An Honorable Profession

Recorded at the NewDEAL Forum Ideas Summit in Atlanta, GA, this week’s episode features co-host Ryan Coonerty in conversation with former Mountain View City, CA Mayor-now-Councilmember Chris Clark. Clark describes how he balances working for tech companies by day and the interests of the Mountain View community by night. They talk about how lessons learned in tech can be applied to improve local governments, how Clark transitioned from his upbringing in rural Illinois to the Silicon Valley, and his journey from being Mountain View’s youngest elected official and mayor to now a longstanding councilmember. Ryan and Clark also discuss how Mountain View operates, their relationship with the major tech companies in the area, how big companies in small communities affect housing in that area, and the role of policymakers in maintaining healthy standards of living for constituents. Tune in to learn how Clark manages his daily duties and how he maintains efficacy in all spaces.   IN THIS EPISODE:  • [00:00] Chris Clark describes his balancing act of working for both big tech and the people. • [02:50] Exploring the broken telephone between tech companies and local governments. • [04:19] Lessons learned from tech that could also work to improve local government. • [06:37] Chris walks us through his journey from rural Illinois to the heart of Silicon Valley. • [09:20] Evolving from Mountain View’s youngest mayor to an experienced councilmember. • [11:25] Legacy building, and unpacking Mountain View City and its relationship with big tech. • [14:18] How the presence of large companies affects housing, and the role of policymaking. • [19:25] The way Chris balances his daily duties to be effective in all the roles he plays. • [21:06] Assessing the next steps in his career.  

Recorded at the NewDEAL Forum Ideas Summit in Atlanta, GA, this week’s  episode features co-host Ryan Coonerty in conversation with Georgia House Democratic Whip Sam Park, the son of a Korean Immigrant and the first openly gay man elected to the Georgia’s Legislature. Park talks about his journey to public office, his efforts to fight for healthcare after his mom got stage four cancer, how he advocates in a minority, and how he keeps hope in these difficult times. The conversation delves into how to recruit candidates who can change Georgia”s political landscape and how Park crafts policy that reflects the lived experiences of  the people he represents. They also outline Parks’s priorities, including Medicaid expansion, voting rights, and clean energy, and how he aims to make progress with a Republican majority. Tune in to learn about Representative Park's story and how he remains hopeful amid deep political polarization. IN THIS EPISODE:  • [01:04] Introducing Georgia State Representative Sam Park and his historic election win. • [02:25] How his mother’s cancer diagnosis and Georgia’s move to block Medicaid expansion compelled him to run for office. • [03:41] Rep. Park’s advice for first-time candidates and how he found his “why.” • [04:58] Early campaign moments, including the first door knock that changed his perspective. • [06:22] How Democrats can better recruit nontraditional candidates and win in swing districts. • [08:47] Rep. Park’s assessment of Georgia’s political landscape and its role nationally, from his perspective as minority whip. • [09:56] Policies that Democrats could advance if they held the majority in the Georgia Legislature, including education and clean energy. • [13:38] What keeps him hopeful amid gerrymandering, voter suppression, and political polarization, and strategies for leveling the playing field. • [16:02] Rep. Park’s experience running as the first openly gay man for the Georgia House. • [17:38] Reflections on the growing Asian American representation in Georgia politics. • [19:15] How navigating minority-party politics in Georgia mirrors the national fight against Trump-era threats to democracy. • [22:38] His message to future leaders: lean in, act with purpose, and fight for democracy.

In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Congressman Greg Landsman who represents Ohio’s 1st Congressional District. Landsman is a member of the New Democrat Coalition and co-host of the new podcast, The Fly-In. They talk about the effects of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” that passed the House by one vote - highlighting the massive unpopular cut to health care and food assistance programs that the legislation would slash to pay for tax cuts for the super-wealthy. Landsman shares what Democrats can do to help their constituents better understand legislation, as well as how he has prioritized government transparency and efforts like preventing members of Congress from trading stocks as part of his work to restore  trust in government. Tune in to learn why Greg Landsman believes Democrats should be tough not mean and his work to lead a proactive Democratic agenda that can deliver for the American people. IN THIS EPISODE:  • [01:43] Congressman Greg Landsman walks us through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. • [04:20] Outlining vital aspects of the bill, and how to speak about it with constituents. • [05:45] Greg’s thoughts on government effectiveness, transparency, and accountability. • [09:19] Why government reform needs to happen across both aisles. • [12:05] Bipartisan compromise, and why such collaboration is more unusual than common. • [16:25] What Democrats need to do to win back control and change the current trajectory. • [20:35] Walking the line between toughness, decency, and getting things done. • [23:54] Why authenticity matters more than ever in 2025. • [24:54] How the Congressman got into politics, and the ins and outs of The Fly-In podcast.

