Building the Bench

Glass House Media™
  • 4.7 (14)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Political interviews too often sound rehearsed and over-managed. Building the Bench breaks the mold. Each week, host Matt Staab sits down with the next generation of Democratic leaders for candid conversations about the experiences that shaped them, the mistakes that grounded them, and the ideas they’re eager to test in the years ahead. It’s a chance to see the people behind the podiums — and imagine the future of American politics with them leading the charge. Production/Film Location: Switch & Board Podcast Studio, Washington, D.C.

  1. 1D AGO

    Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández Takes Us Inside the Fight to Release the Epstein Files

    Millions of Epstein documents are now public. Millions more remain unreleased. Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández, chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, joins Building the Bench to explain how disclosure was forced, why resistance inside Congress lasted as long as it did, and what finally made delay unsustainable. She also describes how the Democratic Women’s Caucus has pushed healthcare, caregiving, and women’s health higher on the party’s agenda by keeping those issues on the floor and out of committee limbo. NOTE: This episode was recorded prior to last week’s release of Epstein documents.

    50 min

  2. JAN 19

    NAACP President Derrick Johnson Says the Most Important Political Battles Are Taking Shape Long Before We Vote

    The vanguard of the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization shines a light on modern voter suppression and how democracy is quietly being reworked outside of public view.

    27 min

  3. 12/14/2025

    Rep. Summer Lee on the Fight For ACA Subsidies, AI Guardrails, and Why Republicans Keep Dodging Accountability

    Congresswoman Summer Lee returns for a Building the Bench bonus episode to unpack a turbulent week in Washington. Lee discusses the ongoing Republican paralysis in the House, the approaching expiration of Affordable Care Act tax credits, and why temporary health care extensions leave families one step from losing coverage. She also reflects on recent Democratic electoral momentum and why it will only last if Democrats earn trust with clear priorities and real proposals. The episode also covers Lee’s new AI Civil Rights Act and the growing risk of algorithmic discrimination as artificial intelligence is used to make life-changing decisions without guardrails.

    29 min

  4. 12/08/2025

    Rep. Sarah Elfreth on Finding Her Political Voice at 19 and How it Landed Her in Congress

    Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth joins Building the Bench to trace the path from her first experience testifying before lawmakers at nineteen to becoming the youngest woman ever elected to the Maryland Senate. She talks about learning politics from inside Congressional icon Steny Hoyer’s office as an intern, developing a reputation for preparation and follow-through, and how those habits shape her work now as a new member in Congress.

    48 min

  5. 11/18/2025

    Rep. Summer Lee on Speaking Plainly in Congress and Why Big Money Distorts Democracy

    Rep. Summer Lee opens up about her upbringing in Western Pennsylvania, the pressures new members face inside Congress, and how big money shapes what gets attention in Washington. She reflects on changing representation in Congress and what it takes to stay rooted in the community that sent her there.

    50 min

  6. 11/11/2025

    Rep. George Whitesides on Outer Space, Innovation, and "Getting Sh*t Done"

    From space exploration to Congress, Whitesides shares how curiosity, empathy, and mission-driven leadership guide his work in Washington.

    40 min

  7. 11/02/2025

    BONUS Ep: Rep. Delia Ramirez on ICE Raids and a City That is Fighting Back

    Ramirez joins me to discuss the ICE raids upending families and neighborhoods, the grassroots networks stepping up in their wake, and why the real test of democracy is how people respond when government fails to protect them.

    30 min

  8. 10/30/2025

    BONUS Ep: Rep. George Whitesides on the Moral Cost of the Shutdown

    As the shutdown drags into its fifth week, Whitesides joins me to talk about the GOP using hunger as political leverage, the impact of Trump's attacks on science, and why hope still matters.

    26 min
See All (13)

4.7
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Political interviews too often sound rehearsed and over-managed. Building the Bench breaks the mold. Each week, host Matt Staab sits down with the next generation of Democratic leaders for candid conversations about the experiences that shaped them, the mistakes that grounded them, and the ideas they’re eager to test in the years ahead. It’s a chance to see the people behind the podiums — and imagine the future of American politics with them leading the charge. Production/Film Location: Switch & Board Podcast Studio, Washington, D.C.

Information

  • Creator
    Glass House Media™
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Glass House Media™
  • Show Website
    Building the Bench