On this episode of the Civic Trust Podcast, host Matt Harder speaks with Holly Russon Gilman, a leading voice in democratic innovation whose work spans from the White House, academia, and cities across the U.S. Holly shares her perspective on what’s actually working in civic engagement today, and why participatory budgeting stands out as a model that gives residents real power, not just a seat at the table.
Drawing on years of research and hands-on experience, Holly explores how participatory budgeting builds civic agency, breaks down silos, and creates deeper, more relational forms of democracy. The conversation also looks beyond PB to broader trends in democratic innovation, including citizen assemblies, deliberative processes, and the importance of transparency and follow-through in public engagement.