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An Honorable Profession

229 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 days ago - ★★★★★ - 56 ratings

Restore your faith in government with An Honorable Profession. Every Thursday, co-hosts Ryan Coonerty and Debbie Cox Bultan sit down with rising state and local Democrats, policy experts, and the nation’s top political minds for empowering and candid conversations about life in public service and government. Together with their guests – which include members of the Biden Administration, state legislators nationwide, and mayors from America’s top cities – Ryan and Debbie discuss the biggest issues facing Americans today and the decisive role that state and local leaders play in catalyzing progressive, pragmatic solutions.

An Honorable Profession is produced by the NewDEAL. For more AHP and NewDEAL content, visit https://newdealleaders.org/ and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.

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Episodes

Simon says “We are Going to Win”

March 14, 2024 09:00 - 42 minutes - 39.3 MB

This week, we bring you another episode of our Road to November 2024 election series, as co-hosts Debbie Cox Bultan and Ryan Coonerty sit down with Simon Rosenberg, a political commentator and strategist, who famously, and correctly, rejected the prediction of a red wave in 2022. He has now founded the widely read and highly informative Hopium Chronicles newsletter, where he advises readers to worry less and do more. He, Debbie, and Ryan discuss last week’s State of the Union Address, what’s...

Maine Representative Kristen Cloutier Finds Hope in the Wake of Tragedy

March 07, 2024 09:00 - 41 minutes - 37.7 MB

In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Maine Assistant House Majority Leader Kristen Cloutier. They talk about how Cloutier’s experiences caring for her mother influenced her to pass paid family leave in the Pine Tree State, the issue of housing affordability in her community, and how she balances her day job with family life and her role in public office. She also reflects on the recent mass shooting in Lewiston, how she’s found solace and support by sharing her experienc...

The Road to November 2024 with Sam Youngman

February 29, 2024 10:00 - 34 minutes - 31.8 MB

This week’s episode kicks off our Road to November 2024 election series. In this regular series, co-hosts Debbie Cox Bultan and Ryan Coonerty will be joined by some of the nation’s top political minds to discuss key issues and trends impacting this year’s elections. For today’s conversation, Ryan and Debbie speak with Sam Youngman, a Los Angeles-based political consultant, former campaign reporter, White House correspondent, and co-writer for Today’s Big Stuff – a political newsletter he aut...

Mayor Cavalier Johnson on Milwaukee’s Bright Future

February 22, 2024 09:00 - 28 minutes - 26.3 MB

In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. Mayor Johnson was drawn to public service at a very young age while participating in a YMCA pre-college and service program for low-income youth in Milwaukee public schools. Now, he’s making history as the city’s first elected Black mayor, bringing his diverse perspective and his experiences as a lifelong Milwaukeean to his decision-making and leadership. Since taking office in 2021, ...

Louisiana Senator Royce Duplessis Reaches Across the Aisle for Working Families and the Planet

February 15, 2024 08:00 - 29 minutes - 26.7 MB

In today’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty sits down with Louisiana State Senator Royce Duplessis. They discuss the challenges of serving in a superminority, the senator’s ability to pass core legislation in criminal justice by working across the aisle, and how he plans on helping low-income families with the earned tax income credit. Duplessis also talks about his goals to transition Louisiana off of hazardous fossil fuels and onto renewable energy, as well as how the disastrous impacts of H...

U.S. Rep Annie Kuster on Putting Freedom at the Center of Democrats’ Policy Agenda

February 08, 2024 08:00 - 24 minutes - 22.3 MB

In this episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty gets an update on the latest debates in Washington from Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), Chair of the New Democrat Coalition. They discuss  her approach to fighting for working families and her focus on family-orientated policies that help drive economic growth, as well as  her commitment to addressing substance abuse and mental health crises in communities across the nation. Looking ahead to November, Kuster says it's crucial for Americans to hear h...

What to Watch in 2024 State Legislative Sessions

February 01, 2024 13:39 - 37 minutes - 51.2 MB

In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan partners with State Democracy Action Fund (SDAF) interim Executive Director Kate Stoner to convene four NewDEALers who are in state legislative leadership roles in red, blue, and purple states for a conversation about their priorities for 2024. Connecticut Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton, Tennessee Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari, and Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice...

