Podcasts about Civic engagement

Most Christians think of inheritance in terms of money, land, or possessions. But what if one of the greatest inheritances God has given you is the place where you live? Your neighborhood, your city, your state, and even your nation are not accidents—they're part of the stewardship God has entrusted to you. In this first episode of our four-part America series, we explore the biblical call to seek the welfare of your place and why faithful Christian families have a responsibility to build, bless, and cultivate the communities around them. If you've ever wondered what it looks like to love your country without idolizing it, this conversation is for you. Please partner with us in inspiring and equipping multi-gen families at https://abrahamswallet.com/support AW website Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Chapters (00:00:00) - America: The Good Old USA(00:01:00) - Abraham's Wallet(00:02:26) - Loner(00:03:19) - I HAD A BAD WEEK Watching Middle School Graduation(00:05:33) - My Adopted Mother in Law's Battle for her Life(00:07:31) - Americans: The Welfare of Their City, State and National(00:14:27) - Regarding the Dedication of a Nation(00:16:15) - First Timothy, Prayer for Kings and All Who Are in High Authority(00:19:53) - Pro-America: When You Throw Your Hands Up and Say You(00:24:36) - Americans: Righteousness and Just Laws(00:28:58) - Mark Burnett on Civic Engagement(00:34:00) - All God's Glory Shift(00:35:29) - Isaiah 60: The nations will come to God(00:37:46) - Pray for Your Country This Week(00:38:54) - Thanksgiving Blessings: Our Heritage

Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery.After studying a surprising turnout surge in Los Angeles' mayoral election, scientists believe they have identified a previously unknown substance responsible for extraordinary civic participation.They're calling it Super-Meth.Universities are launching research programs.Politicians are celebrating.Experts are studying the phenomenon.And Skid Row has officially become California's first Advanced Civic Engagement Community.This is Satire Saturday.#SatireSaturday #PoliticalSatire #Comedy #ChadLawCHAPTERS00:00 Scientists Make A Breakthrough Discovery00:44 The Skid Row Election Mystery01:47 Enhanced Electoral Consciousness02:46 California's First Advanced Civic Engagement Community03:54 Harvard, PBS & The Experts Arrive05:01 The Four Pillars Of Civic Engagement06:12 Democracy Without Barriers07:04 California Innovation07:38 Making Los Angeles More Like Skid Row

Few people have shaped environmental policy and conservation efforts in Acadiana as persistently as Harold Schoeffler. Known to many as part of the family behind Schoeffler Cadillac, Harold’s legacy extends far beyond the automobile business. For more than six decades, he has been a tireless advocate for protecting Louisiana’s natural resources, improving public policy, mentoring young people through Scouting, and encouraging citizens to become active stewards of their communities. In this wide-ranging conversation, Harold reflects on a lifetime of work that has touched everything from oil recycling and waste reduction to flood control, wildlife preservation, and public access to Louisiana’s waterways. “The Gifts of the Earth Are Public Gifts” Harold’s philosophy is rooted in a simple belief: “We have private gifts, our health and our intelligence, that we will be held accountable for. But the gifts of the earth are public gifts, and we’ll be just as accountable for that.” That conviction has guided his work for decades. Rather than simply criticizing problems, Harold has focused on finding practical solutions. One of his earliest environmental victories came in the 1970s, when he discovered that used motor oil from most Lafayette service stations was being dumped into storm drains that ultimately emptied into local waterways. At the time, 52 of Lafayette’s 54 filling stations were disposing of waste oil this way. Harold located a New Orleans recycling company willing to install storage tanks at no cost and purchase the used oil from station owners. After identifying a city fire code violation related to dumping petroleum products into storm drains, he worked with local officials to implement a citywide solution. The result? According to Harold, Lafayette became the first community in Louisiana to fully recycle used motor oil, selling it at 50 cents per gallon. “This was just money from heaven, you know.” Transforming Waste into Resources Harold’s efforts extended beyond oil recycling. He became deeply involved in helping Lafayette address mounting waste disposal challenges, particularly yard waste and sewage sludge. At a time when yard waste occupied enormous amounts of landfill space, Harold helped promote the use of tub grinders that could reduce volume by approximately 90 percent. The resulting mulch and compost products created value instead of waste. Similarly, he worked on legislation and policy changes that allowed treated sewage sludge to be safely recycled for agricultural use rather than being hauled to landfills at significant public expense. These initiatives not only reduced environmental impacts but also saved taxpayers money and created new economic opportunities. Today, Harold notes that many residents have little idea how much waste is already being recycled through these systems. Saving the Louisiana Black Bear Perhaps Harold’s most touching conservation achievement is his role in protecting the Louisiana Black Bear. In 1987, he petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to place the Louisiana Black Bear on the endangered species list. After years of advocacy and litigation, the bear was officially listed as threatened in 1992. His efforts later contributed to the protection of more than one million acres of critical habitat for the species. Harold explains that at the time he began his quest to protect the species, there may have been fewer than 300 to 400 Louisiana Black Bears remaining; yet Louisiana was continung to grant 165,000 big game hunting tags yearly before his efforts to save the black bear. His concern was never opposition to hunting itself. As an avid outdoorsman, hunter, and fisherman, he viewed conservation as ensuring that wildlife populations remain healthy enough for future generations. As he notes in our conversation, preservation of the species, not opposition to sportsmen, was always the goal. (Note: Due to recovery, the Louisiana Black Bear was officially removed from the List of Endangered and Threatened Species on March 11, 2016; however, it remains protected under Louisiana state law, and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries continues to actively manage this subspecies.) The Atchafalaya Basin and Public Access Another major chapter in Harold’s work involves the Atchafalaya Basin. Over the years he has fought against practices he believed threatened the basin’s ecological health and public accessibility, including shell dredging operations and legal disputes involving public waterways. He recounts the landmark Larry Daigle case, in which a commercial fisherman faced criminal trespassing charges while fishing in waters Harold believed were public. The case ultimately became a significant legal battle involving questions of public access, navigable waterways, and property rights within the basin. Harold views the outcome as a victory not only for one fisherman but for the public’s rights throughout Louisiana’s waterways. His extensive firsthand knowledge of Louisiana’s waterways comes from decades spent hunting, fishing, scouting, and paddling through some of the state’s most remote landscapes. A Lifetime in Scouting Ask Harold what accomplishment makes him most proud, and his answer isn’t environmental litigation. It’s Scouting. For 42 years Harold was involved in the Scouts and helped guide 125 young men to the rank of Eagle Scout. Throughout our conversation, he repeatedly returns to the importance of believing in young people. “If you think they can, they can. If you think they can’t, you can’t. And that’s a lesson for parents. You know, if you’re going to have a negative attitude towards your kids, you’re going to get negative results. But if you think they can, you know, they can sense that also.” Harold shares lessons learned from serving on a military school board, where early special education programs demonstrated how expectations can profoundly affect a child’s success. Those same lessons shaped his approach to mentoring Scouts, many of whom achieved far more than others expected of them. His philosophy also extended to environmental stewardship. He often taught Scouts that if boys are taught not to litter before the age ten, they are unlikely to become litterers later in life. Changing behavior early, he argues, is one of the most effective ways to improve communities. The Power of Citizen Involvement One recurring theme throughout this conversation is Harold’s belief that ordinary citizens can solve extraordinary problems. Whether discussing flood control, environmental policy, waste management, or economic development, Harold consistently points to the value of public participation. He shares stories of public meetings where solutions emerged not from experts or consultants but from local residents willing to speak up and share ideas. For Harold, conservation has never been about politics. It’s about facts, integrity, and doing what is right for the long-term health of the community. “If they catch you in a lie one time, you’re dead.” Integrity, he says, must remain at the center of every public effort. Looking Ahead At a time when environmental issues often become politically polarized, Harold offers a refreshingly practical perspective. His message is simple: “If you pick up one piece of litter a day and all the people in town do it, you’d have no litter.” The lesson applies far beyond trash. Positive change often begins with small actions, sustained over time by people willing to care. Harold Schoeffler’s life demonstrates what can happen when one citizen decides that stewardship is not someone else’s responsibility. It’s ours. Topics Discussed Growing up in Lafayette and the Schoeffler family business Boy Scouts and mentoring 125 Eagle Scouts Recycling used motor oil in Lafayette during the 1970s Protecting the Vermilion River and local waterways Yard waste recycling and composting programs Sewage sludge recycling initiatives Flood control and watershed management The Atchafalaya Basin and public access rights The Larry Daigle case Shell dredging litigation The Louisiana Black Bear and endangered species protection Public engagement and environmental stewardship Why integrity matters in public advocacy

