Friends & Fellow Citizens (2025)

24/11/2025

Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, and it may also mean honoring those who have given. Kristin Strobel, who was our guest in Ep. 90, joins our show again to discuss her latest project about a statue honoring one of the most famous Americans: Thomas Edison! Hear about the journey from idea to voting, statuary to statue. You can visit this magnificent Edison's statue, which still stands tall in the U.S. Capitol's National Statuary Hall.

Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, and it may also mean honoring those who have given. Kristin Strobel, who was our guest in Ep. 90, joins our show again t...

10/11/2025

"Populism" is a term thrown around by many in politics, but what kind of populists used to be prominent? Is populism only for those who claim to be populist? Hear an 1892 excerpt from James Weaver, a prominent Populist Party leader, and the ways he portrayed a long-standing issue (as old as the country) that applied to the 1890s and applies to this day in 2025 and beyond.

"Populism" is a term thrown around by many in politics, but what kind of populists used to be prominent? Is populism only for those who claim to be populist? Hear an 1892 excerpt from James Weaver, a prominent Populist Party leader, and the ways h...

03/11/2025

Since the founding of the U.S., generations of Americans have strived to achieve democratic governance and self-government. How can Americans improve our system of democratic governance? Dr. Archon Fung, professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and Director of the Harvard Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, shares how public participation, deliberation, and transparency play important roles in keeping our democracy and federal republic.

Since the founding of the U.S., generations of Americans have strived to achieve democratic governance and self-government. How can Americans improve our system of democratic governance? Dr. Archon Fung, professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and...

27/10/2025

State government is a key aspect of our federalist system in the U.S. But what is it like to represent a state capital's constituents in a state capitol? For this year's inaugural Nevada Day Special, PK O'Neill shares what it is like serving as Assemblyman for District 40 that includes Carson City (the state capital), Storey County, and some parts of Washoe County. He discusses his public service story and the value of having quality representation in the State Capitol that best reflects the interests of all Nevadans.

State government is a key aspect of our federalist system in the U.S. But what is it like to represent a state capital's constituents in a state capitol? For...

13/10/2025

The Founders collectively voted for independence, but did everyone who vote actually support it? Perhaps after this episode, George Read may be categorized as one of the more unique Signers of the Declaration.

06/10/2025

Many Americans on both sides of the political aisle agree polarization is a major problem. But do many Americans on either side truly understand the other side's world view and contributions? Dr. John Iceland, Sociology and Demography professor at Penn State, shares how in this American democracy, we can understand the social justice and social order perspectives and the value of respecting others with differing opinions.

Many Americans on both sides of the political aisle agree polarization is a major problem. But do many Americans on either side truly understand the other side's world view and contributions? Dr. John Iceland, Sociology and Demography professor at...

19/09/2025

Gen. Welsh is one of the greatest public servants I have ever known. I was shocked at the news yesterday, but I know he will continue to inspire many more to enter public service. He generously spoke on the podcast in February 2023 to share some of the leadership lessons he learned from his 5 decades of service. He truly represents the public service values of President George H.W. Bush, the Bush School, and Texas A&M.

Thank you and Godspeed, sir.

Statement by Friends & Fellow Citizens on Gen. (ret.) Mark Welsh's resignation as President of Texas A&M UniversityHear Gen. (ret.) Welsh's interview on F&FC: https://ffc.buzzsprout.com/1255184/episodes/12166387-114-leadership-in-...

17/09/2025

238 years ago, the American experiment was officially born. The U.S. Constitution has been a guiding document created by the Founders that establishes our federal government and governance principles. Karrina Ferris, a Nevada (and Battle Born) native, represented the Silver State as Miss Nevada 2024. She shares more about her early public service experiences and platform to promote civics education and understanding of the Constitution.

Disclaimer: All views expressed are representative of the guest only.238 years ago, the American experiment was officially born. The U.S. Constitution has been a guiding document created by the Founders that establishes our federal government and ...

08/09/2025

In Newburgh, how did Washington address one of the biggest threats to his leadership? Hear how the General of the Continental Army took a more visionary tone as he attempted to lead people forward from the controversy.

After half a decade of podcasting, we also recap the highlights from the past year's interview episodes 2024-25! Much more to come in Year 6!

In Newburgh, how did Washington address one of the biggest threats to his leadership? Hear how the General of the Continental Army took a more visionary tone as he attempted to lead people forward from the controversy.After half a decade of podcas...

01/09/2025

In a polarized political environment, people on the right and left often have knee-jerk reactions that fit their biases when they hear "race, ethnicity, culture." But at Penn State and beyond, these concepts represent something bigger: a candid world in conversation about how people connect with racial, ethnic, and cultural groups.

Hear from two Penn State sociology professors, Dr. Laurie Mulvey (Director of World in Conversation and Dr. Samuel Richards (professor of SOC 119, the world's largest race and ethnicity course) who join the podcast to discuss what makes civil dialogue so valuable in understanding people's social identities around the world.

In a polarized political environment, many people on the right and left have knee-jerk reactions that fit their biases when they hear "race, ethnicity, cultu...

11/08/2025

Everyone has heard of Paul Revere and his famous Midnight Run, but there was another signer who rode through the night for a now-famous document. Learn how Caesar Rodney, a significant Founder of Delaware, felt about the American Revolution and broke the tie in the Delaware delegation.

Everyone has heard of Paul Revere and his famous Midnight Run, but there was another signer who rode through the night for a now-famous document. Learn how Caesar Rodney, a significant Founder of Delaware, felt about the American Revolution and br...

04/08/2025

Most Americans would say civics is very important to our democracy. But how often do members of the public ask themselves "What should we do?"

This episode's guests are Dr. Peter Levine of Tufts University and Dr. Harry Boyte of the Institute for Public Life and Work, who are two longtime friends and fellow experts in the fields of civic studies and public work respectively. Hear the ways we can come together to actively renew our civics for a more resilient democratic system of government!

Most Americans would say civics is very important to our democracy. But how often do members of the public ask themselves "What should we do?" This dual-guest episode features Dr. Peter Levine of Tufts University and Dr. Harry Boyte of the In...

Friends & Fellow Citizens