Democracy on the Move
140 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★ - 6 ratingsDemocracy on the Move is a podcast tribute to all those people and organizations who dare to re-imagine our nation and drive it back to its true principles of democracy
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Episodes
Talking Politics and Religion
March 24, 2024 21:00 - 58 minutes - 47.8 MBTo keep from killing each other, people just don’t talk about the topics of politics and religion at the family dinner table or during outings with friends. This is unfortunate because these are the topics that undermine unity in our nation. Corey Nathan, however, bravely steps into this space and produces a podcast that’s unafraid to take on these topics. What results is a series of engaging, provocative, and fun conversations. The podcast is called, “Talkin’ Politics and Religion without K...
Universal Healthcare
January 28, 2024 22:00 - 56 minutes - 45.9 MBIn this episode, we talk about Universal Healthcare with two guests - Dr. Ed Weisbart, an advocate for a single-payer national health program, and Franklin Delano “Denny” Roth II, a U.S. Congressional candidate for Missouri’s 8th district. We unpack some of the major challenges of implementing Universal Healthcare in the United States. Dr. Weisbart, with his extensive background in medicine and health advocacy, represents the Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP). He brings his ex...
Onward At Last
December 03, 2023 22:00 - 1 hour - 50.1 MBIn this episode, we sit down with Kevin Howard, author of Onward At Last, a compelling collection of essays exploring the root causes of American unhappiness and the pathway to personal and collective progress. Raised in the Bronx and having served in the US Army, Kevin navigated a successful career in business banking before realizing a critical void in his seemingly accomplished life. His book delves into how deeply ingrained values of independence, competition, and self-interest, while dr...
The Con
November 26, 2023 22:00 - 1 hour - 65.4 MBIn this episode, we're joined by Patrick Lovell, the creative mind behind the eye-opening documentary series The Con. Our conversation digs into the critical issue of how major financial institutions, with the tacit approval of a complicit government, have manipulated the United States' financial system. We explore the troubling "revolving door" phenomenon, where government officials, responsible for regulating banking laws, seamlessly transition to roles within the banks they once oversaw. ...
Denny Roth
November 19, 2023 22:00 - 1 hour - 44.8 MBIn this episode of our podcast, we engage with Franklin Delano “Denny” Roth, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Congress from Missouri's 8th District. Facing a formidable challenge against the incumbent Republican, Jason Smith, Roth is undeterred despite the district's strong Republican lean and Smith's significant political standing. Our conversation, set in the tranquil surroundings of Roth's home near Hillsboro, Missouri, delves into his multifaceted background as a farmer and truck driv...
Fascism
November 12, 2023 22:00 - 57 minutes - 42.8 MBThis week we talk with Jojo Stewart about the disturbing rising tide of fascism in America. Jojo is an activist, avid blogger and social media manager for a candidate who's running for the U.S. House of Representatives. We discuss the historical origins of fascism, its core tenets, and the warning signs that indicate its presence. We also talk about the current political climate in the United States and whether or not the conditions exist for the rise of fascism in this country. Finally, we ...
Fighting for our Initiative Rights
September 03, 2023 21:00 - 52 minutes - 40.8 MBJeff Basinger, an attorney from Columbia, Missouri, fights for the initiative process in Missouri. This process allows citizens to directly petition the government for ballot measures, giving them the ability to exercise direct democracy. In essence, it is democracy in action. However, certain people within the government have taken it upon themselves to interfere with the initiative process, denying citizens their right to direct democracy. Ohio tried the same thing in early August, and now...
Going on Hiatus
July 16, 2023 18:51 - 9 minutes - 7.1 MBI’m going on hiatus for a few weeks. But before I go, I’d like to introduce you to a new project I’m working on, called “Dirt Road Radio.” If you’re interested in joining an effort to help heal our national divide, we would love to hear from you! Go to www.dirtroadradio.com, check it out, and fill out the contact form. We would love to hear from you!
The Human Side of AI
July 09, 2023 21:00 - 16 minutes - 11.8 MBThis week we discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI). We'll unravel the differences and similarities between human intelligence and AI, explore misconceptions, fears, and concerns surrounding the technology, and illuminate its true nature as a tool created and controlled by humans. We'll discuss how AI is misunderstood and feared, delve into the misuse of AI by nefarious human actors, and review how this discourse influences legislation and public perception. With references to real-world examp...