Today on Uncommon Sense, we're discussing the tragic state of the modern world.From the protests in Ireland to growing frustration across Western nations, many people feel as though their voices are no longer being heard by the institutions that claim to represent them. I'll share why I support the right of people to protest and why I believe the demonstrations in Ireland have resonated with so many people around the world.We'll also discuss what I see as a deeper spiritual crisis affecting modern society. Many of the political, cultural, and social problems we face today are symptoms of a broader moral and spiritual decline, one that cannot be solved through politics alone.In this episode:My thoughts on the protests in IrelandWhy so many citizens now feel disconnected from their governmentsThe growing divide between ordinary people and powerful institutionsThe role of faith, morality, and personal responsibility in rebuilding societyWhy I believe many of today's crises point to a deeper spiritual battleWhether you agree or disagree, this episode is an invitation to think critically about the direction of our culture, our governments, and our future.--https://www.youversion.com/bible-app

6/9/26: Co-Host Amilcar Shabazz Rep. Pat Duffy remembers Barney Frank, the first out gay Congressman, who recently passed. She attended the celebration of his life yesterday. UMass Prof Amilcar Shabazz on Juneteenth in Northampton. Third Graders at Hadley Elementary on their lobbying efforts to make asparagus the official state vegetable—meeting the governor, their state senator and rep. Civic engagement at its best! Pat Ononibaku, Pres of Black Business Assoc of Amherst: the upcoming 19th annual Juneteenth Jubilee & Black businesses in the Valley. The IL (Injury List) grows. It includes baseball itself. Why don't the owners care? We ask Duke Goldman, who also explains the masking tape over the NYY insignia on the Aaron Judge tee that Newman gave him.

 Romania's strategic security posture on NATO's eastern flank and Colombia's historic June 2025 Security Council presidency under indigenous Ambassador Leonora Zalabata Torres, focusing on Black Sea security, multilateral peace efforts, and the next UN Secretary General selection process. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

June 3, 2026 ~ David Dulio, Distinguished Professor, Political Science Department and Director of the Center for Civic Engagement at Oakland University discusses the Spencer Pratt primary in LA. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

(00:00:00) Cold Open: What is the Eclipse Effect? (00:00:45) Welcome Back and the Non-Conformist Oath (00:03:47) Ella's Five-Year Plan and the 2017 Missouri Eclipse (00:06:00) Building Rochester's Eclipse Task force: 750 Volunteers, No Budget (00:12:00) Co-Chairing the National Eclipse Task Force (00:14:27) The Dreadful Lack of Agency and What To Do About It (00:17:21) Bonding vs. Bridging: The Two Kinds of Social Capital (00:21:09) The Network Graph: Making Invisible Connections Visible (00:28:51) Stories From the National Eclipse Effort (00:39:09) On Failure, Grade, and Raising Kids Outside the System Deborah Ross watched the 2017 solar eclipse from a field in Kimmswick, Missouri and came home convinced of two things: Rochester needed to be ready for 2024, and it was going to be her job to make that happen. What she built with 750 volunteers, no budget, and six years of monthly meetings became both a defining moment for this region and the foundation of a book.In this episode, she breaks down how an eclipse becomes a community organizing tool, what servant leadership actually looks like when you're asking hundreds of people to work for free, and why the principles behind The Eclipse Effect apply to any catalyst, a natural disaster, a federal funding cut, or the Olympics coming to your town. CONNECT The Eclipse Effect → https://theeclipseeffect.comKids Out and About → https://kidsoutandabout.comROC Vox → https://rocvox.comNew episodes every Tuesday.Recorded at ROC Vox Recording & Production in Pittsford, NY. Learn more at https://rocvox.com

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's May 20 press conference attacking Prime Minister Mark Carney's economic policies following Canada's economic contraction, plus the government's $5 billion Saab Global Eye surveillance aircraft purchase for Arctic defense.Canada was the only G7 country to see economic contraction in the last quarter despite similar global headwinds faced by peers 1Global Eye is hybrid system combining advanced radar surveillance technology from Sweden's Saab with Bombardier Global 6500 airframe manufactured in Canada Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

Co-hosts Kathy Kruger and Jonah Triebwasser interview Bard College Students Jaella Mohammed and Raahim Waqas about the Civic Engagement Fellowship.

This week on Culture and Consequence, Andrea and I show up grumpy, caffeinated, and absolutely done — which means it's the perfect time to talk about abortion myths, political delusion, and the stories we were raised to believe about America.We start with the hill I'll die on: being pro‑choice does not mean being pro‑abortion. As I say in the episode, “People on the right believe that we get our nails done in the morning… and then later that afternoon we go get an abortion” — and we break down why that fantasy is both dangerous and insulting.From there, we get into late‑term abortion realities, Planned Parenthood, and why medical decisions belong to women, their doctors, and nobody else. Andrea reminds us that “the vast, vast, vast majority of abortions after viability are wanted pregnancies with medical complications.”Then we shift into the bigger picture: the myths we grew up with — the Founding Fathers, the “melting pot,” the American Dream, and the belief that hard work alone can save you. We talk Tulsa, Rosewood, banned books, civics education, and why so many of us had to learn our own country's history outside the classroom.And yes, we go in on billionaires, media capture, political cults, and why the Supreme Court has lost the plot.If you're tired, frustrated, or trying to make sense of the mess, pull up a chair. We're right there with you.If this episode brought you a little joy, consider liking, subscribing, or sharing it with someone who might need it.As always, remember it really is All About The Joy.Thank you for stopping by.  Please visit our website: All About The Joy and add, like and share.  You can now watch the livestream version of the show on YouTube at @CarmenLezeth You can also support us by shopping at our STORE - We'd appreciate that greatly.  Also, if you want to find us anywhere on social media, please check out the link in bio page. Music By Geovane Bruno, Moments, 3481Editing by Team A-JHost, Carmen Lezeth DISCLAIMER:  As always, please do your own research and understand that the opinions in this podcast and livestream are meant for entertainment purposes only. States and other areas may have different rules and regulations governing certain aspects discussed in this podcast.  Nothing in our podcast or livestream is meant to be medical or legal advice. Please use common sense, and when in doubt, ask a professional for advice, assistance, help and guidance. 

