Arizona Civics Podcast

Hand students a real budget and a ballot, and watch a campus transform. We sit down with Tara Bartlett (ASU), KaRa Lyn Thrasher, and Sabrina Estrada (Center for the Future of Arizona) to unpack how school participatory budgeting turns student voice into visible change—without adding noise or partisanship. From the first Arizona pilot to 80+ schools statewide, the story is clear: when students lead, engagement grows, trust deepens, ...

We explore how Mark Twain’s writing, not his public persona, teaches a demanding civic balance: democratic equality joined to a living culture of excellence. Through Huck Finn and Connecticut Yankee, we trace how humor, empathy, and imagination form judgment without sliding into cynicism.

• distinguishing Twain the persona from the unified teaching in the work
• equality, liberty and the cultivation of greatness in ten...

A crowded kindergarten room, a sudden crack in the ceiling, and a teacher who jumps first to shield her students—Laura Terech’s story starts with instinct and turns into impact. From art history to Title I classrooms, from a six‑year health battle to the Arizona State House, we explore how a winding path can still lead straight to the heart of public service.

We dig into the moment Arizona cut full‑day kindergarten funding...

What if a 10-minute story from the past could make today’s headlines finally click? We sit down with David Olson, Director of Education at Retro Report, to unpack how short documentaries and first‑person voices turn history into a powerful lens for understanding civics now—without turning classrooms into battlegrounds. David shares why narrative structure matters, how unintended consequences make the best teachable moments, and why...

A quiet chill has crept into civics classrooms: teachers are pulling back from timely, contested topics because they fear blowback. We sit down with Liam Julian, vice president of programs and public policy at the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy, to unpack what that looks like on the ground, why vague standards and thin district guidance leave educators exposed, and how to rebuild a culture of confident, eviden...

Dr. Porwancher takes us on a fascinating journey through the hidden influence of James Bradley Thayer, a Harvard Law professor whose mentorship shaped America's legal giants like Louis Brandeis, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and Felix Frankfurter. What makes this exploration particularly special is its creation – a collaborative book co-authored with former students, mirroring Thayer's own dedication to mentorship and student de...

How does a state like Arizona – not even in existence when the Declaration of Independence was signed – celebrate America's 250th birthday? Secretary of State Adrian Fontes joins us to share the ambitious and creative plans underway for America 250 AZ, a multi-year celebration culminating in 2026.

Far from being just another patriotic party, this semi-quincentennial celebration showcases Arizona's unique perspect...

Alice Sheehan from AllSides joins us to discuss media literacy and the importance of understanding diverse perspectives in our fragmented media landscape. AllSides provides balanced news by showing how left, center, and right-leaning sources cover the same stories, helping readers recognize patterns in media bias while developing critical thinking skills.

• AllSides uses a patented technology and multi-partisan team to pro...

Junior Achievement of Arizona provides free, standards-aligned curriculum to help students develop skills in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement. Their programs are designed to make the lives of educators easier by offering flexible implementation options and bringing business professionals into classrooms to provide real-world context.

• Junior Achievement serves 180,000 learners across Arizona in a...

Discover the untold story of Theodore Roosevelt's complex relationship with Jewish Americans in this fascinating exploration of presidential leadership, identity politics, and American pluralism. At a time when America's Jewish population nearly doubled through immigration from Eastern Europe, Roosevelt navigated competing pressures with characteristic energy and contradictions.

The Lower East Side of Manhattan e...

What can America's first prison teach us about criminal justice today? Journey inside the imposing stone walls of Eastern State Penitentiary with President and CEO Kerry Sautner as she unveils the fascinating and troubling history of this revolutionary institution.

Built in 1829 as a castle-like structure visible from all directions, Eastern State wasn't just designed to punish – it represented a radical new appr...

New Podcast from the Center for American Civics! 

Dive into the heart of American democracy with Civics in a Year, an innovative podcast that transforms complex civic concepts into engaging 10-minute episodes anyone can understand. We've crafted this series for the curious minds who want to grasp how our government functions without wading through dense textbooks or partisan noise.

Each episode takes you on a focu...

Democracy begins in kindergarten. While most people think civic education starts in high school government class, our panel of passionate elementary educators reveals how young children are already practicing citizenship daily through classroom voting, community service, and learning about their responsibilities to one another.

These elementary teachers—representing second, third, and fifth grades from schools across Arizo...

Imagine a civics classroom where every student—regardless of ability, background, or learning style—can fully engage with the democratic principles that shape our society. Three exceptional educators from a civic literacy cohort share their revolutionary approaches to differentiating civic education, transforming traditional multiple-choice instruction into vibrant, accessible learning experiences.

These master teachers, r...

What does it truly look like to empower students as citizens? Justin Glodowski, a 14-year veteran teacher from Wisconsin, reveals practical strategies that transform students from passive learners into active civic participants.

Justin's approach begins with a foundational belief: if we want students to become engaged citizens, we must first teach them how to discuss difficult topics productively. Drawing from his exp...

Nancie Lindblom shares how meaningful professional development can transform teachers from classroom managers to content experts to civic education leaders.

• PD needs evolve from classroom management focus in early years to content expertise in later years
• Immersive experiences like visiting historical sites with expert historians create deeper understanding
• The James Madison Fellowship provides fully-funded m...

Four experienced teachers from diverse grade levels share how they collaborated to create a comprehensive civic literacy curriculum that equips students with essential knowledge and skills for democratic participation. Their teacher-created lessons span from kindergarten through high school, providing developmentally appropriate activities that make civic education accessible and engaging for all learners.

• Civic studies ...

Dr. Monica Ketchum-Cardenas, president of the Arizona Council for History Education, shares an array of resources and opportunities available to Arizona history and civics teachers that many educators don't know exist.

• ACHE membership costs only $25 annually and includes free conference access plus National Council for History Education membership
• The organization offers classroom grants up to $500 for curricu...

The invaluable expertise of classroom teachers is the foundation of effective civic education, as demonstrated by three veteran educators who share their experiences developing curriculum that truly engages students.

• Teachers know their students better than anyone, allowing them to create curriculum that addresses knowledge gaps
• Post-COVID classrooms present unique challenges that only current teachers fully unders...