Best Deliberative Democracy Podcasts (2025)

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This is Democracy – Episode 307: Deliberative Democracy 36:31

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18d ago36:31

36:31

Jeremi and Zachary have a conversation with Gryffin Wilkens-Plumley about his work designing assemblies of independent citizen governance. They have an in-depth discussion of deliberative democracy, a practice that is about citizen's individual participation, reasoning, and sense of duty to vote and make decisions in society, and how it could apply…

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This is Democracy – Episode 308: Greenland and the Arctic 31:10

5d ago31:10

31:10

This week, Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Dr. Mikkel Runge Olesen, a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies, to discuss Greenland and its growing significance in global politics. Dr. Olesen offers a comprehensive overview of Greenland's history, its political relationship with Denmark, and its strategic importance to …

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#110-The Role of Emotions in Thinking and Learning-with guest Mary Helen Immordino-Yang 59:06

14d ago59:06

59:06

Emotions are often viewed as interfering with clear, objective, evidence-based reasoning; in fact, “appeal to emotion” is considered to be a logical fallacy. However, our guest, Mary Helen Immordino-Yang—professor of education, psychology, and neuroscience at the University of Southern California and author of: "Emotions, Learning, and the Brain"—a…

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What Are Global Queer Theologians Saying Today 10:17

20d ago10:17

10:17

Dr. Lisa Isherwood teaches at the University of Wales Trinity and Saint David, and she is a prolific writer and leader on queer theology, feminist theology, and body theology. She and Hugo Córdova Quero coedited the pioneering book The Dare Primer on Global Queer Theologies, with 21 contributors from around the world. In this episode, she shares ho…

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Resurrection, People’s Movements, and Decolonial Theology from Mexico 27:32

27d ago27:32

27:32

Dr. Carlos Mendoza-Álvarez, a street theologian in Mexico City, has taught theology in the U.S., Brazil, and Mexico. He discusses how his decolonial theology is informed by the marginalized and the survivors of violence and oppression. As a novice of the Dominican Order, he visited Chiapas in southern Mexico and learned about the indigenous people…

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This is Democracy – Episode 306: Federal Science Funding 26:07

28d ago26:07

26:07

This week, we have Prof. John Beckett Wallingford to discuss the current landscape of federal science funding, and the importance of science in American industry and society. We set the scene with a reading of The Polio Vaccine, Chatham, Virginia, 1964, by Claudia Emerson. John Beckett Wallingford is a developmental biologist with three decades of …

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Deliberative Democracy against Authoritarianism 30:18

1M ago30:18

30:18

Dr. Sharon D. Welch is a scholar and activist and a former Provost of the Unitarian Universalist’s Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago. A seasoned activist, she was involved in the women’s movement, peace movement, and direct activism for decades. She has worked with the Chicago League of Women Voters, the Social Enterprise Alliance, an…

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What Is the Future of Political Theology? 26:03

1M ago26:03

26:03

Dr. Vincent Lloyd is a professor of theology and religious studies at Villanova University. He researches and teaches about the philosophy of religion, religion and politics, and race. In this episode, he discusses his two forthcoming books: Political Theology Reimagined and What Is Political Theology? While political theology in the past has engag…

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#109-The Moves that Matter in Crafting Persuasive Arguments and Communicating them Effectively-with guests Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein-Graff 59:10

1M ago59:10

59:10

Coauthors of the widely acclaimed book, They Say/I Say-The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing, explore how to craft persuasive arguments and communicate them effectively. Topics discussed include: the connection between thinking and writing; the nature of academic writing; the concept of “entering the conversation”; specific templates to improve…

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This is Democracy – Episode 305: New School Year 44:36

2M ago44:36

44:36

This week, Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Dr. Jack Loveridge, Vice President of the El Paso Independent School District (ISD) Board of Trustees, to discuss the start of the new school year, with a particular focus on American schools' challenges and opportunities at this moment. Dr. Loveridge shares insights into the primary issues facing his dis…

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What Will the Actual Jesus Do in Our Time 31:06

2M ago31:06

31:06

Dr. Tina Pippin teaches the Bible and Religion at Agnes Scott College, a women’s college in Decatur, Georgia, USA, and she will be the president of the Society of Biblical Literature in 2026. In this episode, she discusses her new book The Actual Jesus, which investigates the portrayals of Jesus in films, novels, popular media, and AI. She recalls …

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How I Composed Liturgical Music for Pope Francis in the US Holy Mass 23:50

2M ago23:50

23:50

Dr. Antonio Alonso is the Director of Catholic Studies at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. He composed the responsorial psalm for the first Mass Pope Francis celebrated in the U.S. in 2015. A Latin Grammy-nominated composer, he discusses the difference between composing liturgical music versus secular music. He began writing music as a…

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Amit Ron and Abraham Singer on What Companies Owe Democracy 1:37:13

2M ago1:37:13

1:37:13

On this episode of Virtual Sentiments, host Kristen Collins speaks with Amit Ron and Abraham Singer, co-authors of Everyone’s Business:What Companies Owe Society (The University of Chicago Press, 2024). Together, Ron and Singer argue that businesses should move beyond profit and stakeholder models to actively protect democratic practices such as in…

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This is Democracy – Episode 304: Russia-Ukraine War Update 41:25

2M ago41:25

41:25

This week, Jeremi and Zachary speak with returning guest Michael Kimmage, about the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and the evolution of the conflict over the past three and a half years. Zachary sets the tone by re-reading the poem from the first episode about the conflict in Ukraine, entitled "Our Ukrainian Love Story" to reflect on the initi…

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Transpacific Theological Ethics and Spiritual Activism 25:17

2M ago25:17

25:17

Dr. Keun-joo Christine Pae teaches religion and ethics, and women and gender studies at Denison University in Ohio. In this episode, she discusses transpacific imagination in theology and ethics, and her field research on spiritual activism in Korea. As a coeditor of Searching for the Future in the Past: Reclaiming Feminist Theological Visions, she…

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How I Became the First Professor of Black Theology at Oxford 33:55

2M ago33:55

33:55

Dr. Anthony Reddie became the first professor of Black Theology at Oxford University in its nearly 900-year history. Born in the U.K. to immigrant parents from Jamaica, Reddie describes racism in the British church and society and how black theology developed in Britain since the 1990s. He argues that Black theology in the U.K. is inseparable from …

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This is Democracy — Episode 303: U.S. Military 38:26

2M ago38:26

38:26

This week, Jeremi and Zachary speak with Colonel Nathaniel Lauterbach about the significant changes in the US military over the past 20 years, and their implications for US foreign policy and civil-military relations. Jeremi sets the scene with some words from a lecture from George Kennan, an influential American diplomat and historian. Colonel Nat…

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My Vocation as a Latina Theologian and Priest 27:20

3M ago27:20

27:20

Dr. Loida I. Martell is Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean at Lexington Theological Seminary in Kentucky. She was trained in veterinary medicine before pursuing a career in theology. In this episode, she discusses the development of Latina theology and the challenges to theological education. As one of a handful Latina in leadership positi…

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#108-Teaching Critical Thinking to Kids-with guest Stephanie Simoes 58:46

3M ago58:46

58:46

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, a Master’s Degree in Philosophy, and experience as a teacher, our guest for this episode, Stephanie Simoes, developed Critikid, a website for kids, teens, teachers and others. Critikid offers instruction in: emotional intelligence (Learning to recognize, understand, and manage your emotions), safe and effective …

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Deliberative Democracy and AI with Claudia Chwalisz 1:08:49

3M ago1:08:49

1:08:49

DemocracyNext founder and CEO Claudia Chwalisz returns to the Denizen podcast to explore the intersection of deliberative democracy and artificial intelligence. Here we are particularly interested in how we might crease democratic resilience by leveraging AI to scale deliberative processes. Governance innovation is the AI application we're most ent…

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Climate Justice, God, and the Church 32:49

3M ago32:49

32:49

Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim is a writer, theologian, and professor at Earlham School of Religion. This episode discusses her forthcoming book Earthbound: God at the Intersection of Climate and Justice. She shares her experience of participating in the World Council of Churches and ecumenical conversations on the environment and climate justice for many ye…

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Susan Brison on the Aftermath of Sexual Violence and the Remaking of the Self 1:30:48

3M ago1:30:48

1:30:48

**Content Warning** This episode includes discussions of sexual assault and attempted murder, which may be distressing for some listeners. Please listen with care. On this episode of Virtual Sentiments, host Kristen Collins speaks with Susan Brison, author of Aftermath: Violence and the Remaking of a Self (Princeton University Press, 2002; 20th Ann…

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This is Democracy — Episode 302: Freedom Season 1963 41:32

3M ago41:32

41:32

This week, Zachary hosts a conversation with Jeremi and Dr. Peniel Joseph about his new book, Freedom Season, which describes the pivotal significance of 1963 in the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting key events such as the Birmingham protests, the March on Washington, the Birmingham church bombing, and the assassination of JFK. This week, instead…

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Queer Biblical Interpretation and the Metropolitan Community Church 29:31

3M ago29:31

29:31

Dr. Mona West, a leading queer biblical scholar and Metropolitan Community Church pastor, discusses how the Trump administration policies seek to drive a wedge in the LGBTQI+ community. Citing from the work of Judith Butler, she cautions that the LGBTQI+ community must learn to listen to and stand in solidarity with one another. She recalls the beg…

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Stop AAPI Hate and Asian American Churches 22:39

3M ago22:39

22:39

Dr. Russell Jeung, a professor of Asian American Studies at San Francisco State University, was a co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, which documents anti-Asian racist incidences during COVID-19 and beyond. In this episode, he discusses what prompted him to start Stop AAPI Hate. He combines his scholarship on Asian American studies with his long-time act…

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Fighting for Justice as a Defense Lawyer and Seminary Professor 25:13

3M ago25:13

25:13

Dr. Teresa L. Smallwood is a public theologian and Academic Dean at United Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia. She discusses her book Public Theology and Violent Rhetoric Examined in a Queer Womanist Critical Ethnography. Before studying theology, Dr. Smallwood was a criminal defense lawyer for over two decades. She shares her reflections on the pus…

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This is Democracy — Episode 301: War in Iran 41:18

3M ago41:18

41:18

This week, Jeremi and Zachary speak with Steven Simon about the renewed tensions over Iran's nuclear program, recent military actions by Israel and the U.S., and their implications for global politics. Simon provides historical context and strategic analysis, touching on the complexities of diplomacy and regional power dynamics. Zachary sets the sc…

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#107-How Institutionalizing Deliberative Political Processes Can Lead to Deliberative Democracy and Reduce Polarization-with guest Jim Fishkin 58:54

3M ago58:54

58:54

James Fishkin, Stanford University Professor (and Director of the Stanford Deliberative Democracy Lab) discusses his extensive research and development focused on the process of "Deliberative Polling" and clarifies its relationship to Deliberative Democracy—a form of democracy in which deliberation is central to decision-making. Professor Fishkin s…

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How to Start a Podcast 55:36

4M ago55:36

55:36

Dr. Kwok Pui Lan started her podcast Kwok ‘n’ Roll in February 2025 and produced 20 episodes. She teams up with SueAnn Shiah, a Taiwanese American songwriter, podcast producer, and filmmaker, to discuss what to consider if you want to start a podcast. They discuss the content and structure of the podcast, the editing and technical aspects, and dist…

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This is Democracy — 300th Episode! 34:08

4M ago34:08

34:08

In the 300th episode of This Is Democracy, Jeremi and Zachary look back on seven years of podcasting, reflecting on their conversations with scholars, activists, and students about democracy, human rights, and civic engagement. Zachary reads from his first poem for the podcast, "In A Quieter Time", and reflects on how his writing has evolved over t…

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Deva Woodly on Civil Society and the Politics of Care 1:32:07

4M ago1:32:07

1:32:07

On this episode of Virtual Sentiments, host Kristen Collins chats with Deva Woodly on her book, Reckoning: Black Lives Matter and the Democratic Necessity of Social Movements (Oxford University Press, 2021), which draw from on-the-ground interviews with leaders in the Black Lives Matter Movement to comment on social movements and their role in demo…

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Collaboration with Robert Gilman 50:02

4M ago50:02

50:02

In this final episode of a three-part series on essential capabilities for a regenerative future with Robert Gilman, founder and president of The Context Institute. Robert and Jenny tie the first two episodes of the series together to bring you this conversation on collaboration. We’ve all heard the term “omni-win” and talked about needed paradigms…

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Economic Justice, Capitalocene, and Political Movements 31:14

4M ago31:14

31:14

Dr. Joerg Rieger is a distinguished professor of theology and directs the Wendland-Cook Program in Religion and Justice at Vanderbilt University Divinity School. He revisited the book Christ and Empire, which he published 18 years ago, and discussed the concept of Capitalocene. He emphasized how capitalism has created not only economic inequity but…

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Modes of Cognition with Robert Gilman 50:06

4M ago50:06

50:06

This episode explores the importance of understanding and integrating various modes of cognition. It is the second in a three-part series with Robert Gilman, founder and president of The Context Institute, covering essential competencies for the regenerative era. Jenny and Robert discusses the limitations of object perception and categorical thinki…

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To Be Queer and Spiritual 25:15

4M ago25:15

25:15

SueAnn Shiah, a Taiwanese American podcast producer and filmmaker, discusses the challenges of growing up as a queer person searching for a spiritual home. She is a seminarian preparing for ordination in the Presbyterian Church USA. She shares her vision of combining her career in music and ministry. She has produced the album “A Liturgy for the Pe…

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Psychodynamics with Robert Gilman 59:10

4M ago59:10

59:10

This episode on psychodynamics is part one of a three part series on essential skills for a regenerative future, in honor of Rober Gilman's 80th birthday. Robert is the founder and president of The Context Institute and a pioneer in the sustainability movement. The conversation dives deep into psychodynamics and the importance of understanding our …

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What Is Quantitative Study of Women in World Christianity 26:50

4M ago26:50

26:50

Dr. Gina A. Zurlo teaches at Harvard Divinity School and has published the pioneering book Women in World Christianity using interdisciplinary, sociological, and historical approaches. She is also the author of Global Christianity and coauthor of World Christian Encyclopedia. In this episode, she talks about how she started doing quantitative analy…

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This is Democracy – Episode 299: Southern Politics: Past and Present 43:29

4M ago43:29

43:29

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are speaking with Professor Bryan D. Jones to explore the history and evolution of southern politics. They delve into the persistent divisions and conflicts within southern politics over the last century and a half, and analyze how these dynamics shape contemporary issues of democracy, race, justice, and power. Zachary…

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How to Read the Bible as Asian Americans 23:28

4M ago23:28

23:28

Dr. Roger Nam teaches the Hebrew Bible at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. He teaches a course on The Bible and Asia America for college and master students. He points out that biblical figures such as Adam and Eve, Abraham, Issac, Joseph, Esther, and Ruth have to migrate to foreign lands. The Bible addresses issues such as identity, c…

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#106- The Role of Logic in Acquiring Knowledge and Forming Beliefs-with guest Patrick Hurley 59:16

4M ago59:16

59:16

Patrick Hurley, Philosophy Professor Emeritus at University of San Diego and author of the widely acclaimed textbook: A Concise Introduction to Logic, joins us to discuss: the role of logic in acquiring knowledge and forming beliefs; the most important aspects of logic for critical thinkers to master; what can be done to encourage better practices …

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Alice Siu on Deliberative Polling and the Future of Democratic Dialogue 1:22:12

5M ago1:22:12

1:22:12

On this episode of Virtual Sentiments, host Kristen Collins chats with Alice Siu on how deliberative polling fosters informed, respectful public dialogue. They discuss the method’s use in both in-person and on AI-assisted virtual forums, its role in shaping policy, and its potential to reduce polarization. Alice highlights the importance of teachin…

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How to Become Entrepreneurs as Racial Minorities 31:05

5M ago31:05

31:05

Jiwan Dhaliwal graduated with an MDiv degree and is a global business and career coach. As a child of immigrants to Canada, she shares how she uses what she learned at a divinity school to create her own business. Jiwan coaches immigrants from racial minority communities to use their skills and talents to help others and change the world. She revea…

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This is Democracy – Episode 298: Iran-Contra and its Legacies 41:23

5M ago41:23

41:23

In this episode, Jeremi and Zachary Suri are joined by Professor Alan McPherson, an expert on US foreign relations who introduces his new book 'The Breach: Iran-Contra and the Assault on American Democracy.' Together, they discuss how this Iran-Contra scandal altered public trust in the American government and set troubling precedents for future ad…

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How the Book of Revelation Shaped American Immigration 27:21

5M ago27:21

27:21

Dr. Yii-Jan Lin became the first person of Asian descent to receive tenure at Yale Divinity School in 2024. She discussed gender, race, and biblical studies in this episode. She has used innovative approaches to studying the Bible. Her first book, The Erotic Life of Manuscripts, discusses New Testament criticism and the biological sciences, while h…

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How Racial Capitalism Affects Asian American Politics 26:09

5M ago26:09

26:09

Dr. Jonathan Tran, a Vietnamese American Christian ethicist at Baylor University, argues that race and racism must be understood in the larger political economy that gives rise to it. He draws on Augustine and Aquinas and contemporary scholars such as Michel Foucault, Stanley Hauerwas, Vincent Lloyd, and Kwok Pui Lan to develop his theological ethi…