Save Democracy

About Save Democracy

Host Katherine Davies lifts the lid on liberal democracy, why it's important and how we can save it. Katherine interviews inspiring defenders of democracy, in your street and around the world, and asks what individuals can do to help save democracy.

Publisher

Katherine Davies

Category

education · news · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

16 May 2026

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Oct 2026

   Beware the emotional hijack

   Defend yourself against emotional hijack, or, in the technical term, "malign cognitive influence", as it's coming after you! your vote, your money, your time, and your identity! For a healthy democracy, we need to protect and nourish our own agency, and preserve independence of thought. This half hour may well help you strengthen your defences. Joining host Katherine Davies is Cambridge University Professor Alan Jagolinzer, the founder, chair, and coordinator of the annual Cambridge Disinformation Summit (https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/events/cambridge-disinformation-summit-2027/), a leading, global gathering of academics, tech whistleblowers, and policymakers. This episode focuses on one aspect of disinformation - emotional hijacking. Podcast website https://www.savedemocracy.today/ (https://www.savedemocracy.today/) If you'd like to help keep Save Democracy on the road, please subscribe to our YouTube channel (free, just one click, hit subscribe) https://www.youtube.com/@SaveDemocracypodcast (https://www.youtube.com/@SaveDemocracypodcast) References from episode David Stillwell Tedx Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7a5yQ3Xn44 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7a5yQ3Xn44) Sarah Wynn Williams Careless People (https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250391230/carelesspeople/) (Former Facebook Executive) https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250391230/carelesspeople/ Jonathan Metzl on social identity, Dying of Whiteness (https://www.jonathanmetzl.com/book/dying-of-whiteness) https://www.jonathanmetzl.com/book/dying-of-whiteness Guest bio Alan Jagolinzer (https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/people/alan-jagolinzer/ ) is Professor of Financial Accounting, Vice Dean for Programmes, and Co-Director of the Cambridge Centre for Financial Reporting & Accountability at the Cambridge Judge Business School. Formerly at the University of Colorado and Stanford University. Recipient of the Stanford University MBA Distinguished Teaching Award and the Cambridge MBA Teaching Award. Former Academic Fellow at the International Accounting Standards Board. Alan has published research on insider trading, corporate governance, and the efficacy of international and U.S. financial reporting standards. He is currently examining university governance, disinformation, crypto coin influencer networks, and populist threats to market regulatory institutions. He convenes the Cambridge Disinformation Summit and chairs the Summit’s project committees on grade-school critical thinking and literacy, protecting global academic independence from populist, political and influencer threats, and developing and disseminating business leadership curriculum regarding information threats and responsibilities. He has served on advisory boards to the UK [financial reporting standards] Endorsement Board and Bellingcat. He was previously an active-duty pilot in the United States Air Force, flying T-37, T-38, and E-3 AWACS aircraft. https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/people/alan-jagolinzer/ (https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/people/alan-jagolinzer/) https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/events/cambridge-disinformation-summit-2027/ (https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/events/cambridge-disinformation-summit-2027/) The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal or political advice. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. Always consult with a qualified professional or local officials for specific advice tailored to your situation. The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host or the production company. Links to external resources, as well as any screenshots, audio clips, music clips, or images included in this episode, are provided for reference and illustrative purposes only. The inclusion of such materials does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement of this podcast or its content by the original creators, copyright holders, or associated entities. Credits Music from Uppbeat: Niafunke by Arnito Thumbnail building image: Palinchak from Dreamstime

2. 

