Oligarchs and Empire: Trump’s Global Power Play
2026-01-29 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | BigTent Zoom Room
On January 29, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, journalist, and author of Autocracy, Inc. Anne Applebaum and journalist, lawyer, and founder of the Popular Information newsletter Judd Legum joined moderator Charlie Sykes, author of the To the Contrary newsletter and podcast, for a timely discussion on how political power is being reshaped in the U.S. and globally—and what it means for democracy.
The conversation examined how democratic institutions are increasingly undermined through gradual, legal changes that concentrate power, weaken accountability, and reward loyalty over principle. Speakers emphasized that the greatest danger lies not in any single leader, but in systems that normalize corruption, disinformation, and politicized governance.
Ukraine emerged as a critical test of democratic resolve, highlighting the global stakes of the moment.
The discussion concluded with a clear warning and reminder: democracy does not sustain itself—it survives only when citizens choose to defend it.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Anne Applebaum is staff writer for The Atlantic and author of the best-selling 2020 book Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism and her latest book Autocracy, Inc. Applebaum is also a senior fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and the SNF Agora Institute, where she co-directs Arena, a program on disinformation and 21st-century propaganda.
Judd Legum is the founder and author of Popular Information, an independent newsletter dedicated to accountability journalism. Popular Information won the 2020 Online Journalism Award for Excellence in Newsletters, and the 2025 David Nyhan Prize for Public Policy Journalism. Its reporting was credited by Bloomberg for bringing a “political reckoning” to corporate America. Previously, Legum founded and served as editor-in-chief of ThinkProgress, a progressive media outlet. In 2008, Legum was the research director for Hillary Clinton’s first presidential campaign. He is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and Pomona College.
Charlie Sykes is the author of the Substack newsletter, To the Contrary, and contributes to The Atlantic and MSNBC. His most recent book, How the Right Lost Its Mind, published by St. Martin’s Press, was released in October 2017.
Sykes has written for The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Weekly Standard, The Washington Post, Commentary, The Wall Street Journal, Politico, The Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, Time.com, USA Today, National Review, The New York Review of Books, the New York Daily News, and other national publications.

The FBI Went Down to Georgia: 2026 Elections Under Threat
2026-02-09 12:00 - 13:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
On Monday, February 9, BigTentUSA convened Lauren Groh-Wargo, Founder and CEO of Fair Fight Action, and Wendy Weiser, VP for Democracy at the Brennan Center for Justice, to sound the alarm on escalating threats to the 2026 election. From the unprecedented seizure of Fulton County voting records to pushes for proof-of-citizenship laws and federal overreach, speakers warned of a coordinated effort to reshape election control and suppress participation.
The Constitution remains a guardrail, and courts have begun pushing back against unlawful overreach—but institutional defenses alone won’t hold. Protecting democracy now demands mass civic engagement: vote, become a poll worker, track ballots, organize locally, support election officials, and use every legal and advocacy tool available. The warning was stark but empowering—autocracy thrives on silence, so the moment calls for visible, relentless participation. Democracy will only survive if we show up, lock arms, and defend it.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Lauren Groh-Wargo is a political and civic engagement strategist, executive, and advocate for economic and voting rights. She partnered with Stacey Abrams in 2012 to build Democratic and progressive infrastructure in Georgia, and in response to 2018 voter suppression, founded and serves as CEO of Fair Fight Action, which combats suppression and advances voter education. Fair Fight played a key role in the 2020 election and 2021 Georgia runoff. An organizer at heart, Lauren has led campaigns and advised nonprofits nationally for over 20 years. She holds an Economics degree from American University and lives in Atlanta with her partner and son.
Wendy Weiser is Vice President for Democracy at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law School, where she oversees work on voting rights, elections, redistricting, courts, and abuse of power. A constitutional lawyer and democracy expert, she directs research, litigation, policy, advocacy, and public education initiatives, including programs on voting access, judicial reform, and executive power safeguards. Weiser has litigated landmark cases, authored Supreme Court briefs, advanced policies like automatic voter registration, and contributed to the Freedom to Vote and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Acts. She is a frequent speaker and media commentator. She holds a BA and JD from Yale.

The Epstein Reckoning: What The Files Reveal About Power
2026-02-19 19:00 - 20:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
On Thursday, February 19, speakers dug into the latest revelations in the Epstein saga, including high-profile arrests abroad, and asked the pressing question: why is accountability happening overseas while America stalls?
In this urgent Big Tent conversation, Camaron Stevenson and Nina Burleigh of COURIER Newsroom, moderated by Kimberly Atkins Stohr of The Boston Globe, explored what the document releases reveal about power, money, and political protection—and how entrenched interests may be slowing justice at home. They examined congressional inaction, the role of media pressure, and whether partisan gridlock is shielding key figures. The discussion made clear that transparency is not automatic; it’s forced by public demand.
Most importantly, this wasn’t just analysis—it was a call to action. Attendees were urged to push representatives for full, un-redacted disclosures, support investigative journalism, and keep sustained pressure on institutions that would prefer silence.
Accountability isn’t a spectator sport—it’s a citizen’s responsibility.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Nina Burleigh is a a journalist, best-selling author, documentary producer, and publisher of a Substack on politics called American Freakshow. A contributing editor at The New Republic and frequent contributor to The New York Times and New York Magazine, her journalism has been published widely including in translation in the Norwegian and Italian press. She’s the author of eight books on an array of topics including archaeological forgery, scientists in 18th Century Egypt, James Smithson, Amanda Knox in Italy, and the Trump women, which were reviewed, excerpted or covered in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Nation, New York Magazine, BBC, ABC, MSNBC, and other media outlets.
Camaron Stevenson is the Founding Editor and Chief Political Correspondent for The Copper Courier, and has worked as a journalist in Phoenix for over a decade. He also teaches multimedia journalism at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.
Kimberly Atkins Stohr is a senior opinion writer and columnist at The Boston Globe. She is also an MSNBC contributor, a frequent panelist on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” and co-host of the weekly Politicon legal news podcast #SistersInLaw. Previously, Kim was the inaugural columnist for The Emancipator, a collaboration between The Boston Globe and Boston University’s Center for Antiracist Research that reframes the conversation about racial justice and equality.

Hands Off Our Ballots: Safeguarding The 2026 Midterms
2026-03-10 19:00 - 20:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
Democracy doesn’t defend itself—and the road to the 2026 midterms is already a battlefield.
In this BigTentUSA spotlight event, legal experts Joyce Vance and Marc Elias, moderated by Reed Galen, broke down the growing threats to free and fair elections and what citizens can do right now to push back. The speakers warned that MAGA-aligned forces are laying the groundwork to challenge election results long before ballots are cast—through lawsuits, state-level rule changes, and coordinated efforts to undermine trust in the system. Elias highlighted how the courts remain a critical front line in protecting voting rights, while Vance emphasized the broader rule-of-law stakes if election subversion tactics succeed. Both stressed that vigilance, legal accountability, and civic engagement are essential in the months ahead.
The takeaway was clear: safeguarding democracy in 2026 won’t happen automatically—it will require informed citizens, organized communities, and relentless defense of the rules that keep elections free and fair.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Marc Elias is the Firm Chair of Elias Law Group. Marc has successfully argued and won four cases in the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as dozens of cases in state supreme courts and U.S. courts of appeal. In 2020, Marc led the historic legal effort to protect voting rights, winning over 60 lawsuits against MAGA’s efforts to suppress the vote. Marc is the founder of Democracy Docket, the leading platform for advocacy and information about voting rights, elections, redistricting and democracy.
Joyce White Vance is a Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Alabama, a legal analyst for NBC and MSNBC, and the author of the Civil Discourse newsletter. She co-hosts the podcasts #SistersInLaw and Insider with Preet Bharara. A former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama under President Obama. Joyce lives in Alabama with her husband, retired Judge Robert Vance Jr., their four kids, a collection of pets—and she knits, a lot.
Reed Galen is an independent political strategist, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, and currently serves as the President of The Union, a nationwide coalition working to rebuild American democracy from the ground up. The Union brings together volunteers, organizers, and local leaders to support decent, competent candidates at every level of government. Under Reed’s leadership, The Union is building the infrastructure needed to show up in all 50 states and strengthen civic engagement nationwide.

