Can Democracy Be More Participatory?

Algorithms, Attention, and Online Influence

In this episode of Cultivate Talk, Emily sits down with Sara Rabon to explore how algorithms, platforms, and digital technologies shape the way we communicate online. Drawing from her background in computer science, corporate IT, and rhetoric, Sara explains how digital systems are never truly neutral — they are shaped by human decisions, institutional pressures, and cultural values. The conversation examines the “invisible structures” behind online communication, including algorithms, platform incentives, and audience data, and how these forces influence what users see, believe, and engage with online. Together, they discuss the rise of the digital Manosphere during the 2024 political landscape, the attention-driven logic behind creators like MrBeast, and the growing role AI plays in shaping public discourse. Sara also challenges the idea that technology is purely objective, arguing instead that communication and rhetoric are central to understanding how technologies are built and used. This episode offers a thoughtful look at the intersection of technology, media, and communication — and why becoming a more critical digital consumer matters in an increasingly algorithmic world.

Can Democracy Be More Participatory?

In this episode of Cultivate Talk, Emily sits down with Dr. Vincent Russell to explore participatory budgeting — a democratic process that allows residents to directly decide how a portion of public funds should be spent in their communities. Drawing from his research and recent book on participatory budgeting, Dr. Russell explains how the process works, from community brainstorming sessions to proposal development and public voting. Together, they discuss what participatory budgeting reveals about democracy, civic engagement, and the role communication plays in building trust between residents and local government. The conversation also examines how communities navigate disagreement, why some residents feel empowered to participate while others remain disconnected, and whether participatory processes truly shift power in meaningful ways. This episode offers a thoughtful look at how communication, collaboration, and public participation can reshape the relationship between communities and the institutions that serve them.

Do Apologies Still Work?

In this episode of Cultivate Talk, Emily sits down with Dr. Josh Bentley to unpack the evolving role of public apologies in today’s media landscape. Drawing from his research in crisis communication and his book Devaluing Public Apologies in the Age of Social Media, Dr. Bentley explains what people actually expect from apologies — and why those expectations are often unmet. The conversation explores how apologies function as a social ritual meant to promote accountability and reconciliation, while also examining how polarization and social media have complicated that process. Together, they discuss why some apologies that seem insincere can still be strategically effective, how outrage is sometimes driven more by attention than repair, and when apologizing can actually make a situation worse. The episode also challenges listeners to think more critically about when to apologize, when to stand firm, and how communication shapes the way responsibility is understood in public life.

Rethinking Land, Death, and Power

In this episode of Cultivate Talk, Emily sits down with Dr. Deondre Smiles to explore how Indigenous relationships to land, space, and death challenge dominant ways of thinking about ownership, history, and power. Drawing from his research in Indigenous geographies and political ecology, Dr. Smiles explains how burial grounds and ancestral lands are not just physical spaces, but deeply relational sites connected to identity, memory, and more-than-human kin. The conversation also examines the idea of the “political agency of Indigenous death” and how struggles over Indigenous remains reveal broader tensions between Indigenous communities and settler institutions. Together, they discuss how Western frameworks often separate culture, nature, and governance — and how Indigenous perspectives offer alternative ways of understanding care, responsibility, and survival, especially in the context of climate crisis. This episode invites listeners to think more critically about land, listen more carefully to marginalized perspectives, and reconsider how communication shapes what — and who — we value.

Why Stories Matter in Science Communication

In this episode of Cultivate Talk, Emily sits down with Dr. Emma Bloomfield to explore the powerful intersection of storytelling and science communication. Focusing on controversial and often polarized topics like climate change, vaccination, and evolution, Dr. Bloomfield explains why facts alone are often not enough to change minds — and how storytelling plays a critical role in shaping how people understand and engage with scientific information. Together, they discuss how identity influences the way we interpret messages, the common pitfalls communicators face when addressing skeptical audiences, and the importance of empathy in navigating difficult conversations. The episode also offers practical insight into how anyone — not just scientists or professionals — can become a more effective communicator when discussing complex or sensitive topics. This conversation is a reminder that effective communication isn’t just about being right — it’s about being heard, understood, and willing to engage across difference.