For Councilmember Nantasha Williams, All Politics Is Local

January 25, 2024 14:10 - 29 minutes - 26.7 MB

In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with New York City Councilmember Nantasha Williams. They talk about Williams' career path as a community leader, social justice advocate, and political organizer, and her commitment to improving life in her community by creating economic opportunities, championing housing, and protecting seniors. They discuss what people should know about how decisions are made at the local level and the challenges she seeks to address in 2024, including t...

Previewing 2024 with Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks

January 18, 2024 08:00 - 27 minutes - 25 MB

In this week's episode, host Ryan Connerty speaks with Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, who shares the state’s ambitious policy goals, discusses her keys to achieving bipartisan results, and talks about how Michigan is protecting the integrity of its elections. The first woman to lead the Michigan Senate, Brinks rose to public office as the result of a last-minute write-in campaign. Despite never intending to run for office and viewing herself as an "unlikely" politician, Senat...

Andrea Learned on Changing the Climate Narrative in 2024

January 11, 2024 08:00 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MB

In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with climate activist and host of the “Living Change” podcast Andrea Learned. Andrea advises corporate, political, and cultural leaders to harness the power of social media and storytelling to drive progress and promote climate leadership. Ryan and Andrea talk about how the fight against climate change is reaching a critical point in 2024 and about ways leaders at all levels of government can make changes in their personal lives, on their ...

Alaska Representative Maxine Dibert Brings a Fresh Perspective to Juneau

January 04, 2024 08:00 - 28 minutes - 52.4 MB

This week features our first episode of the year, recorded live at NewDEAL’s 13th Annual Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. Host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Representative Maxine Dibert, our first Alaskan guest on the show. They talk about the state’s political dynamics, such as the unique bipartisan coalition system of government and their ranked-choice voting system. Dibert, an elementary school teacher for twenty years, also shares with listeners how her daughter influenced her to run f...

ICYMI: Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver Leads in a Time of Political Turmoil

December 28, 2023 08:00 - 31 minutes - 28.4 MB

Happy holidays! While our team is off enjoying a well-deserved break, we're revisiting an episode from our September 2023 Voter Registration Month series, offering a rallying cry for voters and elected leaders nationwide ahead of next year's pivotal national elections. In this episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan talks with New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, who has been running elections for almost seventeen years. Despite threats of violence, and an unrelentin...

ICYMI: Olivia Julianna on How Democrats Can Win Young Voters

December 21, 2023 08:00 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MB

This week, we want to take the opportunity to revisit our November 2023 conversation with political strategist and influencer Olivia Julianna. In this episode, hosts NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan and Ryan Coonerty talk with Oliva about living in a conservative Texas household and how she started posting her political opinions online and received national attention for her direct and practical perspective on top policy issues. As her followers grew, so did the haters, including Congressman Ma...

Senator Marko Liias on Washington State’s Resiliency and Can-Do Attitude

December 14, 2023 11:00 - 25 minutes - 46.4 MB

This week features our third episode recorded live at NewDEAL’s 13th Annual Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. Host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Washington State Senator Marko Liias, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and Co-Chair of the LGBTQ+ Caucus. They talk about his innovative policy accomplishments, such as free transit for youth, paid family leave, and digital literacy legislation, all of which are crucial for maintaining a healthy democracy, and how his partnerships with ...

Treasurer Zach Conine Invests in Nevadans

December 07, 2023 08:00 - 34 minutes - 63.7 MB

This week features our second episode recorded live at NewDEAL’s 13th Annual Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. Host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Nevada Treasurer Zach Conine about his innovative efforts to give more kids access to high quality education, including through his work around college savings, alternative education pathways, a robust scholarship database, and cross-agency collaborations that make financial aid awards more accessible to low-income first-generation students. They ...

Representative Janelle Bynum on Closing the Gap between Talent and Opportunity

November 30, 2023 08:00 - 27 minutes - 50.4 MB

Recorded live at NewDEAL's 13th Annual Leaders Conference in Washington, this week's episode features Oregon Representative and 2023 Ideas Challenge winner Janelle Bynum. Bynum, a 2024 congressional candidate, joins host Ryan Coonerty to talk about her decision to move to Oregon after September 11th and how her experience as a small business owner inspired her to run for office. She discusses her bill leveraging federal CHIPS funding to build a diverse workforce for the future, as well as ho...