Cornhuskers Countdown: Nebraska and the 2026 Midterms
2026-03-19 12:00 - 13:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
On Thursday, March 19, BigTentUSA convened a TentTalk discussion highlighting the political stakes in Nebraska ahead of the 2026 midterms.
With Aaron Parnas as moderator, independent candidate for U.S. Senate Dan Osborn pointed to rising living costs and a worsening economic outlook for farmers—driven by flawed economic policies and tariffs—as the defining pressures shaping voter sentiment. He made clear that these challenges are fueling a growing demand for change—and that voters have the power to demand better.
Osborn called for meaningful campaign finance reform, arguing that local races should not require massive sums of money and that elected officials must remain accountable to constituents, not special interests. As a longtime registered Independent, he also urged participants to think beyond party lines and actively support candidates based on their ideas, integrity, and experience. The conversation positioned Nebraska as a critical proving ground for a broader movement toward accountability and reform.
Osborn closed with a powerful call to action, encouraging immediate support for Nebraskans affected by the largest wildfire in the state’s history—and reminding everyone that showing up for one another is where real change begins.
Support Nebraskans affected by the wildfires:

Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund
Nebraska Sandhills Rancher Fire Relief Fund
United Way of Western Nebraska
American Red Cross Nebraska Region
The Salvation Army
Nebraska Wildfire Recovery Fund

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Dan Osborn is a steamfitter and former union leader who gained national attention leading the 77-day Kellogg’s strike in Omaha in 2021. As president of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 50G, he successfully negotiated wage increases and prevented implementation of a two-tier wage system for over 1,400 workers. A U.S. Navy veteran and father of three, Osborn has spent the last 20 years punching a clock as a steamfitter and industrial engineer, work that he continues to do while campaigning for Senate. He is running as an independent candidate focused on economic issues affecting working families.
Aaron Parnas is one of the leading Gen Z voices shaping how news is consumed today. An independent journalist, political commentator, strategist, and attorney, Aaron has quickly become a key figure in the national political conversation, offering sharp insights at the intersection of law, media, and policy.
He first gained widespread attention through viral, educational content that breaks down complex political issues in a fast, accessible way—particularly resonating with younger, highly engaged audiences. His rapid-response analysis of major court decisions, legislative battles, and election narratives has made him a trusted voice for millions across platforms.

On The Brink: The Iran War Explained
2026-03-31 19:00 - 20:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
On Tuesday, March 31, Congressman and Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee Rep. Jim Himes (CT-4) and national security expert Miles Taylor unpacked the Iran conflict, explaining how geopolitical tensions, media narratives, and domestic politics are intersecting in ways that could increase the risk of escalation. Moderated by Charlie Sykes, author of the To The Contrary newsletter and podcast, speakers emphasized that the human, economic, and global consequences of conflict are often treated too abstractly, underscoring the importance of staying informed and engaged.
The discussion also focused on practical ways individuals can take action: diversifying news sources, contacting elected officials to end U.S involvement in the war with Iran, backing candidates committed to democratic norms in competitive races, and engaging in informed conversations within their communities.
The takeaway was straightforward: understanding the stakes is important, but meaningful change depends on sustained engagement and informed action.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Jim Himes was elected to Congress in 2008 and has since built a record delivering results for Connecticut families. He has served in key roles including Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee and as a senior member of the Financial Services Committee, focusing on economic growth, national security, and bipartisan solutions. He previously chaired the Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth and has a long history of local service, including with the Greenwich Housing Authority and other community organizations.
Miles Taylor is a national security expert who works in Washington, DC as Founder of DEFIANCE.org. Taylor previously served as chief of staff at the US Department of Homeland Security, where he published a bombshell “Anonymous” essay in The New York Times, blowing the whistle on presidential misconduct. He later published the #1 national bestseller A Warning, revealed himself to be the author, and launched a campaign of ex-officials to oppose Donald Trump’s reelection. Taylor is also the author of The New York Times best-selling book Blowback and the host of the iHeartRadio podcast “The Whistleblowers.”
Charlie Sykes is the author of the Substack newsletter, “To the Contrary,” and contributes to The Atlantic and MSNBC. His most recent book, How the Right Lost Its Mind, published by St. Martin’s Press, was released in October 2017.
Sykes has written for The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Weekly Standard, The Washington Post, Commentary, The Wall Street Journal, Politico, The Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, Time.com, USA Today, National Review, The New York Review of Books, the New York Daily News, and other national publications.

Courageous Citizenship: Bridging the Divide
2026-04-09 12:00 - 13:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
On April 9, BigTentUSA convened a timely conversation featuring Randy Freeman and Michael Asbury of Braver Angels, the nation’s largest cross-partisan volunteer movement working to bridge America’s political divide. Moderated by Jess Piper, Executive Director of Blue Missouri, the trio explored how Americans can better navigate political differences. Drawing on lived experiences, Jess noted a shift in her rural Missouri community, where some previously loyal MAGA voters are beginning to question the Trump Administration as policies more directly affect their daily lives.
Speakers shared practical techniques for engaging across divides, grounded in real-world examples of communities working through deep disagreement. A central theme was focusing on what individuals can control: their own mindset, how they listen, and how they communicate. Participants were encouraged to approach conversations with curiosity, while also recognizing when it’s more productive to disengage from those unwilling to listen. The discussion emphasized that this work unfolds over time, positioning the Braver Angels approach as a long-term investment in rebuilding trust and strengthening civic dialogue.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Jess Piper is a mother to five and grandmother to three and lives on a small farm on the Missouri/Iowa border. She was born and raised in rural America. She was an American Literature teacher for 16 years. After the 2016 election of Trump, Jess became politically active. Jess ran for office in 2022 for State Representative in HD1 in Northwest Missouri. Jess writes a well known newsletter: The View from Rural Missouri
Randy Freeman is a retired psychotherapist and couples therapist who joined Braver Angels in 2017 because she was upset about the political divisiveness. She is presently the New York State Coordinator, an Ambassador and a moderator for the organization. Randy sees this as a continuation of her work as a couples therapist and sees her role as a therapist for the country.
Michael Asbury is the Co-Chair of the Capital Region of NY State Alliance of Braver Angels since 2020, one of over 125 such local Alliances across the USA. Serving with a Co-Chair of the opposite political persuasion, he guides the local mission of Braver Angels to bring Americans together by bridging the partisan divide to strengthen our democratic republic, and by seeking common ground where none was formerly known. Braver Angels works with all those answering the call for civic renewal.

