The political waters have felt especially choppy in November. The Associated Press provided a series of helpful charts to digest the results of the general elections; and although the government shutdown is over, this article describes the ways that not everything is back to normal for many in the country. The Partnership for Public Service launched The Cost to Your Community, the third product in the Federal Harms Tracker series with an interactive map designed to show the federal government’s footprint and impact in states and communities nationwide. Meanwhile, former US Intelligence analysts have raised the alarm about the accelerating drift towards authoritarianism in the US.
Here’s a timeline of the administration’s responses to the Epstein files release saga, which appears to be sparking some interesting loyalty shifts within the MAGA movement. And speaking of realignments, Democracy 2076 recently released a report on Pro-Democracy Political Coalitions for 2076 that has identified 17 new axes of political polarization that transcend the traditional left-right divide. “These newly identified spectra represent fundamental changes in how political coalitions and divisions are forming, providing a framework for designing interventions that help us move towards a pro-democracy future.”
As we look to the future, we also feel inspired by those asking us to stay grounded in our history like this piece by Tommy J. Curry ‘America’s Embracing of Fascism Began with Its Killing of Black Men.’ You don’t want to miss the work on cross-racial, cross-movement solidarity and narrative infrastructure that our friends from the BLIS Collective have released this month. And Scot Nakagawa also shared an important article on Democracy as Infrastructure: “Stop thinking of democracy as the system that failed you. Start thinking of it as the infrastructure that allows you to fight for something better.” Check out the Othering & Belonging Institute’s new series on the practice of bridging, including this great piece by Rachael Reichenbach and Adrienne Evans, A Different Kind of Power: How Authentic Relational Conversations Lay the Groundwork for Democratic Renewal.
Chief Organizer, Maria Stephan has released several new articles this month on how U.S. Catholics are facing an authoritarian threat; and the role of educators in combatting authoritarianism historically and around the world, co-authored with Horizons’ Senior Researcher Adam Fefer. You can listen to two recent interviews Maria gave: ‘After No Kings Day, Civil Resistance Shifting to Disrupt Business as Usual’; and this one on the 3.5% Rule and combatting authoritarianism.
Here’s what else we’re reading, watching, and listening to this month:
📚 READING
Bigger We Organizing: A strategy to revitalize our democracy
Freedom Together Foundation
“The Bigger We report explores [organizing that] empowers people to build bridges across differences and act together for change…this approach outlines six key practices that strengthen connection, belonging, and collective agency – the essential skills of democracy: (1) a culture of agency: They focus relentlessly on developing people as collective actors in public life; (2) culturally relevant on-ramps – Bigger We organizations create social events, campaigns, or even nested organizations designed to meet people where they are, appealing to groups of people based on their shared identity, experiences, or interests; (3) place “belonging before belief” – to welcome ideologically diverse participants; (4) a honeycomb structure helps to achieve scale through networking dozens of small groups together to form a powerful whole; (5) a commitment to bridging across the commons, constructing spaces in which different parts of the honeycomb can regularly come together to bridge differences; and (6) a shared long-term power project – Bigger We organizations undertake long-term projects to grow the shared power of the honeycomb.”
Why the Struggle for a Third Reconstruction Remains the Struggle for Our Times
by Peniel Joseph, Nonprofit Quarterly (NPQ)
This article introduces NPQ’s series, Toward a Third Reconstruction, co-produced with Dēmos. “A Third Reconstruction begins with forging a new racial justice consensus grounded in mutual respect for human life and a shared concept of dignity…The stories in this series represent an effort to advance this conversation and consider how different actors—ranging from labor unions to immigrant rights advocates to community organizers to philanthropy—can most effectively participate in this struggle. During this time of racist backlash, censorship, fearmongering, hatred, and rising authoritarianism, advocates must stand firm on the shoulders of those who faced even more daunting odds in the past, and on the principles that King characterized as a ‘beloved community.’”
The Shadow Side of Collaboration
by George Schuler
This is one of two articles that came out in the past month that is giving a lot of food for thought for any of us in the business of weaving, connecting, or collaborating. “We talk about collaboration as if it’s always virtuous — the universal solvent for complexity. Every summit, partnership, and coalition promises ‘alignment.’ But the more we worship collaboration, the more easily it turns into performance.”
Connection Grift
by Connective Tissue and Sam Pressler
This piece offers some important critiques: “this connection craze may have a shadow side: connection grift…These grifters tend to share four key identifiers. First, they often promise to “solve” our “problems” with the tools, practices, models, and ways of being that contributed to these problems in the first place. Second, they often are disconnected from popular constituencies to which they are committed and accountable. Third, they often are able to capture finite resources and power at the expense of individuals and communities. And fourth, when the dust settles, they often end up reinforcing these problems rather than helping to solve them.”
