It's the Democracy, Stupid Featured Interviews

Edwin is joined by Dan Shafer, Civic Media's political editor and founder of The Recombobulation Area.

Shafer discussed recent town halls in Wisconsin where Republican representatives have faced strong opposition, particularly over issues like Elon Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Donald Trump's pro-Putin stance on the war in Ukraine. He also highlighted the disruption caused by federal funding freezes and cuts, and emphasized the importance of the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court race, which takes place April 1st.

Catch “The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-big-picture).  

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Edwin is joined by Jonathan Katz, senior director of Anti-Corruption, Democracy, and Security (ACDS) at The Brookings Institution.

Katz discussed the seven pillars to defend democracy outlined in Brookings' "Democracy Playbook 2025": protect elections, defend rule of law, fight corruption, reinforce civic and media space, protect pluralistic governance, counter disinformation, and make democracy deliver (economically, for example). Katz also highlighted the threats posed by the second Trump administration, including state capture, corruption and the undermining of rule of law, and emphasized the importance of legal action, community engagement, civic education and the need to educate America's next generation to be critical thinkers. 

Catch “The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-big-picture).  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Edwin talks to Don Moynihan, University of Michigan Ford School’s J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Professor of Public Policy and author of the Can We Still Govern? Substack newsletter. Moynihan highlighted the dangers of "administrative vandalism," citing examples like the Trump administration's firing of one-fifth of nuclear weapons employees and the layoffs of public health employees at the CDC and USDA workers. He warned of potential catastrophic failures and long-term erosion in scientific research and higher education, and emphasized the importance of a non-politicized civil service.

Catch “The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-big-picture).  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Edwin is joined by George Packer, author and staff writer at The Atlantic, who discussed the implications of President Donald Trump's disregard for liberal democracy, citing Trump's actions to undermine the constitutional system of checks and balances, the military, and the rule of law. Packer highlighted the historical relevance of Hungary's authoritarian shift and emphasized the need for Americans to understand the cumulative impact of Trump's actions. He also expressed concern about future elections and the potential for widespread corruption, and stressed the importance of fiction in understanding societal issues.

Catch “The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-big-picture).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Edwin is joined by climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe, who discussed the challenges of climate change communication in a politically polarized world. She emphasized the importance of having effective, values-based conversations about climate change. 

"In the U.S., two-thirds of people are worried about climate change, but most of them don't know what to do and they don't understand why it affects them personally, so they do nothing," Hayhoe told WCPT. "So when I say that it's important to have conversations, I personally think the 60 percent of people who are worried but they don't understand why it matters and they don't know what to do about it and they aren't doing anything as a result, that's where we can have the most effective conversations." 

Hayhoe highlighted the role that cities can play in mitigating climate impacts, by making it "easier for people to choose clean energy, for people to take public transportation; make it easier to find places to plug in their car; make it easy to reduce food waste and compost and get rid of food waste in a way that doesn't produce heat-trapping gasses." She spoke as well about the efforts the city of Chicago has made "to bring nature into the city to help protect from heat and flood as climate continues to change."

Hayhoe also addressed the global implications of the Trump administration pulling back from climate action, noting that countries like China and India are moving forward with green energy. 

Catch “The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-big-picture). 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Edwin is joined by Abraham Newman, director of the BMW Center for German and European Studies at Georgetown. Newman discussed the weaponization of global financial systems by Elon Musk and the Trump administration and explained how the U.S. government, post-9/11, used financial infrastructures like SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) for surveillance and sanctions, and how Musk and associates are now exploiting those systems. Newman also highlighted the risks of Musk accessing sensitive data, including Social Security numbers and bank accounts, the potential for cybersecurity breaches, and the need for congressional oversight and consumer mobilization.

Catch “The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-big-picture). 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Edwin is joined by Amanda Marcotte, senior writer at Salon.com.

Catch “The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-big-picture).  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Edwin is joined by Sam Bagnestos, Frank G. Millard Professor of Law at the University of Michigan. 

Catch “The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-big-picture).  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Edwin is joined by Alex Aronson, co-founder and executive director of Court Accountability.

Catch “The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-big-picture).  

And find "The Big Picture (Full Episodes)" podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, YouTube, Amazon and TuneIn.

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Edwin talks to Jason Stanley, professor of philosophy at Yale University and distinguished professor at the Kyiv School of Economics.

Catch “The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath” Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-big-picture).  

And find "The Big Picture (Full Episodes)" podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, YouTube, Amazon and TuneIn.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.