An Honorable Profession

In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan partners with State Democracy Action Fund (SDAF) interim Executive Director Kate Stoner to convene four NewDEALers who are in state legislative leadership roles in red, blue, and purple states for a conversation about their priorities for 2024. Connecticut Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton, Tennessee Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari, and Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell reflect on opportunities to make progress on issues like housing, gun violence, and education, and the outlook on reproductive rights and voting access while analyzing the political landscape in their states ahead of the 2024 election. They discuss whether bipartisan agreement is possible this year and concerns for Democrats operating in the minority.  Tune in for a comprehensive look at what we can expect to take center stage in state legislatures in the coming months. IN THIS EPISODE (01:07) Introducing today’s episode with Kate Stoner, Senator Bob Duff, Speaker Joanna McClinton, Senator Raumesh Akbari, and Representative Fentrice Driskell.  (02:58) Senator Duff’s focus on affordable housing, healthcare, and consumer protection in Connecticut.  (05:47) Representative Driskell’s agenda in Florida, including the Freedom to Be agenda and Medicaid expansion. (09:18) Good news for Florida Democrats: Representative Tom Keen’s election.  (10:28) Why Senator Akbari and Tennessee Democrats are thinking more about defense than offense and what that means.  (15:50) Speaker McClinton’s priorities around education and jobs for Pennsylvanians. (19:26) State legislatures’ responsibility to protect Americans by enacting common sense gun control measures.  (23:26) How the upcoming election is influencing activity in each state. (25:04) How Representative Driskell is working across the aisle to serve Floridians.  (27:01) Dispelling election conspiracy theories and enacting automatic voter registration in Pennsylvania. (27:56) Senator Duff outlines the stakes of this year’s election in safeguarding democracy. (30:09) Issues Senator Akbari expects to fight against in the superminority in Tennessee. (35:08) Debbie’s perspective on making government work as the way to fix democracy.  (35:50) How federal funding is making government work in communities across the country, from lowering the cost of childcare to spurring new climate solutions. 

In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with New York City Councilmember Nantasha Williams. They talk about Williams' career path as a community leader, social justice advocate, and political organizer, and her commitment to improving life in her community by creating economic opportunities, championing housing, and protecting seniors. They discuss what people should know about how decisions are made at the local level and the challenges she seeks to address in 2024, including the unexpected issues that come up for local leaders, like fallen trees in her district. Williams also highlights the importance of transparency and accessibility in government, how more diverse leadership can result in better policies, and what inspired her to run for office. Tune in for a conversation about the profound impact of local leadership on our day-to-day lives.  (01:52) An idea of what things are like on the ground in Queens right now. (03:29) Why elected officials should be responsive, transparent, and accessible. (04:40) How New York City is governed and how councilmembers factor into decision-making. (06:43) How Councilmember Williams has built a coalition to move an agenda through such a large council body. (08:47) How having a more diverse council leads to different policies and new conversations. (11:14) Working within the system to change it: advice for those who believe that running for office means they have to compromise on their values. (14:07) How a Donna Brazile speech inspired Williams to run for office. (16:48) All politics is local: lessons she has learned since becoming a city councilmember. (21:29) Trees, equity, and other policy goals she hopes to achieve in 2024. (25:18) How Councilmember Williams strives to understand her political power and become a more impactful leader. (28:01) Her recent appointment to the budget committee. (31:11) Williams’s recommendations for where to eat and explore in Queens.

In this week's episode, host Ryan Connerty speaks with Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, who shares the state’s ambitious policy goals, discusses her keys to achieving bipartisan results, and talks about how Michigan is protecting the integrity of its elections. The first woman to lead the Michigan Senate, Brinks rose to public office as the result of a last-minute write-in campaign. Despite never intending to run for office and viewing herself as an "unlikely" politician, Senator Brinks is driven by her experiences as one of five children growing up on her family's dairy farm and is dedicated to shaping policy that provides a safety net for families. Ryan and Senator Brinks reflect on Michigan Democrats' exciting wins on gun safety, reproductive rights, and renewable energy in 2023 and how Brinks hopes to build on these accomplishments in 2024, while continuing to find areas of bipartisan agreement. She also offers a view of the November elections from the Great Lakes State, highlighting the ways that effective Democratic policies are rising above Republican chaos. Tune in to hear Senator Brinks' 2024 game plan for her caucus, as well as her advice for those who are debating a run for office.    (01:55) Welcoming Michigan Senate Majority Leader, Winnie Brinks.  (02:35) An overview of how things have been going in Michigan at the start of 2024.  (04:39) The Michigan Clean Energy Act and the state’s ambitious goal of having 100% Clean energy by 2040. (07:56) How Senator Brinks champions bipartisan collaboration. (10:39) How Michigan is leading nationally on election integrity and security in response to the 2020 election. (12:42) The Senate Majority Leader’s perspective on the future of democratic participation and whether the country can move past election denialism and misinformation. (14:51) Her unexpected journey to politics through education, non-profits, and volunteering. (16:35) How her experiences growing up inform her work today. (21:42) Why economic and community development in Michigan requires an all-the-above approach to uplifting families.  (23:32) Senator Brinks’s personal experience working in government as someone who never intended to run for office. (27:35) A view of the 2024 election from the Great Lakes State and why an earlier primary in Michigan is more representative of the country as a whole.  (28:28) Chaos in the Michigan Republican party in juxtaposition with the proven efficacy of the Democratic party.

