The Foolish Optimist with Amy McDonald

Amy McDonald
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Politics
  • Updated Weekly

I’m Amy McDonald, and I am on the hunt for the next generation of leaders, both in the ballot boxes and the teams behind them. On The Foolish Optimist, you’ll find interviews with candidates running for office in the 2025 and 2026 elections and beyond. But we also speak with civilians working behind the scenes to make elections go. You’ll find tidbits on how to communicate effectively, how neuroscience fits into campaigns, and what you can do with your current skills to help get quality candidates elected.

  1. 1d ago

    The Foolish Optimist: Ronnie Murchinson Rivera, Florida’s 6th Congressional District

    Ronnie Murchinson-Rivera on Florida’s 6th: Healthcare First, Affordability, and Environmental Survival Host Amy McDonald interviews Ronnie Murchinson-Rivera, a Democratic candidate for Florida’s 6th congressional district and longtime public servant speak about why he’s running, the personal sacrifices of campaigning, and barriers that keep working-class people out of office.  ron4congress.com  01:22 Campaign Life Reality 03:47 Why Run in 2026 04:34 Hurricanes and No Help 06:06 Florida Environment Crisis 09:40 Future Generations Mindset 13:28 Florida Is Not Red 15:40 Money in Politics 17:24 Teachers and Education 19:38 Budgets War and Welfare 24:16 MAGA Fallout and Farmers 26:09 New York Values Story 26:36 Florida Help Culture 27:00 Medicaid Dental Gaps 27:39 Spend Down Trap 28:50 ER Bills Spiral 29:44 DeSantis Rejects Funds 31:17 One Hour Fact Talk 32:47 Dignity Of Work 34:16 Billionaires And Wages 36:16 Healthcare First Platform 38:23 Accountability And Corruption 40:57 Where To Find Ronnie 42:14 Rapid Fire Favorites 45:19 Proudest Moments 46:59 District Diversity Tour 48:32 Final Thanks And Vote

  2. 5d ago

    The Foolish Optimist: Victoria Broderick for Tennessee’s 4th CD

    Victoria Broderick on Running Again in 2026, Grassroots Organizing, and Making It Safe in Tennessee’s 4th Host Amy Macdonald interviews Victoria Broderick, a LGBTQ+ mom and full-time tech worker running for U.S. House in Tennessee’s 4th District in 2026 after launching a 2024 campaign when the seat was set to go unopposed. Broderick describes building name recognition after earning 28% of the vote in five months without corporate PAC or AIPAC money, using social media and community organizing to boost turnout, support down-ballot candidates, and attract independents and some Republicans. She discusses redistricting that created a primary with four opponents, the challenges of running as a working-class candidate, and her view that politics must be accessible and voter turnout is decisive. She outlines her platform—safety, affordability, freedom, and equity—encourages people to engage locally, and shares rapid-fire personal favorites before closing with voting reminders and the August 6 primary date. 02:09 Why Run for Congress 03:32 Building Momentum in 2024 06:13 Coalition on the Trail 08:46 Millennial Energy and Stakes 10:38 Keeping Campaigns Fun 12:46 Redistricting and Primary Fight 14:21 Grassroots Versus Donor Class 16:14 Civics Tip Visit Congress 17:23 Working Mom Campaign Balance 19:24 Holding Officials Accountable 20:58 Vote Down Ballot 22:49 Money In Politics 23:40 Grassroots Campaign Playbook 25:04 Progressivism Explained 26:25 Broken Endorsement System 27:55 Building Future Leaders 30:52 Women Running For Office 31:45 Vetting And Safety Risks 33:41 Platform And How To Help 36:23 Rapid Fire Wrap Up 39:18 Final Call To Vote

  3. Jul 15

    The Foolish Optimist: Dr Mariah Lancaster running in Massachusetts 6th Congressional District

