Best Civic Reforms Podcasts (2025)

1
17 What if Higher Ed Started Over on the West Coast? With Dan Greenstein 48:36

1d ago48:36

48:36

Is college still the best investment we can make in our future—or a broken promise on borrowed time? In this episode of Pacific Time, Greg speaks with Dan Greenstein, former Chancellor of Pennsylvania’s state university system and a seasoned voice in U.S. higher education. From ballooning student debt to declining public trust, Greenstein unpacks t…

1
E. 74 Grace Colbourne’s Cancer Story That Should Never Have Happened 21:04

2d ago21:04

21:04

In Part One of this two-part episode, we hear the devastating testimony of Grace Colbourne — a 37-year-old Antiguan woman and former military officer, currently on remand at HMP Bronzefield. After discovering a lump in her breast, Grace began a months-long ordeal of medical delays, denial of choice, and dehumanising treatment while in custody. Grac…

1
Wright Flyer III Changed the World and Becomes Ohio's Official State Airplane 13:44

6d ago13:44

13:44

The Wright Flyer III is now the official airplane of the State of Ohio. Engineered and flown in 1905 by the famous Wright Brothers from Dayton, Ohio, the Wright Flyer III is considered the first reusable airplane, transforming the world into today's modern aviation industry. Join us for a special President's Podcast from the bill signing at the Wri…

1
E. 73. Zainab Salbi: The Story of Daughters for Earth - When Care becomes Climate Revolution 24:18

7d ago24:18

24:18

In the second installment of a two-part conversation, Rebel Justice speaks with Zainab Salbi — humanitarian, author, survivor, and founder of Daughters for Earth. What happens when women lead environmental restoration efforts? Zainab Salbi and host Anna Shapiro journey through a radical reimagining of climate action rooted in care, connection, and …

1
16 For Asylum, Against Ambush: Will the West Coast Be A Sanctuary for America's Soul? 43:11

9d ago43:11

43:11

What if protecting immigrants is the best way to protect American identity? In towns and cities up and down the West Coast, immigrants arrived in search of safety and opportunity. But what happens after they cross the border? Who helps them navigate the broken promises—and the broken systems? In this episode of Pacific Time, Greg speaks with an imm…

1
Ben Rhodes on America's changing role in a changed world 1:03:36

11d ago1:03:36

1:03:36

For our final episode of the season, we present a conversation with Ben Rhodes recorded at in Washington, D.C. at the end of May. Democracy Works is going on summer break. We'll be back with new episodes in September! The Democracy Group's first live podcast recording featuring foreign policy expert and fellow podcaster Ben Rhodes in conversation w…

1
Senate Republicans Introduce Bold Budget Implementing Flat Income Tax and Substantial Property Tax Reform 47:34

13d ago47:34

47:34

The Ohio Senate introduced a bold budget plan that reduces the state income tax to a single flat tax rate, reforms Ohio's burdensome property tax system, maintains a significant investment in funding education by rewarding performance, and implements a visionary strategy for economic development, including professional sports. Join Senate President…

1
15 What if Connection Was A Civic Responsibility? With Aaron Hurst 45:13

16d ago45:13

45:13

In a time of growing polarization and civic breakdown, Aaron Hurst is betting big on connection. The founder of the U.S. Chamber of Connection joins Pacific Time to explore how loneliness and disconnection are threatening our democracy—and what the West Coast can do about it. We talk about Seattle’s “bear hug” movement, the deeper meaning of friend…

1
E. 72. Zainab Salbi: War, Womanhood & the Will to Heal 18:37

15d ago18:37

18:37

In this powerful first installment of a two-part conversation, Rebel Justice speaks with Zainab Salbi — humanitarian, author, survivor, and founder of Women for Women International. From growing up under Saddam Hussein’s regime to building a global movement for women survivors of war, Zainab’s life is a story of resilience, truth-telling, and trans…

1
Guarding Ohio’s elections — because one illegal vote can change everything. 22:08

21d ago22:08

22:08

Senator Theresa Gavarone joins The President’s Podcast to talk about her efforts to safeguard Ohio’s elections. From cracking down on illegal voting to promoting greater transparency in petition drives, she’s working to ensure Ohio’s elections are secure and trustworthy. In this episode: The mission behind Senate Bill 4 and the Election Integrity U…

