American Musecast

Susan Travis
  • 5.0 (4)
  • GOVERNMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
American Musecast

Drawing from the archetypes of the hero’s journey found in narratives of myth, religion, culture, and politics, Susan Travis presents American democracy and its citizens as flawed heroes on an aspirational expedition of hope and determination.  

Episodes

  1. OCT 30

    EPISODE 7: American Democratic Backsliding Into Project 2025

    America is at a crossroads between saving our democracy and a hard right turn toward fascism. Our journey to this crossroads has been of our own making, through a citizenry disinterested, complacent and cynical about our political future. Our inattention has allowed "democratic backsliding" characterized by the erosion of our democratic institutions, restrictions on our civil liberties, a relentless manipulation of electoral processes, attacks on political opponents, a weakening of our ...

    57 min

  2. OCT 10

    EPISODE 6B: The Daily Path of Timothy Snyder's "On Tyranny"

    Timothy Snyder's On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century, offers important reflections on the fragility of democratic systems and the rising momentum toward authoritarianism in contemporary politics. Most importantly, it offers citizen tools aimed at fortifying vulnerabilities characteristically targeted by autocrats, dictators, despots and tyrants, each of whom aim at consolidating power for their own ends.This week looks at the distinction between those terms relat...

    55 min

  3. SEP 20

    EPISODE 6A: The Broader Lessons of Timothy Snyder's "On Tyranny"

    Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century offers important reflections on the fragility of democratic systems and the rising momentum toward authoritarianism in contemporary politics. Most importantly, it offers citizen tools aimed at fortifying vulnerabilities characteristically targeted by autocrats, dictators, despots, and tyrants, each of whom aim at consolidating power for their own ends. This week, we look at the broader socio-political journey of the ...

    40 min

  4. AUG 13

    EPISODE 5B: Sorting the Language of Dynamic Citizenry

    America needs an engaged and informed citizenry capable of defending democracy, but what if they aren't sure what democracy means? Too many Americans have become disillusioned or disengaged when they encounter confusing concepts amid a fire hose of misguided conspiracies, fact-free opinions and disinformation. In order to grasp the complexities of our political system, it's time to embark on a little “refresher course” of civic vocabulary needed to navigate today’s complex politic...

    46 min

  5. AUG 3

    EPISODE 5A: The Naming of Parts in a New Normal

    As our host, Susan Travis, reports on the fires and floods in her hometown of Ruidoso, New Mexico, the Summer of 2024 roars through its own tumultuous times, and for both, a new normal emerges. This episode is a prelude to Episode 5B: Sorting the Language of Governing, and includes a reading of the poem, "The Naming of Parts," by Henry Reed.Topics Discussed in this Episode:[00:50] Ruidoso, New Mexico fires[02:05] Ruidoso, New Mexico floods[11:25] "The Naming of Parts,...

    16 min

  6. JUN 11

    EPISODE 4: Notes on "The Bill of Obligations," by Richard Haass

    As Americans waken to the authoritarian threats facing democracy, Richard Haass' book, The Bill of Obligations; Ten Habits for Good Citizens, offers a 10-habit plan for stewarding ourselves toward a more robust dynamic citizenry. His gracious regard for democracy postures Americans of every party and persuasion to become better, more competent citizens for the 21st century.Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Haass, Richard. The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Ci...

    47 min

  7. MAY 25

    EPISODE 3: Hope is an Engaged American Populace

    Right wing extremism, white nationalism, and the rise of authoritarian tendencies are misunderstood, and fail to spark the engagement needed to strengthen and preserve democracy. Facing the greatest threat of our nation’s history since the Civil War, Americans sleepwalk their way forward with a lackluster response. What holds us back from a full-throated “H*** NO!” when faced with this kind of “mayday?” How can we overcome our own resistance to responding? And how can we co...

    32 min

  8. MAY 24

    EPISODE 2: Mayday for America: "How Democracies Die," by Ziblatt & Levitsky

    As those with authoritarian tendencies escalate their rhetoric and show their intentions, the work, How Democracies Die, by Daniel Ziblatt and Steven Levitsky offers a guide for identifying the markers we're seeing around us. For citizens unconvinced that democracy is at stake, this episode makes clear that the fate of America lies in the hands of a new dynamic citizenry. Topics discussed in this episode: [9:29] Rejecting or holding weak commitment to democratic rules[14:30...

    37 min

  9. MAR 31

    EPISODE 1: America on a Hero's Journey

    The literary construct of Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero’s Journey" offers insight into the America’s quest for a stronger democracy, and for its citizens, struggling to appropriately engage in pursuit of that healthier democracy. This episode outlines the ways that citizens individually, and America, as a collective, engage in aspects of the hero’s journey. Topics discussed in this episode: [08:40] Departure. The Ordinary World. [09:00] The Call to Adventure.&...

    29 min

  10. MAR 30

    EPISODE 0: The Call to Quest - American Democracy

    In these troubling times, the rule of the people requires our participation lest democracy slip from our fingers altogether. American Musecast invites listeners to a journey through civics, current events, and the charms and challenges of our socio-political institutions. Using elements of positive psychology and drawing from the archetypes of the hero’s journey found in narratives of myth, religion, culture, and politics, Susan Travis presents American democracy and its citizens as fla...

    11 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Drawing from the archetypes of the hero’s journey found in narratives of myth, religion, culture, and politics, Susan Travis presents American democracy and its citizens as flawed heroes on an aspirational expedition of hope and determination.  

Information

  • Creator
    Susan Travis
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2024 American Musecast
  • Show Website
    American Musecast

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