Digital Politics with Karen Jagoda

Nicole Dunger, Vice President of Growth, and Ryan Davis, CEO of People First, highlight the value of integrating influencer content into paid media strategies, a practice becoming more common in the political and advocacy space. The use of micro-influencers is key for state and local races, and the paid amplification can promote authentic voices to hard-to-reach voters. Campaigns are planning their influencer strategies earlier in the campaign cycle and effectively using creator content to inform messaging to a broader audience. We talk about: #PeopleFirst #Influencers #InfluencerCampaigns #InfluencerMarketing #PoliticalCampaigns #DigitalCampaigns #VoterOutreach #Election2026 peoplefirst.cc

Josh Justice, CEO of Peerly, highlights the new Video in Motion technology, an evolution of their previous HD video texting service. This next-generation tool allows for sending 4K high-resolution video to voters' phones via text message, bypassing the limitations of MMS protocols. This is a direct-to-voter messaging model that Josh argues is superior to traditional OTT and CTV advertising because it delivers a measurable interactive experience directly to voters. Josh and I talk about: #Peerly #VideoInMotion #CampaignTech #PoliticalInnovation #DigitalOutreach #VoterEngagement #MobileStategy Peerly.com

Aram Fischer, Co-Founder and CEO of Change Agent, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss values-aligned generative AI and how it contrasts with mainstream AI platforms. Aram warns about built-in societal biases and misinformation in tools like ChatGPT that need to be identified to better align data with proper action. Deepak and Aram talk about: #TheDemLabs #TheChangeAI #ChangeAgent #Nonprofits #NonProfitTech #AI #GenAIinPolitics #PoliticalAI #EthicalAI #Activists #SocialJustice #Fundraising Change Agent TheDemLabs.org

Ellen Gavin, filmmaker and changemaker, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss her latest project, a short film titled "The People United," a collaboration with legendary activist Dolores Huerta that encourages nonviolent community intervention to protect neighbors from ICE. Ellen drives home the point that effective activism must touch the heart to move the feet and be driven by a message of solidarity, rather than being motivated by fear-based tactics. Deepak and Ellen talk about: Parallels between the current political climate in the US and the historical rise of fascism Drawing inspiration from Huerta #TheDemLabs #EllenGavin #DoloresHuerta #Protests #Autocrats #Resistance #Democracy #CivicEngagement #SocialMovements #PoliticalAction EllenGavin.com TheDemLabs.org

Anne-Christine, Founder of Resisting Project 2025, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss strategies to counter the agenda of Project 2025, guiding the Trump administration. She details the growth and significance of the No Kings protests, explaining the goal of reaching 3.5% of the US population — a figure identified as a tipping point for effective nonviolent resistance. Deepak and Anne-Christine talk about: #TheDemLabs #ResistingProject2025 #Protests #ResistancetoAutocracy #Autocrats #Resistance #Democracy #CivicEngagement #SocialMovements #PoliticalAction Resisting Project 2025 TheDemLabs.org

Maresa Strano, Director of the Political Reform Program at New America, discusses the role and mechanics of ballot initiatives in the 23 states that allow for citizen-led statewide initiatives. These Initiatives are a tool for direct democracy and are an effective mechanism for achieving political and good governance reform. Once established in a state's constitution, ballot initiative-driven legislation is difficult to restrict, and typically, changes are unpopular with voters. Current research suggests an opportunity to expand the ballot initiative process to new states as a means to transcend partisan politics and foster meaningful civic engagement and democratic reform. We talk about: #NewAmerica #BallotInitiatives #PoliticalReform #DirectDemocracy #CivicEngagement NewAmerica.org

Eva Posner, Founder of Evinco Strategies, focuses on the immense challenges facing political campaigns in this current environment of political violence, the 25-minute news cycle, and economic uncertainty. This climate has deterred qualified candidates from running and made it more difficult for campaigns to raise money, particularly from larger donors. We talk about: #EvincoStrategies #PoliticalCampaigns #PolitcalViolence #Fundraising #PoliticalCandidates EvincoStrategies.com

