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Democracy Optimist is a thought-provoking public radio series and podcast that delves deep into the heart of democratic processes, elections, and voting rights to ask a simple but vital question: how do we sustain our democracy? Winner of the 2025 Edward R. Murrow Award for “Best Podcast in the region,” the series is hosted by University of Kentucky Election Law research professor Joshua Douglas, a passionate advocate for civic engagement and author of The Court v. The Voters: The Troubling Story of How the Supreme Court Has Undermined Voting Rights.
The series is produced by WEKU and Dynamix Productions under the direction of the Eastern Standard production team. From candid conversations with experts to engaging interviews with everyday champions of democracy, each episode offers a fresh perspective on the challenges and triumphs of the democratic process. Good news on voting rights is possible—if we take seriously the need to protect our democracy. We aim to amplify the diverse voices shaping our political landscape and seek to inspire informed, empowered citizens. Democracy Optimist theme music, (What Does It Mean to Be An) American, is contributed to the series by composer and artist, Madeleine Peyroux.
Episodes
The Democracy Optimist Team
Joshua A. Douglas - Writer and Host
Tom Martin - Producer
Ella Fitzgeraldine - Studio Dog
Neil Kesterson - Technical Director and Sound Design
We thank Madeleine Peyroux for our theme music, “American”
Eli Raymond- Research Assistant
Landon Palmer - Research Assistant
Caitlyn Douglas - Graphic Design
Democracy Optimist is a production of WEKU and Eastern Standard in Partnership with Dynamix Productions