Subscribe to Another Way

Support this Podcast on Patreon

Have feedback for us, or ideas for future episodes?

8 + 2 =

ANOTHER WAY

Another Way is a weekly podcast about how we can get reforming and improving our democracy front and center. This season, Larry Lessig and the Equal Citizens team will be talking to politicians, authors, activists, and more to bring you in-depth information about the For The People Act, the most significant fair elections bill in generations, and what you can do to help pass it. Subscribe using the tools on this page, or listen to episodes below.

***

LATEST EPISODES

***

S6E9: What Then?

S6E9: What Then?

On this episode, Lessig outlines what happens if Maine passes Question 1. What are the next steps, and the arguments that will get us to the Supreme Court — and to victory! Become a Patreon subscriber: https://www.patreon.com/EqualCitizens Music:Roundpine by Blue Dot...

S6E9: What Then?

S6E8: The Campaign in Maine

On this episode, Lessig describes the campaign in Maine. The legislature chose to let the people decide whether to vote against SuperPACs in Maine — and if upheld, the nation. This episode discusses that campaign, and the risks it faces. Check out the website of the...

S6E9: What Then?

S6E7: The Legislature Decides

On this episode, Lessig keeps the story going. We got the signatures. The next step was that the Maine legislature needed to decide whether it would pass the initiative into law itself, or let it go to the ballot. This episode is the story of the legislative hearing,...

PAST EPISODES

S6E6: The Race to Gather Signatures

S6E6: The Race to Gather Signatures

On this episode, Lessig chronicles the next chapter in the story of the Maine initiative. We had an idea — based on FreeSpeechForPeople’s brilliant argument — for an initiative. And Mainers were excited about the idea. A poll showed overwhelming support for the...

S6E5: The Origins of the Initiative

S6E5: The Origins of the Initiative

On this episode, Lessig details how we got to this initiative that could end Super PACs: FreeSpeechForPeople.org’s brilliant argument, and the decision to take that argument into the field and win! Become a Patreon subscriber: https://www.patreon.com/EqualCitizens...

S6S4: The Fight to End SuperPACs and Originalism

S6S4: The Fight to End SuperPACs and Originalism

On this episode, Lessig provides a brief history of the fight to end SuperPACs. Then, critically, he examines how the theory of the conservatives — originalism — supports our argument against SuperPACs. Become a Patreon subscriber:...

S6E3: The Money Problem

S6E3: The Money Problem

On this episode, Lessig asks: How is money a problem in a democracy, and how is it like the other problems we’re facing in our democracy? Become a Patreon subscriber: https://www.patreon.com/EqualCitizens Music:Roundpine by Blue Dot SessionsNoe Noe by Blue Dot...

S6E2: The Legal Background

S6E2: The Legal Background

On this episode, Lessig explains the legal background to the Maine initiative, from Citizens United to the case that gave us SuperPACs: SpeechNow v. FEC (2010). Become a Patreon subscriber: https://www.patreon.com/EqualCitizens Music:Roundpine by Blue Dot SessionsNoe...

S6E1: The Maine Initiative That Could End SuperPACs

S6E1: The Maine Initiative That Could End SuperPACs

On this episode, Lessig introduces the upcoming Maine initiative that could end SuperPACs and lays out the plan for Season 6 of Another Way. Become a Patreon subscriber: https://www.patreon.com/EqualCitizens Music:Roundpine by Blue Dot SessionsNoe Noe by Blue Dot...

S5E27: Conclusion

S5E27: Conclusion

For this final episode of Season 5, Lessig speaks to TedX Berlin about AI, democracy, and the future. You can watch a video recording of this TedX talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zYHqg1PwoQ Become a Patreon subscriber: https://www.patreon.com/EqualCitizens...

S5E26: Lifeboats: Jon Stever

S5E26: Lifeboats: Jon Stever

In 2020, in the middle of a pandemic, Jon Stever launched an extraordinary experiment to draw together a representative sample of the world to discuss the climate and ecological crisis the world is facing. In this conversation, I talk to him about how he and his team...

S5E25: Lifeboats: David Farrell

S5E25: Lifeboats: David Farrell

Ireland has been perhaps the most impressive example of citizen assemblies addressing national issues in a new and edifying way. David Farrell is an academic who has studied the Irish example. I talk with him about what Ireland can teach the rest of the world. Become...

