An Honorable Profession

In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Wyoming House Democratic Leader Mike Yin. They discuss how his district includes Jackson Hole -- one of the most beautiful and wealthiest places in the world, sitting alongside Grand Teton National Park. But beneath that natural beauty are serious challenges, from growing income inequality to limited access to affordable housing and healthcare. The conversation covers what it means to represent a community facing those realities while serving in one of the most Republican states in the country. Yin shares how he works across the aisle to build support for legislation that improves healthcare access, addresses housing affordability, and responds to local communities' needs. They also talk about Yin's path to elected office and the challenge of balancing public service with a full-time career, and his experience as the first Chinese American legislator in Wyoming history. Tune in to learn about governing across divides and finding ways to create change where it matters most. IN THIS EPISODE: • [01:04] Introducing Wyoming State Representative Mike Yin and the community he serves. • [02:41] Governing in a legislature where Democrats hold only a small minority. • [03:50] Building bipartisan coalitions to advance healthcare and infrastructure policy. • [08:13] The state of healthcare access and rural healthcare funding in Wyoming. • [10:36] Addressing housing affordability and inequality in one of America's wealthiest regions. • [13:33] Balancing legislative service with a full-time career as a software developer. • [15:29] Advice for governing effectively and finding common ground in red states. • [16:43] The realities of balancing legislative service, full-time work, and private life. • [18:41] Why Mike sees opportunities for Democrats to gain ground in Wyoming. • [19:35] What being Wyoming's first Chinese American legislator means to him. • [21:33] Why Mike remains focused on local leadership and serving his community.

In this week's episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Jason Altmire and Riley Burr, authors of the recently published book, Trade Up: Why the Future Belongs to Skilled Trades and How Career Education is Transforming the Workforce. Their conversation touches on how skilled workers will help power the infrastructure of the AI revolution, and what is keeping people from accessing trade schools and alternative career paths that can provide immense opportunities in today's economy. Tune in to learn more about the future of skilled trades. Links Mentioned in Today's Episode: career.org tradeupbook.com IN TODAY'S EPISODE: • [01:30] An introduction to today's guests and topic of discussion. • [02:50] Defining the problem: the gap between jobs and skills. • [05:12] Riley unpacks the scope of the skills gap. • [06:30] How AI is impacting the issue and their thoughts on what might happen in the future. • [11:20] They pinpoint the barriers to getting more kids onto the trades-career path. • [13:40] What students might experience if they pursue an education at a trade school. • [17:00] They discuss other paths that exist to close the gap, like apprenticeships. • [21:00] What we can learn from Switzerland regarding apprenticeships. • [22:30] The role trade unions play. • [23:00] What policymakers can do to create more access and opportunities for trade education. • [27:47] How policymakers can respond to what Gen Z wants. • [29:20] Concluding thoughts from our guests on today's topic of conversation.

In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonery speaks with Lawrenceburg, IN Councilmember Dylan Liddle to discuss his city and its unique financial structure, and how the city has changed over the last year. They also discuss his upbringing and how his parent's addiction shapes his decisions, what it's like to be the only Democrat on a Republican council, and the best, worst, and most surprising parts of being elected to local government. The conversation covers Liddle's policy priorities and what other local governments can learn from those policies. Tune in to hear some words of wisdom for anyone who wants to run for local office. IN THIS EPISODE: • [01:46] A little bit about Lawrenceburg and how it's changed in the last year. • [04:03] Dylan's focus on affordability and the success he's had in that area. • [06:48] His journey to public office and how his upbringing has affected his decisions. • [09:49] How he balances the demands of a political career with everyday life. • [13:09] Why Dylan decided to take the more difficult path of being a Democrat. • [15:01] What he thinks the Democratic Party can do to support more wins in smaller areas. • [16:53] Dylan shares some advice for anyone wanting to run for local office. • [18:12] What's surprised him about his new role and the best and worst parts. • [20:02] How our guest sets his agenda and decides what he will focus on in terms of policy. • [26:24] What's happening politically in Lawrenceburg and how National politics impacts that.

