Libsyn Directory

Radical Justice is the Way: Jocelyn Simonson

Release Date: 07/31/2025

Future Hindsight

We discuss the power of showing up for local politics and the benefits of running an in-person campaign without relying on social media. Carleigh’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Take an hour to attend a local government meeting Make a comment at that meeting! Carleigh Beriont is a union organizer, vice chair of the Hampton Select Board, and is running for Congress in New Hampshire's First District. Let’s connect! Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: Discover new ways to #BetheSpark: Follow Mila...

Governors Can Defend You: Julia Spiegel

Future Hindsight

We discuss the work of governors across several states to defend the rights of their residents. GovAct serves as an innovation hub for policies on democracy, public health, and reproductive rights. Julia’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Get involved in state races Bearing witness to Minneapolis and the brave people standing up for their neighbors Julia Spiegel is the President and CEO of GovAct. She helped create the Reproductive Freedom Alliance, which united 23 governors in protecting reproductive rights post-Roe. Let’s connect! Follow...

How Gen Z Does Democracy: Raj Vinnakota

Future Hindsight

We discuss the investments to foster civic participation on college campuses, voter behavior among young people, and getting ready for the midterms. Raj’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Develop your civic action muscle every week Role model what it looks like to work across difference Raj Vinnakota is President of the , whose mission is to cultivate talent, ideas, and networks that develop young people as effective, lifelong citizens. Let’s connect! Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: Discover new ways to #BetheSpark: ...

Democracy Without Politicians: Hélène Landemore

Future Hindsight

We discuss the concept of deliberative representative democracy by ordinary citizens, which means representing and being represented in turn. Hélène’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Listen and bring out the shy Share power Hélène Landemore is a political theorist and professor of political science at Yale University. Her latest book is Politics Without Politicians: The Case for Citizen Rule, a manifesto for what’s possible. Let’s connect! Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: Discover new ways to #BetheSpark: ...

Get Real About Elections: Anjali Enjeti

Future Hindsight

We discuss grassroots organizing, voting rights for U.S. territories and First Nations, and the state of elections in Georgia. Anjali’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Organize at the local level Pick up your neighbor on your way to vote Anjali Enjeti is a poll worker, electoral organizer, activist, and novelist whose latest book is Ballot, a timely narrative about the fragile state of our most fundamental right. Let’s connect! Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: Discover new ways to #BetheSpark: ...

Resist and Organize: Daniel Hunter

Future Hindsight

We discuss how our everyday choices to resist, organize, and act collectively can stop authoritarian takeovers. Feeling powerless does not mean that we’re actually powerless! Daniel’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Get non-cooperation training at Be connected to other humans in a group Daniel Hunter is a seasoned organizer and the founder of Choose Democracy. He’s also the author of books including What If Trump Wins?, Climate Resistance Handbook, and Building a Movement to End the New Jim Crow. Let’s connect! Follow Future Hindsight...

Educating for Democracy: James Traub

Future Hindsight

We discuss the role of schools to form effective citizens in our democracy. It’s necessary to prioritize the teaching of our history and our government. James’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Push back against corrosive technology, especially in schools Read books! James Traub is a journalist, historian, and author of The Cradle of Citizenship: How Schools Can Help Save Our Democracy. Let’s connect! Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: Discover new ways to #BetheSpark: Follow Mila on X: ...

The Library Changemaker: Amanda Jones

Future Hindsight

We discuss the dangers of book bans and censorship, the power of civic action on the local level, and the intersection of libraries and human rights. Amanda’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Use the library! Follow at Book Riot on social media Amanda Jones is a middle school librarian, an activist, and the author of That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America. She previously served as President of the Louisiana Association of School Librarians and has won numerous awards for her work in school libraries, including School Library Journal...

Your Hidden Political Power: Michael Brownstein

Future Hindsight

We discuss orienting our personal choices toward the collective in order to make the changes in the systems that organize our world. Michael’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Orient your personal choices towards the collective Do something, and do it with others Michael Brownstein is Professor and Chair of Philosophy at John Jay College, and Professor of Philosophy at The Graduate Center, CUNY. He’s also the co-author of Somebody Should Do Something: How Anyone Can Help Create Social Change. Let’s connect! Follow Future Hindsight on...

On Being Pro-Democracy: Rick Wilson

Future Hindsight

We discuss how being pro-democracy is a big tent coalition. In fact, it is our national identity. Rick’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Meet your your neighbors, friends, and family in person 2) Be a persuasive voice in your immediate network and build a network of networks Rick Wilson is co-founder of the Lincoln Project, as well as the host of the Lincoln Project and The Enemies List podcasts. He is a 30 year veteran of national Republican politics, starting with the 1988 presidential campaign of George Herbert Walker Bush, and is now a registered...

More Episodes

We discuss how certain radical acts of justice by everyday people challenge the legitimacy of the criminal system and form the underpinning of a new collective legal thought, demosprudence. Collective understanding of justice and safety is changing away from the concept that justice equals cages.

Jocelyn’s civic action toolkit recommendations are:

1) Be a court watcher!

2) Learn about your city’s or county’s budget

Jocelyn Simonson is Professor of Law at Brooklyn Law School, a former public defender, and the author of Radical Acts of Justice: How Ordinary People Are Dismantling Mass Incarceration.

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:

https://x.com/milaatmos

Follow Jocelyn on X:

https://x.com/j_simonson

Read Radical Acts of Justice:

https://bookshop.org/shop/futurehindsight

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