This is Democracy

This week, Jeremi and Zachary speak with Dr. Robinson Woodward-Burns about the role of state governments in making larger constitutional and political policies for the United States. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "When They Gather In The Hallowed Halls." Robinson Woodward-Burns is an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at Howard University, where he researches and te...

This week, Jeremi and Zachary talk with Natalie Suri about her experiences as a high school student during the COVID-19 pandemic, graduating during a global crisis, and her new views on the world. Zachary reads his poem, "Like an Elephant." Natalie Suri graduated from McCallum High School in Austin in June 2021. She received many academic honors, including the Trustee Scholar award, the University...

In this episode, Jeremi and Zachary talk with Lieutenant Colonel Christina Hopper about her military career and the history of women and minorities serving in the Air Force. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, "Just a Little More Earthly" Lieutenant Colonel Christina “Thumper” Hopper graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1998 and commissioned as the Distinguished Graduate...

Jeremi and Zachary with their guest Professor Robert Chesney discuss the threats, concerns trepidation and potential opportunities behind cybersecurity as well as how the country examines and deals with cyber issues to protect and further our democratic values. Zachary sets the scene with his poem titled "The Solution". Professor Robert “Bobby” Chesney is a leading scholar and policy adviser on is...

On this episode, Jeremi and Zachary, with guest Dr. Samuel Truett discuss their understanding of the controversies surrounding the US-Mexico border. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "The Forest Next to the Trees". Samuel Truett received his Ph. D. at Yale University and is Associate Professor of History and Director of the Center for the Southwest at the University of New Mexico.  He is...

On this episode, Jeremi and Zachary, with Dr. Charles Edel, discuss the history of U.S-China foreign policy, to frame how the youth of America should have opinions on relations with China. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "A Good Fight". Dr. Charles Edel is a Global Fellow at the Wilson Center and a Senior Fellow at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. Edel’s research...

Jeremi and Zachary, with Eric Rauchway, discuss the legacy of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, and how modern policies in today's government echo it. Zachary sets the scene with his poem titled "In the Radio Static." Eric Rauchway is Distinguished Professor of History at the University of California, Davis, and the author of seven books on U.S. history including, most recently, Why the New Deal M...

Jeremi and Zachary along with their guest, Aaron O'Connell discuss America's longest war, the Afghanistan War, and the implications within our proposed withdrawal on the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. Zachary sets the scene with his poem titled "When a War Lasts 20 Years". Dr. Aaron O’Connell is an Associate Professor of History at UT Austin and Director of Research at the Clement...

Jeremi and Zachary turn to expert Dr. Daina Ramey Berry to discuss the history and legacy of slave revolts and maroon societies in the United States, and lack of education on these subjects today. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "One You Have Not Heard". Daina Ramey Berry is the Oliver H. Radkey Regents Professor of History and Chairperson of the History Department at the University of Texas...

Jeremi and Zachary turn to expert Dr. Jason Scott Smith to discuss the history of America's investment in public works, the Biden administration's proposed 2 trillion dollar infrastructure bill, and where the people of America think their taxes should go. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "What Else?" Jason Scott Smith is a professor of history at the University of New Mexico. He is a speciali...

Jeremi, Zachary, and Dr. Richard Reddick discuss the racist past, and current controversy, of UT's most popular song, "The Eyes of Texas". The lyrics to "The Eyes of Texas" are as follows: The Eyes of Texas are upon you, All the livelong day. The Eyes of Texas are upon you, You cannot get away. Do not think you can escape them At night or early in the morn -- The Eyes of Texas are upon you Til Gab...

This week, after the racially-motivated attacks in Atlanta, Georgia, Jeremi and Zachary talk with Professor Madeline Hsu about Asian American History and exclusion in the United States. Zachary reads his poem, "Like a Bullet." Yesterday, UT's Department of History issued a statement in support of UT's Asian & Asian American community. Read the full statement at  http://bit.ly/3tGGQBA . Colleag...

