Democracy on Fire

United America Network
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Politics

Democracy on Fire with Kay Brown, is an American political affairs program examining the most urgent pressures shaping democracy in real time. The program has evolved into a sharper, more focused examination of power, politics, and the institutions under strain in the United States and beyond. Each episode brings in-depth conversations and reporting-style analysis of the forces driving political instability, including government decision-making, military and foreign policy, media influence, and the shifting boundaries of democratic norms. Featuring voices from across the political and professional spectrum—including veterans, experts, and public commentators—the show centers on one core question: how power is being exercised, challenged, and reshaped in this moment. At a time of heightened polarization and institutional pressure, Democracy on Fire aims to provide clarity, context, and accountability in a rapidly changing political environment. New episodes focus on breaking developments and the deeper structural forces behind them, with an emphasis on objectivity and understanding—not spin.

  1. 6d ago

    Your Vote Is Your Voice: Why Your Vote Matters

    On this episode of Democracy on Fire, Kay Brown speaks with Lisa Middleton about the upcoming midterm elections and why participation matters now more than ever. Middleton, a former Palm Springs mayor and longtime California public servant, discusses voter turnout, threats to democratic norms, the importance of a free press, and the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. She also shares her personal journey as a transgender woman and explains why visibility, inclusion, and standing up against discrimination are so important. Your vote is your voice, and participation is essential to democracy. www.unitedamericanetwork.com Mentioned in this episode: Leigh McGowan UAN Promo Stinger - Short -[2026]

    Your Vote Is Your Voice: Why Your Vote Matters

  2. Oct 4

    Alaska: On the Front Lines of a Worsening Climate Crisis

    On this episode of Democracy on Fire, Kay Brown speaks with Alaska Native leader Mita DeWitt about the accelerating climate crisis, melting permafrost, methane, black carbon, disappearing sea ice and the communities already being forced to adapt. They also discuss fossil-fuel development, the choices facing Alaska, and what citizens can do to push for meaningful climate action.www.unitedamericanetwork.com Mentioned in this episode: Leigh McGowan UAN Promo Stinger - Short -[2026]

    Alaska: On the Front Lines of a Worsening Climate Crisis

  3. Sep 27

    What’s Happening to Our National Parks?

    Takeaways: You heard me: we uncovered a back‑door plan to give a developer private access through Yosemite, with public dollars possibly paying for it — unthinkable and we're pushing back hard.We flagged the likely misuse of the Land and Water Conservation Fund — money meant for conserving land, not underwriting private development — and Congress is already getting squeaky about it.You should care that we sued to stop the Park Service from quietly scrubbing history and science from exhibits; censorship of climate, slavery, and Indigenous stories undermines park truth‑telling.Heads up: since January 2025 we've seen more than a quarter of permanent Park Service staff vanish, degrading visitor programs, ecological monitoring, and the 'forever' stewardship parks rely on.We're alarmed by funds diverted to Trump‑era vanity projects — from a cage‑fight arena to a proposed triumphal arch — while the Mall and other parks get neglected; transparency is toast.If you want to help, go to npca.org, call your member of Congress, and remind Interior that parks unite Americans — we need you to speak up before these decisions become permanent.

    What’s Happening to Our National Parks?

  4. Sep 20

    Marine Light Pollution: An Emerging Environmental Threat

    What happens when the ocean is exposed to too much artificial light? Kay Brown talks with environmental researcher and lawyer Willow Hogan about the growing problem of marine light pollution—and how artificial light from coastlines, ports, and ships can disrupt sea turtles, plankton, coral, seabirds, and other marine life. They explore the risks, the push for international regulation, and practical ways smarter lighting could help protect the ocean. Takeaways: We found that artificial light at night disorients leatherback sea turtles and hatchlings, so You can see how lights onshore become a lethal misdirection.I learned cargo ships and cruise liners glow like Christmas trees, attracting zooplankton and breaking their vertical migration routines.We talked about easy, practical fixes — smart sensors, shielding cones, and warmer-spectrum bulbs — that You or shipping operators could adopt to deliver immediate biodiversity benefits without sci‑fi tech or massive expense.I'll be blunt: marine light pollution is a newer, semi-reversible pollutant; if We act now, coral spawning mismatches, squid feeding failures, and plankton declines can be reduced quickly.We surfaced that regulation conversations are happening at the IMO, but You should know voluntary ship-side changes are cost-effective and cut energy waste and ecological harm fast. Mentioned in this episode: Leigh McGowan UAN Promo Stinger - Short -[2026]

