This is Democracy
Episodes
This is Democracy – Episode 318: War In Iran
08 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Zachary and Jeremi have a conversation with Dr. Michael Dennis about the current war with Iran and the United States and Israel with a focu...
This is Democracy – Episode 317: Vigilantism and Violence in American Society
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremi and Zachary speak with historian Heather Ann Thompson about her book "Fear and Fury," using the 1984 Bernie Goetz subway case to explore how Re...
This is Democracy – Episode 316: Minneapolis
02 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Zachary Suri and Jeremi Suri invite Professor David Aiona Chang on to discuss the ongoing standoff between anti-ICE protesters and DHS officials in Mi...
This is Democracy – Episode 315: Venezuela Intervention
16 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary discuss the implications of US intervention in Venezuela with Professor Kurt Weyland, examining the Monroe Doctrine's hi...
This is Democracy – Episode 314: Reflections on 2025, Lessons for 2026
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremi and Zachary discuss key lessons and impressions from 2025 to kick off the new year of 2026. Zachary opens the episode with an excerpt from G...
This is Democracy – Episode 313: Civics and History Education
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary speak with Professor Steven Mintz on the critical role of civics and history education in contemporary society. The disc...
This is Democracy – Episode 312: Ukraine Negotiations
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Zachary and Jeremi revisit the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, discussing recent developments and potential diplomatic solutions. They...
This is Democracy – Episode 311: US-Latin American Relations
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Professor Renata Keller from the University of Nevada Reno, whose work focuses on the Cuban Missile Crisis ...
This is Democracy – Episode 310: Have we Outgrown the Constitution?
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Zachary and Jeremi discuss the complexities and challenges surrounding the adaptability of the American Constitution with Professor Steven ...
This is Democracy – Episode 309: Government Shutdowns
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary invite John Lawrence, a former senior staff member with extensive experience in the U.S. House of Representatives, to di...
This is Democracy – Episode 308: Greenland and the Arctic
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Dr. Mikkel Runge Olesen, a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies, to discuss...
This is Democracy – Episode 307: Deliberative Democracy
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremi and Zachary have a conversation with Gryffin Wilkens-Plumley about his work designing assemblies of independent citizen governance. They have a...
This is Democracy – Episode 306: Federal Science Funding
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we have Prof. John Beckett Wallingford to discuss the current landscape of federal science funding, and the importance of science in Americ...
This is Democracy – Episode 305: New School Year
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Dr. Jack Loveridge, Vice President of the El Paso Independent School District (ISD) Board of Trustees, to ...
This is Democracy – Episode 304: Russia-Ukraine War Update
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary speak with returning guest Michael Kimmage, about the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and the evolution of the confl...
This is Democracy — Episode 303: U.S. Military
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary speak with Colonel Nathaniel Lauterbach about the significant changes in the US military over the past 20 years, and the...
This is Democracy — Episode 302: Freedom Season 1963
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Zachary hosts a conversation with Jeremi and Dr. Peniel Joseph about his new book, Freedom Season, which describes the pivotal significance...
This is Democracy — Episode 301: War in Iran
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary speak with Steven Simon about the renewed tensions over Iran's nuclear program, recent military actions by Israel and th...
This is Democracy — 300th Episode!
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the 300th episode of This Is Democracy, Jeremi and Zachary look back on seven years of podcasting, reflecting on their conversations with scholars...
This is Democracy – Episode 299: Southern Politics: Past and Present
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are speaking with Professor Bryan D. Jones to explore the history and evolution of southern politics. They delve into th...
This is Democracy – Episode 298: Iran-Contra and its Legacies
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Jeremi and Zachary Suri are joined by Professor Alan McPherson, an expert on US foreign relations who introduces his new book 'The Br...
This is Democracy – Episode 297: Free Speech and Repression in Turkey
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of political imprisonment, torture, threats of r*pe, and human rights abuses. Viewer discretion is ...
This is Democracy – Episode 296: Israel-Palestine
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, the discussion delves into the complex and deeply rooted suffering in the Middle East, focusing on the history of conflict, memory, trauma,...
