The Republic We Keep

What can Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Kant teach us about living a good life — and how do those lessons apply to politics and civic life today?In this conversation, we sit down with Professor Anthony Celi, philosophy professor at Raritan Valley Community College, to explore how ancient wisdom meets modern responsibility. From Socratic questioning to Stoic self-control, we trace the philosophical roots of ethics, virtue, and happiness — and discuss how philosophy shapes our sense of justice,

The American Dream: Myth or Reality? | Guest: Antonio RuffaIn this episode of The Republic We Keep, we sit down with Antonio Ruffa — Italian immigrant, small business owner, and founder of Caffè Piazza in Hillsborough, NJ — to explore what the American Dream really means in today’s world.From his journey immigrating to the United States to building a beloved local restaurant, Antonio shares the challenges, sacrifices, and triumphs that shaped his view of opportunity, hard work, and success in

In this episode of The Republic We Keep, we explore the intersection of faith, morality, and civic innovation with Dick Carr — a former lead engineer at Bell Labs, longtime Habitat for Humanity president, and Stephen Minister. From building cutting-edge technology to building homes and stronger communities, Dick shares how his career in engineering and his deep commitment to service come together to shape a life of purpose.We discuss the role of faith-based organizations in today’s civic landscape,

In this episode, we sit down with Joe Maloney, former Vice President of the Hillsborough Democratic Organization, to unpack the real impact of local politics on our everyday lives. Why do local elections matter? How do grassroots campaigns shape communities? And what does it really take to win — and govern — at the local level? From school boards to town councils, Joe shares insights on political strategy, civic engagement, and why paying attention to your local ballot might matter more than you

What is Critical Race Theory really about—and why has it become so controversial? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Roberta Schorr, a leading voice in urban education and student engagement, to unpack the facts behind the headlines. We explore how CRT connects to real classroom experiences, what drives students to engage deeply in their learning, and where education is headed in an age of political polarization and rapid technological change.Whether you're an educator, student, or just

In this episode of The Republic We Keep, we sit down with Lisa Hirsch—Senior VP of Total Rewards —to explore the systems that shape the American workplace from the inside out. With decades of experience in HR and corporate benefits, Lisa walks us through the real challenges behind employee healthcare, the ethics of cost vs. care, and why so many workers are falling through the cracks.We dive into timely issues like:What the murder of a UnitedHealth executive reveals about systemic frustrationThe

A kick off  of The Republic We Keep by unpacking the quote that inspired our name: “A republic, if you can keep it.” We explore the failures of the Articles of Confederation, Franklin’s warning, and why civic understanding still matters. We also introduce our mission: to explore American systems, voices, and values through conversations.