Dr. Rod Berger sits down with Sam Daley-Harris to peel back the advocacy efforts of a man who has spent a lifetime propelling the power of voice in the pursuit of a healthy and equitable democracy.
Sam Daley-Harris founded the anti-poverty lobby RESULTS in 1980, co-founded the Microcredit Summit Campaign in 1995, and founded Civic Courage in 2012. The paperback edition of his book Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy was named an editor’s pick by Publisher’s Weekly BookLife and will be released January 14th, 2025. Kirkus Reviews wrote: "Overall, [the author's] analysis of effective action is as persuasive as it is accessible, and his call to democratic participation is inspiring. A handbook for aspiring activists that readers will find to be both inspiring and practical." Daley-Harris has been interviewed on NPR’s Here and Now and on PBS’s Laura Flanders and Friends.
After the 2024 election, Tom Nichols wrote in The Atlantic, “….Americans must stay engaged and make their voices heard at every turn….” Liz Cheney tweeted, “….Citizens across this country…must now be the guardrails of democracy.” But most Americans still wonder how, and even if, they can make a difference between elections. What are the options? 1) Protesting? Vital, but usually not the long game, 2) Signing email form letters, which only 3% of Congressional staff say is highly effective. Just gestures, 3) Taking a 2-year nap until the next election? Sadly, the preferred route for many. But few know about number 4) transformational advocacy, which helps you change an issue and changes you in the process.
In Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy Sam Daley-Harris writes about people who met with officials on the other side of their issue, stories like these: 1) Ellie Sparks who went from experiencing what she called “climate trauma” to meeting her members of Congress and calling the experience “sacred and profound”, and 2) Lisa Jordan who, after meeting with Congressional offices in Washington, DC, said “….This work is the best medicine for when you’re feeling hopeless or have sleepless nights. It’s the best way to avoid despair….” Welcome, Sam Daley-Harris.
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