Sticky Note Conversations

Erika Washington
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

To keep my thoughts in order and my to-do lists remotely manageable I create arrays of sticky notes on my desk and wall. New idea? Stick note! Someone I want to meet with? Sticky Note! Need to remember to pay a parking ticket? Write it on a sticky note. Over the course of the last year, I have wanted to create a podcast that allowed me to dive deep into conversations with interesting people.. I wanted to have real conversations that were more than sound bites or regurgitated talking points about fluffy topics. My hope is that each episode feels like old friends catching up. Revealing great information but also humanity, struggle, victory, joy, grief, and possibly, a flicker of transcendence. I hope you will enjoy these as much as I do creating them. Join me here every Saturday as I pull a new sticky note off my desk.

  1. 2d ago

    Michale Lyle - "Kamala, Joe and Donald: What Can Possibly Happen Next"

    This week on Sticky Note Conversations, we're revisiting our conversation with award-winning journalist Michael Lyle — a discussion that feels more urgent than ever. As press freedom faces unprecedented challenges, Erika and Michael dig into what it really means to be a truth-seeker in today's America. From covering the October 1 mass shooting on the Las Vegas Strip to interviewing people experiencing homelessness in 115-degree heat, Michael pulls back the curtain on the realities of journalism that movies never show — the hours of public records requests, the door-knocking anxiety, and the emotional weight of asking people in their hardest moments to tell their stories. They also dive deep into housing policy as a policy choice, why poverty is intentional, the book Invisible Child by Andrea Elliott, why AI will never replace human journalists, and what democracy really means (and whether we actually have it). Plus: dream interview bucket lists, the difference between politics and policy, and why Michael will never stop calling it Twitter. Show Notes: In This Episode (00:00) - Show Intro Teaser (00:42) - Why Press Matters (02:56) - Meet Michael Lyle (03:22) - Truth Seeker Identity (04:53) - Reading And Writing Life (07:15) - Invisible Child Deep Dive (11:32) - Becoming A Journalist (14:04) - Early Career And Recession (17:48) - Freelancing And Cameroon (19:53) - Realities Of Reporting (24:19) - Erika Journalism Origins (26:41) - Words Matter in Reporting (27:30) - Accountability in Interviews (28:08) - Hardest Interview After Tragedy (29:24) - Letting People Tell Stories (32:23) - Why AI Can’t Replace Journalists (33:38) - Falling Into Politics and Policy (37:16) - Housing and Homelessness Policy (40:02) - Poverty as a Policy Choice (41:53) - Why Politics Breaks Policy (43:49) - Do We Really Have Democracy (48:45) - Wrap Up and Where to Read (50:02) - Dream Interviews Bucket List (52:42) - Final Thanks and Sign Off Guest Michael Lyle is an award-winning journalist and reporter at Nevada Current, part of the States Newsroom network of nonprofit newsrooms filling news deserts across the country. He was named the 2011 Journalist of Merit by the Nevada Press Association. His work focuses on housing policy, homelessness, politics, and social justice issues in Nevada. 📰 Read his work: nevadacurrents.com🐦 Follow on Twitter/X: @mjlyleBooks & Resources Mentioned Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival, and Hope in America's City by Andrea ElliottEvicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew DesmondCaste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel WilkersonThe Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel WilkersonThe Meth Lunches by Kim FosterStates Newsroom — nonprofit newsroom network (statesnewsroom.com)About the Show Sticky Note Conversations is hosted and executive produced by Erika Washington. Music, mixing, and editing by Black Gypsy LLC. Special thanks to KUNV 91.5 in Las Vegas. This show is powered by Make It Work Nevada, a project of Tides Advocacy. Follow the Show Subscribe wherever you get your podcastsConnect with Make It Work Nevada at makeitworknevada.org

    Michale Lyle - "Kamala, Joe and Donald: What Can Possibly Happen Next"

  2. Sep 19

    Kelly Garrett - "Let 'Em Know"