The Next Wave: New Leaders, Real Change
2026-04-21 19:00 - 20:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
On Tuesday, April 21, Congressional candidates, Shannon Bird (CO-8), Paige Cognetti (PA-8), and Nancy Lacore (SC-1), shared relatable stories in a powerful discussion moderated by Alli Peters of Majority Democrats. From voters struggling with rising costs and deepening distrust in government to a growing sense that leaders have lost touch, no issue was off the table. The candidates pointed to stark examples—a senior forced to choose between groceries and medical care, and communities demanding greater transparency—to underscore a consistent message: the country is facing a dual crisis of affordability and accountability.
Each candidate emphasized practical leadership rooted in service—whether balancing budgets, defending democratic institutions, or putting people over special interests. They pushed back on extremism and highlighted the need to rebuild trust through responsiveness and results.
The throughline: change won’t come from Washington alone. Citizens are urged to take action—engage locally, support candidates who reflect their values, stay informed, and speak up consistently.
The stakes are real, and so is the opportunity—this moment demands participation, not spectatorship.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Shannon Bird, raised by a hardworking single mother and grandmother, understands the struggles families face and is committed to fighting for hardworking Coloradans. After a career in law and public service, she became a strong advocate for equitable education and community empowerment. In the Colorado State House, she has fought for job creation, small businesses, reproductive rights, and climate action. Now, she is running for Congress in Colorado’s Eighth District to defend democracy and ensure Colorado remains a place where everyone can achieve their dreams.
Mayor Paige Cognetti has built her career on making government more accountable, transparent, and responsive. After uncovering corruption as a state auditor and serving on the Scranton School Board, she ran for mayor in 2019 as an Independent and won, becoming the city’s first woman mayor. In office, she has taken on special interests, eliminated waste, restored finances to investment grade, secured over $155 million in funding, and driven economic growth. She is now running for Congress to bring that commitment to Washington.
Nancy Lacore served for 35 years in the Navy, beginning as a helicopter pilot and rising to three-star admiral and Chief of Navy Reserve, leading more than 60,000 sailors. Her career took her around the world, grounded in family and a deep love of country. Following her father’s footsteps, she earned an ROTC scholarship to the College of the Holy Cross and was commissioned after graduation. She and her husband Pat, also a Navy pilot, have been married 30 years and raised six children with a strong sense of service.
Alli Peters is Chief Digital Officer at Majority Democrats and a director and editor based between Los Angeles and Madison, Wisconsin. She most recently managed Adam Schiff’s successful U.S. Senate campaign. Her work focuses on reshaping how people perceive the Democratic Party: restoring trust through human, optimistic storytelling that shows how politics can meaningfully improve people’s lives.

America’s Next Chapter: Renewal, Tough Leadership, and 2028
2026-04-30 19:00 - 20:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
On Thursday, April 30 BigTentUSA hosted Amb. Rahm Emanuel in a candid discussion moderated by Rachel Janfaza of The Up and Up.
In the discussion, Amb. Emanuel argued that corruption and dysfunction have become normalized in American politics, eroding trust at home and credibility abroad. His core message: the country doesn’t need more partisan reruns—it needs results.
He laid out his vision for middle-class economics, strong public education, public safety, and restoring faith in institutions. He connected big-picture concerns—like global competition and democratic stability—to urgent domestic failures, especially in education, where declining literacy rates threaten long-term opportunity and economic strength.
Amb. Emanuel also previewed his “six for ’26” agenda focused on raising wages, lowering health care costs, and enforcing real ethics reforms, while drawing a sharp contrast with both Trumpism and ideological extremes within his own party.
The bottom line: Deliver results, rebuild trust, and prove government can work again.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Rahm I. Emanuel most recently served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan, where he strengthened the U.S.-Japan alliance and supported expanded security cooperation. He previously served as the 55th Mayor of Chicago, leading major investments in education, public safety, infrastructure, and economic development, including universal pre-K, free community college, and the O’Hare modernization program. Earlier, he was President Obama’s Chief of Staff, helping pass the Recovery Act and Affordable Care Act, and served four terms in Congress. Emanuel also held senior roles in the Clinton administration. He holds degrees from Sarah Lawrence College and Northwestern University.
Rachel Janfaza is the founder of The Up and Up, a research, media, and strategy firm focused on Gen Z. A member of Generation Z herself, Janfaza is best known for her theory of The Two Gen Zs. Her written work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, Vox, The Free Press, Glamour, POLITICO Magazine, Teen Vogue, Vogue, Elle, Cosmo, and Bustle. And her on-air analysis has been featured on CNN, CBS, C-SPAN, NY-1, and WNYC Public Radio. She is also a contributor to The Bulwark.

Securing the States: Protecting Our Vote
2026-05-06 18:30 - 19:30 | BigTent Zoom Room
Democracy isn’t defending itself—and this conversation made clear that the frontlines run straight through the states.
On May 6, BigTentUSA hosted a powerful discussion moderated by Joanna Lydgate of States United Action. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and New Mexico’s Doña Ana County Clerk Amanda López Askin laid out the growing threats to free and fair elections—and the leaders fighting back.
The speakers warned that attacks on election workers, misinformation campaigns, voter intimidation, and efforts to undermine public trust are already shaping the road to 2028. But they also emphasized that coordinated state-level leadership defeated attempts to overturn the 2020 election and can do so again. From protecting vote-by-mail access to preventing intimidation at polling sites, both leaders stressed the importance of proactive safeguards and community engagement.
The message was unmistakable: volunteer to serve as a poll worker, support trusted local election officials, and stay engaged year-round—because protecting democracy starts long before Election Day.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Amanda López Askin is a public servant rooted in New Mexico, raised in Las Cruces by a hardworking single mother who relied on assistance and public housing. She became a therapist, helping children in foster care, before serving as Doña Ana County Clerk. In that role, she leads with fairness and compassion, ensuring election integrity while combating misinformation and protecting election workers. Now running for Secretary of State, Amanda is focused on keeping elections safe and secure, expanding voter access and education, increasing campaign finance transparency, and supporting small businesses by streamlining licensing processes across the state.
Jocelyn Benson is Michigan’s 43rd Secretary of State and a Democratic candidate for governor. Raised in a working-class family by two special education teachers, she was shaped by values of hard work, opportunity, and service. Since 2019, she has transformed Michigan’s motor vehicle services, improving efficiency with 150+ convenient self-service stations, while strengthening election security and access. In the face of threats to both herself and her colleagues, she oversaw two of the highest-turnout, transparent elections in state history. Benson is running for governor to expand efficient, accessible public services, lower costs for working families, and invest in education, housing, child care, health care, and economic development for all.
Joanna Lydgate is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the States United Democracy Center and States United Action, nonpartisan organizations dedicated to preserving the rule of law and free, fair, secure elections. Since 2020, States United has provided legal, research, policy, and communications support to state officials. Before launching States United, Joanna served as Chief Deputy Attorney General of Massachusetts. In that role, she coordinated multi-state litigation and worked with a bipartisan team of colleagues from across the country to uphold shared values, protect civil liberties, and defend the rule of law. She also oversaw criminal enforcement, coordinating daily with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners. Joanna has served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, was a law clerk to Judge Norman H. Stahl on the First Circuit Court of Appeals, and worked in nonprofit legal services in New York City. She is a graduate of Yale University and the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law.

