This is Democracy

Jeremi sits down to discuss impeachment in context with Professor Jeffery Tulis. As always, Zachary kicks things off with his poem entitled, “Two Images.” Professor Jeffrey Tulis is a leading scholar of American politics and the presidency in particular. He is the author of numerous books, including: The Rhetorical Presidency, The Presidency in the Constitutional Order, and The Legacie...

Jeremi sits down with Professor Alan McPherson to discuss the legacy of dictators in Latin American countries, how they used terror to control their regime, and how the U.S. has contributed to and interacted with these regimes in the past and present. Zachary sets the scene with his poem “Excuse Us.” Alan McPherson is a professor of history at Temple University, where he directs the Ce...

Jeremi sits down with Michael Lind to discuss the evolution of the American Working Class. Once again, Zachary sets the scene with his poem “Picturing America’s Working Class.” Michael Lind is a professor of practice at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. He is the author of more than a dozen books of nonfiction, fiction, poetry and children’s l...

Jeremi sits down with Clay Katsky to discuss congress and war powers. As always, Zachary sets the scene with his poem “An Adaptation of Alan Ginsburg’s ‘A Supermarket in California for a Nation on the Brink of War’.” Clay Katsky is a historian of Congress’ role in American foreign policy. He is completing a dissertation on Congress’ efforts to oversee policy and presi...

At year’s end, we want to share some of the voices from our podcast that exemplify the diversity and dynamism of our democracy today. The energy of change and reform is all around us. We can see many promising pathways to renew our democracy.  Please listen and get involved.

At year’s end, we want to share some of the voices from our podcast that exemplify the diversity and dynamism of our democracy today. The energy of change and reform is all around us. We can see many promising pathways to renew our democracy.  Please listen and get involved.

Jeremi sits down with Professor Kennedy to discuss the status of Brexit and how it will change the dynamic relationships between countries within the U.K. and its peoples. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, “England 2019.” Dane Kennedy teaches courses in British imperial, modern British, and world history at George Washington University. He is the author of six books, the most recen...

This week Jeremi sits down with Professor Richard Reddick to about the disparities in opportunity in higher education among various demographics. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, “Protagonists Prospective.” Dr. Richard J. Reddick is an award-winning Associate Professor in Educational Leadership and Policy, where he serves as coordinator of the Program in Higher Education...

This week Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Professor Manisha Sinha to talk about the first presidential impeachment of Andrew Jackson and reflect on what lessons we can take from the events of the past that apply to our political and societal climate today. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, “Lessons from the 19th Century.” Manisha Sinha is the James L. and Shirley A. Draper Chair i...

This week, Jeremi sits down with Brian Roberts to talk about the development of campaign finance in a historical context. As always, Zachary sets the scene with his poem, “Money Have Mercy.” Brian Roberts is a professor of government at the University of Texas at Austin. His fields of interest are American Political Institutions, Interest Groups, and Positive Political Economy, with a...

Zachary’s poem this week asks, “What are the Rules?” Brett Hurt is the CEO and co-founder of data.world, a Public Benefit Corporation (and Certified B Corporation®) that is the platform for modern data teamwork and the world’s largest collaborative data community. In 2017, 2018, and 2019, data.world was honored on the “Best for the World” list by B Lab, placing the company in the...

Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Miha Vindis to discuss naturalized citizenship in the United States. Zachary’s sets the scene with his poem, “America in the Face.” Miha Vindis is a professor at the University of Texas at Austin where he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses on leadership and entrepreneurship. When not teaching, Miha works as a consultant helping organi...

Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Robert Hutchings to discuss the fall of the Berlin Wall and the impact it has on us today. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, “Berlin: 30 Years.” Robert Hutchings is the Walt and Elspeth Rostow Chair in National Security and professor of public affairs at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, and he served as dean of the school from 2010 to 2015. Before...

Jeremi and Zachary sit down with David Judson to discuss the evolution of Turkey as well as the current controversies surrounding Turkey’s relationship with the United States. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, “Images of Turkey.” David Judson spent many years in Turkey. He first went there as a high school and later college student in the 1970s. He was to return in 2000, joining Turkey&#...

In this episode, Jeremi and Zachary discuss the Puerto Rico U.S. statehood movement with Prof. Alberto Martinez. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, “To Puerto Rico.” Alberto Martinez is originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Most recently, he is the author of  Burned Alive: Giordano Bruno, Galileo & the Inquisition  (Reaktion, 2018). He is also the author of four other...

In this episode, Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Professor Alon Tal to talk environmental activism across the world and the ways we all can help build a better future for our planet. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, “Nothing.” Alon Tal (Hebrew: אלון טל‎, born 12 July 1960) is a leading Israeli environmental activist and academic; founder of the Israel Union for Env...

In this episode, Jeremi and Zachary speak with Tom Mueller about whistleblowing and its role in our government and society. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, “A Voice Calling in the Desert.” Tom Mueller is the author of a new book,  Crisis of Conscience , on the history of whistleblowing and fraud in the United States. His articles have appeared in the New Yorker, National Geograph...

Today a very special guest joins Jeremi and Zachary in the studio. Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations under President Barack Obama’s second term shares her experience growing up as an immigrant in the United States, the evolution of her career, and her outlook on toolkits and morality in foreign intervention on behalf of the United States. Zachary introduces the episode with his po...

In this episode, Jeremi and Zachary speak with Professor Jorge Cañizares-Esguerra to discuss issues of racial discrimination against the Hispanic community within American universities and society. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, “Exclusion is a Funny Word.” Professor Jorge Cañizares-Esguerra is the Alice Drysdale Sheffield Professor of History at the University of Texas at Austi...

In this episode, Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Professor Paul Stekler to discuss the topic of presidential debates. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, “The War of the Botox.” Paul Stekler is a nationally recognized documentary filmmaker whose critically praised and award-winning work includes George Wallace: Settin’ the Woods on Fire; Last Man Standing: Polit...

Jeremi sits down with William Inboden to reflect on the lessons and legacies of 9/11. As always, Zachary kicks off the discussion with his poem, “Ghosts of 9/11/2001.” Professor William Inboden is the Executive Director and William Powers, Jr. Chair of the Clements Center for National Security as well as a Distinguished Scholar of the Strauss Center for International Security and Law....

In this episode, Jeremi discusses unions with Yvonne Flores, President of AFSCME Local 1624, and Jackie Jones, the Chair of the Department of History at UT, to discuss unions. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, “Images of Madison 2011.” Yvonne Flores is the President of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees AFSCME Local 1624 Representing the City of Austi...

Jeremi sits down with Matthew Kim and Councilwoman Alison Alter to discuss climate change activism among America’s youth. This week, Zachary kicks off the episode with his poem, “The Only Ones.” Matthew Kim is a junior in high school and the president of the Austin chapter of Students for Climate Action and a member of the Austin Youth Council. Alison Alter was elected in 2016 as...

In this episode, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Natalie Suri. The trio talks about what it means to be a student today, and how school is changing. Zachary reads his poem, “Ode to My School.”

In this episode, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Shery Chanis. The trio talk about the protests and current happenings in Hong Kong. Zachary presents his poem, “Hanging Between.” Shery Chanis is a Ph. D. Candidate in the Department of History at the University of Texas at Austin. She is completing her dissertation on the identity formation of the southern maritime province of Guangdon...