Democracy can be messy. Americans share many common values and ideals, but views on how that works out in the democratic process and in public policy can vary widely. In this episode, you'll hear stories from everyday Americans about their experiences with democracy, polarization, unity, and the issues they care about most. Our storytellers grapple with the big questions about democracy: What level of debate and disagreement is proper? What issues matter the most? How do we balance the need for dissent with the need for unity?

Smithsonian's Stories from Main Street is produced by Better Lemon Creative Audio. Hannah Hethmon is your host.