A Couple Thinks Podcast

Lisa & Aaron try to make sense of a messy world

Think along with Lisa and Aaron, as we try to make sense of a messy world—with clarity, compassion, and a dash of humor. acouplethinks.substack.com

  1. Aug 4

    Less Podcasting; More Doing

    In this episode of A Couple Thinks, we have a little news of our own: we’re taking a break from our weekly podcast schedule for the next few months. After a lovely birthday getaway — complete with Bodega Bay, a Point Reyes cheese tasting, Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! and, surprisingly, a birthday dinner at In-N-Out — we spent some time thinking about how we want to use our time between now and the November midterms. And we decided we want a little more of it available for doing. We may pop back into your podcast feed when there’s something we really want to talk about. But in the meantime, we’re freeing up our weekends for canvassing, conversations, voter outreach, and whatever other actions capture our attention for midterms impact. Here are a few of the things we’ll be doing and we hope you do a few as well! Find an action through Mobilize.Visit Mobilize.us to find volunteer opportunities, trainings and events happening virtually and near you. The League of Women Voters is holding its Unite and Rise National Day of Action for Voting Rights on August 8, and Indivisible has launched its Hands Off Our Vote election protection effort. Make some calls.5Calls.org continues to make it easy to find timely issues, contact your representatives and even get a script for what to say. Write some postcards.Postcards to Voters is gearing up for election season, including campaigns for down-ballot races like local school boards — a reminder that those local elections matter, too. Make your political donations count.Oath.vote helps identify competitive races where additional dollars may have an outsized impact. Shop small and local.Because civic engagement isn’t only about elections. Where we spend our money matters, too. Most importantly, pick something. As Aaron says in this episode, if each of us does just one thing to help before the midterms, that adds up to an enormous number of things. And We’ll Still Be Around This isn’t goodbye. You can find all of our previous episodes, transcripts, show notes, and resources right here on Substack. Subscribe for free, and you’ll get an email whenever we can’t resist sharing our two cents and drop a new episode. And if there’s a topic you think is worth breaking our hiatus for, email us at hello@acouplethinks.com. You can also take our listener survey at survey.acouplethinks.com. Mostly, though, thank you. Thank you for listening, sharing the podcast, sending us notes, supporting the Substack, and thinking through this messy world alongside us for the past year and a half. We’ll be back in your ears. Until then, we’ll be out there doing our part. We hope you’ll find your one thing, too. Get full access to A Couple Thinks at acouplethinks.substack.com/subscribe

    Less Podcasting; More Doing

  2. Jul 28

    Ground Truth

    Most political campaigns wait until the last few months before Election Day to remind only their most likely supporters to vote for them. It’s an efficient strategy, but it also means millions of people never get a knock on the door or a meaningful conversation. In this week’s episode, we explore Ground Truth, a nationwide voter listening project from Swing Left that’s trying something different. Instead of persuading, volunteers begin by listening. After more than 10,000 conversations with voters, including many who traditional Democratic campaigns would have skipped, the project has uncovered some surprising insights. We do a deep dive on the report they realized with their findings from their efforts since their launch in January including: * Why traditional campaign canvassing often overlooks persuadable voters. * What volunteers learned from registered Republicans, independents, and infrequent voters. * Why concerns about character, civility, and authoritarianism matter just as much as the economy for many voters. * How campaigns can use real conversations—not assumptions—to improve both their outreach and their messaging. * Why volunteers describe these conversations as one of the most rewarding forms of political engagement they’ve experienced. One of the biggest takeaways for us is that people are more complicated than their voter registration suggests. A registered Republican may have voted for Obama, Biden, and Harris. Another may be deeply concerned about rising prices but open to supporting the right Democratic candidate. Those nuances never show up if no one takes the time to ask. The information collected can now be shared with campaigns, and they can now knock on more doors and be prepared with accurate messaging for their districts. Whether or not you’re interested in volunteering, we think there’s a broader lesson here. In an era where politics often feels like people talking past one another, genuine curiosity may be one of the most effective, and hopeful tools we have. Resources Mentioned * The Full Report * Ground Truth (Swing Left) * Five Calls * Oath.vote * Mobilize to search for Swing Left volunteer events * A Couple Thinks survey * Email us: hello@acouplethinks.com Listen for all of the above and our joyful moments too! As always, we’d love to hear what you think. Have you ever canvassed, volunteered, or had a political conversation that changed your perspective? Get full access to A Couple Thinks at acouplethinks.substack.com/subscribe

