{"podcast":{"title":"Deep Transformation","slug":"deep-transformation-4657673","podcast_index_feed_id":4657673,"rss_url":"https://feeds.captivate.fm/deep-transformation/","website_url":"https://deeptransformation.io/","image_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/ad3376d4-5ad7-4c08-ab2a-b819ee5ed554/x6ZbkbUK9zQsLOBlXdcI285p.jpg","author":"Roger Walsh and John Dupuy","episode_count":237,"summary":"Deep Transformation offers dialogues with cutting-edge thinkers, artists, contemplatives, and activists who combine big-picture, integrative perspectives with profound, contemplative depths. With these remarkable people, we explore the great questions of our time, such as how best to live, and how best to heal, learn, create, and contribute in our era of unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Visit our website at https://deeptransformation.io/ to learn more.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-09T18:20:39.706406+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/deep-transformation-4657673"},"episode":{"title":"Sliding Towards Authoritarianism: Our Failing Democracy & What We Can Do About It","slug":"sliding-towards-authoritarianism-our-failing-democracy-what-we-can-do-about-it","published_at":"2026-01-29T09:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/deep-transformation-4657673/sliding-towards-authoritarianism-our-failing-democracy-what-we-can-do-about-it","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/deep-transformation-4657673","url":"https://deeptransformation.io/episodes/mark-fischler-authoritarianism-failing-democracy-what-we-can-do-1","audio_url":"https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/5b90dbd3-d037-4bf1-b5bd-2802754953af.mp3","summary":"Ep. 219 (Part 1 of 2) | Constitutional Law expert and Ethics professor Mark Fischler joins Deep Transformation again, to help us make sense of the slide towards authoritarianism happening in the United States today. Mark’s vast knowledge of the law, the Constitution, and the Supreme Court, his deep comprehension of ethics and morality, his Integral understanding, and his profound contemplative awareness all make for an extraordinary exploration of what is going on in this country at levels we don’t often consider. Beginning with examples of events in 2025 that are representative of various facets of authoritarianism, Mark goes on to discuss how the very crassness of the current Administration is undermining democracy: “We need to demand civil, fact-based discussion from our leaders, but we’re all accepting it’s okay to act like toddlers and dehumanize each other.” Mark cites some stunning figures illustrating the widespread ignorance of democratic processes and institutions among the populace in this country, and describes why a lack of civic understanding makes us susceptible to authoritarians coming in and taking over. He also acknowledges that progressives are at fault for marginalizing conservatives, and calls on us to recognize the honor and dignity of all people, regardless of their politics—this is part of the solution, he explains. Mark’s passionate caring, wanting the best for all people and all beings, is a current that flows throughout, grounding the discussion in a beautiful way, while also making for a heartbreaking contrast relative to the chilling events happening in the political arena now. Recorded December 4, 2025. “An ignorant people can never remain a free people.” – Thomas Jefferson Topics & Time Stamps – Part 1 Introducing a frequent guest on…","meta_description":"Ep. 219 (Part 1 of 2) | Constitutional Law expert and Ethics professor Mark Fischler joins Deep Transformation again, to help us make sense of the slide t…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2760,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/deep-transformation-4657673/episodes/sliding-towards-authoritarianism-our-failing-democracy-what-we-can-do-about-it/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/deep-transformation-4657673/sliding-towards-authoritarianism-our-failing-democracy-what-we-can-do-about-it.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}