First Mondays Webinar Series: The Art of Narratives
A New Story:
In a time of unprecedented challenges to our constitutional democracy and democratic institutions, this groundbreaking First Monday Webinar series brings together visionaries, practitioners and thought leaders to craft a new narrative for democracy's future. Moving beyond traditional defensive postures, we explore how innovation, technology, behavioral psychology and storytelling can help build a more vibrant, inclusive and resilient democratic future.
Each session brings together diverse voices to examine how we can craft and implement a compelling new narrative that speaks to people's lived experiences and aspirations. We move beyond simply defending our democracy and the rule of law as concepts to reimagining how these frameworks better serve and engage all citizens as the United States becomes more diverse, communications become more digital and our lives become more complex.
This series brought together multiple perspectives and disciplines as we aim to explore innovations that can create a blueprint for a democracy’s story and our ability to meet 21st-century challenges.
Reframing Democratic Values for a Shared Future
We hear all the time that America is deeply divided. But on many of the issues that affect people’s everyday lives, most Americans actually agree.
As screenwriter and political strategist Billy Ray points out, there’s broad support for core Democratic ideals, like raising the minimum wage, taking on climate change, investing in infrastructure and standing up to Big Pharma.
The problem isn’t the issues. It’s that Democrats have a branding problem. Despite spending billions in the 2024 election cycle, many Americans are still unclear what Democrats stand for. More than our opposition to Donald Trump, future communications must contribute to a larger narrative focused on our shared values.
This conversation is part of PSG Consulting’s ongoing work to convene thoughtful voices to discuss effective narratives for the road ahead. Rewatch the 2025 Narrative Series and learn more below.
Panel 5: Shaping the 2026 Narratives
Democratic insiders focuses on the question of whether we should move to the center or champion progressive candidates and policies. This debate misses the point.
Democracy depends on people to engage in a joint effort to make a more perfect union. The stories we tell ourselves either help or hurt this aspirational goal.
Panel 4: Rethinking Strategy in a Time of Democratic Crisis
Our democracy is at a crossroads. We’ve seen how fragile the guardrails can be, and how entrenched forces continue to undermine trust in our civic life. This is not just about Donald Trump. His time in office will end but the forces that carried him into the White House will not. If we are to build a more resilient, inclusive, and just democracy, we need more than short-term, electoral fixes—we need new approaches that shift the underlying dynamics shaping our politics and public life.
Panel 3: How Entertainment Media Can Help Reclaim Democracy
This webinar brought together content creators and researchers to explore the crucial role media and entertainment play in amplifying values and ideals central to a strong democracy. Panelists examined how storytelling can bridge divides, counter misinformation and inspire civic engagement.
Panel 2: Words as Weapons, Words as Bridges: Reclaiming the Debate
In an era of information chaos, language isn't just communication — it's power. We discussed how words shape reality, dissected the metaphors that move movements, and thought about language that can cut through the noise, tell our story and reach people where they are
Panel 1: A Better Story: Why We Need Narratives to Save Democracy (and Us)
Learn what narrative really means and how it shapes individual decision making, culture, and our political reality
Identify current gaps in our narrative landscape
Examine successful examples of progressive narrative-building and narrative-change