Libsyn Directory

Power to the Polls: Mandela Barnes

Release Date: 05/09/2024

Storytelling For Change: Shanelle Matthews

Future Hindsight

We discuss the building blocks of narrative power and the strategies to succeed in changing hearts and minds. Shanelle’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Share your stories of your experiences in your community 2) Get involved in local government Shanelle Matthews is a leading voice in narrative power and social movement communications and the co-author of Liberation Stories: Building Narrative Power for 21st Century Social Movements. Let’s connect! Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: Discover new ways to...

Gun Laws That Work: Emma Brown

Future Hindsight

We discuss the complexity of gun violence in the United States and the reality that strong gun laws save lives. Emma’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Contact your senator to vote NO on concealed carry reciprocity Go to and get involved Emma Brown is the executive director of GIFFORDS, an organization whose mission is to save lives from gun violence in America. Let’s connect! Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: Discover new ways to #BetheSpark: Follow Mila on X: Follow...

Understanding the Infodemic: Pauline Hoffmann

Future Hindsight

We discuss how we can tell the truth, how we can speak the truth, and how we can avoid misinformation and disinformation. Pauline’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Maintain a degree of curiosity! Care before you share. Pauline Hoffman, also known as the Data Doyenne, is an esteemed infodemiologist and the author of Fake News, Witch Hunts, and Conspiracy Theories: An Infodemiologist’s Guide to the Truth. Let’s connect! Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: Discover new ways to #BetheSpark: Follow Mila on...

AI for the Public Interest: Bruce Schneier

Future Hindsight

We discuss how AI can both serve the public interest and advance the goals of our democracy, despite the misgivings about the current state of AI. Bruce’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Use the tools of AI! 2) Use assistive tech to write to your elected representatives Bruce Schneier is an internationally renowned security technologist, chief of security architecture at Inrupt Inc, a lecturer at the Harvard Kennedy School, and the co-author of Rewiring Democracy: How AI Will Transform Our Politics, Government, and Citizenship. Let’s connect!...

How Underdogs Build Power: Stephanie Luce

Future Hindsight

We discuss Practical Radicals: Seven Strategies to Change the World—a guide for a new generation of activists seeking not just to understand power, but to build it. Stephanie’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Learn a new skill, like non cooperation or mutual aid 2) Find organizations that align with your values and check if they offer trainings Stephanie Luce is Professor of Labor Studies at the School of Labor and Urban Studies and Professor of Sociology at the Graduate Center, City University of New York. She’s also the co-author of Practical Radicals:...

The Pathway to Citizenship: Todd Schulte

Future Hindsight

A fair, humane, and orderly immigration system should think of the US as the top destination for top talent from around the world, as well as a beacon of hope. Changing the law to give permanent legal status and a pathway to citizenship would fix the current failed immigration system. Todd’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Post know-your-rights material at your place of worship or local grocery store Ask your HR to have legal resources for immigrant employees Todd Schulte is the President of FWD.us, where he has directed successful efforts to make the case...

Small Dollars, Big Strategy: Brian Derrick

Future Hindsight

We discuss how the everyday voter can make strategic political campaign donations just like a billionaire. Brian’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Find an election you’ve never participated in before and get involved 2) Check out the Supreme Court races in Pennsylvania, governor’s races in NJ and VA, and the California redistricting ballot measure Brian Derrick is the co-founder of Oath, a donor advising platform whose mission is to empower donors to participate in our democracy by offering civic education and helping users manage their political giving...

Following the Money in Politics: Hilary Braseth

Future Hindsight

We discuss the unavoidable intersection between our capitalist economy and democratic governance, and how their relationship plays out through campaign finance and other political transactions. Hilary’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Get the data of your state, locality, and elected officials at Piece together what is happening your state Hilary Braseth is the executive director of OpenSecrets, the nation's premier research and government transparency group tracking money in politics and its effect on elections and policy. VOTE FOR FUTURE...

Holding Democracy Accountable: Miranda Spivack

Future Hindsight

We discuss how the struggle for transparency is really a struggle for the soul of American democracy. Miranda’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Look up the agendas of your local school board and city council, and attend the public meetings Learn how your local and state governments make decisions Miranda S. Spivack is a veteran reporter and editor who specialized in government accountability, as well as the author of Backroom Deals in Our Backyard: How Government Secrecy Harms Our Communities and the Local Heroes Fighting Back. Let’s...

Turning Hope Into Action: Michael Ansara

Future Hindsight

We discuss the basics of organizing and the fruits of that work. Michael reminds us that “organizers organize organizations.” Michael’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Gather 4-5 friends to talk about what’s happening 2) Share ideas on what you can do to resist Michael Ansara is a seasoned community organizer and the author of The Hard Work of Hope: A Memoir. Let’s connect! Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: Discover new ways to #BetheSpark: Follow Mila on X: Follow Michael...

More Episodes

Mandela Barnes is the president of Power to the Polls Wisconsin. He also served as Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin from 2019 to 2023 and is the co-founder of The Long Run PAC. We discuss how grassroots voter outreach connects the dots for the voters on policy that impacts their lives.

Voters need to know what politicians have done for their constituents and why it is worth their time to vote. In order to be a part of the democratic process and to make things better, citizens need to show up on election day and beyond. People can exercise their power at city hall meetings, at the courthouse for county board, and even in state legislative hearing rooms. Voting is still crucially important and being a voter should be a part of everyone’s personality!

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https://twitter.com/TheOtherMandela

Follow Mila on X:

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https://www.instagram.com/futurehindsightpod/

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