This is Democracy – Episode 295: Broadcasting Democracy
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremi and Zachary have a conversation with Dr. Mark Pomar on the historical impact of Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, and Radio Liberty's critic...
This is Democracy – Episode 294: The Courts and the President
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Jeffrey Toobin to discuss the critical relationship between the U.S. judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, and t...
This is Democracy – Episode 293: Ending Wars
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary talk with Michael Vorenberg about the difficulties of ending wars in democracies. Their discussion includes various pers...
This is Democracy – Episode 292: Free Speech
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary talk with Donald Downs delve into the importance of free speech in democratic societies. They explore its historical sig...
This is Democracy – Episode 291: Palestinian History and Identity
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary talk with Dr. Maha Nassar about her insights on the Palestinian experience, identity, and history. They delve into the c...
This is Democracy – Episode 290: News Media
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary discuss the transformation of mainstream media and journalism over the past few decades with Martin Di Caro. Zachary ...
This is Democracy – Episode 289: Trump’s Immigration Executive Orders
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Sarah Coleman to discuss President Donald Trump's immigration executive orders that have occurred within his firs...
This is Democracy – Episode 288: City Leadership
03 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Austin, Texas city council member Dr. Alison Alter, who offers her insights from her eight-year tenure on ...
This is Democracy – Episode 287: Year-in-Review
20 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary discuss significant events and favorite episodes of 2024, reflecting on a year marked by political, social, and environm...
This is Democracy – Episode 286: Syria
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mai Barazi was born in Syria, where she lived half of her life before moving to the United States. She received her Master’s degree in public leader...
This is Democracy – Episode 285: Tariffs, Trade, and Supply Chains
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Dr. Meg Reiss to discuss what kinds of protections the United States should initiate through tariff measures on open ...
This is Democracy – Episode 284: Ukraine War
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Dr. Michael Kimmage to discuss the state of the war in Ukraine. The discussion covers the complexities of the ongoing...
This is Democracy – Episode 283: Barbara Jordan
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Professor Mary Ellen Curtain to discuss the life and legacy of Barbara Jordan, a pioneering legislator, civil rights ...
This is Democracy – Episode 282: Elections 2024
08 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary delve into the reactions, and broader ramifications, of the 2024 US election. The discussion focuses on community respon...
This is Democracy – Episode 281: Lebanon Wars
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary have a discussion with Dr. Emily Whalen about Lebanon’s complex history and its current conflict. Zachary sets the ...
This is Democracy – Episode 280: Banking and Democracy
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary have a conversation with Professor Mary Bridges, author of 'Dollars and Dominion: U.S. Bankers and the Making of a Super...
This is Democracy – Episode 279: Hubert Humphrey & Civil Rights
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Samuel G. Freedman to talk about the often overlooked contributions of Hubert Humphrey to American history...
This is Democracy – Episode 278: Presidential Debates
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremy and Zachary sit down with Paul Stekler to explore whether debates influence election outcomes, referencing major debates from past e...
This is Democracy – Episode 277: How Congress Works
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary sit down with John A. Lawrence to delve into the intricacies of the U.S. Congress. They discuss its historical significa...
This is Democracy – Episode 276: New School Year
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary discuss the upcoming academic year and how universities can impact our relationships with democracy and politics. Zac...
This is Democracy – Episode 275: Ukraine War
23 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Michael Kimmage to discuss the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War. Zachary sets the scene with his poem ent...
This is Democracy – Episode 274: Political Conventions
15 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Jonathan Alter to discuss the upcoming Democratic National Convention. Zachary sets the scene with his ...
This is Democracy – Episode 273: Venezuela Elections
08 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Kurt Weyland is the Mike Hogg Professor in Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin. He has conducted original research in Argentina, B...
This is Democracy – Episode 272: Supreme Court Reforms
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Sanford Levinson to discuss the current state of the Supreme Court, recent efforts by Joe Biden to propose...
This is Democracy – Episode 271: Reforming Democracy
25 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Michael Ignatieff to discuss the current state of the institutions of democracy, how they are being questi...
This is Democracy – Episode 270: Political Violence
19 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Joanne Freeman to discuss political violence in the American political landscape from a historical perspec...
