An Honorable Profession

Recorded at the NewDEAL Forum Ideas Summit in Phoenix, AZ, this week’s episode features infectious disease doctor and Iowa State Representative Megan Srinivas. She and co-host Ryan Coonerty talk about her journey as the child of immigrants in a small Iowa town, to a life changing visit to Kenya, to Harvard, and back to Iowa home to represent disadvantaged communities. They discuss her storytelling strategies to create a middle ground on key issues like abortion and why medical professionals are well-positioned to run for office. Srinivas also explains how she embraces the diverse experiences of Iowans to align her messaging on key policy issues with people’s needs. Tune in to learn about her big policy ideas rooted in her unique background and how she balances her medical and legislative duties.   • [01:06] An introduction to Iowa Representative Dr. Megan Srinivas and what motivates her to work in the legislature while practicing medicine. • [05:30] Her work to improve the Prior Authorization policy in the form of a bipartisan bill. • [07:42] A trip to rural Kenya that transformed how she relates to others. • [09:17] Formative experiences that sparked Dr. Srivas’s interest in global health and policy. • [13:02] Applying global practices to rural Iowa by adopting a broader interpretation of healthcare. • [16:42] Reframing key policies in order to create a middle ground with those who disagree. • [19:38] Iowa’s identity as a Purple State and what it takes to connect with Iowans. • [22:35] Predictions for 2024 and the messaging necessary to move the needle. • [24:45] Advice for healthcare practitioners who might want to run for office. • [26:01] How being a medical professional has helped Dr. Srinivas to build relationships. • [29:23] The dearth of mental health support and facilities in Iowa and what needs to change. • [31:46] Why there is an education crisis in Iowa and how this could be solved. • [33:22] How Dr. Srinivas chooses to focus her energy in order to enact change.

Recorded at the NewDEAL Forum Ideas Summit in Phoenix, AZ, this week’s special episode features Oregon State Representative and recently elected majority leader Ben Bowman. He recaps Oregon’s uniquely short legislative session, shares what the rest of the country can learn from the state’s approaches to housing and addiction, and highlights the importance of campaign finance reforms. Ryan and Bowman also talk about his professional journey, his early engagement in public service through student government, and how he aims to foster bipartisan relationships in his new role. Tune in to hear his advice for other young, LGBTQ+ leaders who are interested in getting involved in public service but are afraid their voices won’t be heard.      • [01:51] Ben Bowman highlights the recent Oregon Legislature short session and his appointment as majority leader. • [03:18] The key housing issues that were discussed and possible changes on the horizon. • [05:35] Assessing the Oregon housing market and in particular, affordability. • [06:51] How Oregon aims to curb its addiction crisis, and a brief look at California’s plans. • [13:11] Our guest walks us through his state’s campaign finance reforms. • [15:03] Ben’s professional journey and why he joined public service at such a young age. • [19:15] His advice to minorities who want to get into public service but are too afraid to do so. • [21:11] How he views his new role as majority leader, and how he plans to get the job done. • [24:13] The bipartisan relationships he’d like to foster as majority leader. • [26:14] Oregon in 2034, as projected by Ben.  

In our latest episode, co-host Ryan Coonety talks with Michigan Senator and Congressional candidate Kristen McDonald Rivet. They discuss Michigan’s Democratic leadership and how the state is adapting to the changing economy, addressing the public’s frustration with out-of-touch leaders, and enduring threats from extremist insurrectionists. Senator McDonald Rivet discusses her caucus’s priority of improving the economy and how, with the newly instated Democratic trifecta in the state, she has successfully championed the Working Family Tax Credit. In addition, she explains that, although Democrats have earned impressive successes, there are still political divides across Michigan with the public showing signs of frustration. McDonald Rivet talks about her journey in and out of public service positions and offers critical insights on building coalitions centered around a singular cause. Tune in to learn why she believes leading with hope is essential for the future of our country.   IN THIS EPISODE [01:05] An introduction to Michigan State Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet. [02:02] Senator McDonald Rivet offers an overview of the current political climate in Michigan, which she refers to as ‘The Blue Wall’ of the midwest. [03:37] Legislative changes and the economic focus behind the senator’s ‘Michigan Dream.’ [08:55] How policies championed by Michigan Democrats are translating to political sentiment on the ground. [11:55] Reclaiming the concept of patriotism with a sense of hope. [15:00] How working on Head Start programs with impacted families has changed her approach to policymaking and governing. [16:00] Senator McDonald Rivet’s move into elected office after working behind the scenes. [18:13] Why building a coalition starts with one person. [23:20] What McDonald Rivet thinks is often behind the decision to vote for Trump in Michigan communities. [25:20] Her decision to run for Congress and how she hopes to lead if elected.  