ICYMI: DNC Chair Jaime Harrison on 2024 and the Party's Future

November 23, 2023 09:00 - 28 minutes - 26 MB

Happy Thanksgiving! While our team is out of the office this week, we want to take this opportunity to revisit our September 2023 conversation with Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison. In this special episode, celebrating 5 years and 200 episodes of An Honorable Profession, hosts NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan and Ryan Coonerty talk to Chair Jaime Harrison about his remarkable journey into politics and his vision for growing the Democratic Party. They discuss the outlook for an...

Third Way's Matt Bennett on the Dangers of A Third Party Candidate

November 17, 2023 11:00 - 34 minutes - 31.6 MB

In this week's episode, NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Matt Bennett, the co-founder and Executive Vice President of Public Affairs at Third Way, a center-left think tank in Washington D.C. and a great partner of the NewDEAL. They talk about what we should take from last Tuesday's election results in states like Kentucky and Virginia, the recent New York Times polling on the 2024 presidential race, and the threat that third-party presidential candidates -- particularly via No Label...

Olivia Julianna on How Democrats Can Win Young Voters

November 09, 2023 08:00 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MB

In this week’s episode, hosts NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan and Ryan Coonerty speak with political strategist and influencer Olivia Julianna. As a seventeen-year-old living in a conservative Texas household, Olivia started posting her political opinions online and received national attention for her direct and practical perspective on top policy issues. As her followers grew, so did the haters, including Congressman Matt Gaetz, whose disparaging attacks on her at a 2022 conservative summit m...

Representative Phil Olaleye on Georgia's Next Generation of Leadership

November 02, 2023 12:50 - 36 minutes - 33.9 MB

In this week’s episode, NewDEAL CEO and host Debbie Cox Bultan talks with Georgia Representative Phil Olaleye, whose district includes parts of Atlanta and the city of East Point. Olaleye is a passionate education advocate, who also serves as the Executive Director of Next Gen Men & Women, a nonprofit that creates pathways of opportunity for under-resourced students to graduate prepared for college and career. He describes his path to public service, starting with his upbringing as the son o...

Representative Leonela Felix on Diversity and Inclusion in the Legislature

October 26, 2023 07:00 - 21 minutes - 29.8 MB

In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty talks to Representative Leonela Felix about her journey from the Dominican Republic to the Rhode Island legislature. She discusses her career in immigration law, how she developed an interest in policy after listening to stories in her community, and how her path to public service was influenced by her work with nonprofits and mobilizing the Latino community in Pawtucket. The conversation also delves into Felix's efforts to promote diverse voices...

Virginia Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker on Motherhood and Elected Office

October 19, 2023 07:00 - 24 minutes - 22.8 MB

In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty talks policy and balancing work and family life with Virginia Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker. They discuss how Bennett-Parker uses her master’s degree in food anthropology to inform fresh food programs and policies in Virginia, her continuing efforts to expand SNAP benefits for senior citizens, and the push for free, universal school meals. She explains how she has achieved bipartisan support for her bills and the challenges of getting stuff d...

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval on Taking Big Policy Swings

October 12, 2023 07:00 - 29 minutes - 41.2 MB

In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty is joined by Cincinnati's first Asian American Mayor, Aftab Pureval, who talks about his vision to make Cincinnati the city of the future by taking "big policy swings." They delve into Pureval's major victories so far, such as his efforts to eliminate $1.4 million in medical debt for 30,000 residents, establish a baby bonds program, and start a pilot for universal basic income. In addition, Pureval describes his political journey, including how h...

Mayor Lee Harris Breaks Down Barriers in Shelby County

October 05, 2023 07:00 - 31 minutes - 42.8 MB

In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Mayor Lee Harris from Shelby County, TN. Harris was first elected Mayor in 2018 and previously served his community on the Memphis City Council and as a state senator. Debbie and Harris talk about the impact of Tennessee’s dramatic and nationally watched state legislative session, as well as the state's debates on gun safety, including the statewide adoption of Shelby County's safe-gun-storage program. They also discu...

