No Cities in the Constitution | S2 E5

There’s a very real tension between the Atlanta metro area, home to more than half the population of Georgia, and lawmakers and officials in the State Capitol. How can activists and communities achieve their policy goals and aspirations for democracy at the state level, where so many decisions are …

Race, Place, and Power | S2 E4

So many of Atlanta’s achievements have been made possible by the alignment of race, place, and power to advance a more inclusive democracy. But that progress may be under threat. In this chapter, we explore what the changing composition of the city and the metro area means for power across the regi…

The March Is Moral | S2 E3

Moral conviction was the core of the Civil Rights Movement and still drives many Atlanta activists and leaders. In this chapter, we explore the values, fortitude, and open-hearted faith that helped Atlanta emerge from the brutality of Jim Crow to build a thriving,  inclusive city and continue striv…

They Call It A Mecca | S2 E2

Is Atlanta’s reputation as a Black Mecca real or simply good marketing? Or both? In this chapter: how the long legacy of Black leadership transformed Atlanta into a world-class city, and how hip-hop has been a voice for those left behind. Featured Guests: Historian and professor Dr. Maurice Hobson…

A More Perfect Union, S2 E1

Atlanta, known as “the Cradle of the Civil Rights Movement,” is a vibrant city with a long history of activism and civic participation. Under an unbroken line of Black mayors since the 1970s, it has become a center for business, TV, film, and hip-hop. And, like every place in this country, Atlanta …

Next Stop: Atlanta, S2 trailer

This season, we head south for insights and hope. We’re asking, "What can Atlanta teach us about democracy? What insights does it offer in terms of building a more perfect union? And what lessons from Atlanta’s past can help us through this present moment and lay a path for a vibrant democratic fut…

Solidarity is Hard

Democracy flourishes when communities inspire and learn from one another. In this special episode, recorded live at the 2024 PolicyLink Equity Summit, Georgia nonprofit leader and Senior Director of Civic Engagement at the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Hillary Holley, joins returning guests K…

S1: Hope is a Discipline | 6

We don’t know what the future holds for the growth of a radically inclusive multiracial democracy but the questions we raise in this series are more than just thought experiments. 2024 is an important election year for many countries all over the world and we ask you, dear listener, how are you par…

Shift Happens | 5

As community organizers and activists move from the grassroots to positions of power in city and state politics, how do they use their backgrounds to make democracy a tool for the people? Chapter 5 includes conversations with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, President and CEO John Kim of Catalyst Cali…

Labor of Love | 4

There has been a surge in union organizing across the nation, including Los Angeles. In this chapter, we look at the role of labor in modern LA. Angela speaks with WGA strike captain, Helen Shang, Roxana Tynan, Executive Director of LAANE, USC Professor of Sociology and Ethnic studies, Manuel Pasto…