OCCUPY! An Unfinished Uprising

We discuss how multisolving is a way to address the multiple issues that are currently facing our democracy at the same time, ranging from pollution and sustainable energy to civil rights and collective governance. Elizabeth's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Learn about multisolving 2) Learn together in a group Elizabeth Sawin is the Director of the Multisolving Institute and the auth...

We discuss Inclusive Constitutionalism, a fresh way to interpret the Constitution that makes inclusive democracy real. By contrast, originalism interprets the meaning of the Constitution as fixed in time in the 1800s and ignores the constitutional amendments during reconstruction that were designed to foster a multiracial democracy. Madiba's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Join or form a...

We discuss why the Constitution—the document we've been taught to revere as the very foundation of American democracy—might actually be responsible for the current crisis in government. It might be leading us away from a more perfect union and toward destruction or even secession. Erwin's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Be informed Get involved Speak out Erwin Chemerinsky is the Dean of...

We discuss how the Supreme Court's lawlessness is fueled by the conservative grievance mindset where Republicans believe they are victims of laws they don't agree with. The Supreme Court has played an important role in enabling the current administration's actions. Leah's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Get educated on the Supreme Court! Read Leah's book, Lawless: How the Supreme Court R...

We discuss why housing insecurity undermines our democracy. We cover the evolution from Reagan, when homelessness was blamed on the individual, to the increasing recognition that housing is a human right. Maria's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Be an advocate against criminalization and call your representatives Join the https://housingnothandcuffs.org/ campaign Maria Foscarinis is the f...

We discuss "calling in" as a practice rooted in a human rights framework that can transform how we engage across our divide and potentially be the bridge that helps our democracy survive. Loretta's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Do an integrity audit: pause and self assess before responding Always focus on the good part of people Loretta Ross is an activist and an associate professor at...

We discuss what it takes to build worker power from scratch and how these efforts can reshape not only our workplaces, but democracy itself. Jaz's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Organize a union in your workplace Train at Inside Organizer School Jaz Brisack is a union organizer and cofounder of the Inside Organizer School, as well as the author of Get on the Job and Organize: Standing U...

We discuss reclaiming the narrative of democracy. Democracy is a tool to deliver on our values in the realm of justice, dignity, fairness, and freedom. Stacey's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Refuse to pre-capitulate Take action on one issue you care about once a week, every week Stacey Abrams is an author, political leader, and host of the new podcast Assembly Required. After eleven ye...

We discuss the growing phenomenon of pregnancy criminalization, examine the path forward in a post-Dobbs world, and consider what a just jurisprudence of pregnancy might look like. Karen's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Educate yourself at the Pregnancy Justice website: https://www.pregnancyjusticeus.org/our-issues/ 2) Make your voice heard, put pressure on district attorneys who bri...

We discuss the history of citizenship schools, their profound importance in the Civil Rights Movement, and the critical lessons they offer for our present moment. Elaine's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Share the power of voting with your neighbors. Start your own community citizenship schools! Elaine Weiss is a journalist, speaker, and author of Spell Freedom: The Underground Schools t...

We assess the first 100 days of the Trump administration and what we can expect going forward. Skye's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Join a dinner for democracy or a coffee for change Resist isolation and say yes to building a future for ourselves. Skye Perryman is the President and CEO of Democracy Forward, which uses the law to build collective power and advance a bold, vibrant democr...

We discuss what's happening in the AI space to augment human life in this moment, and what the potential intersections are with democracy. Natalie's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Use AI and lean into it Explore the ways AI can empower you Natalie Monbiot is a strategist and pioneer in AI and virtual human technologies. She is the Founder of Virtual Human Economy, the co-founder of Hour...

We discuss rethinking the Constitution as a way to reimagine democracy. In addition, we examine the role of constitutionalism in exporting the principles of democracy as the underpinning of American imperialism. Aziz's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Join a union or a party formation or a tenants' association in your community Get involved in shaping the terms institutions that serve as...

We discuss the Green New Deal and how youth movements like the Sunrise Movement are the secret sauce in getting the federal government to drive the effort to stop the climate crisis. Aru's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Hold on to a disciplined form of hope Join Sunrise Movement! Sunrisemovement.org/become-a-member Aru Shiney-Ajay is the executive director of Sunrise Movement, a movemen...

We discuss the great reshuffle of land in the last few centuries and the intersection of land, power, and democracy. Michael's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Support conservation easements Learn about the indigenous communities that have been displaced from the land where you live and finds ways to support reallocation Michael Albertus is professor of political science at the University...

We discuss the anti-democratic and reactionary nihilistic nature of the Christian nationalist movement. Christian nationalism is an ideology that functions as a tool for a leadership driven organization machine that turns mythology into political power. Katherine's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Mobilize the pro-democracy majority Stop purity testing Katherine Stewart is the author of M...

We discuss mobile voting as the definitive way to make elections more accessible for everyone — especially for Americans with disabilities and overseas citizens — and therefore finally increase turnout in significant numbers. Bradley's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Sign up and get involved at mobilevoting.org Rally your friends and family to demand change. Bradley Tusk is the co-founde...

We discuss whether executive orders can change the Constitution, the ongoing transformation of executive power, and the true intersection of the Constitution and democracy. Julie's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Get a pocket Constitution and read it over with a red pen! Think about the kind of democracy you want to live in and decide how the Constitution will get us there. Julie Suk is...

We discuss why joining a club or an association is the glue that binds civic society to democracy. They are the classrooms for our citizenship! Pete's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Join a club! Re-inhabit the world that you're in, by learning about it. Pete Davis is a bestselling author of Dedicated: The Case for Commitment in an Age of Infinite Browsing, the founder of the Democracy P...

We discuss a vision for the Democratic Party that goes back to its roots and represents working people and champions issues such as healthcare, student debt, and wages through a class lens. Faiz's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Call your member of Congress. Write a letter to the editor. Gather in civic organizations, host a house party and wrestle together with collective actions you ca...

We discuss the influence of Karl Marx in American politics and the continued relevance of Marxism today. Andrew's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Form a reading group to change your collective political consciousness Read something challenging at an intellectual, political, or philosophical level Andrew Hartman is professor of history at Illinois State University and the author of severa...

We discuss that Americans should prize truth over tribe. A lot of disinformation is hiding behind the First Amendment – using the right to free speech to tell lies. The muddy media and information ecosystem is turning us against our neighbors. Barb's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Meet people in real life because when we know them it's harder to vilify them Get accurate election-related...

We discuss how the public interest movements in the 60s and 70s can be a source of inspiration for American democracy and why this movement was a formidable force in influencing public policy that benefits all of us, from traffic safety to the Clean Water Act. Paul's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Focus on state and local government Make liberal cities and states compelling models for g...

We discuss what we can all do to say "no" to Project 2025, including getting Democrats to play hardball in local, city, and state offices, and to protect and win elections this year and in the midterms next year. Ezra's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Organize in your community with like-minded Americans Use your constituent power to influence the political calculus of your elected repre...

We discuss many of our rights that are at risk under the new Trump administration, what our rights actually are–like due process and the 1st amendment, and an action plan for when they come under attack. Monica's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Know what your rights are and speak up. Talk to your friends and family about DC statehood Monica Hopkins is the Executive Director of the ACLU o...