   24 Sept 2026

   Engaging with your rep and nailing petitions

   This episode may surprise you and leave you with a greater sense of agency. How can you engage effectively with your rep (or MP), and raise an issue with your parliament (or the equivalent in your country) - what’s good to know? Cristina Leston‑Bandeira is a leading authority on citizen engagement with parliaments and representative assemblies. Cristina advises legislatures worldwide, authors practical guides, and leads research on making parliaments more accessible. Enjoying the pod? Please consider subscribing to our youtube channel. It helps us stay on the road! https://www.youtube.com/@SaveDemocracypodcast (https://www.youtube.com/@SaveDemocracypodcast) Warning: Petitions are sometimes created by people who have suffered tragic loss and wish to prevent others from suffering the same. In this episode, the guest refers to two examples which some listeners/viewers may find distressing, especially if not forewarned. Specifically, the sensitive material in this episode refers to parents who have lost their children (issues: water safety and suicide). Guest Bio Cristina Leston-Bandeira is Professor of Politics at the University of Leeds and Co-Director of the Centre for Democratic Politics. She is Deputy Chair of the pioneering International Parliament Engagement Network (IPEN), which she co-founded with the UK House of Commons Service, and chaired from 2020 to 2026. Professor Leston-Bandeira has worked on parliaments for over 30 years, having authored more than 60 academic publications, and was the first female academic Chair of the UK Study of Parliament Group. She is a leading scholar on parliaments and public engagement and was awarded the UK Political Studies Association 2025 Sir Isaiah Berlin Prize for her outstanding professional contributions to political studies. This Leeds profile page below has a link to the guides (for parliaments) on citizen engagement (2nd paragraph under Research Interests) that Cristina mentions in this episode of Save Democracy: https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/politics/staff/88/professor-cristina-leston-bandeira The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal or political advice. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. Always consult with a qualified professional or local officials for specific advice tailored to your situation. The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host or the production company. Links to external resources, as well as any screenshots, audio clips, music clips, or images included in this episode, are provided for reference and illustrative purposes only. The inclusion of such materials does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement of this podcast or its content by the original creators, copyright holders, or associated entities. Credits Music from Uppbeat: Niafunke by Arnito Podcast website: savedemocracy.today (https://www.savedemocracy.today/)

3. 

   5 Sept 2026

   Authoritarian reach inside your democracy

   The reach of authoritarian states will surprise you. In democracies around the world, HRW research reveals the silencing of citizens by the Chinese state. The fear employed? The threat to friends and family back in China. The how? Getting people inside the diaspora to spy on each other. For our interviewee, it's personal. China Researcher for Human Rights Watch, Yalkun Uluyol, has no idea where his father is. And for Yalkun, it's his profession, documenting testimony around the world. In ~30 minute episode (video version on youtube with images, maps and graphics), find out the extent to which authoritarians will go to silence nationals wherever they are. If you like our podcast, please subscribe to our youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@SaveDemocracypodcast (https://www.youtube.com/@SaveDemocracypodcast) Your click is a huge support and will help others find the podcast. Guest bio Yalkun Uluyol is the China researcher at Human Rights Watch (HRW). His research and publications primarily focus on China and a wide range of topics, including international political economy, foreign policy, civil and political rights, religious freedom, forced labor, and transnational repression. Prior to HRW, Yalkun was a researcher investigating Uyghur forced labor and global supply chains at the Forced Labor Lab at Sheffield Hallam University. He was also a co-founder of the project - Uyghur Rights Monitor - leading research on government officials and entities complicit with atrocities in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Yalkun holds a bachelor's in economics from Istanbul University and a Ph.D. in International Relations from Koç University. Yalkun speaks Uyghur, Mandarin, English, Turkish, and Arabic. References 1) Human Rights Watch report "We Will Find You - A Global Look at How Governments Repress Nationals Abroad" referenced in interview: https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/02/22/governments-target-nationals-living-abroad 2) HRW News Release, Aug 27, 2026: https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/08/27/china-decade-of-impunity-for-crimes-against-uyghurs 3) SOAS article "Democratic neighbours as a challenge to the autocratic superiority tale": https://blogs.soas.ac.uk/china-institute/2022/04/25/democratic-neighbours-as-a-challenge-to-the-autocratic-superiority-tale/ 4) CFR article "Taiwan's Democracy is Thriving in China's Shadow": https://www.cfr.org/articles/taiwans-democracy-thriving-chinas-shadow Clarification Re: 'about 35% of solar panels are coming from Xinjiang' Xinjiang accounts for about 35% of the world's polysilicon and 32% of global metallurgical grade silicon production, materials essential to the manufacture of solar panels (95%). Crawford A. and Murphy L.T. (2023) "Over-Exposed: Uyghur Region Exposure Assessment for Solar Industry Sourcing," Sheffield, UK: Sheffield Hallam University Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal or political advice. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. Always consult with a qualified professional or local officials for specific advice tailored to your situation. The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host or the production company. Links to external resources, as well as any screenshots, audio clips, music clips, or images included in this episode, are provided for reference and illustrative purposes only. The inclusion of such materials does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement of this podcast or its content by the original creators, copyright holders, or associated entities. Credits Image of Uyghur crowd and musicians. Copyright (UNESCO) ICH Protection and Research Centre, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China Satellite image of a political education camp in Hami, Xinjiang. Copyright Shawn Zhang. Image of men seated in rows: Government social media post in April 2017 shows detainees in a political education camp in Lop County, Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang. Xinjiang Bureau of Justice WeChat Account World map of Uyghur diaspora created by Save Democracy using mapchart.net and data from Uyghur Human Rights Project uhrp.org/report/diaspora Screenshot of HRW article https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/08/16/australia-chinese-government-menaces-uyghur-diaspora Image of Tara Zhang Yadi, copyright ChineseYouthStand4Tibet Image of the CCP in the Great Hall, Beijing, copyright Mirko Kuzmanovic dreamstime.com Image of umbrellas protest, July 2019 Hong Kong, by Ng Chun Yin, licensed from Shutterstock Screenshot of HRW article https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/08/21/hong-kong-activists-convicted-for-tiananmen-vigils Image of Jimmy Lai from Doughty Street Chambers article https://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/dark-day-anyone-who-believes-truth-freedom-and-justice-jimmy-lais-family-react-his-conviction CFR and SOAS article screenshots, and HRW We Will Find You 2024 report cover, referenced above Graphic of Top 10 Origin States Transnational Repression screenshot from Freedom House https://freedomhouse.org/article/ten-findings-ten-years-data-transnational-repression Music from Uppbeat: Niafunke by Arnito and Unseen by Abstract Aprils

