Let's Talk Democracy

What does democracy actually look like when you’re inside it? In this episode, we move beyond theory and explore how democratic systems function in real life—through participation, decision-making, and everyday...

This week on Let’s Talk Democracy host, Tina Johnson delivers a concise, reflection on what democracy really requires: presence, effort, and human participation. While social media and technology shape how we engage...

In this episode of Let’s Talk Democracy , host Tina Johnson speaks with Ramon Perez, founder of the Digital Democracy Project, about the future of digital democracy and civic engagement. How can mobile voting...

What happens to democracy when social media becomes the public square? In this episode of Let’s Talk Democracy , host Tina Johnson speaks with technologist and civic activist Daniel Bingham about how platforms like...

Social media was once celebrated as a tool for connection — but today, it often divides us, amplifying outrage and eroding public trust. In this episode of Let’s Talk Democracy , I speak with Paul Bonifacio , a French...

How does social media affect democracy? Are digital platforms promoting informed debate—or fueling polarization and conflict? In this episode of Let’s Talk Democracy , host Tina Johnson and Lisa Schirch, Professor of...

It’s only January — and the world already feels heavy. In the Season 3 premiere of Let’s Talk Democracy , Tina Johnson reflects on global unrest, domestic protests, and the emotional whiplash of watching democracy...

In the Season 2 finale of Let’s Talk Democracy , host Tina Johnson responds to listener questions that capture the season’s central themes: fear, participation, trust, and the future of democracy. While acknowledging...

In this episode of Let’s Talk Democracy , host Tina Johnson speaks with Farzana Elhem Kochai , former Member of Parliament in Afghanistan’s House of Representatives ( Wolesi Jirga ). Farzana reflects on her journey into...

Host Tina Johnson explores how authoritarian populism and the “crisis of perception” are challenging democracies around the world — from Hungary to Brazil to the U.S. She breaks down how fear and misinformation can...

In today’s episode, host Tina Johnson is joined by pollster Doug Kaplan to unpack the complicated—and sometimes controversial—role that polling plays in American democracy. Together, we dive into how polls both reflect...

How fear, media, and false prophets are reshaping democracy—and how hope can fight back. Host Tina Johnson speaks with historian Professor Thomas Weber about the global rise of authoritarian populism and the crisis of...

In this episode of Let’s Talk Democracy , host Tina Johnson explores how protest movements—when grounded in strategy and clear demands—can protect and transform democracy. Drawing from her organizing experience during...

What’s more dangerous than the rise of the far right? The silence that allows it to grow. In this episode, host Tina Johnson explores the global surge in far-right ideology — from MAGA politics in the U.S. to the...

In this thought-provoking episode of "Let's Talk Democracy," host Tina Johnson sits down with political strategist Blair Talmadge to explore the profound changes in the U.S. political landscape over the past decade...