Defense of Democracy Podcast

Reforming Immigration: Protecting Children and Families with Suma Setty and Kaelin Rapport

In this episode of the Defense of Democracy podcast, host Addison K. Witt speaks with Suma Setty and Kaelin Rapport of the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) about immigration policy, family separation, and the impact current enforcement practices are having on children, caregivers, and communities across the United States. Drawing on recent research conducted with immigrant families, childcare providers, healthcare workers, and community organizations, Suma and Kaelin share firsthand accounts of how fear, uncertainty, and immigration enforcement are affecting everyday life. Together, they explore the consequences of family detention, barriers to legal status, childhood trauma, access to education and healthcare, and the broader social and economic effects these policies have on communities. This conversation moves beyond political talking points and focuses on the lived experiences of children and families navigating a rapidly changing immigration landscape. It is a thoughtful discussion about human dignity, public policy, community responsibility, and what it means to create a society where all children can feel safe and supported. Key Takeaways * How are current immigration policies affecting children and families across the United States? * What are the long-term developmental and mental health impacts of childhood trauma and family separation? * Why are immigrant families increasingly fearful of accessing schools, healthcare, childcare, and public spaces? * How do immigration enforcement practices affect local communities and the broader economy? * What misconceptions do many Americans have about the immigration system? * Why is obtaining legal status often far more complicated than people realize? * What policy changes could better protect children, families, and community well-being? * How can ordinary citizens become more informed and engaged on these issues? Support the Defense of Democracy Nonprofit organization! [https://app.ribbon.giving/campaigns/camp_KrJynGjRZMF5h0Ms] For more information visit: Defense of Democracy.org [https://defenseofdemocracy.org/] Become a DofD Support Partner Simply by Texting: "SUPPORT" to  845-208-9846  Follow, Like and Get Involved! Connect with DofD on all the social platforms: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/defenseofdemocracy1] Twitter [https://twitter.com/_dofd] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@_dofd] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/defense_of_d/]

Director Bart Everly on Jim Bidgood's Velvet Vision

Have you ever wondered how deeply art reflects our true selves? Or hides behind a mask? Jim Bidgood's story reminds us that behind every masterpiece is a complex mix of authenticity and performance. His work wasn’t just art, it was a lifeline, a way to process what he couldn't say out loud. Bart Everly's film Velvet Vision shows that art isn’t just what we create, it’s also what we hide and reveal about ourselves. Join the Defense of Democracy Film Festival June 12 -14. Support the Defense of Democracy Nonprofit organization! [https://app.ribbon.giving/campaigns/camp_KrJynGjRZMF5h0Ms] For more information visit: Defense of Democracy.org [https://defenseofdemocracy.org/] Become a DofD Support Partner Simply by Texting: "SUPPORT" to  845-208-9846  Follow, Like and Get Involved! Connect with DofD on all the social platforms: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/defenseofdemocracy1] Twitter [https://twitter.com/_dofd] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@_dofd] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/defense_of_d/]

Fred Osborn: What Democracy Really Means

Fred Osborn shares a powerful truth: democracy is built on shared values, respect, and believing in each other's dignity. From his roots in nature to his service in Vietnam, he reminds us that civic engagement is rooted in everyday acts of kindness and  standing up for what's right. But do Americans still carry that faith in collective action, or has it waned? Support the Defense of Democracy Nonprofit organization! [https://app.ribbon.giving/campaigns/camp_KrJynGjRZMF5h0Ms] For more information visit: Defense of Democracy.org [https://defenseofdemocracy.org/] Become a DofD Support Partner Simply by Texting: "SUPPORT" to  845-208-9846  Follow, Like and Get Involved! Connect with DofD on all the social platforms: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/defenseofdemocracy1] Twitter [https://twitter.com/_dofd] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@_dofd] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/defense_of_d/]