1
14 Could Bolder Plans Re-Build Our Confidence in West Coast Cities? With Nolan Lienhart 58:49

23d ago58:49

58:49

Portland was once a darling of American urban planning. Then came the protests, the pandemic, and the pundit pile-on. Is the city really in free fall—or just between chapters? In this episode, we sit down with Nolan Lienhart, a principal at ZGF Architects and a leading voice in West Coast urban design. Based in Portland, Nolan offers a firsthand lo…

1
Cutting Ohio's Tax Burden and Growing the State's GDP Toward a Trillion Dollars 20:27

28d ago20:27

20:27

Senator George Lang who founded the General Assembly's Business Caucus joins the President's Podcast this week to talk about his bill that would move Ohio to a flat tax, and what he believes that would do for the state.He also has sponsored a property tax reform bill, and highlights what he thinks needs to happen to make the system more affordable …

1
13 What if National Service Jump Started the West Coast Workforce? With Nicole Trimble 43:17

1M ago43:17

43:17

What if service wasn’t just about giving back—but about moving forward? Nicole Trimble has spent decades championing national service and workforce development—from helping launch AmeriCorps in the 1990s to reshaping how companies invest in their frontline employees. In this conversation, she makes a bold case for why the West Coast needs to double…

1
How mental health shapes democratic engagement [rebroadcast] 45:22

1M ago45:22

45:22

In a rebroadcast from 2023, we discuss how to meet the demands that democracy places on us without sacrificing our own personal mental health in the process. Many of us can conjure moments when politics made us feel sad. But how often do those feelings translate into more serious forms of depression or other mental health issues? And if politics do…

1
Ohio's New Centers for Civics and Government Forging Path for Intellectual Diversity on Campus 34:34

1M ago34:34

34:34

Ohio State University professors Vladimir Kogan and Stéphane Lavertu from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, join Senator Jerry Cirino for the President's Podcast. They focus on the mission of Ohio's new Intellectual Diversity Centers, also known as centers for civics and government. The Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Societ…

1
12 What if the Resistance was Funny? With Mark Fiore 49:17

1M ago49:17

49:17

Is satire still effective when reality becomes a cartoon? Pulitzer-winning cartoonist Mark Fiore joins Pacific Time to talk buffoonery, burnout, and drawing the line on tyranny. Pulitzer Prize–winning cartoonist Mark Fiore joins Pacific Time to talk about the absurdity of American politics, the moral range of satire, and why cartoonists are often t…

1
Tackling Drug Abuse-Protecting Critical Infrastructure-Controversial Historical Documents Act 40:50

1M ago40:50

40:50

Senator Terry Johnson joins the President's Podcast this week. He's a retired physician, senior flight surgeon and Colonel with the Army National Guard, and a proud patriot from Scioto County in Southern Ohio. He isn’t shy about protecting the homeland from the damage done by fentanyl trafficking to the potential of a terror attack on our critical …

1
11 What if Silicon Valley and Democracy Got Back Together? With Margaret O'Mara 46:50

1M ago46:50

46:50

Silicon Valley used to dream of liberation. Now some of its loudest voices are cozying up to Trump and talking like monarchists. What happened? Is oligarchy the bug in our tech-friendly society we didn't anticipate and need to stem? Once upon a time, Silicon Valley stood for idealism: personal freedom, creative rebellion, and maybe even the most fu…

1
Inside the MAGA black hole 47:35

2M ago47:35

47:35

Jeff Sharlet has spent the past few years embedded in the deepest corners of the growing far-right movement in the United States. He's come to think of it as a black hole, something that can pull people in with ever-shifting grievances and a desire for power. He chronicles the movement and the characters in it in his book The Undertow: Scenes from …

1
Vilified By the Left-EdChoice Scholarships Deliver Results and Options for Families 26:44

2M ago26:44

26:44

Ohio's Education Choice Scholarships are a hit with parents, and a new study says the scholarships make a meaningful difference for minority and lower incomestudents. Researchers from the Urban Institute studied the results of 6,000 students forsix years and the results were so impressive the Wall Street Journal took notice writing an editorial tit…

