SideBar podcast adds Dr. Mindy Romero and expands KAZU digital lineup

SideBar: Optimism in Action will feature Dr. Mindy Romero, founder of the Center for Inclusive Democracy, in a new episode going live July 21, 2026. The episode and KAZU’s addition of the locally produced podcast highlight growing attention to data-driven research on voting behavior, civic participation, and representation.

Why it matters: - Dr. Mindy Romero’s work at the Center for Inclusive Democracy focuses on voting behavior, civic engagement, and electoral research that can shape policy debates on participation and representation. - The podcast episode spotlights research tied to disparities in civic participation, which can affect health, education, employment, and broader social and economic outcomes. - KAZU’s addition of SideBar: Optimism in Action gives the Monterey-area NPR affiliate a new locally produced podcast in its digital lineup.

What happened: - SideBar: Optimism in Action, a collaboration of KAZU 90.3 and Monterey College of Law, is featuring Dr. Mindy Romero, founder and director of the Center for Inclusive Democracy. - Romero is a political sociologist whose research centers on political behavior and race and ethnicity. - The episode goes live Tuesday, July 21, 2026, on SideBar’s KAZU page. - KAZU 90.3 and SideBarMedia are adding the podcast to KAZU’s website and mobile app. - The podcast is the first non-newscast, locally produced podcast featured on the KAZU website and mobile application.

The details: - The Center for Inclusive Democracy is a nonpartisan research center serving the U.S. and founded and directed by Romero. - CID conducts national and multi-state research on voting behavior, civic engagement, electoral research, and economic research. - CID focuses on nationally relevant election reforms, including automatic voter registration, online voter registration, and vote centers. - Legislators, public agencies, advocates, researchers, media, and community leaders use CID research to better understand disparities and opportunities in civic participation by place and population. - CID’s reports examine voting patterns and political underrepresentation, especially among youth and communities of color in California and across the U.S. - SideBar: Optimism in Action is hosted by former law dean Mitch Winick. - David Eakin produces the podcast. - Dena Dowsett promotes the podcast. - Winick said the podcast features nonprofit leaders, advocates, and community members working on humanitarian, public policy, and charitable needs, with this season focused on people driving positive change during challenging times. - New episodes are published on the first and third Tuesdays of each month on the podcast page. - SideBarMedia offers a blog and access to more than 90 previous episodes at SideBarMedia. - More information about Dr. Mindy Romero and the Center for Inclusive Democracy is available at CID.

Between the lines: - The collaboration extends SideBar beyond audio into KAZU’s digital products, which can broaden the podcast’s reach beyond its existing audience. - The focus on civic participation research fits a broader conversation about voter access and representation, especially for younger voters and communities of color. - The announcement positions the podcast as a platform for mission-driven leadership rather than traditional news coverage.

What's next: - Romero’s episode will stream starting July 21, 2026, and future SideBar episodes will continue on the first and third Tuesdays each month. - KAZU listeners can follow new episodes on the station’s website and mobile app. - Viewers interested in CID’s research can explore the organization’s website and previous SideBar episodes for more background.

The bottom line: - SideBar is using KAZU’s platform to pair local storytelling with research on democracy, civic engagement, and representation.