Dr. Paul Zeitz’s Substack: Revolutionary Optimism Podcast

The Third Founding: A Declaration for America's Democratic Renewal

Dr. Paul Zeitz — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:38:14 GMT

As the United States marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, Dr. Paul Zeitz offers a powerful reflection on the nation’s past—and a hopeful vision for its future.

In this Action Alert, Dr. Zeitz argues that America is entering a “Third Founding,” one that won’t be won through war, but through courageous citizenship, renewed civic trust, and a shared commitment to one another.

Drawing on history, medicine, and decades of democracy advocacy, he diagnoses the deeper challenges facing the country and presents Revolutionary Optimism as a practical framework for healing our divisions.

He explores why contempt—not disagreement—is the greatest threat to democracy, what interdependence really means, and how ordinary people can help build a more inclusive, resilient, and participatory democracy.

This episode is both a declaration and an invitation to help write America’s next chapter together.

You can listen to this episode on...

Apple Podcasts:

Spotify:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drpaulzeitz

...or anywhere else you like to listen. You can view or share this Pod.link page to access all platforms on which the show is available.

Dr. Paul Zeitz, is a preventive medicine physician, epidemiologist, ordained Song of Songs Rabbi, and founder of #unifyUSA and co-coordinator of Renew American Democracy (RAD) enterprise. He is the author of Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution and Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered Activist. He delivered the TEDxPrinceton talk “Peacecrafting: From Conflict to Collaboration” in February 2026.

Polling Proves America's Democratic Renewal Is Underway with Celinda Lake

Dr. Paul Zeitz — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 14:09:15 GMT

What do Americans actually believe about democracy, polarization, and the economy? And what does the data tell us about where the country is headed?

In this episode, Dr. Paul Zeitz sits down with veteran Democratic pollster and strategist Celinda Lake to unpack decades of public opinion research and what it reveals about this political moment and the possibility of a supermajority of the American people agreeing that we need to Fix the System. Celinda shares her journey from growing up in a Republican family in rural Montana to becoming one of the country's leading political pollsters, reflecting on how data—not ideology—shaped her career.

They explore why economic messaging has become central to rebuilding public trust, what voters really think about democracy, the rise of populism across the political spectrum, and why many Americans feel disconnected from both major parties.

They also discuss constitutional transformation, electoral reforms, declining civic trust, the importance of protecting voting rights, and why renewing American democracy and improving economic opportunity must go hand in hand.

You can listen to this episode on...

Apple Podcasts:

Spotify:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drpaulzeitz

Pod.link page to access all platforms on which the show is available.

For more information about Celinda Lake, check out Lake Research Partners

About the Revolutionary Optimism Podcast — where despair is not the strategy.
Democracy broken? Climate burning? System rigged?

Hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz, physician, humanitarian, and social justice advocate, this podcast goes beyond outrage and into transformation. Each episode explores bold, pragmatic solutions for repairing American democracy, confronting systemic injustice, and building a love-centered political culture that actually works.

This is not surface-level commentary. This is structural change.

Topics include:
• Reimagining the U.S. Constitution
• Ending oligarchy and corporate capture
• Reparations and truth-telling
• Climate emergency accountability
• Citizen-led democracy reform
• Economic Bill of Rights
• Racial justice and systemic repair
• Movement building in the age of crisis

If you’re tired of rage-based politics and empty incrementalism — this podcast is for you.

Revolutionary Optimism is about unleashing personal power and collective action to catalyze bold and transformational political change rooted in justice, repair, and peace.

This is where ideas meet courage.

📘 Get Involved & Go Deeper

The Revolutionary Optimism Podcast is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.

Get your copy of my latest book, Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy here:
https://tr.ee/sNTfmb

Get your copy of my go to guide book, Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here:

https://revolutionaryoptimism.com/

Are you ready to join #unifyUSA?
Learn more about the transformational movement at:

https://unify-usa.org/

How to Stop Authoritarianism? with Scot Nakagawa

Dr. Paul Zeitz — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:10:17 GMT

Authoritarianism unfolds in stages, it doesn’t happen overnight. In this episode, longtime organizer and Executive Director of the 22nd Century Initiative Scot Nakagawa breaks down how authoritarian movements rise, where the United States is right now, and what it will take to stop consolidation before it’s too late.