Delegate Irene Shin on the Power of Public Policy

September 28, 2023 07:00 - 37 minutes - 51 MB

In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Virginia State Delegate Irene Shin. They discuss her path to public office, the split partisan composition of the state, and how she aims to bring a fresh perspective and energy into her work to create a more inclusive democracy. Shin comments on the challenges of serving in a part-time legislature and the issues unique to governing in Virginia, as well as her decision to take on an incumbent in a primary. The conversation also touche...

Celebrating 200 Episodes: DNC Chair Jaime Harrison on 2024 and the Party's Future

September 21, 2023 04:00 - 28 minutes - 27.1 MB

We're celebrating our fifth anniversary and our 200th episode of An Honorable Profession! Thank you to our listeners for being a part of this journey – we look forward to many more years of introducing you to inspiring leaders from across the country who are solving problems and making a difference. In this special episode, hosts NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan and Ryan Coonerty are joined by Democratic National Committee  Chair Jaime Harrison, who shares his remarkable journey into politics a...

Voter Registration Month: Clerk and Recorder Amanda Gonzalez on Reimagining Politics Through Equity and Inclusion

September 14, 2023 07:00 - 31 minutes - 29.4 MB

This is the last episode in our series celebrating National Voter Registration Month. For the past three weeks we've covered a range of topics, from threats to our elections system to how to remove barriers to voter participation, and shed light on the leaders who are helping to restore our democracy. In this episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan talks with Jefferson County, CO, Clerk and Recorder Amanda Gonzalez, who, after being elected in 2022, is now the first Latina and first ...

Voter Registration Series: Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver Leads in a Time of Political Turmoil

September 07, 2023 12:33 - 31 minutes - 28.5 MB

Today is the second episode of our three-week series celebrating National Voter Registration Month, covering a range of topics, from threats to our elections system to how to remove barriers to voter participation, and shedding light on the leaders who are helping to restore our democracy. In this episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan talks with New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, who has been running elections for almost seventeen years. Despite threats of violen...

Voter Registration Series: Hannah Fried on Expanding Access & Saving Democracy

August 31, 2023 07:00 - 34 minutes - 31.9 MB

Today kicks off a three week series celebrating National Voter Registration Month. Over the next few episodes, we’ll cover a range of topics, from threats to our elections system to how to remove the biggest barriers to voter participation, and shed light on the leaders who are helping to restore our democracy. We begin with Hannah Fried, the Executive Director of All Voting is Local, an organization that exposes and dismantles threats to voter freedom. Hannah speaks with host Ryan Coonerty ...

Tara McGowan on Transparency and Trust in the Media

August 24, 2023 07:00 - 40 minutes - 37.1 MB

As trust in national news continues to decline, studies demonstrate that most Americans consider local news to be the most trustworthy form of media. Recognizing the importance of a healthy press to our democratic process, An Honorable Profession is excited to bring you the first episode in a semi-regular series on the state of local media across our country, how to address challenges facing the industry, and what the future of news will look like. In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL ...

Representative Nicole Clowney Fights for Change in Deep-Red Arkansas

August 17, 2023 07:00 - 40 minutes - 55.1 MB

In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Representative Nicole Clowney, who is working hard to address gun violence, protect reproductive rights, and support firefighters and teachers in the overwhelmingly Republican state of Arkansas. Clowney discusses her unusual journey to the legislature, offering broader insights on political theory and societal change drawn from her studies in the Classics. She gives us an optimistic view of what it’s like to work in a Democratic super...

Mayor Quentin Hart Puts Waterloo on the National Stage

August 10, 2023 07:00 - 34 minutes - 46.9 MB

In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Waterloo, IA, Mayor Quentin Hart. They talk about his vision for Waterloo, his path to becoming his town’s first African American mayor, and how, after four terms, he’s still inspired every day to do his job. Hart also discusses the importance of taking on statewide and national leadership roles and what he’s learned serving with the Iowa League of Cities Executive Committee, the Future Ready Iowa Board, the U.S. Conference of Mayors,...

Representative Caleb Hemmer Fights for Democracy in a Supermajority Red State

August 03, 2023 07:00 - 26 minutes - 36.4 MB

In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Nashville, TN, Representative Caleb Hemmer, who has finished his first session in the state legislature. They talk about the national attention that Tenneese has received this year for the Republican party's profoundly undemocratic actions, including the expulsion of two Democratic lawmakers for minor infractions, and how Representative Hemmer fights on the side of democracy. Hemmer also reflects on the recent mass shootings in his st...

