This is Democracy

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by guest Dr. Michael Kimmage to discuss The Russo-Ukrainian War. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "A Year After the War Began." Dr. Michael Kimmage is a professor of history at the Catholic University of America in Washington DC. He is also a fellow at the German Marshall Fund, and chair of the Advisory Council for the Kennan Institute at the...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Professor Seth Garfield to discuss Brazil's history and current political climate. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "Brazilia Lament" Seth Garfield is a professor of history at the University of Texas at Austin. He is the author of: Indigenous Struggle at the Heart of Brazil: State Policy, Frontier Expansion, and the Xavante Indians, 1937-1...

Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Beverly Gage to discuss the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover, and their role in American democracy. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "The Secret to Believing". Beverly Gage is a professor of history at Yale University. Her book G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century, a biography of former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, was named a best book of 2022 b...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Professor Erika Bsumek to discuss how major infrastructure projects tend to damage indigenous communities and contribute to their erasure. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "Sonnet on the Shores of Lake Powell" Dr. Erika Bsumek is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Texas at Austin. She is the author of:  Indian-Made:...

In this episode, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Art Markman to discuss the state of civics in post-pandemic society. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "Our Lonely Midnight Feasts". Art Markman is the Annabel Irion Worsham Centennial Professor of Psychology and Marketing at the University of Texas at Austin. Prof. Markman is the Founding Director of the Human Dimensions of Organizations progr...

In this episode, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by CEO of BridgeUSA Manu Meel to discuss bridge-building and how to approach cynicism in modern political discourse Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "Listening" Manu Meel is the CEO of BridgeUSA, a national organization that is investing in the future of democracy. Through his work, Manu has contributed to several news outlets, advanced...

Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Isabel Cademartori to discuss German Right-Wing Extremism and its effects on democracy. Zachary sets the scene with his poem: "Chickens That Won't Die". Isabel Cademartori was elected as a Member of the German Bundestag for Mannheim in the 2021 federal election. Cademartori served as a city councillor in Mannheim since 2019. She is a member of the Social Democratic...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Joshua Eisenman to discuss protests and political upheaval in China. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "A Blank Sheet of Paper" Joshua Eisenman is an associate professor of global affairs at the University of Notre Dame. His research focuses on the political economy of China’s development, and its foreign relations with the United States...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Geoffrey Kabaservice to discuss the Midterm Elections. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "My First Vote: 10/24/22" Dr. Geoff Kabaservice is Director of Political Studies at the Niskanen Center in Washington D.C. He is the author of several books including: The Guardians: Kingman Brewster, His Circle, and the Rise of the Liberal Establish...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Peter Beinart to discuss the history of anti-semitism in The United States and around the world. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "Mezuzah Addendums." Peter Beinart is Professor of Journalism and Political Science at the Newmark School of Journalism at the City University of New York. He is also Editor-at-Large of Jewish Currents , an MSNBC...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary discuss the ongoing protests in Iran with Professor Nahid Siamdoust. Zachary recites his poem "Worth Waiting For." Nahid Siamdoust is an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin. She is the author of Soundtrack of the Revolution: The Politics of Music in Iran (Stanford, 2017). Professor Siamdoust has also published in The New York Times , Foreign Polic...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary talk with Dr. Michael Kimmage about how the Ukraine War has developed over the course of the year, and how they predict things will progress in the future. Dr. Michael Kimmage is a professor of history at the Catholic University of America in Washington DC. He is also a fellow at the German Marshall Fund, and chair of the Advisory Council for the Kennan Institute at t...

Jeremi Suri holds the Mack Brown Distinguished Chair for Leadership in Global Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a professor in the University's Department of History and the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Professor Suri is the author and editor of eleven books on politics and foreign policy, most recently:  Civil War By Other Means: America’s Long and Unfinished Fight fo...

This week, Zachary takes a turn at hosting and interviews Jeremi about his new book, Civil War By Other Means: America’s Long and Unfinished Fight for Democrac y. Tune in next week for part 2 of this discussion. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "Every Season Goes." Jeremi Suri holds the Mack Brown Distinguished Chair for Leadership in Global Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. He is...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary talk with guest Sarah Kaiser-Cross about banks and financial institutions and how they interact with different countries' economic policies and regulations. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "The World, Invisible." Sarah Kaiser-Cross is a Director and Regional Head of Correspondent Banking and Affiliates for the Americas at HSBC Bank. She is a financial c...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary talk to Dr. Jonathan Kirshner to discuss realism and foreign policy. Zachary sets the scene for the discussion with his poem "For Want of an Overcoat". Jonathan Kirshner is a professor of Political Science and International Studies at Boston College. Prior to joining Boston College, Kirshner was the Stephen and Barbara Friedman Professor of International Political Eco...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary talk with Jill Lepore about her new book, These Truths: A History of the United States , and why an acknowledgement and understanding of our country's true past can unite us. Jill Lepore is the David Woods Kemper '41 Professor of American History at Harvard University. She is also a staff writer at  The New Yorker . Professor Lepore is the author of numerous priz...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Jasbir Singh to discuss the changing landscape of abortion access in the United States. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "Ode to a Doctor." Dr. Jasbir Singh is a specialist in maternal fetal medicine. He is in private practice with Austin Maternal Fetal Medicine Organization, affiliated with St. David’s Medical System in Austin, Texas....

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Peniel Joseph to discuss his new book, The Third Reconstruction , and his interpretations of American history. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "The Third Reconstruction." Peniel E. Joseph  is the Barbara Jordan Chair in Ethics and Political Values, Founding Director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, and...

Today, Jeremi and Zachary discuss the significance and legacy of Mikhail Gorbachev and his political career with professor, author, and political scientist Dr. William Taubman. Zachary reads his poem, "What Mikhail Thought of." This episode of This is Democracy was mixed and mastered by Morgan Honaker.

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by American historian Mark Updegrove. They discuss Mark's recent book, Incomparable Grace: JFK in the Presidency and President John F. Kennedy's popularity and lasting legacy. Zachary reads his poem, "Never Again the Same." This episode of This is Democracy was edited, mixed, and mastered by Morgan Honaker.

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Arizona candidate for state attorney general, Kris Mayes. They discuss how state attorney generals fulfill the role of the highest law enforcement officer in the state, as well as how they're involved in elections and environmental issues. Zachary sets the scene with his poem: "Prayer at the Sick Bed of Truth" Kris Mayes is the Democratic candidate for A...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Hal Brands and Michael Beckley to discuss China's rise as a military power, lessons from the Cold War, and the changing relationship between the United States and China. Zachary sets the scene with his poem: "Probably" Hal Brands is the Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor of Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Stud...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Professor Vida Johnson to discuss policing in America and the types of checks and balances required by a justice system. Zachary sets the scene with his poem: "Prayer of the Unjustly Imprisoned" Vida Johnson is an associate professor of law at Georgetown University. Prior to joining Georgetown, she was a supervising attorney in the Trial Division at the...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Adam Tooze to discuss the rise in inflation and the broader economic concepts that contribute to it. Zachary sets the scene with his poem: "Today You're at the Gas Station Mirthless" Adam Tooze is the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Professor of History at Columbia University. He is a leading economic historian and expert on the contemporary global e...