4. 

   21 Aug 2026

   To Campaign: Passion, grit + relationships

   A non-partisan pressure group wins a tough high stakes campaign in the UK parliament, defending democracy. How did they do it? Alongwith a coalition, and plenty of grit and relationship building, amid many setbacks, they just kept getting back up again, and again and again, fighting for the foundations beneath the feet of the British people. Enjoy an inspiring 30 minutes with a passionate lifelong campaigner, Shaun Roberts. Shaun joined the non partisan pressure group, Unlock Democracy, in 2021, to lead their campaigning, engagement, advocacy and digital work. Shaun has a long track record of developing and delivering successful campaigns in both the political and non-profit sectors, and internationally. Shaun is interviewed by Save Democracy's Host and Creator, Katherine Davies. The podcast is on all major platforms, youtube and substack. Podcast website: https://www.savedemocracy.today/ (https://www.savedemocracy.today/) Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SaveDemocracypodcast (https://www.youtube.com/@SaveDemocracypodcast) Substack: https://substack.com/@davieskatherine (https://substack.com/@davieskatherine) Unlock Democracy: https://unlockdemocracy.org.uk/ (https://unlockdemocracy.org.uk/) The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal or political advice. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. Always consult with a qualified professional or local officials for specific advice tailored to your situation. The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host or the production company. Music (Uppbeat): Niafunke by Arnito Images A screenshot from The Telegraph: "Either the Electoral Commission reforms or we will abolish it" by Amanda Milling, Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party, Published 29 Aug 2020 Image identifying some of the organisations that were part of the coalition fighting to restore the independence of the UK's electoral commission, courtesy of Unlock Democracy

5. 

