Democracy Works is a weekly podcast produced by the McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State and WPSU, central Pennsylvania's NPR station. Each episode examines a different aspect of what it means to live in a democracy—from impeachment to immigration and conspiracies to climate change. Each episode features an interview conducted by McCourtney Institute communications specialist Jenna Spinelle that's bookended by analysis and commentary from institute director Michael Berkman and managing director Chris Beem. The show now has listeners in all 50 states and more than 150 countries. New episodes are released every Monday; we've produced more than 100 episodes thus far. The podcast has allowed the McCourtney Institute to expand its profile inside and outside of Penn State, and collaborate with organizations across the country who share our goals and values. We've heard from our listeners that the show helps them learn what it means to be an engaged citizen in a democracy, and gives them hope about what we can all do to fix what's broken in our political system.
From the Judges
Excellent, engaging, insightful, balanced, and honest discussion of the realities of what it means to live in a democracy. The podcast has already achieved (and gone beyond) the objectives, and the reach is impressive.
