Let's Talk Democracy

Tina Johnson

In a time when misinformation spreads like wildfire and populist movements are gaining momentum globally, it’s easy to feel disheartened. But Let’s Talk Democracy is here to remind us that democracy isn’t something we can afford to take for granted. It’s something we need to fight for, nurture, and protect. This podcast is a small but significant part of that fight—helping to cultivate hope, share knowledge, and inspire action. At its core, Let’s Talk Democracy is a reminder that even in the darkest times, there’s always room for dialogue, reflection, and change. And that, in itself, is an act of democracy. Let’s Talk Democracy will be in conversation with a wide variety of people whose efforts and ideas can move us toward a stronger democracy. It's important to be in dialogue with individuals who represent the diverse range of ideas that are permissible within a democracy. By engaging with these voices—whether they come from experts, activists, community leaders, or everyday citizens—we can begin to see the many facets of democracy and how we can strengthen it, together.

  1. The Responsibility to Represent: An Afghan Woman MP on Healing, Exile, and the Future of Democracy

    12/16/2025

    The Responsibility to Represent: An Afghan Woman MP on Healing, Exile, and the Future of Democracy

    In this episode of Let’s Talk Democracy, host Tina Johnson speaks with Farzana Elhem Kochai, former Member of Parliament in Afghanistan’s House of Representatives (Wolesi Jirga). Farzana reflects on her journey into politics as a young woman and women’s rights activist, the challenges of legislating within a deeply patriarchal and unequal system, and the pain of witnessing the systematic erosion of women’s rights from exile in Norway. This conversation explores accountability, ethical governance, the responsibility of the international community, and the critical difference between voices inside Afghanistan and those speaking from the diaspora. Organizations Supporting Afghan Women and Girls Afghan Women’s Educational Center (AWEC) https://www.awec.info New Afghanistan Women Association (NAWA) https://nawa.ngo Empowerment Center for Women (ECW) https://ecw.org.af Organization for Afghan Women Capacity and Knowledge (OAWCK) https://oawck.org.af Afghan Women Coordination & Promotion Organization (AWCPO) https://awcpo.org.af Alliance for the Education of Women in Afghanistan (AEWA) https://aewa.org.af Shahmama Organization (Geneva-based advocacy and leadership network) https://shahmama.org Hope for Afghan Girls https://www.hopeforafghangirls.org #AfghanWomen #AfghanistanDemocracy #WomensRightsAfghanistan #WomensRights #AfghanWomenLeaders #TalibanAndWomensRights #AfghanDiasporaVoices #Democracy

    1h 39m
  2. Authoritarian Populism and the Crisis of Perception

    11/04/2025

    Authoritarian Populism and the Crisis of Perception

    How fear, media, and false prophets are reshaping democracy—and how hope can fight back. Host Tina Johnson speaks with historian Professor Thomas Weber about the global rise of authoritarian populism and the crisis of perception that’s shaking democracies worldwide. Together they explore how fear, media, and misinformation empower populist movements—and how hope, empathy, and truth can help restore trust in democratic systems.Together, they discuss: Recommended Resources & Further ReadingBooks: Democracy Erodes from the Top: Leaders, Citizens, and the Challenge of Populism in Europe – Larry BartelsThe Radical Redemption Model: Terrorist Beliefs and Narratives – Beatrice de GraafHitler’s First War: Adolf Hitler, the Men of the List Regiment, and the First World War – Thomas WeberNew Book Release – Wenn Das Gestern Anklopft – Philipp Ruch, Thomas WeberArticles & Essays: Thomas Mann, “Brother Hitler” (1939)Videos & Talks: Beatrice de Graaf on Extremism and Democratic Resilience) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49GbozEgH8cCourses: Understanding Political Extremism: Hitler as a Case Study’, that people can take from anywhere in the world: https://on.abdn.ac.uk/courses/understanding-political-extremism-hitler-as-a-case-study/?fbclid=IwY2xjawN23bZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHvbIvoLlYXRKKqss6YA1D_ipKMNpcBWOzXUpXpx9Z-VQCuBiNJWjONBP2gZ0_aem_SlV9grcQJ_Sgd8N_sbshNg Articles & Essays: Thomas Mann, “Brother Hitler” (1939)The False Promise of Populism – The Atlantic (or substitute your preferred article source)A must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the global challenges of modern democracy—and how hope, truth, and civic engagement can still prevail. authoritarian populism, democracy crisis, political extremism, media influence, Thomas Weber, Tina Johnson, let´s talk democracy, populist leaders, misinformation, democratic backsliding, political fear, extremism history

    55 min
  3. Why We Vote Against Ourselves

    09/23/2025

    Why We Vote Against Ourselves

    In this thought-provoking episode of "Let's Talk Democracy," host Tina Johnson sits down with political strategist Blair Talmadge to explore the profound changes in the U.S. political landscape over the past decade. They challenge the notion that politics is about policy, arguing instead that it's increasingly driven by emotion rather than reason. The conversation begins with a personal anecdote about Johnson's 2012 campaign in Chester, Pennsylvania, which serves as a microcosm for a national trend. Talmadge argues that since the Reagan era, the Republican Party has masterfully leveraged fringe issues and religious fervor to galvanize voters, even when policies might contradict their self-interest. They discuss how figures like Donald Trump, despite a lack of personal religious conviction, have successfully embodied the feelings of a large segment of the population. Key takeaways from the episode include: Policy vs. Emotion: The speakers analyze how Democrats often try to win on policy, which doesn't "engender emotion," while Republicans use wedge issues like immigration and social topics to stir feelings and win votes.The Weaponization of Religion: The episode explores how religion has been used throughout history and today to oppress and manipulate people, and how this dynamic is currently shaping American politics, often undermining the principle of separation of church and state.Voters Against Themselves: Johnson and Talmadge discuss the perplexing phenomenon of voters who consistently act against their own self-interest, citing examples of rural white voters on welfare who oppose government assistance and people who support policies that harm the U.S. economy, such as deporting migrant farm workers.The Democratic Challenge: The conversation concludes by examining how Democrats can effectively counter the Republican marketing machine. They ponder whether Democrats need to "blow their own horn" more or if they must learn to appeal to voters on an emotional level to win back hearts and minds.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the current state of democracy in the United States and the complex psychological factors that influence voter behavior. #USPolitics #VoterBehavior #PoliticalStrategy #Let'sTalkDemocracy #PolicyVsEmotion #BlairTalmadge #Democracy #AmericanPolitics #PoliticalAnalysis

    36 min

About

In a time when misinformation spreads like wildfire and populist movements are gaining momentum globally, it’s easy to feel disheartened. But Let’s Talk Democracy is here to remind us that democracy isn’t something we can afford to take for granted. It’s something we need to fight for, nurture, and protect. This podcast is a small but significant part of that fight—helping to cultivate hope, share knowledge, and inspire action. At its core, Let’s Talk Democracy is a reminder that even in the darkest times, there’s always room for dialogue, reflection, and change. And that, in itself, is an act of democracy. Let’s Talk Democracy will be in conversation with a wide variety of people whose efforts and ideas can move us toward a stronger democracy. It's important to be in dialogue with individuals who represent the diverse range of ideas that are permissible within a democracy. By engaging with these voices—whether they come from experts, activists, community leaders, or everyday citizens—we can begin to see the many facets of democracy and how we can strengthen it, together.