The Forward Party Podcast

On this episode of The Forward Party Podcast, hosts Lindsey Williams Drath, Governor Christine Todd Whitman, and Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey take on a question that sits at the center of today’s political conversation: How are political identity and media shaping the way Americans think, vote, and imagine what comes next?Politics once felt more predictable. Party affiliation was often inherited through family, geography, or tradition. Today, identity is shaped by a much broader mix of influences—media consumption, community, trust, lived experience, and how people interpret the world around them. As more Americans identify as politically independent, this conversation explores whether the country is entering a new era of political participation.Joining the conversation is John Avlon, journalist, political analyst, and host of How to Fix It, who brings historical context and practical perspective to questions around institutional reform, polarization, and the growing appetite for alternatives to the traditional two-party structure.The discussion opens with a look at governing norms and whether longstanding mechanisms like the filibuster still serve their intended purpose. Rather than framing reform as demolition, the conversation explores what meaningful changes could look like while preserving checks and balances that protect democratic systems.From there, the conversation expands into one of the defining political shifts of this generation: the rise of independent voters. With nearly half of Americans now identifying outside the two major parties, the group explores whether independent candidates offer something many voters are actively searching for—an off-ramp from polarization and permission to think beyond inherited political labels.John Avlon shares insight into:The growth of independent political identity across AmericaWhy fusion voting and alternative coalition building matterWhat history teaches us about successful independent candidatesHow hyperpartisanship affects governance and public trustWhy restoring civics education could strengthen democracyThe conversation also examines where independent candidates may be most viable—from executive leadership positions to congressional races—and why geography, political culture, and voter psychology all shape outcomes.In the second half of the episode, the focus turns toward media, storytelling, and public trust with special guest Khalil Ekulona, former NPR host and community storyteller.Together, the hosts and Khalil explore how media has changed over the last two decades and what those changes mean for democracy. They challenge the idea that data alone tells the full story and argue that listening to lived experiences creates a deeper understanding of public issues.This discussion moves beyond headlines and asks bigger questions:Are media organizations creating space for complexity?What happens when local journalism disappears?How do communities rebuild trust in information?Can storytelling close the imagination gap around political reform?What role should philanthropy and civic leadership play?Khalil Ekulona makes the case that every American carries a different version of the country in their own experience—and that meaningful progress requires hearing those stories rather than reducing people to categories.The conversation also takes an honest look at the collapse of local news ecosystems, shrinking editorial coverage, and whether emerging tools and new models can help reconnect communities to local government and civic participation.Whether you’re politically independent, deeply engaged in civic life, interested in media trends, or simply looking for more thoughtful conversations about the future of American democracy, this episode offers a grounded and wide-ranging discussion on where the country is headed.