Drawing on nearly four decades of experience confronting white nationalism and anti-democratic movements, Scot explains the real strategy behind efforts like Project 2025, the importance of federalism, and why the 2026 election cycle is a critical turning point.

He also shares how pro-democracy movements can shift from protest to real power through non-cooperation, labor action, and mass mobilization.

Subscribe to Scot’s Substack, The Anti-Authoritarian Playbook:

Learn more about the 22nd Century Initiative

You can listen to this episode on...

Apple Podcasts:

Spotify:

...or anywhere else you like to listen. You can view or share this Pod.link page to access all platforms on which the show is available.

Model Constitutional Convention: Democracy Reimagined by Students

Dr. Paul Zeitz — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:41:45 GMT

The U.S. Constitution is one of the hardest governing documents in the world to change, and that rigidity may be part of the problem.

In this episode, Dr. Paul Zeitz sits down with constitutional law scholar and dean Stefanie Lindquist to break down what’s happening beneath the surface of American democracy. From rising polarization and stalled amendments to the growing influence of money and emerging “polymarkets,” they explore how structural flaws in the system are shaping today’s political reality.

At the center of the conversation is a bold experiment: a National Model Constitutional Convention where students from across the country simulate rewriting the Constitution. It’s a real-world test of what democratic redesign could look like, and as an opportunity for civic education so that the next generation is prepared to fix our democracy.

Learn more about the Model Constitutional Convention: https://law.washu.edu/events/model-co...
Connect with Stefanie:

/ stefanie-lindquist-943a862b1

You can listen to this episode on...

Apple Podcasts:

Spotify:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@unifymovements/videos

...or anywhere else you like to listen.
_____________________________________________________

Democracy broken? Climate burning? System rigged?

Welcome to The Revolutionary Optimism Podcast — where despair is not the strategy.

Hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz, physician, humanitarian, and social justice advocate, this podcast goes beyond outrage and into transformation. Each episode explores bold, pragmatic solutions for repairing American democracy, confronting systemic injustice, and building a love-centered political culture that actually works.

This is not surface-level commentary. This is structural change.

Topics include:

• Reimagining the U.S. Constitution
• Ending oligarchy and corporate capture
• Reparations and truth-telling
• Climate emergency accountability
• Citizen-led democracy reform
• Economic Bill of Rights
• Racial justice and systemic repair
• Movement building in the age of crisis

If you’re tired of rage-based politics and empty incrementalism — this podcast is for you.

Revolutionary Optimism is about unleashing personal power and collective action to catalyze bold and transformational political change rooted in justice, repair, and peace.

This is where ideas meet courage.

📘 Get Involved & Go Deeper

The Revolutionary Optimism Podcast is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.

Get your copy of my latest book, Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy here:
https://tr.ee/sNTfmb

Get your copy of my go to guide book, Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here: https://revolutionaryoptimism.com/

Are you ready to join #unifyUSA?
Learn more about the transformational movement at: https://unify-usa.org/

Action Alert: Form a Government of National Unity to Respond to Constitutional Emergency

Dr. Paul Zeitz — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 13:05:43 GMT

Democracy broken? Climate burning? System rigged?

Welcome to The Revolutionary Optimism Podcast — where despair is not the strategy.

In this special Call to Action episode, Dr. Paul Zeitz names what many Americans feel but rarely hear said plainly: the United States is in a constitutional emergency.

Not because of one party or one election, rather because the system itself is no longer functioning as it should. This isn’t a message of despair; it’s a roadmap.

Find Revolutionary Optimism Podcast on your favorite audio platform here.

Revolutionary Optimism Podcast hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz, physician, humanitarian, and social justice advocate, this podcast goes beyond outrage and into transformation.

Each episode explores bold, pragmatic solutions for repairing American democracy, confronting systemic injustice, and building a love-centered political culture that actually works.

This is not surface-level commentary.
This is structural change.

Topics include:
• Reimagining the U.S. Constitution
• Ending oligarchy and corporate capture
• Reparations and truth-telling
• Climate emergency accountability
• Citizen-led democracy reform
• Economic Bill of Rights
• Racial justice and systemic repair
• Movement building in the age of crisis

If you’re tired of rage-based politics and empty incrementalism — this podcast is for you.

Revolutionary Optimism is about unleashing personal power and collective action to catalyze bold and transformational political change rooted in justice, repair, and peace.