Jeremi and Zachary, with guest Julian Zelizer discuss what is at the forefront of our news and draw on the history of economic stimulus packages and how that history will help inform our collective experience with the most recent economic stimulus package. Julian E. Zelizer is one of the leading experts on modern American political history. He is the Malcolm Stevenson Forbes, Class of 1941 Profess...

Jeremi and Zachary, with Dr. Sean Theriault discuss congressional politics and question whether the U.S. Senate should continue to have a rule for a Filibuster. Dr. Sean Theriault is a professor in the Department of Government at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a leading scholar of American political institutions, and the U.S. Congress in particular. Sean has published five books:&nb...

Jeremi and Zachary, with Dr. Varun Rai, discuss the role of state and national government in energy management, as well as what improvements could be made to Texas's approach to climate crises, and its unregulated, disconnected electrical power grid. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "Do Not Be Alone When The Lights Come Back On." Dr. Varun Rai is the Walt and Elspeth Rostow Professor in the L...

Jeremi and Zachary, with Prof. Jonathan Marks, discuss the approach of liberal education through a conservative lens, and how the status quo can hinder thoughtful discussions instead of promoting critical thought. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "That Man Believes Astrology". Jonathan Marks is a professor of politics at Ursinus College and a blogger for Commentary magazine. He is the author...

In this Episode Jeremi and Zachary along with - discuss how large quantities of data are used in surveillance and how they may be used to heighten inequalities for certain communities. Sarah Brayne is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin. In her research, Brayne uses qualitative and quantitative methods to examine the social consequences of data-intensive survei...

Jeremi and Zachary, with Dr. Brent Iverson, discuss the role of science in government and society, as well as how education and scientific literacy will help in the development and protection of democracy. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, "What No One Ever Told Me." Dr. Brent Iverson is a distinguished professor of chemistry and dean of the School of Undergraduate Studies at the University of...

Jeremi and Zachary discuss the ongoing political protests in Russia, and Biden's response to Putin, with Dr. Michael Kimmage. 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 DC. From 2014 to 2017...

Today Jeremi and Zachary discuss President-Elect Joe Biden's inauguration and the effects his speech may have on the current divisions in the United States with special guest Dr. David Greenberg. Zachary sets the scene with his poem "For President Biden Upon His Inauguration." David Greenberg is a professor of History and of Journalism & Media Studies at Rutgers University. He is a leading exp...

Today Jeremi and Zachary reflect on the recent events leading up to the U.S. Capitol riots and discuss its impact amidst a democracy in crisis with special guest, Dr. Nicole Hemmer. Nicole Hemmer is an associate research scholar with the Obama Presidency Oral History project. A political historian specializing in media, conservatism, and the far-right, Hemmer is author of Messengers of the Right:...

Today Jeremi and Zachary reflect on what they have learned this year from the many discussions with the guests they've had on the podcast, what 2020 has taught us, and why they have hope for 2021. Zachary sets the scene with his poem titled "The Year of Elisions".

Today, Jeremi and Zachary, with guest Professor David M. Oshinsky discuss the history of vaccinations in American society and how it applies to the current pandemic and the arrivals of the newest COVID-19 vaccines. Zachary sets the scene with his poem titled "In My Defense". David M. Oshinsky directs the division of medical humanities in the department of medicine at New York University, where he...

Today, Jeremi and Zachary, with guest Dr. Geoffrey Kabaservice discuss the mid-twentieth century history of the Republican party and what that can inform us about where the party might be going from where it is today. Zachary sets the scene with his poem titled, "For Joseph McCarthy and his Brethren in Moral Promiscuity". Dr. Geoffrey Kabaservice is Director of Political Studies at the Niskanen Ce...

Today, Jeremi and Zachary, with guest Dr. Shirley Thompson talk about the historical evolution of Atlanta, Georgia. Zachary sets the scene with his song titled, "Don Quixote of Oakland and Sancho of the South Side". Dr. Shirley Thompson is an Associate Professor of American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, and Associate Director of the John L. Warfield Center for African and African A...