'If You Can Keep It': Democracy In 2026

1A

NPR

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4.4 • 4.3K Ratings

🗓️ 5 January 2026

⏱️ 34 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

After a year of new leadership, court fights, dramatic change to the federal government, and deep political division, where does American democracy stand as we move into 2026?

And what does it mean for you?

This is our first “If You Can Keep It” conversation of the new year. We take your calls and hear from you about your wants and concerns for American democracy in the days ahead.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	This is our glass.
0:01.8	On This American Life, one that we like is a good mystery.
0:05.4	Sometimes about really big things, but most times, the little mysteries are the best.
0:10.5	Our lost and found is currently filled with pants.
0:13.0	I don't know.
0:13.8	I've never seen this happen.
0:15.6	This is true.
0:16.7	This is true.
0:17.9	Mysteries of every size.
0:19.9	Each week, This American Life, wherever you get your podcast.
0:27.3	After a year of new leadership, court fights dramatic change to the government, and deep political division, where does
0:38.4	American democracy stand as we move into 2026? And just as important, what does it mean for you?
0:44.6	Our series, if you can keep it, is our ongoing look at what the latest headlines mean for
0:49.3	our democracy. And since this is our first, if you can keep it, conversation of the year,
0:54.0	we're asking, what gives you confidence it, conversation of the year, we're asking,
0:55.0	what gives you confidence in American democracy right now?
0:57.9	What worries you?
0:58.7	And what do you think we need most in the year ahead?
1:01.2	I'm Jen White.
1:02.2	And I'm Todd's Willick.
1:03.1	You're listening to the 1A podcast.
1:04.9	We hear answers to those questions from our guests and from you after this short break.
	...

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