Revisiting: "What Is Democracy"

Host Erika Washington revisits powerful moments from past guests to tackle one big question: What is democracy, and do we really have it?

From a mother teaching her toddlers about voting through dance-party elections, to a candid late-night conversation with her friend Derek about Trump, free speech, and why Black voters need to show up decisively — this episode weaves together perspectives on equity, representation, and the gap between democracy's ideals and its reality in America.

Guests reflect on gerrymandering, voter suppression, the power of local elections, and why "vote for the lesser of two evils" misses the point of what democracy should be. It's an unfiltered, funny, and deeply honest look at democracy from the people living it every day.

Creators and Guests

Producer

Erika Washington

Composer

Wil Black

What is Sticky Note Conversations?

To keep my thoughts in order and my to-do lists remotely manageable I create arrays of sticky notes on my desk and wall. New idea? Stick note! Someone I want to meet with? Sticky Note! Need to remember to pay a parking ticket? Write it on a sticky note. Over the course of the last year, I have wanted to create a podcast that allowed me to dive deep into conversations with interesting people.. I wanted to have real conversations that were more than sound bites or regurgitated talking points about fluffy topics. My hope is that each episode feels like old friends catching up. Revealing great information but also humanity, struggle, victory, joy, grief, and possibly, a flicker of transcendence.

I hope you will enjoy these as much as I do creating them.
Join me here every Saturday as I pull a new sticky note off my desk.