In today’s special bonus episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Arizona Corporation Commissioner Anna Tovar about last week’s state Supreme Court ruling to resurrect an 1864 near-total abortion ban. Commissioner Tovar gives us an on-the-ground report of the ruling and the fallout in Arizona, including the decision led by extremist Republicans in the state legislature to block an appeal of the draconian law. They also talk about a recent poll conducted by NewDEAL showing that a strong majority of Arizonans believe that the government should protect reproductive rights and, by a large margin, believe that Democrats, more than Republicans, are working to protect the basic freedoms that are important to them. Tovar tells us what the ruling means for Arizona’s election this November, including a potential ballot measure to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution and the fate of two Arizona Supreme Court justices who are on the ballot. Tune in to hear Tovar talk about the work happening on the ballot measure and find more information on our polling at www.newdealleaders.org.

In this week’s episode, host Ryan Coonerty speaks with South Carolina Representative Marvin Pendarvis. They talk about the dynamics of South Carolina’s two-year legislative session, Pendarvis’s economic agenda, and how he actively engages with his constituents while working in a superminority. Pendarvis emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the Democratic party showcases their successes that are improving the lives of Americans across the country, and shares an insightful conversation he had at his local barbershop about the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris Administration. He also reflects on his path to public service, including a previous run for city council and how he narrowly lost before running for the state legislature and winning. In addition, the conversation digs into the political landscape of South Carolina in the wake of the Trump-Haley showdown, strategies for economic empowerment based on his mother’s experience raising five kids as a single mom, and the challenges of bringing people together in a bipartisan way in today's political environment. Tune in to learn more about Representative Pendarvis’s powerful story and the urgency of making an impact.    • [01:04] An overview of the story behind South Carolina Representative Marvin Pendarvis’s meaningful work and the current political landscape he is situated in. • [04:28] His efforts to elevate his constituents’ voices and his goals for this legislative session. • [08:58] Bringing folks together in a bipartisan environment to drive an agenda of support. • [10:58] The messaging problem that exists in the Democratic Party and how it could be solved. • [15:49] How politics is playing out on the ground during early battles currently taking place. • [19:34] Representative Pendarvis’ path to public office. • [25:50] The benefit of jumping into public service as a young person.

In this week's episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Phoenix, AZ, Mayor Kate Gallego about how personal obstacles have motivated her public service and why NewDEALers from across the country will descend on Phoenix this month. They discuss her early career in economic development, how the 2008 recession inspired her to focus on bolstering manufacturing jobs, breakthroughs in the city’s efforts on housing and climate change, and how she is leveraging historic investment by the Biden-Harris Administration and private-public partnerships to create a national hub for the semiconductor industry in the Valley of the Sun. Gallego also explains how her experience after suffering a seizure led her to fight for major infrastructure and transit investments to connect communities and reduce car dependency. Tune in to find out what she thinks it will take for Democrats to be successful in Arizona this November, and the projects she’s excited to share with the NewDEAL Forum at the annual Ideas Summit in Phoenix. The NewDEAL Forum is the sister organization of the NewDEAL, the producer of this podcast. For more information on the NewDEAL Forum’s Ideas Summit, an annual convening focused on empowering forward-thinking policy solutions, head to https://www.newdealforum.org/forum-events/24-ideas-summit.   [02:20] How a mayor’s role can create meaningful change. [04:38] Why it’s important to diversify Phoenix’s economy and how Mayor Gallego is doing it. [08:03] Ways that the federal government and Biden Administration have aided her efforts. [10:28] Reasons that Mayor Gallego has prioritized transportation (and the future of transit) in Phoenix.  [14:10] The role of new technology in building a better Phoenix.   [16:41] Affordable housing innovations. [18:57] Climate change and how Mayor Gallego is tackling Phoenix’s unique challenges head-on. [22:28] How the mayor found her way to public service. [26:36] Her assessment of the current state of democracy in Arizona in this key election year.  [28:59] Gallego’s advice for Democrats on how to better connect with voters heading into November. 