   11 Aug 2026

   We the People: AI-assisted

   Be inspired and enjoy some positive news on the defense of democracy, from Stanford Professor James Fishkin. Explore some of the remarkable (and scalable) results from AI-assisted deliberative democracy, and how it can help connect the will of the people to what is done in their name. In just over half an hour, find out what's important to know. Enjoying the pod? Please share it with a friend, or post a one-line review to help others find us. Thank you! Partnerships - If you're with a university, foundation, or ethical global company, interested in exploring a podcast partnership with Save Democracy, email Host and Creator, Katherine Davies: katherine@savedemocracy.today pod website: https://www.savedemocracy.today/ (https://www.savedemocracy.today/) Also on Substack: https://substack.com/@davieskatherine (https://substack.com/@davieskatherine) Guest Bio - James S. Fishkin is the author of Can Deliberation Cure the Ills of Democracy? (https://www.jamesfishkin.com/) (Oxford 2025) as well as Democracy When the People are Thinking (Oxford 2018) and other books. He holds the Janet M. Peck Chair in International Communication at Stanford University where he is Professor of Communication, Professor of Political Science (by courtesy), Senior Fellow of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and Director of the Deliberative Democracy Lab (http://stanford.deliberation.edu (http://stanford.deliberation.edu) ). He works on deliberative democracy and his process of “Deliberative Polling” has been used for public consultation in more than 160 projects around the world. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Guggenheim Fellow and a Fellow of the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal or political advice. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. Always consult with a qualified professional or local officials for specific advice tailored to your situation. The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host or the production company. Music - Niafunke by Arnito (Uppbeat) Image credits Community meeting, West Bengal - White Ribbon Alliance Parliamentarian image, UK - House of Commons Voters lining up to vote - SDI Productions, iStock

6. 

   26 Jul 2026

   The target is you, me and democracy: AI and disinformation

   Familiar with disinformation? My expert guest, Dr Halyna Padalko, reveals what happens when you add AI. Prepare yourself for what's to come - help innoculate yourself in 30 minutes. We are all vulnerable. Dr Padalko helps us to appreciate the current and future threats. Awareness is key. Halyna also lays out the ways we can use AI to counter the threats, and how, as individuals, we can best prepare ourselves. Consider sharing this episode. Too few people are talking about this. On Save Democracy, we're about freedom without fear. Aware, without the fear. It's why we try to keep episodes to 30 minutes. It's why, with this episode, we address both the threats and the countering strategies. It's good to be forewarned, to prepare, to share, to adapt, and move on. Let me know how you go. I have just opened a Chat on our Substack where you're very welcome! https://davieskatherine.substack.com/publish/chat (https://davieskatherine.substack.com/publish/chat) Episode notes Guest bio Halyna Padalko, PhD, is a multidisciplinary researcher specializing in strategic communication, propaganda, information warfare, and the use of AI in these domains. She holds a master's in Global governance from the University of Waterloo and a PhD in Computer science from Kharkiv Aviation Institute. She worked as a Fulbright fellow at MIT's Center for International Studies, where she developed and co-taught an MIT course on AI and propaganda. Dr Padalko is an upcoming research fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School and has held fellowships and residencies at the European Parliament, the NATO Strategic Communications Center of Excellence, the Center for International Governance Innovation, and others. Her research has been published in top-tier computer science and policy-oriented peer-reviewed journals. Dr Padalko is interviewed by the host and creator of the Save Democracy podcast, Katherine Davies. The podcast website is at https://www.savedemocracy.today/ (https://www.savedemocracy.today/) Save Democracy is also on Substack https://davieskatherine.substack.com/ (https://davieskatherine.substack.com/) The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal or political advice. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. Always consult with a qualified professional or local officials for specific advice tailored to your situation. The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host or the production company. References Ukraine https://www.cigionline.org/publications/lessons-from-ukraines-information-defence-for-democratic-resilience/ (https://www.cigionline.org/publications/lessons-from-ukraines-information-defence-for-democratic-resilience/) More info on AI swarms Abstract of article on AI swarms. (Full article via your institution or paywall) https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adz1697 (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adz1697) Moldova https://fpc.org.uk/op-ed-standing-up-to-the-kremlin-lessons-from-moldova-for-defeating-russian-election-interference/ (https://fpc.org.uk/op-ed-standing-up-to-the-kremlin-lessons-from-moldova-for-defeating-russian-election-interference/) Credits: Music from Uppbeat: Niafunke by Arnito, My Light by Mountaineer, and A New Chapter by Luminbird.

7. 