In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with climate activist and host of the “Living Change” podcast Andrea Learned. Andrea advises corporate, political, and cultural leaders to harness the power of social media and storytelling to drive progress and promote climate leadership. Ryan and Andrea talk about how the fight against climate change is reaching a critical point in 2024 and about ways leaders at all levels of government can make changes in their personal lives, on their teams, and in their policy work to make a difference. They discuss the need to draw more attention to successful climate policies and what it takes to hold leaders accountable regardless of their party affiliation. Andrea also describes her path to activism and climate influence and how she brings a unique approach to creating impactful change. Tune in to learn Andrea's keys to effective climate storytelling and what it takes to get the media to tell the stories that the public needs to hear. IN THIS EPISODE (02:23) A recap of the progress made in 2023 for combating the climate crisis. (03:34) How to build the political will needed to mitigate the necessary changes. (06:03) Changes that resonate with the community and develop political will. (8:14) The power of sharing climate solutions with neighbors to enact change (10:24) An example of some of the positive changes being made. (11:38) Background on Andrea and her path to becoming a climate advisor. (14:21) Positive and negative changes she has seen in the environmental space. (16:29) Creating engagement in small ways to create significant change. (17:36) Tips and advice for leveraging social media platforms to raise your voice. (21:02) The impact that local leaders have on forwarding climate policy and inspiring hope in their constituents. (23:11) How listeners can contribute to and join the climate influencer arena. (24:40) Andrea’s current successes and what she is looking forward to in 2024.  

This week features our first episode of the year, recorded live at NewDEAL’s 13th Annual Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. Host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Representative Maxine Dibert, our first Alaskan guest on the show. They talk about the state’s political dynamics, such as the unique bipartisan coalition system of government and their ranked-choice voting system. Dibert, an elementary school teacher for twenty years, also shares with listeners how her daughter influenced her to run for office and how her career in education has helped her connect with constituents. As the first Alaskan Native woman in the legislature, she has co-sponsored bills to protect her native language and has taken a leading role in the legislature's efforts to address various tribal issues. Dibert also outlines her legislative priorities for the session ahead, including climate change, childcare, and the economy. Tune in to learn what Representative Dibert thinks everybody can learn from Alaska's legislative leadership and why the Last Frontier is worth visiting at any time of the year. IN THIS EPISODE (01:11) A warm welcome to Alaska Representative Maxine Dibert (01:50) How Alaska state politics differ from other states’ (02:33) The Alaskan House’s bipartisan coalition committed to problem solving (03:25) Representative Dibert’s first year in office (04:49) Alaska’s ranked choice voting system and what it means for candidates (06:32) Dibert’s career as an elementary school teacher and how the needs of her students informed her decision to run for office (08:06) How Representative Dibert’s daughter forged a path for her in Juneau (10:11) The skills Dibert took from the classroom to the capital, including building a sense of family with her colleagues (11:50) Alaska’s freshman caucus and how new legislators have been able to uplift one another (13:14) Representative Dibert shares a story about connecting with a voter during her campaign and convincing her to vote for the first time ever (15:39) What it’s like serving as the only Alaskan native woman in the state legislature (17:01) Her efforts to protect native languages and how the state legislature is addressing tribal issues (19:50) The threats of climate change on the Alaskan economy and landscape, and how the state legislature is working with Congress to build resiliency (22:28) What’s coming up for Representative Dibert in the next legislative session (23:30) Why the rest of the country should keep an eye on Alaska’s ranked choice voting system, climate issues, and childcare (25:16) Dibert’s pitch for listeners to visit Alaska

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.”