Fourth of July is a time to celebrate freedom and independence. Right? But what if you’re not feeling particularly patriotic these days?

In this episode of What If We?, host Kaitlin Funaro sits down with Theodore R. Johnson, columnist at The Washington Post and Senior Advisor at New America, and Sheri Klein, Senior Director of Research and Strategy at RALLY, to explore what America’s 250th anniversary means for those of us who hold complicated feelings about where this country has been and where it’s headed.

Drawing on Theodore’s work on civic belonging and Sheri’s expertise in public opinion research, the conversation explores how we can talk about democracy in ways that feel meaningful and inspiring. They also examine the role of trusted messengers, the power of hopeful stories, and why national milestones like America’s 250th anniversary can be an opportunity to bring people together.

In This Episode:

• How patriotism and honest criticism can exist at the same time
• How do we talk about democracy when it means different things to different people?
• How can we use shared values like fairness, freedom, and autonomy to engage people who feel disconnected from democracy?
• How patriotic symbols like the American flag can shape the way people see the country and its leaders
• The role of trusted messengers in building civic participation
• How hope and shared purpose can inspire people to engage in democracy
• What gives us hope for America’s next 250 years