   11 Jul 2026

   The state of things - the state of us

   This episode is a quick check-in and reflection from your host and podcast creator Katherine Davies, as in parts of the world, it seems that the clouds over democracy are darkening. Katherine shares briefly some of the lowlights, and her thoughts on one way to navigate the run of bad news. The episode closes on an update about the podcast, and some good news headlines from Ukraine and the UK. Save Democracy is now on Substack! with pod-related articles by Katherine, and a chat space where everyone is very welcome to join. We'll be keeping it a safe, positive and constructive space, and avoiding the personal. Threads created so far welcome your ideas for future episodes, and feedback on the pod. Jump in! It will encourage others! https://davieskatherine.substack.com/ The website for this podcast (with direct links to the pod on major channels) is at https://www.savedemocracy.today/ The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal or political advice. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. Always consult with a qualified professional or local officials for specific advice tailored to your situation. The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host or the production company. Credits Music from Uppbeat: Niafunke by Arnito; Paths We Left Behind by all:ambient; and City On Mute by Dan Barton. Images: July 2019 Hong Kong photo by Ng Chun Yin, licensed from Shutterstock. Remaining images by Katherine Davies.

8. 

   4 Jul 2026

   Protect Your Media - Lessons from Hungary

   Why quality independent media matters and is essential to a functioning democracy. What can we do to support it? And the lessons for the world from what happened in Hungary, where a propaganda machine was created inside the European Union. Jamie Wiseman, IPI's Senior Europe Advocacy Officer joins Host and Creator Katherine Davies. Jamie is a media freedom advocate at the International Press Institute (IPI), a global media freedom organisation based in Vienna. As Senior Europe Advocacy Officer, he heads IPI’s Europe advocacy team and coordinates the organisation’s EU policy work in Brussels. He is specialised in topics such as media capture, impunity for attacks on the press, and spyware attacks on journalists. A former newspaper journalist in the UK, where he grew up, he now helps IPI’s global network of journalists defending media freedom and independent journalism wherever they are threatened. The International Press Institute (IPI) is a global media freedom organisation which defends independent journalism and press freedom. It is a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists who share a common dedication to quality, independent journalism. The organisation's mission is to defend media freedom and the free flow of news wherever they are threatened. https://ipi.media/ (https://ipi.media/) The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal or political advice. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. Always consult with a qualified professional or local officials for specific advice tailored to your situation. The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host or the production company. Credits Music from Uppbeat: 'Niafunke' by Arnito Photography in order of appearance (all unmodified) Vigil image by Stephanie Keith; IPI screenshot; Viktor Orban by Elekes Andor (CC by-sa 4.0); Linked in_IPI screenshot_imprisoned Ukrainian journalist Iryna Levchenko. Three prominent Mexican journalists (killed) - Margarito Martínez, Lourdes Maldonado and Luis Enrique Ramírez_MexicoNewsDaily_Presidencia de la Republica_Twitter; Shireen Abu Akleh_Al Jazeera Media Network (CC4.0); Ruhollah Zam_Pen International; Martinez Zogo_Handout_IPI; Dom Phillips_Marcos Correa (CC2.0); Giorgos Karaivaz_Media Freedom Rapid Response; Anna Politkovskaya_Freedom House. Gaza images 1 and 2: Emad El Byed_Unsplash; Gaza image 3: Mohammed Ibrahim_Unsplash. Map of Freedom of the Press Worldwide 2026: Reporters Without Borders rsf.org Factsheet on the European Media Freedom Act from the European Commission CC 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en), CC 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en), CC by-sa 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en)

9. 

   27 Jun 2026

   A deeper lens on saving democracy and how to engage

   Explore democracy with a renowned philosophy professor (western and eastern) Professor Jay Garfield, interviewed by Save Democracy podcast host, Katherine Davies. Why trust and solidarity matter, how fear is used to divide us, the importance of getting out of the way of one’s 'self', and much else! It is a rich thirty minutes you might find yourself listening to more than once! Jay L. Garfield is Doris Silbert Professor in the Humanities and Professor of Philosophy and Buddhist Studies, emeritus, at Smith College, Visiting Professor of Buddhist philosophy at Harvard Divinity School, and Professor of Philosophy at Melbourne University. Professor Garfield’s research addresses topics in the philosophy of mind, metaphysics, the history of modern Indian philosophy, epistemology, ethics, the nature of normativity, and topics in Buddhist philosophy, particularly Indo-Tibetan Madhyamaka and Yogācāra. He is the author or editor of over 30 books and over 200 articles, chapters, and reviews. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal or political advice. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. Always consult with a qualified professional or local officials for specific advice tailored to your situation. The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host or the production company. Shantideva image: from a 19th century painting and in the public domain according to Wikipedia where the source site is earlytibet.com. Buddhaghosa image: Britannica Editors. "Buddhaghosa". Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 Jan. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Buddhaghosa. Accessed 26 June 2026. Music from Uppbeat is Niafunke by Arnito.