Power & Representation: The Post-Callais Fight
2026-05-14 19:00 - 20:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
Democracy is under attack—and this conversation made clear that the fight for voting rights is entering a dangerous new phase.
On Thursday May 14, Lauren Groh-Wargo, CEO of Fair Fight, and Tennessee State Rep. Justin Pearson joined BigTentUSA’s urgent discussion on the fallout from Louisiana v. Callais. Groh-Wargo and Pearson sounded the alarm on escalating efforts to dismantle fair representation across the South. From racial gerrymandering and attacks on Black voting power to coordinated pushes for partisan redistricting, the speakers warned that extremist lawmakers are testing how far they can weaken democracy—and counting on people to tune out. The conversation highlighted mounting threats in states like Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana, while emphasizing that courts alone will not stop the damage. Instead, organizers urged attendees to focus on turnout, state supreme court races, grassroots organizing, and sustained public pressure.
Folks, the time to organize, mobilize, and fight back is now.
Speakers’ Recommended Actions:

Push back hard against voter suppression, racist gerrymandering, and attacks on democracy by calling them out publicly and keeping the pressure on.
Build bigger, stronger coalitions by bringing together community groups, workers, young people, businesses, and pro-democracy allies.
Reach more voters—including people who feel disconnected from politics—through year-round grassroots organizing and community outreach.
Focus on turnout in the 2026 midterms and key state and local races that will shape voting rights and representation.
Support local organizers and stay involved beyond election season through advocacy, education, and community action.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Lauren Groh-Wargo is a political and civic engagement strategist, executive, and advocate for economic and voting rights. She partnered with Stacey Abrams in 2012 to build Democratic and progressive infrastructure in Georgia, and in response to 2018 voter suppression, founded and serves as CEO of Fair Fight Action, which combats suppression and advances voter education. Fair Fight played a key role in the 2020 election and 2021 Georgia runoff. An organizer at heart, Lauren has led campaigns and advised nonprofits nationally for over 20 years. She holds an Economics degree from American University and lives in Atlanta with her partner and son.
Rep. Justin J. Pearson launched his campaign for Tennessee’s Ninth Congressional District on October 8, 2025, declaring it “a campaign for The People.” A movement leader and Tennessee lawmaker, he rose to national prominence as part of the Tennessee Three, standing up for gun reform and being overwhelmingly reelected after expulsion. A lifelong organizer, he helped lead the victorious Byhalia Pipeline fight, shut down a cancer-causing sterilization plant, and now challenges Elon Musk’s xAI data center. The second-youngest state legislator, Pearson is a national voice for justice, honored with the Truman Center’s 2024 Moral Courage Award. He’s running to bring that fight to Congress. Pearson is married to his partner in life and the struggle for justice Oceana R. Gilliam-Pearson.

Tar Heel Turnout: The Fight for North Carolina’s Future
2026-05-26 13:00 - 14:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
On May 26, BigTentUSA hosted a virtual conversation with North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton and North Carolina Supreme Court Justices Anita Earls and Allison Riggs on the political and legal battles shaping North Carolina’s future. The speakers discussed ongoing challenges facing election officials and voting rights advocates as court fights over redistricting, election certification, and ballot access continue across the state. They also highlighted efforts to create obstacles on election day, including reports of military veterans being removed from voter rolls after registering with military IDs — a major concern in a state with one of the country’s largest veteran populations.
Justice Riggs shared her experience defending her election victory through a lengthy legal battle and explained that the North Carolina Democratic Party only recently finished paying the associated legal fees. She noted that the fight led to new protections designed to prevent similar challenges in future races.
Anderson Clayton called for aggressive grassroots organizing to energize voters around critical down-ballot races, stressing that canvassing, phone banking, and text banking remain some of the most effective tools for building momentum. She also argued that a Democratic majority in North Carolina is closer than many believe with sustained investment, organizing, and strong voter turnout.
As the 2026 elections approach, the panel made one thing clear: the outcome will depend on who is willing to organize, mobilize, and fight for every vote.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Justice Anita Earls is an Associate Justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court and a longtime civil rights attorney with over 30 years of experience in voting rights, school desegregation, and employment discrimination cases. She founded the Southern Coalition for Social Justice and has held key roles at the U.S. Department of Justice, UNC Law School, and multiple state commissions focused on equity and justice. A graduate of Williams College and Yale Law School, she continues to write, teach, and advocate for racial and social justice.
Justice Allison Riggs was elected by North Carolinians to keep her seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court in November 2024, but that win took 6 months of post-election litigation to defend.
She is the youngest woman to ever serve on the North Carolina Supreme Court, and the only judge of child-bearing age currently serving. Justice Riggs brings an important perspective to the Court and works every day to protect the independence of our judiciary.
She was previously appointed by Governor Roy Cooper to the State Supreme Court before winning her full-term, and the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Before serving as a judge, Justice Riggs worked for 14 years as a civil rights attorney, fighting to protect North Carolinians’ freedoms, including the right to vote. She argued twice before the U.S. Supreme Court in several benchmark redistricting cases.
Anderson Clayton serves as the current chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party. Elected at 25 years old, Anderson Clayton is the youngest chair of a state Democratic Party. Chair Clayton grew up in Roxboro, North Carolina and graduated from Appalachian State University. She worked on Congresswoman Kathy Manning’s congressional campaign, as a field organizer in Iowa for the presidential campaigns of Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren, and then for Amy McGrath’s Senate campaign. Prior to her election as Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, Chair Clayton served as a chair of the Person County Democratic Party, her hometown county. Chair Clayton resides in Roxboro, NC.

BigTent Book Discussion: "Liar’s Kingdom"
2026-06-02 12:00 - 13:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
On Tuesday, June 2, truth, accountability, and the future of American democracy took center stage in BigTentUSA’s conversation with Andrew Weissmann–MS NOW legal analyst and veteran federal prosecutor. Moderated by Reed Galen of The Union, Weissmann discussed themes from his new book Liar’s Kingdom: How to Stop Trump’s Deceit and Save America, arguing that the growing normalization of political lies poses a serious threat to democratic institutions. He highlighted a key contradiction in American law: while lies in business, courtrooms, and congressional testimony can carry legal consequences, political lies often do not.
Weissmann emphasized that restoring trust requires more than defending old norms. He called for stronger legal safeguards, reforms to prevent the weaponization of government power, and greater transparency from institutions such as the Department of Justice. He also argued that future leaders must be willing to confront past abuses rather than simply “look forward,” warning that accountability is essential to preserving the rule of law.
The conversation ended with a clear challenge: democracy is not self-executing, and protecting it requires public engagement, institutional reform, and a refusal to accept corruption or dishonesty as normal.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Andrew Weissmann is an NYU Law School professor and widely respected legal analyst on MS NOW. He was a lead prosecutor in Robert S. Mueller’s Special Counsel’s Office, Chief of the Fraud Section in the Department of Justice, General Counsel of the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Director Mueller, a leader of the Enron Task Force, and started out as an organized crime prosecutor in Brooklyn. He is a co-host of MS NOW‘s award-winning podcast Main Justice and, before that, Prosecuting Donald Trump. He has written two New York Times bestsellers, Where Law Ends: Inside the Mueller Investigation, and, as co-author, The Trump Indictments: The Historic Charging Documents With Commentary, and also writes the Substack newsletter Behind the Headlines. He holds degrees from Princeton and Columbia Law School, was a Fulbright scholar, and teaches at NYU School of Law. He is a New Yorker through and through.
Reed Galen is an independent political strategist, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, and currently serves as the President of The Union, a nationwide coalition working to rebuild American democracy from the ground up. The Union brings together volunteers, organizers, and local leaders to support decent, competent candidates at every level of government. Under Reed’s leadership, The Union is building the infrastructure needed to show up in all 50 states and strengthen civic engagement nationwide.

Ready, Set, Vote: Removing Barriers to the Ballot
2026-06-09 12:00 - 13:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
Democracy works best when everyone can participate—and that starts with making sure every eligible voter can cast a ballot.
At this BigTentUSA TentTalk held on June 9, VoteRiders’ Sylvester Johnson III joined activist and organizer Jessica Craven for a practical conversation about one of the biggest barriers to voting: voter ID requirements. Johnson explained that more than 34 million voting-age Americans lack a current government-issued ID, while 38 states require identification to vote. He outlined how VoteRiders helps voters navigate often confusing state rules, obtain supporting documents such as birth certificates, secure transportation to ID offices, and successfully complete the process from start to finish.
The discussion also explored broader threats to voter participation, strategies for increasing turnout, and the importance of grassroots engagement. Attendees learned how simple actions—letter writing, texting, sharing information, and helping neighbors prepare to vote—can make a measurable difference.
The takeaway was clear: Whether you live in a battleground state or not, there are concrete ways to help ensure every eligible voter can make their voice heard.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Sylvester Johnson III serves as the Voter Outreach & Data Manager for VoteRiders. A Georgia native, Sylvester’s commitment to civic engagement began in high school through his work with organizations such as the Special Olympics of Georgia. After graduating from Howard University, he returned to his home state and served as Political Director for Carolyn Bourdeaux’s 2018 congressional campaign in Georgia’s 7th Congressional District. Since joining VoteRiders, Sylvester has spent more than six years helping ensure that all eligible citizens have the information and support they need to exercise their fundamental right to vote.
Jessica Craven is a full time activist, community organizer, political TikTok creator, and elected member of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party’s Central Committee. She’s also the author of “Chop Wood, Carry Water,” a daily actions e-mail.

