Digital Politics with Karen Jagoda

Howard Franklin, CEO of Ohio River South, joins me to shine light on the evolving political, economic, and demographic landscape of the American South. The question is how these shifts have changed the electorate and created opportunities for a new wave of political candidates. The most effective ways to reach Southern voters still include traditional in-person engagement alongside digital outreach to reach urban, suburban, and rural communities. Howard and I talk about #OhioRiverSouth #HowardFranklin #SouthernVoters #PoliticalStrategy #CampaignManagement #SouthernPolitics #VoterOutreach #ElectionStrategy #PoliticalConsulting #Demographics #DigitalPolitics #Election2026 OhioRiverSouth.com

Xena Ni, Co-Founder of the Trestle Collaborative joins Deepak Puri, Founder of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the world of civic technologists and the need to help progressive organizations and campaigns to use technology safely and effectively. She contrasts the resources and mandates of commercial tech with those of the political and non-profit sectors. The mission of Trestle is to provide resources and support to leverage technology, build a strong campaign infrastructure, and protect against cyberattacks. Deepak and Xena talk about #TrestleCollaborative #TheDemLabs #CivicTech #CampaignTechnology #VoterEngagement #GrassrootsActivism #ProgressiveActivism #CivicEngagement #GOTV #GetOutTheVote #PoliticalActivism #DemocracyInAction #VoterOutreach #DemocracyMatters #ElectionSecurity #ElectionIntegrity #ProgressivePolitics #CampaignManagement Trestle.us TheDemocracyLabs.org

Josh Justice, CEO of Peerly, focuses on the evolving role of text messaging in political campaigns, particularly the shift from mobile optimization to a mobile-first communication strategy. The dominance of texting and reliance on small screens have driven the shift from simple SMS to text messaging with full HD and 4K video, and campaigns are thinking about content and advertising in new ways. Using AI responsibly builds in efficiency and scalability to target and engage more voters. Josh and I talk about: #Peerly #VideoInMotion #CampaignTech #PoliticalInnovation #DigitalOutreach #VoterEngagement #MobileStategy #AI #PoliticalCampaigns #VideoTexting #MobilePolitics #CampaignStrategy #PeerToPeerTexting #DigitalCampaigns #PoliticalTech #CampaignInnovation Peerly.com

Adam Ditch Kurtz, a Democrat, is running for governor of Tennessee in a race with 4 candidates competing in the August Democratic primary. A career musician, Ditch is building a grassroots campaign informed by his live performance experience and long-term use of social media to communicate authentically and respond rapidly to voters. He outlines his strategies for reaching rural and working-class voters and engaging the established political machine. We talk about #Ditch4Governor #Ditch4Gov #Ditch26 #ImPeople #DitchDiggers #WhoDoesThisHelp #TennesseePolitics #GrassrootsCampaign #AuthenticLeadership #MusicianInPolitics #TennesseeGovernor #DemocraticPrimary #PoliticalInnovation #VoterEngagement #SocialMediaPolitics #TennesseeVoters Ditch4Governor.com

Tomas Garduno, organizer and activist, joins Deepak Puri, Founder of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the power of the working class and what tools are necessary to organize and mobilize this diverse cohort. After 25 years of political experience, Tomas has written the Fundamentals of Electoral Organizing to support this community and encourage more people to get involved. He points out that the electoral arena offers a unique opportunity for the working class to leverage its numerical strength against those with extreme wealth. Deepak and Tomas talk about Need to overcome the artificial divisions of party and identify politics to unite people around shared material interests like housing, food access, and healthcare Primary obstacles to working-class power Who can be an organizer Practical skills for organizing communities for action #FundamentalsofElectoralOrganizing #TheDemLabs #ProtectingDemocracy #VoterEngagement #Democracy #WorkingClass #GrassrootsActivism #GrassrootsOrganizing #Organizing #Activism #VoterTurnout #CivicEngagement #GOTV #GetOutTheVote #PoliticalActivism #DemocracyInAction #DemocracyMatters #ProtecttheVote #ElectionSecurity #CommunityOrganizing #PoliticalEducation #SocialChange FundamentalsofElectoralOrganizing.org TheDemocracyLabs.org

Stephen Schear, activist and billboard expert, joins Deepak Puri, Founder of The Democracy Labs, to discuss a strategy to penetrate the right-wing propaganda machine by placing billboards with concise, visually powerful, and often negative messages in purple rural areas. Stephen details the logistics of creating, funding, and placing these kinds of billboards, emphasizing their cost-effectiveness. Deepak and Stephen talk about #PoliticalBillboards #TheDemLabs #VoterEngagement #GrassrootsActivism #ProgressiveActivism #VoterTurnout #PoliticalAdvertising #RuralOutreach #PoliticalMessaging #CivicEngagement #GOTV #GetOutTheVote #PoliticalActivism #DemocracyInAction #VoterSuppression #VoterOutreach #DemocracyMatters steveschear@gmail.com TheDemocracyLabs.org