In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks to Colorado State Senator Dylan Roberts. Roberts represents a swing district in the Western part of his state - including ski resort towns, mountain communities, and rural areas. Roberts discusses how he set priorities for this year's legislative session, including what it took to close a $1.2 billion dollar shortfall, as well as his work to pass two bipartisan housing bills to increase supply and bring down costs. He details what he hears from his constituents, as well as what Democrats often misunderstand about rural communities in his state, and emphasizes the need for mutual understanding across party lines. Tune in to learn about Dylan Roberts’ Obama days and what inspired him to run for public office.    IN THIS EPISODE:  • [01:47] Welcoming Senator Dylan Roberts to the show. • [02:16] How Colorado’s 2025 Legislative Session went and the overarching theme. • [05:44] The major housing concern and what his strategy is to tackle this. • [10:50] Senator Roberts shares advice for leaders wanting to get legislation passed. • [13:45] Why the housing problem is basically the same across all areas. • [16:58] What National Democrats misunderstand about rural areas in Colorado. • [19:58] Why he believes mutual understanding from all factions of parties is imperative. • [21:56] The biggest issues Senator Dylan sees coming up at town halls. • [26:52] How working with President Obama and his brother inspired him to get into politics.

This week, we bring you another episode of our series on How Government Can Get Sh*t Done, as co-host Ryan Coonerty sits down with Marc Dunkelman, professor and author of Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress- and How to Bring it Back. Marc discusses the barrier preventing the government from solving problems and achieving broadly shared goals, what it will take  to instigate meaningful change, the lessons we’ve learned from Trump’s second term in office, and how building more housing fits into progressivism and government reform. They also talk about The Vanishing Neighbor: The Transformation of American Community - Marc’s decade-old book that still holds weight today – and the importance of making decisions when it’s in everyone’s best interest. IN THIS EPISODE:  • [00:00] Author Marc Dunkelman describes his latest book, Why Nothing Works. • [04:03] Balancing the Jeffersonian and Madisonian approaches to governance. • [06:08] The levels of government where power is best yielded to effect meaningful change. • [10:46] Lessons learned from the second Trump administration. • [15:48] How housing aligns with progressive thought and how it fits into government reform. • [20:22] Marc’s The Vanishing Neighbor: how it’s more relevant now than 10 years ago. • [27:06] Making big decisions, with everyone’s input, and knowing not everyone will be happy. • [31:26] More examples of why making decisions is vital for progress. • [36:18] The mentality holding progressives back and what they can do to overcome it.

Recorded at the NewDEAL Forum Ideas Summit in Atlanta, GA, this week’s special episode features co-host Ryan Coonerty in conversation with Florida House State Representative Lindsay Cross. An environmental scientist, Cross discusses how she draws on personal experiences to fight for the preservation of wetlands and endangered species across Florida. She highlights the bills she has recently championed to improve responses to natural disasters and aid recovery and to enact fair housing policies. Ryan and Representative Cross also talk about what it might take to move Florida back to being a blue state and how to better integrate scientific evidence into decision-making. IN THIS EPISODE:  • [01:06] Florida State Representative Lindsay Cross. • [02:14] Key issues, policies, and concerns in Florida today. • [07:05] How Lindsay’s role shifted from doing environmental work in the field to being in the state house. • [08:38] Advice for those looking to move from environmental science into government. • [11:00] Communication advice for those looking to change policy in the environmental field. • [12:42] Why specificity is so powerful when advocating for issues at government level. • [15:00] Advice for democrats and non-partisan officials who want to be successful. • [16:14] How realism keeps Representative Cross motivated. • [19:42] Why more collaboration from the business community may be the key to greater resilience in our communities. • [22:05] Lindsay’s work to create possibilities for voting in disaster areas.

Recorded at the NewDEAL Forum Ideas Summit in Atlanta, GA, this week’s special episode features co-host Ryan Coonerty in conversation with Ohio House Assistant Minority Leader Dontavius Jarrells. Rep. Jarrells speaks candidly about his childhood experience with  lead poisoning, channeling his identity as a survivor of the devastating illness into advocacy as he works to pass comprehensive laws to reduce children’s lead exposure through the legislature. He also talks about the difficulties of serving in a Democratic superminority, how he draws on his experiences growing up in Cleveland’s Hough neighborhood to advocate for underserved communities, and the personal cost of public service. Jarrells also talks about his legislative priorities and the seven laws he passed since being elected in 2020 despite the doubts from naysayers. Tune in to learn about the values that keep Rep. Jarrells’ in the fight even at the bleakest of times. • [01:04] Introduction to and background on Ohio State Representative Dontavius Jarrells. • [03:15] Fulfilling experiences that expanded his perspective to want to create change. • [06:54] Three buckets in which Dontavius thinks of his role in the legislature. • [09:10] The heart of his work in the legislature. • [10:39] How he came to pass seven laws since being elected in 2020. • [13:56] What it meant for Ohio to have Issue One on the ballot recently. • [16:18] Factors that keep Dontavius in the fight. • [18:17] How he motivates others to stay positive about the change the government can bring. • [20:45] His approach to dedicating his time between sessions and over the next decade. • [23:07] Contributing to the chain of excellence.

