Democracy needs better stories. On January 22, the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation at Harvard’s Ash Center hosts an online webinar exploring how creators and artists make democracy feel vivid, relevant, and worth caring about—especially for younger audiences. Drawing lessons from television, podcasts, science fiction, and online creator communities, the session looks beyond alarm bells and academic frames to ask what actually captures attention and moves people to engage. The webinar takes place online on January 22 (time listed on the registration page) and is hosted by the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation at Harvard University. Registration is open now at https://ash.harvard.edu/events/making-democracy-interesting-tips-from-tv-podcasts-science-fiction-and-online-creators/

​​The Kettering Foundation is deepening its work to strengthen democracy amid rising authoritarianism and declining public trust by expanding its leadership, elevating diverse perspectives, and investing in robust public-facing content. With the appointment of senior fellows Stacey Abrams and David French, Kettering signals a commitment to cross-ideological dialogue grounded in shared democratic values, using blogs, podcasts, videos, and public conversations to explore democracy’s challenges and possibilities. Through platforms like From Many, We, Resilience & Resistance, The Context podcast, and its support of PBS’s America at a Crossroads, the Foundation documents both the threats facing democratic systems and the local and global efforts working to renew them. Together, this multi-platform approach offers practitioners timely analysis, practical insights, and hopeful examples of civic resilience, reinforcing Kettering’s role as a key hub for democratic learning and renewal.

The National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation (NCDD) and Colorado State University’s Center for Public Deliberation will co-host “Talking Democracy (or Not): How Local Newsrooms Choose Their Words”, tomorrow, November 12, 2025. Drawing on new research from Press Forward and PACE’s Civic Language Perceptions Project, the webinar will reveal how terms like community, service, and connection often inspire more participation than explicitly “democracy”-focused language. Featuring experts in journalism and civic engagement, the session will offer practical strategies for inclusive communication that build trust and strengthen democratic communities. Participants will leave with tools to use language more intentionally—inviting people into civic life rather than alienating them.

The National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation (NCDD) will co-host a webinar with Colorado State University Center for Public Deliberation, titled “Talking Democracy (or Not): How Local Newsrooms Choose Their Words” on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 9–10 a.m. Pacific (12 p.m.–1 p.m. Eastern). This post-2024 election discussion will explore how the language used by local journalists and civic practitioners shapes public understanding and participation in democracy. Drawing on new research from Press Forward and PACE’s Civic Language Perceptions Project, the event will examine how words like community, service, and connection often foster more engagement than explicit democracy-focused terms. Participants will hear from experts in journalism and civic engagement about how newsrooms can communicate democratic values effectively while building trust across differences. The session aims to equip attendees with practical tools for inclusive, authentic civic communication that bridges divides and strengthens community participation.

In a recent interview with Ana Kasparian, Professor James Fishkin explored how deliberative democracy can address America’s deepening political divides and institutional distrust. Drawing from decades of research and his new book Can Deliberation Cure the Ills of Democracy?, Fishkin makes a compelling case for structured dialogue as a powerful tool to rebuild trust, foster understanding, and renew democratic engagement from the ground up. Read more in the blog post below.

​The International Listening Association (ILA), a valued NCDD Network Partner, emphasizes the transformative power of listening through thoughtful questions and deep engagement. In a recent podcast, ILA members Raquel Ark and Dr. Michael W. Purdy explore how conscious listening fosters connection, community building, and democratic discourse. Their conversation offers valuable insights into improving communication and promoting empathy, especially in polarized times. Read the blog post below to learn more.

​Colorado State University is investing in civic dialogue through its Democracy Small Grant Program, awarding over $90,000 to support democracy-focused initiatives. Among the recipients, the Northern Colorado Deliberative Journalism Project (DJP) is leading efforts to revitalize local journalism and foster community discussions. By engaging citizens, training student journalists, and hosting public forums, the DJP is shaping a model for dialogue-driven journalism. Read more in the blog post below.

NCDD Member Organization, AllSides, was recently commissioned by Newsweek to perform a Media Bias Audit™ and identify the outlet's bias rating. AllSides' bias rating system utilizes input from thousands of Americans, encompassing a broad spectrum of political perspectives from left to right, to provide a balanced and trustworthy assessment of media bias. Learn more about the AllSides system and their findings on Newsweek in the blog post below and read the article here.

NCDD member and former board chair, Martín Carcasson, discusses how the Colorado State University Center for Public Deliberation is collaborating with a local newspaper to reshape opinion journalism. By integrating insights from deliberative practice, they aim to foster healthier civic discourse through quality interactions, analysis, and community building. Through initiatives like the Northern Colorado Deliberative Journalism Project, they seek to transform local journalism into a platform for constructive dialogue and collaboration. In the long term, the DJP and Coloradoan Conversations platform provide an important model for other communities, highlighting the benefits of collaboration between universities and local media. Learn more in the blog post below and read the The American Press Institute​ article here. 

The 2024 Collaborative Journalism Summit will convene in Detroit on May 9-10, featuring workshops and discussions on collaborative journalism, hosted by the Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University in partnership with Wayne State University and Detroit Public Television. NCDD Member Jenna Spinelle will present a lightning talk on democracy, and NCDD members are welcome to use the comments section in this blog post to coordinate meeting up during the Summit.

​Those interested in strengthening collaboration between engagement practitioners and media are encouraged to join the NCDD Media Collaborative working group; to dive into strategies for bridging journalism with community engagement, collaboration opportunities, funding efforts, and more. Learn more in the post below...