Michael McNulty, Policy Director at Issue One, joins Deepak Puri, Founder of The Democracy Labs, to discuss fixing democracy through campaign finance reform, election protection, big tech accountability, and defending the constitutional powers of Congress from executive overreach. The SAVE Act and Save America Act are identified as partisan attempts to create significant barriers to voting based on a false narrative of widespread voter fraud. Deepak and Michael talk about Lessons learned from international work observing authoritarian tactics to undermine elections Coordinated efforts underway to rewrite election laws and install loyalists in key government positions Details of the SAVE Act and Save America Act and how they are being presented Action that can be taken to protect democracy and combat voter suppression and disinformation #IssueOne #TheDemLabs #ProtectingDemocracy #VoterEngagement #Democracy #GrassrootsActivism #VoterTurnout #CivicEngagement #GOTV #GetOutTheVote #PoliticalActivism #DemocracyInAction #SAVEAct #SaveAmericaAct #ElectionIntegrity #VoterSuppression #DemocracyMatters #ProtecttheVote #ElectionSecurity IssueOne.org TheDemocracyLabs.org

Chris Nolan, Founder of Spot-On, points out that political consultants often overlook local news sites in favor of national sites with large audiences and programmatic advertising capabilities. Local news sites offer highly effective geographic targeting and audiences engaged in current events and their communities. With shifting loyalties to political parties and a move towards issue-based decisions, local news publishers have an opportunity to play a larger role in down-ballot races. We talk about: #PinpointPersuasionPlatform #PoliticalAdvertising #LocalMedia #LocalNews #CivicEngagement #VoterOutreach #MediaBuyers #PoliticalTech #CampaignStrategy #TargetingVoters #HyperLocalMarketing spot-on.com Pinpoint Persuasion Platform

Erin Miller, Founder of Cartoons for Democracy, joins Deepak Puri, Founder of The Democracy Labs, to discuss using postcards to enable people who can't canvass due to age, location, or time constraints to support campaigns. A political cartoon on one side of a postcard with a handwritten note is an eye-catching way to communicate a message quickly and humorously to a broad audience, and it is proving effective at getting attention from voters. Deepak and Erin talk about #CartoonsForDemocracy #TheDemLabs #PostcardCampaign #VoterEngagement #Democracy #PoliticalCartoons #GrassrootsActivism #VoterTurnout #Postcarding #CivicEngagement #GOTV #GetOutTheVote #PoliticalActivism #DemocracyInAction CartoonsforDemocracy.org TheDemocracyLabs.org

Caroline Sanchez-Avakian, Strategic Communications Director at the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, offers advice to nonprofits on effectively managing their communications and earned media strategies. The media environment continues to change, requiring nonprofits to tell authentic, clear, and concise stories about complex topics that fit into a larger narrative. We talk about: #BallotInitiativeStrategyCenter #BISC #BallotInitiatives #Nonprofits #EarnedMedia #MediaStrategy #CommunityEngagement #DigitalStrategy #PoliticalCommunications Ballot.org

Andrea Miller, Center for Common Ground, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to highlight the strategy behind the effort to get out the vote in the Virginia special election, where voters will decide on a proposal to redraw the state's congressional district maps. Deepak and Andrea talk about: @CTR4CMNGround #VASpecialElection #GOTV @TheDemLabs #Redistricting CenterforCommonGround.org TheDemLabs.org

Anne-christine d'Adesky, journalist and Founder of Resisting Project 2025, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the financial and ideological motivations behind the Trump administration's policy to seize Venezuela and Greenland for oil and rare earth minerals. Deepak and Anne-christine talk about: #TheDemLabs #ResistingProject2025 #Protests #ResistancetoAutocracy #Autocrats #Resistance #Democracy #CivicEngagement #SocialMovements #PoliticalAction Resisting Project 2025 TheDemLabs.org

Patrice, a political commentator, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to talk about the need to write anonymously to be able to maintain his freedom of expression without jeopardizing his corporate career or putting his family at risk. His aims to show that modern political tactics are not new but part of a well-established historical pattern with predictable results. The use of first-person narratives and fictional characters is proving effective in attracting a growing international audience to his Substack Open Letters by Mersault. Deepak and Patrice talk about: The need for independent writers to counter disinformation The long history of the demonization of opponents Using humor, satire, and an entertaining approach to make sharp political critiques more effective Educating readers to fight disinformation #TheDemLabs #PoliticalWriting #Substack #AnonymousJournalism #PoliticalAnalysis #Democracy #GlobalReaders #HistoricalContext #PoliticalCommentary #DigitalActivism #IndependentMedia #PoliticalEducation #ResistanceWriting Open Letters by Mersault on Substack TheDemLabs.org

