The Great Battlefield

Yasmin Radjy returns to The Great Battlefield podcast to talk about what she's been up to at Swing Left, where they empower volunteers to help elect Democrats, and managing Vote Forward, where they test the effectiveness of voter turnout programs.

Vinay Orekondy, co-founder of Better Together America and civic organizer, builds local democracy hubs to stitch nonpartisan groups into community networks. He discusses creating ladders of engagement, how hubs reduce polarization by fostering post-partisan identities, and strategies for scaling grassroots civic infrastructure nationally and internationally.

Emma Welsh-Huggins joins The Great Battlefield podcast to talk about her career in organizing, starting her campaign consultancy and co-founding Nontoxic Media, an AI platform that monitors content on social media.

David Kusnet joins The Great Battlefield podcast to talk about his career as an author and political speechwriter including for President Bill Clinton.

John Chrastka joins The Great Battlefield podcast to talk about his career and founding the EveryLibrary PAC, where they work to support public libraries and help fight against book bans.

Ira Chaleff joins The Great Battlefield podcast to talk about his career including running the Congressional Management Foundation and his recent book "To Stop a Tyrant: The Power of Political Followers"

Shikha Dalmia, Editor of The UnPopulist and a prominent voice against authoritarianism, dives deep into her journey from India to journalism and her influence on liberal thought. She discusses the surprising rise of Hindu nationalism in India, drawing parallels with Trump's appeal in the U.S. Dalmia shares her split from libertarian circles, critiques left populism, and advocates for a cross-ideological liberal coalition. She emphasizes the need for institutional safeguards against future authoritarianism and offers insightful advice for Democratic politicians.

Haley Lickstein, a progressive political content creator and activist, shares her journey from childhood civic engagement to founding Haley Lickstein Media. She discusses her impactful internships, including at Emily's List, and her surprise experiences at Facebook. Haley dives into her mission to mobilize young women through education and community building, her podcast 'Haley on the Go', and strategic outreach to high-profile guests. She emphasizes creating thoughtful content that resonates over virality and staying hopeful amid political challenges.

Caleb Brock, Director of Digital Strategy for Congressman Ro Khanna, is a digital political strategist with a knack for building activist communities. He critiques the old-guard consultants, stressing the need for adaptability within the Democratic Party. Caleb shares his journey from local activism in Texas to leading innovative digital campaigns, emphasizing the power of young talent. He discusses the balance of fast iteration with accuracy, the importance of forging connections through social media, and calls for diverse voices in politics to meet modern challenges.

Claire Shorall joins The Great Battlefield podcast to talk about her career as a teacher, activist and now co-founder and CEO of Sway, a voting group platform that aims to mobilize people with shared views, a new social network for politics.