PODCAST · news
DIY Democracy
by Steven Nelson
A podcast to highlight civic engagement and to learn to be effective citizens.
Episodes
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"Not the Government, Just Its Money" - The Role of Insurance Regulation in Creating the 'Urban Crisis'
For this episode, I spoke with Professor Bench Ansfield, author of the recent book, Born in Flames: The Business of Arson and the Remaking of the American City. In the book and the interview, we talked about the kindling (decades of redlining, deindustrialization, and more), the fuel (the...
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Connecting to Place as a Way to Build Community and Fight Climate Change
Continuing the theme of the previous interviews with Dr. Thea Riofrancos and Dr. Mijin Cha about the ethical concerns that come with trying to transition away from fossil fuels and to a clean energy system, in this episode I spoke with Dr. Matt Biggar about how he thinks we can move in that...
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Another World is Possible, and We Can Build It Together
Continuing the theme of the previous interview with Dr. Thea Riofrancos, I spoke with Dr. Mijin Cha about the ethical concerns that come with trying to transition away from fossil fuels and to a clean energy system. A Just Transition for All: Workers and Communities for a Carbon-Free Future...
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The Trade-offs of Mining in a Clean Energy Transition
I spoke with Dr. Thea Riofrancos about the ethical concerns that come with trying to transition away from fossil fuels and to a clean energy system, specifically focusing on lithium mining as the example she highlighted in her book. Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism Music is by Evan...
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Building a Coalition with Democracy as the First Principle
I spoke with journalist and author Osita Nwanevu about his recently published book, The Right of the People: The Case for a New American Founding. In this episode, I share our second conversation, about why we should have a new founding of American Democracy, and what that might look like. In the...
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The Chance to Become a Person, and Other Arguments for Democracy
I spoke with journalist and author Osita Nwanevu about his recently published book, The Right of the People: The Case for a New American Founding. In this episode, we talked about the first half of the book: how do we define (and identify) democracies, and what are the arguments for and against...
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Rethinking Liberalism in the Current Political Moment
I spoke with Lily Geismer and Brent Cebul about their recent book, Mastery and Drift: Professional Class Liberals Since the 1960s. We discussed what we mean when we talk about liberal as a political philosophy, and how the application of that principle has evolved in the last half-century in the...
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Black History is for Everyone
I interviewed Brian Jones about his book Black History is for Everyone, in which he details his personal journey to understanding the truth and importance of that statement. You can find the book Black History is for Everyone at Bookshop.org and at Haymarket Books (currently 40% off as this…
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Lessons from American Reconstruction for a New Founding, Pt. 2
For this episode, I spoke with Prof. Manisha Sinha of the University of Connecticut, historian and author of the recent book The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic: Reconstruction, 1860-1920. We spoke about what a "new founding" of American democracy has looked like in the past, and…
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Lessons from American Reconstruction for a New Founding, Pt. 1
For this episode, I spoke with Prof. Manisha Sinha of the University of Connecticut, historian and author of the recent book The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic: Reconstruction, 1860-1920. We spoke about what a "new founding" of American democracy has looked like in the past, and…
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A Cautionary Christmas Tale (for Democracy)
I spoke with Dr. Vaughn Joy, author of a recent book on Christmas movies and politics. We spoke about Frank Capra, his celebration of America through film, and his ostracization as an alleged Communist, despite that. Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy Music is by...
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People need to be able to give themselves permission to fight sometimes
I spoke with Kim Kelly, labor journalist and author of the recent American labor history: Fight Like Hell about the book and about what we can learn from labor history to help us today. Music is by Evan Schaeffer.
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Zoning: Key to the City and to Our Communities
I spoke with Professor Sara Bronin to learn about zoning: what is it, what is its purpose, and how does it work. Link to her book on bookshop: Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World Link to her website tool to learn about zoning generally and in your area: National Zoning Atlas Music is by...
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The Rule of Law Revisited
In advance of an upcoming interview about democracy with Osita Nwanevu, I revisited a 2020 interview with Lawrence Lessig about what the rule of law is, in order to be a better defender of and advocate for it. It's aged perfectly well for the general ideas. Some statements aged, not exactly…
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Mutual aid is, well, mutual
I spoke with Nicole Williams, a Philadelphia activist and organizer with Mt. Airy Community Fridge & Pantry about the work that the community fridge does as mutual aid and about mutual aid more broadly. Music is by Evan Schaeffer.
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A Union of Care: Moving Toward a Better Safety Net
I spoke with Dr. Jess Calarco about her recent book, Holding It Together: How Women Became America's Safety Net. In the first half, which posted in the previous episode, Dr. Calarco shared how there are many labor-intensive tasks that are required for society to run in its current form and...
