An Honorable Profession

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.

Today on An Honorable Profession, we’re revisiting co-host Debbie Cox Bultan’s conversation with Jennifer Pahlka. Pahlka has decades of experience in civic technology. She was U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer under former President Obama and recently authored  the book, Recoding America: Why Government is Failing in the Digital Age and How We Can Do Better. Debbie and Jennifer talk about the factors that often make government slow or ineffective and what the Department of Government Efficiency is getting wrong about cutting waste, fraud, and abuse. Jennifer shares her advice for elected officials from prioritizing civil service reform to investing in digital and data infrastructure and the importance of measuring results. Tune in to hear how Democrats can go on offense against DOGE by championing thoughtful and lawful systemic improvements.   IN THIS EPISODE:  • [01:05] Introducing An Honorable Profession’s new series: How Government Can Get Shit Done. • [02:17] Welcome to Jennifer Pahlka who served as US Deputy Chief Technology Officer under President Obama. • [04:53] How to not lose sight of the real problems that need evolving. • [09:40] Why efficiency is a byproduct of government rather than a goal. • [11:17] Differentiating between creating regulations and making government work. • [16:24] Four things government officials can do to facilitate interaction. • [18:12] How LLMs can support efficiency. • [21:56] What it might look like to care more about the outcome than the bill. • [25:41] How to know the true status of your bureaucracy. • [28:10] Understanding why bureaucracy is risk adverse. • [30:28] Jennifer’s journey to public service. • [32:20] How tech can build a better world for those who most need it.  

This week, host Ryan Coonerty talks with Connecticut State Senator Christine Cohen. Cohen is a small business owner turned legislator who previously served on her local school board before running for the state senate following the first election of President Trump. In Hartford, she draws on her experiences as the owner of Cohen’s Bagel Company  to guide her leadership on various legislative committees, including the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee and the Environment Committee, and now as the Co-Chair of the Transportation Committee. Her impressive record of legislative success includes leading the passage of the Connecticut Clean Air Act, enacting legislation to prevent wrong-way crashes, and securing funding for mental health crisis intervention programs for law enforcement officers. Ryan and Senator Cohen discuss the misconception that Democrats are “anti--business” and how she's pushed back on this by forwarding a pro-business agenda, including crucial work on paid leave. They also talk about the challenges of working in the state legislature at a time when hyper-partisan rhetoric dominates conversations and distracts from serving the people. Tune in to hear Senator Cohen’s advice for policymakers who want to focus on solutions and support small businesses in these uncertain economic times.   IN THIS EPISODE:  • [01:04] Podcast producer, Rachel, introduces this episode where Ryan Coonerty interviews Senator Christine Cohen. • [02:03] Senator Cohen’s journey from Cohen’s Bagel Co to the state senate. • [05:45] Transferrable skills and areas of focus between small business and local government. • [09:02] How Senator Cohen believes the Democratic Party can better support small business owners. • [11:06] Paid family medical leave and her work on the Environment Committee and the Connecticut Clean Air Act. • [15:02] How Connecticut’s transportation policy has been affected by the Trump administration. • [19:40] Her state’s leadership is working to reduce harm and the value of a bipartisan approach. • [24:02] Mental health support for vulnerable communities and how Senator Cohen has created an impact. • [28:11] What drives Senator Cohen as she moves forward in government.

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 NewDEAL alumnus Jim Townsend. Jim is a former Michigan state legislator now serving as the Director of the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy, which promotes fact-based legislative oversight as a key to the integrity, transparency, and accountability of the government. Debbie and Jim discuss the false choice between defending institutions that aren’t working and tearing the government to the ground and why DOGE and the current political climate might actually create an opportunity to remake the government to be more responsive and effective. Tune in to learn about the United States’s very first congressional oversight hearing led by General George Washington and about the specific questions policymakers should be asking to ensure that legislation is actually achieving results for constituents.  IN THIS EPISODE:  • [01:04] Welcome to Jim Townsend and an overview of this episode on local government, public policy, and oversight. • [02:13] What oversight truly is and what good oversight might look like. • [06:16] The very first congressional oversight meeting that happened while George Washington was president. • [08:23] Understanding the foundation of compromise that our democracy is built on. • [10:53] Identifying the opportunity for fundamental reform that exists today. • [15:00] What local lawmakers should consider about oversight on a local level. • [18:21] Policymaking and problem-solving in local government. • [23:06] A current example of oversight that can serve as a model for others. • [26:46] Improving perception around Democratic efforts to improve government rather than demonize it. • [31:14] What originally drove Jim into public service and what keeps him there today.

This week, The NewDEAL and The Next50 announced a partnership that will build a robust pipeline of center-left talent by combining The Next 50’s electoral backing and campaign tools with the network, policy, and skills support that the NewDEAL provides. The goal is to round out a cycle of support for leaders who can win tough elections, deliver results while in office, and be the Democratic messengers who connect effectively with the broad majority of Americans. CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with NewDEAL Leader and Iowa State Senator Zach Wahls – who joins us today as Executive Director of The Next50. They share the back stories of the NewDEAL and The Next50, how they support candidates and elected leaders, and  the new partnership between the organizations. They also discuss why it's so important to have young people serving in elected office, what we can learn from NewDEAL and The Next50 leaders about winning swing districts, and why building community is crucial to developing effective leaders. Tune in to learn more about how the NewDEAL and The Next50 are advancing the next generation of Democratic leaders.   IN THIS EPISODE:  • [01:05] An introduction to Senator Wahls and The New Deal’s partnership with The Next 50. • [02:00] The philosophy behind The Next 50 and the work it continues to do today. • [06:04] Three distinct phases of political life: campaigning, governing, and home life. • [08:09] Criteria that guide Senator Wahls in choosing which leaders to endorse. • [12:40] Why taking a pragmatic approach to governance resonates in competitive states. • [15:20] Insight into the shared aim of The New Deal and The Next 50 to improve the visibility of great elected officials. • [18:53] Conversations around the high stakes of government in 2025. • [22:36] Learning from the urgency and speed with which the DOGE administration has acted. • [25:20] How a variety of lived experiences can bring important perspectives to government. • [29:30] Support provided for young leaders by The New Deal and The Next 50.