How Not to Be an Ostrich

Nancy Bynum talks to ordinary citizens about increasing well-being on our planet.

By Martha Merson

“New Faces of Democracy” is a series of conversations with the everyday heroes among us, those pitching in to transform the political landscape. Podcast host and producer of “New Faces of Democracy,” Nancy Bynum, spoke to The Grassroots Connector explaining her motivation and the niche her podcast fills.

“I started New Faces of Democracy in 2018,” Nancy said. “Before that I had a big Facebook group where I posted actions daily. Then I decided to start profiling the grassroots groups that were popping up, because I’m so intrigued by the stories of people using their skills and talents to protect democracy. I want to give airtime to the things we can do.

“I’m interested in showcasing regular citizens who are thinking outside the box to transform the political landscape. The theme of this season is ‘How Not to be an Ostrich.’ The challenge is to stay engaged and to try to maintain a sense of joy. I’ve found that one answer to that challenge is to find community. That’s what makes the marathon doable.

“Once you gather or join a community of like-minded friends, you can find ways to engage in positive action. We all need to find a path, especially now that we are immersed in the day-to-day insanity brought to us by the 24-hour news cycle.

“I’m not about moaning and groaning, watching cable news, or listing what’s wrong and getting worked up. That will not take us to a better place. A better question for us at this moment is: ‘What can you do to make a difference that feels good to you?’ It might be writing postcards or going to a rally. It might be finding a group you want to support and supporting them. My friends and I have been supporting a mobile sexual health clinic in the Mississippi Delta called Plan A.

“Because of the closure of so many clinics in the area, the Delta is a desert for reproductive healthcare. I hosted an event for friends to meet the director. People were so pumped up that another friend hosted a ‘condom packing party’ where we helped the group prepare care packages containing condoms, emergency contraception, lubricant and pregnancy tests. These packages are free for people who need them, and since the election, demand has skyrocketed. But the staff doesn’t have enough time to make them and send them out. It was such a fun morning and we felt like we were making an immediate, palpable difference in people’s lives.

Listen Now to an episode from April 2025

“For the podcast, I’m constantly reading, but I’m also an activist, immersed in what’s going on. If it’s something I want to know more about, I assume my listeners will, too. My listeners are pretty knowledgeable and savvy.

“There are so many groups doing important work. For example, the organization, Protect Democracy. They are lawyers who won the case against Giuliani on behalf of the poll workers in Georgia. They are actually a group that crosses partisan lines.“

On Bynum’s podcast, listeners learn that Project Democracy is re-assessing its position in the political ecosystem. They have taken a hard look at their successes as well as where they feel they could have done better in the last eight years and have come to think that it was a misstep not engaging with grassroots. Going forward, they are establishing connections with everyday people (beyond the elite lawyers and government figures who were once their sole constituency). They’ve started a newsletter called, ‘If you can keep it.’ The fact that Project Democracy will be in communication with grassroots activists says a lot about their strategy and the power of the grassroots.

“It seems the Democratic Party is only interested in voters during election years,” Bynum said. “I believe we need to be building relationships every year, throughout the year. One area I like to explore is Democratic initiatives in red states. Without red state Democrats, we can’t win, especially as blue states like NY are getting perilously less blue.

“In 2025, ‘New Faces of Democracy’ will cover topics like reproductive rights, state legislatures, the moderate women’s vote, protecting your data, and, of course, protecting democracy. I will be very focused on Virginia. I went to law school there. I have a ton of friends there.

“What I won’t do is host a lot of candidates. In the first year I learned that no matter what you ask them, they go back to their stump speech. I’ve learned to edit my questions carefully. I know the questions that will lead people to talk forever. So I can avoid those.

“The Podcast has also been amazing for me personally. I’ve stayed in touch with many of my guests after they have been on an episode. I’ve felt sustained by having a community behind me, supporting me on it.

“After the first year I figured out that an episode once a week was too much. I’ve learned how to do this so it’s sustainable. I keep learning, which is wonderful. I hope to get in touch with more people in 2025 who have stories to tell about their activism so I can do my part to keep people inspired, engaged and hopeful, and increase awareness and support of these groups.”

People can sign up to to receive the “New Faces of Democracy” newsletter HERE, or they can listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. “I welcome ideas for podcast guests,” Bynum said.

Nancy Bynum directs and produces the podcast New Faces of Democracy. She previously worked full-time as a lawyer and currently works pro bono with children facing deportation.