Policy People

UC3P

Policy People is the newest podcast from the University of Chicago Public Policy Podcast Network (UC3P). In this series, we will be interviewing current MPP and MSCAPP students on their previous experiences, their background, and why and how they ended up in Harris! There are so many stories waiting to be unfolded, and we want you to be part of it!

  1. 3d ago

    How to Break into and Build a Career in Local Government with Elliot Karl | S2E9

    In this episode of The Policy People, we are joined by Elliot Gary Karl (Class of 2020), a first-generation college graduate whose decade-long career in the public sector spans from the West Coast to the Midwest. Elliot shares his unintentional path from grassroots organizing and affordable housing advocacy in California to returning to his hometown of Chicago. Today, he serves as the Assistant Deputy Bureau Chief of Operations and Administration for Cook County's Bureau of Economic Development. During our conversation, we explored what it truly means to build a career as a "public servant". Elliot provides a masterclass on what the day-to-day reality of local government looks like, what to expect, and how to effectively prepare for it. This is a must-listen for those who are aspiring to be public servants or are curious about it.  Chapters: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:03 - First-Gen College & Early Career Path & '5-to-9' 00:12:19 - Why Grad School 00:16:40 - The UChicago Experience & What Education Means to Elliot 00:25:24 - Student Org: Harris Community Action 00:31:00 - How to Prepare for a Career in Local Government 00:46:34 - How a Non-Chicagoan Enters Chicago Government (or Any Local Government) 00:51:18 - Elliot's Current Job at Cook County 01:04:41 - Elliot's Lifetime Career Goals & Thoughts on Leadership 01:16:04 - What Type of Person is a Great Fit for the Public Sector 01:27:01 - One Last Share from Elliot

    1h 39m

  2. May 10

    Public Service in Chicago with Emily Metz | S2E8

    In this episode of The Policy People, we are joined by Emily Metz (Class of 2010), a lifelong Chicagoan who has dedicated her professional life to fighting inequity and reimagining public education and policy. While she spent years embedded in education, she recently transitioned into broad systems change and philanthropy at the Michael Reese Health Trust. We cover everything from how having two college-educated parents contrasted with the stark socioeconomic realities of her extended family, to how an undergraduate English major found her way to Harris, and the profound questions she uses to guide her career. In this episode, you will hear:  • The Roots of Mobility: How seeing the direct link between educational attainment and life outcomes among her aunts and uncles—ranging from entering the top 1% to experiencing chronic homelessness—fueled her drive to improve foundational stability for all Chicagoans. • The Path to Harris: Why she chose to apply exclusively to the University of Chicago, realizing during a Ralph Nader-founded public interest fellowship that a graduate degree was the key to unlocking a civic career in her hometown. • Navigating the Civic Ecosystem: Emily's journey through different levels of public service, exploring why national government contracts felt disconnected, the chaotic but direct impact of working inside a school district, and how flexible philanthropic funding supercharges local research. • The Missing Metric in Policy: Why rigorous quantitative data and econometric models aren't enough, and why understanding history, coalition building, and "messy human dynamics" is crucial for enacting real-world change. • Sacrifice vs. Suffering: Honest advice for new graduates on how to protect their well-being in social justice work, and how to know if a tough job is a worthwhile slog or just a path to burnout. This episode is a masterclass for anyone interested in local government, educational equity, or the realities of translating academic evidence into tangible community impact.

    1h 28m

  3. Jan 12

    AI, Strategy, and Growth Marketing with Alejandro Cuauhtemoc-Mejia | S2E7

    In this episode of The Policy People, joining the conversation is Alejandro Cuauhtemoc-Mejia, a Silicon Valley co-founder and strategist with a career path as unique as his name. Alejandro shares his journey from working at Televisa Univision to leading strategy for Didi, and eventually co-founding the Silicon Valley Certification Hub. In this episode, you will hear: • The Strategist’s Bridge: Why strategy is the essential link between where you are and your ultimate goal. • Growth Marketing Decoded: How data-driven digital acquisition differs from traditional marketing and why public policy graduates are uniquely suited for it. • The AI Shift: Alejandro’s perspective on "structural unemployment" and why he believes AI will build more jobs than it destroys. • The "In-Between" Advice: Practical tips for new graduates navigating a tough job market, including how to build an online presence and maintain mental resilience. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to reshape their perception of what a Harris MPP degree represents and discover how to translate hard policy skills into the fast-paced tech ecosystem.