S5E23: Lifeboats: Claudia Chwalisz

S5E23: Lifeboats: Claudia Chwalisz

Claudia Chwalisz is a social entrepreneur, spreading the gospel of citizen assemblies. In this episode we talk to her about citizens assemblies' potential and how they are spreading across the world. Become a Patreon subscriber: https://www.patreon.com/EqualCitizens...

S5E22: Lifeboats: Kim Polese

S5E22: Lifeboats: Kim Polese

Not all AI is democracy ending AI. Some can support democracy and make it better. In this episode, I talk to Kim Polese, whose career launching transformative technologies (beginning with Java) has landed with a democracy enhancing AI, CrowdSmart. We talk about its...

S5E21: Lifeboats: David Van Reybrouck

S5E21: Lifeboats: David Van Reybrouck

David Van Reybrouck's book, Against Elections, helped crystalize a movement for citizen assemblies. In my conversation with him, we talk about the origin of this idea, and how it could complement democracy. Become a Patreon subscriber:...

***

SERIES: ANOTHER WAY TO ELECT A PRESIDENT

***

S6E9: What Then?

Discussing The John Eastman Memo with John Eastman

Discussing The John Eastman Memo with John EastmanOn this special episode of Another Way, Lawrence Lessig and Matthew Seligman speak to John Eastman, former Chapman University law school professor and lawyer who represented former President Donald Trump in 2020...

S6E9: What Then?

The Pundits vs. The For The People Act

The Pundits vs. The For The People Act On this episode of Another Way, Adam Eichen is joined by End Citizens United's Adam Bozzi and American Progress' Michael Sozan. The three discuss the media's handling of the fight to pass the For The People Act and why the...

S6E9: What Then?

Another Way To Elect A President: Election Follow-Up

Title Another Way To Elect A President: Election Follow-Up Description: In this final episode of "Another Way to Elect the President," we consider whether Trump's lawyers could successfully contest the election results. We pick apart their legal cases and the facts...

S6E9: What Then?

Live Election (and Beyond!) Special

Title Live Election (and Beyond!) Special Description: In our election day special, we bring you a recording of our live conversation from October 30. We talked about the worries of this election day, but we also looked beyond the election to discuss the policy...

S6E9: What Then?

Another Way To Elect A President: Jumping The Shark

Title Another Way To Elect A President: Jumping The Shark Description: In this last episode in our mini-series, we bat around a few outrageous scenarios. Will votes be tossed out en masse? Can the House just refuse to count any votes at all? Find out! Music: Roundpine...

S6E9: What Then?

Another Way To Elect A President: The VP’s Role (Part 9)

Title Another Way To Elect A President: The VP's Role (Part 9) Description: In this last regular episode of our mini-series about the road to selecting a president, we are joined by David Fontana of GW Law to talk about the Vice President. What role does the...

S6E9: What Then?

Another Way To Elect A President: Contingent Elections (Part 8)

Title Another Way To Elect A President: Contingent Elections (Part 8) Description: In today's episode of the mini-series, we discuss the House contingent election. It hasn't happened since 1824, but could it this year? What could trigger it? And what would happen if...

S6E9: What Then?

Another Way To Elect A President: The Death of a Candidate (Part 7)

Title Another Way To Elect A President: The Death of a Candidate (Part 7) Description: In this episode in our mini-series, we answer the question: what happens if a candidate dies right before or after the popular vote? The answer: it could get complicated. For more...

S6E9: What Then?

Another Way To Elect A President: The Electoral Count Act (Part 6)

Title Another Way To Elect A President: The Electoral Count Act (Part 6) Description: In this episode, we speak with Professor Stephen Siegel, a Professor of Law at DePaul University, about the Electoral Count Act, which sets the rules for Congress when it counts...

S6E9: What Then?

Another Way To Elect A President: The Presidential Electors (Part 5)

Title Another Way To Elect A President: The Presidential Electors (Part 5) Description: In this episode in our presidential election miniseries, we talk about the vote of the electoral college. Who are the electors, how do they cast their votes, and what could...

S6E9: What Then?

Another Way To Elect The President: A Red Mirage? (Part 2)

Title Another Way To Elect The President: A Red Mirage? (Part 2) Description: In the next episode in our presidential election miniseries, we discuss election night itself. Will there be some states where early returns favor Trump even if Biden might win when all the...

S6E9: What Then?

Another Way To Elect The President: Part 1 (Intro)

Title Another Way To Elect The President: Part 1 (Intro) Description: In this episode, Larry Lessig introduces a mini-series that will appear in this feed between now and election day: Another Way To Elect The President. This intro provides some historical and legal...