1
10 What if Blue Cities Got it Together? With Sandeep Kaushik 58:00

2M ago58:00

58:00

Blue cities are struggling—and it’s not MAGA’s fault. What if Seattle, San Francisco, and LA became models of good governance? Blue cities helped shape modern America. But they’ve been having a hard time—with homelessness, affordability, public safety, and internal political warfare. In this episode, political consultant and Blue City Blues co-host…

1
Indivisible Yet Not Invincible-Exposing the Truth Behind Millions in Dark Money Funded Protests 33:55

2M ago33:55

33:55

They call themselves “Indivisible,” but their radical protests around the country and around Ohio every weekend are organized and well-funded by practically invisible dark money. Dark money pouring into the country from foreign interests. The billionaires financing the paid protests fuels the Trump Derangement Syndrome on display by the elitist, en…

1
09 Will California Bring the Unsexy Back? With Dan Walters 47:20

2M ago47:20

47:20

California pays more and receives less and less from DC. Could independence—or just grown-up governance—fix this imbalance? Summary: California's relationship with the federal government is reaching a critical juncture. Esteemed political journalist Dan Walters joins Greg to discuss CalExit, the growing frustration with federal tax inequities, and …

1
How 2020 changed America 47:18

2M ago47:18

47:18

From fights over masks and vaccines to the loss of social connection, the year 2020 accelerated many of the trends that were already happening in America and created new obstacles for the country to overcome. In his book 2020: One City, Seven People, and the Year Everything Changed, sociologist Eric Klinenberg takes on a journey back to that year a…

1
E. 70. Farah's Fight: 13 months on remand 17:10

2M ago17:10

17:10

Held on remand for 13 months, Farah Damji's story exposes the brutal reality of how Britain's legal system can become an instrument of violence against women. With no evidence beyond the claims of her former partner, Nigel Gould-Davies, Farah has been denied bail repeatedly despite battling stage three breast cancer and suffering from untreated PTS…

1
Exclusive President's Podcast with Congressman Michael Rulli 38:45

2M ago38:45

38:45

Congressman Michael Rulli joins the President's Podcast and delivers a hard hitting interview about Congress passing the SAVE Act to secure America’s elections, border security, DOGE, tariffs, Ohio’s excellent position to be national energy player, and why it is time to erase the United States Department of Education and send the savings back to th…

1
08 Leave America and Discover Ecotopia? (Solo) 21:33

2M ago21:33

21:33

Can the West Coast outgrow America? Greg explores Ecotopia, sovereignty, and the future of freedom—solo. In this episode of Pacific Time, host Greg Amrofell trades guests for green tea, a dog-eared novel, and a mic, inviting listeners on a hike through political despair, ecological design, and West Coast sovereignty. The guidebook? A 1975 cult clas…

1
Unplugging Kids From Their Smart Phones During the School Day 22:13

2M ago22:13

22:13

Unplug students from their phone, and plug them into conversations with their friends at school. This week Governor Mike DeWine held a news conference where he was joined by Senator Jane Timken and Senator Andrew Brenner highlighting the introduction of SB 158, that would ban cell phone use during the instructional day at school. Senator Timken and…

1
E. 71 Theatre Behind Bars: How Synergy Theatre Project transforms lives 21:38

2M ago21:38

21:38

Esther Baker is the Creative Director of Synergy Theatre Project, an organisation that uses theatre to transform the lives of prisoners and ex-prisoners across the criminal justice system. Through productions in and out of prison, training programmes, and creative projects, Synergy amplifies the voices of marginalised people in the justice system, …

1
07 A West Coast Wake-up Call as the US Scrambles the World Order? With John Zysman 41:32

2M ago41:32

41:32

In the face of chaotic US economic policy, how can the West Coast insulate itself and cultivate cooperation across borders and build global leadership? In this episode of Pacific Time, UC Berkeley political scientist and global economic expert John Zysman joins Greg Amrofell to unpack how U.S. trade and technology policy are unraveling—and what tha…

