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
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.
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 27, 2023 • 29min
Ken Weber on Branding Democrats and Taking Back the Narrative
In this week's episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Ken Weber, who, along with his son Daryl Weber, co-authored the new book Branding Democrats: A Top-to-Bottom Reimagining of Campaign Strategies. Ken talks about the difference between marketing and branding and the need for Democrats to look ahead and build a lasting brand around values and policy ideas rather than individuals within the party. Tune in to learn more about Branding Democrats, including how Democrats can take back terms and phrases that the right has co-opted and engage in meaningful storytelling that connects with voters.
Jul 20, 2023 • 38min
Representative Kristine Reeves on Her Path From Foster Care to the State House
In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Washington State Representative Kristine Reeves. They talk about her youth in the foster care system and her path to becoming the first Afro-Latina woman elected to the Washington House in eighteen years and the only woman in the legislature with children under the age of five. Representative Reeves has authored critical legislation to expand child care, protect consumers, and support working families. She also advocates the need to give more resources to legislators, especially those from underrepresented communities, so they can succeed and create the representative democracy we desperately need. Tune in to learn more about her evidence-based practices in decision-making and the importance of unpacking bias as a legislator.
Jul 13, 2023 • 31min
Comptroller Sean Scanlon on Problem Solving and Building Trust
In this week's episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan talks with Sean Scanlon, who, after serving four terms in the Connecticut state legislature, was elected last November as Comptroller, making him the youngest person ever elected to this statewide position. As a legislator, he tackled the high cost of healthcare and its impact on working families like his own. In his new capacity as Comptroller, Scanlon successfully reformed the Connecticut municipal employee retirement system with bipartisan support from the legislature. Debbie and he discuss how solving problems and building trust is the key to changing people's perception of the government, and Scanlon shares his thoughts about social media. Tune in to find out how a book report put him on a path to public service and learn about his passion for addressing seemingly intractable problems.
Jul 6, 2023 • 30min
Representative Matt Wilhelm on Service, Restoring Trust in Government, and Engaging Young People in Politics
In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty engages in a thought-provoking conversation with New Hampshire House Minority Leader Matt Wilhelm, who talks about how his diverse experiences, from the music industry to serving as an AmeriCorps member in under-resourced schools, have guided his political career. Wilhelm delves into strategies for engaging Gen Z in politics, as well as the ideas and potential impact of implementing a year of national service for our nation's youth. Additionally, Wilhelm provides insights into New Hampshire's policies, political landscape, and the consequential issues at play in his purple state, where he leads one of the biggest caucuses in the country in New Hampshire's 400+ person House. Tune in to gain deeper insights from this great conversation, and discover Wilhelm's recommendations for making the most of your time in New Hampshire.
Jun 29, 2023 • 41min
David Pepper on How Each of Us Can Save Democracy
In this week's special episode, co-host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan engages in an urgent discussion about threats to our democracy with David Pepper, a former city and county official, former chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, and author of the new book, "Saving Democracy: A User's Manual for Every American." Following his previous best-selling book that sounded the alarm about challenges facing our system, Pepper aims to offer an empowering guide with actionable steps that anyone, regardless of their background or location, can take to help protect our democratic process. Together, he and Debbie delve into the pressing need to understand the ongoing assault on democracy and explain the crucial role pro-democracy Americans play in defending it. They highlight the importance of actively participating in every election, holding extremists accountable, recognizing the importance of state legislatures, and harnessing the influence of city and county officials. Join us to gain valuable insights from this timely and thought-provoking conversation and develop a personal plan to help save democracy.
Jun 22, 2023 • 37min
Judge Monique Diaz Champions Justice for Families and Survivors
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!
Jun 16, 2023 • 25min
Delegate Adrian Boafo's Public Service Agenda
In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty talks with Bowie, MD, Delegate Adrian Boafo, a dedicated advocate for community empowerment who is a leader on a wide range of policy issues, including climate change, economic opportunity, mental health, and easing medical debt. They talk about his vision for advancing these priorities and Maryland's state policy landscape, and they trace his journey as a public servant from a councilmember in his city to the legislature. Boafo explains the motivations that ignited his passion for making a difference in the lives of Marylanders and the defining moments that have shaped his journey. Tune in to learn more about lessons Boafo has discovered from his diverse experiences, his accomplishments so far, and what's next in his mission to create positive change for Maryland.
Jun 8, 2023 • 35min
Delaware Representative Krista Griffith on Healthcare, Data Privacy and Turning Adversity Into Action
In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty talks with North Wilmington, DE, Representative Krista Griffith. They discuss her key areas of legislative focus, such as expanding health care coverage for undocumented children and enacting more comprehensive data privacy laws for better consumer control over personal information. They also explore another pressing area of need: Delaware's attempts to reduce gun violence, which have included legislation for firearm permits, restrictions in certain locations like polling places and schools, and secure storage requirements. Tune in to learn more about Representative Griffith and how her son's leukemia diagnosis changed the course of her life.
Jun 1, 2023 • 25min
Mayor Luke Bronin on Hartford's Comeback
In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty engages in a captivating conversation with Mayor Luke Bronin of Hartford, CT about taking over a city experiencing its worst ever financial crisis and the incredible journey that brought Bronin to that point. A Rhodes Scholar, former Navy Reservist, and Yale Law School grad, Bronin brings a wealth of experience to his role, including a stint as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes in the U.S. Department of the Treasury during the Obama Administration. Now in his second and final term as Mayor of Hartford, Bronin has played a pivotal role in revitalizing the city from the brink of bankruptcy, implementing post-pandemic economic strategies, and spearheading award-winning initiatives such as the Youth Service Corps. Tune into this engaging conversation to hear Mayor Bronin's insights on reducing gun violence and his exciting vision for the future.
May 25, 2023 • 28min
Councilmember Colin Parent on Housing, Transportation, and Public Policy
In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with La Mesa, CA Councilmember, and California State Assembly candidate Colin Parent. A prominent figure in housing, transportation, and environmental advocacy in Southern California, Parent shares insights from both his experience in local government and as Executive Director and General Counsel at Circulate San Diego, a nonprofit organization focused on improving urban mobility and creating vibrant neighborhoods. He also discusses his career journey, transitioning from state government to city government, and why he is pursuing state legislative office now. The conversation delves into the intricate relationship between housing and transportation, along with the policies and politics surrounding these issues. Join us to discover how Parent's passion for policy originated at a young age and how his drive to unite diverse perspectives for impactful change carries on to this day.
