As hand wringing over the state of our democracy has become a national pastime, we here at How To Really Run A City decided to air a special edition of our podcast.

We highlight moments from previous episodes which demonstrate that high-minded civic virtues like tolerance and pluralism and communitarianism don't only belong to the past.

From Mayor Libby Schaaf's guide to public action – "Mayors belong to one party–the party of getting shit done," to Mayor Nutter's stirring recounting of the Athenian Oath, to Mayor Reed's somber assessment of the importance of the upcoming election – "We all love to think about what we would have done if we'd been around with Martin or Lincoln. Well, this is it."

Join us for a few reminders that citizenship and good governance also lie in our present and future.

"...about the fundamental evil of people killing other people," Tim O'Brien, author of the banned book "The Things They Carried," said to MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi on #velshibannedbookclub. O'Brien's banning came from his realistic depictions of war (including the language soldiers use) which contrasts strongly with romantic fantasies of the nobility of soldiers some Americans hold.

Turning the University of the Arts' Center City buildings into an arts community would make the city a destination for practicing artists. Elaine Maimon lays out how this could be done.

Whether you believe President Biden should stay in the race or step aside, any Democratic candidate would be better than Donald Trump, explains MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi.

Vilas Dahr (Patrick J. McGovern Foundation), Beth Simone Noveck (Northeastern University) and Dalila Wilson Scott (Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation) come together at our Ideas We Should Steal Festival for a blunt talk about A.I. in the workplace and how companies can use this powerful new technology ethically.

Champions of workplace justice and sustainability argue it's high time for our state to raise the minimum wage -- something that hasn't been done in 15 years.

The recent collapse of several local nonprofit organizations like UArts, leaves us with questions about whether we're in a "nonprofit bubble" and whether that bubble is popping.

On this episode of Guest Commentary, the co-founder of PHILLY TRUCE expresses no surprise at the recent drop in gun violence. He attributes it to the work of concerned citizens and marvels at why there isn't more support from the city.

... when the public stops believing in its legitimacy, it will cease to legitimately function, argues MSNBC host and Citizen board member Ali Velshi.

Is there a better way to address our racially-driven wealth gap? Larry spoke to one social entrepreneur who says yes. And has a plan.