As the intense polarization builds ahead of November’s elections, Common Ground with Jane Whitney proudly presents Common Ground October, a four-part PBS special that celebrates the resilience of American democracy—honoring its storied past, examining its complex present, and envisioning a hopeful future. Episodes will air weekly throughout October on PBS, with each available for streaming on our website shortly after broadcast.

These episodes focus on the fight to sustain democracy — and what Americans can do to reinforce the country’s constitutional guardrails. We explore the state of the American dream, examining the stark cleavage between the haves and have-nots, the values that drive economic policy, and the connections between our political and economic crises. We add historical context to this specific moment in time through conversations with distinguished thought leaders who offer the calming reassurance that America has weathered such storms before and can prevail again.

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Be sure to check your local PBS listings for broadcast times and your inbox for important dates as we will be releasing each program simultaneously right here, on our website.