An Honorable Profession

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 unrelenting barrage of misinformation and disinformation, she continues to find silver linings and remains wholeheartedly committed to her work. They talk about Toulouse Oliver's path to public service, the recently passed New Mexico Voting Rights Act, and the importance of balancing transparency and security in the voting process. Tune in to hear the Secretary's insights on the current state of American democracy and how she continues to find hope and inspiration. [0:02:41] Where Maggie’s passion for politics originated. [0:03:45] Maggie’s journey into the County Clerk's office. [0:04:11] The demographic in the County Clerk’s office when Maggie took up a position there.  [0:04:01] An overview of what Maggie’s role as Secretary of State consists of.  [0:05:42] How Maggie’s experience in the County Clerk’s office has helped her in her current role. [0:07:44] The “big lie” in relation to voting that many Americans have bought into.  [0:09:01] Threats that Maggie and her colleagues have been bombarded with since the 2020 election.  [0:09:54] How Maggie navigates the challenges of being a protector of a democracy under threat. [0:12:48] What Maggie and her delegation were able to achieve at this year’s legislative session in New Mexico. [0:16:34] The key factor that Maggie believes is responsible for their very productive legislative session. [0:20:13] Why vote-by-mail became a partisan issue. [0:23:31] The importance of enhancing the public’s understanding of the lifecycle of a ballot while maintaining privacy. [0:29:00] Maggie’s number one concern heading into 2024 and her approach to dealing with it.  [0:33:47] Where Maggie draws hope and inspiration from. [0:33:47]  

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 Matt Gaetz, whose disparaging attacks on her at a 2022 conservative summit motivated Olivia to leverage the limelight to raise $2 million for reproductive rights. Since then, her following has continued to grow, and now she is being asked to guide the White House and state and local leaders on how to connect with young voters. Olivia, Ryan, and Debbie also talk about the disconnect between online and real life, and why Olivia wants Democrats to use simple rhetoric to communicate with voters. Olivia also helps us unpack concerns around voter suppression ahead of the 2024 election, advises young people on how to get more involved in their local politics, and directs Democrats on how to rally voters. Tune in to learn more from this engaging conversation and hear why Olivia believes Texas will be a blue state by 2030.   [01:05] A warm welcome to political activist Olivia Julianna, as she describes what led her to politics.  [02:40] The challenges she’s faced in becoming an influential political voice.  [10:07] What motivated her to persevere despite death threats and negative criticism.  [12:38] The disconnect between what’s online and what’s happening in the real world.  [15:33] How Olivia goes about raising the alarm on economic empowerment.  [20:35] Keep it simple, stupid: How elected officials should speak to their constituents on key issues. [23:03] Why Olivia believes that Texas will inevitably become an all-blue state.  [27:20] Her concerns about voter suppression ahead of the upcoming elections.  [30:25] Her advice to young people who want to get more involved in the politics of their area. [33:28] A message to Democrats on how to rally voters for 2024.  [36:30] Why you will not find Olivia running for federal office in Washington D.C.

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 community members inform his legislative priorities. Liias also details his path to public service, from starting on the city council to being appointed Representative in 2008 and winning election to the Senate in 2014. Tune in to learn why Liias wants his fellow elected officials to focus more on solutions rather than fixating on problems. (01:04) Meet Washington Senator Marko Liias (02:19) Senator Liias shares Washington’s experiences through the pandemic and the state’s public health response (04:06) The senator’s path to elected office, starting with his involvement in his local chamber of commerce (05:27) Why being closer to community members bolsters the efficacy of state legislatures (06:47) A day-to-day look at Senator Liias’s job serving Washingtonians and why he relies on constituents to inform how he legislates (07:54) Liias’s focus on finding solutions, not fixating problems (08:57) How Senator Liias has partnered with community members to scale up successful transit programs to the state level (10:36) His role as Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and why it’s a job that requires bipartisan collaboration (13:35) Liias’s goals heading into Washington’s next legislative session (14:41) What drew Senator Liias to the issues of media literacy, misinformation, and digital citizenship (15:30) Why media literacy is key to upholding our democracy – and what’s at stake with deep fakes and AI-generated misinformation (18:20) Washington State’s values of resiliency, self sufficiency, and a “can-do” attitude (21:34) Senator Liias’s work as co-chair of the LGBTQ caucus, aiming to eliminate barriers to quality lives for LGBTQ+ families

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 talk about what it was like to have the COVID-19 pandemic hit early in his term, when he influenced banks to offer forbearance to Nevadans, preventing small businesses from closing and allowing families to pay their mortgages and rent. Conine also reflects on the 2022 midterm elections in his state and shares his advice for the Democratic Party in 2024. Tune in to learn about Conine’s path from the private sector to public service, which started with a conversation with the late U.S. Senator Harry Reid.   (01:09) Meet Nevada State Treasurer Zach Conine (01:40) Why Treasurer is an important but underrated job (02:56) How Treasurer Conine decides which projects to invest in and how COVID changed the job (05:22) Dealing with financial impacts of COVID-19 in early 2020 and why the shutdown was a payroll question for Nevada (08:21) Offering forbearance to Nevadans during the pandemic (12:04) Treasurer Conine’s transition from the privates sector to the government (14:27) Why he sees serving in public office as a way to give back to the state (15:11) How the late U.S. Senator Harry Reid convinced Conine to run for office (17:02) Treasurer Conine’s exciting initiatives to help Nevadans save for college and pursue technical vocations (20:53) How his career in gaming positioned him to follow through on big ideas and stay accountable to taxpayers (23:54) Conine reflects on the 2022 midterm elections in Nevada (26:12) The need to meet voters where they are and leave no race uncontested as we head into 2024 (27:14) How Democrats around the country can support electoral efforts in Nevada (28:42) Treasurer Conine’s path forward for his remaining three years in office (31:10) Conine’s dogs Democracy and Keno (33:26) Treasurer Conine on why An Honorable Profession is a must-listen podcast

