OCCUPY! An Unfinished Uprising

We discuss the role of schools to form effective citizens in our democracy. It's necessary to prioritize the teaching of our history and our government. James's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Push back against corrosive technology, especially in schools Read books! James Traub is a journalist, historian, and author of The Cradle of Citizenship: How Schools Can Help Save Our Democracy. L...

We discuss the dangers of book bans and censorship, the power of civic action on the local level, and the intersection of libraries and human rights. Amanda's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Use the library! Follow Kelly Jensen at Book Riot on social media Amanda Jones is a middle school librarian, an activist, and the author of That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America....

We discuss orienting our personal choices toward the collective in order to make the changes in the systems that organize our world. Michael's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Orient your personal choices towards the collective Do something, and do it with others Michael Brownstein is Professor and Chair of Philosophy at John Jay College, and Professor of Philosophy at The Graduate Center...

We discuss how being pro-democracy is a big tent coalition. In fact, it is our national identity. Rick's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Meet your your neighbors, friends, and family in person 2) Be a persuasive voice in your immediate network and build a network of networks Rick Wilson is co-founder of the Lincoln Project, as well as the host of the Lincoln Project and The Enemies Li...

We discuss the promise of radical liberalism to deliver equal freedom for all. Alex's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Join the fight for democracy 2) Put pressure on a leader who has the power to resist Alex Zakaras is professor of political science at the University of Vermont and the author of Freedom for All: What a Liberal Society Could Be. Let's connect! Follow Future Hindsight o...

In this episode of Shifting Terrain, Colin Davis and Reece Peck discuss why liberal messaging continues to fail, where to find the Joe Rogan of the left, and how to actually reach working class men. Plus we'll hear from author Joan Williams about how class cluelessness led to the downfall of the left's power. Let's connect! Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurehind...

We discuss the building blocks of narrative power and the strategies to succeed in changing hearts and minds. Shanelle's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Share your stories of your experiences in your community 2) Get involved in local government Shanelle Matthews is a leading voice in narrative power and social movement communications and the co-author of Liberation Stories: Building...

We discuss the complexity of gun violence in the United States and the reality that strong gun laws save lives. Emma's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Contact your senator to vote NO on concealed carry reciprocity Go to giffords.org and get involved Emma Brown is the executive director of GIFFORDS, an organization whose mission is to save lives from gun violence in America. Let's connect...

We discuss how we can tell the truth, how we can speak the truth, and how we can avoid misinformation and disinformation. Pauline's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Maintain a degree of curiosity! Care before you share. Pauline Hoffman, also known as the Data Doyenne, is an esteemed infodemiologist and the author of Fake News, Witch Hunts, and Conspiracy Theories: An Infodemiologist's Gui...

We discuss how AI can both serve the public interest and advance the goals of our democracy, despite the misgivings about the current state of AI. Bruce's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Use the tools of AI! 2) Use assistive tech to write to your elected representatives Bruce Schneier is an internationally renowned security technologist, chief of security architecture at Inrupt Inc, a...

We discuss Practical Radicals: Seven Strategies to Change the World—a guide for a new generation of activists seeking not just to understand power, but to build it. Stephanie's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Learn a new skill, like non cooperation or mutual aid 2) Find organizations that align with your values and check if they offer trainings Stephanie Luce is Professor of Labor Stu...

A fair, humane, and orderly immigration system should think of the US as the top destination for top talent from around the world, as well as a beacon of hope. Changing the law to give permanent legal status and a pathway to citizenship would fix the current failed immigration system. Todd's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Post know-your-rights material at your place of worship or local...

We discuss how the everyday voter can make strategic political campaign donations just like a billionaire. Brian's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Find an election you've never participated in before and get involved 2) Check out the Supreme Court races in Pennsylvania, governor's races in NJ and VA, and the California redistricting ballot measure Brian Derrick is the co-founder of Oa...

We discuss the unavoidable intersection between our capitalist economy and democratic governance, and how their relationship plays out through campaign finance and other political transactions. Hilary's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Get the data of your state, locality, and elected officials at opensecrets.org Piece together what is happening your state Hilary Braseth is the executive...

We discuss how the struggle for transparency is really a struggle for the soul of American democracy. Miranda's civic action toolkit recommendations are: Look up the agendas of your local school board and city council, and attend the public meetings Learn how your local and state governments make decisions Miranda S. Spivack is a veteran reporter and editor who specialized in government accountabi...

We discuss the basics of organizing and the fruits of that work. Michael reminds us that "organizers organize organizations." Michael's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Gather 4-5 friends to talk about what's happening 2) Share ideas on what you can do to resist Michael Ansara is a seasoned community organizer and the author of The Hard Work of Hope: A Memoir . Let's connect! Follow Fu...

We discuss the enduring power of protesting and the significance of the Ferguson uprising in the long arc of the Black liberation movement. Jonathan's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Speak with a young person in your life about what they're wrestling with 2) Emphasize community engagement Jonathan Pulphus is an organizer from St. Louis, Missouri, Co-founder of the community organizati...

We discuss the importance of shifting our mindset to one that is infused with hope. Positive change comes when we choose hope. Though nobody can fix it all, we can all do something and make an impact. Sharon reminds us that if something is worth doing for everyone, it's worth doing for one person. Sharon's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Choose hope. 2) Get involved in an issue that i...

We discuss the role of collective memory in the myth-making of American exceptionalism. Hajar's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Advocate 2) Relate 3) Create Hajar Yazdiha is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences and the author of The Struggle for the People's King: How Politics Transforms the Memory of the Civil Rights Movement....

We discuss how ungoverning is the equivalent of a bull in a china shop. We have already seen the destruction of many institutions and many functions of the administrative state, but we don't yet know how much there is still to come. Nancy's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Don't let unpredictability strip you of your agency 2) Vote in local, county, and state elections Nancy Rosenblum...

We discuss the long history of vigilante democracy in the US and its return in our current politics. The playing field is currently tilted in favor of these vigilante policies, but blue states can level the playing field by playing constitutional hardball. David reminds us that the American people have beat back movements to use vigilante power to enforce a reactionary agenda time and again. David...

We discuss how out of date immigration laws are and why the only cure is comprehensive immigration reform from Congress. In the face of rising arrests and deportations by ICE, this is the perfect episode to remind us that we still need immigration reform. Aaron's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Be welcoming and model inclusion in your communities 2) Contact your member of Congress and...

We discuss how certain radical acts of justice by everyday people challenge the legitimacy of the criminal system and form the underpinning of a new collective legal thought, demosprudence. Collective understanding of justice and safety is changing away from the concept that justice equals cages. Jocelyn's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Be a court watcher! 2) Learn about your city's...

We discuss deliberative polling as a way to assess the will of the people and then to make it consequential. This is what democracy is all about. James's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Question your own beliefs and assumptions 2) Learn to listen to people whom you would not normally talk to James Fishkin is the Director of the Deliberative Democracy Lab at Stanford University and the...

We discuss the main goals of copaganda: narrowing our conception of safety and threat, constantly warning us that those harms are increasing, and telling us that the solution to our fears is more investment in the punishment bureaucracy. Alec's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Educate yourself on how copaganda works 2) Read the Copaganda book in a group! Alec Karakatsanis is the founde...