Future Hindsight

Future Hindsight

Future Hindsight is a weekly podcast that takes big ideas about civic life and democracy and turns them into action items for everyday citizens.

Episodes

January 2, 2025 49 mins

We discuss why now is the time for a third political party to really take center stage in American democracy.

 

Maurice’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

  1. Organize! Join an organization.

  2. Create conditions where people can govern and decide the direction of their coun...

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December 26, 2024 58 mins

We’re sharing an episode from our friends at Latino USA! In this episode, producer Reynaldo Leaños Jr. travels to southern Arizona where one of the first major concentrations of surveillance towers on the southern border were built, and he looks at what these towers mean today, and for the future of those crossing, and living, there.

 

The “virtual wall” across the U.S.-Mexico border is made up of things l...

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December 19, 2024 51 mins

We discuss how ungoverning is the equivalent of a bull in a china shop. Many institutions will be destroyed, but we don't know which ones and to what extent!

 

Nancy’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

  1. Don’t let unpredictability strip you of your agency

  2. Vote in local,...

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December 12, 2024 47 mins

We discuss election integrity and voting machines, the amazing work of election workers, and the logistics of election audits.

 

Ben’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

  1. Talk to your town or county clerk and offer to help.

  2. Be a poll worker for a day!

 

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December 5, 2024 51 mins

We discuss why the American electorate voted the way they did in 2024, the history of various voter suppression tactics, and how we can bounce back from a feeling of post-election civic helplessness.

 

Michael’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

  1. Use your platform!

  2. Do ...

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November 26, 2024 51 mins

We discuss the long history of vigilante democracy in the US and its return in our current politics. The playing field is currently tilted in favor of these vigilante policies, but blue states can level the playing field by playing constitutional hardball. David Noll reminds us that the American people have beat back movements to use vigilante power to enforce a reactionary agenda time and again.

 

David’s...

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November 21, 2024 50 mins

We discuss how the Democratic party continues to ignore AAPI voters in schools despite their increasing power at the ballot box and the necessity to build coalitions with them to win elections. Between 2016 and 2020, voter turnout in this community increased by 47%. The near doubling of AAPI voters in Georgia and Arizona effectively made the Biden victory in 2020 possible. 

 

Varun’s civic action toolkit r...

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We discuss the intersection of feminism and democracy and discover how the egalitarian underpinnings of feminism are fundamental to an equal society. Abortion bans illustrate this well. “Any time there's a conflict between the Constitution and someone's personal bodily autonomy and the subject of rights under the law, that is anti-democratic.” 

 

Nicole’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

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November 7, 2024 43 mins

We discuss the importance of shifting our mindset to one that is infused with hope. Positive change comes when we choose hope. Though nobody can fix it all, we can all do something and make an impact. Sharon reminds us that if something is worth doing for everyone, it’s worth doing for one person. 

 

Sharon’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

  1. Read more

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We discuss why American democracy should not treat the Latinx community as a monolith, what actually matters to this community, and how the strength of their engagement in U.S. democracy will play out in this year’s presidential election.

 

Maria Teresa’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

  1. VOTE!

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We discuss the purpose of fascist education, the political nature of universities in defending democracy, and the dangers of America’s powerful exceptionalist narrative.

 

Jason’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

  1. Stand up in solidarity with those who are political targets

  2. Read more

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We discuss the necessary policies that make a family friendly economy possible, such as investments in child care, elder care, and paid family leave. Such investments ought to be considered basic infrastructure, which contribute to the economy.

 

Sondra’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

  1. Talk to your friends and family who are ha...

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October 10, 2024 2 mins

Future Hindsight is a finalist in the 2024 Signal Awards and we need your help to win the gold! 

 

We’re being recognized in the Activism, Public Service, & Social Impact category for our episode on Policing Equity and Justice with Dr. Phillip Atiba Solomon. 

 

Public voting is open until Oct 17th, 2024 and every vote counts. Go to this link to vote for Future Hindsight now: 

https://vote.signalaward.com/...

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October 10, 2024 41 mins

We discuss the deep impact of Project 2025 policies on the American people, even if only 10-15% were implemented. Well beyond abortion bans and no-fault divorces, Project 2025 would adversely affect democracy. It would be easier for big money to influence election outcomes, for disinformation and misinformation to spread, and for foreign actors to meddle in elections.

 

Matt’s civic action toolkit recommen...

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This is a recording of a live event of the American Voter Project at the Eric H. Holder Jr. Initiative for Civil and Political Rights. We discuss the long history of voter suppression, voting rights, the electoral college, the Supreme Court, and democracy.

 

General Holder’ and Michael’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

  1. Vote!

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September 26, 2024 58 mins

We discuss deepening our understanding of the climate crisis, the urgent need for decarbonization, and our role in speaking truth about phasing out fossil fuels. 

 

Genevieve’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

  1. Call your elected representatives and demand policies to phase out fossil fuels.

  2. Read more

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We discuss the power and the promise of public schools, the universal rejection of book bans by parents across the country, and an inclusive vision for democracy.

 

Their civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

  1. Have a conversation with people with whom you disagree

  2. Remain open-minded.

 

Jenni...

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We discuss how ballot measures give voters the opportunity to take power and agency. It is about citizens putting issues that are important to their communities, gathering signatures, and then putting them on the ballot directly to effect policy change.

 

Her civic action toolkit recommendations are:  

1. Voting is the starting line, not the finish line.

2. Hold your elected officials accountable after elections by reaching out to ...

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September 5, 2024 41 mins

We discuss how two parties alone cannot represent the diversity of views in American society, how fusion voting could solve for better representation, and who exactly should get engaged in our civic lives.

 

His civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

1. Support political parties and reforms that create more choices.

2. Be a good neighbor and participate in a local meeting.

 

Lee Drutman is Senior Fellow in the Political Reform ...

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We discuss what it takes for citizens to take action and run for elected office. Wendy ran as a Democrat in Utah because she wanted to give voters a viable, different choice. She knew it was going to be difficult to win as a first time candidate, but she ran so hard that she left a body mark in the wall. She lost by a mere 78 votes.

 

Her civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

1. Vote and encourage other people to vote

2. Work ...

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