PODCAST · news
Democracy on Fire
by United America Network
Democracy on Fire with Kay Brown, is an American political affairs program examining the most urgent pressures shaping democracy in real time. The program has evolved into a sharper, more focused examination of power, politics, and the institutions under strain in the United States and beyond. Each episode brings in-depth conversations and reporting-style analysis of the forces driving political instability, including government decision-making, military and foreign policy, media influence, and the shifting boundaries of democratic norms.Featuring voices from across the political and professional spectrum—including veterans, experts, and public commentators—the show centers on one core question: how power is being exercised, challenged, and reshaped in this moment.At a time of heightened polarization and institutional pressure, Democracy on Fire aims to provide clarity, context, and accountability in a rapidly changing political environment.New episodes focus on breaking development
Episodes
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Your Vote Is Your Voice: Why Your Vote Matters
On this episode of Democracy on Fire, Kay Brown speaks with Lisa Middleton about the upcoming midterm elections and why participation matters now more than ever. Middleton, a former Palm Springs mayor and longtime California public servant, discusses voter turnout, threats to democratic norms…
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Alaska: On the Front Lines of a Worsening Climate Crisis
On this episode of Democracy on Fire, Kay Brown speaks with Alaska Native leader Mita DeWitt about the accelerating climate crisis, melting permafrost, methane, black carbon, disappearing sea ice and the communities already being forced to adapt. They also discuss fossil-fuel development, the...
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What’s Happening to Our National Parks?
Takeaways: You heard me: we uncovered a back‑door plan to give a developer private access through Yosemite, with public dollars possibly paying for it — unthinkable and we're pushing back hard. We flagged the likely misuse of the Land and Water Conservation Fund — money meant for conserving land,...
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Marine Light Pollution: An Emerging Environmental Threat
What happens when the ocean is exposed to too much artificial light? Kay Brown talks with environmental researcher and lawyer Willow Hogan about the growing problem of marine light pollution—and how artificial light from coastlines, ports, and ships can disrupt sea turtles, plankton, coral,...
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California’s Growing Water Crisis
California’s Salton Sea is disappearing. So why isn’t the government doing more to stop it? Kay Brown talks with Susan St. Louis of the Salton Sea Coalition about the growing environmental and public-health crisis—and the political roadblocks standing in the way of a real solution. Who is...
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Singing for Change: Lauren Mayer on Music, Satire & Resistance
In this episode of Democracy on Fire, Kay Brown talks with songwriter and performer Lauren Mayer about the power of political satire to expose hypocrisy, challenge those in power, and help people move from frustration to action. Lauren shares how her weekly political satire songs began, why...
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Weaponizing Justice: Trump's War on Political Enemies
In this episode of Democracy on Fire, Kay Brown is joined by Kim Harth to examine the growing pattern of politically motivated investigations and prosecutions and the chilling effect they can have on free speech, dissent, and civic engagement. They take a closer look at the case against the...
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From Faith to Politics: The Shift of Christianity in America
In this episode of Democracy on Fire, Kay Brown talks with Pastor Jane Voigts about the rise of Christian nationalism and its growing influence on American politics and society. They explore what Christian nationalism is, how it differs from mainstream Christian faith, and its impact on…
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Beyond the Sentence: Reclaiming Rights After Prison
What happens when a prison sentence ends, but the barriers to belonging, opportunity, and full civic participation remain? In this episode of Democracy on Fire, Kay Brown speaks with Marcus Jackson, founder and executive director of Advocacy Based on Lived Experience (ABLE), about his journey…
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Inside America's Most Controversial ICE Detention Center | Alvaro M. Huerta
Conditions inside the Adelanto ICE Processing Center have become the subject of federal litigation, congressional scrutiny, and growing national debate. In this episode of Democracy on Fire, Kay Brown speaks with Alvaro M. Huerta, Director of Litigation and Advocacy at the Immigrant Defenders Law...
