Civics Minute

About Civics Minute

Civics Minute is a bite-sized series focused on civic engagement. Through an alphabet of key terms, each short-form episode explores the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities that allow ordinary people to shape their communities. Produced through a collaboration between William & Mary and WHRO Public Media, the series is hosted by Paul Manna, the Hyman Professor of Government and Public Policy at William & Mary and co-author of The Challenge of Democracy: American Government in Global Politics. Each episode introduces a key concept related to citizenship, government, democracy, or public participation. Clear explanations and relatable examples connect civics to the institutions, decisions, and responsibilities that affect everyday life. Episodes examine how citizens can influence their towns, cities, counties, states, and nation through voting, volunteering, attending public meetings, contacting elected officials, serving their communities, and learning about public issues. Informative, approachable, and practical, Civics Minute encourages listeners to become more knowledgeable and active participants in democratic life, in their communities and throughout the nation. The series is produced by Grace Helmick and Conor Molloy of William & Mary’s Strategic Cultural Partnerships. Learn more and listen at WHRO.org/civics (http://WHRO.org/civics).

Publisher

WHRO Public Media

Category

government

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

20 Aug 2026

Latest episode

2 Nov 2026

Latest episodes

5 of 10 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   2 Nov 2026TRANSCRIPT

   'I' is for Implementation

   Paul Manna explains how citizens can influence policy implementation through public engagement with government agencies.

2. 

   26 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   'H' is for Home Rule

   Paul Manna, a political science professor, explains how Home Rule empowers local governments and why directing concerns to the right officials drives effective civic engagement.

3. 

   19 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   'G' is for Gridlock

   Paul Manna explains how citizens can foster constructive dialogue and advance policymaking by focusing on evidence and problem-solving to overcome political gridlock.

4. 

   12 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   'F' is for Federalism

   Federalism divides power between the national government and the states. Paul Manna explores how that system creates multiple opportunities for civic engagement, from contacting Congress to participating in school board meetings, zoning decisions, and other local issues.

5. 

   5 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   'E' is for Election

   Paul Manna, a political science professor, discusses how citizens engage in civic life through elections, from discussing issues to running for office.

6. 

   28 Sept 2026

   'D' for Democracy

   Paul Manna explains how active citizen participation in representative government strengthens democracy and ensures "rule by the people."

7. 

   21 Sept 2026

   'C' for Civics

   Host Paul Manna explores the core concepts of civics, empowering listeners to understand their rights, responsibilities, and the impact of participation on democracy.

8. 

   14 Sept 2026

   'B' for Ballot

   Paul Manna explains how citizens utilize ballots for democratic participation, exploring various voting methods to make their voices heard.

9. 

   7 Sept 2026

   'A' for Accountability

   Paul Manna explains how citizens actively engage in a representative democracy to hold elected officials accountable through voting and civic participation.

10. 

    20 Aug 2026

    Welcome to Civics Minute

    Host [Host Name] introduces Civics Minute, a series making civic life understandable through key concepts of citizenship and democracy.

Inside a recent episode

'I' is for Implementation

Published 2 Nov 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] I'm Paul Manna, the Hyman Professor of Government and Public Policy and co-author of The Challenge of Democracy, American Government and Global Politics. Today's Civics Letter is I for Implementation. implementation occurs when government agencies carry out the law. For example, a new infrastructure policy could instruct the state transportation department to widen an existing highway in the coming year. So how is implementation related to your own civic life? Importantly, it creates opportunities for engagement with government agencies during the implementation process. Before the transportation department widens the highway, for instance, it'll host public information sessions where people can suggest improvements to the project. […]

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