PODCAST · news
#SundayCivics
by L. Joy Williams
#SundayCivics is a weekly show that teaches civic education and engagement using the current political landscape.
Episodes
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Episode 293: The Political Power of Narrative
L. Joy is back at the front of the class to continue to her discussion on narrative. She’s exploring the political power of narrative and how the stories we tell about history, government, and ourselves shape our understanding of democracy and our willingness to participate in it. After she…
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Episode 292: How Do You Decide?
It’s time to get vote ready. But once you get to your polling place and get your ballot, how do you decide you will cast your vote for? L. Joy is getting us prepared to vote by getting us to think through not just where and when to vote but being educated on the power of each office as well as…
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Episode 291: What Power Does Your Vote Have?
At the top of every #SundayCivics class, L. Joy states “Civics just doesn't begin and end on Election Day,” yet, there are still folks that treat voting as the beginning and the end of democracy. This episode she helps us gain clarity on what our vote actually does and brings Rashad Robinson back...
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OOTC: Civic Philanthropy
Back in the Office of the Citizen, L. Joy has one last lesson for us. Today she is discussing civic philanthropy. Philanthropy, L. Joy stresses, does not belong to only wealthy individuals, large foundations, and corporations. It also is more than just charitable giving. What is it? A system that...
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OOTC: Who Controls the Narrative
Back in the Office of the Citizen, L. Joy brings us a lesson that examines the powerful connection between narrative, education, community, and civic power. She opens with a reflection on history, and argues that political power is shaped not only through elections, demonstrations, and public...
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OOTC: The Middle Class New Deal
L. Joy opens this lesson from the Office of the Citizen with a question she posed to her social media community: Do you consider yourself middle class? Although her respective timelines were hilarious with their responses, the humor revealed that for many folks who have degrees, careers,...
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OOTC: Lessons from Dr. King
L. Joy has a question for us, “what line has to be crossed before you believe action from citizens is required?” With everything from journalists being arrested, people being rounded up daily and imprisoned, civil rights violations, many things becoming unaffordable and unsafe daily, to unlawful...
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OOTC: Civic Engagement During Global Conflict
L. Joy is back and she has another lesson for us, the occupants of the Office of the Citizen, that is timely and important. Today’s topic: the responsibilities of the people at a time of war/global conflict and how Black political thought has long challenged people to understand freedom as a…
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OOTC: Weaponization of Information
L. Joy is back in the Office of the Citizen and for this lesson for our next lesson. She is focusing on how propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation work as tools of political control, and how a high-speed, low-literacy information ecosystem can keep people reacting instead of organizing.…
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Next Semester: The Office of the Citizen
This episode of #SundayCivics, L. Joy preps us with the syllabus for the next semester on The Office of the Citizen. In this political moment when the floor is shifting beneath our feet, we shouldn’t react in panic but with clarity. Clarity about who we are and what democracy actually asks of us…
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Building Civic Infrastructure
L. Joy is back on the stoop for the last of the Porch Light series with reflection and a clear invitation to move into 2026 with intention. She reiterates the lessons from the porch and references Kwanzaa’s third principle, Ujima (collective work and responsibility), she asks us to pause before…
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What Change Actually Requires
L. Joy is back on the the porch solo to have a deeply personal, faith-rooted conversation with us about what real change demands of us. Not in theory, but in practice. She draws from the Black faith tradition and the wisdom of movement ancestors like Septima Clark, Ella Baker, Bayard Rustin, and…
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Who Writes The Rules
L. Joy is back on the porch thinking about the constant political chaos with court rulings dropping daily, government shutdown threats, manipulated maps, and state legislatures advancing restrictive laws. She reminds us that the chaos is designed, not inevitable. With thirty-six governors,...
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For Love and Philanthropy
L. Joy opens this episode on the porch by unpacking the difference between charity, philanthropy, and government responsibility. She explains that charity is personal and immediate, philanthropy is institutional where a small group decides which problems matter and governs without public...
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Democracy Lives Where We Gather
In this powerful episode of Sunday Civics, L. Joy continues the Porchlight Series with a deep exploration of community space as a foundation of democracy. She reminds us that democracy is not confined to laws, elections, or constitutional text. It lives in the places where people convene: kitchen...
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The Economy Is Not Like The Weather
In this Porch Light series episode, L. Joy invites us to continue to imagine what it means to not fight back, but to fight forward and to remake an economy that actually serves the people who make it run. The economy is not the weather, it is not a natural phenomenon we must simply survive. It…
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Building An Economy Worthy of Us
L. Joy is back under the glow of the porch light as she continues reimagining democracy in this series. This time she is focusing our attention on the economy. She cites Rev. James Lawson’s description of the economic system as “plantation capitalism,” giving us a lesson that takes us from the...
