Defense of Democracy Podcast
Friends. Allies. Americans. Folks taking small steps towards big change. The Defense of Democracy podcast tells their stories. Hosted by Karen Svoboda.
Defense of Democracy is made up of people from all walks of life passionately committed to nonpartisanship. We welcome anyone who is interested in protecting their fellow Americans - in particular those in marginalized communities - from oppression.
We advocate for legislators, educators, and administrators who will work to maintain communities as well as a public education system that supports and enhances our shared experiences regardless of religious beliefs, cultural background, or sexual orientation.
Find out more: https://defenseofdemocracy.org/
Podcast produced by the Volunteers of Defense of Democracy
Episodes
102 episodes
Navigating the Challenges of Free Speech Today: Ian Rosenberg
In this episode of the Defense of Democracy podcast, host Addison K. Witt engages with Ian Rosenberg, a First Amendment lawyer and author, to discuss the current challenges facing free speech in America. They explore the importance of understan...
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Season 1
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Episode 101
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39:34
The Power of Representation in Books: Ashley Perez
In this episode of the Defense of Democracy podcast, host Addison K. Witt engages with Ashley Hope Perez, a scholar and advocate for readers' rights. They discuss the significance of literature as a lifeline for diverse voices, the impact of ce...
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Season 1
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Episode 100
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50:10
Understanding the Book Banning Crisis in America: Sabrina Baeta
In this episode of the Defense of Democracy podcast, host Addison K. Witt speaks with Sabrina Baeta from PEN America about the critical issues surrounding censorship and book bans in American schools and libraries. They discuss the growing cris...
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Season 1
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Episode 99
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43:35
The Power of Storytelling in Democracy
In this episode Addison speaks with author Maggie Tokuda-Hall about the importance of storytelling in the fight against censorship and the power of literature to inspire change. They discuss Maggie's journey as a writer, the emotional weight of...
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Season 1
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Episode 98
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34:26
The Future of Higher Education: A Conversation with Dr. Prince
In this episode, Dr. Charles B.W. Prince discusses his journey in education, leadership philosophy, and the transformation of higher education. He emphasizes the importance of education as a gateway to prosperity and the need for institutions t...
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Season 1
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Episode 97
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37:14
Empowering Youth Voices in Advocacy
In this episode of the Defense of Democracy podcast, host Addison K. Witt speaks with Ayaan Moledina, a passionate young activist from Texas. Ayaan shares his journey into activism, focusing on public health, education, and mental health. He em...
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Season 1
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Episode 96
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34:25
Welcome Addison Witt - DofD's new host!
In this episode of the Defense of Democracy podcast, host Karen Swaboda welcomes Addison K. Witt, the newly appointed poet laureate. They discuss the significance of poetry in today's political climate, particularly in resisting authoritarianis...
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Season 1
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Episode 95
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32:39
The Voice of a Poet: Richard Blanco
In this episode Karen speaks with Richard Blanco, the fifth presidential inaugural poet in U.S. history. They discuss the role of poetry in society, the importance of cultural identity, and the impact of censorship on public education. Blanco s...
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Season 1
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Episode 94
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31:14
Banned Together: A Fight Against Censorship with Jen Wiggin
In this episode Karen interviews Jen Wiggin, the producer of the documentary film 'Banned Together.' The conversation explores the origins of the film, which was inspired by a local news article about book banning in South Carolina. Jen discuss...
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Season 1
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Episode 93
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29:56
The Role of School Boards in Crisis Management
In this episode Karen speaks with Jennifer De La Jara, a fundraising expert and former school board member of the Charlotte Mecklenburg School District. They discuss Jennifer's experiences on the school board, particularly during the COVID-19 p...
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Season 1
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Episode 92
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33:14
The Rise of Extremism in Education
In this episode Karen sits down with Lauren. Lauren shares her journey as an activist in Virginia, focusing on the challenges faced by public schools under the current administration. She discusses the rise of extremist policies, the importance...