Meritocracy and Equity
July 02, 2023 21:00 - 14 minutes - 10.6 MBThe recent Supreme Court decision that removes race from consideration in Affirmative Action has had a seismic shift in college admissions. The ruling appears to be based on the concept of “Meritocracy,” where students admitted into college are considered on the basis of merit - especially academic achievement. In this podcast, we discuss how the concept of merit is seriously flawed, because it fails to recognize the persistent realities of racial inequality.
Wolf-PAC
June 25, 2023 21:00 - 58 minutes - 45 MBSam Fieldman, the national counsel for Wolf-PAC, joins us to discuss their bold, citizen-driven initiative to enact an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The proposed amendment, intended to loosen the grip of corruption and vested interests in Congress, aims to overhaul our faltering campaign finance system. As Constitutional Amendments hold primacy over both Congress and the Supreme Court, a move of this magnitude could significantly alter landmark decisions such as Citizens United, effect...
Missouri Equity Education Partnership
June 18, 2023 21:00 - 1 hour - 46.1 MBIn this week's episode, we delve into a thought-provoking discussion with three pivotal personalities from the Missouri Equity Education Partnership, or MoEEP. We address the pressing need for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within Missouri's educational system. You may wonder, isn't educational equity a reality already? Our guests paint a contrasting picture. They share how students are alienated due to their minority, LGBTQ status, religious affiliation, and more. The ongoing trend ...
Toasted
June 11, 2023 21:00 - 1 hour - 55.8 MBToday we talk with our semi-regular guest, Nathan Falcone, about Social Democracy. Well, we start off talking about Social Democracy, but we wander boldly into other topics. We meet in person at a coffee house called “Toasted,” in High Ridge, Missouri. This is also the first recording for Nathan’s new podcast called “Reason Will Prevail.”
Artificial Intelligence
June 04, 2023 21:00 - 30 minutes - 23 MBToday we talk with ChatGPT about Artificial Intelligence. Yes, we have a conversation with an AI bot about AI technology. We'll discuss what is meant by AI, how it can help us as individuals, how it threatens us, how it will change society, how our government should regulate AI and what might happen to people that don't keep up with developments in AI. It’s an interesting discussion with a non-human about recommended ways in which humans and AI can coexist, and how we, as individuals, can pr...
The Missouri Rural Crisis Center
May 28, 2023 21:00 - 46 minutes - 37.6 MBTim Gibbons, the Communications Director for the Missouri Rural Crisis Center (MRCC), drops by to talk about the crisis in our heartland. We discuss the problems with foreign ownership of American farmland, the loss of family farms to corporate interests, the consolidation of hogs and cattle into four major meatpacking companies (two of which are foreign-owned), the labeling of foreign beef as American and the lax approach that our congress has toward antitrust laws. All these factors are dr...
Crossroads
May 21, 2023 21:00 - 11 minutes - 8.52 MBThe forces of White Christian Nationalism have been building since the 1960s, and today we can no longer ignore the threat it presents to our democracy. We are now at a crossroads, where Americans must make a choice; do we get involved and fight for our democracy, or do we sit passively while our freedoms are taken away? In this podcast, we briefly examine how the anti-democratic forces are now turning toward totalitarianism, and what we ordinary Americans can do about it.
Dirt Road Radio
May 14, 2023 21:00 - 54 minutes - 41.5 MBBernadette Holzer and Chris Burgess join the podcast to talk about Dirt Road Radio (DRR) - a new streaming radio station that seeks to tell a better story about rural life in America. DRR will connect rural communities across the country through music, arts & culture, news & opinion, and good, honest conversation. Why is Dirt Road Radio a necessary part of American life? What does it do? And how can you get involved? We discuss everything - and more - in this episode.
Accelerationism
May 07, 2023 21:00 - 14 minutes - 10.7 MBIn this podcast, we explore the accelerationist movement, which seeks to hasten the collapse of the current social, economic, or political order to establish a new world order. Accelerationism can be seen in the writings of Senator Josh Hawley, who has advocated for "immanentizing the Eschaton," or bringing about the end times to create a new order. However, this ideology has dangerous implications and has been likened to terrorism. Despite presenting itself as a religious ambition, accelera...
