

Future Hindsight
Future Hindsight
A weekly show that takes big ideas about civic life and democracy and turns them into action items for you.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 7, 2023 • 46min
Hubert Humphrey and Civil Rights: Samuel G. Freedman
Thursday, September 7th, 2023 Samuel G. Freedman is an award-winning professor of journalism at Columbia University and author of Into the Bright Sunshine: Young Hubert Humphrey and the Fight for Civil Rights. We dive into Humphrey’s activism in the proto civil rights movement and his role to include civil rights in Democratic Party platform in 1948. Hubert Humphrey was a coalition builder. After his decisive win for mayor of Minneapolis, he put together a civil rights and human rights agenda that put Minneapolis on the national map as an example of what was best in America. He also engaged in deep work to change public attitudes. Humphrey understood as mayor that electing people to the council is crucial to passing laws. Pay attention to every race on the ballot! Follow Sam on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamuelGFreedman Follow Mila on Twitter: https://twitter.com/milaatmos Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurehindsightpod/ Love Future Hindsight? Take our Listener Survey! http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=6tI0Zi1e78vq&ver=standard Take the Democracy Group’s Listener Survey! https://www.democracygroup.org/survey Want to support the show and get it early? https://patreon.com/futurehindsight Check out the Future Hindsight website! www.futurehindsight.com Read the transcript here: https://www.futurehindsight.com/episodes/hubert-humphrey-and-civil-rights-samuel-g-freedman Credits: Host: Mila Atmos Guests: Samuel G. Freedman Executive Producer: Mila Atmos Producer: Zack Travis

Aug 31, 2023 • 48min
America’s Raw Deal: Kurt Andersen
Thursday, August 31st, 2023 Kurt Andersen is a prolific writer and author of Evil Geniuses: The Unmaking of America: A Recent History. We discuss the conservative playbook to move our society culturally, economically, and politically to the right, and why continuous civic engagement and investment in Americans can restore basic fairness. Influential conservatives capitalized on a wave of cultural nostalgia after the turbulent 1960s to turn the American economy into a version of extreme capitalism. Together with neoliberalism from the left, the New Deal was replaced by the raw deal. The US government has provided funding for many of the greatest inventions of the last century, like in pharmaceuticals and in technology. If the government acted like a private investor, it would have more funds to invest in communities and also to support more innovation. Follow Kurt on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KBAndersen Follow Mila on Twitter: https://twitter.com/milaatmos Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurehindsightpod/ Love Future Hindsight? Take our Listener Survey! http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=6tI0Zi1e78vq&ver=standard Take the Democracy Group’s Listener Survey! https://www.democracygroup.org/survey Want to support the show and get it early? https://patreon.com/futurehindsight Check out the Future Hindsight website! www.futurehindsight.com Read the transcript here: https://www.futurehindsight.com/episodes/americas-raw-deal-kurt-andersen Credits: Host: Mila Atmos Guests: Kurt Andersen Executive Producer: Mila Atmos Producer: Zack Travis

Aug 24, 2023 • 52min
The Right’s Parallel Universe: Anne Nelson
Thursday, August 24th, 2023 Anne Nelson is an author and lecturer in the fields of international affairs, media, and human rights. Her most recent book is Shadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right. We discuss the coordination between fundamentalist organizations and oil barons to win elections and pass socially conservative public policies. Before the demise of local news, the American public had a factual common page. That is now largely displaced by right-wing media, especially on the radio. Right-wing media is unidirectional messaging, only expressing one point of view. This view is repeated on social media, radio, churches, and television, which creates a parallel universe that successfully turns out conservative voters. Conservative groups are also good at playing the long game on the ground, instead of parachuting into communities a few weeks before an election. Follow Anne on Twitter: https://twitter.com/anelsona Follow Mila on Twitter: https://twitter.com/milaatmos Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurehindsightpod/ Love Future Hindsight? Take our Listener Survey! http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=6tI0Zi1e78vq&ver=standard Take the Democracy Group’s Listener Survey! https://www.democracygroup.org/survey Want to support the show and get it early? https://patreon.com/futurehindsight Check out the Future Hindsight website! www.futurehindsight.com Read the transcript here: https://www.futurehindsight.com/episodes/the-rights-parallel-universe-anne-nelson Credits: Host: Mila Atmos Guests: Anne Nelson Executive Producer: Mila Atmos Producer: Zack Travis