In today’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty sits down with NewDEAL Alumna and former Georgia House Democratic Leader Stacey Abrams at the NewDEAL Forum’s Annual Ideas Summit in Atlanta. Abrams reflects on how she drove progress on big issues as the minority leader in the Georgia House between 2011 and 2017. She talks about how to model values-based leadership and encourages listeners to do the same, developing concrete guiding principles around which to rally their work. In addition, she cautions leaders to listen and understand the roots of people’s problems before  jumping to policy solutions, and offers her perspective on tackling divisive, culture war topics by focusing on humanity rather than winning the argument. Tune in to this inspiring conversation to learn what keeps Stacey Abrams grounded during moments of political upheaval.   IN THIS EPISODE:  [1:05]: Introduction to today’s episode featuring Stacey Abrams [2:40]: Abrams’s podcast, “Assembly Required,” and how she stays grounded [5:30]: The questions state and local elected leaders should be asking ahead of the 2026 midterms [9:06]: How to turn society’s needs into real policy solutions [13:12]: Beating social media algorithms to promote values-based leadership [17:19]: The values Abrams wants to see the Democratic Party embrace  

This week, we bring you another episode of our series on How Government Can Get Sh*t Done, as host Debbie Cox Bultan sits down with Caitlin Lewis. Caitlin is the Executive Director of Work for America, an organization committed to addressing the talent shortage in public service by connecting qualified and passionate problem solvers with positions in state and local government. In today’s conversation, she speaks with Debbie about the shifting public service landscape under the Trump Administration, the economic challenges facing state budgets, and the unique opportunities for state and local government workforces in the wake of federal layoffs. They also talk about Work For America’s new program, Civic Match, and Caitlin’s own motivations for seeking a career in public service. She draws on her own experiences to share methods for incentivizing college students to apply for government roles after graduation and how best to retain them.  IN THIS EPISODE: • [02:05] Welcoming the executive director of Work for America, Caitlin Lewis. • [02:30] Caitlin tells us about Work for America and what they do. • [05:25] The public crisis America is facing and how to fix it. • [08:55] The shift she’s seeing in public service. • [12:33] How the current economic climate will affect states’ hiring ability. • [15:04] Caitlin explains what Civic Match is and how it works. • [21:24] What made Caitlin pursue a career in public service. • [26:33] How to encourage college graduates to be excited about government roles. • [28:56] Caitlin’s tips for people trying to recruit and retain bright, young workers. • [31:02] Why she’s concerned about how quickly the government can deliver. • [33:08] Our guest shares her hope for how we can emerge from these difficulties.

This week, host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Lansing, MI, Mayor Andy Schor whose community and state are at the center of national politics and the current debates around manufacturing, jobs, and tariffs. Mayor Schor discusses the disconnect between President Trump’s campaign promises versus the actual impacts his policies are having on the lives of the everyday Michiganders who elected him. He digs into the specific impacts of tariffs, including how they threaten mid-Michigan’s auto industry, as well as small businesses through the Lansing region, and speaks more broadly about how mayors across the country are navigating the uncertainty of the second Trump administration, including threats to Biden-era federal funds. The mayor also reflects on his career in politics, detailing the pros and cons of serving both in the state legislature and as mayor, and how he views the changing political landscape. Tune in to hear how Mayor Schor is championing equitable growth across Michigan’s capital city. IN THIS EPISODE:  • [01:04] Mayor Andy Schor’s key position at ground zero of American politics in Michigan today. • [02:12] An overview of life in Lansing, Michigan, following the 2020 pandemic. • [04:28] How Lansing created the conditions for growth and what the response has been. • [07:06] Mayor Schor’s experience of serving at different levels of government. • [12:50] How Michigan citizens are feeling about the political climate in 2025. • [15:43] The impact of tariffs on manufacturing jobs and the car industry. • [20:58] Threats and impacts to cities across the country. • [23:35] How the change in status of tax-exempt municipal bonds will affect Lansing. • [25:22] What it’s truly like to be Mayor of Lansing, Michigan. • [28:00] How the world of politics has changed since Mayor Schor’s early involvement.