Uncovering the Epstein Network: Accountability, Power, and Civic Action
2026-06-11 19:00 - 20:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
On Thursday, June 11, our Spotlight Speaker event centered on COURIER Newsroom’s ongoing reporting into Jeffrey Epstein’s network and the launch of an AI-powered database designed to make thousands of pages of public records more accessible to journalists, researchers, advocates, and the public. COURIER Journalist Camaron Stevenson and CEO of Thorian AI, Josh Levine, demonstrated how technology can help uncover connections, identify patterns, and accelerate the search for facts hidden within massive volumes of documents.
Panelists Nina Burleigh of COURIER and Ambassador Norm Eisen, co-founder of Democracy Defenders Action, emphasized that transparency, accountability, and persistence remain essential to protecting democracy. They discussed the critical role of investigative journalism, litigation, and public engagement in exposing corruption, combating disinformation, and ensuring abuses of power do not go unchecked.
A consistent theme emerged throughout the discussion: meaningful change requires informed citizens who stay engaged, support independent journalism, and demand accountability.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Nina Burleigh is a a journalist, best-selling author, documentary producer, and publisher of a Substack on politics called American Freakshow. A contributing editor at The New Republic and frequent contributor to The New York Times and New York Magazine, her journalism has been published widely including in translation in the Norwegian and Italian press. She’s the author of eight books on an array of topics including archaeological forgery, scientists in 18th Century Egypt, James Smithson, Amanda Knox in Italy, and the Trump women, which were reviewed, excerpted or covered in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Nation, New York Magazine, BBC, ABC, MSNBC, and other media outlets.
Ambassador (ret.) Norman Eisen is a co-founder and board member of Democracy Defenders Action, which has been helping lead the successful national court fights against the Trump Administration, helping secure multiple landmark orders against its authoritarian moves. His work in the courts of law is matched by his efforts in the court of public opinion as the co-founder and publisher of The Contrarian. He is also the co-founder and former chair of other major non-profits including CREW and States United.
Camaron Stevenson is a national correspondent for COURIER Newsroom and publisher of the Below The Beltway newsletter on Substack. A veteran political journalist, he spent more than a decade reporting in Phoenix and served as the Founding Editor and Chief Political Correspondent of The Copper Courier. His reporting focuses on politics, policy, and the forces shaping American democracy at the national and local levels.
Josh Levine is a multi-time entrepreneur (1x exit) building at the nexus of AI, public policy, and the future of data. After an initial career in public finance, Josh founded companies in the education technology and small business M&A spaces. He is now building Thorian AI, which specializes in data processing, extraction, and automation-building across massive, multi-modal datasets. Thorian serves as a data backbone for local government permitting processes, state and federal compliance processes, and complex grant applications/management while keeping costs low through the use of data methods that allow us to use the smallest possible language models for the job. For his efforts, Josh was recently named one of Austin’s top five technologists under 40 for the second time in 2026. A native of Texas, he holds a Master of Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs and an undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University.

From Mar-a-Lago to Mega-Yachts: Trump and the New Gilded Age
2026-06-17 19:00 - 20:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
How much inequality can a democracy withstand before citizens push back? That was the central question explored in BigTentUSA’s conversation on June 17 with New Yorker staff writer and author Evan Osnos, moderated by Ed Luce, Financial Times US National Editor.
Drawing from his latest reporting and book The Haves and the Have-Yachts, Osnos examined the growing concentration of wealth and power in America, arguing that today’s oligarchs wield influence not only through money, but through control of information, technology, and political institutions. The discussion explored the unprecedented alliance between political power and extreme wealth, the rise of tech billionaires, and the ways social media and artificial intelligence could accelerate economic inequality in the years ahead.
The conversation also looked abroad for lessons, highlighting how corruption and democratic backsliding have unfolded in countries such as Hungary—and what Americans can learn from those experiences.
The takeaway was clear: democratic change rarely begins with majorities. It starts when engaged citizens decide enough is enough—and take action to make democracy work for everyone.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Evan Osnos has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 2008. In addition, he is co-host of The New Yorker’s Political Scene podcast, and a nonresident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. His coverage ranges from politics and foreign affairs to white-collar crime and espionage. His first book, “Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China,” won the National Book Award and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. His latest book “The Haves and Have-Yachts: Dispatches on the Ultrarich,” was an instant New York Times bestseller. Prior to The New Yorker, he worked as the Beijing bureau chief for the Chicago Tribune, where he was on teams that won the Pulitzer Prize in 2001 and 2008. Before his assignment to China, he worked in the Middle East, reporting mostly from Iraq. He lives with his family near Washington, D.C.
Edward Luce is the US national editor and columnist at the Financial Times. Before that he was the FT’s Washington Bureau chief. Other roles have included South Asia bureau chief, Capital Markets editor, and Philippines Correspondent. Luce was previously the speechwriter for US Treasury Secretary Lawrence H. Summers, in the Clinton administration.
He is the author of four highly acclaimed books: Zbig, The Life of Zbig Brzezinski: America’s Great Power Prophet (2025); The Retreat of Western Liberalism (2017); Time to Start Thinking: America in the Age of Descent (2012); and In Spite of the Gods: The Strange Rise of Modern India (2007).

Casting A Wide Net: Building Alaska’s Future Across Party Lines
2026-06-25 19:00 - 20:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
Alaska is proving that politics doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game.
In a lively BigTentUSA conversation held on June 25, independent congressional candidate Bill Hill and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins shared how Alaska’s unique political culture is creating space for practical leadership, coalition-building, and solutions that put people ahead of party. They discussed the importance of protecting democracy, preserving Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system, and working across political divides to rebuild trust in government.
The conversation also highlighted the critical role of Alaska’s fisheries, with both candidates calling for stronger protections against bycatch, greater local representation in fisheries management, and expanded opportunities for young Alaskans to remain in the industry. Throughout the discussion, both speakers emphasized that lasting progress comes from listening, collaboration, and staying focused on the needs of local communities rather than partisan agendas.
Their message was clear: when leaders choose cooperation over division, democracy—and the people it serves—are stronger for it.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Bill Hill is running for Alaska’s Congressional At-Large seat, and grew up in a small village in Bristol Bay, Alaska – the home of the largest salmon run in the world. He grew up subsistence fishing and hunting, trapping, and raising and racing sled dog teams with his family. Bill is first and foremost a commercial fisherman, joining his dad on the family fishing boat when he was 12 and fishing every fishing season in Bristol Bay since. Bill also worked in rural construction, from building houses, working on remote health clinics and canneries, environmental remediation, and on a crew that installed the sewer system in the Bristol Bay Borough. A son of two teachers, Bill spent nearly 25 years working as a teacher, a principal, and a superintendent, and was named Alaska Superintendent of the Year in 2023. He’s a proud union guy, having been part of both the Laborers union and the NEA. Bill is a husband, dad of four, and Chada (grandpa) to 7. Bill and his family have lived in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. Now he and his wife Diane are back in Naknek, population 470.
Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins — known as JKT — is running for governor of Alaska in an open-seat election. Born and raised in the island community of Sitka in Southeast Alaska, JKT became interested in politics at a young age. At 13, he attracted national attention, leading Howard Dean’s presidential campaign’s Alaska efforts. During his senior year of college, he received recruitment calls to run against the powerful eight-year Republican incumbent for his home district. He mounted a scrappy underdog campaign in 2012, defeating him by 32 votes. At 23 years old, JKT was the third-youngest legislator elected in Alaska history, and served in the Alaska House of Representatives for 10 years. Four years in, in 2016, he worked across the aisle to help sweep into power a “bipartisan coalition” majority caucus of all House Democrats, as well as independents and moderate Republicans. That bipartisan coalition remains in power today. JKT is running for governor to bring a new generation of leadership to the governor’s office — supporting schools, lowering the cost of energy, building new homes, and balancing the budget — so that the next generation will also call Alaska home.

