EP45: Dr. Nancy Wadsworth | Power, Agency & Why Democracy Is Failing Us Right Now

I've been trying to process everything going on in the world these days by studying history, watching documentaries, talking with friends and family, patients and people in the community. Based on all of this, it seems that many of us are wondering: what's going on, and how the did we get here??! That's why I invited my good friend Dr. Nancy Wadsworth to the show. She is a Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of Denver. She has been studying power for the last 30 years. I asked her to help us understand what is going on in the world from the perspective of power. Why is it that we feel so disempowered, and how can we get our power back? Why does power corrupt? This is our series on Reclaiming Power, and this is the first episode. I hope it's helpful to you!***Dr. Nancy Wadsworth is a Professor Emerita of Political Science at the University of Denver whose work sits at the intersection of culture, politics, race, religion, and social movements. She's the author of *Ambivalent Miracles: Evangelicals and the Politics of Racial Healing* and has written for The Washington Post, Vox, and The Denver Post. With a PhD from the New School for Social Research, Nancy brings both deep scholarship and a commitment to combining academic rigor with public discourse — exploring power, identity, and how ordinary people create change. https://nancywadsworth.com/***LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innercalling/id1809177408Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4K2khwqNKgs90Hs8vrQenZ?si=ad3d2dbeceab49c400:00 — why none of us feel okay right now01:00 —Nancy left a 24-year career to follow her inner calling03:00 — the week everything fell apart at once04:00 — what's really broken about higher education07:00 — does Nancy regret leaving? her honest answer09:00 — what a political scientist learned by turning toward the heart10:00 — why so many of us feel helpless and don't know where to start14:00 — what actually is power? (it's not what you think)15:00 — power vs. agency — the difference that changes everything18:00 — power over, power with, power within — which one are you missing?24:00 — what justifies power? (and who decides)28:00 — what actually puts the brakes on power?31:00 — how democracies are supposed to keep power in check46:00 — Greenland, Venezuela, and what's really going on47:00 — why does the hunger for power never stop?51:00 — is the will to dominate just human nature?54:00 — why authoritarianism is rising all over the world right now59:00 — is democracy actually in crisis?1:01:00 — what can one person actually do about any of this?1:03:00 — what is a general strike and could it work?1:04:00 — the most powerful thing you can do right now1:15:00 — it only takes 3.5% of people to change everything1:17:00 — what comes next in the power seriesCONNECT WITH DR. VICTORIAPodcast Website: www.innercalling.orgDr .Victoria: www.victoriaranade.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranadeHope+Wellness, boutique mental health care that's kind, compassionate, and evidence-based. A place where you are genuinely seen & understood. Founded by Dr. Victoria: https://www.hope-wellness.com* * * *WHO IS DR. VICTORIA?Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. I'm also a neurodivergent woman, proud first generation Taiwanese-American, and lover of Welsh Terriers. I don't know you but I love you. I made this podcast so you would know you're not alone.✌🏼💛I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:[email protected] W Broad StSTE 804Falls Church, VA 22046Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.