Democrats Abroad: The Blue Vote Café

Freya Proudman drops into the café to talk about building a youth caucus from the ground up. Rejecting the notion that youth engagement is just about free pizza, Freya underlines the importance of offering young people the opportunity to get involved and contribute in myriad ways to the effort of reclaiming the America we love.
This conversation touches on:
The current dearth of DA leaders under the age of 30.

Why young people are not just our future, but our active present.

The zine and other grassroots organizing efforts undertaken by DA UK.

The realities of aging out of—or into—different classifications and leadership opportunities.

Listen & Take Action:
Find the full audio library of Blue Vote Café episodes at bluevotecafe.com.

Register and request your ballot every year at VoteFromAbroad.org!

Are we watching history repeat itself? In this episode of Blue Vote Café, we sit down with Dr. Richard Sack to discuss the creeping shadows of 1930s Europe in today’s political climate and what we can do to fight back.
About Our Guest:Dr. Richard Sack is an independent researcher, consultant, and the former Executive Secretary of the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA). Holding a Ph.D. in International Development Education from Stanford University, his decades-long career has spanned academic and operational work across the globe, evaluating policies and shaping education systems in developing nations. Now, he brings his rigorous, systemic analytical lens to a different kind of global issue: the mechanics of authoritarianism.
In This Episode:Obsessed with understanding the modern rise of fascism, Dr. Sack has meticulously inventoried the actions of the Trump administration, sorting them into 13 distinct categories of fascist behavior. We explore his comprehensive list, draw stark parallels between our current political reality and the 1930s, and discuss actionable ways to turn the tide.
As Dr. Sack reminds us: despair is the enemy of the people. This conversation isn't just about identifying the threat—it's about finding the strategy and resolve to overcome it.
(Note: A link to Dr. Sack's 13-category inventory will be added here soon!)
🎧 Explore More Episodes:Find the full audio library and stay up to date with the Blue Vote Café at:http://bluevotecafe.com
🗳️ Make Your Voice Heard:Your vote matters, no matter where in the world you are. Register and request your absentee ballot every year at:https://www.votefromabroad.org/

Former NIH scientists Drs. Jennifer Troyer and Jeremy Berg join the show to discuss the history and accomplishments of the National Institutes of Health, highlighting how investments in basic scientific research support the health and well-being of the entire nation. They examine why it made political sense for the administration to attack the NIH immediately upon taking power, and break down the resulting damage.
The conversation also touches on statement shirts, featuring shout-outs to 27Unihted (https://27unihted.substack.com/), Stand Up for Science and the Bethesda Declaration (https://www.standupforscience.net/), and the Union of Concerned Scientists (https://www.ucs.org/).
🎧 Find the full audio library of Blue Vote Café episodes at http://bluevotecafe.com.🗳️ Register and request your ballot every year at https://www.votefromabroad.org/.

Michelle Samson, the newly appointed spokesperson for Democrats Abroad’s Global Women’s Caucus (GWC), discusses the fight against cultural pressures to be "small, thin, and quiet," alongside broader issues that disproportionately impact women.
She highlights key GWC initiatives, including the Feminist Hackathon and an upcoming scavenger hunt spanning five cities with a history of resisting fascism. Michelle also shares insights from the intensive press training required for her new role.
Listen: Find the full audio library of Blue Vote Café episodes at bluevotecafe.com.

Take Action: Register and request your ballot every year at votefromabroad.org.

Independent journalist Terrell Jermaine Starr discusses expanding the definition of race and how racism informs politics both in the U.S. and abroad. He explores the relatively brief period of American history dedicated to "getting things right," explains why he dislikes comparisons between the modern U.S. and Nazi Germany, and shares his experience being embedded with Ukraine's territorial defense forces during the Russian invasion.
Additionally, Terrell breaks down the Russian word for "Black," reveals what he would ask Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview, and offers a unique perspective on "woke culture."
Support and follow his work:
Patreon: patreon.com/Terrelljstarrofficia

Substack: terrellstarr.substack.com

Contributions: venmo.com/u/Terrell-Starr or paypal.me/terrellstarr

Websites: terrellstarr.com and blackdiplomats.net

Find the full audio library of Blue Vote Café episodes at bluevotecafe.com. Remember to register and request your ballot every year at votefromabroad.org.