SGLaw200 Youth Forum: Session 2, "Track 5: Youth Voice & Civic Engagement" by Institute of Policy Studies

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! (incoming msgs only - I can't reply) Brian Vogt spent 20-plus years strengthening democracy around the world. Then he came home—and started listening. His Democracy Listening Tour of Red America is a qualitative research project with a simple but radical premise: before you can reform anything, you have to understand what people actually believe and why.In this conversation, Brian and Wilk dig into what “democracy” really means to everyday Americans, why that word lands so differently depending on who's hearing it, and what the reform community gets wrong by skipping the listening step altogether.One story stands out: a Trump-voting Iraq veteran and community leader in Kentucky who defined democracy as equality—then shared a workplace experience that made him feel like anything but an equal. It's the kind of story that doesn't make headlines but shapes how millions of people relate to political institutions.If you believe that lasting change requires all voices at the table, this episode is for you. Learn more about and connect with Brian Vogt by getting the full show notes for this episode at www.DerateTheHate.com.  The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you've got. Make every day the day that you want it to be!Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) ,  YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/ContactThe Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America's largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.orgWelcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast!*The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

BC Hydro's $1 billion PowerSmart II conservation program and the contentious federal-provincial dialogue between Mark Carney and Premier David Eby on pipeline expansion, environmental protection, and trade policy. 12 The energy efficiency initiative aims to avoid $2 billion in new infrastructure costs while Eby maintains firm opposition to lifting the North Coast oil tanker moratorium. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

In this episode of Faith and Family First, Eva Andrade and Marcus Oshiro continue their conversation on Hawai‘i's election season by walking listeners through what it really means when someone “pulls papers” to run for office. Marcus explains the difference between issued and filed nomination papers, why campaign spending deadlines matter, and how voters can use public records to better understand who is financially supporting candidates.Eva and Marcus also discuss the changing dynamics within Hawai‘i's Democratic and Republican parties, the importance of primary elections, and why people of faith should remain informed, engaged, and prayerful during election season. From candidate filings to voting records and party labels, this episode encourages listeners to look deeper, ask good questions, and stay involved in shaping Hawai‘i's future.Don't forget to subscribe to the FFF podcast for more in-depth discussions on social and political issues that matter to you! 

This special edition of the Travelers Institute Risk & Resilience podcast is the first episode in a four-part series highlighting Travelers Across America – a unique initiative that reflects Travelers' long-standing commitment to strengthening community resilience.   Host Janice Brunner, Group General Counsel and Head of Civic Engagement and Corporate Affairs at Travelers, was joined by leaders from the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans and the Louisiana Department of Insurance to discuss Travelers' partnership to deliver critical repairs that strengthen historic homes against hurricanes and flooding. They explored how cross-sector collaboration both protects historic landmarks and strengthens neighborhoods that have weathered generations of storms.   ---  Visit the Citizen Travelers® website: https://www.travelers.com/about-travelers/citizen-travelers.  Subscribe to the Travelers Institute® podcast newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7328774828839100417.  Connect with Janice Brunner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janice-g-brunner-69338098/. 

I talk with Ramon Perez, Executive Director of the Digital Democracy Project this week. DDP is a nonpartisan nonprofit using secure mobile voting technology to give citizens a real-time voice in legislation. Ramon explains how the platform lets verified, registered voters weigh in on bills being debated in Congress and their state house—and then scores legislators on how closely their votes match what their districts wanted. We dig into how AI, including a RAG-powered chatbot called VoteBot, helps everyday citizens parse thousands of pages of complex legislative text. We also discuss digital security, participatory budgeting, and Ramon's ambitious goal of expanding the platform to all 50 state legislatures by 2027.Keywords: digital democracy, mobile voting, civic tech, legislative transparency, AI in government, Ramon Perez, Digital Democracy Project, VoteBot, participatory budgeting, voter engagement, legislator accountability, PolicyViz podcast, civic engagement, govtechSubscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthFollow Ramon Perez and the Digital Democracy Project at digitaldemocracyproject.org and download the Votes (VOATZ) app to participate.Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Substack, Twitter, Website, YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! (incoming msgs only - I can't reply) Michael Lee is a professor of communication and the director of the Civility Initiative at the College of Charleston. He came to civility work through competitive debate—and found that debate, at its best, is deeply connective and dialogic. In this conversation, Michael and Wilk explore what's really going on when people avoid disagreement, and why that silence is often more damaging than conflict. They dig into the nervous system roots of fight, flight, freeze, and fawn—and how those responses show up in everyday conversations, especially online. Michael makes a sharp distinction between healthy stress and distress, arguing that real growth requires exposure to discomfort, not protection from it. One of the episode's most powerful ideas: people confuse conversation with complicity. Michael unpacks why that conflation is so common and what tools—perspective-taking, norm-setting, reciprocity—can help us move past it. And he reminds us that the stranger you're afraid to talk to is more likely to become a friend than an adversary. If you've ever felt like civility is code for “stay quiet,” this conversation is for you.Learn more about and connect with Michael Lee by getting the full show notes for this episode at www.DerateTheHate.com. The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you've got. Make every day the day that you want it to be!Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) ,  YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/ContactThe Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America's largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.orgWelcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast!*The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

May 20, 2026 ~ David Dulio, Distinguished Professor, Political Science Department and Director of the Center for Civic Engagement at Oakland University discusses Thomas Massie losing his primary as a Republican who has challenged Trump in the past. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For our final spotlight in the Administrative Professionals Empowerment Series from April on recognizing the ongoing essential work of administrative staff, including secretaries, assistants, and support professionals. We finish this series by highlighting the multiple key liaison roles they play in nurturing community support networks within the workplace, multiple communities, and their immediate families. For our Administrative Professional Empowerment Series, Plan Dulce Hosts Michelle E.  Zuñiga, PhD, AICP (she/her/hers)  and Haydee Urita-Lopez (she/her/hers) interview Flora “Angie” Melendez (she/her/ella), Executive Assistant III, at the City of Los Angeles Planning Department. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ A warning to our listeners, this interview does discuss a personal story involving suicide. If you or someone close to you is facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, help can be reached at the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline._ _ _ _ _ _ _  Angie has been the Executive Administrative Assistant to the Director of Planning for the City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning since 2019 and has been serving the City of Los Angeles for almost 37 years.It began in 1989 working with then Councilwoman Gloria Molina, the first Latina elected to the City Council, for two years, followed by 10 years with Councilwoman Rita Walters, the first African-American woman elected to the city council, and almost 12 years with Councilman Ed Reyes, a Planner by trade.She then took the leap and transitioned over to civil service, beginning as an Administrative Clerk with the Department of Recreation and Parks after which she was promoted to Senior Administrative Clerk. In 2016 she was promoted to Secretary with the Los Angeles Police Department and in 2019 promoted to Executive Administrative Assistant to the Department of City Planning. Angie has served in this capacity for almost seven years where every day she continues to grow and learn in her position but also is happy to share what she has learned with those that are currently on their civil service journey.Angie, has been married to her husband, Tony Melendez, retired UPS Driver but forever a Teamster (and Rams fan) for almost 19 years, and together have raised three amazing adults; two sons and a daughter; Josue, Andres and Belen. And now, they help provide support and love to six wonderful grandkids ages 2 months – 8 years old, who keep them super busy and young at heart.Links and ResourcesLA City Planninghttps://planning.lacity.gov/Government Jobshttps://www.governmentjobs.com/ --------------------------------------Plan Dulce is a podcast by members of the ⁠⁠Latinos and Planning Division⁠ of the American Planning Association⁠. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only. Want to recommend our next great guests and stay updated on the latest episodes? We want to hear from you! Follow, rate, and subscribe! Your support and feedback helps us continue to amplify insightful and inspiring stories from our wonderfully culturally and professionally diverse community.This episode was conceived, written, and produced by Haydee Urita-Lopez (she/her/hers), Michelle E.  Zuñiga, PhD, AICP (she/her/hers) and co-produced by Vidal F. Márquez (he/him).Connect:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/plandulcepodcast/ Facebook:⁠https://www.facebook.com/LatinosandPlanning/⁠Youtube:Subscribe to Plan Dulce on Youtube LinkedIn:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4294535/⁠X/ Twitter:⁠https://twitter.com/latinosplanapa?lang=en⁠

