Revolutionary Optimism Podcast

As the United States marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, Dr. Paul Zeitz offers a powerful reflection on the nation's past—and a hopeful vision for its future.

In this Action Alert, Dr. Zeitz argues that America is entering a "Third Founding,” one that won't be won through war, but through courageous citizenship, renewed civic trust, and a shared commitment to one another. Drawing on history, medicine, ...

What do Americans actually believe about democracy, polarization, and the economy? And what does the data tell us about where the country is headed?

In this episode, Dr. Paul Zeitz sits down with veteran Democratic pollster and strategist Celinda Lake to unpack decades of public opinion research and what it reveals about this political moment and the possibility of a supermajority of the American people agreeing that we need to Fix ...

Authoritarianism unfolds in stages, it doesn’t happen overnight. In this episode, longtime organizer and Executive Director of the 22nd Century Initiative Scot Nakagawa breaks down how authoritarian movements rise, where the United States is right now, and what it will take to stop consolidation before it’s too late.

Drawing on nearly four decades of experience confronting white nationalism and anti-democratic movements,...

The U.S. Constitution is one of the hardest governing documents in the world to change, and that rigidity may be part of the problem.

In this episode, Dr. Paul Zeitz sits down with constitutional law scholar and dean Stefanie Lindquist to break down what’s happening beneath the surface of American democracy. From rising polarization and stalled amendments to the growing influence of money and emerging “polymarkets,&rdquo...

As the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary, the question isn’t just what kind of country we are, but what kind of citizens we’re willing to be.

In this episode, Dr. Paul Zeitz sits down with Maury Giles, CEO of Braver Angels, to explore what it really takes to hold a country together in deeply polarized times. From navigating political divides within his own family to leading a national movement focused on bridging tho...

In this special Call to Action episode, Dr. Paul Zeitz names what many Americans feel but rarely hear said plainly: the United States is in a constitutional emergency. Not because of one party or one election, but because the system itself is no longer functioning as it should. This isn’t a message of despair; it’s a roadmap.

Dr. Zeitz breaks down why systemic crises require systemic solutions and introduces a bold path ...

We’re living in the first generation of a digital era that’s designed to divide us, and most of us don’t even realize it. In this episode, Dr. Paul Zeitz sits down with peacebuilder and diplomat Danielle M. Reiff, author and editor of Overcoming Information Chaos, to explore how our digital world is fueling division and how we can reclaim peace, connection, truth, and democracy.

Drawing from her decades of work in ...

Dr. Paul Zeitz sits down with Professor James S. Fishkin of Stanford University—the mind behind Deliberative Polling®—to explore whether informed dialogue can heal democracy’s divisions. Fishkin shares how a single “eureka” moment in 1988 led to a global movement transforming how citizens think, talk, and decide together. From Texas to Mongolia, and now through AI-assisted platforms, deliberative polli...

What can the first woman ever elected to Congress teach us about courage, peace, and the fight for democracy? In this episode, Dr. Paul Zeitz talks with historian and author Lorissa Rinehart about her book, Winning the Earthquake: How Jeannette Rankin Defied All Odds to Become America’s First Congresswoman. 

Together, they explore how Rankin’s radical vision—for women’s suffrage, peace over war, and a tr...

Venture capitalist, political strategist, and philanthropist Bradley Tusk believes our democracy is running out of time—and that the solution fits in your pocket. In this episode, Bradley shares the story behind his new book, Vote With Your Phone, and how mobile voting could be the “final shot” at saving American democracy. From his early work in politics and Uber’s fight for legitimacy, to his philanthropic...

What does it take to confront racism without falling into despair and instead transform our institutions for equity and justice? In this episode, Dr. Zeitz speaks with Professor Susan Sturm of Columbia Law School, a leading scholar and changemaker whose work bridges law, education, and community action. Drawing from her new book, What Might Be: Confronting Racism to Transform Our Institutions, Sturm unpacks the paradoxes at the hea...

Trust in our democracy is collapsing, but history shows that when ordinary people rise up, real change becomes inevitable. In this episode, Dr. Paul Zeitz issues a bold call to action: join a nationwide movement to refresh and renew American democracy before it’s too late. From the Freedom Charter to the vision of a National Citizens Assembly, Dr. Zeitz lays out a concrete plan for how everyday Americans—not politicians...

Journalist and author Osita Nwanevu joins Dr. Paul Zeitz to unpack a hard truth: the United States was never designed to be an authentic democracy. Drawing from his book The Right of the People: Democracy and the Case for a New American Founding, Osita explains why our system fails the tests of equality, responsiveness, and majority rule—and how we might reinvent it for the 21st century. The conversation dives deep into the h...

In this episode, Dr. Zeitz is joined by Vinay Orekondy, an Australian-born attorney, mediator, and democracy innovator now working at the heart of America’s civic renewal movement.  Vinay wears multiple hats as he serves as the Partnerships Director, Better Together America; Co-Chair, Braver Network (Braver Angels); and the Director of Programs and Engagement, Grand Bargain Project. 

Vinay takes us on a journey from ...

Can we rescue American democracy before it’s too late? In this episode, Dr. Paul Zeitz sits down with renowned legal scholar and democracy innovation entrepreneur and leader, Professor Lawrence Lessig of Constitutional Law at Harvard University, to explore a bold path forward. From unraveling the corrupting influence of Super PACs and dark money to defending the Constitution against authoritarian overreach, Lessig offers clar...

Is America at a breaking point—or at the cusp of a breakthrough? In this episode, Dr. Zeitz sits down with Reverend Dr. Liz Theoharis, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign and director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice. A lifelong theologian and anti-poverty organizer, Rev. Dr. Liz shares why we are living in a Kairos moment—a time of both crisis and profound possibility.

Together, th...

Welcome to season three of Revolutionary Optimism! In this episode, producer Cee Cee Huffman talks with Dr. Paul Zeitz and social impact filmmaker Leigh Blake to discuss the launch of #unifyUSA, a groundbreaking movement dedicated to refreshing the U.S. Constitution through citizen-led action. With a shared history of tackling the global HIV/AIDS crisis and driving social change, Paul and Leigh explain why now is the time for Ameri...

Dr. Paul Zeitz is talking with philosopher and legal scholar Alex Guerrero, author of Lottocracy: Why Lottery Should Replace Elections. Alex delves into the bold concept of lottocracy, a reimagined form of democracy by lottocracy where randomly selected citizens replace traditional elections to create more equitable and accountable leadership.

Drawing on over 15 years of research, Alex shares the flaws of electoral democracy in the ...

Dr. Paul Zeitz invites you to join a transformative movement to rebuild democracy with permanent Citizens’ Assemblies so that we can create a just, sustainable future. Reflecting on the challenges and opportunities of our time, Dr. Paul outlines a visionary path forward: mobilizing citizens' assemblies across the nation, culminating in a historic National People's Convention by July 4, 2026. This is your chance to rise above ...