A Term in Review: The Supreme Court’s Impact
2026-06-29 13:00 - 14:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
The Supreme Court is reshaping the balance of power in America—and understanding what comes next has never been more important.
On Monday, June 29, in this timely BigTentUSA conversation, Michael Waldman, President and CEO of the Brennan Center for Justice, joined Boston Globe journalist Kimberly Atkins Stohr to unpack the Court’s most consequential rulings of the term and what they mean for democracy, civil rights, immigration, executive power, and the rule of law. They explored landmark decisions limiting nationwide injunctions, expanding presidential authority, and signaling a diminished role for Congress, while emphasizing the real-world consequences these rulings will have for Americans. Throughout the discussion, the speakers stressed that the Constitution ultimately depends on an engaged public and accountable elected leaders. They urged viewers to stay informed, support organizations defending democratic institutions, advocate for a stronger Congress, and participate in every election.
The message was clear: protecting democracy isn’t someone else’s job—it’s a responsibility that belongs to all of us.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Michael Waldman is president and CEO of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law. A nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to improve systems of democracy and justice so they work for all, the Brennan Center is a leading national voice on voting rights, money in politics, criminal justice reform, and constitutional law. Waldman is a constitutional lawyer and writer who is an expert on the presidency and American democracy. He has led the Center since 2005. He was a member of the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States in 2021.
Kimberly Atkins Stohr is a senior opinion writer and columnist at The Boston Globe. She is also an MSNBC contributor, a frequent panelist on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” and co-host of the weekly Politicon legal news podcast #SistersInLaw. Previously, Kim was the inaugural columnist for The Emancipator, a collaboration between The Boston Globe and Boston University’s Center for Antiracist Research that reframes the conversation about racial justice and equality.

The Mind of the President: What’s at Stake?
2026-07-09 19:00 - 20:00 | https://open.substack.com/live-stream/270358?utm_source=post-publish
On Thursday, July 9, moderator and founder of News Not Noise, Jessica Yellin, and psychologist Mary Trump joined BigTentUSA live on Substack to examine how President Donald Trump’s psychological, cognitive, and emotional decline could shape both his presidency and the country’s future. Mary argued that decades of untreated psychiatric issues, combined with aging and mounting pressure, have created a “perfect storm” that makes Trump increasingly impulsive, isolated, and dangerous in positions of power. The discussion also explored how fear, loyalty, and political incentives continue to enable his behavior, raising urgent questions about accountability and the health of democratic institutions.
Looking ahead to the 2026 midterms, the speakers emphasized that elections remain one of the public’s most powerful tools for checking executive power. They urged Americans to stay informed, reject political complacency, support independent journalism, and remain actively engaged in civic life. Their central message was clear: democracy’s future won’t be decided by one leader alone—it will be shaped by citizens who participate.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Mary L. Trump is an American psychologist and author. Her first book, “Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man” (2020), which sold nearly one million copies on its first day of publication. She is the author of two other New York Times bestsellers, “The Reckoning” (2021), and a memoir, “Who Could Ever Love You” (2024).
Trump writes The Good in Us, a best-selling newsletter on Substack, and is the founder of Mary Trump Media and the Mary Trump Media YouTube channel.
Jessica Yellin is the founder of News Not Noise, a pioneering Webby award-winning independent news brand dedicated to helping you manage your “information overload.” The platform delivers substantive reporting and expert interviews giving audiences context, not anxiety. Yellin is the former chief White House correspondent for CNN and an Emmy, Peabody and Gracie Award-winning political correspondent for ABC, MSNBC and CNN. Her work has been published in The New York Times, The Atlantic, and the Los Angeles Times. Meta has used her platform to train newsrooms around the world. A Harvard graduate, she is also the author of “Savage News“, available from HarperCollins. Find her work on Substack and YouTube at News Not Noise and on Instagram @JessicaYellin.

“How to Eat An Elephant:” Restoring American Democracy
2026-07-15 17:00 - 18:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
On Wednesday, July 15, The Bulwark’s Will Sommer and Sarah Longwell, joined BigTentUSA to discuss Longwell’s new book, “How to Eat An Elephant.”
Longwell, a former member of the Republican Party, and now a leading voice in the Anti-MAGA movement, discussed the importance of engaging with voters of any party to develop a reform plan that goes across ideological party lines, while also recognizing that change won’t happen overnight.
Drawing on insights from thousands of voter focus groups, Longwell explored why certain political issues resonate with the public while others fail to break through, emphasizing the importance of clear messaging and compelling storytelling. The conversation also covered the state of the MAGA coalition, voter reactions to recent political controversies, the evolving political landscape, and themes from Longwell’s forthcoming book.
As we head closer to the 2026 midterms, Longwell provided viewers with a deeper understanding of the priorities driving today’s voters and the communication strategies she believes are essential for building a broad, winning coalition.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Sarah Longwell is the publisher of The Bulwark, which she co-founded in 2019, and host of the podcast “The Focus Group“, now in its sixth season. The Bulwark is one of the fastest-growing independent digital media companies and a home for honest, pro-democracy news and analysis.
A recognized expert in qualitative research, Sarah has hosted hundreds of focus groups and spoken with thousands of voters nationwide. Her work digs into what motivates voters and how they view major political issues, with a focus on persuadable swing voters, including current and former Trump voters. Her insights have been featured on PBS NewsHour, CNN, MSNBC, and elsewhere.
Will Sommer is a senior reporter at The Bulwark, where he writes the “False Flag” newsletter on right-wing media and online beliefs. Sommer’s work focuses on how conspiracy theories and disinformation shape our politics and country, often spilling over from the internet into the real world. He previously worked for The Washington Post and The Daily Beast. Sommer is the author of “Trust the Plan: The Rise of QAnon and the Conspiracy That Unhinged America.”

