Civics 101

Anne Brockman, Senior VP of External Affairs at the CPB, shares her insights on the history and funding of public media. She discusses the significance of federal support, which constitutes less than 0.001% of the budget, and the ongoing threats to public media integrity posed by political moves. Brockman explains the firewall protecting editorial independence, the ethical implications of funding transparency, and the struggles faced by rural stations. She contrasts public and commercial media, emphasizing their unique societal roles in a landscape where defunding risks vital programming.

Explore the alarming decline of civic knowledge in America and its impact on democracy. Discover why fostering an informed citizenry is crucial for rebuilding trust in political systems. The conversation highlights the urgency of educational reforms to empower both youth and adults. Personal anecdotes reveal the humorous yet sobering realities of political ignorance. Delve into the necessity of civic engagement and responsibility to combat disillusionment. The episode emphasizes a renewed commitment to democratic values and resources for active participation.

Patricia Alvarez, Senior Justice in the 4th Appellate District of Texas, shares her insights on the fundamental concept of the rule of law. She distinguishes it from the rule of men, emphasizing its essential role in protecting individual rights. The discussion sheds light on judicial independence and the pursuit of equality under the law. Alvarez highlights the challenges faced by marginalized communities and warns about the erosion of democracy. She champions informed citizen engagement as vital for preserving democratic values and accountability.

Allison Stanger, a Middlebury Distinguished Endowed Professor and co-director of the Getting Plurality Research Network, dives deep into the relationship between Elon Musk and Donald Trump. They explore the concept of 'DOGE,' the 'Department of Governmental Efficiency,' questioning whether it truly saves money or threatens privacy. The discussion highlights the tension between efficiency and democratic values, government contracts, and the risks of centralized data. Stanger emphasizes the need for engagement and dialogue to navigate the complexities of technology in governance.

Most Americans can look down at their phone and see a prediction of the future. How is that even possible?Well, we'll tell you. Today it's all about the weather; from early predictive methods and almanacs to the National Weather Service's modern-day practices of collecting, analyzing, and sharing a staggering amount of data. First we talked with Kris Harper, a professor of history and philosophy at the University of Copenhagen, and then with Felicia Bowser, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, Florida. CLICK HERE: Visit our website to see all of our episodes, donate to the podcast, sign up for our newsletter, get free educational materials, and more!To see Civics 101 in book form, check out A User's Guide to Democracy: How America Works by Hannah McCarthy and Nick Capodice, featuring illustrations by Tom Toro.Check out our other weekly NHPR podcast, Outside/In - we think you'll love it!

Today we explore the nebulous world of political consultants. These are the people who run political campaigns. They use a mixture of science and gut-feeling to determine what a candidate should say and do, and in one particular instance, what they should NOT say and do. How do they do it? How effective are they? What actually moves the needle in a campaign? Talking to us today are two campaign experts; David Karpf from the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University, and Rasheida Smith, political consultant at Dunton Consulting.  CLICK HERE: Visit our website to see all of our episodes, donate to the podcast, sign up for our newsletter, get free educational materials, and more!To see Civics 101 in book form, check out A User's Guide to Democracy: How America Works by Hannah McCarthy and Nick Capodice, featuring illustrations by Tom Toro.Check out our other weekly NHPR podcast, Outside/In - we think you'll love it!

April Fools' Day takes center stage, blending fun and facts. The hosts share their favorite pranks and explore how politics can get playful too. A lively trivia game dives into mouthwatering food traditions, like Philly cheesesteaks, and even military rations. The absurdity of Spam is humorously paired with historical anecdotes. Unique laws, including the comedic Zombie Act, lead to engaging discussions about American history. All the while, cleverly intertwined trivia keeps the humor flowing, adding a delightful twist to civic knowledge.

Beverly Moran, a tax policy expert and professor emerita, dives into the complexities of taxation and budget reconciliation. She examines how tax laws, especially since the 2017 tax bill, affect everyday taxpayers versus the wealthiest Americans. The conversation reveals political influences behind tax decisions and how they shape public services. Beverly also discusses the inequities in tax deductions, highlighting how benefits are skewed towards higher earners, while lower-income groups face significant challenges amidst inflation.

It’s the government on your doorstep — the only Executive Branch agency that visits every home in the country on a regular basis. So how does the USPS do it? And what happens when an agency this essential is in trouble? Our guests for this episode are Allison Marsh, history professor at the University of South Carolina and Kevin Kosar, a Vice President at R Street. CLICK HERE: Visit our website to see all of our episodes, donate to the podcast, sign up for our newsletter, get free educational materials, and more!To see Civics 101 in book form, check out A User's Guide to Democracy: How America Works by Hannah McCarthy and Nick Capodice, featuring illustrations by Tom Toro.Check out our other weekly NHPR podcast, Outside/In - we think you'll love it!

Two years ago today, we attended Civic Learning Week and produced an episode on the state of civics education in the US. We heard some good things and some frustrating things. Today we're getting an update on civics education with Emma Humphries from iCivics, hearing some student audio submissions from our friends at the Youth Media Challenge, and getting advice on how students can make change with Cheryl Cook-Kallio.Click here to livestream the National Forum for Civics Learning Week.Click here to listen to our episodes on civics education in the US.Click here to read the full State of Young People report published by America's Promise Alliance.And finally, click here to check out the work students are producing (and submit your own!) for KQED's Youth Media Challenge. CLICK HERE: Visit our website to see all of our episodes, donate to the podcast, sign up for our newsletter, get free educational materials, and more!To see Civics 101 in book form, check out A User's Guide to Democracy: How America Works by Hannah McCarthy and Nick Capodice, featuring illustrations by Tom Toro.Check out our other weekly NHPR podcast, Outside/In - we think you'll love it!