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The South Has Something To Say
L. Joy is back on the porch and she invites us to imagine and build a freer, bolder democracy now, not decades from now. She walks us through the timeline from the Reconstruction era’s first Black-led institutions to today’s fights over gerrymandering, voter suppression, and district maps…
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The Light They Left Us
The Porch Light Series continues. L. Joy discusses this time as a season of reflection, study, and recommitment to civic work. She shares one of her rituals of renewal: spending a few quiet days in the Library of Congress putting hands on primary sources left behind by activists who built power...
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What Grounds You?
For The Porch Light series, L. Joy invites listeners to “leave the light on for democracy, for justice, and for each other.” She opens this episode by asking a personal and political question - ”what grounds you?” She frames “grounding” as both a spiritual practice and a civic discipline: faith...
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A Porch Light for Democracy
In this episode our civics teacher and neighborhood political strategist L. Joy debuts a brand-new series: The Porch Light. Drawing inspiration from the simple yet powerful tradition of leaving a light on for loved ones, L. Joy frames democracy itself as a light—something that offers guidance,...
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Episode 283: These Immigration Moves Are Not New
This episode of Sunday Civics, L. Joy gives a preamble on the history of immigration. Then she sits down again with immigration attorney Alan Orr to cut through the myths, scapegoating, and fear-mongering driving today’s immigration debates. Together, they unpack how U.S. deportation policies...
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Episode 282: Tariffs, Tariffs, Tariffs!
Every week brings a new headline from the administration — this time, about tariffs. The International Trade Court just struck down the president’s latest round, ruling he overstepped his authority. The Constitution is clear: Congress, not the president, has the power to impose tariffs under...
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Episode 281: Defend! Disrupt! Dream!
L. Joy opens class with reflections on Brooklyn’s Dance Africa festival and the importance of taking a break, before turning to the central theme: the role—and limits—of the courts in advancing justice. She notes how people increasingly view the judiciary as the ultimate arbiter of the nation’s...
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Episode 280: How Do You Build Community?
In this episode of #SundayCivics, our civics teacher and neighborhood political strategist L. Joy is solo at the front of the class to reflect on one of the most essential tools in our civic toolbox: community. Inspired by her husband’s heartfelt question- “How do I build community?”—she invites…
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Episode 279: Focus on Local
L. Joy brings Virginia House Delegate Adele McClure to the front of the class. Delegate McClure represents Virginia’s 2nd district and is recognized as Emily’s List 2025 Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star. She speaks about why actively engaging in state and local politics is absolutely crucial. The...
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Episode 278: We Don’t Need Another Hero
In this episode of Sunday Civics, L. Joy begins class with a passionate and deeply reflective narrative challenging the traditional expectations of leadership. She urges us to stop looking “up” — to Congress, celebrities, civil rights icons, or trending figures — for salvation or answers during...
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Episode 277: Using the Law to Fight Back and Forward
L. Joy explores how, historically and currently, the legal system has been both a powerful tool for civil rights progress and a site of devastating setbacks. emphasizing that while the courts are often turned to as a last resort, they are not a guaranteed path to justice—particularly today, as…
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Episode 276: From Frustration to Civic Action
Welcome to Sunday Civics, where L. Joys go beyond the headlines, the doom and despair, to discuss civic engagement and taking action. Yes, there is a growing frustration with elected officials and the lack of visible leadership. But, she’s challenging us to reflect on our roles—are we waiting for...
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Episode 275: Wielding Our Civic Power
In this episode, L. Joy opens by emphasizing the urgency of civic engagement in today's political and economic landscape. She shares the grassroots organizing efforts of her assistant and one of her thoroughest girls, June, who is advocating for truly affordable housing in Harlem. Through tenant...
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Episode 274: Give Us A King!
L. Joy taps into her “inner church girl” to deliver a powerful civic lesson in this show opening. She draws from First Samuel 8, where the people of Israel, despite having freedom, security, and self-governance, demanded a king to rule over them—ultimately trading their autonomy for oppression.…
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Episode 273: What Will We Build
In this episode of Sunday Civics, L. Joy takes listeners on a metaphorical "field trip" to a workshop where we have all the tools at our disposal to build a more equitable future. Using the Reconstruction Era as inspiration, she emphasizes the importance of both protecting democracy and actively...
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Episode 272: Get In, We’re Going Local!
On this episode, L. Joy explores the concept of power—not the kind from the federal government but the kind built at the local and state levels. Focusing on empowering listeners to engage locally, L. Joy emphasizes the importance of shaping policies, influencing local budgets, and participating…
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Episode 271: Reclaim Your Civic Power
In this episode of Sunday Civics, before she delves into the lesson, L. Joy reflects on her recent trip to South Carolina to participate in Furman University’s MLK Breakfast. She spoke to the group about the importance of reclaiming the power of civic engagement. During her speech, she…
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Episode 270: Civic Power Roadmap 2025
As Nelson Mandela said, “It always seems impossible until it is done.” Now it is time to get active, get engaged, and participate in shaping your community and our collective future. For our first #SundayCivics class of 2025, L. Joy shares her civic engagement roadmap for 2025. Four points she’s...