Aug 17, 2023 • 54min
Use Your Footprint for Democracy: David Pepper
Thursday, August 17th, 2023 David Pepper is a lawyer, writer, political activist, and former elected official. He served as the Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party between 2015 and 2021. He’s the author of several books, including the excellent how-to guide: Saving Democracy: A User’s Manual for Every American. We discuss how every one of us can use our personal footprint to lift democracy. The forces attacking democracy are doing so in order to keep their minority worldview locked in. All Americans – and not only in swing states – are on the front line of democracy because the battle is waged in local government and state houses. Unsurprisingly, these very undemocratic and rigged state houses render broken and corrupted government. All state and local races should be contested. Follow David on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidPepper Follow Mila on Twitter: https://twitter.com/milaatmos Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurehindsightpod/ Love Future Hindsight? Take our Listener Survey! http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=6tI0Zi1e78vq&ver=standard Take the Democracy Group’s Listener Survey! https://www.democracygroup.org/survey Want to support the show and get it early? https://patreon.com/futurehindsight Check out the Future Hindsight website! www.futurehindsight.com Read the transcript here: https://www.futurehindsight.com/episodes/use-your-footprint-for-democracy-david-pepper Credits: Host: Mila Atmos Guests: David Pepper Executive Producer: Mila Atmos Producer: Zack Travis

Aug 10, 2023 • 43min
Courts for Democracy: Skye Perryman
Thursday, August 10th, 2023 Skye Perryman is the President and CEO of Democracy Forward, an organization that uses the law to build collective power and advance a bold, vibrant democracy. We discuss successful legal action to protect and advance the rights of all Americans. A culmination of factors have come together to create a moment in which there are serious existential questions about what type of government and what kind of society Americans will be living in. Backsliding in areas such as voting rights, reproductive rights, and freedom to read are leading to legal fights across the nation. Skye reminds us that “The role of courts in a democracy is to fortify and strengthen democratic institutions through interpreting our constitution, through interpreting the laws, through providing predictability, as well as to ensure that everyone has access to the rule of law.” Follow Skye on Twitter: https://twitter.com/skyeperryman Follow Mila on Twitter: https://twitter.com/milaatmos Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurehindsightpod/ Love Future Hindsight? Take our Listener Survey! http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=6tI0Zi1e78vq&ver=standard Sponsor Thanks to Shopify for supporting the show! Sign up for a $1/month trial period at shopify.com/hopeful. Take the Democracy Group’s Listener Survey! https://www.democracygroup.org/survey Want to support the show and get it early? https://patreon.com/futurehindsight Check out the Future Hindsight website! www.futurehindsight.com Read the transcript here: https://www.futurehindsight.com/episodes/courts-for-democracy-skye-perryman Credits: Host: Mila Atmos Guests: Skye Perryman Executive Producer: Mila Atmos Producer: Zack Travis

Aug 3, 2023 • 40min
Asian Americans: Norman Chen
Thursday, August 3rd, 2023 Norman Chen is the CEO of the Asian American Foundation or TAAF. We discuss racism against Asians and the pursuit of belonging through philanthropy, civic engagement, and education. Deep misconceptions about Asian Americans persist. Narrative change is key for people to see Asian Americans as really being Americans. Only about 1.5% of schools offer a formal Asian American studies program, although Asian American history and Pacific Islander history is a critical part of American history. TAAF aims to build greater belonging and prosperity for AAPIs everywhere. Follow Norman on Twitter: https://twitter.com/normanlschen Follow Mila on Twitter: https://twitter.com/milaatmos Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurehindsightpod/ Love Future Hindsight? Take our Listener Survey! a href="http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=6tI0Zi1e78vq&ver=standard">http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=6tI0Zi1e78vq&ver=standard Take the Democracy Group’s Listener Survey! https://www.democracygroup.org/survey Want to support the show and get it early? https://patreon.com/futurehindsight Check out the Future Hindsight website! www.futurehindsight.com Read the transcript here: https://www.futurehindsight.com/episodes/asian-americans-norman-chen Credits: Host: Mila Atmos Guests: Norman Chen Executive Producer: Mila Atmos Producer: Zack Travis

Jul 27, 2023 • 46min
Open System for Democracy: Landon Mascareñaz & Doannie Tran
Thursday, July 27th, 2023 Landon Mascareñaz and Doannie Tran are co-authors of The Open System: Redesigning Education and Reigniting Democracy. Education is our greatest democracy-building endeavor. We discuss rebuilding trust in public education and marshaling the public will to do something great together. The democratic act is in the spark of everyday interactions with our community, such as in schools. Families and communities should be an integral part of the way that schools function. We need to practice new ways of making decisions together as a society, and education is a fertile place for this practice. Doannie reminds us that “If people can change, institutions can change, because they're nothing more than the people within them.” Follow Landon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lmascarenaz Follow Doannie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/doannietran Follow Mila on Twitter: https://twitter.com/milaatmos Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurehindsightpod/ Sponsor Thanks, HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/HOPEFUL16 and use code HOPEFUL16 for 16 free meals plus free shipping! Love Future Hindsight? Take our Listener Survey! http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=6tI0Zi1e78vq&ver=standard Take the Democracy Group’s Listener Survey! https://www.democracygroup.org/survey Want to support the show and get it early? https://patreon.com/futurehindsight Check out the Future Hindsight website! www.futurehindsight.com Read the transcript here: https://www.futurehindsight.com/episodes/open-system-for-democracy-landon-mascareaz-doannie-tran Credits: Host: Mila Atmos Guests: Landon Mascareñez & Doannie Tran Executive Producer: Mila Atmos Producer: Zack Travis