    Kelly Garrett is back on Sticky Note Conversations for a second time, and she's not holding back. The former mayor of Lathrup Village and current mayor pro tem is now running for the Michigan House of Representatives in District 18 — and she's already cleared the primary. In this episode, Kelly sits down with host Erika Washington to talk about what drove her to run for state office after 15 years in local government, the 40–50% water bill increase devastating residents in her community, and what she'd prioritize first in Lansing: paid leave, healthcare access, and carrying forward the work of Mothering Justice. They also dig into the fractures within the Democratic Party — moderates vs. progressives, the Michigan Senate race fallout, why Black women are consistently asked to deliver votes but rarely given a seat at the top of the ticket, and whether the party truly understands what its base wants. Plus: Kelly's secret book club she's never attended, her guilty pleasure reality TV picks, the Mel Robbins "Let Them" theory, and what joy and freedom look like right now. Show Notes Guest: Kelly Garrett — Former Mayor of Lathrup Village, current Mayor Pro Tem, and Democratic candidate for Michigan House of Representatives, District 18. Director of Development for Major Gifts at Rochester Christian University. Board member of Mothering Justice and the South Oakland YMCA. Founder of the Chandler Gibson Memorial Endowed Scholarship, which has surpassed $80,000. Host: Erika Washington In This Episode: Why Kelly decided to run for State Rep instead of State Senate — and what she heard from God about where to startA breakdown of Michigan's District 18: Lathrup Village, parts of Oak Park, Farmington Hills, Farmington, and SouthfieldThe affordability crisis: rising property taxes, aging infrastructure, and a water bill increase of 40–50% that's hitting fixed-income residents hardestStepping back as mayor: why Kelly chose to step aside and what she learned from 15 years in local governmentRunning a "listening tour" campaign — door knocking, phone calls, and meeting voters where they are instead of making promises she can't keep aloneThe two-year term reality: why Kelly's next race will fall on a presidential election cycle (and why that scares her)First priorities if elected: paid leave (her "baby" from Mothering Justice), healthcare access, and carrying forward Rep. Valena Scott's Hope Zone legislationLife between home and Lansing: a one-hour-and-eight-minute commute and big plans for audiobooksDemocratic Party divisions: the Michigan Senate race between Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed, primary fallout, and "Democrats for Mike Rogers"What does it mean to be a Democrat? Is the party keeping the status quo while its base diversifies?Representation on the ticket: why Michigan's top of the ticket is devoid of Black women — and the larger pattern of Black women being asked to deliver votes but not given leadership rolesMoney in politics and whether "rule by the people" still appliesKelly's American Dream: housing, food, water, and a good-paying job for everyone — and personally, to be an effective legislator who leaves a legacy connected to her late son, ChandlerJoy is freedom: what's bringing Kelly joy right nowBooks & Media Mentioned: Let Them (also called The Let Them Theory) by Mel RobbinsYear of Yes by Shonda RhimesLessons in Chemistry by Bonnie GarmusWhere Is the Lie? (possibly Listen for the Lies by Tessa Cottinger-Irving)The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love HardinLook Closer by David EllisBilly Porter's memoir (Unprotected)Born a Crime by Trevor NoahJenifer Lewis's memoirs Credits: Hosted and produced by Erika Washington. Edited by Black Gypsy LLC. Special thanks to KUNV 91.5. Powered by Make It Work Nevada, a project of Beyond Impact. (00:00) - Podcast Intro (00:14) - Meet Kelly Garrett (03:00) - Who Is Kelly (05:48) - Why Run For House (09:44) - District 18 Breakdown (12:10) - Affordability Concerns (13:46) - Stepping Back As Mayor (17:25) - Campaign Listening Tour (21:19) - Water Bill Shock (25:54) - Making Change In Lansing (28:02) - Two Year Term Reality (32:11) - First Priorities If Elected (35:14) - Life Between Home And Lansing (37:54) - Switching To Books (38:16) - Secret Book Club Picks (39:17) - Why Memoir Audiobooks Win (40:29) - Let Them Mindset Shift (42:18) - Reality TV Escapes (44:40) - Democrats Split on Direction (47:24) - Michigan Senate Race Fallout (53:01) - What Makes a Democrat (56:31) - Representation on the Ticket (01:07:21) - Money and the Democracy Machine (01:08:51) - American Dream and Joy (01:14:09) - Closing Thanks and Invite

    Kelly Garrett - "Let 'Em Know"

  3. Sep 12

    Gerald Mayes Sr. - "Mind Ya Business"