📺 WATCHING
The American Revolution
PBS Series directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt.
This series on PBS showcases the stories of America’s founding and you’ll find an online Engagement Resource Center on the series website – a hub to support public media stations, community organizations, educators, and individuals around the documentary.
“An expansive look at the virtues and contradictions of the war and the birth of the United States of America, the film follows dozens of figures from a wide variety of backgrounds…The Revolution began a movement for people around the world to imagine new and better futures for themselves, their nations, and for humanity. It declared American independence with promises that we continue to strive for. The American Revolution opened the door to advance civil liberties and human rights, and it asked questions that we are still trying to answer today.”
Senator Slotkin Delivers Speech on Trump’s Authoritarian Playbook
The Brookings Institution recently held its fourth annual Knight Forum on Geopolitics “to examine the strategic choices confronting American national security and defense policy.” This year’s forum featured an important keynote from Senator Elissa Slotkin that we recommend everyone take the time to watch to better understand how the current administration is following the Authoritarian Playbook
Supreme Court Exposed Fueling Trump’s Chaos
Legal AF
“Hardy Merriman, the author of HOPE: Harnessing Our Power to End Political Violence, joins Lisa Graves (author of Without Precedent) from Court Accountability Action to talk about 1) how Trump is pushing authoritarianism–being aided by the Roberts Court–and 2) how people are effectively pushing back through actions like #NoKings and the viral and successful boycott of Disney in response to Trump targeting Jimmy Kimmel.” You can watch the second video interview in the series, Supreme Court Haunted by Their Own Appeasement here.
🎧 LISTENING TO
Main Character Energy: The Psychology of Audience Identity
What If We Podcast
“What if we stopped thinking about audiences as demographics and started seeing them as heroes of their own stories? [This episode explores] how advocates and communicators can move beyond “reaching everyone” to instead meet audiences where they are, address their concerns, and craft stories that resonate deeply. They also share why the “movable middle” isn’t about convincing people to agree, but about understanding their internal conflicts and helping them see the choices in front of them. If you’ve ever wondered how to tailor messages that move people toward shared understanding and action, this episode offers both the art and the science behind it.”
Global Lessons on Fighting Religious Nationalism
American Unexceptionalism podcast series
This podcast series is “from Dr. Matthew D. Taylor and the Rev. Susan Hayward about what Americans can learn from people around the world who have resisted religious nationalism and authoritarianism. The series turns the idea of American exceptionalism on its head, asking: What can we learn from others about protecting democracy when the stakes are high? How have Buddhists in Sri Lanka, Muslims in Turkey, and Christians in South Korea confronted religious nationalism in their own contexts—and what lessons can we draw from their struggles to restrain its power?”
Comedy is Resistance
Freedom to Thrive Podcast
This kick off episode of Season two of the Freedom to Thrive podcast from the National Immigration Law Center is with new host, Hector Flores, an LA-based artist and founding member of Las Cafeteras. He “welcomes acclaimed comedian and writer Cristela Alonzo, fresh off her third Netflix comedy special, to explore how laughter fuels activism. From growing up on the border to breaking into Hollywood, Cristela shares her journey, her stand-up trilogy, Lower Class, Middle Class, Upper Class, and how rest and joy are radical tools for change. Come for the joy and laughter, stay for the call to action. Leave renewed, ready to stand together and help our communities thrive.”
Can Bridge Building Save Democracy?
The Good Apocalypse Podcast
“Alex Evans speaks to Miriam Juan-Torres González, a leading expert on polarisation, democracy and belonging. They discuss the evolution of political polarisation since 2016, the rise of authoritarian populism and strategies for building bridges and defending democracy in turbulent times. Miriam shares insights from her research and real-world examples of successful civic campaigns, offering practical advice for anyone passionate about positive change.”
😜 FOR FUN
ALOK: Biology! | Full Comedy Special
Trans activist, poet, author and comedian, ALOK recently keynoted the Race Forward Just Narratives conference as the anchor event to kick off November’s 2025 Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy. If you want to experience the laughter and the call to live a life of joy and love that ALOK so beautifully expresses, don’t miss their comedy special. A portion of any financial support for ALOK and this free special goes to the Trans Justice Funding Project, a community-led funding initiative to support grassroots, trans justice groups run by and for trans people in the US.
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Grateful for all of you this Thanksgiving season!