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
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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
Jul 7, 2022 • 31min
Ken Lawrence Champions Free & Fair Elections For All
In this week's episode of An Honorable Profession, NewDEAL Leader and host Ryan Coonerty talks with Montgomery County, PA Commissioner Ken Lawrence. He shares what the past couple of years have been like at ground zero for the "Big Lie," giving background and insight into the mechanics of how conducting elections works. Ryan and Commissioner Lawrence discuss how two separate battles have developed for Democrats to tackle: the strengthening of election accessibility and building trust with constituents on free and fair elections. Commissioner Lawrence shares what he hopes to accomplish as the Chair of NewDEAL's newly formed Democracy Working Group, including some replicable best practices and getting bipartisan buy-in on this work. Listen now to discover what Commissioner Lawrence learned from participating in the food stamp challenge, the initiatives in his county that he is most passionate about, and how the county is recovering from COVID while also trying to overcome systemic inequities!
Jun 28, 2022 • 14min
Special Episode: Raumesh Akbari Prepares For More Landmark Fights in Tennessee
In the second part of a special mini-series on the far-reaching consequences of the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, host and NewDEAL Leader Ryan Coonerty talks with fellow NewDEALer Raumesh Akbari, state senator from Memphis, TN, about the pending difficulties that await women of color throughout Southern states. Senator Akbari shares what individuals in blue states can do to support those in states with abortion bans and other restrictions on reproductive rights, and what other issues could become political battlegrounds due to future Supreme Court action. Listen back to both episodes in this mini-series highlighting the state and local fight happening in the post-Roe v. Wade world, and please make sure to make your voice heard at the ballot box this year in support of all of our state and local leaders!
Jun 27, 2022 • 22min
Special Episode: Elizabeth Brown Leads the Charge to Safeguard Women’s Rights After Roe v. Wade, on An Honorable Profession
In a special episode addressing the far-reaching consequences of the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, host and NewDEAL Leader Ryan Coonerty talks with fellow NewDEALer Elizabeth Brown, Columbus City Councilmember, about what Americans can do to hold the line against continued attacks on reproductive rights. Councilmember Brown shares her own reaction to the decision, how it affects the women she represents, and the anticipated effects on Ohio as a whole. Listen to the episode to find out what we can do next in our own cities and states -- including making our voices heard at the ballot box this year -- and stay tuned this week for another special episode on the impacts of the overturn from a state and local perspective, as the fight for reproductive rights continues in state legislatures across the nation.
Jun 23, 2022 • 39min
Josh Boschee Trailblazes for All North Dakotans
Happy Pride Month! Host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan talks with Josh Boschee, North Dakota House minority leader, and the first openly gay person to be elected to the legislature in that state. He shares his experience running for office, and his work to make Dakota more inclusive during a time when political red herrings are used to block the progress already made. Josh shares the recent political history of North Dakota and how the state was not always ruby red. He gives his insight into why the politics of his state have evolved over time, and how his work on the Obama campaign gave him the experience to get involved in running for office! Stay tuned to the end to hear his efforts to use the massive state surplus to invest in North Dakotans, including addressing the benefits cliff and getting more people on the path to upward mobility!
Jun 15, 2022 • 24min
Vin Gopal Fights for New Jersey's Small Businesses
In this week's episode of An Honorable Profession, NewDEAL Leader and host Ryan Coonerty talks with New Jersey Senator Vin Gopal. He shares insights on how being a small business owner influences his policy-making, and how his stance on small business issues and understanding of the potential impacts of economic policies like the $15 minimum wage has earned his constituents' trust. Senator Gopal shares how his defeat in his first run for office helped him learn what to prioritize, how to campaign efficiently, and many more lessons that helped build the foundation for his future successes. Listen all the way through to hear Senator Gopal share how he combats misinformation through communication.
Jun 10, 2022 • 27min
Dorcey Applyrs Ensures Government Works for All Residents
Join host Debbie Cox Bultan for a conversation with Albany, NY City Auditor Dorcey Applyrs! They discuss the role of the city auditor, and how Dorcey is working to make government more transparent. Dorcey describes the equity audit her office is conducting, which will help her ensure government services are meeting needs of all of Albany's residents. You'll also hear about how her childhood in DC led her to pursue a career in public health, her path into elected office, and why she prioritizes mentoring young women. Listen now!
Jun 2, 2022 • 30min
Michael Frerichs Safeguards State Resources
Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs joins host and NewDEAL Leader Ryan Coonerty for a discussion on how he is making change through strategic investments of state funds, the keys to running for re-election in an unfavorable environment for Democrats, and how he approaches effective team building.
May 26, 2022 • 36min
Stanley Chang Tackles Hawai'i's Housing Crisis
If you want to see change happen in your cities, it’s important to get involved, especially at the state and local levels — because this is your chance to actually make something happen that would not have taken place otherwise! On today’s episode of An Honorable Profession, we welcome Hawaii Senator Stanley Chang. He was raised in East Honolulu by hardworking immigrants from China, who instilled in him the core values of responsibility, humility, and honesty. During the show, we talk about how COVID may have permanently changed Hawaii’s economy, the Singaporean model of public housing, the state’s efforts to build a resilient energy system, and his secret places to visit in Oahu that will make your stay in Hawaii that much more magical! So don’t miss out on this episode, tune in today to hear all this and more, from Senator Stanley Chang!
May 18, 2022 • 25min
Fentrice Driskell Holds the Line in Florida
In this week's episode of An Honorable Profession, NewDEAL CEO and host Debbie talks with Florida Representative Fentrice Driskell. They discuss how Florida has become ground zero for the fight for reproductive rights and how Floridian Democrats are holding the line against Governor DeSantis' overreaching. Representative Driskell gives some insight into the issues plaguing Floridians, like the property insurance problem gripping the state, and the solutions Democrats are proposing. She also addresses the fearmongering that has become commonplace in governance. Tune in until the end to hear about how the Representative was inspired to become the rising leader and feared litigator that she is today!
May 11, 2022 • 31min
Ben Schierer Rebuilds Rural Trust in Government
Today on the show, host and NewDEAL Leader Ryan Coonerty talks with Ben Schierer, the mayor of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, about how smaller cities can adapt in order to thrive in a post-COVID world. He also shares his advice on how Democrats can rebuild trust in rural communities, based on his own experience of being elected and re-elected in a county that overwhelmingly supports Donald Trump. Ryan and Mayor Schierer discuss what the last few years have been like, raising five kids, managing two restaurant businesses, and working as the mayor. Finally, he touches on the importance of the ecology of Fergus Falls and the work he's doing to protect environmentally and economically important resources. Stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear Mayor Schierer talk about why folk are gravitating towards smaller communities like Fergus Falls, and why you must visit to enjoy everything from omelets to local art, the world's largest otter, and more!
