Episode 18: Tech and Labor
Amanda Ballantyne explores how past technological transitions reshaped work, why some communities were left behind, and what
Democracy Deciphered
Welcome to Democracy Deciphered, the podcast that untangles the complex threads of today’s political landscape.
Presented by New America, each episode delivers real-time and historical analysis of the biggest stories shaping our democracy. We dive deep into the systems that govern us—like the electoral college, political parties, and more—breaking them down to reveal how they affect the decisions you care about. Whether you’re trying to understand a breaking news event or the history behind an element of our government, Democracy Deciphered gives you the tools to think critically about the forces shaping our future. Tune in for fresh insights, clear explanations, and the clarity you need to navigate today’s political world.
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The Latest
Episode 17: Dismantling the Department of Education
Zahava Stadler and Jeremy Bauer-Wolf explore why the Department of Education was created and what’s at stake if it disappears.
Episode 16: Consequences of Government Shutdowns
Government shutdowns have grown more disruptive. Mark Schmitt explains how they became central to American politics what history tells.
Episode 15: The Weaponization of Data
Sydney Saubestre of New America explores how history shows the power and peril of data, and what it means for democracy today.
Episode 14: Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks
As peace talks between Russia and Ukraine resume, New America’s Candace Rondeaux and Ben Dalton explain the tangled context.
Episode 13: What Are Ballot Initiatives and How Are They Used?
How can citizens put laws to a ballot vote and what’s threatening that right? Maresa Strano and Chris Melody Fields Figueredo explain.
Episode 12: How Governments Use AI
How is AI shaping government now and in the future? Lilian Coral and Amen Ra Mashariki explore its evolving role in public decision-making.
Episode 11: What Does It Mean to Be an American Patriot?
How have our shared visions of American ideals influenced the meaning of patriotism? How has this definition evolved over time?
Episode 10: The History and Media Portrayal of Juneteenth
What is Juneteenth and how do Americans percieve the holiday today?
Episode 9: Higher Ed and the One Big Beautiful Bill
How could the One Big Beautiful Bill affect how we pay for college? New America’s Antoinette Flores breaks it all down.