Not Suitable for Democracy

In the third episode released this week, we’re peeling back the curtain on some of the most troubling headlines shaking American democracy. First, we dive into the Pentagon document that quietly bars media outlets from reporting on the military without pre-approved data — a move that has journalists and watchdogs sounding the alarm.  Then, we look at the airport video featuring Kristi Noem, a not-...

In the second episode of three released this week, we tackle a topic that should’ve been settled long ago: marriage equality. To kick off the episode, we discuss how we got here: between Kim Davis, the same-sex couple she denied a marriage license to, what happened with the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and why Kim Davis is now going to the Supreme Court. As conservative justices resurface old d...

This week, we're making up for lost time after missing last week's episode. To hold ourselves accountable, we're publishing three episodes in a row. In this week's first of three episodes, we're focusing on accountability. How do we hold elected officials and entities accountable? What are the necessary steps in the process? To best illustrate holding politicians accountab...

This week’s episode runs the gauntlet of American politics and culture. We start with Jimmy Kimmel’s sudden suspension from ABC and what it says about free speech. Then we turn to Kamala Harris and her eyebrow-raising comments about Zohran Mamdani, raising questions about the party’s relationship with its progressive wing. Back in New York, Eric Adams has dropped out of the race for NYC Mayor, eve...

Picking up where we left off, this week’s episode looks beyond the rising tensions and turns toward solutions. How do we break out of the cycle of "divide and conquer" politics? We explore ways to build real community, get involved in the political process, and reclaim a sense of agency in the face of chaos. From being intentional with our words to remembering the power of listening befo...

Last week was another turning point in America’s ever-rising political tensions—streets filled with anger, headlines filled with uncertainty, and a democracy stretched thin. In this week's episode, we take stock of what unfolded and ask the question on everyone’s mind: where do we go from here? This is a two-part episode where the second half of the discussion will be released next week. Get...

This week, Brooklyn took center stage in the Fight the Oligarchy Tour as Bernie Sanders and Zohran Mamdani teamed up for a town hall that brought national populism and local affordability into the same conversation. Bernie hammered home the urgency of confronting wealth inequality and ensuring every American can live a dignified life, while Zohran tied that fight directly to New York’s crushing co...

In this week's episode, we captured the latest breaking news from Tuesday, September 2, 2025, hence why it's out a little later than normal. The winds of New York politics are certainly shifting.  In the mayoral race, Zohran Mamdani has surged to the front of the polls, and with fresh endorsements from the Staten Island and Bronx Democrats—who once backed Andrew Cuomo—his path to victory...

This week, we trace the political cartography shaping America’s future. Texas Republicans passed their new congressional maps, disenfranchising Democratic voters while enabling Trump & his billionaire buddies' agenda.  Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom promotes his own redistricting plan with video ads & press conferences, ultimately leaving it up to voters to decide in a sp...

In this episode, we dig into how political power is being reshaped by redistricting battles across the country. From Texas Republicans pushing through gerrymandered maps at Donald Trump’s urging to secure five additional House seats, to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s controversial “Election Rigging Response Act,” the fight over who draws the lines is anything but neutral. Host, Nick, takes a d...

In this episode of Not Suitable for Democracy , we examine two flashpoints in America’s ongoing democratic stress test. First, we unpack Donald Trump’s unprecedented takeover of Washington, D.C. , invoking the rarely used Home Rule Act of 1973 to seize control of the city’s police department under the banner of fighting crime. Was this a genuine safety measure—or a political power grab dressed in...

In this episode of Not Suitable for Democracy, we bring you a triple shot of the week’s most revealing political moments—from the streets of Queens to the halls of Congress to late-night television. First up: Zohran Mamdani’s resounding victory, captured not just in votes but in powerful video moments that went viral for all the right reasons. We break down how his unapologetically progressive cam...

This week on Not Suitable for Democracy , we zoom in on what might be the most defining political showdown of the decade: the NYC Mayoral Primary between Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani . On the surface, it's a local race. But underneath? It's a national referendum on what kind of Democratic Party we want to build. To discuss what's happening on the ground, Nick is joined by his fri...

