This is Democracy

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch to discuss the ways in which U.S. policy has evolved in the region surrounding Ukraine, and the ways people should understand the evolution of that policy for current challenges regarding Ukraine and Democratization in the region as a whole. Zachary sets the scene with his poem: "Ode to President Zelensky". Marie Yovanovitch...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary reach their 200th episode of This is Democracy and reflect on the state of Democracy in America, as well as what they have learned over the years, with the podcast nearing its 4 year anniversary. Zachary sets the scene with his poem: "I'd Like To Think You've Seen the World With Me". This episode was mixed and mastered by Oscar Kitmanyen and Jonah Hernandez.

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by attorney Gail Johnson to discuss the ways in which the avenues for wrongful convictions are closing in the US court system, and more broadly, the issues of wrongful convictions on death row. Zachary sets the scene with his poem: "Death Row Lullaby". Gail Johnson has more than two decades of experience representing clients in criminal and civil cases in f...

Jeremi, Zachary, and guest Lorinc Redei discuss the power of Hungary as a member of the European Union and NATO, and the role it plays between large empires to its eastern and western borders in the Ukrainian-Russian conflict. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "In between". Dr. Lorinc Redei is a professor at the LBJ School at the University of Texas at Austin, where he serves as the graduate a...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Steven Olikara to discuss political reform in light of the recent tragedy that occurred on May 24th, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. Zachary sets the scene with his poem: "I'd Like To Tell You the World Will Be Fine" This episode was mixed and mastered by Oscar Kitmanyen .

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Peniel Joseph to discuss the recent tragedy that occurred on May 14th, 2022, in Buffalo, New York. Zachary sets the scene with his poem: "Summer Moon" This episode was mixed and mastered by Oscar Kitmanyen .

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Michael Kimmage to discuss the recent developments and current state of the war in Ukraine. Zachary sets the scene with his poem: "Thinking of the War on a Monday after Returning from the Capitol" This episode was Mixed and Mastered by Karoline Pfiel and Will Shute

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Professor Steve I. Vladeck as they discuss the ramifications of the recently leaked supreme court draft decision, as well as the future of both abortion rights and the supreme court itself. Zachary sets the scene with his poem "The Right To Chew" Stephen I. Vladeck (@steve_vladeck) holds the Charles Alan Wright Chair in Federal Courts at the University o...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Author and Activist Jo Ivester to discuss transgender rights, the transgender community in the United States, and the importance of transgender representation/inclusion for a thriving democracy. Zachary sets the scene with his poem "Because Someday Maybe" Jo Ivester is an LGBTQ and civil rights advocate, sharing her family's story as a way of helping oth...

Today, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Emily Whalen and discuss the history and current situation of the civil war in Syria, Russia's involvement in that civil war, and how that conflict parallels the ongoing war in Ukraine. Zachary sets the scene with his poem "Shadows at the Door." This episode of This is Democracy wa s mixed and mastered by Karoline Pfeil and Morgan Honaker.

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Historian Dr. Elizabeth Borgwardt to discuss the recent Russian war crimes in Ukraine, what war crimes are, and what we can do about it. Zachary sets the scene with his poem "Fortunately" Elizabeth Borgwardt specializes in the history of international law and the history of human rights ideas and institutions, with a focus on war crimes trials such as th...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary meet with Dr. Kenneth Osgood to discuss the issues related to deception, secrecy, and the doctoring of evidence by presidents and other figures in the executive branch. Jeremi and Dr. Osgood have published an article on this topic in THE HILL. Problems with presidential records are not just about Trump Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "Forwards". Dr. Kenneth Osgo...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Will Hurd to discuss his new book and his insights into our democracy today. Zachary sets the scene with his poem: "Aren't We Hollow Enough" Will Hurd is a former CIA officer, cybersecurity executive, and elected member of Congress. From 2015 to 2021 he represented the 23rd Congressional District in Texas, a region stretching from San Antonio to El Paso,...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Michael Kimmage to discuss the Ukraine conflict. Zachary sets the scene with his poem: "For Mariupol" 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 Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington D...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Professors Joesph Fishkin and William Forbath, authors of The Anti-Oligarchy Constitution , to discuss the role of equality and the law. Zachary sets the scene with his poem: "Of Oligarchs and Idealists" Joseph Fishkin is a Professor of Law at UCLA, where he teaches and writes about employment discrimination law, election law, constitutional law, educati...

Jeremi and Zachary discuss the history of the NATO with Bryan Frizzelle, and its importance to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "Ode to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization." Bryan Frizzelle is a Colonel in the United States Army with twenty years of active duty service. Bryan has commanded at every level from platoon through battalion, and has served three...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Professor of History and expert on Russian and Ukrainian policy, Dr. Michael Kimmage to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Zachary sets the scene with a section of his poem "Our Ukrainian Love Story" 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,...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary discuss the future and potential of Artificial Intelligence and our Democracy with Aurna Mukherjee. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, Wires in Ancient Walls are like Grape Vines in Cell Towers. Aurna Mukherjee is a sophomore at Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA) High School, graduating in 2024. She is part of the Women+ in Computer Science club at the school,...

Jeremi and Zachary discuss youth political activism in Latin America with Dr. Andrés González. Dr. Andrés González is a political scientist based in Quito-Ecuador. He obtained his Ph. D. in Political Science and International Relations at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich and has taught in several universities and high schools in Germany and Ecuador. He is currently the President and Ac...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Jason Flowers, a high school teacher, to discuss how teaching has changed during COVID. Zachary sets the scene with his poem: "Nowadays" Jason Flowers is entering his seventeenth year teaching AP US History at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy in Austin.  In addition to APUSH, Mr. Flowers teaches American Film and coaches Quiz Bowl and History Bo...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Hanna Senko and Major Pro Tem Alison Alter to discuss sexual assault. Zachary sets the scene with his poem: "Around the Corner" Hanna Senko is a sexual assault survivor whose case was closed via exceptional clearance by the Austin Police Department. She now serves as a survivor speaker, writer, and advocate fighting for change in the understanding, repor...

This week, Jeremi, Zachary, and Paul Stekler discuss their feelings about Biden's first year, and what the future holds for his office. Zachary sets the scene with his poem "The Meaning in our Malaise" Professor Paul Stekler holds the Wofford Denius Chair in Entertainment Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a nationally recognized documentary filmmaker whose critically praised and...

Jeremi, Zachary, and guest Nataliya Gumenyuk discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the current position of Ukraine in the global political landscape. Zachary sets the scene with his poem "When the War Starts" Nataliya Gumenyuk is a Ukrainian author, documentary filmmaker, and journalist. She specializes in conflict reporting, human rights, and foreign affairs. Gumenyuk is a founder of the P...

Jeremi, Zachary, and guest Dr. Samuel J. Abrams, argue that the United States should lower the voting age requirement to 16 years old. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "What You Still Have Left To Give." Samuel J. Abrams is a professor of politics at Sarah Lawrence College and a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. He is the co-author, with Jeremi and Zachary Suri, of a rece...

Jeremi and Zachary sit down and reflect what they learned from this year, from the January 6th insurrection to the new Omicron Variant, and how we can move forward as a country. Zachary caps the year off with a new poem, "This year I'd like to love my country"