10. 

    20 Jun 2026

    Defend against the fear of joblessness

    A driver of democratic decline is job insecurity. And the impact of AI... is a whole new level of insecurity! One way to help address it - at least in part - is to provide (where possible) access to continuous learning and training. In this, Denmark is a world leader. Host Katherine Davies speaks to Danish think tank DEA's CEO, Stina Vrang Elias, who speaks with deep experience about the lessons of the Danish model, how it works, its effectiveness and challenges. Stina Vrang Elias is CEO of the Danish think tank DEA, which she established in 2010. She works at the intersection of education, research, and public policy, focusing on analysis and knowledge to inform debate and decision-making across the Danish school and education system. DEA is an independent non-profit think tank focused on research, innovation and education, based in Copenhagen. This podcast is in English. Visit the Save Democracy website (https://www.savedemocracy.today/) for more info about this podcast, and join our new community. We'll soon be sharing a guide on how to get more engaged in your democracy, beyond the vote. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal or political advice. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. Always consult with a qualified professional or local officials for specific advice tailored to your situation. The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host or the production company. Episode edited by Katherine Davies and Mykhailo Rebrystyi Music from Uppbeat: Niafunke by Arnito

11. 

    13 Jun 2026

    The global picture of democracy... and its alternative

    The big picture of what is happening in the world re democratic backsliding, and the rise of autocracy. Cathryn Grothe, Senior Analyst from Freedom House, gives a masterful overview, revealing the key trends, what the alternative is to democracy (!) and concrete ways we can engage locally to help support democracy where we live. Note: During the interview, Cathryn refers to the (Save Democracy) podcast episode: "The secret weapon of a modern autocrat", broadcast on May 23, 2026. Cathryn Grothe is a Senior Research Analyst at Freedom House. She is the research manager and co-author of Freedom House’s flagship report, Freedom in the World (https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world), which is an annual survey of political rights and civil liberties in 208 countries and territories. Cathryn’s research focuses on the intersection of democracy, technology, and human rights, and her analysis has been published and cited in Al-Jazeera, The Washington Post, Politico, and Just Security, among many. Cathryn holds a master’s degree in international relations from the University of Chicago. Freedom House Freedom House is a nongovernmental organization founded in 1941, devoted to defending democracy and freedom around the world. From 1973, Freedom House has systematically tracked the most pressing threats to democracy and freedom around the globe through the Freedom in the World reports, which include detailed research on the state of political rights and civil liberties in more than 200 countries and territories. Freedom House also conducts research on issues related to technology and democracy, transnational repression, and the repressive rule of Chinese Communist Party. Their research informs the organization’s advocacy and programming, which includes direct support of activists and human rights defenders around the world. It's HQ is in Washington DC in the United States. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal or political advice. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. Always consult with a qualified professional or local officials for specific advice tailored to your situation. The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host or the production company. This episode of Save Democracy was edited by Katherine Davies and Mykhailo Rebrystyi. Credits Music track from Uppbeat is 'Niafunke' by Arnito. All images are unmodified, apart from text that has been added (solely by Save Democracy) to translate and explain an image. Images with a CC license are so indicated, and the license links are below this list. Screenshots from Freedom House; Viktor Orban by Elekes Andor (CC by-sa 4.0); Donald Trump by CTSP2020 (CC by-sa 4.0); Nicolas Maduro and Vladimir Putin by Kremlin.ru (CC 4.0); Moscow street at night by Evgeniy Isaev (CC 2.0); El Salvador, Nayib Bukele by PresidenciaSV (CC 1.0); El Salvador armed forces on truck by Casa Presidencial El Salvador (CC 1.0); 2024 election El Salvador opposition by La Prensa Grafica (CC 3.0); screenshot from Human Rights Watch article "A 20-Year Sentence for Tweets in Saudi Arabia"; Vladimir Putin by Kremlin.ru (CC 4.0); Moscow protest by Sergey Korneev (CC by-sa 4.0); vigil image by Stephanie Keith; screenshot from the Guardian of article by Shaun Walker - "The murder that killed free media in Russia" with image by Pavel Golovkin/AP; screenshot from CNN of article by Donie O'Sullivan, Curt Devine and Allison Gordon - "China is using the world's largest known online disinformation operation to harass Americans, a CNN review finds"; Special Military Operation banner [in Russian] from Russia's Ministry of Defence (CC 4.0); Visual identity/cover of "Conversations about Important Things" [in Russian] by edu.gov.ru (CC 4.0); Thimpu, Bhutan, image with crowd, by Chandan Chaurasia on Unsplash; Thimpu, Bhutan nestled in green valley, by Passang Tobgay on Unsplash. CC 1.0 (https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en), CC 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en), CC 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en), CC 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en), CC by-sa 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en)