1
An update on the states 45:53

2M ago45:53

45:53

Last week's Wisconsin Supreme Court election put a spotlight on state-level politics and the way that national politics can influence what happens in the states. But there are a lot of other developments happening at the state level that you might have missed. We catch up on what's happening with Alex Burness, a reporter who covers state and local …

1
Victory! Two Year Effort to Protect Intellectual Diversity on Campus 21:32

3M ago21:32

21:32

Some things are worth fighting for. Senate Bill 1, was one of them. The Advance Ohio Higher Education Act was a more than two year political battle that faced the two front attack by the left of Identity Politics and Class Warfare. Bill sponsor Senator Jerry Cirino joins the podcast to highlight how this critical bill withstood the efforts by speci…

1
06 If American Healthcare Is Broken, What Can The West Coast Do? With Mike Hanlon 44:18

3M ago44:18

44:18

Is the U.S. Healthcare System Beyond Repair? Mike Hanlon Explains How the West Coast Could Lead a Revolution Mike Hanlon knows healthcare in America is broken. As a health economist, tech entrepreneur, and former early-stage Amazon employee, he's seen firsthand how complex systems can either hinder or help innovation. Mike joins Greg Amrofell on Pa…

1
Meet Senator Susan Manchester A Strong Advocate for Agriculture 17:15

3M ago17:15

17:15

Meet Senator Susan Manchester on this week's President's Podcast. She is one of the Senate's newest members, but she is no stranger to the Ohio General Assembly.Representing the 12th Senate District in Northwest Ohio, Senator Manchester is a strong advocate for Ohio Agriculture and our farmers.Senator Manchester grew up on a farm and recently spons…

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E. 69 Do you believe in a fair trial? A testimony from Constance Marten on trial at the Old Bailey 10:48

3M ago10:48

10:48

The right to a fair trial is the cornerstone of justice, but what happens when the systems designed to facilitate that right undermine it instead? This powerful episode of Rebel Justice takes listeners behind the scenes of Britain's prisoner transport system through the unflinching testimony of Constance Martin, a defendant currently facing retrial…

1
Rooftop Solar: Paradise Lost | Zoe Hilton & Emilie Dye 30:45

3M ago30:45

30:45

Rooftop Solar: Paradise Lost | Zoe Hilton & Emilie Dye In this episode, we delve into the findings of the Centre for Independent Studies' recent report, "Rooftop Solar: Paradise Lost," co-authored by Zoe Hilton, Michael Wu, and Aidan Morrison. The report challenges the prevailing narrative that rooftop solar benefits all consumers, revealing that …

1
05 What If Nature Defined Our Borders in the Cascadia Bioregion? With Yogi Uriah 35:54

3M ago35:54

35:54

Bioregionalism envisions borders set by the natural environment and there’s a grassroots movement for it that envisions carving “Cascadia” out of the Pacific Northwest wilderness. In this episode of Pacific Time, host Greg Amrofell talks with Yogi Uriah, a passionate grassroots organizer and leader with the Cascadia Department of Bioregion. Yogi el…

1
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Jim Chalmers and Angus Taylor on tax top-ups and budget bottom lines 27:44

3M ago27:44

27:44

Mick Tsikas/AAP As the election starter’s gun is about to be fired, Tuesday’s budget announced modest income tax cuts as the government’s latest cost-of-living measure. The Coalition has opposed the tax relief, with Peter Dutton’s Thursday budget reply to put forward his policy counters on the cost of living. Meanwhile, the domestic economic debate…

1
The problem(s) with platforms 46:06

3M ago46:06

46:06

Cory Doctorow coined the term "enshittification" to describe how tech platforms have eroded over time. According to him, the process goes something like this: First, they are good to their users; then they abuse their users to make things better for their business customers; finally, they abuse those business customers to claw back all the value fo…

1
Powering Ohio For The 21st Century 23:21

3M ago23:21

23:21

The Ohio Senate unanimously approved a 21st Century Energy plan that prioritizes baseload power projects with an emphasis on reliability, affordability and accountability for Ohio consumers. Ohio's natural gas reserves bring a reliable source of energy, while removing the additional cost of "riders" on power bills brings both affordability and acco…

