When the People Decide
A podcast about how everyday people are shaping democracy. Season 2 airing now!
When the People Decide, a podcast from the McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State, tells the stories of the Americans who decided they wanted more from their democracy and put in the hard work to bring change to their communities.
Season 1 focused on citizen-led ballot measure campaigns. Season 2 explored democratic innovation at the local level.
When the People Decide won a 2022 Signal Award!
About the Show
When the People Decide is a podcast produced by LWC Studios for the McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State. The eight-episode series explores the promise — and sometimes peril — that ballot initiatives have brought to American democracy by telling the stories of people who have organized initiative campaigns across the country.
America’s founders were famously skeptical of direct democracy, citing fears of mob rule if people had too much power. Since then, a variety of reforms have shown what’s possible when the people decide directly on issues that impact their local and state-level politics.
This podcast explores those reforms through the stories of the people who made them happen. You’ll learn about how you can follow their lead and strengthen democracy in your own way.
Listen Now
Click below to listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
The Democracy Group
When the People Decide is part of The Democracy Group podcast network, a collective of 17 podcasts that explore democracy, civic engagement, and civil discourse.
If you enjoy When the People Decide, check out the other shows on the network to learn more about how people around the world are working to strengthen democracy.