This week, we bring you another episode of our Road to November 2024 election series, as co-hosts Debbie Cox Bultan and Ryan Coonerty sit down with Karen Finney. Karen is a CNN political commentator, consultant, and thought leader, renowned for her dynamic career that intersects politics, media, and cultural change. Her, Debbie, and Ryan discuss this year’s presidential campaign, America’s fractured media landscape, the role that reproductive rights will play in key races across the country, and her family’s complicated history in the Civil War. They also talk about how Leaders can help voters discern fact from opinion, effective communication strategies for campaigns, and the significance of focus groups over polling in understanding voter sentiments. Tune in to hear more about this engaging conversation and the intersection of politics, media, and communication in the 2024 elections.    • [01:03] An outline of today’s episode and background about Karen. • [02:35] Ways that Democrats can be successful in the upcoming elections. • [05:55] The role of reproductive rights in the election discourse. • [09:01] How reproductive rights intersect with other vital issues. • [10:46] Communicating the positives and negatives in campaign strategies. • [14:42] What to expect from media coverage on the election going forward. • [17:28] Important perspective on the value of polls and why Karen values focus groups. • [20:44] Advice for leaders to effectively engage with their voters. • [24:18] How political coverage has changed within the media landscape. • [29:04] Karen’s family’s history with the Civil War and how it has impacted her. • [33:20] Confronting hard truths to help build a better country.

Today, we’re sharing NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan’s recent appearance on the Moderate Party Podcast – a political podcast focusing on the perspective of moderates, centrists, and Independents. Host Hillari Lombard and Debbie talk about the Biden-Harris Administration’s impressive track record, what it means to be a moderate, why the topic of community is important to the Democratic party, and the media's coverage of this year's election. In addition, they explore specific policy debates facing NewDEALers and their colleagues in state and local government across the county. Tune in to hear about how the NewDEAL is encouraging elected officials at every level to take an active role in defending democracy.   [06:42] President Biden’s impressive record. [11:30] Who is the public giving credit to? And Democrats need to help connect the dots.   [13:23] How we should approach the question of the President’s age.  [17:40] The Republican party nominee is a danger for this country.  [19:19] The media's inability to cover stories from both sides of the aisle.  [23:13] What it means to be a moderate & NewDEAL’s Freedom Agenda.  [28:10] Why the value of community is important for the Democratic Party. [35:22] NewDEAL’s Democracy Playbook with 40 ideas that state and local leaders can implement heading into the 2024 election.  [41:51] Exciting things that are happening at the state and local level.

This week, we bring you another episode of our Road to November 2024 election series, as co-hosts Debbie Cox Bultan and Ryan Coonerty sit down with Simon Rosenberg, a political commentator and strategist, who famously, and correctly, rejected the prediction of a red wave in 2022. He has now founded the widely read and highly informative Hopium Chronicles newsletter, where he advises readers to worry less and do more. He, Debbie, and Ryan discuss last week’s State of the Union Address, what’s at stake in the November elections, and why, as a Democrat, he would “rather be us than them.” They talk about ways to find common ground and bridge divides with voters through effective and factual messaging and discuss the disconnect between what the Biden-Harris administration has actually accomplished and what the public is aware of. Simon also tells us why Democrats should remain optimistic in the face of daunting polls and why political debates are representative of a healthy Democracy. Tune in to hear Simon’s six reasons why Americans should not vote for Trump this November.   • [01:04] This episode’s content and guest, Simon Rosenberg. • [02:17] Simon unpacks his statement, ‘The president is clearly fighting for us; now we need to fight for him.’ • [04:02] His strategy of finding common ground in a swing state and what it might look like to build an expansive coalition. • [09:25] The shift in positioning that has occurred where the Democratic Party has come to represent continuity. • [13:56] Six truths about Trump that have the power to destabilize his position. • [16:39] What we can learn from recent Republican polling and what it means for the upcoming election. • [20:54] An appropriate response to information asymmetry. • [25:10] Why debates are a sign of a healthy party. • [32:08] Simon’s substack community, Hopium, and how to get involved. • [35:00] A solution to the loudness problem faced by Democrats today. • [38:55] The four freedoms that underpin Simon’s philosophy.

In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Maine Assistant House Majority Leader Kristen Cloutier. They talk about how Cloutier’s experiences caring for her mother influenced her to pass paid family leave in the Pine Tree State, the issue of housing affordability in her community, and how she balances her day job with family life and her role in public office. She also reflects on the recent mass shooting in Lewiston, how she’s found solace and support by sharing her experiences with fellow electeds, and why enacting common sense gun safety laws must start at the community level. Tune in to also hear how working with college students inspires Representative Cloutier to champion future-focused policy.   [01:05] Welcome to Maine Assistant House Majority Leader Kristen Cloutier.  [01:38] An overview of what is happening in Maine at the moment.  [03:21] Maine’s journey to becoming a democratic state.  [05:05] National influence in Maine, especially with reference to border security. [09:33] Affordability challenges and how they are being addressed for families.  [13:05] Efforts to create paid family leave and Representative Cloutier’s role in it. [18:30] Her journey of growing up in Lewiston, studying in Boston, and working in New York before returning to her home town. [23:09] The challenge of balancing work and family life. [29:19] Experiencing a mass shooting in Maine and how the state has responded to it. [38:18] Where Representative Cloutier finds hope: in the future generation.