DIY Democracy

Steven Nelson
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  • POLITICS
  • EVERY TWO MONTHS

A podcast to highlight civic engagement and to learn to be effective citizens.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    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 democracy as a form of government. In the next episode, I'll share our second conversation, about why we should have a new founding of American Democracy, and what that might look like. As noted at the end, I'll link to a couple upcoming books that I interviewed the authors about, in case you want to get them in advance: Extraction: The Frontiers of Green Capitalism by Thea Riofrancos A Just Transition for All: Workers and Communities for a Carbon Free Future by J. Mijin Cha   Music is by Evan Schaeffer

    58 min

  2. 5 MAR

    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 United States especially, and consider the notable shortcomings that have resulted. Mastery and Drift: Professional-Class Liberals Since the 1960s Music is by Evan Schaeffer

    59 min

  3. 2 FEB

    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 episode posts).   Music is by Evan Schaeffer.

    45 min

  4. 8 JAN

    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 what we might learn from that. Because we spoke for a good long while, I split it into two parts. Today is part 2.  In the coming weeks, I will share two interviews with author Osita Nwanevu, in which we separately discuss the two halves of the argument of his new book, "The Right of the People: Democracy and the Case for a New American Founding." Before we discuss his argument that we need a new American founding, I prepared for that by speaking about the first time we had a "new founding," during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. Music is by Evan Schaeffer.

    40 min

  5. 1 JAN

    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 what we might learn from that. Because we spoke for a good long while, I'm splitting it into two parts. Today is part 1.  In the coming weeks, I will share two interviews with author Osita Nwanevu, in which we separately discuss the two halves of the argument of his new book, "The Right of the People: Democracy and the Case for a New American Founding." Before we discuss his argument that we need a new American founding, I prepared for that by speaking about the first time we had a "new founding," during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. Music is by Evan Schaeffer.

    45 min

  6. 18/12/2025

    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 Evan Schaeffer.

    52 min

  7. 04/12/2025

    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.

    37 min

  8. 20/11/2025

    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 Evan Shaeffer.

    36 min
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About

A podcast to highlight civic engagement and to learn to be effective citizens.

Information

  • Creator
    Steven Nelson
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    69
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    DIY Democracy