This episode of the Amazing Cities and Towns Podcast sponsored by Bearing Advisors, Jim Hunt interviews Donnavan Pepper of the National Strategic Partnership at Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies. ·       A candid conversation about building bridges in local government ·       And, much more 7 Steps to an Amazing City:  Attitude Motivation Attention to Detail Zing Inclusiveness Neighborhood Empowerment Green Awareness   Thanks for listening and look forward to having you join us for the next episode.   Links Mentions During Show:  www.AmazingCities.org ·       www.AmazingCities.org/podcast to be a guest on the podcast   About Donovan Pepper:     Donovan W. Pepper is Principal and Director of National Strategic Partnerships at Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies , where he leads multi-jurisdictional government relations and builds nationwide advocacy coalitions. Prior to this role, he spent nearly 18 years as Senior Director of Government Relations and Civic Engagement at Walgreens, directing legislative and public health protection strategies across all 50 states. His deep public policy background also includes leadership positions with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois Restaurant Association, AT&T, and Amtrak, following an early career as an Illinois House of Representatives staffer. A dedicated civic leader, Mr. Pepper is a trustee of Knox College, a member of the University of Illinois System presidential search committee, and the former Chairman of the Board for The Civic Federation. Recognized by President Barack Obama for national and community service, he holds a master's degree in political studies from the University of Illinois Springfield.  About Your Host, Jim Hunt: Welcome to the "Building Amazing Cities and Towns Podcast" … The podcast for Mayors, Council Members, Managers, Staff and anyone who is interested in building an Amazing City.   Your host is Jim Hunt, the author of "Bottom Line Green, How American Cities are Saving the Planet and Money Too" and his latest book, "The Amazing City - 7 Steps to Creating an Amazing City"   Jim is also the former President of the National League of Cities, 27 year Mayor, Council Member and 2006 Municipal Leader of the Year by American City and County Magazine.   Today, Jim speaks to 1000's of local government officials each year in the US and abroad.   Jim also consults with businesses that are bringing technology and innovation to local government.   Amazing City Resources:   Buy Jim's Popular Books: ·       The Entrepreneurial City: Building Smarter Governments through Entrepreneurial Thinking:   https://www.amazingcities.org/copy-of-the-amazing-city   ·       The Amazing City: 7 Steps to Creating an Amazing City:   https://www.amazingcities.org/product-page/the-amazing-city-7-steps-to-creating-an-amazing-city   ·       Bottom Line Green: How America's Cities and Saving the Planet (And Money Too)  https://www.amazingcities.org/product-page/bottom-line-green-how-america-s-cities-are-saving-the-planet-and-money-too   FREE White Paper: ·       "10 Steps to Revitalize Your Downtown"  www.AmazingCities.org/10-Steps   Hire Jim to Speak at Your Next Event: ·       Tell us about your event and see if dates are available at www.AmazingCities.org/Speaking   Hire Jim to Consult with Your City or Town: ·       Discover more details at https://www.amazingcities.org/consulting   Discuss Your Business Opportunity/Product to Help Amazing Cities: ·       Complete the form at https://www.amazingcities.org/business-development   A Special Thanks to Bearing Advisors for the support of this podcast:  www.BearingAdvisors.Net

As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a national initiative called faith250 is bringing faith communities together to study the nation's founding documents. In the Lehigh Valley, a cluster of congregations led by four co-conveners is holding a series of gatherings that combine textual study and community building. The conversation with them considers the gap between the founding documents' aspirations and the nation's realities, the complicated relationship between religious faith and democratic governance, and the challenge of genuine inclusivity when diverse communities try to speak together about shared values.Guests: Rabbi Shoshanah Tornberg, Congregation Keneseth IsraelThe Rev. Maria Tjeltveit, Retired Episcopal priestRev. Stephanie Anthony, First Presbyterian Church of AllentownLaura Lawrence, Baháʼí community memberShow Notes:faith250 (https://faith250.org/)Lehigh Valley Cluster - lvfaith250@gmail.comSend us Fan Mail

On this archive episode we weigh the strengths and vulnerabilities of our current election infrastructure. David Levine, a senior fellow at University of Maryland's Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement joins the program to discuss election integrity in the United States and internationally, threats to democracy and ways to improve the election process. (This episode was originally produced in May 2025.)

Today on Uncommon Sense, we're talking about “law enforcement” and why so many people no longer feel like laws are actually being enforced equally or consistently, especially when it comes to powerful and well-connected individuals connected to the Epstein scandal.We discuss the growing public frustration surrounding the unreleased and heavily redacted Epstein files, the lack of visible accountability for elite predators, and why so many Americans feel the justice system has failed women, children, and vulnerable people. We also talk about why local police departments, sheriffs, prosecutors, and public officials should be demanding full transparency and supporting the release of the complete unredacted Epstein files so the public can see the truth plainly.This episode also goes into the broader leadership crisis facing America and much of the world: weak leadership, fear of confrontation, and silence in the face of corruption. We discuss the need for stronger moral leadership, stronger families, stronger communities, and men willing to stand up publicly against evil instead of shrinking back from difficult conversations.If laws are not enforced equally, trust in institutions collapses. If justice is selective, people stop believing justice exists at all.It's time for courage, accountability, truth, and leadership again.--https://www.youversion.com/bible-app

In this episode, Ashley Campbell discusses the flaws within the American government, emphasizing that the structure itself is not to blame but rather the individuals in power. She highlights issues such as unaccounted spending, regulatory burdens, and the need for accountability among government officials. The conversation also touches on the importance of understanding the Constitution and the responsibilities of different branches of government. Campbell encourages listeners to engage civically and educate themselves about the political system to effect change.Takeaways-The American government structure is not the problem; it's the people in charge.-Unaccounted spending and fraud are rampant within government agencies.-Government accountability is crucial for effective governance.-Regulatory burdens have negatively impacted American manufacturing jobs.-The government has committed acts of treason against its citizens.-Every branch of government has a responsibility to defend the Constitution.-Civic engagement and education are essential for a functioning democracy.-Understanding legislative powers is key to holding representatives accountable.-Voter participation is vital to prevent corruption in office.-Educating oneself about government structure can lead to meaningful change.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Context of Government Critique02:20 The Role of People in Government03:17 Government Accountability and Spending Issues08:53 Regulatory Burdens and Economic Impact10:34 Constitutional Responsibilities of Government14:03 Understanding Legislative Powers27:02 The Importance of Civic Engagement and Education keywordsgovernment, accountability, constitution, civic engagement, corruption, American politics, legislative powers, economic impact, regulatory burdens, public spendingWant to purchase a signed copy of mybook?https://buy.stripe.com/7sI8xdg6F2kZgSIfZ6ORRead the reviews on Amazon? https://a.co/d/gwyks9gWant to join my Facebook group that will equip you with the knowledge of the History of the United States, what the Constitution means and how you can preserve thisgreat nation we live in?Join my paid group today! For only $10 a month, you will have access to classes that will help you have the knowledge you need to save your liberties given to you by God.Group Link:https://www.facebook.com/share/RA7FqCx95Lbv5gWv/Group Payment link:https://buy.stripe.com/cN24gX07H4t70TKcMV

