Is America at a breaking point—or at the cusp of a breakthrough? In this episode, Dr. Zeitz sits down with Reverend Dr. Liz Theoharis, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign and director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice. A lifelong theologian and anti-poverty organizer, Rev. Dr. Liz shares why we are living in a Kairos moment—a time of both crisis and profound possibility.

Together, they unpack the growing attacks on democracy, the war on the poor, and the billionaire class’s grip on our government. And they also lift up the fierce grassroots resistance blooming across the country: movements led by those most impacted, from diaper banks to climate justice fights in Cancer Alley. Liz shares the power of moral fusion organizing, the heart behind her new book “You Only Get What You’re Organized to Take,” and how survival itself is sparking a revival.

If you're feeling despair, this conversation offers a bold, grounded, and faith-infused path toward action, justice, and transformation.

• Learn more about the Kairos Center: https://kairoscenter.org/
• Learn more about the Poor People's Campaign: https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/

Are you ready to #unify? Learn more about the transformational movement at www.unifymovements.org.

Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here!

Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.

Welcome to season three of Revolutionary Optimism! In this episode, producer Cee Cee Huffman talks with Dr. Paul Zeitz and social impact filmmaker Leigh Blake to discuss the launch of #unifyUSA, a groundbreaking movement dedicated to refreshing the U.S. Constitution through citizen-led action. With a shared history of tackling the global HIV/AIDS crisis and driving social change, Paul and Leigh explain why now is the time for Americans to reclaim their power and rebuild a citizen-driven democracy through Citizens’ Assemblies.

Discover how #unifyUSA aims to transcend political divides, foster unity, and create a government that truly serves the people. Whether you're frustrated with the current system or seeking hope for a better future, this conversation will inspire you to join the movement for transformative change.

Are you ready to #unify? Learn more about the transformational movement at www.unifymovements.org.

Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here!

Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.

Dr. Paul Zeitz is talking with philosopher and legal scholar Alex Guerrero, author of Lottocracy: Why Lottery Should Replace Elections. Alex delves into the bold concept of lottocracy, a reimagined form of democracy by lottocracy where randomly selected citizens replace traditional elections to create more equitable and accountable leadership.

Drawing on over 15 years of research, Alex shares the flaws of electoral democracy in the U.S. and the transformative potential of citizen assemblies. From the practicalities of implementing lottocracy to its ability to foster diverse perspectives, Alex paints a vision for our broken U.S. democratic system rooted in fairness and inclusivity. Together, they explore the growing global movement for lottocracy, its implications for tackling urgent crises like climate change and economic inequality, and how it can unlock our collective imagination for a better future.

Alex’s call to action? Envision and experiment with new democratic models that transcend polarization and build hope.

Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here!

Are you ready to #unify? Learn more about the transformational movement at www.unifymovements.org.

Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz and produced by Earfluence.

Dr. Paul Zeitz invites you to join a transformative movement to rebuild democracy with permanent Citizens’ Assemblies so that we can create a just, sustainable future. Reflecting on the challenges and opportunities of our time, Dr. Paul outlines a visionary path forward: mobilizing citizens' assemblies across the nation, culminating in a historic National People's Convention by July 4, 2026. This is your chance to rise above polarization, confront systemic inequities, and reconstruct our Constitution for a future that reflects our shared values of freedom, equity, and interdependence.

Are you ready to #unify? Learn more about the transformational movement at www.unifymovements.org.

Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here!

Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.

In this episode of Revolutionary Optimism, host Dr. Paul Zeitz sits down with renowned activist and strategist Srđa Popović, co-founder of Center for Applied Non-Violent Actions and Strategies: CANVAS, and leader of the Otpor! movement that ousted Serbian dictator Slobodan Milošević. Srđa shares gripping stories from his activism journey, including the innovative use of humor and nonviolent tactics that mobilized millions and baffled authoritarian forces.

From facing intense personal risks to building a movement that empowered ordinary people to resist oppression, Srđa's insights illuminate the power of collective action. Together, they discuss the parallels between global struggles for democracy and the current state of American politics, offering practical advice for fostering social movements, countering authoritarianism, and using technology as a tool for change. Srđa offers heartfelt advice for loving democracy each day, which is the key to its success.

Are you ready to #unify? Learn more about the transformational movement at www.unifymovements.org.

Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here!

Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.

In this episode, Dr. Zeitz sits down with political thought leader Nick Coccoma to explore bold visions for transforming democracy in the United States. From his deep-rooted experiences in a tight-knit community to his journey through theology, philosophy, and democratic innovation, Nick shares his perspective on how citizens' assemblies and sortition-based democracy could rejuvenate self-governance, mitigate corruption, and safeguard against authoritarianism. Dive into a discussion on why our current political framework is faltering, the potential of lottery-based democratic systems, and the idea of a national people's convention to create a new constitutional framework. With pragmatic steps for change and a call to action for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, July 2026, this conversation unlocks the political imagination and inspires revolutionary optimism.

Tune in and join the movement for a reimagined democracy.

Are you ready to #unify? Learn more about the transformational movement at www.unifymovements.org.

Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here!

Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz.

Dr. Paul Zeitz is joined by Ann Pettifor, a trailblazing economist and author known for her pivotal work on sovereign debt and the Green New Deal. Ann shares her journey from apartheid South Africa to becoming a leading advocate for reconstructing the “global casino” into a new financial system that serves people and the planet. Together, they explore the unruly Wall Street controlled financial system that drives inequality, the climate emergency, and democratic erosion, highlighting the urgent need for solidarity and systemic change. Discover how Ann's faith in humanity fuels her Revolutionary Optimism and learn how we can challenge extractive capitalism and build a just, sustainable future.

Note: This episode was recorded before the results of the 2024 Election were known.

Check out Ann's System Change blog.

Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here!

Are you ready to #unify? Learn more about the transformational movement at www.unifymovements.org.

Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz and produced by Earfluence.

In this episode, Terry Bouricius, prominent political theorist and former Vermont legislator, highlights the shortcomings of traditional electoral systems in achieving true demographic representation and effective decision-making. Drawing from his experiences in legislative bodies, Bouricius emphasizes the disconnect between lawmakers and the populations they serve, particularly evident in his work on a landlord-tenant bill. Inspired by his participation in a Citizens Assembly in British Columbia, Bouricius advocates for sortition-based democracy as a more democratic alternative to elections. He points to successful implementations of sortition in countries like Ireland, where citizens' assemblies have led to significant reforms, showcasing the potential for ordinary citizens to reach consensus on complex issues. Bouricius's push for sortition aims to reduce political polarization by gradually transferring policy decisions from elected officials to randomly selected juries, promoting a more inclusive and representative form of governance.

Get your copy of Revolutionary Optimism: Seven Steps for Living as a Love-Centered-Activist here!

Are you ready to #unify? Learn more about the transformational movement at www.unifymovements.org.

Revolutionary Optimism is hosted by Dr. Paul Zeitz and produced by Earfluence.