This is where ideas meet courage.

📘 Get Involved & Go Deeper

The Revolutionary Optimism Podcast is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.

Get your copy of my latest book, Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy here: https://tr.ee/sNTfmb

Get your copy of my go to guide book, Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here: https://revolutionaryoptimism.com/

Are you ready to join #unifyUSA?
Learn more about the transformational movement at: https://unify-usa.org/

Courageous Citizenship in a Divided America with Maury Giles

Dr. Paul Zeitz — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 16:56:04 GMT

As the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary, the question isn’t just what kind of country we are, but what kind of citizens we’re willing to be.

In this episode, Dr. Paul Zeitz sits down with Maury Giles, CEO of Braver Angels, to explore what it really takes to hold a country together in deeply polarized times. From navigating political divides within his own family to leading a national movement focused on bridging those divides, Maury shares why this moment in American history demands something different from all of us.

Together, they unpack the idea of courageous citizenship: the choice to act instead of react, to stay in conversation instead of walking away, and to recognize that our futures are more connected than we think.

Learn more about Braver Angels and the 2026 National Convention: https://braverangels.org/ Connect with Maury: linkedin.com/in/maurygiles

Democracy broken? Climate burning? System rigged?

Welcome to The Revolutionary Optimism Podcast — where despair is not the strategy.

Hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz, physician, humanitarian, and social justice advocate, this podcast goes beyond outrage and into transformation. Each episode explores bold, pragmatic solutions for repairing American democracy, confronting systemic injustice, and building a love-centered political culture that actually works.

This is not surface-level commentary.
This is structural change.
Topics include:
• Reimagining the U.S. Constitution
• Ending oligarchy and corporate capture
• Reparations and truth-telling
• Climate emergency accountability
• Citizen-led democracy reform
• Economic Bill of Rights
• Racial justice and systemic repair
• Movement building in the age of crisis

If you’re tired of rage-based politics and empty incrementalism — this podcast is for you.

Revolutionary Optimism is about unleashing personal power and collective action to catalyze bold and transformational political change rooted in justice, repair, and peace.

This is where ideas meet courage.

📘 Get Involved & Go Deeper

The Revolutionary Optimism Podcast is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.

Get your copy of my latest book, Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy here:
https://tr.ee/sNTfmb

Get your copy of my go to guide book, Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here: https://revolutionaryoptimism.com/

Are you ready to join #unifyUSA?
Learn more about the transformational movement at: https://unify-usa.org/

Peacebuilding and Democracy to Overcome Information Chaos with Danielle M. Reiff

Dr. Paul Zeitz — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 09:00:00 GMT

We’re living in the first generation of a digital era that’s designed to divide us, and most of us don’t even realize it. In this episode, Dr. Paul Zeitz sits down with peacebuilder and diplomat Danielle M. Reiff, author and editor of Overcoming Information Chaos, to explore how our digital world is fueling division and how we can reclaim peace, connection, truth, and democracy.

Drawing from her decades of work in global conflict zones and national democracy movements, Danielle shares deeply personal stories—from her childhood longing for peace to her frontline experience supporting a national dialogue between the Government of Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance Army. She applies her wisdom to the United States and explains how information disorder is accelerating polarization and destabilizing our democracy. Danielle shares her vision for a national consultation and a National Citizen’s Assembly to imagine a renewal of American democracy in 2026. She offers practical tips for how each of us can restore information integrity in our lives and nation.

Get your copy of Overcoming Information Chaos: https://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Information-Chaos-Cultivating-Communities-ebook/dp/B0DYNKVNX1

Learn more about Danielle and connect with her on socials: https://peacebuildersunite.com/.

Are you ready to join #unifyUSA? Learn more about the transformational movement at https://unify-usa.org/

Get your copy of Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy here!

Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here.

Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.

Deliberative Polling® Can Save Democracy: Vision of James Fishkin

Dr. Paul Zeitz — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 09:00:00 GMT

Dr. Paul Zeitz sits down with Professor James S. Fishkin of Stanford University—the mind behind Deliberative Polling®—to explore whether informed dialogue can heal democracy’s divisions. Fishkin shares how a single “eureka” moment in 1988 led to a global movement transforming how citizens think, talk, and decide together. From Texas to Mongolia, and now through AI-assisted platforms, deliberative polling is proving that when people have space to learn and listen, polarization can melt away.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How deliberative polling bridges divides and builds mutual respect
Why “America in One Room” changed what’s possible for civic engagement
How AI is helping scale democratic participation to millions worldwide
What a truly deliberative society could look like in the U.S.