12. 

    6 Jun 2026

    How community can change your life and help save your country

    In this episode, I speak to Arsen Yatsenko, a long-time community organiser in Ukraine, and now a fifth year PhD candidate, with research focused on community and local NGOs (in Ukraine), at Poland's Wroclaw University. His journey offers remarkable insights into what it's like to step from relative isolation to engaging in your community, and how it can change your life. Informed by his research* and experiences, he also shares insights into how stronger communities have come to underpin the civil Ukrainian response to the Russian invasion, including the resistance in occupied Ukraine. (*His PhD focus is on how Ukrainian communities have been affected by the war, and examines the reintegration of populations in the regained territories of Ukraine since 2014) The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal or political advice. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. Always consult with a qualified professional or local officials for specific advice tailored to your situation. The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host or the production company. Music from Uppbeat: Niafunké by Arnito

13. 

    30 May 2026

    When democracy is a dream

    In this episode, you'll get a sense of what life is like under a junta—what it feels like when your country (Myanmar) sits at or near the bottom of the global democracy indices, along with Afghanistan and North Korea. For safety reasons, we have employed a voice actor to protect his identity. Towards the end of the interview with the source, when I asked him a question which was very hard to ask... he was in tears. But he soon regained his composure, determined to share what's going on. He said, so few people he meets are aware of the conditions of life there. Please consider sharing this episode. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal or political advice. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. Always consult with a qualified professional or local officials for specific advice tailored to your situation. The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host or the production company. Music from Uppbeat: One Day, Somewhere by Abstract Aprils; Memories Long Gone by AVBE; Cloud Recesses by DADA; Hymn by The Magical Egg; The Fallout by Future Forests; and Winter Blues by Adi Goldstein.

14. 

    23 May 2026

    The secret weapon of a modern autocrat

    Modern autocrats use a sophisticated toolbox, and one of the most powerful and covert set of strategies, is how they use something we all rely on, and many of us don't often think about. In this episode, I speak to an expert on how autocrats, behind a cloak of legitimacy, use the law to dismantle democracy and entrench their regimes. They count on you and me to look the other way. Enjoy clarity on this important subject with Dr Regitze H. Rohlfing, Deputy Director at Nyt Europa and Board member of the Civil Liberties Union for Europe. Regitze holds a PhD in the sociology of law from the University of Copenhagen and has published widely on democratic backsliding, social movements, and the use of law to advance rights. She has conducted extensive fieldwork in Eastern Europe and North Africa and is a lead author on multiple reports on civic space and democracy. She is a frequent public speaker and media commentator on European politics and fundamental rights. A video of this episode is on our new youtube channel @SaveDemocracypodcast (https://www.youtube.com/@SaveDemocracypodcast) The pod website is savedemocracy.today (https://www.savedemocracy.today/) The host and creator of this podcast, Katherine Davies, can be emailed at katherine@savedemocracy.today The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal or political advice. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. Always consult with a qualified professional or local officials for specific advice tailored to your situation. The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host or the production company. Music by Uppbeat, includes Niafunke by Arnito, Reawakening by Terra Symphonia, City on Mute by Dan Barton and Closing A Chapter by poetri.

