina Johnson answers listener questions about the real impact of elections. She dives into the challenges facing democracy—like voter suppression and gerrymandering—while making a strong case for why voting still matters. Tina explores how grassroots organizing, policy advocacy, and civic engagement beyond the ballot box are essential to creating lasting change. The ep...

In this episode of Let’s Talk Democracy , host Tina Johnson is in conversation with Kathy Boockvar, a leading voice in election advocacy, to explore the critical components that uphold our democratic process: safety, security, and integrity in elections. Together, they unpack the myths and facts surrounding election security, discuss the current threats and challenges facing the U.S. electoral sys...

In this episode of Let's Talk Democracy, host Tina Johnson is joined by Daniel Ephraim, a seasoned photojournalist and activist, to discuss the role of visual storytelling in democratic societies. They explore how photojournalism can counter misinformation and preserve human stories amidst political turmoil. Daniel shares insights from covering protests in New York emphasizing the power of imagery...