Ken Weber on Branding Democrats and Taking Back the Narrative

July 27, 2023 07:00 - 29 minutes - 40.4 MB

In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Ken Weber, who, along with his son Daryl Weber, co-authored the new book Branding Democrats: A Top-to-Bottom Reimagining of Campaign Strategies. Ken talks about the difference between marketing and branding and the need for Democrats to look ahead and build a lasting brand around values and policy ideas rather than individuals within the party. Tune in to learn more about Branding Democrats, including how Democrats ca...

Representative Kristine Reeves on Her Path From Foster Care to the State House

July 20, 2023 07:00 - 38 minutes - 52.3 MB

In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Washington State Representative Kristine Reeves. They talk about her youth in the foster care system and her path to becoming the first Afro-Latina woman elected to the Washington House in eighteen years and the only woman in the legislature with children under the age of five. Representative Reeves has authored critical legislation to expand child care, protect consumers, and support working families. She also advocates the need to g...

Comptroller Sean Scanlon on Problem Solving and Building Trust

July 13, 2023 07:00 - 31 minutes - 43.1 MB

In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan talks with Sean Scanlon, who, after serving four terms in the Connecticut state legislature, was elected last November as Comptroller, making him the youngest person ever elected to this statewide position. As a legislator, he tackled the high cost of healthcare and its impact on working families like his own. In his new capacity as Comptroller, Scanlon successfully reformed the Connecticut municipal employee retirement system wi...

Representative Matt Wilhelm on Service, Restoring Trust in Government, and Engaging Young People in Politics

July 06, 2023 07:00 - 29 minutes - 41.1 MB

In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty engages in a thought-provoking conversation with New Hampshire House Minority Leader Matt Wilhelm, who talks about how his diverse experiences, from the music industry to serving as an AmeriCorps member in under-resourced schools, have guided his political career. Wilhelm delves into strategies for engaging Gen Z in politics, as well as the ideas and potential impact of implementing a year of national service for our nation's youth. Additionally,...

David Pepper on How Each of Us Can Save Democracy

June 29, 2023 07:00 - 40 minutes - 56 MB

In this week’s special episode, co-host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan engages in an urgent discussion about threats to our democracy with David Pepper, a former city and county official, former chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, and author of the new book, "Saving Democracy: A User's Manual for Every American." Following his previous best-selling book that sounded the alarm about challenges facing our system, Pepper aims to offer an empowering guide with actionable steps that anyone, re...

Judge Monique Diaz Champions Justice for Families and Survivors

June 22, 2023 10:00 - 37 minutes - 51.2 MB

On the latest episode of An Honorable Profession, co-host Ryan Coonerty sits down with Bexar County, TX, District Judge Monique Diaz to discuss her path to public service, the unique role of judges in Texas politics, and Judge Diaz's admirable work in curbing domestic violence and advocating for families. They talk about Judge Diaz's former career as an attorney representing low income families, domestic violence survivors, and small businesses, as well as her motivation to serve her communi...

Delegate Adrian Boafo's Public Service Agenda

June 16, 2023 20:07 - 24 minutes - 34.1 MB

In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty talks with Bowie, MD, Delegate Adrian Boafo, a dedicated advocate for community empowerment who is a leader on a wide range of policy issues, including climate change, economic opportunity, mental health, and easing medical debt. They talk about his vision for advancing these priorities and Maryland's state policy landscape, and they trace his journey as a public servant from a councilmember in his city to the legislature. Boafo explains the moti...

Delaware Representative Krista Griffith on Healthcare, Data Privacy and Turning Adversity Into Action

June 08, 2023 07:00 - 35 minutes - 48.2 MB

In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty talks with North Wilmington, DE, Representative Krista Griffith. They discuss her key areas of legislative focus, such as expanding health care coverage for undocumented children and enacting more comprehensive data privacy laws for better consumer control over personal information. They also explore another pressing area of need: Delaware's attempts to reduce gun violence, which have included legislation for firearm permits, restrictions in cert...