Politics and Corruption
April 30, 2023 21:00 - 1 hour - 48.9 MBThis week we chat again with Nathan Falcone. Our topic today? Politics and Corruption. Nathan is a lifetime resident of Cedar Hill, Missouri, a small unincorporated town of about 1700 people. He describes himself as having "an absurd love" of politics, and he believes that society is unnecessarily divided, and through discussion, we can heal the differences.
Da Hood Connect
April 23, 2023 21:00 - 51 minutes - 37.2 MBShavanna Spratt, Executive Director of St. Louis-based organization Da Hood Connect, drops by to talk about the organization. She emphasizes Da Hood Connect’s commitment to addressing and reducing barriers faced by Black and/or under-resourced communities through education, advocacy, and connections. Leveraging media and entertainment, including a community podcast, Da Hood Connect aims to create a world free from racism and bias, where these communities have full access to the resources nee...
Moving the Line
April 16, 2023 21:00 - 17 minutes - 12.6 MBIn this podcast we discuss the technique used by authoritarian and fascist leaders to erode democratic values and manipulate societies into submission by blurring the line between legal and illegal behavior. We look at how individual citizens often disengage and become cynical in the face of threats to democracy, thereby reenforcing the movement away from democracy. There is hope, however. We individuals need to unite and stand shoulder to shoulder to fight the enemies of democracy by organi...
Abortion and Pronouns
April 09, 2023 21:00 - 15 minutes - 12.2 MBIn this episode we talk about how the modern controversy over abortion might lead us down a dark path where, as history has shown, our nation may end up forcing sterilization on certain people. We also talk about the modern day controversy over pronouns and the cesspool that the Arkansas legislature has inadvertently entered when trying to legislate over cultural issues.
Nathan Falcone
April 02, 2023 21:00 - 53 minutes - 41 MBThis week we chat with Nathan Falcone, a lifetime resident of Cedar Hill, Missouri. Nathan describes himself as having a keen interest in politics, which he describes as "an absurd love." He believes that society is unnecessarily divided, and an open discussion of major issues may help alleviate this problem of division. In this episode, we talk about ordinary stuff, but focusing mostly on how Covid has affected politics in a rural area.
Dirt Road Radio
March 26, 2023 21:00 - 17 minutes - 12.8 MBIn this episode, we discuss the danger of hyper-conservative media and its impact on American democracy. This danger is particularly noticeable by the way that extremist messaging on terrestrial radio in rural areas has poisoned political discourse in the United States. Fear and intolerance has been magnified and weaponized. So how do we fight this disturbing trend? There is a new idea emerging that will directly challenge extremism on the radio; it’s called Dirt Road Radio. By making use of...
The Common Good
March 19, 2023 21:00 - 17 minutes - 12.9 MBIn today's podcast, we explore the concept of the "common good" and its importance in shaping a just and equitable society. Throughout history, philosophers have emphasized the significance of shared values, collective responsibility, and public institutions in promoting the well-being of all individuals within a community. However, the forces of individual and collective greed, especially within a capitalist society, can pose a significant threat to the common good. We discuss the influence...
Freedom vs Harmony
March 12, 2023 21:00 - 11 minutes - 8.43 MBIn this podcast episode, we explore the complex and multifaceted controversy surrounding free speech. We examine historical events where people have freely expressed their views and opinions resulting in controversy and emotional upset. We delve into the recent phenomenon of "cancel culture" and the moral and ethical issues involved, and we discuss the "Paradox of Tolerance" and what it means for free speech. Join us as we navigate these difficult questions and strive to balance the need for...
Dutch Farmer Protests
March 05, 2023 22:05 - 9 minutes - 4.62 MBWhy are farmers in the Netherlands protesting? Recent changes in Dutch environmental laws have put the squeeze on farmers in the Netherlands, so they've have taken their protests to their government. While it's true that our methods of farming - and living in general - must change in order to sustain a livable environment, it may be a mistake to force one group of people to bear the burden without adequate guidance and compensation. In this episode, we bring attention to the difficulties exp...
Do We Live in a Democracy?