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! (incoming msgs only - I can't reply) Many Americans now feeling we're too divided to agree on anything. Rich Harwood disagrees — and he has the stories to back it up. In this episode, Rich returns to DTH to talk about the new moral vision he sees emerging across the country: a shared yearning for decency, dignity, and the belief that we can still come together and get things done.Rich and Wilk dig into why politics can't save us — and why that's actually good news. Real change, Rich argues, doesn't start with the right person winning an election. It starts with individuals choosing to show up in their communities, building trust one small action at a time.From Jim Jordan's congressional district in Ohio to the basement of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Selma, the stories Rich shares prove that the people most written off are often the ones leading the way. You don't need a big platform or a comprehensive plan. You just need to start.This is a conversation about reclaiming the civic space that the loudest, most divisive voices have been filling by default — and what happens when the rest of us decide to show up.Learn more about and connect with Rich Harwood by getting the full show notes for this episode at www.DerateTheHate.com. The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you've got. Make every day the day that you want it to be!Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) ,  YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/ContactThe Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America's largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.orgWelcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast!*The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

In this episode of No Off Season 4 Dads, Dijon picks up where a powerful conversation with Lindsey McCormack left off and takes it somewhere most fatherhood platforms won't go. The episode challenges dads to expand their definition of presence beyond the household and into the community spaces that shape their children's futures. Drawing on research from The Psychology of Citizenship and Civic Engagement and a 2024 study on parental civic modeling, Dijon makes the case that fathers who show up in local government, school board meetings, city council sessions, neighborhood associations — raise kids who grow up believing their voice matters. From practical first steps to a faith-rooted call to responsibility, this episode is a reminder that no off season means no off season in every arena. Your neighborhood needs you in the game.Afterwards, go to www.nooffseason4dads.com for more tips and tools to better our journey in fatherhood. And as always,Listen. Enjoy. Share. Fund. Repeat.References and Resources:The Influence of Parents, Families, and Peers on Civic Engagement | The Psychology of Citizenship and Civic Engagement | Oxford AcademicAssociations between parental civic engagement, negative beliefs toward civic engagement and youths' future civic attitudes and behaviors - PMCInnovative Approaches to Civic Engagement - National League of CitiesHow to Raise A Citizen (And why it's up to you to do it) by Lindsey Cormack

Calvary Hill Baptist Church (11am) / Pinkston (5pm) Is the biblical nation of Israel identical to the modern state of Israel? If not, what is the connection between the two? Daniel Houck explains the meaning of the word "Israel" in the Bible, and how it relates to the use of the word today. This sermon lays a groundwork for Christians to evaluate discussions of Israel in current events today. https://bio.link/danielwhouck https://www.calvaryhillbc.org/

This episode reminds us that influence is not measured by numbers but by truth, integrity and responsibility. In a digital world full of noise, the real power is in being informed, being ethical and being faithful with your voice, no matter how small your audience may seem.#CITAMChurchOnline #ChurchEverydayGet in touch with us:http://www.citam.org/churchonline@citam.org(+254) 784 277 277(+254) 728 221 221

Suzette Brooks Masters is a thought leader, political strategist and Senior Fellow at the Democracy Funders Network. She says that for American democracy to thrive, it's not enough to defend the existing system against attack, because the system doesn't work well for most people.  She's been researching ways to invigorate democratic practice, including citizen's assemblies and participatory budgeting – frameworks that give ordinary people a bigger say in government. And she advocates for storytelling that envisions positive, possible futures.  LEARN MORE Suzette Brooks Masters' articles for The Fulcrum Imagining Better Futures for American Democracy report Becoming Futures Ready: How Philanthropy Can Leverage Strategic Foresight For Democracy report This episode was originally published in May 2025.  ABOUT THE SHOW The Making Peace Visible podcast is hosted by Jamil Simon and produced by Andrea Muraskin. Our associate producer is Faith McClure. Learn more at makingpeacevisible.orgSupport our work Connect on social:Instagram @makingpeacevisibleLinkedIn @makingpeacevisibleBluesky @makingpeacevisible.bsky.social We want to learn more about our listeners. Take this 3-minute survey to help us improve the show!

How should Christians view war? This sermon explains and applies the basics of "just war theory": the view that waging war is just if and only if it is for a just cause, as a last resort, and is likely to lead to a greater good.  https://bio.link/danielwhouck https://www.calvaryhillbc.org/

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! (incoming msgs only - I can't reply) Spike Cohen — 2020 Libertarian VP candidate, founder of You Are The Power — sits down with Wilk to talk about what happens when families are torn apart by a system that never had to answer to anyone. Until now.You Are The Power is a nonprofit that steps in when local government oversteps. They research cases, amplify stories, organize people, and push for real policy change. Their work with the Hernandez family — falsely accused of child abuse, children seized, criminal charges filed — led to family reunification and landmark legislation in Georgia.This is a conversation about civic power, individual responsibility, and what it actually looks like when ordinary people take on government overreach — and win. If you've ever felt helpless against a system that didn't care, this one's for you.Learn more about and connect with Spike Cohen in the full show notes for this episode at www.DerateTheHate.com. The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you've got. Make every day the day that you want it to be!Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) ,  YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/ContactThe Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America's largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.orgWelcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast!*The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

In this episode of "Eye on the Triangle," Evie Dallman and Amanda Levinson discuss the arts' place in exciting civic engagement and ways communities can continue restoration within the individual as well as larger bodies of people. We talk radical rest, laborers' rights and artistic action.In our second story, Evie chats with the North Carolina Museum of Art's Head Librarian, Andrew Wang, about North Carolina book culture, zine culture, DIY movements, the NCMA's library as a source for research and media, grassroots efforts in publication and media representation and the End Paper Book Fair's place in these ideas.Finally, we close out with Evie's interview with Kid Lab creators Shannon Newby and Susan Kelly on their initiatives to give kids access to arts education and principles of making with recycled goods. ★ Support this podcast ★

https://bio.link/danielwhouck https://www.calvaryhillbc.org/

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are Executive Vice President, Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Director of the Center for Civic Engagement at Bard College Jonathan Becker, Preceptor in Public Speaking for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University Terry Gipson, a full professor in the History Department at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY) Allison Kavey, and Associate Professor of Government at Dutchess Community College and since 2023, she has been President of the World Affairs Council of the Mid-Hudson Valley Dr. Karin Riedl.

At a time when trust in institutions is strained and civic participation often feels out of reach, a growing effort is underway to reimagine how Americans engage in public life. The Citizen Service is advancing a national civic education model rooted in pragmatic, no-blame, community-based problem solving—designed to equip people not just to understand democracy, but to actively participate in strengthening it. In this podcast, John Silvanus Wilson, president of The Citizen Service and a former president of Morehouse College, and Rashawn Davis, who serves as a senior advisor to The Citizen Service, discuss their approach and tools to help higher education institutions advance their civic mission while also preparing students with practical leadership skills. Wilson and Davis discuss how this work is uniquely positioned to cultivate the kind of educated, empowered, and engaged citizenry our democracy requires. Opinions expressed in AGB podcasts are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the organizations that employ them or of AGB.

