Let's Talk Democracy

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Podcast by Tina Johnson

Let's Talk Democracy

In a time when misinformation spreads like wildfire and populist movements are gaining momentum globally, it’s easy to feel disheartened. But Let’s Talk Democracy is here to remind us that democracy isn’t something we can afford to take for granted. It’s something we need to fight for, nurture, and protect. This podcast is a small but significant part of that fight—helping to cultivate hope, share knowledge, and inspire action. At its core, Let’s Talk Democracy is a reminder that even in the darkest times, there’s always room for dialogue, reflection, and change. And that, in itself, is an act of democracy. Let’s Talk Democracy will be in conversation with a wide variety of people whose efforts and ideas can move us toward a stronger democracy. It's important to be in dialogue with individuals who represent the diverse range of ideas that are permissible within a democracy. By engaging with these voices—whether they come from experts, activists, community leaders, or everyday citizens—we can begin to see the many facets of democracy and how we can strengthen it, together.

Latest episodes

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04 November 2025

Authoritarian Populism and the Crisis of Perception

How fear, media, and false prophets are reshaping democracy—and how hope can fight back. Host Tina Johnson speaks with historian Professor Thomas Weber about the global rise of authoritarian populism and the crisis of perception that’s shaking democracies worldwide. Together they explore how fear, media, and misinformation empower populist movements—and how hope, empathy, and truth can help restore trust in democratic systems.Together, they discuss:

Recommended Resources & Further Reading

Books:

  • Democracy Erodes from the Top: Leaders, Citizens, and the Challenge of Populism in Europe – Larry Bartels
  1. The Radical Redemption Model: Terrorist Beliefs and Narratives – Beatrice de Graaf
  • Hitler’s First War: Adolf Hitler, the Men of the List Regiment, and the First World War – Thomas Weber
  • New Book Release Wenn Das Gestern Anklopft – Philipp Ruch, Thomas Weber

Articles & Essays:

  • Thomas Mann, “Brother Hitler” (1939)

Videos & Talks:

Courses:

Understanding Political Extremism: Hitler as a Case Study’, that people can take from anywhere in the world:

https://on.abdn.ac.uk/courses/understanding-political-extremism-hitler-as-a-case-study/?fbclid=IwY2xjawN23bZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHvbIvoLlYXRKKqss6YA1D_ipKMNpcBWOzXUpXpx9Z-VQCuBiNJWjONBP2gZ0_aem_SlV9grcQJ_Sgd8N_sbshNg

Articles & Essays:

  • Thomas Mann, “Brother Hitler” (1939)
  • The False Promise of Populism – The Atlantic (or substitute your preferred article source)

A must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the global challenges of modern democracy—and how hope, truth, and civic engagement can still prevail.

  • authoritarian populism, democracy crisis, political extremism, media influence, Thomas Weber, Tina Johnson, let´s talk democracy, populist leaders, misinformation, democratic backsliding, political fear, extremism history

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21 October 2025

The Power of Protest: Strategy, Resistance & Democracy

In this episode of Let’s Talk Democracy, host Tina Johnson explores how protest movements—when grounded in strategy and clear demands—can protect and transform democracy. Drawing from her organizing experience during the People’s Climate March and recent No Kings protests across the U.S. and globally, Tina unpacks the power of collective action, how authoritarian leaders attempt to silence dissent, and what it takes to turn awareness into lasting political change.

Whether you're a seasoned activist or new to organizing, this episode breaks down the essentials of effective protest strategy, global democratic solidarity, and grassroots movement building.

#LetsTalkDemocracy #ProtestPower #ProtectDemocracy #CivicEngagement #TinaJohnson #NoKingsProtest #ProtestForChange #DefendDemocracy #ProtestAndPower #CollectiveAction #DemocracyNow #Activism2025 #GlobalProtests #PeoplePower #StrategicProtest

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07 October 2025

When Silence Becomes Complicity

What’s more dangerous than the rise of the far right?

The silence that allows it to grow.

In this episode, host Tina Johnson explores the global surge in far-right ideology — from MAGA politics in the U.S. to the growing power of nationalist parties in Europe, Scandinavia, and even Nepal.

But this isn’t just about loud extremists.

It’s about the quiet voters, the silent supporters, and the normalization of once-fringe ideas.

Tina breaks down:

What true democratic values mean

How the Overton Window is shifting

The rise of Norway’s Progress Party in 2025

And what we must do to bring silence into the light

💡 Key takeaway:

Democracy isn’t guaranteed — and silence isn’t neutral.

It’s time to speak up, stay informed, and protect our freedoms before they disappear.

