An Honorable Profession

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 about the keys for leaders across all levels of government to protect and advance voter rights. They discuss the current state of our democracy, expanding access to the ballot, and reasons for optimism in a world plagued by anti-democratic conspiracies. Hannah also shares her perspective on how to combat rampant election misinformation and tells us about her journey into protecting voting rights and what she enjoys most about the work. Tune in to learn more from this engaging conversation that reminds us all of our power to shape a better future for our communities and our country.   IN THIS EPISODE: (02:15): A brief background of Hannah’s professional experience. (03:07): All Voting is Local, its mission, and how it protects voter rights. (04:33): Overview of the organization’s approach to its mission. (07:20): The current state of democracy and politics in America. (08:54): Reasons to be hopeful for the future of democracy in America. (09:17): Highlights of challenges and threats to American democracy. (16:25): A quick clip of a favorite moment from a past episode. (18:18): Hannah’s career journey and what led her to All Voting is Local. (23:40): Navigating the murky waters of voter policy and regulation objectively. (28:35): Unpacking the polarization, misinformation, and disinformation around voting. (29:39): Pragmatic steps for voters to take back their democracy. (31:08): What Hannah thinks is the biggest issue facing democracy.  

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 CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Tara McGowan, the founder of Courier Newsroom – a civic media company and the largest left-leaning network in the country with newsrooms in nine, soon-to-be eleven, battleground states. Tara is a journalist and former political strategist who spent years working with national democratic groups and in digital advertising and marketing. Her passion for local journalism and democracy led her to found Courier, which aims to protect and strengthen our democracy through credible, fact-based journalism. Tara and Debbie talk about Courier’s work, the rapidly changing media landscape, the media’s role in the rise of political extremism, and how to effectively combat dis- and misinformation. Tune in to learn how Courier elevates coverage of the issues most relevant to its audiences in communities nationwide, as well as Tara’s predictions for the future of media and what that could mean for all of us.  

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 superminority, while predicting a centrist swing in her home state in the coming years. The conversation also touches on how to better confront the opioid crisis, and the new terrain for fighting for reproductive rights in the wake of Arkansas's recent abortion ban. Tune in to learn more about how Representative Clowney is working across the aisle to enact change.

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, and others. Hart discusses why becoming mayor is not a way to elevate your stature, how diversity among political leaders can enact change, and what a mayor’s perspective can bring to conversations on federal spending. Tune in to learn more about the exciting developments in the diverse city of Waterloo and for advice on how to make an impact by starting where you are.

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 state and why he advocates for laws to reduce gun violence. They also talk about his path to public service, how he won a divided district, and the challenges his hometown is facing as it rapidly grows into a city where everyone wants to be. Tune in to learn more about his legislative priorities, his successful campaign, and what it is like being a blue dot in a red state.

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 can take back terms and phrases that the right has co-opted and engage in meaningful storytelling that connects with voters.

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 give more resources to legislators, especially those from underrepresented communities, so they can succeed and create the representative democracy we desperately need. Tune in to learn more about her evidence-based practices in decision-making and the importance of unpacking bias as a legislator. 

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 with bipartisan support from the legislature. Debbie and he discuss how solving problems and building trust is the key to changing people’s perception of the government, and Scanlon shares his thoughts about social media. Tune in to find out how a book report put him on a path to public service and learn about his passion for addressing seemingly intractable problems. 

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, Wilhelm provides insights into New Hampshire's policies, political landscape, and the consequential issues at play in his purple state, where he leads one of the biggest caucuses in the country in New Hampshire's 400+ person House. Tune in to gain deeper insights from this great conversation, and discover Wilhelm's recommendations for making the most of your time in New Hampshire.

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, regardless of their background or location, can take to help protect our democratic process. Together, he and Debbie delve into the pressing need to understand the ongoing assault on democracy and explain the crucial role pro-democracy Americans play in defending it. They highlight the importance of actively participating in every election, holding extremists accountable, recognizing the importance of state legislatures, and harnessing the influence of city and county officials. Join us to gain valuable insights from this timely and thought-provoking conversation and develop a personal plan to help save democracy.