Jul 20, 2023 • 38min
The Post-Roe Reality: Jenice Fountain
Thursday, July 20th, 2023 Jenice Fountain is the Executive Director of the Yellowhammer Fund, a reproductive justice organization in Birmingham that serves Alabama, Mississippi, and the deep south. We discuss what the actual lived experience is in Alabama, a year after the Dobbs decision. Since the Dobbs decision, pregnancies are less safe in states where abortion is prohibited. Exceptions to protect the life of the pregnant person do not work in reality because interventions are only offered at the last possible moment. Having conversations about abortion helps destigmatize, spread the word about what to do in the event of an unwanted pregnancy, and where to find resources. Follow Yellowhammer Fund on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yellowfund Follow Mila on Twitter: https://twitter.com/milaatmos Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurehindsightpod/ Love Future Hindsight? Take our Listener Survey! http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=6tI0Zi1e78vq&ver=standard Take the Democracy Group’s Listener Survey! https://www.democracygroup.org/survey Want to support the show and get it early? https://patreon.com/futurehindsight Check out the Future Hindsight website! www.futurehindsight.com Read the transcript here: https://www.futurehindsight.com/episodes/the-post-roe-reality-jenice-fountain Credits: Host: Mila Atmos Guests: Jenice Fountain Executive Producer: Mila Atmos Producer: Zack Travis

Jul 13, 2023 • 47min
The Power of Citizen Voice: Layla Law-Gisiko
Thursday, July 13th, 2023 Layla Law-Gisiko serves on Manhattan’s Community Board 5 at the very center of New York City. She currently chairs the land use committee, which makes recommendations on the community’s built real estate environments. We discuss her community advocacy, the land use issues the Community Board considers, and the future of New York’s Penn Station. The community board’s power is its voice. Community boards give people an opportunity to get involved and participate in democracy. When the community gets together, they can win. Although there are no real victory laps and it’s easy to get discouraged, it’s important to remember that it’s all about being in the fight. Talk to everyone, even if you disagree, and create opportunities for alliances. Follow Layla on Twitter: https://twitter.com/laylaLawGisiko Follow Mila on Twitter: https://twitter.com/milaatmos Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurehindsightpod/ Love Future Hindsight? Take our Listener Survey! http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=6tI0Zi1e78vq&ver=standard Take the Democracy Group’s Listener Survey! https://www.democracygroup.org/survey Want to support the show and get it early? https://patreon.com/futurehindsight Check out the Future Hindsight website! www.futurehindsight.com Read the transcript here: https://www.futurehindsight.com/episodes/the-power-of-citizen-voice-layla-law-gisiko Credits: Host: Mila Atmos Guests: Layla Law-Gisiko Executive Producer: Mila Atmos Producer: Zack Travis

Jul 6, 2023 • 24min
Democracy Decoded: A Fight for the Right to Vote
Thursday, July 6th, 2023 We’re sharing an episode from fellow Democracy Group podcast, Democracy Decoded, a show that examines our government and discusses innovative ideas that could lead to a stronger, more transparent, accountable, and inclusive democracy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many states took steps to make voting safer and more accessible, but afterward, we saw a backlash with some states erecting barriers to voting access. Democracy Decoded host Simone Leeper speaks with Trevor Potter about the 2020 and 2022 elections and what kinds of changes could help expand the freedom to vote and make our elections more accessible in the future. She also speaks with Aseem Mulji and Gilda Daniels about some of these changes, like state Voting Rights Acts, and how everyday citizens can get involved in the process. Listen to Democracy Decoded: https://www.democracygroup.org/shows/democracy-decoded Follow the Campaign Legal Center on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CampaignLegal Follow Mila on Twitter: https://twitter.com/milaatmos Follow Future Hindsight on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurehindsightpod/ Love Future Hindsight? Take our Listener Survey! http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=6tI0Zi1e78vq&ver=standard Take the Democracy Group’s Listener Survey! https://www.democracygroup.org/survey Want to support the show and get it early? https://patreon.com/futurehindsight Check out the Future Hindsight website! www.futurehindsight.com