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Why Alaska Could Decide the Next U.S. Senate | Tom Begich
Alaska has emerged as one of the country's most closely watched political battlegrounds. Former Alaska Senate Minority Leader and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Begich joins Kay Brown to explain why the state could become one of the decisive fronts in the 2026 midterm elections—and what...
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A Plan to Win the 2026 Midterms And Save Democracy, with Author Gary Lucks
A critical discussion about the upcoming 2026 midterm elections and the pressing need for grassroots mobilization in the face of staggering opposition funding. Gary Lucks, author of *We Are the Power to Win the Future*, joins host Kay Brown, to lay out a strategic game plan for progressives…
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How Our National Parks Became a Political Battleground | Alan Spears of NPCA
Host Kay Brown speaks with Alan Spears of the National Parks Conservation Association about litigation challenging the removal of historical and scientific interpretation from park sites, why inclusive storytelling matters, and how national parks shape public understanding of the American...
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How Media Literacy Can Protect American Democracy: Tom Belden, Veteran Journalist
In this episode of "Democracy on Fire," Kay Brown speaks with veteran reporter Tom Belden, whose decades covering transportation and tourism provide a vantage point for examining the collapse of traditional newspapers, the rise of digital publishing, and the growth of nonprofit news…
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The Psychology Behind Your Vote: Insights from Author Bill Ballas
In this episode of Democracy on Fire, Kay Brown speaks with Bill Ballas, a former marketing and healthcare executive and author of the forthcoming book The Architect. Ballas challenges the widespread assumption that voters are rational actors who weigh policies and facts. Drawing on political...
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Voting as Civil Resistance | Eleanor Andrews' Destiny Was Shaped by Childhood Encounter with MLK Jr.
In this episode of Democracy on Fire, Kay Brown talks with Eleanor Andrews about voting rights, her civil rights history and the shrinking space for American democracy. Andrews, an Alaska civic and business leader, traces her political awakening to early encounters with Martin Luther King Jr.,...
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The High Cost of State-Sanctioned Killing | Abraham Bonowitz
In this urgent conversation, Kay Brown, host of Democracy on Fire, talks with Abraham Bonowitz, a veteran death penalty abolition advocate, who offers a sweeping look at America’s capital punishment system and the political forces shaping its future. Speaking from his car in Texas during a series...
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Women Are Rewriting the Rules on Abortion Access | Elisa Wells, Founder of Plan C
When the courts restrict abortion access, women find another way. In this episode of Democracy on Fire with Kay Brown, public health expert and Plan C co-founder Elisa Wells breaks down how medication abortion has quietly transformed reproductive care in the United States. More than two-thirds of...
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Navigating Pollution: The Dark Side of Global Shipping | Bryan Comer
In a world where we’re bombarded with climate news, it’s easy to miss the ocean of emissions coming from maritime shipping. On this episode of Democracy on Fire, we’re taking a closer look at one of the biggest culprits: black carbon. Our guest from the International Council on Clean...
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Vote Like Your State Depends On It: The California Jungle Primary Explained | Michelle Singleton
California's primary election is here, and it's shaping up to be a wild ride. With ballots hitting the mail, we're diving deep into the crucial races that could change the state's political landscape. Today, we’re chatting with Michelle Singleton, a local expert who knows the ins and outs of the...
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The Real Cost of Anti-Trans Laws: A Discussion with Mia Hutchinson
With our political landscape increasingly hostile to transgender rights, this episode featuring Kay Brown and Mia Hutchinson provides a poignant exploration of the ongoing struggles faced by transgender individuals. Kay sets the stage by noting the alarming rise in anti-trans rhetoric and…
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23 Reasons Why Trump Needs to Pack His Bags Now
In a world where the political landscape feels increasingly bizarre, we take a moment to reflect on the absurdity of Trump’s reign and the pressing need for his removal. We present 23 reasons that range from the outrageous to the downright alarming, all while maintaining a light-hearted tone that...
