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Democracy
Trump Administration
Authoritarianism
United States
Civil Rights
Donald Trump
Racism
Voting Rights
Poverty
Administrative Burden
Poor People's Campaign
Evangelical Christianity
Bureaucracy
American Democracy
Reproductive Rights
Moral Fusion Politics
Harvard University
Public Education
Immigration
Republican Party

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 monthlyEpisodes67Founded2 years ago
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NewsPoliticsGovernment

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Artwork for The Context

Latest Episodes

Democracy is a conversation. In the United States, and every other democracy, we’re continually talking with one another about what issues deserve our attention, what our nation stands for, and what we want from our government. Politicians, parties, ... more

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Authoritarianism is gaining ground in democracies around the world—often with populist, nativist rhetoric. In the United States, this trend threatens to demolish democratic government. And shifts in American foreign policy are also uprooting the prev... more

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The line between peaceful politics and violent conflict can be fragile. In recent years, there have been many instances of election-related violence around the world. One of the worst examples occurred in Kenya. Following a disputed election in 2007,... more

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The history of the United States is littered with injustices. What should patriotism look like when our country does wrong? And how can we be patriotic, in spite of injustices? Can we hope for better? Nikole Hannah-Jones joins host Alex Lovit to talk... more

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Recent Guests

Sellah King'oro
Narrative peacebuilder; former researcher/policy lead for Kenya's National Cohesion and Integration Commission; postdoctoral associate at Binghamton University's Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention
National Cohesion and Integration Commission; Binghamton University
Episode: Building Peace, One Story at a Time
Nikole Hannah-Jones
Knight Chair in Race and Journalism at Howard University; Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of The 1619 Project
Howard University
Episode: The Country We Have, the Country We Want
Jules Gill-Peterson
Associate Professor of History at Johns Hopkins University, scholar of transgender history
Johns Hopkins University
Episode: The Unfinished Fight for Transgender Freedom
Sherrilyn Ifill
Vernon Jordan Distinguished Professor in Civil Rights at Howard University School of Law; founding director of the 14th Amendment Center for Law and Democracy
Howard University School of Law; NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
Episode: The 14th Amendment Redefined America
Lewis Raven Wallace
Journalist and author
Author of Radical Unlearning; journalist
Episode: Changing Minds Is Hard—Especially Your Own
Marc Elias
Voting rights lawyer; founder of Elias Law Group and Democracy Docket
Elias Law Group; Democracy Docket
Episode: Can the Courts Protect the Ballot?
Sunita Sah
Physician turned organizational psychologist, professor at Cornell University
Cornell University
Episode: Saying No to Authority When Yes Is Easier
Andrew Whitehead
Professor of sociology at Indiana University; executive director of the Association of Religion Data Archives; Kettering Foundation research fellow
Indiana University; Association of Religion Data Archives; Kettering Foundation
Episode: How Christian Nationalism Undermines Democracy
Sergio Garcia-Rios
Assistant Professor, LBJ School for Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin; Associate Director for Research at the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy; polling director for Univision News
University of Texas at Austin; Univision News
Episode: In a Polarized Country, Latinos Are Still Making Up Their Minds

Host

Alex Lovit
Host of The Context

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 33 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 States9 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 States10 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
    Canadaa year 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.

Thoughtful, accessible analysis of democracy with practical takeaways.
High-quality interviews with rigorous guests; journalism at its best.
Insightful and hard-hitting discussions that elevate expert perspectives without partisan spin.

Top Politics Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Building Peace, One Story at a Time
Q: Can you give us a brief description of what peace building entails?
She explains peace building as addressing root causes, repairing injustices, strengthening institutions, and improving intergroup relationships, with attention to latent conflicts and the narratives that sustain them.
Building Peace, One Story at a Time
Q: How did you get into this field? How did you first get interested in it?
Sellah describes a personal history rooted in border-area conflicts, early exposure to violence, and a long-standing curiosity that led her toward diplomacy and conflict studies as a pathway to understanding and addressing root causes of conflict.
The Country We Have, the Country We Want
Q: What should citizens do now in 2026 to safeguard democracy?
Defend institutions, bear witness, organize locally, protest when needed, and participate in elections; adapt strategies to one's sphere of influence, focusing on concrete actions like protecting librarians from book purges and supporting civil rights protections.
The Country We Have, the Country We Want
Q: Who are the positive patriots we should look up to, and why?
Frederick Douglass emerges as a central example of patriotic love of country, advocating for universal rights and welcoming immigrants; Ida B. Wells is presented as a powerful counterpart fighting for abolition and civil rights.
The Country We Have, the Country We Want
Q: Do you think patriotism has been a positive force in this country's history?
Patriotism has sometimes driven positive change when Black Americans and other marginalized groups pushed against exclusion, but overall the traditional patriotism has been exclusionary and tied to myths about founders and founding ideals.

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 show that breaks down ideas, history, and trends shaping democracy through conversations with researchers, practitioners, and advocates. Episodes frequently cover civil rights, voting rights, national identity, and strategies for sustaining inclusive democracies, often weaving historical perspectives with practical actions. The host guides big-picture discussions with rigorous guests, while keeping the tone accessible and solution-oriented. Unique strengths include a steady focus on evidence-based analysis, accessible storytelling, and an emphasis on civic participation across a broad political spectrum, making it useful for listeners who want context, nuance, and concrete steps to engage in democratic processes.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Context?

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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What are the audience demographics for The Context?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Context, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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. The Focus Group Podcast
2. Talking Feds
3. Main Justice
4. Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast
5. The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell

How many episodes of The Context are there?

The Context launched 2 years ago and published 67 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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Context?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Context from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on The Context?

Recent guests on The Context include:

1. Sellah King'oro
2. Nikole Hannah-Jones
3. Jules Gill-Peterson
4. Sherrilyn Ifill
5. Lewis Raven Wallace
6. Marc Elias
7. Sunita Sah
8. Andrew Whitehead

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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