Max and Waverly speak with Dr. Julia Hellwege, USD professor and current director of the Chiesman Center for Democracy. They reflect on the first season of Dakota Dialogues, comments from guest Baratunde Thurston, and share their thoughts about what is next for democracy in South Dakota and beyond.
Waverly and Max review the season one episode about Citizen Satisfaction with Democracy including excerpts from SD Senator Liz Larson and SD Hall of Famer, Ted Meunster.
Waverly shares an interview with fellow USD student, Ellie Hart.
Max and Waverly reflect on comments from USD Professor Tim Schorn and Dr. David Law from the University of Virginia Law school, regarding a significant percentage of SD citizens' expressed openness to a system other than democracy.
Max and Waverly discuss the issue of civility with Season 1 excerpts from Dr. Cherie Strachan, SD Representative Will Mortenson, and the Ben Shapiro podcast.
*At the time of this recording, it was reported that Kilmar Abrego Garcia was an American citizen which was later clarified to reflect his Withholding of Removal status in the US and citizenship of El Salvador. (re. comments made at about 27:00 min in this episode)
Waverly and Max share an interview with Dr. Lisa Bryant conducted during the March 2025 Chiesman Center Conference at USD and reflect on the season one episode featuring Tammy Patrick and Dr. Mitchell Brown.
Hear from Max and Waverly about voting rights and security of our elections as they reflect on this season one episode.
Waverly and Max discuss comments from season one by Professor Sophia Rosenfeld, USD Provost Kurt Hackemer, and South Dakota News Watch CEO, Carson Walker. They examine differences between South Dakota and National data around confidence in higher education and speculate on how possibly to rebuild confidence in the Democratic Party.
Listen in as Waverly and Max share the most recent polling data collected by the Chiesman Center for Democracy during the 2025 conference.
Tune in to hear Max and Waverly reflect on the first season of Dakota Dialogues with 2025 in view. They discuss the performance art aspect of the political arena, the possibilities for true bipartisanship, and the tests political parties measure against their own members to prove loyalty.
Join hosts Max Mickelson and Waverly Patterson as they recap the 2025 Chiesman Center for Democracy annual conference and interview a handful of the presenters.
Max and Waverly are both seniors at USD majoring in Political Science who work for the Chiesman Center for Democracy.
Guests this episode:
Representative Drew Peterson, Representative Erin Healy, Carson Walker of SDNW, Senator Jamie Smith, USD Students Mohamed Mohamed and Griffin Petersen
Shane and Julia question esteemed guests on the next steps for a better democratic state.
Baratunde Thurston, How to Citizen Podcast & America Outdoors
Kayla Demonte, Citizen University
Kelsey Lovseth, Social Studies, Brookings SD High School
Shane and Julia talk to guests about the state and meaning of citizen satisfaction with democracy both in South Dakota and across the country.
Guests are:
Dr. Greg Shufeldt, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Indianapolis
Senator Liz Larson, South Dakota Senator, Minority Whip, District 10 Sioux Falls
Ted Meunster, Vermillion SD
Chiesman Center polling data revealed a percentage of South Dakota voters who believe that alternatives to democracy might be preferable. Shane and Julia explore what this might mean with David S. Law, Professor of Politics, University of Virginia and Timothy Schorn, Professor of Political Science at the University of South Dakota.
Shane and Julia explore what it means to be civil in the political sphere.
Guests include: Dr. J. Cherie Strachan, Director, Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics; Professor of Political Science at University of Akron
South Dakota Representative Will Mortensen, House Majority Leader, Pierre, South Dakota
Guests include:
Mitchell Brown, professor of Political Science at Auburn University and author of “The Future of Election Administration”
Tammy Patrick, CEO of The Election Center
Carri Crum, Clay County South Dakota Auditor
Shane and Julie speak with Dr. Lisa Bryant, Professor of Political Science, CSU (Fresno), Jean Schroedel, Professor Emerita of Political Science, Claremont (Native Voting Rights) and South Dakota Secretary of State, Monae Johnson
Shane and Julia discuss the confidence that South Dakotans have in their public and political institutions, namely the press and academics. Guests are historian, author and professor, Sophia Rosenfeld, South Dakota News Watch CEO and journalist, Carson Walker, and USD Provost, Kurt Hackemer.
Please see the episode preview video for a deep dive into the Chiesman Center polling data around confidence in institutions. And, the full interview with Dr. Rosenfeld in the bonus section.
Tune into this un-edited conversation with Shane, Julia and guest, Sophia Rosenfeld, as they delve into the implications for truth and democracy in both South Dakota and over time in the US.
Shane and Julia discuss the Chiesman Center survey results that inspired this episode. South Dakota voters were polled about their confidence in a variety of institutions, both local and national. The upcoming audio episode (#3) addresses issues around confidence in both the press and academic institutions.
Partisanship and extreme partisanship: How did we get here and what are some potential steps for bringing us back together?
Guests this week are former Kentucky legislator, John A. Yarmuth, SDSU Associate Professor, David Wiltse, and former South Dakota Congressman, Tom Dempster.