    1h 12m

  4. 12/02/2025

    S2E6: Amber's Academy

    Amber Mercier, class of 2010, has dedicated her career to supporting students on their exchange education journey. She strongly believes in the power of education,especially one that is globally diverse. In this episode with dive deeper into what she has done with IES and other volunteer activities for the betterment of youth and children and why she does it.

    1h 7m

  5. 10/07/2025

    S2E5: Not a mistake, but an experience

    Sarah Guminski, class of 2017, is currently head of startup experience at 1871, a nonprofit that helps entrepreneurs. She comes from a heavy research background, thinking she would do a Ph.D only to later change her perspective and goal completely. Our conversation with her has one big takeaway: you never make mistakes in your 20s; you gain experiences and whatever you choose was the best thing you could have done at that very moment!

    1h 15m

  6. 09/21/2025

    S2E4: The flip side

    Jihan Varisco (Class of ‘14) has built something truly impactful during his time at Harris. Through The Flip Side, he is pursuing his mission of bridging the gap between liberals and conservatives. With more than 20,000 subscribers, the platform has grown into a space for uncovering perspectives beyond what mainstream media often presents. This special episode follows the assassination of Charlie Kirk (1993–2025), a man who dedicated his life to spreading his ideas and practicing freedom of speech.In memory of Charlie—and with the hope of restoring tolerance toward differing ideologies.

    57 min

  7. 09/01/2025

    S2E3: For health, for friendship

    Adam Nation, class of 2015, is our guest for the third episode of Policy Podcast. Adam has done extensive work in public health, and in this episode, he shares his journey of trying to make people healthier in body and mind.  He also shares with us fond recollections of his classmate Jim Howes, who recently passed. In Jim's memory, we are sharing resources for those wishing to make contributions to his scholarship, or those who are going through a hard time.  The donations can be made to a few different places: The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at https://afsp.orgThe National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Wood County at https://namiwoodcounty.orgOr to the “James Coleman Howes Memorial” at Bowling Green State University (may need to send details of this) By mail: Checks made payable to BGSU Foundation, Inc. - Memo: James Coleman Howes MemorialBGSU Foundation, Inc.Mileti Alumni CenterBowling Green, OH 43403By Phone: 419.372.7648 Help is available, talk to someone today: 988 Suicide and Crisis LifelineLanguages: English, Spanish ,Hours: Available 24 hours #PublicPolicy #UniversityofChicago #Mentalhealth #PublicHealth

    58 min

  8. 08/09/2025

    S2E2: Comedy to Policy

    Robert Callahan (Class of 2016) has joined us for the second episode to discuss his current position at the Office of New York City Comptroller as the Director of Policy Analytics and the logistical, financial, social, and personal challenges that he faces related to his work. In addition, we discuss what led him to Harris and his eclectic past of careers and hobbies. Formerly, Robert was an aspiring Chicago-based improv comedian, campaign staff for Hillary Clinton in 2016, and budget analyst. Currently, he raises chickens as a hobby in his place of residence in New York City.  We hope you enjoy what Robert has to share with us, and look forward to seeing you for the next episode!

    1h 14m
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About

Policy People is the newest podcast from the University of Chicago Public Policy Podcast Network (UC3P). In this series, we will be interviewing current MPP and MSCAPP students on their previous experiences, their background, and why and how they ended up in Harris! There are so many stories waiting to be unfolded, and we want you to be part of it!

Information

  • Creator
    UC3P
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright UC3P
  • Show Website
    Policy People