"We have to always bear in mind who is not here with us, who is not in the room.” (w/ Kevin J. Elliott, author of Democracy for Busy People)

07/26/23 • 39 min

Does it seem like being an engaged citizen is starting to feel like a full-time job? Are you looking for ways to cut down on the costs, both in terms of time and resources, that it takes to make your voice heard? Kevin Elliott, lecturer in ethics, politics and economics at Yale University and author of Democracy for Busy People knows you’re not alone. We talk to him about how to create space for busy people to participate in our democracy, the seemingly positive democratic innovations can actually create more problems than they solve, and what it means for a government to be truly inclusive. Episode Links: Buy Democracy for Busy People: Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble Kevin J. Elliott: Website | Twitter Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: [email protected]. Please rate and review and tell your friends! Credits: To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.

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undefined - “I came here to do something new.” (Live from Netroots Nation with stories from Reps. Summer Lee, Maxwell Frost, Greg Casar, and Delia Ramirez, plus activists Kristin Foster, Karen Gamez Lopez, Carlyn Cowen, and Sean Frame)

“I came here to do something new.” (Live from Netroots Nation with stories from Reps. Summer Lee, Maxwell Frost, Greg Casar, and Delia Ramirez, plus activists Kristin Foster, Karen Gamez Lopez, Carlyn Cowen, and Sean Frame)

So you’re thinking of getting involved, but you’re not sure how to find your place as an activist? Have no fear! The attendees and speakers of this year’s Netroots Nation are here to help. In this episode we compile the stories of everybody from members of Congress to local candidates to state-level Democratic activists to hyper-local community activists and learn how they got involved and what their work has taught them. Episode Links: Rep. Summer Lee (PA-12): Website | Twitter Rep. Maxwell Frost (FL-10): Website | Twitter Rep. Greg Casar (TX-35): Website | Twitter Rep. Delia Ramirez (IL-3): Website | Twitter Sean Frame (Founder, The Six PAC): Website | Twitter Carlyn Cowen (Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Chinese-American Planning Council): Website | Twitter Karen Gamez Lopez (Engagement Director, Fuse WA): Website | Twitter Kristin Foster (Deputy Executive Director, Get Loud Arkansas): Website | Twitter Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: [email protected]. Please rate and review and tell your friends! Credits: To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.

Next Episode

“My job is to see who’s ready to start speaking up and help them use their voice.” (w/ Jade Pacheco, Community Builder at ACT 4 SA)

What does it take to overcome your anxieties and concerns about canvassing, public speaking, and more? Jade Pacheco gives us an unfiltered look at how she went from being a shy, passive citizen to a builder of communities through her work with ACT 4 SA, the first grassroots organization in San Antonio to focus on policing the police. In the process she talks about developing the confidence to canvas for candidates and causes, the training and support that allowed her to take the leap, the medical barriers that kept her from getting diagnosed with ADHD, the accommodations she now requests to ensure she can do her community work well, and so much more. Episode Links: Follow ACT 4 SA: Website | Facebook | Instagram Follow Lila on Twitter Follow Kelly on Twitter Follow the podcast on Twitter at @WhatCanIDoPod To contact us with questions or guest suggestions, email us at: [email protected]. Please rate and review and tell your friends! Credits: To the best of our knowledge, all audio used by What Can I Do is in the public domain or is used with permission. Our theme song is Good Deeds by Serj Anto, and we hold a license for use of the song through PremiumBeat. Original artwork is by Matthew Weflen and used with express permission.