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Women are America's Safety Net (No, that's not a positive affirmation)
I spoke with Dr. Jess Calarco about her recent book, Holding It Together: How Women Became America's Safety Net. Dr. Calarco shared how there are many labor-intensive tasks that are required for society to run in its current form and structure. But rather than ensure that those necessary tasks…
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How Public Media Developed in America
I spoke to Josh Shepperd about his book, Shadow of the New Deal. In his book, Shepperd analyzed the history of how public media developed in the United States. You can find his book at bookshop here:...
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Corporations, Dark Money, and Democracy
I spoke with Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy about her book, Corporatocracy, and about how money influences politics and what we can do about it. You can buy her book at Bookshop (Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians). Also, check out her podcast,...
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The Meaning We Give to Juneteenth
I revisit an interview with Annette Gordon-Reed (@agordonreed) on her book, On Juneteenth and consider how best to celebrate the history of the holiday and build on and defend its legacy. For more Juneteenth resources, see Penn Law's resources on Juneteenth. Music by Evan Schaeffer
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Politics is for Power
I revisited an interview with Eitan Hersh on his book Politics is for Power: How to Move Beyond Political Hobbyism, Take Action, and Make Real Change. Music by Evan Schaeffer
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Stripping Citizenship Rights
In light of recent national news involving young citizens being sent out of the country, I revisited an interview from 2021 about historical efforts to strip citizenship rights, including the right to remain, from Americans. In the inverview, I spoke with Amanda Frost about her book on the topic....
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On the Case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia
I interviewed Will Bunch of the Philadelphia Inquirer, to discuss his recent column about the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia and the importance of that case to everyone in the United States. Why Kilmar Abrego Garcia is the Jenga piece that could topple the American Experiment
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Gendered Citizenship
An interview with Rebecca DeWolf (@outofthetowerh), author of Gendered Citizenship: The Original Conflict Over the Equal Rights Amendment, 1920-1963
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How you can push back against big money in politics
An interview with Tom Moore of the Federal Election Commission about some creative solutions to reduce the influence of big money in politics.
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The Purpose of Politics
An interview with Eitan Hersh on his book Politics is for Power: How to Move Beyond Political Hobbyism, Take Action, and Make Real Change. Music by Evan Schaeffer
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Citizenship stripping and what that means
An interview with Professor Amanda Frost (@amanda_frost1 on Twitter) on her new book, You Are Not American: Citizenship Stripping from Dred Scott to the Dreamers. Music by Evan Schaeffer.
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Juneteenth's Role in the American Story
An interview with Annette Gordon-Reed (@agordonreed) on her new book, On Juneteenth. She will speak at a Detroit Public Library virtual event on Juneteenth (Sat., 6/19, @ 1 pm EDT) For more Juneteenth resources, see Penn Law's resources on Juneteenth. Music by Evan Schaeffer
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Threats to Democracy and the Groundwork for Insurrection
An interview with Professors Suzanne Mettler (@SuzanneMettler1) and Rob Lieberman (@r_lieberman) on their book, Four Threats: The Recurring Crises of American Democracy. Another podcast that I listened to as I was preparing to post this was Bill Moyers's interview of Heather Cox Richardson the…
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Turning Attention to Georgia
An interview with Byron Stokes (@byst on Twitter), trying to figure out how best to support election efforts in the Georgia Senate election run-off. Some organizations Byron highlighted: Fair Fight Project South New Georgia Project Sister Song Music by Evan Schaeffer.
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Episode 42: Choosing Rural Prosecutors
The final episode in a series on electing, or in this case choosing, prosecutors - an interview with Maybell Romero, on rural prosecutors. For more, see her bio: https://www.niu.edu/law/about/directory/romero.shtml and follow her on Twitter: @MaybellRomero For The Appeal's work on prosecutors:...
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Episode 41: Washtenaw County Prosecutor Candidate Eli Savit
An interview with Eli Savit, candidate for Washtenaw County (MI) prosecuting attorney. For more on the candidate, find his website here: https://eli2020.com Music is by Evan Schaeffer
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Episode 40: Washtenaw County Prosecutor Candidate Arianne Slay
An interview with Arianne Slay, candidate for Washtenaw County (MI) prosecuting attorney. For more on the candidate, find her website here: https://arianneslay.com Music is by Evan Schaeffer
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Episode 39: Washtenaw County Prosecutor Candidate Hugo Mack
An interview with Hugo Mack, candidate for Washtenaw County (MI) prosecuting attorney. For more on the candidate, find his website here: Hugoforprosecutor2020.com Music is by Evan Schaeffer
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Episode 38: Prosecutors & the "Assembly Line Justice" of Misdemeanors
The fifth in a series on electing prosecutors - an interview with Alexandra Natapoff on misdemeanors in the criminal justice system. Find her book on Bookshop: Punishment Without Crime For more, see her website: https://alexandranatapoff.com and follow her on Twitter: @ANatapoff Music by Evan...
