Libsyn Directory

How Gen Z Does Democracy: Raj Vinnakota

Release Date: 02/12/2026

Future Hindsight

We discuss the strategy for electing from-the-gut economic populists who exude outsider vibes and who acknowledge that our system is broken. They are often outsiders who believe in issues such as protecting social security and taxing billionaires, which are super majoritarian issues. Outsiders can win in blue, purple, and red states. Adam’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Join effective groups like 2) Support a bold progressive candidate running for office Adam Green is Co-Founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC). ...

Superpower Showdown: Jane Perlez

Future Hindsight

We discuss the influence of the U.S.-China relationship on American democracy, on issues ranging from “garbage time” to soft power to geopolitical dominance of the South China Sea. Jane’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: 1) Visit China! 2) Read To Change China by Jonathan Spence and/or Daughters of the Bamboo Grove by Barbara Demick Jane Perlez is a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter, former New York Times Beijing bureau chief, and fellow at Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center. She's also the podcast host of Face-Off: The U.S. vs. China. ...

The Politics of Corruption: Tiffany Muller

Future Hindsight

We discuss the corrupting effect of the Citizens United decision on policymaking and elections. Tiffany’s civic action toolkit recommendations are: Go to town halls and hold your elected officials accountable Participate in phone banking or write postcards to get out the vote Tiffany Muller is the President of End Citizens United, Let America Vote, and the End Citizens United/Let America Vote Action Fund. The organization’s mission is to fix our democracy by getting big money out of politics and protecting the right to vote. Let’s...

The Offline Candidate: Carleigh Beriont

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: ...

More Episodes

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 Institute for Citizens & Scholars, 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:

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

Discover new ways to #BetheSpark:

https://www.futurehindsight.com/spark

Follow Mila on X:

https://x.com/milaatmos

Follow the Institute for Citizens & Scholars on X:

https://x.com/ctzns_schlrs

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Early episodes for Patreon supporters:

https://patreon.com/futurehindsight