February 26, 2023 22:00 - 12 minutes - 10 MBFolks on the extreme right say that we here in the U.S. do not live in a democracy. They say that we live in a "Constitutional Republic." This is a dangerous belief, because to say that we do not live in a democracy is to say that we are not governed by the will of the people. This mindset opens the door to tyranny, because after all, why fight for a democracy when we don't live in a democracy anyway? In this podcast, we explore the definition of both a Constitutional Republic and a Democra...
Right to Misinformation
February 19, 2023 22:00 - 13 minutes - 10.4 MBDo we have the right to be misinformed? What is misinformation? And should social media companies - and our government - censor us for misinformation? In this short podcast, we lay out the problem. We don’t offer any solutions, but we provide a bit more context on a highly complex and controversial topic.
Citizens’ Climate Lobby
February 12, 2023 22:00 - 49 minutes - 33.9 MBTim Ely, co-leader of the St. Louis Chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, drops by to talk about the organization. Citizens’ Climate Lobby - or CCL for short - is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy climate change organization focused on national policies to address climate change. They not only directly lobby politicians, but they also engage at the local level with friends, neighbors and local officials and educate them on the details of climate change and what they can do abou...
Progressivism, Wokeism and Chinese Balloons
February 05, 2023 22:00 - 26 minutes - 19.7 MBIn today's free-form discussion, we talk about progressivism, wokeism and that Chinese balloon that created a stir as it floated over our nation.
Mount Exodus
January 29, 2023 22:00 - 13 minutes - 9.89 MBWhen people lose confidence in local police, things can get very bad. The threat of demoralized cops walking off the job has politicians in many states panicking. Their solution? Seize control and centralize authority over local police departments. This is not a good development for democracy.
Disruption Delivered
January 22, 2023 22:00 - 12 minutes - 9.67 MBDisruption for its own sake will deliver a system of government that’s far worse than anything we have today.
Bare Arms and Gas Stoves
January 15, 2023 22:00 - 14 minutes - 11.6 MBIn today’s short podcast, we’ll discuss how the lack of cooperation between our two main political parties has resulted in ridiculous manufactured issues as part of a culture war and an overall lack of progress on the issues that really matter to Americans.
Randi McCallian
January 07, 2023 02:57 - 56 minutes - 41.8 MBRandi McCallian, U.S. Congressional Candidate for the 8th district in Missouri, drops by to talk about the big issues that Congress will face in the upcoming session. We talk about the debt ceiling, the farm bill, climate change and more. We also discuss why the Democrats haven’t been doing so well in rural areas and what they need to do about it.
Seize the Initiative
January 01, 2023 22:00 - 15 minutes - 12.1 MBIn this short podcast, we discuss how 2023 is pivotal, as it sets the stage for a highly consequential election in 2024. Many state legislatures this year are trying to reduce our self-determination and may even decide to override our votes for president in 2024. We must not allow this to happen!
Christmas
December 25, 2022 22:00 - 5 minutes - 4.82 MBIn this very short podcast, we talk about the origins of Christmas and how our modern day practice of it is part of a tradition that spans back thousands of years. We also talk about how the holiday evolved to become associated with the birth of Jesus. Finally, we talk about how the necessity of love that Jesus talked about 2,000 years ago is just as true today as ever.
One Nation Movement
December 18, 2022 22:00 - 44 minutes - 31.8 MBBrian Mistrot, founder and President of an organization known as One Nation Movement (ONM) stops by to talk about their mission of strengthening the civic infrastructure of our democracy, specifically by focusing on restoring confidence in our elections, environmental solutions and fiscal responsibility. ONM is a conservative organization - conservative in the sense of traditional conservatism, as opposed to the modern day Republican definition of it. As such, they seek to educate people on ...
The Deep State
December 11, 2022 22:00 - 11 minutes - 9.2 MBWhat is the “Deep State?” What do politicians mean when they refer to our democratic institutions as “Deep State?” The answer is that they are attempting to delegitimize the institutions that are designed to root out political corruption. They’re essentially trying to put the fox in charge of the chickens. Don’t fall for it!
Bobby Bostic
November 27, 2022 22:00 - 27 minutes - 19.9 MBThis week we talk with Bobby Bostic, who was recently set free after being imprisoned for 27 years for a crime committed when he was 16. Mr. Bostic last appeared on this podcast in April 2021, and we now catch up with him as he works toward fulfilling his vision of helping people in his community avoid the “school to prison pipeline.” We talk about his life so far since being freed and where his plans will take him next. Listen in and find out how you can help him help his community!
