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Democracy Optimist
Hosted by Joshua Douglas

Democracy Optimist is a thought-provoking public radio series and podcast that delves deep into the heart of democratic processes, elections, and voting rights to ask a simple but vital question: how do we sustain our democracy? The series is hosted by University of Kentucky Election Law research professor Joshua Douglas, a passionate advocate for civic engagement, and produced by WEKU.

Ways To Subscribe
Latest Episodes
  • Anne Donworth
    Joshua Douglas speaks to Anne Donworth, who represents the 76th district, which covers much of Lexington, in the Kentucky House of Representatives.
  • Denise Lieberman
    Joshua Douglas speaks to Denise Lieberman Director & General Counsel of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, a non-partisan organization that works to advance free, fair, and accessible elections in Missouri.
  • Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon
    Joshua Douglas speaks to Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon about the state's high voter turnout
  • Donna Cohen
    Joshua Douglas speaks to Donna Cohen, a former educator and librarian, about ways to ensure civics is not just something we discuss briefly in school, but instead is a lifelong endeavor
  • Corey Brettschneider
    Joshua Douglas speaks to Corey Brettschneider, a professor of political science at Brown University, who teaches law and political theory.
  • Jennifer Mercieca
    Joshua Douglas speaks to Jennifer Mercieca, a historian of American political rhetoric and a Professor in the Department of Communication and Journalism at Texas A&M University.
  • Madiba Dennie
    Joshua Douglas talks to Madiba Dennie, Deputy Editor and Senior Contributor at the critical legal commentary outlet Balls and Strikes. She’s also the author of the new book, “The Originalism Trap: How Extremists Stole the Constitution and How We the People Can Take It Back.”
  • Heather Cox Richardson
    Joshua Douglas talks to Heather Cox Richardson, a Boston College professor, about how history informs today's Democracy.
  • Scott Warren
    Joshua Douglas speaks to Scott Warren, co-founder of the organization Generation Citizen, which empowers young people by improving local civics education across the country.
  • Stephen Richer
    Joshua Douglas speaks to Stephen Richer, who served as the County Recorder, administering elections in Maricopa County, Arizona, which includes Phoenix.
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