Get James’ new book, Can Deliberation Cure the Ills of Democracy?, here: https://www.amazon.com/Can-Deliberation-Cure-Ills-Democracy/dp/0198944411

Are you ready to join #unifyUSA? Learn more about the transformational movement at https://unify-usa.org/

Get your copy of Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy here!

Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here.

Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.

Jeannette Rankin Defied All Odds as America’s First Congresswoman

Dr. Paul Zeitz — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 09:00:00 GMT

What can the first woman ever elected to Congress teach us about courage, peace, and the fight for democracy? In this episode, Dr. Paul Zeitz talks with historian and author Lorissa Rinehart about her book, Winning the Earthquake: How Jeannette Rankin Defied All Odds to Become America’s First Congresswoman.

Together, they explore how Rankin’s radical vision—for women’s suffrage, peace over war, and a truly representative democracy—remains just as urgent today. Hear how Rankin’s legacy can guide us through our own “earthquake moment,” and what it really means to prepare for peace instead of war.

Get your copy of Winning the Earthquake here.

Are you ready to join #unifyUSA? Learn more about the transformational movement at https://unify-usa.org/

Get your copy of Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy here!

Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here.

Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.

Vote with Your Phone: Bradley Tusk’s Bold Plan to Save Democracy

Dr. Paul Zeitz — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 08:00:00 GMT

Venture capitalist, political strategist, and philanthropist Bradley Tusk believes our democracy is running out of time—and that the solution fits in your pocket. In this episode, Bradley shares the story behind his new book, Vote With Your Phone, and how mobile voting could be the “final shot” at saving American democracy. From his early work in politics and Uber’s fight for legitimacy, to his philanthropic push for hunger relief and secure mobile voting technology, Bradley breaks down how ordinary citizens can reclaim power in a system dominated by special interests and low-turnout primaries.

Can technology revive civic participation before it’s too late? Bradley says yes, and he’s betting millions on it.

Learn more at www.mobilevoting.org.

Are you ready to join #unifyUSA? Learn more about the transformational movement at https://unify-usa.org/

Get your copy of Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy here!

Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here.

Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.

Healing Racism to Strengthen the U.S. Constitution with Susan Sturm

Dr. Paul Zeitz — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 08:00:00 GMT

What does it take to confront racism without falling into despair and instead transform our institutions for equity and justice? In this episode, Dr. Zeitz speaks with Professor Susan Sturm of Columbia Law School, a leading scholar and changemaker whose work bridges law, education, and community action. Drawing from her new book, What Might Be: Confronting Racism to Transform Our Institutions, Sturm unpacks the paradoxes at the heart of American democracy, the persistence of racial caste, and the urgent need for participatory democracy. Together, they explore:

How personal history and contradictions can fuel a lifelong commitment to justice
The Constitution’s paradox of freedom and slavery and why it still matters today
Why movements, not laws, are the true drivers of change
How “linked fate” reveals our interdependence across race, class, and identity
The potential of citizens’ assemblies and local democracy to reimagine our future

At a time when progress is under attack, Sturm offers a hopeful call to action: despair is not a strategy.

Are you ready to join #unifyUSA? Learn more about the transformational movement at https://unify-usa.org/

Get your copy of Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy here!

Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here.

Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.

Action Alert: Join Emergency Mobilization to Renew Democracy

Dr. Paul Zeitz — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 08:00:00 GMT

Trust in our democracy is collapsing, but history shows that when ordinary people rise up, real change becomes inevitable. In this episode, Dr. Paul Zeitz issues a bold call to action: join a nationwide movement to refresh and renew American democracy before it’s too late. From the Freedom Charter to the vision of a National Citizens Assembly, Dr. Zeitz lays out a concrete plan for how everyday Americans—not politicians or lobbyists—can lead the charge. Tune in to learn how you can take part in this urgent mobilization for democratic renewal and help shape the future of our nation.

Sign #unifyUSA's Freedom Charter here: www.unify-usa.org/freedom_charter

Are you ready to join #unifyUSA? Learn more about the transformational movement at https://unify-usa.org/

Get your copy of Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy here!

Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here.

Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.

The Right of the People: Is it Time for a Constitutional and Economic Revolution? with Osita Nwanevu

Dr. Paul Zeitz — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 08:00:00 GMT

Journalist and author Osita Nwanevu joins Dr. Paul Zeitz to unpack a hard truth: the United States was never designed to be an authentic democracy. Drawing from his book The Right of the People: Democracy and the Case for a New American Founding, Osita explains why our system fails the tests of equality, responsiveness, and majority rule—and how we might reinvent it for the 21st century. The conversation dives deep into the history of America’s anti-democratic foundations, the promise of citizens’ assemblies, the role of economic democracy, and the collective wisdom of ordinary people.

Get Osita's book here: penguinrandomhouse.com/the-right-of-the-people-by-osita-nwanevu/

Sign #unifyUSA's Freedom Charter here: www.unify-usa.org/freedom_charter

Are you ready to join #unifyUSA? Learn more about the transformational movement at https://unify-usa.org/

Get your copy of Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy here!

Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here.

Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.

Roadmap for How We Can Reclaim Our Democracy

Dr. Paul Zeitz — Mon, 26 May 2025 08:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Dr. Zeitz is joined by Vinay Orekondy, an Australian-born attorney, mediator, and democracy innovator now working at the heart of America’s civic renewal movement. Vinay wears multiple hats as he serves as the Partnerships Director, Better Together America; Co-Chair, Braver Network (Braver Angels); and the Director of Programs and Engagement, Grand Bargain Project.

Vinay takes us on a journey from his early political work in Australia, through his disillusionment with the U.S. electoral system, to his leading-edge efforts to create an inter-partisan citizen-driven democracy rooted in community, deliberation, and shared power.

Together, they unpack the failures of winner-takes-all politics, the transformational potential of ranked choice voting and proportional representation, and the rising movement of civic hubs that are stitching together a new fabric of democracy—one that isn't driven by dark money or partisan games, but by everyday people.

Are you ready to join #unifyUSA? Learn more about the transformational movement at https://unify-usa.org/

Get your copy of Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy here!

Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here.

Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.

Professor Lawrence Lessig on Healing Our Broken Democracy

Dr. Paul Zeitz — Mon, 12 May 2025 08:00:00 GMT

Can we rescue American democracy before it’s too late? In this episode, Dr. Paul Zeitz sits down with renowned legal scholar and democracy innovation entrepreneur and leader, Professor Lawrence Lessig of Constitutional Law at Harvard University, to explore a bold path forward. From unraveling the corrupting influence of Super PACs and dark money to defending the Constitution against authoritarian overreach, Lessig offers clarity, urgency, and an inspiring vision for revolutionary reform of the Constitution.

Together, they dig into:

Why Lessig believes the Constitution is in collapse—and what we must do now
A groundbreaking legal strategy to dismantle SpeechNOW and weaken Citizens United
How Citizens’ Assemblies could revolutionize democratic participation and safeguard reform
The dangers and potential of an Article V Convention in the hands of the people
Why Lessig says, “Donald Trump is the bus” hitting our already ailing democracy—and what comes next.

This is a masterclass in democracy renewal. Tune in, get informed, and join the movement for a citizen-driven future.

Are you ready to join #unifyUSA? Learn more about the transformational movement at https://unify-usa.org/

Get your copy of Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy here!

Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here.

Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.

You Only Get What You’re Organized to Take: A Kairos Moment with Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis

Dr. Paul Zeitz — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 08:00:00 GMT

Is America at a breaking point—or at the cusp of a breakthrough? In this episode, Dr. Zeitz sits down with Reverend Dr. Liz Theoharis, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign and director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice. A lifelong theologian and anti-poverty organizer, Rev. Dr. Liz shares why we are living in a Kairos moment—a time of both crisis and profound possibility.

Together, they unpack the growing attacks on democracy, the war on the poor, and the billionaire class’s grip on our government. And they also lift up the fierce grassroots resistance blooming across the country: movements led by those most impacted, from diaper banks to climate justice fights in Cancer Alley. Liz shares the power of moral fusion organizing, the heart behind her new book “You Only Get What You’re Organized to Take,” and how survival itself is sparking a revival.

If you're feeling despair, this conversation offers a bold, grounded, and faith-infused path toward action, justice, and transformation.