Hyunsoo Moon on Immigration, Identity, and Documentary Filmmaking

In this episode of the Defense of Democracy podcast, host Addison K. Witt sits down with filmmaker Hyunsoo Moon, director of the documentary The Americans, for a deeply personal conversation about immigration, identity, belonging, and the meaning of the American Dream. Over the course of seven years filming immigrant families in Storm Lake, Iowa, Moon followed the lives of refugees and workers connected to America’s meatpacking industry, documenting not only hardship and sacrifice, but resilience, hope, and the quiet pursuit of happiness. Together, they explore how documentary storytelling can humanize political issues, challenge cultural assumptions, and redefine what it truly means to be “American.” This conversation moves beyond headlines and ideology into the lived experiences of people building lives in America while navigating cultural identity, generational change, labor, and the search for dignity. It is a powerful reflection on empathy, citizenship, and the stories often left out of the national conversation. Key Takeaways - What does the American Dream actually mean for immigrants and refugees? - How do immigrant families balance cultural identity with assimilation? - Why are immigrant communities central to many rural American economies? - What can documentary filmmaking reveal that political debate often misses? - How does growing up between two cultures shape identity and belonging? - Why did Storm Lake, Iowa become a symbol of immigrant integration? - Can storytelling help rebuild empathy in an increasingly divided America? - What does it really mean to call someone “American”? Learn more about The Americans documentary and support the film: theamericansdocumentary.com [https://www.theamericansdocumentary.com/] Support the Defense of Democracy Nonprofit organization! [https://app.ribbon.giving/campaigns/camp_KrJynGjRZMF5h0Ms] For more information visit: Defense of Democracy.org [https://defenseofdemocracy.org/] Become a DofD Support Partner Simply by Texting: "SUPPORT" to  845-208-9846  Follow, Like and Get Involved! Connect with DofD on all the social platforms: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/defenseofdemocracy1] Twitter [https://twitter.com/_dofd] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@_dofd] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/defense_of_d/]

The Space Between Sides: Rethinking American Identity with Conor Broll

In this episode of the Defense of Democracy podcast, host Addison K. Witt speaks again with writer and historian Conor Broll for a thoughtful conversation on ideology, identity, and the future of civic discourse in America. They examine what it means to think freely in an age of political tribalism, questioning whether Americans are becoming more independent or simply recognizing the limits of inherited systems. Conor reflects on stepping outside ideological echo chambers, the evolution of his project Beyond Ideology, and how history, culture, and shared human experience can help rebuild meaningful dialogue. From social media polarization to the fragility of democratic institutions, this discussion invites listeners to reconsider not just what they believe, but how those beliefs are formed. Key Takeaways * Are we adopting beliefs rather than developing them for ourselves?  * Are we relying more on political identity than our own independent thinking?  * Is social media pulling us further apart and shaping what we choose to believe?  * How important is it to step back and question our own views?  * Can shared experiences (culture, art, and everyday life) help bring people back together?  * What would it look like to focus more on being citizens than political opponents?  * Are our biggest challenges really about policy, or about how we speak and lead?  * What does it actually take for a democracy to stay strong today? Follow Conor Broll’s insights on history, culture, and democracy at his Substack, Threat of Dissent, link below: https://conorbroll.substack.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGtrSG9peTBad0s2ODBMSmxnYUZMcV9HcU9zd3xBQ3Jtc0tuZFg4VllLRmVLeEpJN2pVME41OTJzSXdfb0FJUWQtWWk1amllUk1oTjZOX3czcHBQWE5hVUJ3c0VIZlRSQWEyb3ZXa0ptM1FsQnVHeHlxU3JwNjRaQ0N2blJGTnBVWHlVbnhrcFhYRHNaaGlYMXNyWQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fconorbroll.substack.com%2F&v=c88qZ3KUh_U] Support the Defense of Democracy Nonprofit organization! [https://app.ribbon.giving/campaigns/camp_KrJynGjRZMF5h0Ms] For more information visit: Defense of Democracy.org [https://defenseofdemocracy.org/] Become a DofD Support Partner Simply by Texting: "SUPPORT" to  845-208-9846  Follow, Like and Get Involved! Connect with DofD on all the social platforms: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/defenseofdemocracy1] Twitter [https://twitter.com/_dofd] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@_dofd] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/defense_of_d/]