Ellen Gavin, filmmaker and changemaker, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss her latest project, a short film titled "The People United," a collaboration with legendary activist Dolores Huerta that encourages nonviolent community intervention to protect neighbors from ICE.  Ellen drives home the point that effective activism must touch the heart to move the feet and be driven by a message of solidarity, rather than being motivated by fear-based tactics. Deepak and Ellen talk about: The use of films to tell stories that combat political disinformation and inspire action Need for urgency to fight threats to our democracy Parallels between the current political climate in the US and the historical rise of fascism  Drawing inspiration from Huerta #TheDemLabs #EllenGavin #DoloresHuerta #Protests #Autocrats #Resistance #Democracy #CivicEngagement #SocialMovements #PoliticalAction EllenGavin.com TheDemLabs.org  

Anne-christine d'Adesky, Founder of Resisting Project 2025, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss strategies to counter the agenda of Project 2025, guiding the Trump administration. She details the growth and significance of the No Kings protests, explaining the goal of reaching 3.5% of the US population — a figure identified as a tipping point for effective nonviolent resistance. Deepak and Anne-christine talk about: How the No Kings mobilization grew and who participated Lessons from international pro-democracy movements Why creative forms of resistance are critical for breaking down autocrats' projection of power Future actions that are being organized to build coalitions and identify community-specific priorities                    #TheDemLabs #ResistingProject2025 #Protests #ResistancetoAutocracy #Autocrats #Resistance #Democracy #CivicEngagement #SocialMovements #PoliticalAction Resisting Project 2025 TheDemLabs.org  

Maresa Strano, Director of the Political Reform Program at New America, discusses the role and mechanics of ballot initiatives in the 23 states that allow for citizen-led statewide initiatives. These Initiatives are a tool for direct democracy and are an effective mechanism for achieving political and good governance reform. Once established in a state's constitution, ballot initiative-driven legislation is difficult to restrict, and typically, changes are unpopular with voters. Current research suggests an opportunity to expand the ballot initiative process to new states as a means to transcend partisan politics and foster meaningful civic engagement and democratic reform. We talk about: The complexity of creating and driving a successful citizen-initiated ballot measure Why initiative topics like raising the minimum wage frequently attract bipartisan support Ballot initiatives as a powerful tool for engaging members of a community especially the younger generation Identifying states ripe for adopting a ballot initiative process #NewAmerica #BallotInitiatives #PoliticalReform #DirectDemocracy #CivicEngagement NewAmerica.org  

Eva Posner, Founder of Evinco Strategies, focuses on the immense challenges facing political campaigns in this current environment of political violence, the 25-minute news cycle, and economic uncertainty. This climate has deterred qualified candidates from running and made it more difficult for campaigns to raise money, particularly from larger donors. We talk about: How the threat of political violence is impacting the physical safety and mental health of candidates and their staff While partisan outrage drives small-donor online donations, sustained funding from major donors has become harder to secure Why the nationalization of state and local campaigns sets unrealistic fundraising expectations for candidates The role of social media in amplifying campaign ground efforts and breaking through the noise #EvincoStrategies #PoliticalCampaigns #PolitcalViolence #Fundraising #PoliticalCandidates EvincoStrategies.com    

Scott Goodstein, Founder and CEO of Catalyst Campaigns, discusses the evolution and current state of social media strategies in politics in this interview, recorded on September 11 and the day after the murder of Conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Scott was the social media architect for the 2008 Obama campaign and contrasts the early, diverse social media landscape with today's video-dominated rapid-response environment, which is concentrated on a few major platforms.  We talk about: Where and how voters are getting news and information Using social media for two-way engagement rather than broadcasting Need to break out of the partisan echo chambers Strategic differences between Republicans and Democrats when it comes to defining the narrative and storytelling The role of AI in creating sophisticated disinformation CatalystCampaigns.com https://www.thewrap.com/wsj-trans-ideology-charlie-kirk-bullets-false-report/  

This is an interview conducted by Deepak Puri of The Democracy Labs, discussing the art of podcasting with me, Karen Jagoda. Being a podcaster since the early days, I have seen my share of great guests, reluctant guests, and unprepared guests.  Listening to other podcasters has helped me understand both the great potential and limited value podcasts and podcasters can have. In addition to the Digital Politics Podcast, I am also the producer and host of the Empowered Patient Podcast, which has allowed me to interview scientists and medical professionals who are increasingly interested in discussing politics and advocacy related to healthcare and research. Deepak and I talk about: Preparation of guests about the format and host of the podcast to ensure key messages are expressed effectively Need for flexibility on the part of the host and guests to allow for natural and authentic conversations Keys to good storytelling, especially in an audio format Why commitment and consistency are necessary for a podcast to be effective TheDemLabs.org EmpoweredPatientPodcast.com  

