Episode 276 | October 1, 2026

Sharon McMahon: Democracy Starts at Home

If we want our own children to grow up having enough food and good quality schools and safe neighborhoods, then loving our neighbor means wanting those same things for other people's children as well.

— Sharon McMahon

Episode Overview

Can the Next Generation Do Politics Better Than We Have?

Being angry on the internet isn’t activism. So what actually makes a difference? Sharon McMahon, “America’s government teacher” and author of The Small and the Mighty and host of the Preamble podcast, joins Curtis Chang to explore how we can help the next generation do politics better and build a healthier democracy in the process. They discuss raising engaged citizens, choosing character over party loyalty, and loving our neighbors—even when they’re our enemies. With the midterms approaching, Sharon offers a practical path from political frustration to local civic engagement, reminding us that hope begins with believing our actions matter.

Chapters

00:54

Welcome and Why Civic Formation Matters

05:53

Norm Mineta and Modeling Public Service

09:27

Teaching Young People to Vote Thoughtfully

14:21

Can Civic Engagement Form Character?

18:04

Choosing a Community Focus

23:55

Loving Enemies Without Accepting Harm

34:04

Helping College Students Speak Up

38:30

Civic Education During a Constitutional Crisis

41:26

Is Hope an Active Choice?

43:55

Helping One Person at a Time

↓

Expand

Resources from the Episode

Sharon McMahon’s The Small and the Mighty

Sharon McMahon's We Are Mighty

More about Norman Mineta

Executive Order 9066

Read the Constitution and the Preamble

Prayer Points from this Episode

For the adults kids are watching.

That parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, and youth pastors would model the kind of civic life they hope the next generation will live, since kids do what we do more than what we say.

For wisdom in the midterms.

That voters would look for good public servants rather than defaulting to party loyalty, and that families would talk openly with their kids about how they're deciding.

For love of neighbor that reaches other people's children.

That we would want for other families what we want for our own: enough food, good schools, safe neighborhoods, and real opportunity.

For the grace to love our enemies

That we'd be able to want good things for the people who have hurt us or who we disagree with, without having to pretend the hurt didn't happen.

Please wait...