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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
  • 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.
  • Dr. Fernanda Buril
    Josh Douglas speaks with Dr. Fernanda Buril, the Deputy Director of the Center for Applied Research and Learning at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.
  • Ben Hovland
    Josh Douglas speaks to Ben Hovland, a Commissioner of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission
  • Democracy Optimist Live Recording Before 2024 Election
    We wrap our Democracy Optimist series for 2024 in front of a live audience at the University of Kentucky
  • The history of the Voting Rights Act
    Joshua Douglas looks at the impact of the Voting Rights Act of 1965
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