Hamid Ghanadan, CEO at LINUS, reports on their recent State of Science research that tracks scientists' sentiment, funding expectations, and barriers to their work. Key findings reveal that the politicization of science and erosion of public trust in science threaten to slow innovation rates and negatively impact public access to accurate information. The survey also shows a direct negative impact on scientists' morale, job satisfaction, and creativity. We talk about: The growing perception of the public that science is not real Sources of public distrust of scientific information When scientists become politically active  Need for more direct communication from the scientists and life science leaders to make complex topics more understandable and relevant Opportunity for researchers, institutions, vendors, and advocacy groups to recognize these issues and take responsibility to improve the communication of accurate health and medical information to a broader audience #TheLINUSGroup #Scientists #MedicalResearchers #PublicTrust #PoliticizationofScience #HealthcareInformation #MedicalInformation  TheLINUSGroup.com

Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, has developed the FastAlert Now app that allows organizers and non-profit organizations to send alerts to people without requiring their phone number, email, or downloading an app.  This free app is a channel-based system that uses QR codes and URLs to enable users to subscribe to a specific channel and receive push notifications on their phone or computer while protecting the identity of the recipient.  Deepak and I talk about: Need for privacy-centric communication technologies Advantages of precise targeting of messages while protecting privacy Rapid alerts in emergencies and combating misinformation and rumors Why humor is a strategic weapon in advocacy #TheDemLabs #FastAlertNow #Advocacy #RapidResponse #Activists TheDemLabs.org    

James Keppel is the Founder and CEO of Sarana Health and a healthcare advocate for an integrated, wellness-focused approach to keeping people healthy instead of simply treating diseases. While the impacts of current policy changes and budget cuts in healthcare and medical research have yet to be seen, all indications point to widening gaps in serving rural populations and those with complex conditions. James encourages private industry to step up to innovate new models of healthcare delivery and financing, and to use AI and technology to support healthcare providers in providing personalized, continuous care. We talk about: Need to inform and influence the debate about healthcare policy Gaps in how traditional medicine addresses chronic conditions and preventative care Hot button issues like drug price transparency, telehealth, and nutrition benefit cuts How the smarter use of diagnostic tests to find early warning signs of disease benefits all stakeholders Growing frustration among healthcare providers and patients with the current healthcare system is creating an opportunity for innovative models to emerge #SaranaHealth #Healthcare #HealthcareCuts #RuralHealthcare #MedAI Sarana.Health

Brian Rolling, Co-Founder of the MurMur Project, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss how individuals can engage more effectively through digital communication and social media, gaining a deeper understanding of political issues, campaigns, and elections, and have their own voices heard. Brian has a background in filmmaking and content creation, while his mother and co-founder has a long history in community organizing and running non-profits, making them a unique team to navigate the current political landscape. Deepak and Brian talk about: Overcoming cynicism and the lack of trust in traditional media Reasons to encourage more people to share information with friends and family Value of trusted sources of authentic information   Available tools and guidance for people to create and share content on social media Calls to action for 2026                        #TheDemLabs #AmericansUnitedforSeparationofChurchandState #AU #SeparationofChurchandState #JohnsonAmendment MurMur Impact Project Substack TheDemLabs.org  

Rebecca Markert, Vice President and Legal Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State , joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the fundamental American principle of the separation of church and state, as included in the Constitution. The Johnson Amendment, passed 70 years ago, is a critical law that prevents churches and charities from endorsing or opposing political candidates.  Deepak and Rebecca talk about: Historical perspective of the Johnson Amendment and bipartisan support Efforts to inject more religion into public schools   The threat of religious beliefs being used to undermine democratic principles  The rise of White Christian nationalism and efforts to dismantle the separation between church and state Calls to action                         #TheDemLabs #AmericansUnitedforSeparationofChurchandState #AU #SeparationofChurchandState #JohnsonAmendment au.org TheDemLabs.org  

Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, Executive Director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, discusses the 2.5 Project, an initiative by BISC that provides early, flexible funding to support ballot initiatives focused on economic justice. Recent efforts in Nebraska and Missouri to support minimum wage and paid sick leave ballot initiatives yielded positive results, demonstrating the ability to frame the issues and collaborate with related efforts, such as reproductive rights measures. We talk about: The differences between political candidate campaigns and ballot initiatives Importance of local coalitions  Need for ongoing communication to drive civic engagement and education about the potential impact of ballot initiatives Ballot initiative trends and coordination across states #BallotInitiativeStrategyCenter #BISC #BallotInitiatives #Organizing #LocalOrganizers  Ballot.org

Jim Lardner, journalist, activist, and host of the podcast "Good Trouble," joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the "We Are Your Neighbor" Project, which aims to collect and promote personal stories of people impacted by the Trump administration's policies. The goal is to promote these types of stories in a non-ideological way to reach out to Trump supporters and others who may be reconsidering their political support.  Deepak and Jim talk about: The power of storytelling to connect voters across the political spectrum Growing number of people who are willing to share their stories publicly Encouraging more nuanced and empathetic discussions about local and national issues Serving as a resource for journalists and activists looking to better understand the real-world impacts of policy changes #WeAreYourNeighbors #TheDemLabs #FederalWorkers #FundingCuts #Healthcare #Immigrants #Storytelling #PoliticalResistance #Activism WeAreYourNeighbors.net TheDemLabs.org  

