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American Musecast

American Musecast

Written by: Susan Travis
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Drawing from the archetypes of the hero’s journey found in narratives of myth, religion, culture, and politics, Susan Travis presents American democracy and its citizens as flawed heroes on an aspirational expedition of hope and determination.

© 2025 American Musecast
Philosophy Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • EP10 | American Bureaucracy & the Draining of Institutional Expertise
    Sep 18 2025

    Episode summary introduction: America’s executive branch is comprised in part by “the bureaucracy,” those agencies which buttress American institutions. Historically, those agencies are led by the most prominent experts in the country, if not the world. Historian Tom Nichol’s book, The Death of Expertise; The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why it Matters, delves into the crisis of trust in expertise, and the damage done to American institutions by propaganda.

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    The time-honored motif of the hero’s journey, found in narratives of myth, religion, culture, and politics, applies not only to our personal lives, but also to the journey of democracy. Here, at the crossroads of American heroism and depravity, the rule of the people requires our participation lest it slip from our fingers altogether. What does the American quest hold for the future? America’s adventure requires that, as a people, we learn the value of democracy, win newfound integrity, and transform our nation to fulfill its promised liberties. American Musecast speaks as a hopeful guide through civics, current events, and the charms and challenges of our socio-political institutions. (A reminder to like and follow.)

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    47 mins
  • EP09 | The Courage to Resist Tyranny
    May 3 2025


    As America slides ever deeper into an authoritarian regime hell-bent on achieving the aims of Project 2025, one Facebook user speaks truth to power through his inspiring post to American citizens, reminding them that non-violent resistance is needed to save democracy.

    This episode places the outcome of democracy in the hands of Americans. We are reminded that "this isn't fate, unless we accept it as such," and in this episode find a three-pronged approach to actions for self, community, and broader American institutions under siege.

    Episode Music: An Epic Story, by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/
    Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
    Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)
    https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

    Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of sponsors, underwriters, advertisers or guests. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

    Send Susan a one-way text! For a reply, include your name and contact info.

    Support the show

    The time-honored motif of the hero’s journey, found in narratives of myth, religion, culture, and politics, applies not only to our personal lives, but also to the journey of democracy. Here, at the crossroads of American heroism and depravity, the rule of the people requires our participation lest it slip from our fingers altogether. What does the American quest hold for the future? America’s adventure requires that, as a people, we learn the value of democracy, win newfound integrity, and transform our nation to fulfill its promised liberties. American Musecast speaks as a hopeful guide through civics, current events, and the charms and challenges of our socio-political institutions. (A reminder to like and follow.)

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    33 mins
  • EP08 | The Quest for America's Multi-Racial Democracy
    Dec 27 2024

    As America poises on the brink of the authoritarian vision posed by Project 2025, pro-democracy citizens must brace for an assault on democratic principles by stewarding themselves. The real work lies ahead in a resistance to the oncoming efforts to dismantle our democracy.

    A hero's journey is always fraught with struggles, and this one is no different. In this episode, American Musecast seeks to identify the vision of America that was promised by our founders and framers. What is the America we want to see, and how is it different from what the MAGA movement wants to see? How do we reconcile the two visions into one America?

    Together, a new democracy may well emerge under a banner that says, "Yes we can, build back better, because we're not going back."

    Episode Music: An Epic Story, by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/
    Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
    Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)
    https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

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    Helpful Resources: Consider the following resources related to positive psychology:

    The School of Positive Psychology
    19 Top Positive Psychology Exercises - by Positive Psychology.com
    20 Positive Psychology Exercises - by Rec Therapy Today

    Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of sponsors, underwriters, advertisers or guests. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.

    Send Susan a one-way text! For a reply, include your name and contact info.

    Support the show

    The time-honored motif of the hero’s journey, found in narratives of myth, religion, culture, and politics, applies not only to our personal lives, but also to the journey of democracy. Here, at the crossroads of American heroism and depravity, the rule of the people requires our participation lest it slip from our fingers altogether. What does the American quest hold for the future? America’s adventure requires that, as a people, we learn the value of democracy, win newfound integrity, and transform our nation to fulfill its promised liberties. American Musecast speaks as a hopeful guide through civics, current events, and the charms and challenges of our socio-political institutions. (A reminder to like and follow.)

    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
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