People Over Power: Fighting Corruption, Strengthening Alaska
2026-07-27 19:00 - 20:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
Alaska’s future is on the ballot—and this conversation made clear that the stakes extend far beyond the Last Frontier.
On Monday, July 27, in a wide-ranging discussion moderated by independent journalist Rebecca Nagle, Senate candidate Mary Peltola and congressional candidate Bill Hill outlined a vision centered on putting Alaskans ahead of partisan politics. Both emphasized the crushing cost of living, the need to strengthen local economies, and protecting Alaska’s fisheries and natural resources while creating long-term economic opportunity. They also addressed the difficult balance between Alaska’s dependence on oil revenue and the accelerating impacts of climate change, arguing that responsible energy policy must be paired with investments in sustainable industries and resilient communities. The candidates highlighted threats to the rule of law, government accountability, and the importance of reducing corruption, while stressing the need to expand voter access—particularly in remote and Alaska Native communities where geographic barriers make participation more difficult.
The discussion closed with a call for practical leadership, civic engagement, and cross-partisan collaboration to ensure every Alaskan has a voice in shaping the state’s future.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Mary Peltola is a lifelong Alaskan, and running for U.S. Senate. She is a mother of seven and a proven champion for all Alaska workers and families. Mary grew up in the close-knit communities of Kwethluk, Tuntutuliak, Platinum, and Bethel, where she began fishing with her father at the age of six before becoming a fishing boat captain at age 14, and a herring and salmon technician for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game during college. After being elected to the state legislature at the age of 24, Mary chaired the bipartisan Bush Caucus which helped lower energy prices and improve public safety for rural Alaskans.
Mary has fought for Alaska by leading the coalition to secure the Willow Oil Project – which is the largest development of Alaska oil in recent history and a source of stable, good paying union jobs; launching the fight against factory trawlers in 2022 and fighting for first-of-its-kind legislation to ban bottom trawling; organizing town halls across the state and rallying Alaskans to successfully stop the Kroger-Albertson’s merger that would have raised grocery prices and hurt workers. She has spent her life fighting for Alaskans, and that’s exactly what she’ll do in the U.S. Senate.
Bill Hill is running for Alaska’s Congressional At-Large seat, and grew up in a small village in Bristol Bay, Alaska – the home of the largest salmon run in the world. He grew up subsistence fishing and hunting, trapping, and raising and racing sled dog teams with his family. Bill is first and foremost a commercial fisherman, joining his dad on the family fishing boat when he was 12 and fishing every fishing season in Bristol Bay since. Bill also worked in rural construction, from building houses, working on remote health clinics and canneries, environmental remediation, and on a crew that installed the sewer system in the Bristol Bay Borough. A son of two teachers, Bill spent nearly 25 years working as a teacher, a principal, and a superintendent, and was named Alaska Superintendent of the Year in 2023. He’s a proud union guy, having been part of both the Laborers union and the NEA. Bill is a husband, dad of four, and Chada (grandpa) to 7. Bill and his family have lived in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. Now he and his wife Diane are back in Naknek, population 470.
Rebecca Nagle is an award winning journalist and citizen of Cherokee Nation. She is the author of “By The Fire We Carry: The Generation-Long Fight for Justice on Native Land” and the writer and host of the podcast “This Land“. Her writing on Native representation, federal Indian law, and tribal sovereignty has been featured in the Atlantic, the Washington Post, The Guardian, USA Today, Indian Country Today, and more. Rebecca Nagle is the recipient of the American Mosaic Journalism Prize, Women’s Media Center’s Exceptional Journalism Award, a Peabody Nominee, and numerous awards from the Native American Journalist Association. Nagle lives in Tahlequah, OK.

Beyond the Gridlock: What It Takes to Make Congress Work
2026-08-05 19:00 - 20:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
Congress can’t solve America’s biggest challenges if it’s stuck—and this conversation explored why, and what it will take to move forward.
On August 5, Dr. Maya Kornberg, Senior Research Fellow at The Brennan Center for Justice and author of STUCK: How Money, Media, and Violence Prevent Change in Congress, and Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14), examined the forces that keep Congress from delivering results, including relentless fundraising demands, the growing threat of political violence, media incentives, and outdated institutional structures. Despite these barriers, both speakers emphasized that meaningful reform is possible through stronger ethics rules, campaign finance reform, better-resourced congressional staff, and a renewed commitment to making government work for the people it serves. They also challenged Americans to embrace a forward-looking vision of democracy that reflects the nation’s growing diversity rather than clinging to the past.
The discussion closed with a clear reminder that protecting democracy requires more than voting—it demands sustained civic engagement. With Election Day approaching, attendees were encouraged to take action every day by organizing, advocating, and helping build a government that truly represents the American people.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Maya L. Kornberg, Ph.D., is a senior research fellow and manager at NYU Law’s Brennan Center for Justice. She is the author of the book “Stuck: How Money, Media, and Violence Prevent Change in Congress” (Johns Hopkins University Press) and “Inside Congressional Committees: Function and Dysfunction in Lawmaking” (Columbia University Press). Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, NPR, BBC, The New York Times, Newsweek, The Hill, Slate, and other outlets.
Congresswoman Lauren Underwood represents Illinois’ 14th Congressional District and is the first woman, first person of color, and first millennial to serve her community in Congress. A registered nurse, she is the co-founder and co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, leading efforts to improve maternal health outcomes and eliminate disparities. She also serves as Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee and on the House Appropriations Committee. Before Congress, Rep. Underwood served as a Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where she helped implement the Affordable Care Act and strengthen the nation’s public health preparedness.

From Outrage to Organizing: The Fight Ahead
2026-08-10 14:00 - 15:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
Democracy won’t be saved by outrage alone—it will be saved by people who turn anger into organized, sustained action.
In this August 10 BigTentUSA Substack Live, The Lincoln Project’s Rick Wilson and The Existentialist Republic’s Christopher Armitage argued that the fight ahead requires moving from emotional reaction to practical, repeatable civic engagement.
Wilson emphasized the stakes of the 2026 midterms, arguing that a decisive electoral victory could help rebuild democratic institutions and limit attempts to undermine election results. He urged Democrats to stay focused on voters’ top concerns—prices, inflation, jobs, the economy, and corruption—and to make the case for change clearly and consistently.
Armitage focused on the mechanics of authoritarianism, including misinformation, information overload, and efforts to make people feel powerless. Rather than dismissing or insulting people who believe misinformation, he encouraged asking questions that prompt them to examine where their beliefs come from.
Both speakers stressed the importance of grassroots organizing, especially at the state and local level. They called for sustained pressure on elected officials, stronger protection of voting rights, and participation in every election—not just presidential races. The central message was simple: meaningful change comes from millions of people taking small, concrete actions consistently. The goal isn’t just to resist—it’s to organize, act, and win.
Actionable items mentioned:

Vote in every election, including midterms and local races such as county commissions and city councils.
If you encounter a problem voting, request a provisional ballot.
Contact state officials—particularly governors, attorneys general, and secretaries of state—to urge them to prepare for potential federal intervention or unlawful actions affecting elections.
Write letters and make calls to elected officials, including officials who may not share your political affiliation.
Pressure local and state-level officials with specific, concrete demands.
Challenge misinformation through questions, such as asking where someone heard a claim, why they believe it, and what led them to that conclusion.
Take small civic actions consistently rather than waiting for a major moment—actions should be manageable enough to do regularly, even during a morning coffee.
Focus grassroots organizing on lower-level political offices and races, where sustained public pressure can have an impact.
Keep the 2026 midterms front and center, with a focus on building a large enough electoral victory to protect democratic institutions and democratic outcomes.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Christopher Armitage is a former law enforcement officer with a background in national security. He now works as a public policy analyst, anti-authoritarian activist, and journalist. His work has been cited by Mother Jones, the Brookings Institute, and Thom Hartman.
Founder of The Lincoln Project, Rick Wilson is a renowned political strategist, an award-winning ad-maker and podcast host, writer, speaker, and political commentator who appears on MSNBC, CNN, ABC News, NPR, Real Time with Bill Maher, and various American and international news outlets. A 30-year veteran of national Republican politics, Rick got his start in the 1988 Presidential campaign of George Herbert Walker Bush and has produced groundbreaking and award-winning political advertising, strategic counsel to winning political candidates, SuperPACs, state parties, the national campaign committees, and corporate, association, and government clients across the nation and around the world. Rick has authored two New York Times bestsellers – “Everything Trump Touches Dies” and “Running Against The Devil – A Plot To Save America from Trump And Democrats From Themselves” – and often writes for the Byline Times, The Washington Post, Politico, Rolling Stone, The Hill, The Bulwark, and The London Spectator. Rick’s podcast also won the Best Political Podcast award at this year’s prestigious Webby Awards.

