Just days ahead of a major national election, we sit down with Kristen Clarke. President and Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law to discuss the many issues putting stress on America’s voting infrastructure. What are the most pressing issues? Is America prepared? Who is at risk of losing their right to vote? What’s the long term agenda for securing voting rights for all eligible Americans?

How are tech platforms influencing our democracy? What are we learning from the pandemic and politics, and what can be expected post-election for tech companies and policymakers? On Episode 25 of “The Future of Democracy,” we’ll talk with sociologist, computer programer and author Zeynep Tufekci, whose trenchant, original perspectives on issues ranging from mask-wearing during the pandemic to the real-world impact of social media algorithms has made her a leading voice on the intersection of technology and society.

This summer, hundreds of advertisers, nonprofits and individuals began boycotting Facebook advertising as part of the #StopHateForProfit campaign. On Episode 24 of “The Future of Democracy,” we’ll talk to Rashad Robinson, the architect behind the ad moratorium. He’ll share insights about the campaign and talk about his experience as president of Color of Change, a national organization that builds campaigns advocating for justice for America’s Black community.

As the nation continues to grapple with the pandemic, we’ve also had to manage a rising “infodemic,” an overabundance of misinformation about COVID-19. Recent Gallup/Knight research shows that a majority of Americans cite social media as a large reason for the infodemic. How are platforms handling and addressing this issue? On Episode 23 of “The Future of Democracy,” we’ll talk with Nick Pickles, global head of policy strategy and development at Twitter, about social media, the infodemic, and how to ensure Americans are armed with accurate information.

How is the pandemic changing our nation’s social structures? Does access to technology change who can succeed now and in the future? On Episode 22 of “The Future of Democracy,” we’ll talk with Alondra Nelson, president of the Social Science Research Council, a nonprofit, interdisciplinary research network. She’ll share her expertise as a leading thinker on tech’s intersection with equity.

In our current national moment of reckoning, important social issues are surfacing for America’s young people. What are their thoughts on the issues of this moment? What’s driving them to the polls this fall? On Episode 21 of “The Future of Democracy,” we’ll discuss America’s young adults — the ones who will carry our democracy forward — with Cathy J. Cohen, political science professor at the University of Chicago. She’ll share her insights and research on young adults and their ideas on democracy, protest, policing and the 2020 election.

This fall, as the nation continues to take on the coronavirus, several critical things are at stake — including the fate of voting rights for Americans. On Episode 20 of “The Future of Democracy,” we’ll talk with Nicole Austin-Hillery, executive director of the Human Rights Watch U.S. program. She’ll share a historical look at voter suppression, voting rights, and understanding the top issues facing our country as we head to the polls.

With the click of a button, almost anyone in the world can post their thoughts, opinions or commentary online. How can we understand speech online and the policies that surround it? On Episode 19 of The Future of Democracy, we’ll hear from Olivier Sylvain, a professor of law at Fordham University. Sylvain will share his expertise as a leading thinker on the interplay of information, technology and the law.

As Americans have complex conversations on our country’s most pressing issues, it can often be challenging to find clear, objective solutions. On Episode 18 of The Future of Democracy, we’ll speak with Eli Lehrer, president of R Street, a nonprofit public policy research organization. We’ll discuss the state of major topics in America such as the 2020 election, tech policy, and what’s on the horizon for the country.

As our nation reckons with race, what can we learn from history? How will America’s past influence the future of civil rights in the country? On Episode 17 of The Future of Democracy, we’ll speak to Wade Henderson, former president of the Leadership Conference on Human and Civil Rights. We’ll discuss using lessons from history as we look to the future.