    This week on Sticky Note Conversations, Erika Washington sits down with Gerald Mayes, Executive Director of NAACP Las Vegas Branch #1111. From growing up on the west side of Las Vegas to serving in the Marines and becoming a father at 21, Gerald shares how his personal journey shapes his approach to community leadership. They discuss rethinking Black parenting for the next generation, the NAACP's vision for bridging the gap between civil rights legacy and youth engagement, and why holding elected officials accountable requires more than just showing up to vote. Gerald breaks down Nevada's Ballot Questions 6 and 7, the importance of civic education, and what it means to build political power that reflects the full spectrum of Black life in Las Vegas — from 89106 to the affluent neighborhoods alike. Plus, details on the upcoming NAACP Food & Fun Gala luncheon and Black Campaign School with Jessica Byrd. Segments: Meet Gerald Mayes — connector, father, and community servantGrowing up in 89106: from Western High School to the MarinesFatherhood, "normal," and giving kids what wasn't given to youRethinking Black parenting: breaking the cycle of fear-based disciplineThe NAACP's vision: bridging generational gaps in civil rights workYouth programs, partnerships, and building infrastructure across organizationsWhat the Executive Director role actually does (and why the branch created it)Civic education, midterm elections, and holding officials accountable between electionsDo Black voters still have political power? A candid conversationBallot Question 6 (reproductive freedom) and Question 7 (voter ID) explainedDefining democracy — and whether we actually have itEngaging Black men in civic life: listen first, don't criticizeGerald's version of the American dream: let people liveUpcoming events: Food & Fun Gala (Oct 10) & Black Campaign School (Sept 17–19)Guest: Gerald Mayes — Executive Director, NAACP Las Vegas Branch #1111 Links & Resources: NAACP Las Vegas: naacplasvegas.orgFood & Fun Gala Luncheon — October 10 at the Culinary Academy (tickets on website)Black Campaign School with Jessica Byrd — September 17–19 (free to attend, register on website)Host: Erika Washington Produced by: Erika Washington Edited by: Black Gypsy LLC Special thanks to: KUNV 91.5 Powered by: Make It Work Nevada, a project of Beyond Impact (00:00) - Gerald Mayes Sr. - "Mind Ya Business" (00:05) - Show Intro (01:29) - Meet Gerald Mays (02:56) - Fatherhood and Roots (05:41) - What Normal Means (08:26) - Parenting Young Adults (14:27) - Rethinking Black Parenting (17:09) - NAACP Vision Today (20:20) - Youth Programs and Partnerships (23:49) - Executive Director Role (26:46) - Civic Education and Midterms (30:56) - Accountability Beyond Voting (35:10) - Black Political Power (43:28) - Ballot Questions 6 and 7 (46:47) - Defining Democracy (48:22) - Engaging Black Men (51:33) - American Dream Reimagined (54:10) - Events and Closing

    Gerald Mayes Sr. - "Mind Ya Business"

  4. Sep 5

    Kamilah Bywaters - "Lesson Learned"

    In this episode of Sticky Note Conversations, host Erika Washington sits down with Kamilah Bywaters, a Las Vegas native, educator, and community leader running for Nevada Assembly District 2. Kamilah shares her journey from special education teacher to political candidate, discussing the systemic challenges plaguing the Clark County School District, the workplace politics that drive good teachers out of the profession, and why she decided to run for office again after a painful loss in her 2024 school board campaign. The conversation covers education equity, the state of democracy, voter priorities in District 2, and Kamilah's vision for representing her community in Carson City. Show Notes Episode Title: Sticky Note Conversations — Kamilah Byrates on Education, Equity, and Running for Assembly District 2 Host: Erika Washington Guest: Kamilah Bywaters — Candidate for Nevada Assembly District 2; licensed special education teacher, PhD candidate at UNLV, co-chair of the Las Vegas Alliance of Black School Educators Duration: ~60 minutes (00:00) - Show Cold Open (00:43) - Welcome and Midterms (01:20) - Meet Kamilah Bywaters (02:42) - Conversations Not Interviews (03:29) - Who Is Kamilah (05:30) - Why Education and Special Ed (07:33) - New Teacher Hazing (10:20) - Workplace Politics Explained (17:27) - Tattle Phone Break (18:20) - CCSD Problems and Equity (20:20) - Power Blocks School Reform (24:53) - Why Keep People Down (29:58) - Lessons From Campaigning (31:05) - Words And Censorship (31:51) - Campaign Loss Lessons (33:35) - Thick Skin Strategy (35:38) - Why Run Again (39:28) - District Two Map (40:55) - Voter Priorities Issues (43:15) - Costs Economy Pressure (44:41) - Governing Approach Limits (47:09) - Bills Caucus Reality (52:08) - Democracy And Dream (56:05) - Pitch To District Two (58:10) - Closing Thanks Credits

    Kamilah Bywaters - "Lesson Learned"

  5. Aug 29

    Reuben D'Silva- "History Has It's Eye On You"