Scott Goodstein, Founder and CEO of Catalyst Campaigns, discusses the evolution and current state of social media strategies in politics in this interview, recorded on September 11 and the day after the murder of Conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Scott was the social media architect for the 2008 Obama campaign and contrasts the early, diverse social media landscape with today's video-dominated rapid-response environment, which is concentrated on a few major platforms. We talk about: CatalystCampaigns.com https://www.thewrap.com/wsj-trans-ideology-charlie-kirk-bullets-false-report/

This is an interview conducted by Deepak Puri of The Democracy Labs, discussing the art of podcasting with me, Karen Jagoda. Being a podcaster since the early days, I have seen my share of great guests, reluctant guests, and unprepared guests. Listening to other podcasters has helped me understand both the great potential and limited value podcasts and podcasters can have. In addition to the Digital Politics Podcast, I am also the producer and host of the Empowered Patient Podcast, which has allowed me to interview scientists and medical professionals who are increasingly interested in discussing politics and advocacy related to healthcare and research. Deepak and I talk about: TheDemLabs.org EmpoweredPatientPodcast.com

Hamid Ghanadan, CEO at LINUS, reports on their recent State of Science research that tracks scientists' sentiment, funding expectations, and barriers to their work. Key findings reveal that the politicization of science and erosion of public trust in science threaten to slow innovation rates and negatively impact public access to accurate information. The survey also shows a direct negative impact on scientists' morale, job satisfaction, and creativity. We talk about: #TheLINUSGroup #Scientists #MedicalResearchers #PublicTrust #PoliticizationofScience #HealthcareInformation #MedicalInformation TheLINUSGroup.com

Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, has developed the Fast Alert Now app that allows organizers and non-profit organizations to send alerts to people without requiring their phone number, email, or downloading an app. This free app is a channel-based system that uses QR codes and URLs to enable users to subscribe to a specific channel and receive push notifications on their phone or computer while protecting the identity of the recipient. Deepak and I talk about: Rapid alerts in emergencies and combating misinformation and rumors Why humor is a strategic weapon in advocacy #TheDemLabs #FastAlertNow #Advocacy #RapidResponse #Activists TheDemLabs.org

James Keppel is the Founder and CEO of Sarana Health and a healthcare advocate for an integrated, wellness-focused approach to keeping people healthy instead of simply treating diseases. While the impacts of current policy changes and budget cuts in healthcare and medical research have yet to be seen, all indications point to widening gaps in serving rural populations and those with complex conditions. James encourages private industry to step up to innovate new models of healthcare delivery and financing, and to use AI and technology to support healthcare providers in providing personalized, continuous care. We talk about: #SaranaHealth #Healthcare #HealthcareCuts #RuralHealthcare #MedAI Sarana.Health

Brian Rollins, Co-Founder of the MurMur Project, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss how individuals can engage more effectively through digital communication and social media, gaining a deeper understanding of political issues, campaigns, and elections, and have their own voices heard. Brian has a background in filmmaking and content creation, while his mother and co-founder has a long history in community organizing and running non-profits, making them a unique team to navigate the current political landscape. Deepak and Brian talk about: Calls to action for 2026 #TheDemLabs #AmericansUnitedforSeparationofChurchandState #AU #SeparationofChurchandState #JohnsonAmendment MurMur Impact Project Substack TheDemLabs.org

Rebecca Markert, Vice President and Legal Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State , joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the fundamental American principle of the separation of church and state, as included in the Constitution. The Johnson Amendment, passed 70 years ago, is a critical law that prevents churches and charities from endorsing or opposing political candidates. Deepak and Rebecca talk about: The rise of White Christian nationalism and efforts to dismantle the separation between church and state Calls to action #TheDemLabs #AmericansUnitedforSeparationofChurchandState #AU #SeparationofChurchandState #JohnsonAmendment au.org TheDemLabs.org

Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, Executive Director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, discusses the 2.5 Project, an initiative by BISC that provides early, flexible funding to support ballot initiatives focused on economic justice. Recent efforts in Nebraska and Missouri to support minimum wage and paid sick leave ballot initiatives yielded positive results, demonstrating the ability to frame the issues and collaborate with related efforts, such as reproductive rights measures. We talk about: #BallotInitiativeStrategyCenter #BISC #BallotInitiatives #Organizing #LocalOrganizers Ballot.org

Jim Lardner, journalist, activist, and host of the podcast "Good Trouble," joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the "We Are Your Neighbor" Project, which aims to collect and promote personal stories of people impacted by the Trump administration's policies. The goal is to promote these types of stories in a non-ideological way to reach out to Trump supporters and others who may be reconsidering their political support. Deepak and Jim talk about: Serving as a resource for journalists and activists looking to better understand the real-world impacts of policy changes #WeAreYourNeighbors #TheDemLabs #FederalWorkers #FundingCuts #Healthcare #Immigrants #Storytelling #PoliticalResistance #Activism WeAreYourNeighbors.net TheDemLabs.org

Bill Moyer, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Backbone Campaign, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to explore the value of creative activism and visual props in promoting causes and values. The metaphor of the backbone is a symbol of moral power and strength that voters are encouraged to draw on to protest, drive awareness, and mobilize to bring about change. The Backbone Campaign is supporting organizers nationwide to help them collaborate and effectively convey their messages. Deepak and Bill talk about: Impact of large visual props and light projections Providing training, tools, and support to activists Need to drive conversations and build emotional connections #TheDemLabs #BackboneCampaign #Activism #GrassrootsActivism #Organizing #Protests #PoliticalProtests BackboneCampaign.org TheDemLabs.org

Allen Carroll, cartographer and lead of the Story Maps team at Esri, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to discuss the power of maps and the visualization of GIS data to tell a compelling story. The StoryMaps platform combines multimedia elements to create richer and more engaging maps to spark empathy, raise awareness, and potentially inspire change. Deepak and Allen talk about: Driving public engagement with maps and potential actions to be taken #TheDemLabs #Esri #StoryMaps #ArcGIS #GIS #Advocacy #CivicEngagement #Storytelling #Maps esri.com TheDemLabs.org

Lucian K. Truscott IV, journalist, author, and screenwriter, joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to shine a light on the challenges of writing about and reporting on current events, political voices, and cultural trends. Lucian started working for the Village Voice while still a cadet at West Point in the 1960s and comes from a long line of military leaders and political figures. He is currently covering politics on his Substack newsletter, Lucian Truscott. Note that this interview was recorded a few days before the US dropped bombs on Iran. Deepak and Lucian talk about: Life Magazine His concern about hasty and ill-advised military and political decisions #TheDemLabs #LucianKTruscott #MilitaryAction #PoliticalReporting #AttacksonIran LucianTruscott.substack.com TheDemLabs.org

Nicole Cushman joins Deepak Puri, CEO of The Democracy Labs, to talk about Charley. This private, secure abortion focused AI chatbot was created in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The goal of this project is to provide personalized, accurate, up-to-date information about abortion services while protecting the privacy of those looking for resources. Deepak and Nicole talk about: Abortion access in America Databases powering Charley to track changes in clinic locations and state-level abortion policies The power of combining healthcare experts, lawyers, and technology to provide a source for trustworthy information How Charley the chatbot has been designed to be embedded in websites that reach the target audience for this information Privacy and security measures that include not collecting any personally identifiable information and deleting chat logs #TheDemLabs #AI #Chatbots #AbortionServices #ChatwithCharley #INeedanA #AbortionPill #AbortionCare #AbortionbyMail ChatwithCharley.org INeedanA.org NicoleCushman.com TheDemLabs.org