1
Australian citizenship and the crisis of civic virtue | Peter Kurti 35:07

3M ago35:07

35:07

In this episode, we sit down with Peter Kurti to explore the ideas behind his latest work, Fractured Loyalties: Australian Citizenship and the Crisis of Civic Virtue. We discuss the fundamental role of tolerance in a diverse democracy, the rising threat of antisemitism in Australia, and how weakening civic virtues are impacting social cohesion. Kur…

1
04 Is California Ready for Independence? With Marcus Ruiz Evans 38:17

3M ago38:17

38:17

Is California ready for independence? The CalExit movement is making the case again and it's stronger Marcus Ruiz Evans has a bold vision for California. As the founder of CalExit, he's spent over a decade exploring and advocating for California's independence. Marcus and Greg discuss why California could—and perhaps should—be its own nation. Marcu…

1
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Barbara Pocock on the Greens’ policy priorities 33:00

3M ago33:00

33:00

Mick Tsikas/AAP The Greens have heaped a lot of pressure on the government during this term, from issues of the environment, housing, and Medicare, to the war in the Middle East. With the polls close to a dead heat and minority government appearing a real possibility, would the Greens push a minority Labor government even harder in pursuit of their…

1
State Of The State with Senate President Rob McColley and Speaker Matt Huffman 18:38

3M ago18:38

18:38

The state of the state is strong. This week Ohio Governor Mike DeWine delivered his 2025 State Of The State Address during joint session of the General Assembly. This week Senate President Rob McColley and Speaker of the House Matt Huffman join the President's Podcast to talk about the State Of The State. They cover the strength of Ohio's economy, …

1
E. 68 Stepping Into Freedom: Soma Devi's Path from Teacher to Holistic Practitioner and Author 21:13

3M ago21:13

21:13

Soma Devi's journey from teacher to spiritual practitioner and author exemplifies the profound transformation that's possible when we honor our authentic selves. On this episode of Rebel Justice, Maria from The View Magazine speaks with Soma about her debut novella "The White Dove" – a poignant story following a young Sikh girl named Simrat as she …

1
Super for Housing | Peter Tulip 20:28

3M ago20:28

20:28

In this episode, we delve into the proposal of allowing homebuyers to access their superannuation funds for purchasing a home. We explore how building housing equity and accumulating superannuation serve as alternative methods for ensuring financial security in retirement. The discussion highlights that while the government aims to ensure individu…

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Politics with Michelle Grattan: Peter Dutton on why he’s not Australia’s Trump – ‘I’m my own person’ 45:49

3M ago45:49

45:49

Diego Fedele/AAP On current opinion polls, we are looking at a very close race at the May election. As voting day draws near, Peter Dutton will face more forensic questioning about his policies and how he would run government. At the same time, he’s fending off Labor’s attempt to define him as Trumpian. The opposition leader joined the podcast to d…

1
03 What if the West Coast Reclaimed its Federal Taxes? With Julie Dingley 47:37

3M ago47:37

47:37

What if the West Coast reclaimed its federal tax dollars? National and local budget veteran Julie Dingley explores how local control could position the West Coast to address its own challenges. Julie is the former Seattle Budget Director and a veteran of the White House OMB under Presidents Obama and Trump. She joins host Greg Amrofell to explore t…

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Politics with Michelle Grattan: Tina Jackson on the independents to watch this election 23:52

3M ago23:52

23:52

A group of independents give a press conference at Parliament House Canberra. Mick Tsikas/AAP The 2022 election catapulted a new movement into Australian federal politics, with the election of six “teals”. The teals are part of a broader wave of “community independents” who are challenging the major parties, especially the Liberals and appealing to…

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U.S. Senator Jon Husted Exclusive 26:01

3M ago26:01

26:01

Ohio's new United States Senator joins the President's Podcast following President Trump's joint address to Congress. Senator Husted talks about his colleagues bad behavior from the other side of the aisle, his conversations with Elon Musk and the important work DOGE-The Department of Government Efficiency is doing to protect our tax dollars. He al…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Civic Reforms Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen