Three good reasons to check out the latest episode of “This Old Democracy” with guest Brad Lander.

• Get an insider’s take on this moment in NYC politics

• Hear from a major party candidate and elected official about how fusion voting and other election reforms have affected their career

• Feel some hopeful chills coming from a group of young, hearing-impaired campaign volunteers and an appreciation of competing versions of Jollof rice among African emigres in the Bronx (yes, really).

NYC Comptroller Brad Lander is the unusual guest, and Micah Sifry is our usual host.

Lander is a particularly interesting voice on democracy reform because he is one of the few candidates who (1) has run for office in a fusion system, (2) has run for office in an RCV system – in two Democratic primaries, (3) has participated in public campaign financing and (4) is a genuinely deep thinker about the meaning of democracy and how to strengthen it. And the conversation with him did not disappoint.

Lander is clear on the multiple benefits of fusion voting, which he calls “something more parliamentary … but in the context of American politics.” He sees fusion as a mechanism to encourage building coalitions, which are essential to a healthy democracy: “[I]t does something powerful in terms of making it possible for people to identify strongly ⁓ with a group of like-minded people, but still participate in bigger politics.”

Two unexpected highlights gave us – hardened political cynics – the feels. Lander tells the story of a young Sudanese immigrant living in the Bronx. The immigrant explains the importance of jollof rice in his culture: “Every country is supposed to say that their Jollof rice is the best. But he said, you know, since I've been here in New York, I'm living in the Bronx. I had some Jollof rice from people from Senegal, and I think theirs might be better than ours.” Brad recognizes the beauty of the city’s melting pot in this comment: “Nasser, ⁓ you're becoming a New Yorker!”

Lander shares a second anecdote, about his favorite video from the video-centric Zohran Mamdani mayoral campaign. “[I]f you watch one Zohran video, watch the one called ‘Deafies for Zohran, where a group of young deaf volunteers developed an approach to going out and campaigning in the deaf community in New York. It'll make you hopeful about the future of this city and about this old democracy.”

Here’s the “Deafies for Zohran” video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPOd914jqWj/

If you are moved by an inclusive vision for politics that honors the value of civil and civic engagement, spend 35 minutes listening to Brad and Micah. You’ll be richer for it.