DIY Democracy

Steven Nelson
  • 4.8 (12)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

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

  1. FEB 2

    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

  2. JAN 8

    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

  3. JAN 1

    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

  4. 12/18/2025

    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

  5. 12/04/2025

    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

  6. 11/20/2025

    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

  7. 10/16/2025

    The Rule of Law Revisited

    In advance of an upcoming interview about democracy with Osita Nwanevu, I revisited a 2020 interview with Lawrence Lessig about what the rule of law is, in order to be a better defender of and advocate for it. It's aged perfectly well for the general ideas. Some statements aged, not exactly poorly, but not well. I'd say they were maybe better described as "prophetic" in discussing the path not taken. Music by Evan Schaeffer

    38 min

  8. 09/18/2025

    Mutual aid is, well, mutual

    I spoke with Nicole Williams, a Philadelphia activist and organizer with Mt. Airy Community Fridge & Pantry about the work that the community fridge does as mutual aid and about mutual aid more broadly.  Music is by Evan Schaeffer.

    59 min
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4.8
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Steven Nelson
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    DIY Democracy