BISC’s New Podcast:
Direct Democracy Diaries
Welcome to the Direct Democracy Diaries, the podcast dedicated to exploring the powerful world of ballot measures – from grassroots campaigns to transformative victories. Hosted by Chris Melody Fields Figueredo and Caroline Sánchez-Avakian from the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center – this show brings you the stories of activists, organizers, and people like you and me who have harnessed their power and used direct democracy to create deep change for their communities.
Whether you’re a seasoned ballot measure leader or a newbie eager to learn, tune in as we break down the nuts and bolts of the ballot measures. Featuring compelling stories from campaign leaders – each episode uncovers a different part of the movement—whether it’s coalition building, signature gathering, or defending victories—and highlighting how our democracy can be shaped from the ground up.
With Chris and Caroline guiding you through intimate conversations with campaign leaders and activists, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how ballot measures drive progressive change, especially in this critical political moment. This podcast is for those passionate about democracy—young progressive leaders, democracy funders, and activists looking to learn and make their mark.
Join us as we celebrate the people, strategies, and victories that shape the future of democracy—one diary entry at a time.
To learn about podcast sponsorship opportunities, email us at [email protected].
Episodes
Direct Democracy Diaries is a podcast exploring ballot measures from grassroots campaigns to transformative victories. Hosted by Chris Melody Fields Figueredo and Caroline Sánchez-Avakian from the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, this show brings you stories of activists and organizers who’ve harnessed direct democracy to create change. Whether you’re a seasoned ballot measure leader or a newcomer, tune in as we break it all down. Each episode features compelling stories from leaders, covering coalition building, signature gathering, defending victories, and showing how democracy works from the ground up.
EPISODE DETAILS
In our premiere episode, Desmond Meade joins us to share his story of redemption, explore the power of ballot measures, the strategy behind Florida’s Amendment 4, and why people-powered democracy matters now more than ever.
EPISODE DETAILS
Organizers Lauren Brenzel and Sarah Parker join us to share how Florida’s fight for reproductive freedom reveals what it takes to launch a ballot measure, build a strong coalition, and center community in the struggle for democracy.
Episode drops October 8th!
Organizer Danielle Atkinson joins us to break down how signature gathering can fuel campaigns, build community power, and set the stage for lasting change.
Episode drops October 15th!
Dusti Gurulé joins us to explore how authentic storytelling, trusted messengers, and narrative power can move voters and transform ballot measure campaigns.
Episode drops October 22nd!
Meet the hosts
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Caroline Sánchez-Avakian
Director of Strategic Communications
Caroline brings over 20 years of strategic communications experience in working with organizations to advance social and economic justice both nationally and globally. At BISC, she leads the communications strategy, branding and narrative on how ballot measures build and transform power.
Formerly, Caroline was an Emmy-nominated TV correspondent and social entrepreneur. In 2014, she was named a ’50 under 40 Social Enterprise Leader’ by the American Express Foundation for her award-winning digital platform, SourceRise, which connected journalists to on-the-ground sources during specific humanitarian crises.
Caroline has served as a United Nations Representative and has facilitated communications workshops at the United Nations, Google, and Twitter, among others. She has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, has been a contributor to the Huffington Post, and has appeared as an expert guest on CNN’s Inside Africa, The Today Show, Good Day New York, and Univision’s Despierta America.
Caroline is a practitioner and speaker on the use of communications and technology as a tool for social change. Her social change work has taken her from the halls of the United Nations to refugee camps in East Africa where she has partnered with women and youth on digital storytelling projects and technology-driven public health initiatives.
Caroline has a BS in Communications from St. John’s University and an MA from Antioch University.
A born and bred first-generation New Yorker from Queens, Caroline enjoys traveling off the beaten path, watching documentaries, making paella and playing UNO with her husband, Allen, and daughter, Sabina.
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Chris Melody Fields Figueredo
Executive director
Chris has been BISC’s Executive Director since June 2018, bringing two decades of experience in advocacy, creating collaborative spaces, and movement building. She has devoted her career to social justice and ensuring our democracy works for “We the People.” Chris leads the organization’s vision, strategic planning, and fundraising efforts. As a queer woman of color who came to the United States at an early age with her working-class parents, she leads from her lived experience and desire to build an equitable and just world.
She came to BISC because she has witnessed the power of ballot measures to create radical transformational change and shift the narrative on issues like LGBTQ rights and the freedom to vote. She believes ballot measures can be a tool for liberation if we use them to build power, dismantle systems of oppression, and center the communities most impacted by the change we seek.
A seasoned strategist, she has worked in numerous roles for progressive political and issue-based campaigns across the country. Over her career, she has developed messaging and communications strategies at ReThink Media, led large-scale national programs to expand and protect the right to vote at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, worked on campaigns to end money in politics at Common Cause, and fought for DC’s children and families to have access to a quality education at DC ParentSmart.
Chris is Venezuelan-American, raised in Texas where she received her Bachelor’s degree at Austin College in Texas. She lives in Washington, D.C. with her amazing daughter and rambunctious border collie. She is known to burst into song and loves cooking up delicious treats in the kitchen.