Calvary Hill Baptist Church (11am) / Pinkston (5pm)  Scripture teaches that Christians are "citizens of heaven." Is that compatible with being citizens of the United States of America, or any earthly polity? In this sermon, Daniel Houck introduces a new series on civic engagement for Christians, showing that Christians may be "dual citizens" of the kingdom of heaven and their countries on Earth. As Christians, we are called to be God's ambassadors from the kingdom of heaven: representing his interests as salt and light in our communities, countries, and world.  https://bio.link/danielwhouck https://www.calvaryhillbc.org/

In this episode, I chat with Don Moynihan, professor of public policy at the University of Michigan and author of the widely-read Substack newsletter Can We Still Govern? Don's research focuses on administrative burdens—the learning, compliance, and psychological costs people experience when interacting with government—and how those frictions shape public trust. We talk about the data challenges involved in measuring these experiences, how the shift to digital services changes the picture, and why governments historically have ignored the costs they impose on the people they serve. We also get into Don's own journey as a public communicator: how a rejected op-ed about Joe Manchin and the child tax credit sparked his newsletter, what it took to retrain himself to write for a general audience, and how he thinks about balancing timeliness with depth. If you're a researcher wondering whether public communication is worth the risk—or just curious about what makes government work (or not)—this one is for you.Keywordsadministrative burden, public policy, government services, bureaucracy, policy communication, Substack newsletter, academic writing, public administration, government trust, policy research, data visualization, civic engagement, open government, policy podcastSubscribe to the PolicyViz Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of the PolicyViz Podcast for as little as a buck a monthRead Don's newsletter Can We Still Govern?Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, Substack, Twitter, Website, YouTubeEmail: jon@policyviz.com

Check out the Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) program at the Brooks School https://publicpolicy.cornell.edu/masters/mpa/empa/ Policy Advocacy Cornell Certificate Program https://tinyurl.com/22cnm5w3 The foundations of American democracy are facing unprecedented threats, with our social, legal, and political institutions being undermined by their sworn defenders. As challenges mount to voting rights and judicial independence, and political polarization deepens, our civil society stands at a critical crossroads. And yet, through informed advocacy and civic engagement, we can chart a path forward. Join Jared Carter and Thomas O'Toole from the Cornell Brooks School of Public Policy for a timely conversation examining America's political institutions, constitutional framework, and civil society. They'll reflect on the historical context of our current situation, assess today's most pressing issues, and explore how this moment of upheaval presents an opportunity to reshape our legal, political, and cultural landscape. What You'll Learn How to identify and understand current threats to American democratic institutions Key historical lessons that can guide our response to today's constitutional challenges Strategies for effective civic advocacy Why a period of political crisis may present opportunities for democratic renewal Follow eCornell on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X.

Fluent Fiction - Catalan: Barcelona Ballots: A Tale of Civic Unity and Unlikely Allies Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ca/episode/2026-04-04-07-38-19-ca Story Transcript:Ca: El sol brillava suau sobre la ciutat de Barcelona en aquell matí de primavera.En: The sun shone gently over the city of Barcelona on that spring morning.Ca: Al gimnàs d'una escola del barri, convertit en centre de votació, Júlia i Oriol es preparaven per una llarga jornada.En: At the gymnasium of a neighborhood school, converted into a polling station, Júlia and Oriol were preparing for a long day.Ca: Les eleccions regionals portaven una expectativa silenciosa a l'aire, mentre els ciutadans començaven a arribar.En: The regional elections brought a silent expectation to the air as citizens began to arrive.Ca: Júlia era una noia ambiciosa i optimista.En: Júlia was an ambitious and optimistic young woman.Ca: Creia fermament en la importància d'exercir el dret al vot.En: She firmly believed in the importance of exercising the right to vote.Ca: Al seu costat, Oriol estava silenciós, una mica més escèptic.En: Beside her, Oriol was silent, a bit more skeptical.Ca: Havia decidit voluntariar-se motivat per la insistència de la seva família, que sempre havia estat molt activa políticament.En: He had decided to volunteer motivated by the insistence of his family, who had always been very politically active.Ca: Dins el gimnàs, hi havia algunes taules amb urnes i màquines de votació electròniques.En: Inside the gymnasium, there were some tables with ballot boxes and electronic voting machines.Ca: Al matí, el procés començava amb normalitat, però després de la pausa per dinar, la situació es complicava.En: In the morning, the process began normally, but after the lunch break, the situation became complicated.Ca: La màquina principal que registrava els votants es va aturar sobtadament.En: The main machine that registered the voters suddenly stopped.Ca: Júlia es va adonar que els ànims entre la gent es començaven a escalfar.En: Júlia realized that tensions among the people were starting to rise.Ca: Alguns votants, amb opinions polítiques dividides, començaven a discutir.En: Some voters, with divided political opinions, began to argue.Ca: "Sisplau, tothom mantingui la calma," va dir Júlia amb fermesa, intentant organitzar la cua.En: "Please, everyone stay calm," said Júlia firmly, trying to organize the line.Ca: Sabia que era crucial evitar que l'incident escalés.En: She knew it was crucial to prevent the incident from escalating.Ca: Va explicar amb paciència que estaven treballant per resoldre la qüestió tècnica.En: She patiently explained that they were working to resolve the technical issue.Ca: Oriol, al veure això, va dubtar.En: Oriol, seeing this, hesitated.Ca: Podria decidir no fer res, però alguna cosa dins seu el va fer moure.En: He could decide to do nothing, but something inside him prompted him to move.Ca: Va anar cap a Júlia.En: He went over to Júlia.Ca: "Necessites ajuda?En: "Do you need help?"Ca: " va preguntar amb un mig somriure.En: he asked with a half-smile.Ca: Júlia va assentir, agraïda, i junts van començar a gestionar la situació.En: Júlia nodded, grateful, and together they began to manage the situation.Ca: Òptimament, encara que amb urgència, van dirigir els votants cap a altres màquines que s'havien habilitat mentre tractaven de reactivar la principal.En: Optimally, though with urgency, they directed voters to other machines that had been set up while they tried to reactivate the main one.Ca: La seva col·laboració va calmar la multitud i els va permetre tornar a l'ordre.En: Their collaboration calmed the crowd and allowed them to return to order.Ca: Finalment, amb una solució tècnica trobada, la màquina es va engegar de nou.En: Finally, with a technical solution found, the machine turned back on.Ca: La calma tornava al gimnàs, i els votants reprenien el seu curs.En: Calm returned to the gymnasium, and the voters resumed their course.Ca: Oriol va veure com la dedicació de Júlia havia marcat la diferència.En: Oriol saw how Júlia's dedication had made a difference.Ca: Aquell dia, va comprendre el veritable valor de la participació cívica.En: That day, he understood the true value of civic participation.Ca: Quan el dia va arribar al seu terme, amb el gimnàs ja buit, Oriol va mirar Júlia i somrigué amb un nou respecte en els seus ulls.En: When the day came to an end, with the gymnasium already empty, Oriol looked at Júlia and smiled with newfound respect in his eyes.Ca: "Gràcies per fer-me veure el que significa tot això.En: "Thank you for making me see what all this means.Ca: M'has fet obrir els ulls.En: You've opened my eyes."Ca: "Júlia va somriure de tornada, contenta d'haver trobat un nou aliat en la seva creença pel compromís comunitari.En: Júlia smiled back, pleased to have found a new ally in her belief in community involvement.Ca: Així, sota el cel de Barcelona, estaven llestos per afrontar qualsevol altra jornada electoral amb noves esperances i certeses.En: Thus, under the Barcelona sky, they were ready to face any other election day with new hopes and certainties. Vocabulary Words:the gymnasium: el gimnàsthe neighborhood: el barrithe polling station: el centre de votacióthe regional elections: les eleccions regionalsthe ambition: l'ambicióthe optimism: l'optimismethe skepticism: l'escepticismeto volunteer: voluntariar-sethe insistence: la insistènciapolitically active: activa políticamentthe ballot boxes: les urnesthe voting machines: les màquines de votacióthe lunch break: la pausa per dinarthe technical issue: la qüestió tècnicathe tension: la tensióto escalate: escalarthe hesitation: la dubitacióto reactivate: reactivarthe urgency: la urgènciathe collaboration: la col·laboracióto resume: reprendrecivic participation: la participació cívicato manage: gestionarto prompt: incitarthe dedication: la dedicacióthe respect: el respectethe community involvement: el compromís comunitarithe certainty: la certesato face: afrontarthe ally: l'aliat

