Defense of Democracy Podcast

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 discusses the activism of high school students who fought against censorship and the importance of understanding First Amendment rights. The film highlights the chilling effects of book ba...

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 pandemic, and how it affected public education and community perceptions. The conversation also delves into the legislative changes that have emerged post-COVID, including the rise of ant...

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 of community collaboration, and the fight against book bans. Lauren emphasizes the personal stakes involved in advocating for public education, especially for parents of children with specia...

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, gender, and history. Jesse shares personal stories about his family's history with slavery, the importance of teaching the truth about America's past, and the need for grass...

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 involvement in advocating for democracy and education. Debbie shares her insights on the necessity of public education, the impact of potential funding cuts, and the vital role teachers p...

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 controversial topics, the chilling effect this has on educators, and the broader implications for democracy and education. The conversation highlights the importance of supporting teachers and a...

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 coordinate with religious programs, the personal experiences that led them to advocate against LifeWise, and the legal challenges they faced in their efforts. The conversation highlights the impo...

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 on educational policies. Josh shares his vision for improving public schools, the role of charter schools, and the chilling effect of current political climates on teachers. The conversat...

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 against book challenges and discriminatory policies in schools. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community engagement and activism in education, as well as the need for continue...

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 Safe Schools group, which opposes the agenda of Moms for Liberty, and highlights the challenges faced by public schools in Florida, including the rise of charter schools and the controversial ...

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 community, the successes of grassroots mobilization, and the challenges posed by new laws affecting educational content. The conversation also touches on the controversial partnership between the...

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 literature and media, and the importance of supportive family dynamics. They provide valuable advice for parents of non-binary children and discuss the significance of allowing children to explore...

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 understanding of addiction and forgiveness, and how it inspired her to reach out to the author. The conversation delves into themes of censorship in literature, the importance of ...

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 the role of librarians in advocating for diverse literature and the need for community support to protect libraries from censorship. The conversation also touches on the implications ...

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 childhood in Sicily, her struggles with polio, and her involvement in the disability rights movement. The conversation also touches on the current threats to public education and the rights of disa...

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 importance of consent education, and the legislative threats facing libraries. Despite the difficulties, Angie shares a hopeful outlook on the growing community support and the diverse co...

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 protect democracy. The conversation emphasizes resilience, the necessity of turning anger into action, and the power of collective efforts in the face of adversity. Each participant shares pe...

In this episode Karen welcomes James Haslam and Glenn Harris from Race Forward to discuss the critical role of public education in fostering a just, multiracial democracy. They explore the challenges facing public education, the importance of community engagement, and the impact of the Heal Together toolkit. The conversation emphasizes the need for grassroots organizing and the collective responsibility of communities to advocate f...

In this episode, Karen talks with Tiffany Van Der Hyde from People for Education about how her organization helps recruit and support candidates for school board elections. Tiffany explains their focus on three main areas: candidate support, school board development, and community advocacy. They provide campaign tools, training, and ongoing resources for both new and sitting school board members.

The conversation highlights challeng...