Mayor Luke Bronin on Hartford's Comeback

June 01, 2023 07:00 - 25 minutes - 35 MB

In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty engages in a captivating conversation with Mayor Luke Bronin of Hartford, CT about taking over a city experiencing its worst ever financial crisis and the incredible journey that brought Bronin to that point. A Rhodes Scholar, former Navy Reservist, and Yale Law School grad, Bronin brings a wealth of experience to his role, including a stint as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes in the U.S. Department of t...

Councilmember Colin Parent on Housing, Transportation, and Public Policy

May 25, 2023 07:00 - 27 minutes - 38 MB

In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with La Mesa, CA Councilmember, and California State Assembly candidate Colin Parent. A prominent figure in housing, transportation, and environmental advocacy in Southern California, Parent shares insights from both his experience in local government and as Executive Director and General Counsel at Circulate San Diego, a nonprofit organization focused on improving urban mobility and creating vibrant neighborhoods. He also discusses his ca...

Mary Ellen Wiederwohl on What to Know During Infrastructure Week

May 18, 2023 07:00 - 34 minutes - 47.1 MB

In our latest episode, released during Infrastructure Week, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan talks with Mary Ellen Wiederwohl, President and CEO of Accelerator for America, about her hopes for a transformation of American infrastructure amid major federal investments. A former leader in local government who is passionate about working on the country’s most complicated problems, Mary Ellen digs into the keys to smart implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including by stat...

Eboo Patel on How to Strengthen our Democracy

May 11, 2023 07:00 - 24 minutes - 34.3 MB

In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty talks with Eboo Patel, Founder and CEO of Interfaith America and the author of the book "We Need to Build: Field Notes for a Diverse Democracy." The conversation focuses on the importance of interfaith efforts to reduce dangerous nationalism and strengthen civic life in America. They discuss what it means to create an interfaith movement in America, the differences between white Christian nationalism and other faith movements, and the role of fai...

Councilmember Ashley Vanorny on Balancing Work and Public Office

May 04, 2023 13:23 - 36 minutes - 33.6 MB

In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonety talks with Cedar Rapids, IA, Councilmember Ashley Vanorny. Ashley brings a unique perspective to city government due to her professional background in healthcare. She discusses how her experience has informed her holistic approach to city affairs and shares current municipal initiatives in Cedar Rapids, including policies driven by public health concerns. Despite being the second youngest-ever City Councilmember, Ashley manages her leadership role...

Mike Schmuhl on How to Win in the Midwest

April 27, 2023 07:00 - 36 minutes - 33.6 MB

In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan talks with Mike Schmuhl, who serves as the chair of the Indiana Democratic Party. Schmuhl, who started his career at the Washington Post, recounts his shift to politics to work on campaigns for Congressman Joe Donnelly and NewDEAL Alumnus Pete Buttigieg. He and Debbie also discuss Indiana's political shift to the right over the past two decades and the strategies that Democrats should use to achieve success in the Midwest. Schmuh...

Mayor Rosalynn Bliss on How to Build Equitable Communities

April 20, 2023 07:00 - 32 minutes - 29.9 MB

In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty talks with Rosalynn Bliss, the first female Mayor of Grand Rapids, MI. They discuss her journey from social work to elected office, as well as the challenges she has faced in addressing racial equity, affordable housing, and the city's economy. In addition, Bliss also details her vision for how a mayor can create positive change through accountability, restorative justice, and community empowerment, recognizing the humanity in everyone and meetin...

City Councilmember Erika Strassburger on The Role of Local Governments in Rebuilding Public Trust

April 13, 2023 07:00 - 39 minutes - 35.8 MB

In this week's episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Pittsburgh City Councilmember Erika Strassburger, the first woman elected to represent her district on the Council. Erika shares her journey from being an environmental organizer to a policymaker, and discusses how to restore public faith in government. She also reflects on the impact of the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting on her community and her leadership style and talks about how the tragedy spurred immediate acti...

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll on Housing, Inclusion, and Breaking through Glass Ceilings

April 06, 2023 07:00 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MB

In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty talks with newly-elected Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. She and Governor Maura Healey are part of the first all-female executive team to lead Massachusetts in its long history. Driscoll served for more than a decade as Mayor of Salem, where she led a turnaround of the city's financial health and passed several groundbreaking measures to increase inclusion and expand the rights of the LGBTQ and immigrant members of her community. ...

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