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Democracy
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Voting Rights
Racism
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Evangelical Christianity
Bureaucracy
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Do you ever watch the news and wonder, “How did we get here?” Or think to yourself, “Things are bad . . . What can I do?” The Context is here to help. Our show breaks down the ideas, history, and trends that are shaping democracy. And you don’t need to be an expert to follow along. Every other Tuesday, host Alex Lovit talks about timely topics with big-picture thinkers and hands-on practitioners, ... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes60Founded2 years ago
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Artwork for The Context

Latest Episodes

The decisions judges make during the coming months in various active legal cases will affect who can vote, which districts they vote in, and what political advertising they see—among many other factors. What’s at stake is not just the outcomes of thi... more

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As the United States continues to experience democratic backsliding, people are looking for ways to rise to the moment. But what does it take for someone to stay true to their values and say, “no, I refuse to participate in this?” Organizational psyc... more

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Christian nationalists view other religious, cultural, and racial identities as less than fully American. Andrew Whitehead joins host Alex Lovit to discuss the threat that this poses to democracy. Andrew Whitehead is a professor of sociology and exec... more

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Latinos are the largest and fastest growing minority group in the United States, which means they have growing political influence. In recent elections, Latino voters have been split between the two major parties, with Republicans gaining significant... more

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Joy Harjo
First Native American poet laureate of the United States, author of 11 acclaimed volumes of poetry, and Ruth Yellowhawk Fellow at the Kettering Foundation.
Episode: We Are Under Cultural Stress. Art Can Help.
John C. Yang
President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, and a proud first-generation immigrant to the United States
Asian Americans Advancing Justice
Episode: American Identity Is Under Attack
Spencer Overton
The Patricia Roberts Harris Research Professor of Law at George Washington University Law School.
George Washington University Law School
Episode: AI Is Coming for Democracy
Angelo Carusone
President of Media Matters, a nonprofit media watchdog organization
Media Matters
Episode: Maybe Don’t Get All Your News from Podcasts, America
Maria Stephan
Co-lead and chief organizer of the Horizons Project, author of several books including 'Why Civil Resistance Works'
Episode: Nonviolent Resistance Works. Here’s Why.
Ruby Bell Booth
Researcher with CIRCLE at Tufts University, focused on youth civic participation and democracy
CIRCLE, Tufts University
Episode: Bonus: Gen Z is Taking Their First Steps onto the Political Stage (from Disrupting Peace podcast)
Alex Edgar
Youth engagement manager at Made By Us, focuses on civic participation among younger generations
Made By Us
Episode: Bonus: Gen Z is Taking Their First Steps onto the Political Stage (from Disrupting Peace podcast)
Deva Woodly
Political science professor at Brown University and research fellow at the Kettering Foundation.
Brown University
Episode: What Makes Social Movements Win
Erica Frantz
Expert on authoritarianism and political science at Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Episode: Why Democracies Unravel Under Leaders Like Trump

Host

Alex Lovit
Host of The Context

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 30 ratings
  • Vital for these times

    I've been sharing this podcast because it's intelligent, includes things you can do about the crisis in our country, and doesn't go on and on. Alex, you have an outstanding radio voice, which doesn't hurt. Thanks for doing this podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    marc usa
    United States6 months ago
  • Excellent Discussions of Topical Pro-Democracy Concerns

    I luckily discovered The Context thru “The Democracy Group.” It’s an excellent podcast. The interviews with experts are intelligent. They try to provide some positive steps people can take to create a stronger democracy. Assuming, of course, we ever escape from our current authoritarian government.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DrDK2
    United States7 months ago
  • Superfood for the Soul

    The Context is an intellectual breath of fresh air. Each episode dives deep without ever feeling heavy or inaccessible. It avoids the usual superficial takes and instead offers thoughtful, well-framed insights that stay with you. No matter your place on the political or social spectrum, this podcast expands your thinking and nourishes your curiosity. It’s the kind of show that doesn’t just inform—it inspires. A powerful and essential addition to any podcast lineup.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Goldenrust
    Canada8 months ago
  • Excellent Show

    Where often shows can be “activating” like make you mad or angry or hate another perspective or group, this show is purely educational. I like how I can just listen and feel enlightened and form my own views and opinions based on expertise, not someone spinning information to get a reaction out of me.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cprestonra
    United Statesa year ago
  • Well done

    Thank you for giving us, the public, this well thought out, highly informative, deep dive podcast.

    Example: Today’s interview with Stacey Abrams gave me information that’s complex, multi faceted, historically rich, and highly relevant to our issues today.

    More importantly, I know the work and reputation the “Kettering Foundation” has done to remain bi-partisan at every turn.

    And yet you’re still able to ask the hard questions, bring in highly respected, educated, knowledgeable people to addre... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LAGaffer
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the balance of intellectual rigor and accessible storytelling.
Clear, substantive conversations with experts who offer practical steps for protecting democracy.
High-quality interviews with respected scholars and advocates build trust and insight.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#197
Philippines/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

We Are Under Cultural Stress. Art Can Help.
Q: So how can art help with some of that stuff? If democracy requires a sense of connection of equality, can art help us get there?
Harjo believes that artists are essential in culture, serving as truth-tellers and illuminating important truths, helping in the journey of democracy.
We Are Under Cultural Stress. Art Can Help.
Q: How do you see this moment in American history and what is the crisis?
Harjo describes the current moment as a genuine crisis, highlighting the differences in how communities are formed and the need for human connection.
American Identity Is Under Attack
Q: Is there anything else you would want to mention that is emblematic of the way that Trump is trying to restrict inclusion in the United States?
The narrative that immigrants are part of the enemy and the idea that there is only a specific segment of the world that should belong in the United States are dangerous.
American Identity Is Under Attack
Q: What would it look like if Trump got his way regarding birthright citizenship?
Children born to political refugees or undocumented individuals would not automatically receive American citizenship, creating uncertainty about their status.
American Identity Is Under Attack
Q: What is Trump trying to do regarding birthright citizenship?
Trump is trying to say that unless you are a citizen or a permanent resident, you would not be a citizen automatically by being born in the United States.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Context

What is The Context about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, civics-forward discussion series that breaks down ideas, history, and trends shaping democracy. Episodes feature hands-on practitioners, scholars, activists, and journalists who translate complex political topics into actionable insights. The conversations span art and culture, civil rights, voting rights, nonviolent resistance, and the role of technology and media in democracy, often tying historical context to contemporary policy and practice. A standout trait is the diverse lineup of guests and the clear emphasis on practical steps listeners can take to support democratic health, accountability, and inclusion. A recurring strength is its bipartisan, nonpartisan approach that seeks clarity without shilling for any single ide... more

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Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Context. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Context and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Context get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Context have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Context has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Context?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Context:

1. Radio Atlantic
2. The Ezra Klein Show
3. Letters from an American
4. The Opinions
5. The Political Scene | The New Yorker

How many episodes of The Context are there?

The Context launched 2 years ago and published 60 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Context?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on The Context?

Recent guests on The Context include:

1. Joy Harjo
2. John C. Yang
3. Spencer Overton
4. Angelo Carusone
5. Maria Stephan
6. Ruby Bell Booth
7. Alex Edgar
8. Deva Woodly

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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