This week, we dive headfirst into free speech, cancel culture, academic freedom, and what role universities play in democracy.

Thomas Main argues that illiberalism is the basic repudiation of liberal democracy, the very foundation on which the United States rests. He joins us this week to discuss how we got here and what we can do about it.

This week, we explore how America's market-driven media have undermined democracy — and how more robust public media in the U.S. might help right the ship.

As many liberals were saying "thank God for federalism" in the Trump era, Jake Grumbach saw some different — and disturbing — patterns emerging. He joins us this week to discuss the findings in his forthcoming book, Laboratories Against Democracy.

Michael Rebell joins us this week to discuss how the courts can and should address the civic empowerment gap in the United States and create better civics education for everyone.

Around the world, religion is being used to fuel "us vs. them" narratives and undermine the foundations of democracy. This week, we dive into what this means and how people of faith can chart a different path forward.

Penn State's Jim Piazza returns to the show this week to discuss a new study on why the loser's consent is a critical part of a healthy democracy — and what happens when politicians and other elites fail to abide by it.

We look back on 2021 and consider the impending crises that might be on the horizon in the year(s) to come.

Vanderbilt University political theorist Robert Talisse returns to the show to make the case for democratic introspection and appreciating perspectives that differ from your own.

Historian Keisha N. Blain joins us this week to discuss the life and work of Civil Rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer. As we discuss, many of the forces Hamer pushed against are still present in our politics today.