Friends & Fellow Citizens

Born and raised in Communist Albania, Dr. Elida Dakoli overcame unprecedented political persecution from the regime run by Enver Hoxha and the Party of Labour of Albania. In Part 1 of this remarkable journey, she shares the origins of her extraordinary family story and some of her first-hand experiences in harsh living circumstances under a cruel communist dictatorship.
Click HERE for Part II!
Learn more about Elida's story and work on her website: elidadakoli.com!
SUBSCRIBE to our e-mail list for the latest news and updates from Friends & Fellow Citizens!

Support the show

Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level!
Check out my UA friend's Engagement Era blog for insight into modern American democracy!
IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

Interestingly, the name of the upcoming President's Day holiday reminds us that it is not a celebration of a specific president's birthday or even the performance of a particular president. Rather, it is a holiday that celebrates the office and those who have had the enormous responsibility to hold it, whether we approve or disapprove the administration of any President. This week, we learn more about how a deeply unpopular President from the 1850s may teach us the essence of why the Office of the President is a valuable American institution.
SUBSCRIBE to our e-mail list for the latest news and updates from Friends & Fellow Citizens!

Support the show

Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level!
Check out my UA friend's Engagement Era blog for insight into modern American democracy!
IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

COVID-19 has exposed and created new challenges that have stretched the American political fabric thin. With polarization exacerbated during the past two challenging years, civility and common sense are two of the most effective treatments that have been lacking for too long. Dr. Christine Blackburn, Assistant Professor of Security Studies at Sam Houston State University, joins us this week for a closer look at some history of U.S. public health measures. We also explore why a lack of civility has sadly permeated U.S. politics and public health policymaking during the COVID-19 pandemic.
SUBSCRIBE to our e-mail list for the latest news and updates from Friends & Fellow Citizens!

Support the show

Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level!
Check out my UA friend's Engagement Era blog for insight into modern American democracy!
IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

While many of the Signers were young men who had just recently rose to prominence in politics, some already had critical experience studying and fighting for the rights of the original 13 colonies. Stephen Hopkins, a former governor and Chief Justice from Rhode Island, sowed some of the seeds of independence that eventually grew to fruition decades later.
SUBSCRIBE to our e-mail list for the latest news and updates from Friends & Fellow Citizens!

Support the show

Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level!
Check out my UA friend's Engagement Era blog for insight into modern American democracy!
IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

Amid mass polarization and politicization, the fabric of American civics has been shaped and eroded by the mainstream news industry for decades. Now, even former journalists are speaking out and calling for much-needed change. Former MSNBC producer Ariana Pekary discusses why she left the mass media industry, consequences of contemporary financial incentives in that industry, and what we can do to better our political discourse.
Check out the links below to learn more about Ariana's work!
Columbia Journal Review: https://www.cjr.org/author/ariana-pekary
Website: https://www.arianapekary.net/
Follow her on Twitter! @arianapekary

Ariana's Resignation Statement: https://www.arianapekary.net/post/personal-news-why-i-m-now-leaving-msnbc
Interview with Andrew Yang: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3djYwDdUUg
More interviews here: https://www.arianapekary.net/work

SUBSCRIBE to our e-mail list for the latest news and updates from Friends & Fellow Citizens!

Support the show

Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute!
JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level!
Check out my UA friend's Engagement Era blog for insight into modern American democracy!
IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.