    Episode Description: Assembly member Reuben D'Silva (District 28 — East Side & North Las Vegas) joins Sticky Note Conversations for a wide-ranging discussion about his dual life as a public school teacher and state legislator. Reuben shares stories from 14 years in the classroom at Rancho High School, his path from immigrant kid to Yale graduate to elected official, and why he believes the Democratic Party needs to deliver more than just resistance. We dig into the 2025 legislative session — including the daily room cleaning bill and the failed film tax credit — student walkouts over ICE detentions, the Moms for Liberty attack that backfired, and what bills he's already filing for 2027. Plus: what democracy means today, whether the American Dream is still alive, and how Reuben defines the middle class on a teacher's salary. Show Notes: Guest: Assemblymember Reuben D'Silva, Nevada State Assembly, District 28 (East Side & North Las Vegas) Host: Erika Washington In this episode: Introduction — Cold open and welcomeMeet Assemblymember Reuben D'Silva — Erika introduces Reuben's background: Nevada Assembly since 2023, Education/Government Affairs/Revenue committees, veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and longtime community activistLife as an Educator at Rancho High — Reuben on teaching at his alma mater for 14 years, following in his mother's footsteps, and why being a teacher is his core identityTeacher Pay & Education Policy — Reuben's experience starting at $34,000/year with two Ivy League master's degrees, the bureaucracy driving great teachers out of public education, and what policy changes could attract and retain the bestStudent Engagement & Immigration Issues — How students at Rancho are affected by ICE crackdowns, the walkouts that followed a parent's detention outside the school, and how Congressman Ro Khanna stepped in to hold a town hall with studentsThe Walkout & Moms for Liberty — Reuben's viral video supporting his students' right to protest, the national backlash from Moms for Liberty, and why he pushed back hardPath to Politics — From immigrant kid with no papers to student government leader at Rancho, the Hispanic Student Union, and the mentors who shaped his political awakeningRunning for Congress — Reuben's two Congressional runs (2016 as an independent, 2018 as a Democrat), his Bernie Sanders-inspired progressive platform, and what he learned from losingThe Future of the Democratic Party — Why resistance isn't enough, the case for Medicare for All, paid family leave, and economic populism, and how the party can reconnect with working votersLegislative Session: Room Cleaning & Film Tax — Inside the daily room cleaning bill fight, why Reuben polled his district before voting, and the missed opportunity of the film tax credit bill that lost by one Senate voteBalancing Teaching & Legislature — The reality of Nevada's biennial session: unpaid leave, no benefits, finding long-term subs, and the case for a full-time legislatureLooking Ahead: 2027 Session Bills — Reuben's pre-filed bills: a CSN license plate to fund athletics and food security, and a Nevada Asia Pacific Trade Commission to build international economic relationshipsDemocracy & The American Dream — Reuben on demos kratos, the threat of Trump-era authoritarianism, the need for de-Trumpification, and whether the American Dream is sick or dyingDefining the Middle Class & Closing — What middle class actually means on a teacher's salary, discretionary dollars vs. income, homeownership as wealth-building, and Erika's sendoffMentioned in this episode: Rancho High School (Las Vegas, NV)Clark County School District (CCSD)Congressman Ro Khanna — immigration town hall at St. Christopher's ChurchMoms for LibertyBernie Sanders 2016 campaignSenator Cannizzaro — EDUCATE ActCCSD trustee billSony & Warner Brothers — proposed Las Vegas studio expansionCollege of Southern Nevada (CSN)New Deal-era policies, GI Bill, Glass-SteagallMake It Work Nevada / Beyond ImpactKUNV 91.5Follow Reuben D'Silva:https://www.instagram.com/reuben.dsilva_/ Nevada Assembly District 28 — East Side & North Las VegasSticky Note Conversations is hosted and produced by Erika Washington, edited by Black Gypsy LLC, with special thanks to KUNV 91.5. Powered by Make It Work Nevada, a project of Beyond Impact. (00:00) - Introduction (00:42) - Meet Assemblymember Reuben D'Silva (04:01) - Life as an Educator at Rancho High (09:02) - Teacher Pay & Education Policy (12:55) - Student Engagement & Immigration Issues (22:38) - The Walkout & Moms for Liberty (28:38) - Path to Politics (31:58) - Running for Congress (38:01) - The Future of the Democratic Party (43:19) - Legislative Session: Room Cleaning & Film Tax (50:18) - Balancing Teaching & Legislature (55:33) - Looking Ahead: 2027 Session Bills (59:33) - Democracy & The American Dream (01:04:47) - Defining the Middle Class & Closing

    Reuben D'Silva- "History Has It's Eye On You"

  6. Aug 22

    Brenda Zamora "Where Does The Good Go?"