Fluent Fiction - Norwegian: Igniting Democracy: A School Trip to the Heart of Voting Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/no/episode/2026-04-04-22-34-01-no Story Transcript:No: Solen skinte varmt gjennom de store vinduene i folkehallen, hvor stemmelokalets summing var som en energisk melodi.En: The sun shone warmly through the large windows of the community hall, where the hum of the polling station was like an energetic melody.No: Bordene var fulle av stemmesedler og brosjyrer, klare for de mange som strømmet inn for å bruke sin stemme i demokratiets navn.En: The tables were full of ballots and brochures, ready for the many who streamed in to cast their votes in the name of democracy.No: Midt i denne livlige settingen sto Sigrid, en engasjert lærer med en gruppe forventningsfulle elever.En: In the midst of this lively setting stood Sigrid, an enthusiastic teacher with a group of eager students.No: Blant dem var tolvåringen Kjell, alltid nysgjerrig, alltid med et glimt av undring i øynene.En: Among them was twelve-year-old Kjell, always curious, always with a spark of wonder in his eyes.No: Sigrid visste at dette var en gyllen mulighet til å lære elevene om viktigheten av å delta i demokratiet.En: Sigrid knew that this was a golden opportunity to teach the students about the importance of participating in democracy.No: Hun ønsket å tenne en gnist hos dem for civine verv og ansvar.En: She wished to ignite a spark in them for civic engagement and responsibility.No: Kjell, på sin side, var spent.En: Kjell, for his part, was excited.No: Han hadde bestemt seg for å spørre et spørsmål som skulle imponere både læreren og klassekameratene.En: He had decided to ask a question that would impress both the teacher and his classmates.No: Mens stemmelokalets virvar truet med å dra kjell og de andre elevene bort fra lærdom, slet Sigrid med å holde dem fokusert.En: While the bustling activity of the polling station threatened to draw Kjell and the other students away from learning, Sigrid struggled to keep them focused.No: Hun talte med en stemme fylt av både autoritet og omsorg: “La oss holde sammen.En: She spoke with a voice filled with both authority and care: “Let us stick together.No: Det vi ser her, er viktig.En: What we see here is important.No: Tenk på alle som har kjempet for retten til å stemme.En: Think of all those who have fought for the right to vote.No: Det er ikke noe vi skal ta for gitt.”En: It is not something we should take for granted.”No: Men noen av elevene slet likevel.En: But some of the students still struggled.No: Dunkelyder fra åpne og lukkede dører, summingen av stemmer, alt dette var som et hav av distraksjoner.En: The thumping sounds from opening and closing doors, the buzzing of voices, all of this was like a sea of distractions.No: Kjell følte også hvordan oppmerksomheten hans ble trukket i flere retninger.En: Kjell also felt how his attention was being pulled in several directions.No: Sigrid fikk en idé.En: Sigrid got an idea.No: “Vi skal ha en skikkelig avstemning!” smilte hun lurt.En: “We shall have a real election!” she smiled slyly.No: “Vi skal lage vår egen valg.En: “We will create our own election.No: Det vil gi dere en følelse av hvordan prosessen fungerer.”En: This will give you a sense of how the process works.”No: Elevene samlet seg rundt Sigrid, som delte ut papirer de skulle bruke som stemmesedler.En: The students gathered around Sigrid, who handed out papers they were to use as ballots.No: Det tok ikke lang tid før latter og små diskusjoner fylte luften.En: It didn't take long before laughter and small discussions filled the air.No: Kjell kjente en sitring av spenning.En: Kjell felt a tingle of excitement.No: Dette hadde vekket noe i ham.En: This had awakened something in him.No: Da valget deres nærmet seg slutten, så han sin sjanse.En: As their election drew to a close, he saw his chance.No: “Sigrid,” startet han, stemmen hans klar og tydelig, “hvorfor tror du noen velger å ikke stemme, selv når det er så viktig?”En: “Sigrid,” he started, his voice clear and loud, “why do you think some people choose not to vote, even when it's so important?”No: Spørsmålet hans fikk kaoset til stille litt.En: His question quieted the chaos a little.No: Sigrid smilte stolt til Kjell.En: Sigrid smiled proudly at Kjell.No: “Det er et utmerket spørsmål, Kjell.En: “That's an excellent question, Kjell.No: Noen ganger kan det være fordi folk føler at deres stemme ikke teller, eller kanskje de ikke har tillit til at deres valg vil gjøre en forskjell.En: Sometimes it can be because people feel that their vote doesn't count, or maybe they don't trust that their choice will make a difference.No: Det er derfor det er så viktig å snakke om dette, å gjøre folk klar over hvor mektig hver stemme egentlig er.”En: That's why it's so important to talk about this, to make people aware of how powerful each vote really is.”No: En heftig diskusjon startet blant elevene, og Sigrid ledet dem gjennom de mange aspektene av valgprosessen, fra betydningen av valgkampanjer til utfordringene ved lav valgdeltakelse.En: A heated discussion began among the students, and Sigrid guided them through the many aspects of the election process, from the significance of election campaigns to the challenges of low voter turnout.No: Når besøket deres ved stemmelokalet nærmet seg slutten, virket elevene mer engasjerte enn noen gang.En: As their visit to the polling station neared its end, the students seemed more engaged than ever.No: De hadde lært ting de aldri ville glemt.En: They had learned things they would never forget.No: Kjell kjente en nyvunnet tillit til å stille spørsmål og dele tankene sine, noe som varmet læreren hans om hjertet.En: Kjell felt a newfound confidence to ask questions and share his thoughts, something that warmed his teacher's heart.No: Sigrid følte at hun hadde gjennomført noe viktig.En: Sigrid felt that she had accomplished something important.No: På veien tilbake til skolen, mens solens stråler fortsatt omfavnet dem, visste hun at dagen hadde vært en suksess.En: On the way back to school, while the sun's rays still embraced them, she knew the day had been a success.No: Noen av hennes elever kunne en dag stå ved de samme bordene, klare til å bringe endring med sin egen stemme i hånden.En: Some of her students might one day stand at the same tables, ready to bring about change with their own vote in hand.No: Dette var begynnelsen på noe større.En: This was the beginning of something greater. Vocabulary Words:shone: skintehum: summingenergetic: energiskstreamed: strømmetlively: livligeenthusiastic: engasjerteager: forventningsfullespark: glimtwonder: undringignite: tennecivic: civineengagement: vervresponsibility: ansvarbustling: virvarauthority: autoritetstruggled: sletgranted: gittdistractions: distraksjonerslyly: lurtballots: stemmesedlertingle: sitringawakened: vekketchaos: kaostrust: tillitheated: heftigvoter turnout: valgdeltakelseengaged: engasjerteconfidence: tillitguided: ledetsignificance: betydningen

Send us Fan MailJason J. Galui is the former Director for Veterans and Military Families at the George W. Bush Institute and the Director, Center for Civic Participation, Endicott College. Throughout a unique military career, Galui led soldiers in combat, taught economics to West Point cadets, advised senior military leaders in the Pentagon, and served in both the Obama and Trump White Houses. As Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Security Council and Chief of Staff to the National Security Advisor, Galui served as a key point of national security continuity during the 2017 Presidential Transition.   -Quick Episode Summary:Leadership, transition, overcoming fear, civic duty, and making service matter.-SEO Description:Army veteran Jason Galui discusses leadership, service, and civic duty on Passing The Torch, sharing insights from his military and public service career.-

Katy Tyndell is among Democrats hoping for the chance to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, who has held the 4th District since 2017. She talks about her background as an attorney in Washington, D.C., her work with Leading Kansas, a civic engagement nonprofit she cofounded last year, and her views on various issues facing Congress.

