An Honorable Profession

On the latest episode of An Honorable Profession, co-host Ryan Coonerty sits down with Bexar County, TX, District Judge Monique Diaz to discuss her path to public service, the unique role of judges in Texas politics, and Judge Diaz's admirable work in curbing domestic violence and advocating for families. They talk about Judge Diaz's former career as an attorney representing low income families, domestic violence survivors, and small businesses, as well as her motivation to serve her community in a different capacity as a city attorney and, eventually, as District Judge. Judge Diaz discusses her goals to build a holistic and preventative judicial system, and she reflects on her significant role representing young, Latina women in judicial positions and how she hopes to inspire future generations of leaders. Tune in to this captivating episode as we unravel the powerful story of Judge Monique Diaz, a true champion for justice, reform, and the pursuit of a better tomorrow!

In this week’s special episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan welcomes legislative leaders from blue, red, and purple states for a conversation on their priorities for 2023, how legislative strategy differs when in the minority, and how to find compromise. She is joined by Connecticut Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, Pennsylvania House Majority Whip Jordan Harris, Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls, and Florida House Democratic Whip Christine Hunschofsky, who outline their goals for addressing our nation’s most significant policy challenges, including affordable housing, voting rights, economic growth, broadband access, and more. And they offer optimism on the continued national impact of new federal funds approved under the Biden Administration, no matter the politics of a given state. Tune in for this insightful conversation and to hear different perspectives on what we can expect from state legislatures in the coming months.

In the wake of the midterms, An Honorable Profession co-hosts Debbie Cox Bultan and Ryan Coonerty joined forces to discuss what we saw in this week’s elections and some main takeaways, including how mainstream Democrats beat back Republican extremism. They were joined by several special guests: former Michigan House Majority Floor Leader Steve Tobocman, who discussed Democrats’ great night in his state,  NewDEAL Leader Kentucky Representative Nima Kulkarni on the successful effort to reject enshrining an abortion ban in their state constitution and Heather Williams, Executive Director of the DLCC, who shared the great success stories for Democrats in state legislatures across the country and why it matters. Listen to the episode, and hear more about what we learned from the 2022 midterms.

In this week's episode, host and NewDEAL Leader Ryan Coonerty talks with Michelle Wilde Anderson, author of the new book, The Fight to Save the Town: Reimagining Discarded America. She discusses the never-ending, vicious poverty spiral and how we desperately need to shift its momentum by promoting mutual investment and coalition building at the institutional level. Plus, she discusses the great recession, the municipal fiscal collapse, the difference between local government tax bases, and the influence of politics on state reform. Tune in to hear more from Michelle about why communities need a robust social fabric to ensure adequate safety, functioning systems, and a healthy environment.

In this week's episode, host and NewDEAL Leader Ryan Coonerty talks with Massachusetts representative Andy Vargas and discusses his time in politics while working tirelessly to pass legislation that addresses the needs of his constituents. From passing and implementing the Universal School Meals program to pursuing affordable housing projects and addressing the high cost of living in Massachusetts, Andy always prioritizes the issues that will make a difference in constituents' lives. Our conversation discusses his Dominican heritage, why he decided to go into politics and unpacked the challenges and opportunities of being one of the first Latino voices in an elected body. We also discuss social media's role in politics and why in-person and authentic interaction is so important. Listen now for a conversation that will give you hope for the future of politics in America. 

In this episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan is joined by Kate Bolz, former NewDEAL Leader and Nebraska state senator, and current United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) State Director for Rural Development in Nebraska. With USDA, it's Kate’s role to oversee the Biden-Harris administration’s outreach to and partnership with communities across Nebraska. Kate gives us some insights into rural America, from the challenges rural Americans face, the innovations they’re responsible for, and the integral role they play in feeding the rest of the country, to the legislation that supports them in their work and their lives. We discuss the administration’s historic investments in rural America and what communities in Nebraska need most. Kate fills us in on the impact of the supply chain issues on these communities during COVID and how that led to innovation in agricultural sectors. Tune in to hear all about the energy-efficient innovations led by rural America, as well as Kate’s advice for those looking to connect with rural voters.

In this episode of An Honorable Profession, host and NewDEAL Leader Ryan Coonerty talks with Michigan Representative and Minority Leader Donna Lasinski, management consultant turned legislator, about the political situation in the State of Michigan and the important work she is doing there. Donna uses her experience and passion for the community to bring her ideas and perspectives directly to voters, actively knocking on doors and speaking to individuals in the community. In this way, she is able to forge genuine relationships and ensure voters see the change they want. Donna explains the reasons behind the political upheaval occurring in her state and the positive impacts the Democratic Party is achieving despite the disruption. We talk about how she gets things done as a political minority, the complex political situation in the State of Michigan, and the hope she has for the future of the Democratic party in the state. Hear about her successes working as a representative, such as implementing universal preschool, and her overall experience of politics. She also makes a compelling case for Michigan paddle boarding and demolition derbies. Tune in to hear an inspiring conversation about a minority representative driving change in her community!

