An Honorable Profession
The NewDEAL
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.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NewDEALLeaders
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newdealleaders/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-newdeal/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewDEALLeaders
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NewdealleadersOrg
An Honorable Profession is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
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.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NewDEALLeaders
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newdealleaders/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-newdeal/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewDEALLeaders
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NewdealleadersOrg
An Honorable Profession is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 20, 2023 • 33min
Mayor Rosalynn Bliss on How to Build Equitable Communities
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 meeting constituents where they are. Tune in to also receive a special invitation from the Mayor to experience Grand Rapids' live music scene and visit the city's beautiful river.
Apr 13, 2023 • 39min
City Councilmember Erika Strassburger on The Role of Local Governments in Rebuilding Public Trust
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 action, from pushing to ban the use of assault weapons to holding gun owners accountable to prevent risks to children and increasing funding for violence-prevention initiatives. Erika shares her approach to building relationships between community members and elected officials, approaching differences with kindness, and so much more. Tune in to this amazing conversation to hear Erika's thoughts on what makes Pittsburgh special!
Apr 6, 2023 • 28min
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll on Housing, Inclusion, and Breaking through Glass Ceilings
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. Driscoll explains her role as Lieutenant Governor, the work she's prioritizing, and the challenges and opportunities surrounding big issues like housing affordability in Massachusetts. They discuss how she shepherded her city's revival post-COVID and how she's focusing on improving inclusion in her state. Tune in to hear Driscoll's advice for other members of underrepresented communities interested in running for office.
Mar 30, 2023 • 32min
Councilmember Raul Campillo on Making Government Work in San Diego
In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty interviews San Diego, CA Councilmember Raul Campillo. They discuss the city's economic recovery from the COVID pandemic, including the impact of a successful vaccination campaign that has meant fewer cases and deaths than initially predicted. In addition, Campillo shares his strategies for addressing some of the biggest issues facing San Diego and cities across the country, especially inadequate access to healthcare, childcare, and affordable housing. The conversation also explores Campillo's journey to public office and how his family's background in public service inspired him to fight for the rights of San Diego's citizens. Tune into this engaging conversation and hear how Campillo recommends you spend 24 hours in beautiful San Diego, California.
Mar 23, 2023 • 32min
Daniella Ballou-Aares Makes the Business Case for Strengthening Democracy
Following up on the release of the NewDEAL Forum's Democracy Playbook, this week's episode features Daniella Ballou-Aares, CEO and co-founder of the Leadership Now Project, a national membership organization of business and thought leaders committed to fixing American democracy. Daniella speaks with host Ryan Coonerty about why, after starting her career growing social impact companies around the world, she has turned her attention to urging business leaders to advocate on voting rights, redistricting reforms, and other essential efforts to ensure the long-term viability of American democracy. Tune in for Daniella's thoughts on why the business world should care about the state of government and the unique role that business people can play in influencing trends towards or away from democracy.
Mar 16, 2023 • 32min
‘Accidental First Lady’ Kerry Kriseman on Public Service Behind the Scenes
In this week’s episode, we’re taking a look at public service from a slightly different perspective. Co-host Ryan Coonerty talks with Kerry Kriseman, wife of former NewDEAL Leader St. Petersburg, FL Mayor Rick Kirseman. She joins us to discuss her new book Accidental First Lady: On the Front Lines and Behind the Scenes of Local Politics, where she writes about the highs and lows of integrating public service into her family’s life. They discuss how Kerry approached her role as a political spouse and how she and her family navigated some of the more difficult moments of their life in the public eye, including an antisemitic attack on her son. They also talk about some of the rewards and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that come with the job. Tune in to this conversation for lessons Kerry learned, suggestions for survival, and tips for crafting a rewarding life in the public eye for anyone (and their partner) thinking of becoming an elected official.
Mar 9, 2023 • 29min
Jesica Mackey on the Importance of Diverse Voices in Government
In this week's episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan talks with Richland County, SC Councilmember Jesica Mackey, who made history in 2020 as the youngest African American woman ever elected to the Council. They discussed her transition from local government staffer to elected office, her approach to engaging the public, the causes she's most passionate about, and why diversity is essential to find solutions for people's real problems. Tune in to also learn more about South Carolina's evolving role in the presidential nominating process and the benefits of electing more women to office.
Mar 2, 2023 • 34min
School Board Partners on Leadership Development, Good Governance, Racial Equity, and Self-Care
In this week’s episode, Ryan Coonerty talks with the co-founders of School Board Partners: Carrie Douglass and Ethan Ashley. Carrie and Ethan share what they have learned from working to prepare and support school board members to make systemic changes in their districts, and the keys to ending outdated and discriminatory education policies and practices. At a time of unprecedented pressure and attention on school boards, they discuss some of the biggest challenges facing school boards nationwide and their belief that, when members have the right tools and resources, they can make positive, impactful, and long-lasting changes within their districts. Tune in to learn how Carrie and Ethan got involved in school board policy, and to hear their advice on how school board members can turn crisis into opportunity.
Feb 23, 2023 • 26min
Behind the Scenes of the 118th Congress with Andy Flick
In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan talks with Andy Flick, the Executive Director of the New Democrat Coalition in the U.S. House of Representatives. They examine the current state of Congress, including immediate issues like the debate over the debt ceiling and some of the longer-term priorities of the New Democrat Coalition: immigration reform, opioids, and mental health. Andy also tells us why there might be surprising potential for consensus in this Congress. Tune in to this episode to hear how much Congress has evolved since Andy has been there, how much happens that we don’t read about in the media, and the political bug that bit Andy when he was eight years old.
Feb 16, 2023 • 27min
Mayor Timothy Ragland on Workforce Development, Decreasing Violent Crime, and Community Engagement
In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty talks with Talladega, AL, Mayor Timothy Ragland, the first Black mayor of his hometown and the youngest in over a century. Ragland shares the inspiring story of overcoming challenges in his youth to reach the military and law school, and explains how he decided to return home to run for mayor. The conversation touches on how to attract new businesses and Ragland's approach to improving job opportunities for residents, including by improving access to high-speed internet in a city where nearly half of residents lacks access. They also discuss keys to decreasing violent crime and how Talladega is leaning more on the community for help. Tune in for this insightful conversation about how thoughtful community engagement leads to innovative solutions.
