DAN Speaker Series: DAN Talks

Welcome to the very first episode of Dan Talks, the Democracy Action Network’s new speaker series dedicated to sharing voices of hope and resistance.

In this debut conversation, we sit down with David Comfort, founder of DAN and longtime grassroots organizer, to explore a central question:
What does it take for real people to change their communities from the ground up?

David reflects on his early organizing experiences, including the pivotal moment of Proposition 8’s passage in 2008, which collided emotionally and politically with the election of Barack Obama. He takes us behind the scenes of how spontaneous energy turned into sustained movement—and how that same spark is needed again now.

In this episode:

• The grassroots formula: passion + people + pavement
• Why national organizations often miss the moment—and how local leaders fill the void
• Civil disobedience as strategy and storytelling
• The generational divide in activism—and what younger organizers need from us now
• The call to build not just a movement, but a culture of resistance

“If you don’t see anyone organizing in your community, start something. That’s what I did. And others will join.”
— David Comfort

We hope this episode serves as a reminder that movements are made by ordinary people, especially when institutions fall short.

If this conversation inspires you, we hope you’ll:

• Attend a local event near you!
• Join a Democracy Action Network meeting (virtual or in person). We meet every Sunday at 6pm PT on Zoom.
• Bring a friend and show up—we’re building something big together

More from Democracy Action Network:

• Website: democracyactionnetwork.com
• BlueSky: @DemocracyActionNetwork

Let us know what resonated most for you in this episode. And stay tuned for more powerful conversations in the Dan Talks series.

Thank you for listening to our first episode, and please share if it resonated with you!