This Is Democracy – Episode 269: British Elections
12 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by William James to discuss the recent elections in Britain in the context of Brexit, Keir Starmer, and how t...
This is Democracy – Episode 268: Supreme Court
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Vladeck is professor of law at Georgetown University. He is the author of a New York Times bestselling book, The Shadow Docket. He publishes ...
This is Democracy – Episode 267: Mexican Elections
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Kenneth Greene to discuss the recent June elections in Mexico, and how they reflect the current state of d...
This is Democracy – Episode 266: European Democracies
21 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Isabel Cademartori to discuss the current state of European Democracy and how recent elections have been s...
This is Democracy – Episode 265: D-Day and Its Legacies
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. John W. Hall to discuss the D-Day landing during World War II, and what lessons can be learned from it...
This is Democracy – Episode 264: Free Trade and Peace
29 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Marc-William Palen to discuss the history of free trade and associated hopes for international peace. ...
This is Democracy – Episode 263: China’s Domestic and Foreign Policy
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of This Is Democracy, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Sheena Chestnut Greitens to discuss the changing political landscape in China a...
This is Democracy – Episode 262: Campus Protests
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of This Is Democracy, Jeremi and Zachary discuss the ongoing university protests across the nation, specifically focusing on the demon...
This is Democracy – Episode 261: Political Disillusionment
19 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of This is Democracy, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Art Markman to discuss the growing epidemic of political disillusionment an...
This is Democracy – Episode 260: Indian Elections
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of This Is Democracy, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Milan Vaishnav to discuss the scale and future impact of India's 2024 general e...
This is Democracy – Episode 259: Media and Politics
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of This is Democracy, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by documentary filmmaker Paul Stekler to discuss media and politics in the modern ...
This is Democracy – Episode 258: Ukraine War
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Michael Kimmage to discuss the current status of the Ukraine war in 2024. Zachary sets...
This is Democracy – Episode 257: Disinformation
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by guest Ellen McCarthy to discuss the problems of disinformation in the world today. Zachary s...
This is Democracy – Episode 256: Humanitarian Intervention
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Julia F. Irwin to discuss American Humanitarian Assistance in the 20th and 21st century. ...
This is Democracy – Episode 255: Collective Trauma
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Stephen Sonnenberg, MD, to discuss how collective trauma can affect people, groups and societ...
This is Democracy – Episode 254: Evangelicals Today
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Daniel Hummel about the history of American Evangelicalism and its connection to both pol...
This is Democracy – Episode 253: Bush v Gore: The Legacy
08 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Sanford Levinson to discuss the 2000 election, the Supreme Court decision that finalized it, ...
This is Democracy – Episode 252: Ukraine War
13 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Michael Kimmage to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine. Zachary sets the scene with his poe...
This is Democracy – Episode 251: Middle East in the 1970s and Today
29 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Professor Salim Yaqub to discuss how the 1970s changed the Middle East, and how those changes are still re...
This is Democracy – Episode 250: College Campuses
14 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this special 250th episode, Jeremi and Zachary discuss the current state of discourse and civil debate on college campuses, as well as how recent ...
This is Democracy – Episode 249: Race & Opportunity in America
02 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Ruth Simmons to discuss her experiences and attitudes toward learning in the context of her new book, ...
This is Democracy – Episode 248: Israel and Hamas
18 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Peter Beinart to discuss the ongoing conflict between Israeli and Palestinian forces and the destruction l...
This is Democracy – Episode 247: Strikes by Autoworkers
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. William Jones to discuss the history of labor unions and the current ongoing strike by the United Auto...
This is Democracy – Episode 246: Impeachment in Texas
20 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Joe Jaworski to discuss the recent acquittal of Attorney General Ken Paxton by the Texas Senate, as well a...
This is Democracy – Episode 245: Wildfires
05 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by guests Randy Denzer and Dr. Alison Alter to discuss the increasing incidence of wildfires in the United St...
This Is Democracy Episode 244: Auschwitz-Birkenau
07 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Pawel Sawicki to discuss the history of Auschwitz-Birkenau, and what lessons can be learned from its past....
This Is Democracy Episode 243: Ukraine War
02 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Michael Kimmage to discuss the current state of the Ukraine War, and potential paths for it going forw...
