Democracy Deciphered

Shannon Lynch, New America
  • 5.0 (5)
  • GOVERNMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to Democracy Deciphered, the podcast that untangles the complex threads of today's political landscape. Presented by New America, each episode delivers real-time and historical analysis of the biggest stories shaping our democracy. We dive deep into the systems that govern us—like the electoral college, political parties, and more—breaking them down to reveal how they affect the decisions you care about.

  1. JAN 23

    Tech and Labor

    As AI accelerates into the labor market, many Americans are wondering what the future of work will hold, and whether history offers any guidance. In this episode of Democracy Deciphered, host Shannon Lynch is joined by New America’s Amanda Ballantyne to explore how past technological transitions reshaped work, why some communities were left behind, and what it would mean to build a truly worker-centered approach to innovation today.

    16 min

  2. 10/31/2025

    Dismantling the Department of Education

    When President Jimmy Carter created the Department of Education, he saw it as a path toward stronger public schools and greater opportunity. Decades later, the Trump administration’s push to dismantle it raises new questions about the federal role in education. Zahava Stadler and Jeremy Bauer-Wolf of New America join the show to explore how the agency came to be and what it might mean if it disappears.

    26 min

  3. 09/30/2025

    Consequences of Government Shutdowns

    How did government shutdowns become such a recurring feature of American politics? Why do they happen, and what can history teach us about the latest one? New America's Mark Schmitt shares his insight.

    17 min

  4. 09/18/2025

    The Weaponization of Data

    Data can expose injustice, but it can also be turned into a tool of control. How do we know when data collection is helpful and when it becomes surveillance? In this episode, Sydney Saubestre of New America discusses the risks and benefits of data, lessons from history, and their implications for democracy today.

    19 min

  5. 08/22/2025

    Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks

    Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are on the table. To understand what’s at stake, we need to look not just at today’s negotiations but also at the long and tangled history behind these two countries. New America’s Candace Rondeaux and Ben Dalton explain how we got here and what it means for the talks unfolding now.

    38 min

  6. 08/15/2025

    What Are Ballot Initiatives and How Are They Used?

    How do ordinary citizens get legislative measures on the ballot? What threats are being made to the process? Maresa Strano of New America and Chris Melody Fields Figueredo from the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center share a breakdown. Learn more by reading New America's report Expanding Citizen-Led Policymaking in the Twenty-First Century.

    39 min

  7. 07/24/2025

    How Governments Use AI

    Where is AI already shaping government decisions, and how might it be used in the future? Lilian Coral of New America and Amen Ra Mashariki of the Bezos Earth Fund explore the past, present, and future of how governments use AI.

    24 min

  8. 07/03/2025

    What Does it Mean to be an American Patriot?

    How have our shared visions of American ideals influenced the meaning of patriotism? How has this definition evolved over time? Ted Johnson from New America delves into the complexities of American patriotism. The archival audio at the top of the episode is from the National Archives catalog.

    18 min
See All (18)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to Democracy Deciphered, the podcast that untangles the complex threads of today's political landscape. Presented by New America, each episode delivers real-time and historical analysis of the biggest stories shaping our democracy. We dive deep into the systems that govern us—like the electoral college, political parties, and more—breaking them down to reveal how they affect the decisions you care about.

Information

  • Creator
    Shannon Lynch, New America
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Shannon Lynch, New America
  • Show Website
    Democracy Deciphered