    This week, Erika sits down with Brenda Zamora — deputy director of Make It Work Nevada, Clark County School Board trustee, and one of Erika's favorite people — for a wide-ranging conversation about wearing many hats and staying human while doing it all. Brenda opens up about life as a caregiver, a mom of teenagers, and an elected official navigating the realities of the sandwich generation. She and Erika dig into the new school bell schedule and its ripple effects on working families, the importance of workplace flexibility, and why setting boundaries is essential — especially when you're in public office. They also discuss the Clancy case and what it reveals about postpartum depression, the healthcare system's failures, and why advocating for yourself at the doctor's office is a skill we need to teach the next generation. Brenda shares her personal journey with therapy, finding the right provider, and learning to stop trying to be a superhero. (00:00) - Show Intro (01:02) - Welcoming Brenda Zamora (03:04) - How Are You Doing? (07:09) - Sharing Stories & Vulnerability (09:50) - School Schedule & Working Parents (16:11) - The Clancy Case & Postpartum Depression (21:36) - Advocating for Yourself in Healthcare (28:14) - Setting Boundaries as an Elected Official (34:00) - What Do You Love About the School Board? (37:43) - Social Media & Public Scrutiny (40:53) - Hopes for the Future (45:20) - Closing & Credits

    Brenda Zamora "Where Does The Good Go?"

  7. Aug 15

    Eboni Taylor - "Sleep to Dream"

    Eboni Taylor joins Sticky Note Conversations to reflect on her first run for Michigan State Senate District 3 — what she learned on the doors across Detroit's east side, Highland Park, and Hamtramck, and why she made motherhood the centerpiece of her campaign. Erika and Eboni dig into the affordability crisis, DTE's monopoly and record profits, the "progressive" label, Michigan's role as a swing state, the Democratic Party's struggle to connect with working families, and what democracy and the American dream really mean when people are just trying to survive. (00:00) - Intro (00:43) - Meet Eboni Taylor (03:05) - Motherhood & Identity (05:16) - Michigan State Senate District 3 (07:33) - Issues on the Doors (09:21) - Why I Decided to Run (12:14) - The "Progressive" Label (18:43) - Utility Crisis & DTE (28:09) - Michigan's Political Landscape (36:17) - The Democratic Party's Future (43:45) - Defining Democracy (53:29) - The American Dream (56:24) - Running Again & Closing

    Eboni Taylor - "Sleep to Dream"

  8. Aug 8

    Leo Murrieta - "Ordinary People"

    Host Erika Washington sits down with Leo Murrieta — former Executive Director of Make the Road Nevada and proud "recovering executive director" — to talk about what real organizing looks like, the price of citizenship, and why staying moderate is a losing game. Leo shares his journey from arriving in the U.S. as a week-old baby to navigating notario fraud, discovering he'd been a citizen for a decade without knowing it, and leading one of Nevada's largest Latino power-building organizations for nearly nine years. He also opens up about the night of the Route 91 massacre — and what it taught him about who gets left behind. From grassroots base-building to the 2028 presidential primary, Leo and Erika get into what's broken in progressive politics, who the real leaders are (hint: they're not in the title), and what the American dream means for a queer immigrant who's spent his career fighting for others. (00:00) - SNC S3 Leo Murrieta - "Ordinary People" (00:41) - Introduction (02:39) - Who Is Leo Murrieta? (03:59) - How Leo Got Into Politics (07:27) - The Citizenship Journey & Notario Fraud (16:30) - Route 91 & Make the Road Nevada (25:55) - Lessons from Nine Years as Executive Director (27:44) - Leadership, Power & the Political Landscape (40:08) - Grassroots Organizing vs. Voter Mobilization (51:22) - Nevada as Second in the Nation & 2028 (59:49) - Rejecting Moderate Politics (01:08:16) - What Is Democracy? (01:13:59) - The American Dream (01:19:11) - Closing Reflections

    Leo Murrieta - "Ordinary People"
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

To keep my thoughts in order and my to-do lists remotely manageable I create arrays of sticky notes on my desk and wall. New idea? Stick note! Someone I want to meet with? Sticky Note! Need to remember to pay a parking ticket? Write it on a sticky note. Over the course of the last year, I have wanted to create a podcast that allowed me to dive deep into conversations with interesting people.. I wanted to have real conversations that were more than sound bites or regurgitated talking points about fluffy topics. My hope is that each episode feels like old friends catching up. Revealing great information but also humanity, struggle, victory, joy, grief, and possibly, a flicker of transcendence. I hope you will enjoy these as much as I do creating them. Join me here every Saturday as I pull a new sticky note off my desk.

Information

  • Creator
    Erika Washington
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    124
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Make It Work Nevada
  • Show Website
    Sticky Note Conversations