An Honorable Profession The NewDEAL

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.

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.

In our latest episode, released during Infrastructure Week, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan talks with Mary Ellen Wiederwohl, President and CEO of Accelerator for America, about her hopes for a transformation of American infrastructure amid major federal investments. A former leader in local government who is passionate about working on the country’s most complicated problems, Mary Ellen digs into the keys to smart implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including by state and local officials, and how they will determine whether BIL investments reach their potential to revitalize communities. She highlights essential infrastructure projects around the country as she and Debbie talk about how the historic legislation will impact where people live and hopefully change people’s perception of what the government can accomplish. Tune in for an engaging conversation that shows why this Infrastructure Week is a moment to celebrate America's capacity to accomplish big things.

In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty talks with Eboo Patel, Founder and CEO of Interfaith America and the author of the book "We Need to Build: Field Notes for a Diverse Democracy." The conversation focuses on the importance of interfaith efforts to reduce dangerous nationalism and strengthen civic life in America. They discuss what it means to create an interfaith movement in America, the differences between white Christian nationalism and other faith movements, and the role of faith in a Democracy. Eboo also connects the decline in religious participation with negative outcomes for civic infrastructure and social service. Tune in to hear Eboo discuss his work with President Obama's Inaugural Faith Counsel and his path to service.

In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonety talks with Cedar Rapids, IA, Councilmember Ashley Vanorny. Ashley brings a unique perspective to city government due to her professional background in healthcare. She discusses how her experience has informed her holistic approach to city affairs and shares current municipal initiatives in Cedar Rapids, including policies driven by public health concerns. Despite being the second youngest-ever City Councilmember, Ashley manages her leadership role while challenging prejudices based on her age and gender. She also talks about efforts to improve housing and inclusion in the city. Tune in to hear more about Ashley's work to make Cedar Rapids a more equitable and connected city.

In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan talks with Mike Schmuhl, who serves as the chair of the Indiana Democratic Party. Schmuhl, who started his career at the Washington Post, recounts his shift to politics to work on campaigns for Congressman Joe Donnelly and NewDEAL Alumnus Pete Buttigieg. He and Debbie also discuss Indiana's political shift to the right over the past two decades and the strategies that Democrats should use to achieve success in the Midwest. Schmuhl shares his experience of building and running a presidential campaign and why Pete Buttigieg's message of inclusivity and belonging resonated with so many people. Tune in to hear Schmuhl talk about the need for a positive, aspirational message, a bold economic agenda, and gun safety measures!