Karma Metzler Fitzgerald
November 20, 2022 22:00 - 58 minutes - 43.7 MBKarma Metzler Fitzgerald drops by to talk about politics from a rural Idaho perspective. Karma ran for the state house in this past election and was barely edged out by her opponent, losing by just 85 votes. We talk about the issues facing Idaho farmers and ranchers, the difficulty campaigning as a Democrat in a fairly red area, how national issues play out in Idaho and what Democrats need to do in order to reconnect with rural America. Karma also has a podcast of her own, called "The Purple...
Michael Baumli
November 13, 2022 22:00 - 53 minutes - 40.2 MBMichael Baumli stops by to talk about his state senate campaign. Michael ran as a Democrat in Missouri State Senate district 12, which is in an area in Northwest Missouri that is highly Republican. We talk about the issues that matter to rural voters, the types of messaging they receive from both parties, the importance of community and what politicians from both parties need to do to really understand and serve the Heartland.
Jojo Stewart
November 06, 2022 22:00 - 49 minutes - 36.7 MBMeet Jojo Stewart, a mom in a rural area in the Ozarks in southern Missouri who’s recently become a political activist. She organizes political events in her community, and she maintains a blog that provides a great perspective of life in the rural heartland. We talk about the big events of the day and how it affects people living in the Ozarks.
Censorship
October 30, 2022 21:00 - 20 minutes - 16.1 MBOverall, corporate and government censorship is viewed upon negatively, but in a rush to have open and free online dialog in a sort of online “town square,” are we exposing ourselves to more harm than good? As we wage online wars over manufactured issues, what happens when they spill over into the real world? And are these online wars distracting us from an even bigger truth in the real world; that freedom and liberty are being taken from us?
Revolution and then what?
October 23, 2022 21:00 - 22 minutes - 17.5 MBIn today’s short opinion piece, we discuss what we believe is a New American Revolution and what that means to our precious republic. Has everyone in this revolution thought it through? What happens after the revolution? Will our democracy survive, or will we go down the path of fascist rule by oligarchy?
Curtis Vaughn
October 16, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 50.1 MBCurtis Vaughn stops by to talk about his primary campaign for the U.S. Senate, running as a Republican. Listen as Curtis explains how he ran his campaign on a shoestring budget, and even attempted to bike 250 miles in the hot summer sun just to participate in a Republican debate. He was largely shunned by the party, but he kept coming back, because, in his words, “Democracy is like a flame. We have to candle it within ourselves. And if we want it, we have to step up, we have to sacrifice. An...
Constitutional Convention
October 09, 2022 21:00 - 1 hour - 47.4 MBDr. Robynn Kuhlmann, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Central Missouri, joins the podcast to talk about a possible state constitutional convention. Currently, 44 states in the union have provisions for holding constitutional conventions, though it rarely happens. In Missouri, the voters this November will decide whether or not to hold a convention. What could it mean for the people of Missouri? Is it an opportunity to implement policies that will help the state? ...
Oppression
September 25, 2022 21:00 - 13 minutes - 10.6 MBWe see oppression happening in other countries - particularly oppression against women - and we may believe that it can only happen “over there.” But that may be a disastrously bad assumption. We’re already seeing the erosion of women’s rights right here in America, and it may only be the beginning of a far more extensive campaign to destroy our democracy and, along with it, all our human rights.
War on History
September 18, 2022 21:00 - 16 minutes - 13.1 MBSenator Josh Hawley has now declared war on history. This podcast is a rebuttal of Hawley’s allegation that our current understanding of history does not give proper credit to the Holy Bible and its effect on the founding of our nation.
The ACLU on Voting Rights
September 11, 2022 21:00 - 37 minutes - 28.3 MBTom Bastian, Deputy Director for Communications at the ACLU of Missouri, drops by to talk about changes in our voting laws and what the ACLU is doing about it. This is a follow-up to the interview we aired a few weeks ago when we talked with the Missouri Secretary of State John “Jay” Ashcroft and the local director of the League of Women Voters, Joan Hubbard regarding changes in our voting laws and how they affect all of us.