In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Iowa State Senator Matt Blake about how he approaches the role of being a Democratic leader in a red state that has swung hard toward Donald Trump's Republican Party. Their conversation delves into Blake's path to public office, the impact his military experience has had on his career, his current policy focus, and how he makes progress for his constituents in a legislature that is often focused on priorities that are very different than his own. Tune in to also learn how Senator Blake balances his professional and personal life. IN THIS EPISODE: [01:09] Introducing today's guest, Senator Matt Blake. [02:09] The current political landscape of his state, Iowa. [07:10] A brief overview of Senator Blake's path to public service and career. [11:56] How his military experience informs his policy-making and approach to politics. [14:33] Senator Blake shares some advice for veterans entering public life. [16:47] What he's working on now and how he's trying to serve his constituents and his state. [21:13] His approach to bipartisanship and how he makes decisions and compromises. [23:55] How Senator Blake uses his legal experience to help seniors with their concerns. [26:48] Navigating work and personal life, and how he keeps everything running smoothly.

In this week's episode, Raleigh, NC, Mayor Janet Cowell joins us from the NewDEAL Forum Ideas Summit to discuss her approach to leading one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. The conversation digs into housing supply needs and affordability, as well as her data-driven approach to public safety and traffic safety. The conversation also covers her path into public service, from her career as a Councilwoman to serving as State Senator, then becoming the first state-wide female Treasurer of the State, and now, Mayor. They talk about the value of collaboration in delivering results and why she compares being an elected official to living in Technicolor. Tune in to Mayor Cowell's pro tips for experiencing the best of Raleigh, and her definition of what a successful Democrat looks like today. IN THIS EPISODE: • [01:03] Raleigh, North Carolina, Mayor Janet Cowell's leadership in a fast-growing state. • [03:34] How she is effectively working to support affordable housing in her state. • [08:43] Law enforcement, youth empowerment, and data-driven resource allocation. • [11:34] Her path into public service from a mission and values-driven childhood to politics. • [12:47] Engaging the people of North Carolina. • [15:52] What prompted her to run for mayor, and how she describes life in public service. • [18:01] Her success as the first statewide woman treasurer of North Carolina. • [23:25] Highlights you can't afford to miss in Raleigh. • [24:57] How Mayor Cowell came to land in her state. • [26:19] What a successful democrat looks like in North Carolina in 2026.

In this week's episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert -- the first woman and person of color to hold this office in a fast-growing city. Ramos-Hebert details her path to elected office and how she engages with her constituents to make them feel heard. Amid national concerns about housing costs and barriers to building, she describes"The New Rochelle" model for promoting smart development and talks about how being pro-housing has helped her city. Additionally, the Mayor explains how funding for projects has been impacted by the passage of the One, Big Beautiful Bill and how she is navigating the support of immigrants in light of recent ICE incidents. Tune in to learn what she thinks her 16-year-old self would feel about everything she has achieved so far. IN THIS EPISODE: • [01:48] Welcoming Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert to the show. • [02:24] Mayor Ramos-Herbert tells us about her city, New Rochelle. • [03:50] What 'the New Rochelle model' is and how they're avoiding displacement. • [08:16] How Pro-Housing has helped Mayor Ramos-Herbert with these developments. • [09:06] Why engagement is important and her 'Coffee with the Mayor' initiative. • [13:14] The New Rochelle rent decrease and how that proves that her model works. • [16:21] Mayor Ramos-Herbert tells us what is at the top of her constituents' minds right now. • [20:24] The funding issues she is facing at the moment because of the One, Big Beautiful Bill. • [25:29] How she is supporting immigrants in the current political climate of the USA. • [27:32] How Mayor Ramos-Herbert ended up in politics. • [33:02] What our guest believes her 16-year-old self would think of her achievements.

In this week's episode, NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Gretchen Barton, founder of Worthy Strategy Group, who uses qualitative research to uncover not just what people think but why they hold those views. Gretchen draws on images voters choose and personal stories they tell to express how they experience politics and the challenges affecting their daily lives. Barton also reflects on what Democrats can learn from the 2025 to win in 2026 and 2028, and how state and local politics can rebuild Americans' sense of agency and hope. Tune in to learn more from this insightful conversation. IN THIS EPISODE: • [01:04] An introduction to Gretchen Barton and her work with The Worthy Strategy Group. • [02:28] Barton explains her deep qualitative approach to understanding public sentiment. • [04:02] The images Americans use to express feeling crushed, unseen, and overwhelmed. • [05:34] What voters now expect from leaders: strength, efficacy, and visible results. • [07:21] How Democrats can show strength without slipping into paternalism. • [10:17] The role of community action in restoring agency and hope. • [11:24] Guidance for Democrats heading into 2026 and 2028. • [14:55] Why authenticity matters and how voters judge leaders' intentions. • [18:17] How leaders can communicate care and make their work visible while governing.