Season 4 Episode 5: Steven Olikara: Hope Is the Antidote

What stories are shaping your future?

In this episode of Terrified Nation,  Debilyn Molineaux is joined by changemaker, musician, and political innovator Steven Olikara for a powerful conversation about imagination, democracy, and purpose.

Together, they take a journey into the year 2035—using storytelling as a tool to shift from fear and division to hope and civic healing. From his roots in Wisconsin to his work in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, Steven shares how media, music, and mindful leadership can transform our national narrative.

Highlights include:

• Using storytelling as an "empathy machine"
• Bridging cultural and political divides through entertainment
• The power of soulful work, daily rituals, and personal integrity
• A behind-the-scenes look at his U.S. Senate run—and why he stayed in the race
• His vision for building platforms that bring people together, not push them apart

Whether you're feeling burned out by the headlines or searching for a better path forward, this episode invites you to imagine the future—and build it—with clarity and courage.

Support the show

Terrified Nation is part of the American Future project, fiscally sponsored by Mediators Foundation. You can support this podcast by making a tax-deductible donation here.