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 how she works to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity, her ability to champion bipartisan bills and her commitment to providing a safe space for student-athletes. Tune in to learn about Bynum’s decision to run for Congress and how she is “passing opportunity onward.”

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 and importance of the 2024 election, including the role of state and local leaders in showing how Democrats can deliver tangible results, how the Biden-Harris Administration has beaten the odds, and what the party is doing to defend democracy and combat voter suppression efforts nationwide. Tune in to learn more about why Harrison is hopeful for the future and his advice to young people looking to pursue a career in public service and elected office.

Debbie Cox Bultan interviews Third Way's Matt Bennett, discussing the recent election results, the threat of third party candidates, and the mission of Third Way. They also delve into Matt's political journey and the work of Third Way in supporting centrist politics.

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 motivated Olivia to leverage the limelight to raise $2 million for reproductive rights. Since then, her following has continued to grow, and now she is being asked to guide the White House and state and local leaders on how to connect with young voters. Olivia, Ryan, and Debbie also talk about the disconnect between online and real life, and why Olivia wants Democrats to use simple rhetoric to communicate with voters. Olivia also helps us unpack concerns around voter suppression ahead of the 2024 election, advises young people on how to get more involved in their local politics, and directs Democrats on how to rally voters. Tune in to learn more from this engaging conversation and why Olivia believes Texas will be a blue state by 2030.    [01:05] A warm welcome to political activist Olivia Julianna, as she describes what led her to politics.  [02:40] The challenges she’s faced in becoming an influential political voice.  [10:07] What motivated her to persevere despite death threats and negative criticism.  [12:38] The disconnect between what’s online and what’s happening in the real world.  [15:33] How Olivia goes about raising the alarm on economic empowerment.  [20:35] Keep it simple, stupid: How elected officials should speak to their constituents on key issues. [23:03] Why Olivia believes that Texas will inevitably become an all-blue state.  [27:20] Her concerns about voter suppression ahead of the upcoming elections.  [30:25] Her advice to young people who want to get more involved in the politics of their area. [33:28] A message to Democrats on how to rally voters for 2024.  [36:30] Why you will not find Olivia running for federal office in Washington D.C.  

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 of working-class immigrants, his experience in the PeaceCorps, and what it takes to break down barriers for Georgia students living in poverty. The conversation also touches on the bipartisan effort to defeat a private school vouchers bill in the state legislature, as well as the recent court ruling to require the redrawing of Republican-authored congressional and legislative maps that have diluted Black power in Georgia for generations. Tune in to learn why Rep. Olaleye is a dynamic, rising leader you need to keep your eye on. IN THIS EPISODE [02:00] Meet Georgia Representative Phil Olaleye.  [02:57] His introduction to public service and the learning curves he has experienced along the way.  [04:45] How his upbringing ignited his passion for public service. [06:33] The non-profit, Next Gen Men and Women, where Olaleye serves as the Executive Director.  [09:24] What justice means to him and the Discovery Trips hosted by Next Gen Men and Women. [14:42] Why representation is so important to move things along within the Georgia legislature.  [15:14] Re-writing the unconstitutional maps in Georgia to restore voting rights for Black voters. [26:00] Georgia’s failed Private Schools Voucher Bill. [27:24] The role of education in the future of our society, particularly in Georgia.  [31:40] The first bill Rep. Olaleye sponsored: The Georgia Educational Opportunity Act.  [33:25] Why investing in children is the easiest and most important ROI.  [37:30] How working in public service has pushed Olaleye to build an inquiring mind and sacrifice for others.  [39:42] The story of how he fell in love with the work that he continues to do today.  [40:53] His hopeful perspective for the future.

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 and experiences and improve ethics standards in government. In addition, she talks about her passion for criminal justice reform, and how she balances public service with her other day job and her personal life. Tune in for an inspiring conversation and to learn why you should visit Rhode Island on your next getaway.   IN THIS EPISODE [01:06] Introducing Rhode Island Representative Leonela Felix.  [01:54] Her experience of moving from the Dominican Republic to Rhode Island. [03:24]What motivated Representative Felix to run for office.  [5:09] What it was like to run during the COVID-19 pandemic. [6:33] Moving from an advocacy role into her seat as a representative.  [07:20] The importance of having Black, Indigenous, Asian American, and Pacific Islander voices. [08:39] Her efforts to support working families, reform the penal system, and protect choice.  [12:28] The importance of personal experiences in policy and decision-making. [13:05] Expanding definitions for inclusivity.  [14:51] Juggling between part-time legislature and a full-time job.  [17:18] The role of ethics in government.  [19:06] Opportunities in legal reform, funding the public transport system, and parental economic support. [20:24] Representative Felix’s efforts to push new bills that address affordable housing and stability.