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Democracy on Fire with Kay Brown | Premiere Episode
Democracy isn’t just under pressure—it’s under attack. In this premiere episode of Democracy on Fire, Kay Brown lays out what’s at stake, who’s driving the narrative, and why staying informed is no longer optional. This episode also features a conversation with Grant Nugent, a retired physician,...
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Unmasking Christian Nationalism: A Threat to Democracy
The crux of this discussion resides in the pressing necessity for heightened awareness, community engagement, and proactive activism to safeguard democracy and religious freedom from the insidious encroachments of Christian nationalism. This episode elucidates the alarming ways in which this...
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How Cruise Ships Are (Legally) Dumping Toxic Waste Into the Ocean | Aaron Brakel
Aaron Brakel from the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council is Kay Brown’s guest to address the the complex and urgent issue of ocean pollution caused by ship emissions, especially from the use of scrubbers on large vessels. They explore how this technology, intended to reduce sulfur emissions,...
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Rev. Ian Riddell | Can 3.5% of Us Topple a Regime?
As the nation prepares for the "No Kings 3" protests, Reverend Ian Riddell of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Desert joins Kay Brown to discuss his role as a leader in "the Singing Resistance," a movement born in Minneapolis that uses communal singing to challenge authoritarianism and...
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Bishop Exposes What ICE Is Really Doing Inside Churches | Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank
United Methodist Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank joins Hot Spots with Kay Brown to confront what she describes as escalating fear, violence and injustice facing immigrant communities across California and the nation. Drawing from firsthand accounts, she details ICE actions in and around churches,...
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Michael Weinstein | Pentagon Faith Controversy Raises Constitutional Alarm
A growing controversy is unfolding inside the U.S. military as allegations emerge that some commanders are framing the war with Iran through the lens of Christian “End Times” theology. In this episode of Hot Spots with Kay Brown, Michael Weinstein discusses reports from service members across...
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Andrew Dumbrille | Tackling the Triple Planetary Climate Threat
Guest Andrew Dumbrille presents the interconnected crises of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss—collectively known as the triple planetary crisis—and explores actionable solutions within the maritime shipping industry. He also highlights the urgent need for cleaner fuels, the...
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John Holdren, Harvard Professor | America’s Retreat From Climate Reality
In this episode of Hot Spots with Kay Brown, Harvard University Professor John Holdren joins Kay to examine the sweeping consequences of Donald Trump’s sustained attacks on science, climate research, and global cooperation. Holdren explains that climate change is no longer a future threat but a...
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Libby Roderick, Singer-Songwriter | Music, Joy, and Courage in the Face of Resistance
In this powerful episode of Hot Spots with Kay Brown, acclaimed singer-songwriter Libby Roderick joins the conversation to explore how music and the arts sustain resistance, spark courage, and keep movements grounded in joy. Drawing from decades of activism, songwriting, and facilitation of...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Democracy on Fire with Kay Brown, is an American political affairs program examining the most urgent pressures shaping democracy in real time. The program has evolved into a sharper, more focused examination of power, politics, and the institutions under strain in the United States and beyond. Each episode brings in-depth conversations and reporting-style analysis of the forces driving political instability, including government decision-making, military and foreign policy, media influence, and the shifting boundaries of democratic norms.Featuring voices from across the political and professional spectrum—including veterans, experts, and public commentators—the show centers on one core question: how power is being exercised, challenged, and reshaped in this moment.At a time of heightened polarization and institutional pressure, Democracy on Fire aims to provide clarity, context, and accountability in a rapidly changing political environment.New episodes focus on breaking development
HOSTED BY
United America Network
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Democracy on Fire have?
Democracy on Fire currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Democracy on Fire about?
Democracy on Fire with Kay Brown, is an American political affairs program examining the most urgent pressures shaping democracy in real time. The program has evolved into a sharper, more focused examination of power, politics, and the institutions under strain in the United States and beyond. Each...
How often does Democracy on Fire release new episodes?
Democracy on Fire has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Democracy on Fire?
You can listen to Democracy on Fire on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Democracy on Fire?
Democracy on Fire is created and hosted by United America Network.
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