Direct Democracy Diaries

Ballot Initiative Strategy Center
  • 4.9 (19)
  • Politics
  • Biweekly

Direct Democracy Diaries explores ballot measures from grassroots campaigns to transformative victories. Hosted by Chris Melody Fields Figueredo and Caroline Sánchez-Avakian from the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, we bring you stories of activists who've harnessed direct democracy for community change. Whether you're a seasoned leader or newcomer, tune in as we break down campaign strategies. Each episode features compelling stories about coalition building, signature gathering, and defending victories, showing how democracy works from the ground up. https://ballot.org/

  1. 4d ago

    A Year of Yes: Tram Nguyen on Building People Power

    In this episode of Direct Democracy Diaries, Chris and Caroline speak with Tram Nguyen, co-executive director of New Virginia Majority, about building lasting community power and giving people something meaningful to say yes to. Tram shares how her family’s refugee story shaped her commitment to democracy and explains why proactive campaigns must connect elections to the everyday concerns affecting people’s lives. The conversation examines Virginia’s proposed constitutional amendments, including the right to vote, and how shared values like freedom can connect issues across communities. Tram also discusses organizing through human connection, giving people the tools to lead, holding elected officials accountable, and treating Election Day as part of a much longer effort to build power and create change. To learn more about Tram Nguyen and New Virginia Majority, visit: https://www.newvirginiamajority.org/

    A Year of Yes: Tram Nguyen on Building People Power

  2. Oct 21

    Respecting the Will of the Voters: Jo Giles on Defending Direct Democracy

    In this episode of Direct Democracy Diaries, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo and Caroline Sanchez-Avakian speak with Jo Giles, Executive Director of the Women’s Fund of Omaha, about what happens after voters approve a ballot measure. Jo reflects on Nebraska’s successful 2024 paid sick leave initiative, the legislative changes that later reduced its reach, and the campaign to protect voter approved policies through Respect Nebraska Voters. She discusses the legal challenge that kept the measure off the 2026 ballot, the role of coalitions and impacted communities, and why implementation is a critical part of direct democracy. Jo also shares lessons for organizers working to defend voter power and build long term movements rooted in community. To learn more about Jo Giles and Women’s Fund of Omaha, visit: https://www.omahawomensfund.org/To learn more about the ‘Respect Nebraska Voters’ ballot initiative, visit: https://respectnevoters.org/

    Respecting the Will of the Voters: Jo Giles on Defending Direct Democracy

  3. Oct 14

    Making Campaign Messages Stick: Sarah Flowers on Reaching Persuadable Voters

    In this episode of Direct Democracy Diaries, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo and Caroline Sanchez-Avakian speak with Sarah Flowers, partner at 76 Words, about how ballot measure campaigns build media strategies that reach and persuade voters. Sarah explains how paid and earned media should work together, why campaigns need to understand their vote goals and persuadable audiences, and how research can guide messaging without replacing human judgment. They also discuss authentic storytelling, supporting campaign messengers, responding to misinformation, using AI and digital tools, assessing ads in real time, and current anti-trans ballot measure campaigns. To learn more about Sarah Flowers and 76 Words visit: https://76words.com/To learn more about BISC’s Voter Attitudes + Engagement Research, visit: https://ballot.org/research/ Chris Melody Fields Figueiredo on LinkedIn:⁠⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-melody-fields⁠⁠ Caroline Sánchez-Avakian on LinkedIn:⁠⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolineavakian⁠⁠ BISC Official Website:⁠⁠ https://ballot.org/⁠⁠ BISC on Instagram:⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/ballotstrategy/⁠⁠ BISC on LinkedIn:⁠⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/ballot-initiative-strategy-center

    Making Campaign Messages Stick: Sarah Flowers on Reaching Persuadable Voters

  4. Oct 7

    From No to Yes: Jeremy Al-Haj on Building Working-Class Power in Missouri

    In this episode of Direct Democracy Diaries, Chris and Caroline speak with Jeremy Al-Haj, co-founder and executive director of the Missouri Workers’ Center, about Missouri’s “Year of No” and what defensive campaigns can teach organizers about building lasting power. Jeremy traces his path into organizing, explains how ballot measures have become a critical tool for working-class Missourians, and discusses recent fights over direct democracy, taxes, reproductive rights, and redistricting. The conversation explores how long-term relationships, durable coalitions, and organizing across local and state campaigns can turn defensive victories into the foundation for a future “Year of Yes." Learn more about the Missouri Workers Center and its work building a multiracial movement of working people across Missouri: https://moworkers.org/ Learn more about BISC and the ballot measures to watch in this year’s election on our Ballot Measure Hub:https://ballot.org/ballot-hub/ Chris Melody Fields Figueiredo on LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-melody-fields⁠ Caroline Sánchez-Avakian on LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolineavakian⁠ BISC Official Website:⁠ https://ballot.org/⁠ BISC on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/ballotstrategy/⁠ BISC on LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/ballot-initiative-strategy-center