Write for Impact: How Personal Letters Can Strengthen Democracy
2026-08-12 12:00 - 13:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
Democracy doesn’t defend itself—people do.
At BigTentUSA’s August 12 workshop, BigTentUSA’s Voter Engagement Coordinator Samantha Cohen kicked off the conversation by sharing how BigTent’s 2026 letter-writing campaign is mobilizing members to reach voters directly. Cohen explained the difference between VoteRiders’ voter ID outreach and Vote Forward’s turnout efforts, walked participants through requesting and mailing letters, and highlighted why handwritten notes can cut through today’s digital noise. She also shared that BigTent members have already written more than 1,000 letters this summer.
VoteRiders CEO and Executive Director Lauren Kunis detailed how restrictive and changing ID laws can create significant barriers to voting—and how targeted outreach can make a measurable difference. In Texas, 92% of voters contacted through VoteRiders’ letter campaign after having a ballot rejected successfully voted in the next election.
Together, Cohen and Kunis equipped participants with the tools, information, and motivation to take action. Now it’s time to pick up a pen, write a letter, and help make every eligible voter’s voice count!

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Lauren Kunis is the President, Chief Executive Officer, and Executive Director of VoteRiders, the nation’s leading nonpartisan organization dedicated to ensuring every eligible voter has the identification they need to cast a ballot that counts. Since joining VoteRiders in 2020, she has led the organization’s strategic growth, expanding its nationwide voter ID education, outreach, and free assistance programs to reach millions of voters while building partnerships with thousands of community organizations across the country. Prior to VoteRiders, Lauren served as Program Director for National Voter Registration Day, where she helped lead one of the largest nonpartisan civic engagement coalitions in the United States. A recognized leader in voting rights and civic participation, Lauren is a frequent speaker on voter access and democracy and is committed to removing barriers to the ballot box so every eligible American can participate in elections.
Samantha Cohen is the Voter Engagement Coordinator at BigTentUSA, where she leads volunteer engagement initiatives and voter outreach efforts, including the organization’s nationwide letter-writing campaign to encourage civic participation. She is a member of the Duke University Class of 2030, where she plans to major in Public Policy on the pre-law track. Samantha previously served as a U.S. Senate Page for Senator Chuck Schumer, gaining firsthand experience with the legislative process and public service. She is passionate about strengthening democracy through civic education, community engagement, and empowering others to make their voices heard. Samantha looks forward to pursuing a career in law and public policy while continuing to expand access to civic participation for communities across the country.

Defunding the Media: Voices Under Threat
2026-08-18 19:00 - 20:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
Local journalism is too important to lose—and it needs a new playbook.
On August 18, Chicago Public Media CEO and Vox co-founder Melissa Bell and New York Times columnist and fellow Vox co-founder Ezra Klein explored what it will take to rebuild local news and restore trust in our communities. They discussed how the collapse of traditional media business models and the rise of tech platforms have pulled audiences and advertising away from local news. The answer, they argued, is not simply more investigative reporting. Local news organizations need to give people useful, everyday information that connects them to their communities while building sustainable businesses around it.
They also called for news organizations to work together rather than compete, invest in technology they control, and find new ways to bring people together locally. Just as important, journalism must maintain a fair reporting process while building stronger relationships with audiences.
The future of local news—and our communities—depends on building something better now.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Melissa Bell has been Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Public Media since September 2024. She co-founded Vox.com in 2014 and helped pioneer explainer journalism while leading multiplatform products including the Today, Explained podcast and Netflix’s Explained. As publisher of Vox Media, she oversaw its editorial brands and helped lead its mergers with New York Magazine and Group Nine. Previously, Bell directed digital platforms at The Washington Post and was a founding Features Editor for Mint. In 2023, she became a visiting fellow at Oxford University’s Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism.
Ezra Klein joined New York Times Opinion in 2021. He is the host of the podcast “The Ezra Klein Show” and the author of “Why We’re Polarized” and, with Derek Thompson, “Abundance.” Previously, he was the founder, editor in chief and then editor at large of Vox. Before that, he was a columnist and editor at The Washington Post, where he founded and led the Wonkblog vertical.

Fueling Future Voters: Engaging a New Generation
2026-08-20 17:00 - 18:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
Young people don’t need to be told to care about democracy—they need meaningful opportunities to shape it.
In this August 20 conversation, Laura Brill, founder and CEO of The Civics Center, and Ben Sheehan, executive producer and host of Civics Made Easy, discussed how student-led voter registration drives can close youth registration gaps and build lifelong civic habits. Brill highlighted the power of trusted messengers—including friends, family, teachers, coaches, and community leaders—and emphasized creating a sense of belonging and giving students ownership of the process. The Civics Center is on track to support 600 voter registration drives this midterm cycle, building on a seven-percentage-point increase in 18-year-old registration over four years. The discussion also covered working with schools and districts, new classroom resources, and ways adults can help students get involved.
The path to stronger youth participation starts with putting young people in the driver’s seat—and giving them the tools to lead.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Laura W. Brill is an attorney, former law clerk to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and a mother of two young adults. An award-winning advocate with more than two decades of experience working on complex legal issues and advocating for equal voting rights, she launched The Civics Center, a nonpartisan nonprofit, to stop youth voter suppression and tackle the decades-old problem of low youth turnout. Her most recent article is “Getting Youth Engaged in Democracy,” Stanford Social Innovation Review, Winter 2026.
Ben Sheehan is the creator and host of Civics Made Easy, a new PBS show that explains the fundamentals of American government. He is also the bestselling author of “What Does the Constitution Actually Say?“, an entertaining guide that has been praised by legal scholars, historians, and politicians across the aisle. As a commentator Ben has appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher, Good Morning America, CBS News, PBS Newshour, Amanpour & Co, and more. He also writes the bestselling Substack, Politics Made Easy, and has an active social media presence with more than 250,000 engaged followers.

Beyond Trumpism: America at a Crossroads
2026-09-01 12:00 - 13:00 | BigTent Zoom Room
Join BigTentUSA on Tuesday, September 1 at 12 pm ET for a fascinating conversation with Anthony Scaramucci, author of “All the Wrong Moves: How Three Catastrophic Decisions Led to the Rise of Trump,” and moderated by President of The Union and co-founder of The Lincoln Project, Reed Galen.
Drawing on Scaramucci’s firsthand experience in politics and his unique perspective on the forces behind Trump’s rise, the conversation will explore how a series of consequential decisions created the conditions for a dramatic shift in the Republican Party and American politics.
Galen and Scaramucci will unpack the turning points that brought the country to this moment, what they reveal about the evolution of our political system, and what we can do to reshape American democracy going forward.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Anthony Scaramucci is an American investor and entrepreneur. He is the founder and managing partner of SkyBridge Capital, a global alternative investment firm, and the founder and chairman of SALT, a global thought leadership forum and investment platform.
Scaramucci co-hosts two podcasts — “The Rest Is Politics US” and “Open Book” — and has authored nine books covering finance and geopolitics, including “All The Wrong Moves,” due out in September 2026.
In 2016, Scaramucci served on President Donald J. Trump’s Presidential Transition Team Executive Committee before a brief tenure as White House Communications Director.
Reed Galen is an independent political strategist, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, and currently serves as the President of The Union, a nationwide coalition working to rebuild American democracy from the ground up. The Union brings together volunteers, organizers, and local leaders to support decent, competent candidates at every level of government. Under Reed’s leadership, The Union is building the infrastructure needed to show up in all 50 states and strengthen civic engagement nationwide.