    Ground Truth

  3. Jul 21

    We Got This

    From protest season to election season. We’re now just over 100 days from the midterm elections, and we’ve got work to do, but we believe if we do the work, ‘we got this!’ For months we’ve talked about calling elected officials, showing up at protests, building local community, and protecting democratic institutions. Those efforts still matter, but this is the moment when our focus begins to shift toward winning elections. This week we start our discussion with Donald Trump’s renewed attacks on election integrity, which aren’t really about relitigating 2020. They’re about laying the groundwork to cast doubt on any Democratic victories this November. Rather than getting pulled into that narrative, we explore why the best response is simple: win by margins that are too large to ignore. We also talk about why history gives us reasons for optimism. Midterm elections have often served as a correction to the party in power, and early indicators suggest that many competitive races are moving in Democrats’ favor. While nothing is guaranteed, there are genuine reasons to believe that engaged voters can make a meaningful difference. We also spend time separating actionable information from the endless stream of political speculation. Fear and worst-case scenarios may generate clicks, but they rarely help us decide what to do next. Instead, we focus on practical ways to get involved now—from organizations like Swing Left and Oath.vote to local volunteer opportunities that can help strengthen democracy in communities across the country. Finally, we remind ourselves why we started A Couple Thinks in the first place: not to amplify every alarming headline, but to help distinguish between noise and action. Democracy isn’t strengthened by doom-scrolling. It’s strengthened by ordinary people deciding to participate. As always, we close with our joyful moments of the week, including a handmade birthday card, reflections on creativity through The Artist’s Way, and a reminder from Rotary that lasting impact is built one act of service at a time. Resources mentioned in this episode * Swing Left – Volunteer opportunities, letter writing, canvassing, and strategic races * Oath.vote – Data-driven recommendations for high-impact political donations * Democracy Is a Verb ( Michelle LaBanca ) – Commentary on civic engagement and election processes * A Couple Thinks Survey and email The next 100 days matter. We hope you’ll join us—not just by listening, but by taking one small action that helps move democracy forward. Get full access to A Couple Thinks at acouplethinks.substack.com/subscribe

    We Got This

  4. Jul 14

    The Maine Story

    In this episode of A Couple Thinks, we take a closer look at the unfolding Maine Senate race—not just because Susan Collins’ seat could determine control of the U.S. Senate, but because the story raises much bigger questions about how political parties recruit, vet, and elevate candidates. We begin by exploring why Maine has long been viewed as one of Democrats’ best opportunities to flip a Republican-held Senate seat. Susan Collins has built her reputation as a moderate willing to break with her party, yet many voters now see a pattern of expressing “concern” while ultimately enabling the Republican agenda through key votes, including Supreme Court confirmations that reshaped the country for decades. From there, we unpack how Democrats arrived at the current moment. We discuss the establishment’s early push behind Governor Janet Mills, the rapid rise of Graham Platner, the troubling allegations and warning signs that emerged throughout his campaign, and the questions that many are now asking about whether proper vetting ever took place. We also examine what this says about political consultants, party insiders, and the tension between grassroots voters and party leadership. [Here’s the link to the Wall Street Journal interview with the consultants that we mention in the podcast.] Along the way, we reflect on a larger issue that extends far beyond Maine: Should charisma and electability outweigh character and judgment? Or have we reached a point where political teams have become so focused on winning that they sometimes forget to ask whether a candidate should be running in the first place? Fortunately, Maine Democrats now have another opportunity to choose a nominee. We’re hopeful they’ll select someone with experience, integrity, and a genuine connection to the people they’ll represent. As always, we’ll continue following the race and talk about meaningful ways people across the country can help once a nominee is chosen. We also close the episode with practical ways to stay engaged locally—including opportunities through Mobilize, Five Calls, Oath.vote, Postcards to Voters, and Jess Craven of Chop Wood Carry Water—as well as a few quieter joyful moments from our week, including morning pages from The Artist’s Way, a visit to Berkeley’s Curiosity Shop, and the excitement of preparing a new catio for Tucci. Thanks for listening, and as always, we’d love to hear from you. You can reach us at hello@acouplethinks.com, and if you haven’t already, we’d appreciate your feedback through our listener survey at survey.acouplethinks.com. Get full access to A Couple Thinks at acouplethinks.substack.com/subscribe