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Episode 269: Communicating and Organizing for Civic Impact
This episode, L. Joy is focusing on us charting a path forward for our communities. To discuss strategies for organizing using effective communications to enhance civic engagement and empowering communities to embrace their full agency, she brings Leslie Mac, digital organizer and strategist and...
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Episode 267: We Won’t Despair
In this episode, L. Joy emphasizes the importance of understanding who holds power at all levels of government, particularly as key caucuses, coalitions, and federal appointments shape policies. For the Do Now, she reminds us that despair is not a strategy and calls for focused, strategic…
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Episode 266: The Civic Power of Community
In this episode L. Joy highlights the value of local engagement by explaining the concept of "state engagement tables," where coalitions work together on various issues at the state level, supporting each other’s priorities year round. To break down this concept and share their experiences, she...
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Episode 265: Post Election Resilience
The outcome of the 2024 election has left so many of us feeling a mix of emotions, from disappointment to determination, but as L. Joy always says, “civics doesn’t begin and end of Election Day”. In this week’s episode L. Joy offers a simple reassurance: these feelings are natural, but they need...
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Episode 264: Election 2024 Closing Thoughts
We are hours away from the culmination of the 2024 election season and L. Joy invites the Sunday Civics community to the front of the class to share closing thoughts before Election Day. She begins with a heartfelt open letter of appreciation to poll workers and election administrators. These...
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Episode 263: College Uncovered
In the latest episode L. Joy dives into the intense political conflicts occurring on college campuses across the country. Joined at the front of the class by Kirk Karaza and John Marcus, hosts of NPR's 'College Uncovered' podcast, they discuss protests demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, battles over...
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Episode 262: Voting When You're Not Excited
With election day fast approaching, L. Joy opens up a challenging conversation—what to do when none of the candidates for an elected office inspires you or align perfectly with your views. Last week’s episode addressed voter apathy and how to respond to disengaged voters. This week, L. Joy shifts...
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Episode 261: Combating Voter Apathy
This episode of Sunday Civics, L. Joy tackles voter apathy. It’s an issue that arises every election season but is relevant year-round. She addresses common myths that fuel political disengagement and explains why participation in elections at all levels is crucial. Emphasizing that while voter...
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Episode 260: Get Vote Ready
The “Get Vote Ready: A Journal for the Empowered Voter” is here! The journal is designed as a comprehensive guide to help voters stay informed, organized, and empowered not just for the current election, but for future elections as well. It covers everything from confirming voter registration and...
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Episode 259: A New Chicago School Board
With early voting starting soon in several states, she encourages listeners to develop a voting plan tailored to their needs—whether voting by mail, early in-person, or on election day. L. Joy emphasizes the importance of researching state-specific voting rules to avoid last-minute issues and…
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Episode 258: The Family
As we look ahead to the upcoming election cycle, it’s clear that now, more than ever, civic engagement is crucial. In this episode L. Joy focuses on key issues impacting families during the election cycle. Guests at the front of the class include Monifa Bandele, COO and Senior Vice President of...
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Episode 257: The Power of Collective Action
This episode of #SundayCivics is a powerful reminder of the importance of civic participation in the ongoing fight for justice and equality. L. Joy’s lesson is all about recognizing the power we hold at every level of government and how vital issues like reproductive freedom are motivating people...
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Episode 250: Building Up Women to Run
L. Joy shares positive news, celebrating a legal victory by the Brooklyn NAACP, which successfully challenged New York's line-warming ban on constitutional grounds. She emphasizes the importance of staying engaged despite negative polls or disillusionment, highlighting her commitment to boosting...
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Episode 249: The 2024 Electorate? Women!
L. Joy begins class by discussing the consistent voter turnout of women in elections, emphasizing their significant role in the electorate. She introduces the topic of the episode—women in politics and for this discussion, L. Joy brings researchers Kelly Dittmar and Kira Sanbonmatsu from the…
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Episode 248: Understanding Housing Affordability
L. Joy brings Leah Goodridge, an award-winning tenant's rights attorney and a New York City Planning Commissioner, to the front of the class to talk about the complexities of housing justice and the narratives that shape our understanding of renters, landlords, owners, and the broader housing...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
#SundayCivics is a weekly show that teaches civic education and engagement using the current political landscape.
HOSTED BY
L. Joy Williams
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does #SundayCivics have?
#SundayCivics currently has 278 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is #SundayCivics about?
#SundayCivics is a weekly show that teaches civic education and engagement using the current political landscape.
How often does #SundayCivics release new episodes?
#SundayCivics publishes regularly with 278 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to #SundayCivics?
You can listen to #SundayCivics 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 #SundayCivics?
#SundayCivics is created and hosted by L. Joy Williams.
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