15. 

    16 May 2026

    What is it like to live in a healthy democracy?

    Welcome! Pod host/creator Katherine Davies: I stopped recently into a student cafe in the centre of Copenhagen (thank you to the staff at Studenterhuset!) to find out what it's like to live in a healthy democracy - Denmark is one of the top 3 in the world*. University students Sarah, Hamza and Mathias graciously stopped what they were doing, and what followed, was an insightful and inspiring conversation! I am grateful to these wonderful students for their thoughtfulness, openness and readiness to engage. *According to the main global democracy indices, provided by V‑Dem Institute, Freedom House and the Economist Intelligence Unit. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal or political advice. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. Always consult with a qualified professional or local officials for specific advice tailored to your situation. The views and opinions expressed by the guests in this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host or the production company. Music from Uppbeat: Niafunke by Arnito, Cuban Sandwich by Kevin MacLeod, Dubakupado by Kevin MacLeod, Ruby by Moire.

16. 

    16 May 2026

    Join me on a journey to lift the lid on democracy!

    Hello, This is short trailer for the Save Democracy podcast which has just launched. The podcast website is savedemocracy.today (https://www.savedemocracy.today/) Email the host and creator at katherine@savedemocracy.today Thank you for stopping by! Good wishes Katherine Music from Uppbeat: Niafunke by Arnito

17. 

    16 May 2026

    Lift the lid on corruption!

    Corruption corrodes democracy. Podcast host and creator Katherine Davies joins international anti-corruption specialist Scott Collins as he explores how corruption works and what can be done about it. Now based in Canberra, Scott's twenty years in the field has taken him to Papua New Guinea, West Africa, and the Carribean, as a criminal justice advisor specialising in anti-corruption capacity development, and he has worked in several anti-corruption commissions in Australia. If you enjoy this episode, please help others find us by leaving a brief review or rating, on your podcast platform. It's a huge support for a new podcast. Thank you for listening! Please note - The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal or political advice. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. Always consult with a qualified professional or local officials for specific advice tailored to your situation. The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host or the production company. Notes Definition of gerrymander: to change the borders of an area in order to increase the number of people within that area who will vote for a particular party or person (Cambridge Dictionary) Get in touch Email the host at katherine@savedemocracy.today Join our community at savedemocracy.today Music from Uppbeat: Niafunke by Arnito, One Day Somewhere by Abstract Aprils, Cuban Sandwich by Kevin MacLeod. Mentioned in this episode: Intro: Corruption episode Music: 'One Day Somewhere' by Abstract Aprils (Uppbeat)

18. 

    16 May 2026

    Freedom from the fear of being heard

    Today's guest is civic leader Artem Zozulia, President of Foundation Ukraine (https://fundacjaukraina.eu/en/about-us/) in Wroclaw, Poland. A dedicated voice for Ukrainian democracy for nearly two decades, Artem's journey began as a youth volunteer in his hometown of Vinnytsia in central Ukraine, challenging Russian propaganda, and campaigning for a pro-European future. Today, the foundation he leads serves as a vital lifeline, helping refugees and migrants build new lives while providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and raising wider awareness about human rights and the social and political realities inside Ukraine. The Foundation has grown into one of Poland's largest of its kind. In our interview, Artem shares many insights, including what it was like to be raised in post-Soviet Ukraine, the real meaning and gift of "Maidan", and unravelling the deep-seated fear of being heard. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal or political advice. Reliance on any information provided in this podcast is done at your own risk. Always consult with a qualified professional or local officials for specific advice tailored to your situation. The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host or the production company. Join our community at savedemocracy.today Katherine's email: katherine@savedemocracy.today Music from Uppbeat: Niafunke by Arnito, Puzzle Pieces by Albert Behar, Calm Whale by Danijel Zambo, One Day Somewhere by Abstract Aprils, Forever and Always by Aaron Paul Low, Old Soul by Jonny Easton

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

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Guest appearances

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