    The Maine Story

  5. Jul 7

    America Is Not a Finished Product

    After a Fourth of July weekend that felt more reflective than celebratory, we found ourselves still struggling with the state of our country in this moment. In this week’s episode, we step back from the daily headlines and take a much longer view of American history. At 250 years old, the United States is still a relatively young nation, and every generation has faced moments that felt overwhelming—from the Civil War and the Great Depression to the Civil Rights Movement and today. What gives us hope is remembering that the America we enjoy today exists because ordinary people refused to accept yesterday’s version of America. They organized, protested, voted, volunteered, and insisted that the country become a little more just than it was before. We also wrestle with questions many people are asking today: * Is it ever okay to leave a country that’s moving in the wrong direction? * What responsibilities do those of us with privilege have? * How do we balance protecting ourselves with caring for others? * What does real patriotism look like beyond flags and slogans? Along the way, we share two Jewish teachings that have helped shape our own thinking: “It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.” and “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when?” Ultimately, we come back to a simple idea: Our job isn’t to perfect democracy. Our job is to leave it better than we found it. As always, we close with practical ways to get involved—from local organizing and ranked-choice voting efforts to calling your representatives and supporting your community—and, of course, our joyful moments from the week. Resources Mentioned * Mobilize — Find volunteer opportunities and events near you. * Chop Wood, Carry Water ( Chop Wood, Carry Water on Substack) — Daily civic action ideas. * Five Calls — Easy scripts for contacting your elected officials. * Postcards to Voters — Volunteer opportunities supporting voter turnout. * Oath.vote — Information about supporting democracy-focused candidates. * Survey: survey.acouplethinks.com * Email us: hello@acouplethinks.com If this conversation resonates with you, we’d love for you to subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and let us know your thoughts. We’d especially love to hear what patriotism means to you in this moment. Get full access to A Couple Thinks at acouplethinks.substack.com/subscribe

    America Is Not a Finished Product

  6. Jun 30

    America at 250

    America turns 250 this week. That milestone feels complicated. Like many people, we’ve been wrestling with what it means to celebrate our country at a moment when so many of us are concerned about its direction. Is it still possible to feel patriotic while we criticize our country and ask it to deliver on its promise? And what does celebrating the Fourth of July look like when the national conversation feels so divided? In this episode, we explore the important distinctions between patriotism, nationalism, and jingoism. We share a story about military service and free speech that perfectly captures what we believe patriotism is really about: defending the rights of fellow Americans, even when we disagree with them. We also reflect on how our own relationship with Independence Day has evolved over the years, from childhood fireworks and bicentennial celebrations to today’s more complicated emotions. Along the way, we find unexpected reasons for hope—from the spirit of the World Cup to the idea that meaningful change often unfolds over generations rather than election cycles. Our biggest takeaway? The future is built through hope and everyday actions, whether that’s volunteering, making calls, writing postcards, supporting local businesses, or simply staying engaged in your community. The America we want to celebrate tomorrow depends on what we choose to do today. As always, we wrap up with our Joyful Moments, including family birthdays, out latest home improvement project finally nearing completion, and the simple joy of having our daughter home for a visit. Whether you’re spending the Fourth at a barbecue, watching fireworks, enjoying a drone show, or simply gathering with people you love, we hope you have a meaningful holiday. Happy listening—and Happy 250th, America. 🇺🇸 Get full access to A Couple Thinks at acouplethinks.substack.com/subscribe

    America at 250

  7. Jun 23

    Hope v. Grievance

    In this episode, we explore two very different visions for America: one rooted in hope, community, and shared purpose, and another fueled by chaos, division, and blame. The contrast felt especially sharp this week, from the uplifting celebrations in New York and the opening of the Obama Center to the ongoing turmoil and spectacle coming out of Washington. We discuss why hope is more than just a feeling—it’s a leadership strategy. Drawing on George Lakoff’s “nurturing parent” versus “strict father” framework, we examine how leaders shape behavior through the expectations they set and whether people thrive more when they’re trusted and empowered rather than controlled and punished. We also tackle the question of whether Americans are truly as divided as we’re often told. While politicians and media outlets frequently amplify conflict, we argue that most people share many of the same hopes: safe communities, economic opportunity, affordable healthcare, and a better future for their families. Along the way, we talk about comedian Josh Johnson’s “button” analogy—the idea that leaders often have the power to improve people’s lives but choose not to use it—and why leaders like Zohran Mamdani have captured attention by focusing so directly on what constituents need and want. Finally, we share practical ways listeners can get involved, from local action opportunities to strategic political engagement, and wrap up with joyful moments that include a family graduation, a comedy show, the Novato Art & Wine Festival, and the near-completion of our long-awaited front porch project. Resources Mentioned * Mamdani’s Speech (edited w/ game video) * Mobilize.us * Oath.vote Brian Derrick * Five Calls * Postcards to Voters * Chop Wood, Carry Water * survey.acouplethinks.com * hello@acouplethinks.com Get full access to A Couple Thinks at acouplethinks.substack.com/subscribe

    Hope v. Grievance

  8. Jun 16

    Reprise: Where It All Began

    In this episode from May of 2025, we take a step back from the chaos of current events and trace our personal paths through politics and activism, from childhood memories to adulthood engagement. If you didn’t catch it the first time around and want to get to know a little bit about each of us and how we found our way to our passion for politics and activism, take a listen! We’ll be back next week with a new episode! Get full access to A Couple Thinks at acouplethinks.substack.com/subscribe

    Reprise: Where It All Began
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Think along with Lisa and Aaron, as we try to make sense of a messy world—with clarity, compassion, and a dash of humor. acouplethinks.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Lisa & Aaron try to make sense of a messy world
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    83
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © A Couple Thinks
  • Show Website
    A Couple Thinks Podcast