    Marine Light Pollution: An Emerging Environmental Threat

  5. Sep 13

    California’s Growing Water Crisis

    California’s Salton Sea is disappearing. So why isn’t the government doing more to stop it? Kay Brown talks with Susan St. Louis of the Salton Sea Coalition about the growing environmental and public-health crisis—and the political roadblocks standing in the way of a real solution. Who is responsible? Who has the power to act? And what will it cost California if the government continues to do nothing? California’s Salton Sea isn’t just shrinking — it’s unspooling a public-health and climate mess right in front of us. I sat down with Susan St. Louis from the Salton Sea Coalition and she walked me through what’s happening: a once-vast inland sea fed by the Colorado River is evaporating, leaving behind toxic playa that blows into neighborhoods, stinks like rotten eggs, and worsens asthma, nosebleeds, cardiovascular and pulmonary issues. We laid out the science plainly — methane emissions from exposed lake bed, filthy inflows, and a salt concentration that turns the Sea into something closer to a chemical stew than a habitat. You’ll get why this isn’t just an ugly smell; it’s a regional public-health emergency and a climate accelerator that’ll bite more people if nothing changes. So what’s the fix? Susan argues — and we pretty much agree — that patchwork mitigation (hay bales, shallow polluted ponds) is a Band-Aid on a hemorrhage. The coalition’s big ask: import ocean water (Sea of Cortez or Pacific), desalinate it, and refill the lake — build canals, reuse geothermal infrastructure, and even leverage lithium extraction to offset costs. We also dug into the money talk: vendor proposals once estimated $1–4 billion, but a state panel ballooned that to $70 billion without clear basis. That mismatch, plus an alphabet soup of agencies and appointed decision-makers, is why the project isn’t moving. Bottom line for you: this is solvable technically, but it’s getting strangled by politics and short-term thinking. Companies mentioned in this episode: Salton Sea CoalitionSalton Sea ConservancyCalifornia Natural Resources AgencyCalifornia Department of Water ResourcesCalifornia Department of Fish and WildlifeCalifornia State Water Resources Control BoardU.S. Army Corps of EngineersSalton Sea Management ProgramU.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)United America Network Mentioned in this episode: Leigh McGowan UAN Promo Stinger - Short -[2026]

    California’s Growing Water Crisis

  6. Sep 6

    Singing for Change: Lauren Mayer on Music, Satire & Resistance

    In this episode of Democracy on Fire, Kay Brown talks with songwriter and performer Lauren Mayer about the power of political satire to expose hypocrisy, challenge those in power, and help people move from frustration to action. Lauren shares how her weekly political satire songs began, why laughter can make overwhelming political issues feel less paralyzing, and how humor can help people find the courage to participate. They also discuss Lauren's upcoming Power of Participation event in Palm Springs and the importance of community, voting, and staying optimistic in difficult times. Mentioned in this episode: Leigh McGowan UAN Promo Stinger - Short -[2026]

    Singing for Change: Lauren Mayer on Music, Satire & Resistance

  7. Aug 30

    Weaponizing Justice: Trump's War on Political Enemies

    In this episode of Democracy on Fire, Kay Brown is joined by Kim Harth to examine the growing pattern of politically motivated investigations and prosecutions and the chilling effect they can have on free speech, dissent, and civic engagement. They take a closer look at the case against the Southern Poverty Law Center, one of the latest targets of what they argue is a campaign of political retribution.

    Weaponizing Justice: Trump's War on Political Enemies

  8. Aug 23

    From Faith to Politics: The Shift of Christianity in America

    In this episode of Democracy on Fire, Kay Brown talks with Pastor Jane Voigts about the rise of Christian nationalism and its growing influence on American politics and society. They explore what Christian nationalism is, how it differs from mainstream Christian faith, and its impact on democracy, religious freedom, immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare, and more. Pastor Voigts also discusses how faith communities and individuals can push back through awareness, compassion, civic engagement, and a commitment to the separation of church and state.

    From Faith to Politics: The Shift of Christianity in America
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Democracy on Fire with Kay Brown, is an American political affairs program examining the most urgent pressures shaping democracy in real time. The program has evolved into a sharper, more focused examination of power, politics, and the institutions under strain in the United States and beyond. Each episode brings in-depth conversations and reporting-style analysis of the forces driving political instability, including government decision-making, military and foreign policy, media influence, and the shifting boundaries of democratic norms. Featuring voices from across the political and professional spectrum—including veterans, experts, and public commentators—the show centers on one core question: how power is being exercised, challenged, and reshaped in this moment. At a time of heightened polarization and institutional pressure, Democracy on Fire aims to provide clarity, context, and accountability in a rapidly changing political environment. New episodes focus on breaking developments and the deeper structural forces behind them, with an emphasis on objectivity and understanding—not spin.

Information

  • Creator
    United America Network
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © United America Network
  • Show Website
    Democracy on Fire

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