About this episode

Dr. Ibram X. Kendi discusses the threats to democracy and the role of fear and division in politics with host Steve Phillips.

Dr. Ibram X. Kendi joins Steve for a live conversation at the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival in Seattle about the growing threat of authoritarianism in the United States and around the world. Drawing from his new book, Chain of Ideas, Kendi explains how fear, division, and "Great Replacement" narratives are being used to undermine democracy and consolidate power. Together, he and Steve explore the connections between racism, political power, demographic change, and the fight for a multiracial democracy. They discuss why expanding democracy—not retreating from it—is the path forward and what it will take to build the broad coalition needed to meet this moment. REFERENCES: Ibram X. Kendi - ibramxkendi.com // @ibramxk Chain of Ideas: The Origins of Our Authoritarian Age - Penguin Random House

People in this episode

Host: Steve Phillips

Guest: Ibram X. Kendi

Topics covered

• authoritarianism
• democracy
• racism
• political power
• multiracial democracy
• fear narratives

Keywords

• authoritarianism
• democracy
• Ibram X. Kendi
• Chain of Ideas
• political power
• multiracial democracy
• fear
• racism

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Cascade PBS, Penguin Random House

Books & works: Chain of Ideas

More episodes of Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips

• The Myth of Electability with Maya Rupert · July 16, 2026 · 42 min
• America at 250: Imagining a New Democracy with LaTosha Brown of Black Voters Matters · July 2, 2026 · 34 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips podcast page.