Lauren Windsor, political journalist and documentarian, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to talk about gonzo journalism and the need to report on a story with integrity and commitment to the truth. She draws a sharp distinction between her work and that of people who use deceptive tactics to appeal to less media-savvy audiences and create a false narrative. Deepak and Lauren talk about: Gonzo for Democracy #TheDemLabs #Journalism #EconomicJustice #SocialJustice #GonzoforDemocracy#GonzoJournalism #ElectionIntegrity #PoliticalJournalism #MediaLiteracy #Democracy #Accountability #Disinformation #DocumentaryFilm theundercurrent.tv TheDemLabs.org

Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, shines a light on how free and low-cost apps can simplify political intrigue and complex social issues and be used to educate and motivate. Visualization tools for relationship mapping, accountability mapping, and crowdsourcing increase civic engagement, hold elected officials accountable, and counter disinformation and conspiracy theories. Deepak and I talk about: #TheDemLabs #PoliticalAccountability #DataVisualization #CivicEngagement #PoliticalTransparency #SocialJustice #VotingRights #CitizenJournalism #PoliticalData #CommunityOrganizing #Kumuio #Esri #Padlet TheDemLabs.org

Pat LaMarch, broadcaster, journalist, advocate, and founder of the Homeless Remembrance Blanket project, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss poverty, hunger, and homelessness. Pat uses her journalism skills to address the root causes of mental health disorders, homelessness, and substance abuse, to inform and drive change in public policy. Deepak and Pat talk about: #TheDemLabs #MemorialBlanket #Homelessness #Poverty #PovertyAwareness #Journalism #EconomicJustice #Affordability #SocialJustice #OrganizingMatters #FoodInsecurity #MentalHealth #SubstanceAbuse #SocialImpact #VoicefortheVoiceless MemorialBlanket.org TheDemLabs.org

Bradley Tusk is a political strategist, venture capitalist, philanthropist, podcaster, and author with a mission to promote and implement mobile voting in US elections. He points out that the most effective way to combat low voter turnout is to make it easier for people to vote and find out information about candidates and ballot initiatives. The Tusk Foundation has developed an open-source mobile voting platform that addresses security, authentication, and auditability, and it is being rolled out in 2026 in the US, starting with a local election in Anchorage, Alaska. We talk about: #BradleyTusk #TuskFoundation #MobileVoting #Democracy #VoterEngagement #CivicTech #DigitalDemocracy #VotingRights #ElectionSecurity #PoliticalInnovation #TechForGood #DemocracyMatters BradleyTusk.com Author of Vote with Your Phone: Why Mobile Voting is Our Final Shot at Saving

Saru Jayaram, long-time activist and leader of One Fair Wage, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the historical origins of the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers in the US and the power of that community to drive higher wages. The movement has now expanded beyond tipped workers to a broader coalition fighting for a living wage for all. Saru emphasizes that any political platform that focuses on affordability must also include raising wages to be effective. Deepak and Saru talk about: #TheDemLabs #OneFairWage #FairWage #LivingWage #RestaurantWorkers #LaborRights #EconomicJustice #Affordability #WorkersRights #TippingCulture #SocialJustice #OrganizingMatters #DigitalPolitics OneFairWage.org TheDemLabs.org

Javan Van Gronigen, Founder of Donately considers 2025 as a year of testing the water for peer-to-peer and crowdfunding for political and advocacy campaigns. AI is enabling organizations to create and deploy fundraising content more quickly and target specific audiences. Increasingly, digital tools are showing effectiveness for all donor levels, whether turning a small-dollar donor into a recurring one or engaging a major supporter. We talk about Digital outreach to mobile-first donors Common mistakes on donation pages, including overly complicated forms Value of fundraising appeals tied to rapid response to current events Need to create compelling stories about real people to motivate donors #Donately #DigitalStrategy #OnlineGiving #NonprofitMarketing #DataDrivenNonprofits #DigitalFundraising #NonprofitTech #DonorEngagement #AIForGood #MobileFirstFundraising #AdvocacyTech #SocialImpactTech #StorytellingForChange Donately.com

John Fitch, The Fitch Law Firm, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the importance of victims reporting sexual abuse not only for their own justice but to break the cycle and prevent perpetrators from harming others. John warns that delayed reporting can lead to the loss of essential physical evidence, making the case harder to pursue. Deepak and John talk about: The staggering widespread prevalence of sexual abuse in small towns to big metropolitan cities Behavior of sexual predators Lifelong trauma victims endure Challenges victims face in seeking justice #TheDemLabs #FitchLawFirm #SexAbuse #Lawyer #Ohio #NewYork #SexualAbuseSurvivors #Justice #LegalAdvocacy #BreakTheSilence #ChildProtection #LegalRights #SexualAbuseAwareness #LegalSupport #EpsteinFiles JohnFitch.com TheDemLabs.org