Sad Citizens: Democratic Engagement in Turbulent Times

Should we engage in politics even if it makes us despair? Can we fully participate in democracy if reading the news is depressing? In the latest on Talking Policy, host Lindsay Shingler sits down with political scientist Christopher Ojeda of UC Merced to discuss his new book, The Sad Citizen: How Politics Is Depressing and Why It Matters. Together, they explore why politics has such a big impact on how we feel, our personal relationships, and even our behavior. They explore “suppression by depression” as a political strategy, and answer the question: “What do we do when what's good for democracy is bad for our mental wellbeing?”This episode was recorded on April 23, 2025. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.