This week on Not Suitable for Democracy , we're diving into the high-stakes chaos of the NYC Mayoral Democratic Primary , where progressive power plays, surprise endorsements, and backroom drama are reshaping the city’s political future. Host Nick unpacks: Endorsements: AOC vs Jessica Ramos — what it signals, who it alienates, and how it shifts the race’s voter dynamics. The latest polling fr...

This week on Not Suitable for Democracy , we take you inside the race for New York City Mayor in the Democratic primary in the upcoming ranked choice election. Six of the candidates participated in a first of its kind LGBTQIA+ issue focused mayoral primary forum, hosted by the new grassroots organizing group, Queers for Action .  The stage was electric as candidates— Zohran Mamdani, Brad Lander, A...

This week on Not Suitable for Democracy , host Nick sits down with Skylar Moore , a queer activist and former 2022 Judicial Delegate candidate, to unpack one of the most overlooked—and undemocratic—parts of our political system: the judicial convention . If you’ve never heard of it, that’s the point. Skylar walks us through how New York State Supreme Court judges are "vetted," how a lack...

This week on Not Suitable for Democracy , we’re diving through the Democratic Party drama. From DNC shenanigans to Biden's performance decline, the poor optics are glaring for a party that boasts about unity and strength. Host Nick dives into David Hogg’s challenge to the "asleep at the wheel incumbents" and the "telenovela" that's transpired since. Will he lose his s...

In this episode of Not Suitable for Democracy , we zoom in on a part of the political iceberg most voters never see: the unpaid party positions within the New York State Democratic Party. Our guest is John Scott, the New York Democratic State Committee Member for Assembly District 34. He shares his journey in local politics, how his identity as an openly gay man inspired his campaign, and how he w...

This week on Not Suitable for Democracy , we’re unpacking a triple-header of political events. First, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hosts a town hall that gets us thinking about her evolution as a progressive organizer to a national leader in the Democratic Party. Then, we ask: is Kamala Harris really floating a 2028 presidential run? Do actions speak louder than words? And finally, we head to New...

In this episode of Not Suitable for Democracy , host Nick breaks down how progressive candidates for Congress are already mobilizing for the 2026 midterm elections. At time when Democratic voters are hungry for change, we'll explore how this movement can reshape the Democratic Party inside out. From primary challenges to long-standing incumbents to bold newcomers backed by grassroots groups l...

Ready to fight the oligarchy? Tune into the third episode of Not Suitable for Democracy as we explore the Fight The Oligarchy Tour, headlined by Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.  The two firebrand progressive representatives have inspired hundreds of thousands of people to attend the Fight The Oligarchy rallies. That includes voters not registered as Democrats in Republican congression...

In the second episode of Not Suitable for Democracy , we explore identity politics. Understanding identity groups, intersectionality, and some historic examples set the stage for the show. Our host, Nick, then takes you on a brief journey with his political evolution—from proudly supporting Hillary Clinton in 2016 to feeling the Bern with Bernie Sanders just a few years later. This isn’t about swi...

Welcome to the very first episode of Not Suitable for Democracy ! Host Nick Haby , a marketing professional by day and progressive organizer by night, gets personal—sharing why he started this podcast, what he’s learned from nearly a decade in political organizing, and how we can chart a path toward what’s actually suitable for democracy. The show kicks off by diving into what’s really corrupting...

Curious about Not Suitable for Democracy ? Here’s a short snippet from the first episode!  Made for political newcomers and experts, this special sneak peek sets the stage for the show. Host of the NSFD Pod, Nick Haby, opens up about his political organizing.  Nw episodes drop every Tuesday. 4o

Politics is everywhere, but everything is broken. That's just not suitable for democracy.  Hosted by Nick, a political organizer with over ten years of adventures in Democratic politics, this show explores the challenges facing our country. Join him and his special guests every Tuesday for new episodes. We'll recap the latest news, discuss the top issues, and share the stories not making...