Bill Moyer, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Backbone Campaign, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to explore the value of creative activism and visual props in promoting causes and values. The metaphor of the backbone is a symbol of moral power and strength that voters are encouraged to draw on to protest, drive awareness, and mobilize to bring about change. The Backbone Campaign is supporting organizers nationwide to help them collaborate and effectively convey their messages.  Deepak and Bill talk about: The intersection of art and activism  Impact of large visual props and light projections Providing training, tools, and support to activists Need to drive conversations and build emotional connections                          #TheDemLabs #BackboneCampaign #Activism #GrassrootsActivism #Organizing #Protests #PoliticalProtests BackboneCampaign.org TheDemLabs.org  

Allen Carroll, cartographer and lead of the Story Maps team at Esri, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the power of maps and the visualization of GIS data to tell a compelling story. The StoryMaps platform combines multimedia elements to create richer and more engaging maps to spark empathy, raise awareness, and potentially inspire change.  Deepak and Allen talk about: Why maps and StoryMaps are a highly efficient and effective way to convey complex information The role of heroes in telling a story and humanizing data Using maps to advocate and educate Driving public engagement with maps and potential actions to be taken                              #TheDemLabs #Esri #StoryMaps #ArcGIS #GIS #Advocacy #CivicEngagement #Storytelling #Maps esri.com TheDemLabs.org  

Lucian K. Truscott IV, journalist, author, and screenwriter, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to shine a light on the challenges of writing about and reporting on current events, political voices, and cultural trends. Lucian started working for the Village Voice while still a cadet at West Point in the 1960s and comes from a long line of military leaders and political figures. He is currently covering politics on his Substack newsletter, Lucian Truscott. Note that this interview was recorded a few days before the US dropped bombs on Iran.  Deepak and Lucian talk about: Interviewing Abby Hoffman for Life Magazine and covering the Stonewall Riots Current and potential US military action against Iran How Lucian's experience as a graduate of West Point informs his view of the consequences of US involvement in conflicts His concern about hasty and ill-advised military and political decisions                                  #TheDemLabs #LucianKTruscott #MilitaryAction #PoliticalReporting #AttacksonIran  LucianTruscott.substack.com TheDemLabs.org  

Nicole Cushman joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to talk about Charley. This private, secure abortion focused AI chatbot was created in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The goal of this project is to provide personalized, accurate, up-to-date information about abortion services while protecting the privacy of those looking for resources.  Deepak and Nicole talk about: Abortion access in America Databases powering Charley to track changes in clinic locations and state-level abortion policies The power of combining healthcare experts, lawyers, and technology to provide a source for trustworthy information  How Charley the chatbot has been designed to be embedded in websites that reach the target audience for this information Privacy and security measures that include not collecting any personally identifiable information and deleting chat logs                                                         #TheDemLabs #AI #Chatbots #AbortionServices #ChatwithCharley #INeedanA #AbortionPill #AbortionCare #AbortionbyMail   ChatwithCharley.org INeedanA.org NicoleCushman.com TheDemLabs.org

Catherine Rowland, Legislative Affairs Director at the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to explore the current budget reconciliation process in the US Congress. Regardless of the method, Catherine emphasizes that the voice of constituents can make a difference in the outcome and influence budget decisions.   Deepak and Catherine talk about: The reconciliation process and rules that determine what provisions can be included in the budget The priorities of the Big Beautiful Bill and the competing priorities and interests at play  Potential impact of significant budget cuts and shifting priorities  Importance of voter engagement and pressure on members of Congress #ProgressiveCaucusCenter #CongressionalBudget #BudgetReconciliation #Advocacy #CongressionalBudgetOffice ProgressiveCaucusCenter.org  TheDemLabs.org  

Gwenn Fulton from the Addition Project joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to explore how storytelling is a powerful way to translate personal experiences into public dialogue, building shared understanding and action around common challenges. Stories of the working class are particularly needed so that their concerns and aspirations are told in their own voices.  Deepak and Gwenn talk about: Effective storytelling balances facts with emotional expression to allow listeners to see themselves as part of the story How storytelling can drive grassroots organizing and mobilization Why narratives need to identify the heroes as well as the villains. How the Republicans are weaponizing storytelling to advance divisive narratives and how the Democrats are responding                                                            #AdditionProject #TheDemLabs #Storytelling #WorkingClass #SocialChange #Organizing #SocialJustice #ClassinAmerica AdditionProject.org  TheDemLabs.org

Anna Chu, Executive Director of We the Action, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the critical role lawyers play in defending the rule of law and supporting nonprofits during these challenging times.  The We the Action platform connects lawyers with organizations addressing the challenges both sides face in finding specific expertise and meaningful opportunities.  Deepak and Anna talk about Making it easier for lawyers to find nonprofits they can help Increasing need for legal support for nonprofits Working with unions to set up free legal counsel for Federal workers who have been laid off or fired   The responsibility of lawyers to serve the public good #WetheAction #TheDemLabs #Lawyers #Nonprofits #ProBonoLegalServices WeTheAction.org TheDemLabs.org