Listen now and join the conversation.

#Democracy #FarRight #LetsTalkDemocracy #Authoritarianism #CivicAction #DemocracyUnderThreat (strong emotional hook) #SilenceIsComplicity #FarRightRising #SpeakUpNow

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23 September 2025

Why We Vote Against Ourselves

In this thought-provoking episode of "Let's Talk Democracy," host Tina Johnson sits down with political strategist Blair Talmadge to explore the profound changes in the U.S. political landscape over the past decade. They challenge the notion that politics is about policy, arguing instead that it's increasingly driven by emotion rather than reason.

The conversation begins with a personal anecdote about Johnson's 2012 campaign in Chester, Pennsylvania, which serves as a microcosm for a national trend. Talmadge argues that since the Reagan era, the Republican Party has masterfully leveraged fringe issues and religious fervor to galvanize voters, even when policies might contradict their self-interest. They discuss how figures like Donald Trump, despite a lack of personal religious conviction, have successfully embodied the feelings of a large segment of the population.

Key takeaways from the episode include:

  • Policy vs. Emotion: The speakers analyze how Democrats often try to win on policy, which doesn't "engender emotion," while Republicans use wedge issues like immigration and social topics to stir feelings and win votes.
  • The Weaponization of Religion: The episode explores how religion has been used throughout history and today to oppress and manipulate people, and how this dynamic is currently shaping American politics, often undermining the principle of separation of church and state.
  • Voters Against Themselves: Johnson and Talmadge discuss the perplexing phenomenon of voters who consistently act against their own self-interest, citing examples of rural white voters on welfare who oppose government assistance and people who support policies that harm the U.S. economy, such as deporting migrant farm workers.
  • The Democratic Challenge: The conversation concludes by examining how Democrats can effectively counter the Republican marketing machine. They ponder whether Democrats need to "blow their own horn" more or if they must learn to appeal to voters on an emotional level to win back hearts and minds.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the current state of democracy in the United States and the complex psychological factors that influence voter behavior.

#USPolitics #VoterBehavior #PoliticalStrategy #Let'sTalkDemocracy #PolicyVsEmotion #BlairTalmadge #Democracy #AmericanPolitics #PoliticalAnalysis

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36:19

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09 September 2025

Seeds of Democracy: The Unbroken Will of the Iranian People, Quest for Democracy

What does it mean to fight for a democracy that has yet to be realized? In this episode, we turn to Iran, where citizens have been engaged in a decades-long struggle for freedom, justice, and self-determination.

Our guest, Zolal Habibi, is a human rights activist and a leading voice for democracy and women’s rights in Iran. She serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), bringing both personal experience and professional dedication to the movement for change.

Together, we dive into:

  • Iran’s history of political upheaval and resistance
  • The ongoing fight for human rights and women’s rights
  • The vision for a free, secular, and democratic future

This conversation sheds light on the courage and determination of the Iranian people—and the seeds of democracy they continue to plant against all odds.

The Iranian people’s fight for freedom shows us that democracy is built through resilience and courage. If this conversation inspired you, share the episode, subscribe to Let’s Talk Democracy, and leave a review to help amplify these voices. Together, we can keep the call for justice alive.

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26 August 2025

The Weaponization of Migration

Join host Tina Johnson and guest Jennifer Kamau, the Executive Director of International Woman's Space, as they take a deep dive into the complex relationship between migration and democracy from a European perspective.

In this powerful and thought-provoking conversation, Jennifer—whose work is centered on human rights in the context of migration—explains how politicians weaponize migration to polarize communities, scapegoat migrants for systemic issues, and divert attention from their own failed policies. The discussion unpacks the political narrative that frames migrants as a drain on resources while ignoring their vital economic contributions.

Tina and Jennifer challenge the status quo, exploring why people migrate and why the global north consistently fails to address these root causes, from neocolonialism and economic exploitation to climate issues and war. They expose how so-called "democratic" nations disregard their own principles, stripping migrants of basic human rights, even as they rely on their labor.

This episode is a call to action, urging listeners to question political narratives, demand accountability, and re-examine what it means to be a truly democratic society.

#Migration #Refugees #Asylum #MigrantRights #RefugeeRights #Democracy #HumanRights #Politics #SocialJustice #WomensRights #GenderEquality #IntersectionalFeminism #WomensVoices #Europe #Germany #Berlin #Frontex #EuropeanPolitics #InternationalWomansSpace #IWS #Activism #Solidarity #Justice #TinaJohnson #JenniferKamau #LetsTalkDemocracy #IWSpace.De

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