Learn more about the Kairos Center: https://kairoscenter.org/
Learn more about the Poor People's Campaign: https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/

Are you ready to join #unifyUSA? Learn more about the transformational movement at https://unify-usa.org/

Get your copy of Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy here!

Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here.

Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.

#unifyUSA: Dr. Paul Zeitz and Leigh Blake on Hitting Refresh on the U.S. Constitution

Dr. Paul Zeitz — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 12:56:30 GMT

Welcome to season three of Revolutionary Optimism! In this episode, producer Cee Cee Huffman talks with Dr. Paul Zeitz and social impact filmmaker Leigh Blake to discuss the launch of #unifyUSA, a groundbreaking movement dedicated to refreshing the U.S. Constitution through citizen-led action. With a shared history of tackling the global HIV/AIDS crisis and driving social change, Paul and Leigh explain why now is the time for Americans to reclaim their power and rebuild a citizen-driven democracy through Citizens’ Assemblies.

Discover how #unifyUSA aims to transcend political divides, foster unity, and create a government that truly serves the people. Whether you're frustrated with the current system or seeking hope for a better future, this conversation will inspire you to join the movement for transformative change.

Are you ready to join #unifyUSA? Learn more about the transformational movement at https://unify-usa.org/

Get your copy of Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy here!

Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here.

Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.

Lottocracy to Fix our Broken U.S Democracy with Alex Guerrero

Dr. Paul Zeitz — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 09:00:00 GMT

Dr. Paul Zeitz is talking with philosopher and legal scholar Alex Guerrero, author of Lottocracy: Why Lottery Should Replace Elections. Alex delves into the bold concept of lottocracy, a reimagined form of democracy by lottocracy where randomly selected citizens replace traditional elections to create more equitable and accountable leadership.

Drawing on over 15 years of research, Alex shares the flaws of electoral democracy in the U.S. and the transformative potential of citizen assemblies. From the practicalities of implementing lottocracy to its ability to foster diverse perspectives, Alex paints a vision for our broken U.S. democratic system rooted in fairness and inclusivity. Together, they explore the growing global movement for lottocracy, its implications for tackling urgent crises like climate change and economic inequality, and how it can unlock our collective imagination for a better future.

Alex’s call to action? Envision and experiment with new democratic models that transcend polarization and build hope.

Are you ready to join #unifyUSA? Learn more about the transformational movement at https://unify-usa.org/

Get your copy of Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy here!

Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here.

Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.

Action Alert: Reconstructing our Democracy with the People’s Voice

Dr. Paul Zeitz — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 09:00:00 GMT

Dr. Paul Zeitz invites you to join a transformative movement to rebuild democracy with permanent Citizens’ Assemblies so that we can create a just, sustainable future. Reflecting on the challenges and opportunities of our time, Dr. Paul outlines a visionary path forward: mobilizing citizens' assemblies across the nation, culminating in a historic National People's Convention by July 4, 2026. This is your chance to rise above polarization, confront systemic inequities, and reconstruct our Constitution for a future that reflects our shared values of freedom, equity, and interdependence.

Are you ready to join #unifyUSA? Learn more about the transformational movement at https://unify-usa.org/

Get your copy of Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy here!

Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here.

Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.

Resisting Authoritarianism with Creativity and Courage with Srđa Popović

Dr. Paul Zeitz — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 09:00:00 GMT

In this episode of Revolutionary Optimism, host Dr. Paul Zeitz sits down with renowned activist and strategist Srđa Popović, co-founder of Center for Applied Non-Violent Actions and Strategies: CANVAS, and leader of the Otpor! movement that ousted Serbian dictator Slobodan Milošević. Srđa shares gripping stories from his activism journey, including the innovative use of humor and nonviolent tactics that mobilized millions and baffled authoritarian forces.

From facing intense personal risks to building a movement that empowered ordinary people to resist oppression, Srđa's insights illuminate the power of collective action. Together, they discuss the parallels between global struggles for democracy and the current state of American politics, offering practical advice for fostering social movements, countering authoritarianism, and using technology as a tool for change. Srđa offers heartfelt advice for loving democracy each day, which is the key to its success.

Are you ready to join #unifyUSA? Learn more about the transformational movement at https://unify-usa.org/

Get your copy of Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling the Promise of Democracy here!

Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here.

Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.