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Episode 37: Prosecutors & Conviction Integrity Units
The fourth in a series on electing prosecutors - an interview with Valerie Newman of the Wayne County Prosecutor's office, on starting and running a Conviction Integrity Unit. The Wayne County Conviction Integrity Unit can be found here:...
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Episode 36: Prosecutors & Juvenile Incarceration
The third in a series on electing prosecutors - an interview with Nell Bernstein about juvenile incarceration and what to know and what to ask candidates for prosecutor on that topic. Follow Nell Bernstein on Twitter: @nellbernstein Her website: http://www.nellbernstein.com Burning Down the House...
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Episode 35: Prosecutors & Elections
The second in a series on electing prosecutors - an interview with Carissa Hessick about elections for prosecuting attorneys and what to know and what to ask candidates for that office. North Carolina's Prosecutors and Politics Project can be found here:...
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Episode 34: Prosecutors & Politics
The first in a series on electing prosecutors - an interview with Rachel Barkow about the role that politics plays in electing prosecutors, and what to know and what to ask candidates for that office. Her book, Prisoners of Politics, can be found here:...
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Episode 33: A Citizen's Interview with Congressional Candidate Solomon Rajput (MI-12)
An interview with Solomon Rajput about his campaign for the Democratic nomination in Michigan's 12th District. Find his campaign website here: https://www.solomonrajput.com Music by Evan Schaeffer
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Episode 32: Anxiety & Politics
An interview with Shana Gadarian about the role of anxiety in democratic citizenship. Find her book with Bethany Albertson here: Anxious Politics Music by Evan Schaeffer
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Episode 31: Understanding the Rule of Law
An interview with Lawrence Lessig about what the rule of law is, in order to be a better defender of and advocate for it. Music by Evan Schaeffer
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Episode 30: Ida B. Wells & Michelle Duster
An interview with Michelle Duster about her great-grandmother, Ida B. Wells and her work as an activist today. http://idabwellsmonument.org/ https://mldwrites.com Music by Evan Schaeffer
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Episode 29: Long Term Fiscal Outlook, or How I learned to stop worrying and talk about the national debt
An interview with Hillary Allen and Joseph Paul Javier of It's Up to Us, discussing the national debt and what they're doing to improve the conversation surrounding it. Music by Evan Schaeffer
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Episode 28: Free Minds
An interview with Julia Mascioli of Free Minds. https://freemindsbookclub.org Music by Evan Schaeffer
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Episode 27: Tutoring in prisons
An interview with Samantha Thoma about tutoring incarcerated individuals in prison. Blog post: https://uvalawpublicserviceblog.org/2018/04/01/from-serial-to-uva-a-1ls-pursuit-of-criminal-justice/comment-page-1/ Petey Greene: https://www.peteygreene.org Music by Evan Schaeffer
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Episode 26: Contingent Magazine, and supporting historians
An interview with Erin Bartram, co-founder of Contingent Magazine. Check it out at: https://contingentmag.org Also for your reference, the Max Boot column we discuss: Americans' ignorance of history is a national scandal Music by Evan Schaeffer
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Episode 25: Medicaid & work requirements
An interview with Lisa Ruby of the Michigan Poverty Law Program on recently passed Medicaid work requirements in Michigan. Update: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2018/12/21/work-requirements-approved-michigan-medicaid/2388961002/ Music by Evan Schaeffer
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Episode 24: Medicaid, Federalism, and Democracy
An interview with Jamila Michener about her book Fragmented Democracy: Medicaid, Federalism, and Unequal Politics. Music by Evan Schaeffer
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Episode 23: A citizen's interview with Michigan Supreme Court candidate Sam Bagenstos
An interview with Sam Bagenstos about his campaign for Michigan Supreme Court. Music by Evan Schaeffer
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does DIY Democracy have?
DIY Democracy currently has 74 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is DIY Democracy about?
A podcast to highlight civic engagement and to learn to be effective citizens.
How often does DIY Democracy release new episodes?
DIY Democracy has 74 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to DIY Democracy?
You can listen to DIY Democracy 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 DIY Democracy?
DIY Democracy is created and hosted by Steven Nelson.
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