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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
  • Laura Brill
    Joshua Douglas talks to Laura Brill, CEO and founder of the Civics Center, an organization that promotes voter registration among young people.
  • Joyce Vance
    Joshua Douglas speaks to Joyce Vance, a New York Times bestselling author, former United States Attorney, professor at the University of Alabama School of Law, and legal analyst for MS Now.
  • Jaime Lucke
    Joshua Douglas speaks to Jaime Lucke, Editor in chief of the Kentucky Lantern
  • Jacqueline Coleman
    Joshua Douglas speaks to Jacqueline Coleman, Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky.
  • Richard Young
    Joshual Douglas speaks to Civic Lex founder Richard Young.
  • Eric Liu
    Joshua Douglas speaks to Eric Liu, author of Become America: Civic Sermons on Love, Responsibility, and Democracy.
  • Luisa Sanchez and Rachel Belin
    Host Joshua Douglas speaks to Boyle Co. H.S. senior Luisa Sanchez of the Kentucky Student Voice Team and KSVT managing partner Rachel Belin.
  • LaJuan Allen
    Host Joshua Douglas speaks to LaJuan Allen, the Executive Director of Vote16USA
  • Evan Weissman
    Joshua Douglas speaks to Evan Weissman, the founder of “Warm Cookies of the Revolution,” which he refers to as a “civic health club.”
  • Carly Muetterties
    Joshua Douglas speaks to Carly Muetterties, chair of the Kentucky Civic Education Coalition, promoting civic education in public schools.
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