    From No to Yes: Jeremy Al-Haj on Building Working-Class Power in Missouri

  5. Sep 30

    Funding the Movement: Krithika Harish on Philanthropy and Ballot Measures

    In this episode of Direct Democracy Diaries, Chris and Caroline speak with Krithika Harish, Senior Program Officer for Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, about philanthropy’s role in building lasting movements. Krithika shares her path from civic engagement and international development to advocacy and institutional funding, then explains how transparency, and long-term relationships shape strong funder-grantee partnerships. They examine the role of ballot measures in advancing reproductive freedom, why early and sustained investment matters across the full life cycle of a campaign, how the funding landscape has shifted since the 2024 election, and why funders must reflect on the power they hold in shaping movements. Learn more about Krithika Harish's work supporting movement-aligned philanthropy and democracy-building efforts at Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies Learn more about BISC’s 2.5 Project that engaged funders in a demonstration project to address key challenges in the ballot measure campaign ecosystem. —---> BISC’s 'Building Power Beyond the Ballot Box' Report Chris Melody Fields Figueiredo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-melody-fields Caroline Sánchez-Avakian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolineavakian BISC Official Website: https://ballot.org/ BISC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ballotstrategy/ BISC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ballot-initiative-strategy-center

    Funding the Movement: Krithika Harish on Philanthropy and Ballot Measures

  6. Sep 23

    Rising Together: Andy Marra and Jaelynn Scott on Trans Liberation and Movement Power

    In this episode of Direct Democracy Diaries, Chris and Caroline speak with Andy Marra of Advocates for Trans Equality and Jaelynn Scott of Lavender Rights Project about coordinated ballot measure and legislative attacks targeting transgender people. Andy and Jaelynn connect today’s fights to lessons from the marriage equality movement, discuss the importance of centering trans leadership, and examine what effective coalition work requires. They also explore cross-movement solidarity, storytelling rooted in freedom, sustained investment in movement infrastructure, and the need to build lasting political power while responding to immediate threats. Learn more about Advocates for Trans Equality and the work they're doing to advance equality, safety, and justice for transgender people across the country.Learn more about The Lavender Project and their work building Black trans political power and leadership.Leticia Martinez on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/leticia-martinez-1b7a6b10⁠  Jess Grennan on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicagrennan⁠  Chris Melody Fields Figueiredo on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-melody-fields⁠ Caroline Sánchez-Avakian on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolineavakian⁠ BISC Official Website:⁠ https://ballot.org/⁠ BISC on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/ballotstrategy/⁠ BISC on LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/ballot-initiative-strategy-center

    Rising Together: Andy Marra and Jaelynn Scott on Trans Liberation and Movement Power

  7. Sep 16

    Consultants as Campaign and Movement Partners

    In this episode of Direct Democracy Diaries, Caroline Sanchez-Avakian and Chris Melody Fields Figueredo speak with Leticia Martinez, partner at Mission Control, and Jess Grennan, founder of Simple Majority, about the role consultants play in ballot measure campaigns and movement work. Leticia and Jess discuss what makes consultant partnerships effective, where trust can break down, and why transparency, legal counsel, compliance, research, and early collaboration matter. They also examine the tension between campaign messaging and long-term movement goals, the importance of knowing when to lead or push back, and how campaigns can build lasting organizational capacity, skills, relationships, and infrastructure beyond Election Day. Learn more about Mission Control and the work they're doing to support movement organizations and campaigns. Learn more about Simple Majority and their work helping progressive organizations build stronger strategy, messaging, and organizational capacity. Leticia Martinez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leticia-martinez-1b7a6b10  Jess Grennan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicagrennan  Chris Melody Fields Figueiredo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-melody-fields Caroline Sánchez-Avakian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolineavakian BISC Official Website: https://ballot.org/ BISC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ballotstrategy/ BISC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ballot-initiative-strategy-center

    Consultants as Campaign and Movement Partners

  8. Sep 9

    Building Democracy From the Ground Up: Kelley Robinson on Power, Joy, and, Belonging

    In the season two opener of Direct Democracy Diaries, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo and Caroline Sánchez Avakian speak with Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign and Human Rights Campaign Foundation, about the state of American democracy and what it takes to build lasting power. Kelley reflects on her family history, the fragility of civil rights, and why local organizing matters—from school boards to block parties. They discuss interconnected attacks on LGBTQ+ people and other communities, the need to move beyond defense, the role of storytelling and listening, and how organizers can stay focused amid constant crisis. Kelley also shares why joy, belonging, and community are essential to sustaining movements and creating a more inclusive democracy. To learn more about Kelley’s work - go to Human Rights Campaign One Year Into Trump Administration & LGBTQ+ Messaging Playbook for the MidtermsBISC’s new Substack - Direct Democracy DispatchBISC Report: Attacks on the Ballot Measure Process

    Building Democracy From the Ground Up: Kelley Robinson on Power, Joy, and, Belonging
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About

Direct Democracy Diaries explores ballot measures from grassroots campaigns to transformative victories. Hosted by Chris Melody Fields Figueredo and Caroline Sánchez-Avakian from the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, we bring you stories of activists who've harnessed direct democracy for community change. Whether you're a seasoned leader or newcomer, tune in as we break down campaign strategies. Each episode features compelling stories about coalition building, signature gathering, and defending victories, showing how democracy works from the ground up. https://ballot.org/

Information

  • Creator
    Ballot Initiative Strategy Center
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ballot Initiative Strategy Center
  • Show Website
    Direct Democracy Diaries

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