Can We Fix Voting? Travis Misurell on FiNC, Digital Democracy, and the Up/Down Lens

In episode 83 of The Critical Social Worker: A Revolutionary Storytelling Podcast, Professor Ace talks with Travis Misurell, founder of FiNC (America’s civic utility), about what’s broken in US politics and what it could look like to build a citizen-owned civic infrastructure that expands real choice and accountability.

We dig into money in politics, the “lesser of two evils” trap, and Travis’s Up/Down lens (people-first vs power-first) as a clearer way to read candidates and power. Travis also shares how the Digital Politics Hub is designed to help citizens coordinate, amplify trusted voices, and support grassroots and underdog candidates on the road toward Digital Democracy.

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Visit: RevolutionarySocialWork.com

Email me to connect/collaborate: castettler@alaska.edu

Travis Misurell and FiNC

Website: futureis.org

Hub: hub.futureis.org

YouTube: @FutureIsOrg

Facebook: FutureIsOrg

Instagram: @FutureIsOrg

TikTok: @FutureIsOrg

Bluesky: @FutureIsOrg

Discord: FiNC Server

LinkedIn: FutureIsNowCoalition

Chapters

00:00 Theme song + intro

01:31 Introduction and Background of Travis Misurell

04:03 Political Disillusionment and the Illusion of Choice

06:55 The Role of Money in Politics

09:33 Up-Serving vs. Down-Serving Candidates

12:26 Building a Citizen-Owned Civic Infrastructure

15:31 The Digital Politics Hub and Its Purpose

29:43 Towards a True Democracy

33:14 Building Community and Dialogue

38:45 Empowering Marginalized Voices

45:42 The Future of Digital Democracy

48:23 Strategies for Political EngagementAbout the host

Professor Ace (Christian Ace Stettler) is a professor of social work, writer, and podcast host. He created Revolutionary Social Work (RSW) as a values-driven approach centered on self-reflection, relational accountability, political clarity, and humanization.

#SocialWork #CivicEngagement #DigitalDemocracy #ElectionReform #MoneyInPolitics #Grassroots #PoliticalAccountability #RevolutionarySocialWork #FiNC #DigitalPolitics

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