It’s Time to Change the Constitution: Erwin Chemerinsky
Future Hindsight
We discuss why the Constitution—the document we've been taught to revere as the very foundation of American democracy—might actually be responsible for the current crisis in government. It might be leading us away from a more perfect union and toward destruction or even secession. Erwin’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Be informed Get involved Speak out Erwin Chemerinsky is the Dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law and one of the nation's leading constitutional scholars. His most recent book is No Democracy Lasts Forever: How the Constitution...
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The Lawless Court: Leah Litman
Future Hindsight
We discuss how the Supreme Court’s lawlessness is fueled by the conservative grievance mindset where Republicans believe they are victims of laws they don’t agree with. The Supreme Court has played an important role in enabling the current administration’s actions. Leah’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Get educated on the Supreme Court! Read Leah’s book, Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes Leah Litman is co-host of the Strict Scrutiny podcast, professor of law at the University of...
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Democracy for the Unhoused: Maria Foscarinis
Future Hindsight
We discuss why housing insecurity undermines our democracy. We cover the evolution from Reagan, when homelessness was blamed on the individual, to the increasing recognition that housing is a human right. Maria’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Be an advocate against criminalization and call your representatives Join the campaign Maria Foscarinis is the founder of the National Homelessness Law Center and the author of And Housing for All: The Fight to End Homelessness in America. Let’s connect! Follow Future Hindsight on...
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The Art of Calling In: Loretta Ross
Future Hindsight
We discuss "calling in" as a practice rooted in a human rights framework that can transform how we engage across our divide and potentially be the bridge that helps our democracy survive. Loretta’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Do an integrity audit: pause and self assess before responding Always focus on the good part of people Loretta Ross is an activist and an associate professor at Smith College. Loretta has had a long career in the human rights movement and her new book is Calling In: How to Start Making Change with Those You’d Rather Cancel....
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Democracy On The Job: Jaz Brisack
Future Hindsight
We discuss what it takes to build worker power from scratch and how these efforts can reshape not only our workplaces, but democracy itself. Jaz’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Organize a union in your workplace Train at Inside Organizer School Jaz Brisack is a union organizer and cofounder of the Inside Organizer School, as well as the author of Get on the Job and Organize: Standing Up for a Better Workplace and a Better World. Let’s connect! Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: Discover new ways to #BetheSpark: ...
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Reclaim Democracy’s Power: Stacey Abrams
Future Hindsight
We discuss reclaiming the narrative of democracy. Democracy is a tool to deliver on our values in the realm of justice, dignity, fairness, and freedom. Stacey’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Refuse to pre-capitulate Take action on one issue you care about once a week, every week Stacey Abrams is an author, political leader, and host of the new podcast Assembly Required. After eleven years in the Georgia House of Representatives, seven as Minority Leader, she was the 2018 Democratic nominee for Governor of Georgia, where she won more votes than any...
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Body, Law, and Liberty: Karen Thompson
Future Hindsight
We discuss the growing phenomenon of pregnancy criminalization, examine the path forward in a post-Dobbs world, and consider what a just jurisprudence of pregnancy might look like. Karen’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Educate yourself at the Pregnancy Justice website: 2) Make your voice heard, put pressure on district attorneys who bring cases to criminalize pregnant people. Karen Thompson is the Legal Director of Pregnancy Justice and leads a team defending the rights of people who face criminalization because of their pregnancies or pregnancy...
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Classrooms of Democracy: Elaine Weiss
Future Hindsight
We discuss the history of citizenship schools, their profound importance in the Civil Rights Movement, and the critical lessons they offer for our present moment. Elaine’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Share the power of voting with your neighbors. Start your own community citizenship schools! Elaine Weiss is a journalist, speaker, and author of Spell Freedom: The Underground Schools that Built the Civil Rights Movement. She’s also the author of The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote, which was a source for the Broadway musical SUFFS....
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100 Days of Chaos: Skye Perryman
Future Hindsight
We assess the first 100 days of the Trump administration and what we can expect going forward. Skye’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Join a dinner for democracy or a coffee for change Resist isolation and say yes to building a future for ourselves. Skye Perryman is the President and CEO of Democracy Forward, which uses the law to build collective power and advance a bold, vibrant democracy for all people. Let’s connect! Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: Discover new ways to #BetheSpark: Follow...
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AI's Civic Potential: Natalie Monbiot
Future Hindsight
We discuss what’s happening in the AI space to augment human life in this moment, and what the potential intersections are with democracy. Natalie’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Use AI and lean into it Explore the ways AI can empower you Natalie Monbiot is a strategist and pioneer in AI and virtual human technologies. She is the Founder of Virtual Human Economy, the co-founder of Hour One, and writes the Augmented Human blog. Let’s connect! Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: Discover new ways to #BetheSpark: ...
info_outlineWe discuss rethinking the Constitution as a way to reimagine democracy. In addition, we examine the role of constitutionalism in exporting the principles of democracy as the underpinning of American imperialism.
Aziz’s civic action toolkit recommendations are:
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Join a union or a party formation or a tenants’ association in your community
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Get involved in shaping the terms institutions that serve as meaningful checks
Aziz Rana is professor of law at Boston College and the author of The Constitutional Bind: How Americans Came to Idolize a Document That Fails Them and The Two Faces of American Freedom.
Let’s connect! Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/futurehindsightpod/
Discover new ways to #BetheSpark:
https://www.futurehindsight.com/spark
Follow Mila on X:
Read The Constitutional Bind:
https://bookshop.org/shop/futurehindsight
Sponsor:
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Early episodes for Patreon supporters:
https://patreon.com/futurehindsight
Credits:
Host: Mila Atmos
Guests: Aziz Rana
Executive Producer: Mila Atmos
Producer: Zack Travis