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
Mar 9, 2023 • 29min
Jesica Mackey on the Importance of Diverse Voices in Government
In this week's episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan talks with Richland County, SC Councilmember Jesica Mackey, who made history in 2020 as the youngest African American woman ever elected to the Council. They discussed her transition from local government staffer to elected office, her approach to engaging the public, the causes she's most passionate about, and why diversity is essential to find solutions for people's real problems. Tune in to also learn more about South Carolina's evolving role in the presidential nominating process and the benefits of electing more women to office.
Mar 2, 2023 • 34min
School Board Partners on Leadership Development, Good Governance, Racial Equity, and Self-Care
In this week's episode, Ryan Coonerty talks with the co-founders of School Board Partners: Carrie Douglass and Ethan Ashley. Carrie and Ethan share what they have learned from working to prepare and support school board members to make systemic changes in their districts, and the keys to ending outdated and discriminatory education policies and practices. At a time of unprecedented pressure and attention on school boards, they discuss some of the biggest challenges facing school boards nationwide and their belief that, when members have the right tools and resources, they can make positive, impactful, and long-lasting changes within their districts. Tune in to learn how Carrie and Ethan got involved in school board policy, and to hear their advice on how school board members can turn crisis into opportunity.
Feb 23, 2023 • 26min
Behind the Scenes of the 118th Congress with Andy Flick
In this week's episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan talks with Andy Flick, the Executive Director of the New Democrat Coalition in the U.S. House of Representatives. They examine the current state of Congress, including immediate issues like the debate over the debt ceiling and some of the longer-term priorities of the New Democrat Coalition: immigration reform, opioids, and mental health. Andy also tells us why there might be surprising potential for consensus in this Congress. Tune in to this episode to hear how much Congress has evolved since Andy has been there, how much happens that we don't read about in the media, and the political bug that bit Andy when he was eight years old.
Feb 16, 2023 • 27min
Mayor Timothy Ragland on Workforce Development, Decreasing Violent Crime, and Community Engagement
In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty talks with Talladega, AL, Mayor Timothy Ragland, the first Black mayor of his hometown and the youngest in over a century. Ragland shares the inspiring story of overcoming challenges in his youth to reach the military and law school, and explains how he decided to return home to run for mayor. The conversation touches on how to attract new businesses and Ragland's approach to improving job opportunities for residents, including by improving access to high-speed internet in a city where nearly half of residents lacks access. They also discuss keys to decreasing violent crime and how Talladega is leaning more on the community for help. Tune in for this insightful conversation about how thoughtful community engagement leads to innovative solutions.
Feb 9, 2023 • 31min
Lauren Harper and Liam Kerr on Defending Democracy
In this week's special episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan talks to Lauren Harper and Liam Kerr, co-founders of the non-profit Welcome Party, about how to broaden the Democratic Party's tent by engaging with Independents and Republicans to protect democracy. Their latest effort, the WelcomePAC, supports candidates in "democracy districts" -- areas where Democrats can be competitive if they identify compelling candidates and communicate effectively with these voters. Lauren and Liam talk about what they have heard from these voters, what it means for the Democratic Party, and why showing empathy towards voters is crucial. Tune in for more on the Welcome Party's mission, key takeaways from the 2022 midterms, including the important role that ticket splitters will continue to play and the winnable seats Democrats left on the table, and a discussion about whether moderates really exist. Spoiler alert; they do.
Feb 2, 2023 • 28min
Rep. Blake Johnson on Having Power in the Minority and Empowering his Constituents
In this week's episode, host Ryan Coonerty talks with Indianapolis, Indiana Representative Blake Johnson. They discuss how to govern successfully in a legislative super minority, and how he has built productive relationships with colleagues with different ideologies by identifying their shared values. They discuss his work to prioritize communication between candidates and citizens by starting a podcast, Sessions, Sessions, which aims to explain in layman's terms the mechanics of how the legislature works and to empower people to participate in a dialogue with their elected officials. Tune in to get an insider's perspective on the changing political environment, and why the front of a brownie box is better than the back.
Jan 26, 2023 • 35min
What to Watch in the States with Legislative Leaders
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.
Jan 19, 2023 • 30min
Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey's Public Policy Agenda
In this week's episode, host Ryan Coonerty talks with Fairfield, CT Representative Cristin McCarthy Vahey, a long-time NewDEALer and brave public policy advocate. They discuss her work from last year's legislative session to increase housing and improve equity measures in her state, her new challenges as the co-chair of the Public Health Committee, and how her experience as a social worker informs her decisions. They also remember her colleague Quentin "Q" Williams, a fellow NewDEAL Leader who tragically passed away at the beginning of the year. Tune in for this insightful and inspirational conversation with a truly engaged public servant.
Jan 12, 2023 • 27min
Supervisor James Gore on Disaster Preparedness & Resiliency Amid California's Historic Rainfall
In this week's episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan talks with Sonoma County, CA, Supervisor James Gore. They spoke in the midst of California's historic wave of dangerous storms, reacting to the devastation across the state and addressing keys to disaster preparedness and climate resiliency -- issues that have been central to Gore's work. Gore, who serves in leadership at the National Association of Counties, also addresses the affordable housing shortage in California and what makes county government unique in the American political system. Tune in for all of this and more, including why Supervisor James Gore believes you can't have local control without local solutions and what led him to public service.
Jan 5, 2023 • 33min
Delegate Jazz Lewis' Path to the Maryland Legislature
Recorded at NewDEAL's 12th Annual Leaders Conference, this week's episode features a conversation between host Ryan Coonerty and NewDEAL Leader Maryland Delegate Jazz Lewis. They discuss how the impacts of the Great Recession led him to become a community activist and inspired him to work on issues like economic opportunity and criminal justice reform. Lewis talks about his role advising Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, one of the most influential Democrats in Congress, and the decision to run for office himself. Tune in to our first episode of 2023 for an important conversation for anyone concerned about getting good people to enter politics and for Lewis' advice to young activists who dream of inspiring change.
