Direct Democracy Diaries
Direct Democracy Diaries explores ballot measures from grassroots campaigns to transformative victories. Hosted by Chris Melody Fields Figueredo and Caroline Sánchez-Avakian from the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, we bring you stories of activists who've harnessed direct democracy for community change. Whether you're a seasoned leader or newcomer, tune in as we break down campaign strategies. Each episode features compelling stories about coalition building, signature gathering, and defending victories, showing how democracy works from the ground up. https://ballot.org/
Episodes
In the season finale of Direct Democracy Diaries, hosts Chris Melody Fields Figueredo and Caroline Sanchez-Avakian sit down with Maurice Mitchell, National Director of the Working Families Party. Maurice shares how his Caribbean immigrant upbringing and lifelong organizing work shape his political vision.
Together, they explore the role of ballot measures in building movements, the 2025 election outcomes, and the critical need to f...
In this episode of Direct Democracy Diaries, Chris and Caroline are joined by Richard von Glahn, a longtime ballot initiative strategist with Missouri Jobs with Justice. Together, they explore what happens after the win—when implementation battles begin and the work of organizing deepens. From California’s Proposition 50 and Maine’s defense of voting access, to Colorado’s tax reforms for school meals, they trace 2025 ballot trends ...
In this episode of Direct Democracy Diaries, Chris and Caroline sit down with Fran Hutchins, Executive Director of the Equality Federation, to reflect on two decades of ballot measure campaigns, queer movement building, and the importance of doing the work before the spotlight hits.
Hutchins shares lessons from marriage equality battles in Maine and California, the evolution of trans rights messaging, and the real meaning of cross-...
What makes voters lean in and say yes at the ballot box? In this episode, co-hosts Chris Melody Fields Figueredo and Caroline Sánchez-Avakian are joined by Dusti Gurulé, President & CEO of COLOR and COLOR Action Fund, to unpack the strategy of storytelling that resonates.
From building narratives to navigating multilingual, cross-cultural outreach, Dusti shares how campaigns can craft narratives that truly connect with vote...
Signature gathering is more than just petition signing—it’s people power in action. In this episode, co-hosts Chris Melody Fields Figueredo and Caroline Sánchez-Avakian talk with Danielle Atkinson, founder of Mothering Justice and veteran organizer, about how the petition phase can make or break a campaign.
From the nuts and bolts of getting started to the vulnerabilities every campaign faces, Danielle shares hard-earned lessons on ...
Running a ballot measure takes more than signatures and soundbites—it takes people, trust, and courage. In this episode, co-hosts Chris Melody Fields Figueredo and Caroline Sánchez-Avakian sit down with organizers Lauren Brenzel (Florida's Yes on 4 Campaign Director) and Sarah Parker (Executive Director of Voices of Florida) to unpack what it really takes to launch a ballot initiative.
From the tough early decision of whethe...
Ballot measures are reshaping democracy from the ground up—but what does it really take to run one? In our very first episode, co-hosts Chris Melody Fields Figueredo and Caroline Sánchez-Avakian sit down with Desmond Meade—MacArthur “Genius,” Time 100 honoree, and the visionary behind Florida’s Amendment 4, which restored voting rights to over 1.4 million people.
Together, they unpack the strategy, storytelling, and sheer determ...
Direct Democracy Diaries is a podcast exploring ballot measures from grassroots campaigns to transformative victories. Hosted by Chris Melody Fields Figueredo and Caroline Sánchez-Avakian from the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, this show brings you stories of activists and organizers who've harnessed direct democracy to create change.
Whether you're a seasoned ballot measure leader or a newcomer, tune in as we break it all down....
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