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Season 1
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Episode 91
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24:37
The Historical Context of Education and Racism with Jesse Hagopian
In this episode Karen speaks with Jesse Hagopian, director of the Teaching for Black Lives campaign and author of 'Teach Truth.' They discuss the ongoing struggle for honest education in the face of laws that criminalize teaching about race, ge...
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Season 1
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Episode 90
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31:09
The Dire Consequences of Defunding the Department of Education
In this episode Karen speaks with Debbie, a retired special education teacher and the new volunteer state director for New York. They discuss Debbie's journey in education, the challenges facing public schools, and the importance of community i...
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Season 1
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Episode 89
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26:22
Silenced Teachers, Stifled Classrooms: The Toll of Educational Censorship
In this episode Karen speaks with Matt Hawn, a former teacher, and Rebecca Modrak, a professor, about the troubling trend of censorship in education. They discuss the personal stories of teachers facing harassment and dismissal for teaching con...
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Season 1
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Episode 88
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29:21
The Rise of LifeWise Academy: A Growing Concern for Parents
In this episode, Karen speaks with Zach Parrish and Keith Comer, volunteers from Parents Against LifeWise, about the growing influence of LifeWise Academy in Ohio schools. They discuss the recent legislative changes that mandate schools to coor...
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Season 1
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Episode 87
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32:42
Education Under Siege: The Threat of Defunding with Josh Weil
In this episode Karen interviews Josh Weil, a candidate running for the US Congress in Florida's sixth district. They discuss the significance of the special election, the challenges facing public education, and the impact of political groups o...
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Season 1
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Episode 86
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39:21
Fighting for Education: A Journey of Advocacy
In this episode Karen speaks with Katie, the new volunteer state director for Kansas. They discuss Katie's journey from educator to advocate, the challenges faced by marginalized students during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing fight agai...
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Season 1
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Episode 85
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27:28
The Rise of Parental Activism
In this episode Karen speaks with Greg Ross, a parent and activist from Brevard County, Florida. They discuss the rise of Moms for Liberty and the impact of misinformation on public education. Greg shares his experiences with the Families for S...
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Season 1
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Episode 84
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33:30
Grassroots Activism in Education
In this episode Karen speaks with Allan, a dedicated activist from South Carolina, about his journey into defending public education against extremist groups like Moms for Liberty. Allan shares his personal experiences of backlash from the comm...
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Season 1
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Episode 83
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28:23
Supporting Non-Binary Children: Advice for Families and Educators
In this episode Karen welcomes Jacob Kelley, a queer educator and advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Jacob shares their journey growing up in a rural town with limited resources for queer individuals, the impact of lack of representation in liter...
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Season 1
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Episode 82
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33:35
Exploring Literature and Its Social Impact
In this episode Karen speaks with storyteller and writer Dynahlee about her journey from the Bronx to becoming a passionate advocate for literature and social impact. Dynahlee shares how Ellen Hopkins' book 'Crank' profoundly influenced her und...
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Season 1
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Episode 81
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24:06
The Role of Librarians in Democracy with Sharon Hawkes
In this episode Karen speaks with Sharon Hawkes, a retired librarian, about the importance of literature, the relevance of The Handmaid's Tale in today's political climate, and the ongoing threats of censorship and book banning. They discuss th...
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Season 1
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Episode 80
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28:37
Project 2025: A Threat to Disability Rights with Nadina Laspina
In this episode Karen speaks with disability advocate Nadina Laspina about her life experiences, the challenges faced by the disabled community, and the importance of intersectionality in advocacy. Nadina shares her personal journey from childh...
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Season 1
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Episode 77
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36:07
The Role of Volunteers in Advocacy and Defending Libraries
In this episode Karen speaks with Angie Hayden from Read Freely Alabama about the grassroots efforts to combat book bans and protect LGBTQ-inclusive literature in Alabama's libraries. They discuss the challenges posed by extremist groups, the i...
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Season 1
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Episode 78
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30:16
Special Episode: Defense of Democracy Volunteers React to the 2024 Election Results
In this episode Karen and a panel of volunteers reflect on their emotions and experiences following the recent election. They discuss the impact of misinformation, the importance of grassroots activism, and the need for community engagement to ...
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Season 1
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Episode 77
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41:05