This Is Democracy Episode 242: Reforming Political Parties
16 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Andrew Yang and former New Jersey governor, Christine Todd Whitman to discuss the problems with, and potential soluti...
This is Democracy: Episode 241 – Paxton’s Impeachment
30 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by guest Joe Jaworski to discuss the recent impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton. Zachary sets this ...
This is Democracy: Episode 240 – Evangelical Religion
25 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary discuss evangelical religion's role and history in U.S politics with Dr. Daniel Hummel. Zachary sets the scene with h...
This is Democracy: Episode 239 – Supreme Court
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Vladeck holds the Charles Alan Wright Chair in Federal Courts at the University of Texas School of Law. He recently published The Shadow ...
This is Democracy: Episode 238 – City Leadership
10 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremi and Zachary sit down with former Austin mayor, Steve Adler, to talk about the importance of city and local government and leadership. Zachar...
This is Democracy – Episode 237: Media and Democracy
04 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paul Stekler taught at the University of Texas at Austin for many years. He is a nationally recognized documentary filmmaker whose critically praised ...
This is Democracy – Episode 236: Birchers and Right-Wing Extremism
28 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matthew Dallek is a historian and professor of political management at George Washington University’s College of Professional Studies. He is the aut...
This is Democracy – Episode 235: Young Voters
21 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez to discuss young voters and the role they are playing in our democracy. Zachary sets the...
This is Democracy – Episode 234: Israel’s Democracy in Crisis
12 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Atar David to discuss the controversy surrounding the overhaul and fundamental efforts to transform the judiciary and...
This is Democracy – Episode 233: Presidential Law-Breaking
05 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Jeffrey Engel to discuss the recent indictments on former president Trump, and other instances of presidential law-br...
This is Democracy – Episode 232: FDA and Public Health
30 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Mikkael Sekeres is a Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Hematology at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, ...
This is Democracy – Episode 231: Iraq War: Lessons and Legacies
22 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Melvyn P. Leffler is the Edward Stettinius Professor of History Emeritus at the University of Virginia. He is one of the leading historians of U.S...
This is Democracy – Episode 230: Art of Strategy
08 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Benjamin Griffin is the Chief of the Military History Division in the History Department at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he...
This is Democracy – Episode 229: Jimmy Carter
21 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jonathan Alter is an award-winning author, political analyst, documentary filmmaker, columnist, television producer, and radio host. Alter’s most re...
This is Democracy – Episode 228: Turkey Earthquake
15 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Gönül Tol is the founding director of the Turkey program at the Middle East Institute, a think tank in Washington DC. She is the autho...
This is Democracy – Episode 227: Intelligence
07 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by John Sipher to discuss intelligence and the ways in which US intelligence agencies collect in...
This is Democracy – Episode 226: Ukraine
03 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by guest Dr. Michael Kimmage to discuss The Russo-Ukrainian War. Zachary sets the scene with his poem enti...
This is Democracy – Episode 225: Brazil
24 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Professor Seth Garfield to discuss Brazil's history and current political climate. Zachary sets the sce...
This is Democracy – Episode 224: FBI and J. Edgar Hoover
18 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Beverly Gage to discuss the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover, and their role in American democracy. Zachary sets the scene wit...
This is Democracy – Episode 223: Infrastructure and Indigenous Communities
12 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Professor Erika Bsumek to discuss how major infrastructure projects tend to damage indigenous communities ...
This is Democracy – Episode 222: Civics Post-Pandemic
05 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Art Markman to discuss the state of civics in post-pandemic society. Zachary sets the scene with ...
This is Democracy – Episode 221: Bridge-Building in American Democracy
22 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by CEO of BridgeUSA Manu Meel to discuss bridge-building and how to approach cynicism in modern politic...
This is Democracy – Episode 220: German Right-Wing Extremism
15 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Isabel Cademartori to discuss German Right-Wing Extremism and its effects on democracy. Zachary sets the scene wit...
This is Democracy – Episode 219: Chinese Protests
07 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Joshua Eisenman to discuss protests and political upheaval in China. Zachary sets the scene with hi...