ANOTHER WAY STORIES

Another Way Stories, formerly known as Seasons One and Two of Another Way, was recenlty established as a separate podcast meant to be consumed as a continuous story in chronological order. Please note: the arguments in Season Two are rejected by our board member, Robert Reich.

About Another Way Stories

Can we make ending corruption and strengthening democracy the number one priority in 2020? Can we get to POTUS1?

That’s the challenge that has inspired this podcast by Equal Citizens founder Lawrence Lessig. In these first two seasons on Another Way, Larry and the Equal Citizens team bring you weekly conversations about what’s wrong with our democracy, how to fix it, and how to get candidates for President talking about those issues so that we can make this issue number one in the campaign. HR1 was a first step. Now we need POTUS1.

These are the conversation that the politicians aren’t giving us on their own. That’s precisely why we citizens must bring this issue to them. Please join us.

SEASON ONE

 

Introducing: Another Way

This is Larry Lessig. Anyone paying attention can see that we’re gearing up for a train wreck in 2020, as both political parties map out an increasingly partisan choice for America — as if we are just a nation divided, with nothing that we share in common....

Episode 1: Aiming for Something Different

Music: Roundpine by Blue Dot Sessions Noe Noe by Blue Dot Sessions Vengeful by Blue Dot Sessions It’s pretty clear how things are going to happen. In January, whatever the outcome in the 2018 election, Democrats are going to begin to vie in earnest to...

Episode 2: How Different Has Been Done

Music: Slow Line Stomp by Blue Dot Sessions Noe Noe by Blue Dot Sessions Vengeful by Blue Dot Sessions Clay Pawn Shop by Blue Dot Sessions Transcript: This is Larry Lessig and this is the second episode of this podcast, Another Way. In the first, I...

Episode 3: A Different (Kind of Control of) Congress

Transcript The single most unrecognized fact in American politics today is not how divided we are, but how united we are. This is Larry Lessig and this is the third episode of this podcast, Another Way. In the first, I described what everyone knows: that...

Episode 4: A Different Kind of President

Title: A different kind of President Transcript: In 1864, in the middle of our “great Civil War,” America held a presidential election. Lincoln was President. None were confident, especially his supporters, that he would be re-elected. Indeed without the...

Episode 5: How America Beats Donald

Title How America Beats Donald Transcript Drain the swamp and make America great again. Let me repeat it. Drain the swamp and make America great again. ——— This is Larry Lessig and this is the fifth episode of this podcast, Another Way. In the first, I...

Episode 6: Why Different When the Same Is So So Easy

Title: Why different when the same is so so easy Transcript “But why,” the Democratic politicians will insist, “why do we need anything more than simply elect Democrats? What’s the need for a Reform Caucus when the Democratic Party is already committed to...

SEASON TWO

*Please note: the arguments in this Season Two are rejected by our board member, Robert Reich.*

Introducing: Another Way Stories Season Two

There’s a scholar, an activist, a leader, a former Labor Secretary, a citizen, and a friend — Robert Reich — who has been trash-talking the idea of a convention to propose amendments to our Constitution. That fact really bothers me.OTHER EPISODESHOW YOU...

S2E1: How Constitutions Get Changed

The Constitution of the United States specifies the rules for its own amendment. Article V lays out those rules. An amendment must first be proposed and once proposed, adopted or, as the Constitution says, ratified. More than 11,000 amendments have been...

S2E2: That Conventions Terrify

This is Larry Lessig, and this is Episode 2 of Season 2 of the podcast Another Way. In the first episode, I described two ways that the Constitution allows that amendments to the Constitution might be proposed. Only one of those two ways of proposing...

S2E3: Why Conventions Terrify

“This would be chaos.” An Article V convention would be “chaos.” Or so says the great Robert Reich in the video that has triggered this season of Another Way.OTHER EPISODESHOW YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT ANOTHER WAY If you've saved your payment information with...

S2E4: Why Conventions Should NOT Terrify

So do we really need an Article V Convention? This should be the only real question that should trouble Americans just now. Do we need a different way to propose amendments to the Constitution? Do we need amendments to our Constitution at all?OTHER...

S2E5: Why We Need a Convention

There’s going to be a train wreck unless we act now. A train wreck for the convention movement, and hence, a train wreck for the only reasonable chance that we have to fix our broken Constitution, and hence, a train wreck for this nation.OTHER EPISODESHOW...

HOW YOU CAN HELP