My heart is holey. Can you fill it, or do I need god?Sources:Religion's Relationship to Happiness, Civic Engagement and Health Around the World: https://tinyurl.com/228hjt4jWhy are religious people happy? The effect of the social norm of religiosity across countries: https://tinyurl.com/ylrlnklsThe Psychology of Indoctrination: How Coercive Cults Exploit Vulnerability and Foster Radical Beliefs: https://tinyurl.com/2dzcup7aFormer Jehovah's Witness admits: We targeted grief-stricken as 'ripe fruit': https://tinyurl.com/28kuhqnnAll my various links can be found here:http://links.vicedrhino.comThis content is CAN credentialed, which means you can report instances of harassment, abuse, or other harm on their hotline at (617) 249-4255, or on their website at creatoraccountabilitynetwork.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/viced-rhino-the-podcast--4623273/support.

What is the sin in Sinners? — and then four of the most brilliant theologians working today spent an hour doing what great theologians do: they cracked the whole thing open. Set in 1932 Mississippi and layered with blues, hoodoo, vampires, and Black survival, Ryan Coogler's film turns out to be a theological event, and this conversation treats it like one. Adam Clark names white supremacy as the film's central sin — parasitic, predatory, embodied in white vampires who can only survive by consuming Black vitality. Kelly Brown Douglas traces the deep dialectic between the blues and the Black church, and how the juke joint functions as a kind of invisible institution keeping Black faith alive from the underside. Juan Floyd-Thomas goes deep on conjure, Papa Legba, and why Sammy at the crossroads isn't just a blues musician but a gateway between the living and the dead. And Stacey Floyd-Thomas brings the womanist lens that names what the film itself only partially names: the women are the most spiritually powerful figures in the story, and they pay the highest price. By the end, someone looks around the room and says what a lot of us were thinking — Theology Beer Camp is a hush harbor. This is one of the most popular sessions from camp this year, and after you listen, you'll understand why. Join 600+ Listeners, 30 theologians, & 30 God-Pods at Theology Beer Camp 2026 this October 8-10 in Kansas City! Panel Members Kelly Brown Douglas is Visiting Professor of Theology at Harvard Divinity School and Canon Theologian at Washington National Cathedral. Juan Floyd-Thomas is Associate Professor of African American Religious History at Vanderbilt Divinity School, where he teaches Black religion, race, religion, and film. Stacey Floyd-Thomas is the Carpenter Professor of Ethics and Society and Chair of African American Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School. Adam Clark is Professor of Theology and Director of Civic Engagement at Xavier University. Will Rose is the co-host of Systematic Geekology, a podcast exploring theology and pop culture for people who geek out on the deeper things. UPCOMING ONLINE CLASS - Theology for Troublemakers: Christian Social Ethics from the Margins⁠ The injustices we face are immense — but they are not unique. Previous generations confronted the same powers with theological conviction and strategic brilliance. The question is whether we'll learn from them. This 6-week online course, led by Dr. Gary Dorrien and Dr. Aaron Stauffer, recovers the radical tradition of Christian social ethics — from Reverdy Ransom and Reinhold Niebuhr to James Cone and the Welfare Rights Movement — and asks what faithfulness demands of us right now. Weekly lectures, live Q&A conversations, guest lecturers, and an online community are included.

Send us Fan MailIn this compelling episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we welcome Chris Rivers, a former US Army officer and combat veteran whose journey spans military leadership, US diplomacy, and corporate strategy. Chris shares his insights from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, his education at West Point and Georgetown, and his experience running for state office, where he knocked on an impressive 9,000 doors. Through his book, *You Shouldn't Have to Kill to Get Ahead*, Chris delves into the harsh realities of the American dream and the systemic issues that hinder true meritocracy. He discusses the disconnect between hard work and economic mobility, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and rebuilding trust in our institutions. Tune in to learn how we can all be part of the change, the significance of belonging in leadership, and practical steps to reconnect with our communities for a brighter future. Discover how Chris's experiences can inspire you to take action and make a difference in your own life and the lives of others.Want to be a guest on Living the Dream with Curveball? Send Curtis Jackson a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1628631536976x919760049303001600Support the showwww.chrisrivers.comSupport the show

Friday, March 6th, 2026 Today, Fugelsang Friday and Allison catches up with Adam Klasfeld. Thank You, IQBAR Text DAILYBEANS to 64000 to get 20% off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping. Message and data rates may apply.  Guest: John FugelsangTell Me Everything|John Fugelsang, The John Fugelsang Podcast, John Fugelsang|Substack, @johnfugelsang|Bluesky, @JohnFugelsang|TwitterSeparation of Church and Hate by John Fugelsang - OUT NOW! Guest: Adam KlasfeldAll Rise News@allrisenews|Bluesky, @klasfeldreports.com|BlueSky, @KlasfeldReports|Twitter, @senecaprojectus - InstagramTalarico wins; bitter GOP runoffs ahead — Election takeaways with Simon Rosenberg | All Rise News   Come out and see Dana March 11, Wednesday night at Zany's in Nashville, TennesseeDana is on Patreon! At Dana's DugoutGood Trouble →Public Comment Period Open: White House Ballroom Proposal →Standwithminnesota.com →Tell Congress Ice out Now | Indivisible →Defund ICE | 5Calls →Congress: Divest From ICE and CBP | ACLU →ICE List  →iceout.org →2026 Trans Girl Scouts To Order Cookies From! | Erin in the Morning   Good News →Share your Good News & Good Trouble - The Daily Beans Subscribe to the MSW YouTube Channel - MSW Media - YouTube Our Donation Links Pathways to Citizenship link to MATCH Allison's Donationhttps://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_86ff5236-dd26-11ec-b5ee-066e3d38bc77&WidgetId=6388736 Allison is donating $20K to It Gets Better and inviting you to help match her donations. Your support makes this work possible, Daily Beans fam. Donate to It Gets Better / The Daily Beans Fundraiser Join Dana and The Daily Beans with a MATCHED Donation http://onecau.se/_ekes71 More Donation LinksNational Security Counselors - Donate

Prince Hall believed in the American Revolution so deeply that he refused to let it fail. While Boston echoed with talk of liberty, he forced the new nation to confront its contradiction: slavery. This episode tells the story of Prince Hall, the Black patriot who used lawful civic action, Enlightenment philosophy, and institutional leadership to help end slavery in Massachusetts in 1783, years before the U.S. Constitution was ratified. His strategy was not chaos or rejection of the system. It was engagement, petition, and moral accountability. At a time when many would have turned away from the American experiment, Prince Hall invested in it and demanded it live up to its founding ideals. What You'll Learn How Prince Hall used the language of natural rights to challenge slavery in Massachusetts Why Black participation in the American Revolution created political leverage The role of the 1777 petition and the Massachusetts Constitution in ending slavery in 1783 How John Adams' "all men are born free and equal" became legally enforceable Why civic virtue, lawful engagement, and institutional pressure define true self-government Prince Hall did not burn down the American system. He held it accountable. His life demonstrates how self-government works when citizens understand both their rights and their responsibilities. For anyone who cares about the American founding, abolition, constitutional principles, and the meaning of liberty, this is a story that cannot be ignored.