ABOUT THE PROJECT

LOGLINE
CIVICS MADE EASY is a Webby Award-winning PBS digital series hosted by bestselling author and civic educator Ben Sheehan that transforms the most confusing parts of American government into fast-paced, nonpartisan, and highly shareable content—giving everyday Americans the tools to understand and actively participate in their democracy.

SYNOPSIS
At a moment when trust in government is at historic lows and civic knowledge has never been more urgently needed, CIVICS MADE EASY meets Americans where they are. Hosted by Ben Sheehan—comedian, author, and one of the country’s leading voices in civic education—the series breaks down how American democracy actually works: not who to vote for, but how the systems that shape our lives function, why they were designed the way they were, and how citizens can meaningfully engage with them.

Season One, produced by Second Peninsula and distributed by PBS Digital Studios, delivered twelve episodes on topics ranging from the Electoral College to voting rights to campaign finance. It far exceeded expectations, reaching three million cross-platform views, earning a Webby Award, and becoming a teaching resource for nearly 40,000 educators nationwide.

Season Two builds on that foundation with an eight-episode commitment and an existing distribution deal with PBS—timed to debut around America’s 250th anniversary and release through the 2026 midterm elections. Episodes will explore constitutional rights, gerrymandering, how Congress actually legislates, the Supreme Court, the federal bureaucracy, and more. The season will feature expert guests, expanded animation and graphics, and a robust social media strategy designed to reach the audiences public media doesn’t always find.

The loss of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting has created a significant funding gap for this project. Your support will go directly toward production, distribution across PBS platforms, educator resources through PBS LearningMedia, and a national marketing campaign targeting eight priority markets. All contributions are tax-deductible through fiscal sponsor The Film Collaborative.

CIVICS MADE EASY doesn’t tell viewers what to think. It gives them what they need to think for themselves—and that has never mattered more.

PROJECT TYPE Web Series

DIRECTOR Steve Goldbloom
SCREENWRITER Ben Sheehan
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Ben Sheehan, Steve Goldbloom, Melissa Williams
IMPACT PRODUCER Julie Hermelin

WEBSITE pbs.org/show/civics-made-easy

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