Host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan talks with California Senator Ben Allen, who co-chairs the environmental caucus in the legislature, and chairs the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. Senator Allen talks about his groundbreaking plastic pollution bill, signed into law this year, and delves into the specifics of the bill, who it will affect, and how they built comprehensive bipartisan support for it. He also explains his efforts around election reform, the importance of local journalism, and why compromise doesn’t need to be viewed as a dirty word. And don't miss his insights on what it’s like to represent Hollywood, and his thoughts on how the film and television industry is made up of much more than just A-list celebrities. For an inspiring episode on democracy, negotiation, and the power of cooperation, make sure you tune in today!

In this week's episode of An Honorable Profession, NewDEAL CEO and host Debbie Cox Bultan talks with San Francisco Treasurer Jose Cisneros about the nuances of managing a major city's portfolio, something he knows well after five terms of serving San Francisco! Treasurer Cisneros explains the importance of thoughtful planning for local governments, whether in bear or bull markets, to ensure they can persevere in the inevitable lean times. They also discuss how his work to boost economic empowerment, including his three stand-out endeavors: The Financial Justice Project, Bank on San Francisco, and Kindergarten to College. Stay tuned to the end to hear why Treasurer Cisneros believes serving on boards and commissions is one of the best ways to get involved with your local community!

In this week's episode of An Honorable Profession, host Ryan Coonerty talks with Indianapolis City Councilmember Maggie Lewis about leading by example to creating an inclusive and pro-growth city in a conservative state. She discusses her personal call to serve others and how her full-time job as CEO of Boys and Girls Club Indianapolis overlaps with her role on the council, particularly in creating more opportunities for students. They also discuss what it's like serving on the Olympic Trials Organization Committee and how she hopes to leverage this into bigger and better events in Indy! Stay tuned to the end to hear some great recommendations for making the most of a trip to Indianapolis!

In this week's episode of An Honorable Profession, NewDEAL CEO and host Debbie Cox Bultan talks with Arkansas State Senator Clarke Tucker about his state's political shift to the right and away from prominent Democratic personalities, such as President Bill Clinton. They identify lessons learned as Democratic majorities slipped away quickly due to a lack of listening and impactful community investments. Tucker also shares insights into how the Democratic Party must shift its rural strategy with community investments to help improve people's day-to-day lives and better communication to highlight these wins. They also discuss inspiring stories of bipartisanship and how doing the little things to build relationships with his Republican colleagues helped advance his election protection bill last session. Stay tuned to the end to hear about a documentary of Clarke's run for Congress, how his sister filmed it, and how the film gave folks a glimpse into the commitment families make in public life.

In this episode, host Debbie Cox Bultan is joined by Francisco Heredia, a council member in Mesa, Arizona. Mesa is a city of 520 000 people situated in Maricopa, one of the fastest growing counties in the United States!  During this episode, Francisco shares where his passion for politics and community empowerment originated, and why he decided to become a public servant. We discuss the current political and economic climate in Arizona, the primaries being held next week, and Francisco’s thoughts on the issues that local and state leaders should be focusing on at the moment. Tune in to hear insights from the ground in Arizona, and to learn more about Francisco’s wealth of experience and the values that underpin everything he does!

In this week's episode of An Honorable Profession, NewDEAL CEO and host Debbie Cox Bultan talks with Atlanta Councilmember Amir Farokhi about how local governments can restore faith and trust with effective leadership. Whether through participatory budgeting or reducing generational poverty, Councilmember Farokhi highlights the importance of returning agency to local communities. They also discuss what it's like having Georgia in the national spotlight with leaders like NewDEALer Stacey Abrams, the surprise findings from the guaranteed income study in Dr. Martin Luther King's former neighborhood, and what a "Night Mayor" is. Stay tuned to the end to hear a fun fact on how the naming of the "Care Package" came about!

In this week's episode of An Honorable Profession, NewDEAL Leader and host Ryan Coonerty talks with Nashville, Tennessee Senator Jeff Yarbro. Senator Yarbro and Ryan have a great discussion highlighting the cultural shift Tennessee has undergone, from a bellwether swing state to a staunchly red conservative stronghold. From his perspective as the Minority Leader of a caucus of 6, Senator Yarbro discusses the importance of highly motivated and versatile elected officials to do many aspects of the job well with so few resources. He talks about the need to apply multiple skills, compromise, and differentiate between Republican voters and the Republican national players when facing a majority as stark as that of the Tennessee legislature. Senator Yarbro shares three keys he believes could help turn the tides of Democratic hopes in rural areas of the country. Listen now to discover how an internship with then-Vice President Al Gore pushed Senator Yarbro to eventually run for office himself!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!