    Dr. Mariah Lancaster on Running for Congress, Science in Government, Student Debt, and Counter-Corruption Host Amy McDonald interviews Dr. Mariah Lancaster, a veterinarian and former congressional staffer running for U.S. House in Massachusetts’ 6th District, discussing why Congress needs more subject-matter experts and lived experience to reduce reliance on special interests. Lancaster describes their work combating wildlife trafficking and drafting bipartisan legislation, critiques money in politics and billionaire-funded campaigns, and argues for aggressive counter-corruption to hold the executive accountable, calling recent wealth transfers “money laundering.” They also discuss underpaid congressional staffing, the student-loan crisis and its impact on healthcare and veterinary workforces, immigration’s role in essential care work, concerns about AI/data centers and consumer consent, and the need to build progressive power in safe blue seats. Lancaster shares how to donate, volunteer, and find the campaign online. 00:29 Podcast Intro and Guest Bio 01:43 Massachusetts Politics and Primaries 03:35 Representation and Queer Congress Math 06:13 Why Mariah Is Running 07:41 Science Expertise vs Lobbyists 12:21 Student Loans and Hill Pay Reality 17:47 Data Centers AI and Consent 22:02 Lived Experience and Jury Duty Congress 25:08 Safe Blue Seats and Party Power 26:05 Building a Progressive Bench 27:11 Fundraising Madness in Politics 28:46 Real World Experience in Congress 30:22 Education Debt and Workforce Crisis 31:53 Immigration and Care Work Reality 33:16 Donor Class and Lived Vulnerability 37:15 Democrats Without a Plan 38:47 Counter Corruption and Election Reform 41:43 Monopolies and Illusion of Choice 44:16 Money Laundering and Accountability 45:53 How to Donate and Volunteer 50:15 Rapid Fire and District Love 54:42 Final Wrap and Where to Follow

  4. Jul 8

    The Foolish Optimist: Michael Potter for Indiana’s 47th State House District

    Michael Potter on Data Centers, Water, and Rebuilding Indiana’s Public Schools (House District 47) Follow along with his campaign at FriendsofMichaelPotter.com 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:38 Why He’s Running Again 01:52 Data Centers and Water Worries 02:31 Geologist Perspective on Policy 04:50 Building Better Data Centers 07:55 Voter Turnout and Long Haul Plan 11:24 Grassroots Organizing and Precinct Power 16:45 Two Party Trap and Ranked Choice 21:21 Term Limits and Mentoring Leaders 25:23 Social Media Transparency for Candidates 28:49 District Issues Solar to Data Centers 30:08 Process Over Data Centers 30:35 Floodplains And Extreme Rain 33:05 Infrastructure Meets Politics 33:18 Healthcare And School Funding 35:06 Solar Powered New Builds 39:27 Transit And Rail Revival 41:49 Trails Spark Neighborhood Growth 44:44 Rapid Fire And Indiana Pride 46:18 Why He Went Vegan 50:12 Campaign Life And Farewell

  5. Jul 1

    The Foolish Optimist: Craig Swallow for Mass 9th Congressional District

    Craig Swallow is running in Massachusetts's  9th Congressional District. Follow along with his campaign @craigforcongress or craigswallowforcongress.com 01:29 Why Challenge a Democrat 03:35 Democracy and Fighting Fascism 05:14 Democrats and Structural Change 09:46 Meet the Ninth District 10:23 Incumbent Absence and Town Halls 15:07 Medicare for All and Authenticity 17:59 Affordability Agenda Healthcare Housing Schools 21:34 Transit and Island Campaigning 23:08 Money in Politics and PACs 26:17 Representatives Must Face Voters 28:00 Public Service Not Career 28:47 Fighting for Future Generations 31:01 Generational Power Shift 32:07 Ballot Access Roadblocks 35:34 Party Autopsy and Bias 37:28 Term Limits and Constitution 39:48 Regulation Taxes and War 42:17 Oligarchs AI and Accountability 45:25 Support the Campaign 46:40 Rapid Fire and Farewell

  6. Jun 29

    The Foolish Optimist: Adam with the Abolish Ice Pledge

    Adam Baumel is the founder of TripleNC.org and the Abolish Ice Pledge. Follow along @abolish_ice_pledge on instagram. 00:00 Adam with Video 00:24 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:22 Why Abolish ICE 02:42 Historical Parallels 03:11 Detention Profit Machine 03:38 The Pledge Explained 04:05 Candidates and Algorithms 05:07 Beyond Online Activism 06:14 Making Abolish ICE Popular 07:33 ICE Recruitment Dangers 08:58 Project 2025 Fears 13:17 War Economy and Distraction 17:10 Immigration Courts vs Cages 19:47 Market Manipulation Claims 20:52 Peter Thiel and Surveillance 22:32 Accountability and Uprisings 23:54 Witch Trials and Puritans 25:33 Censorship and Movement Building 26:37 Sustainable Growth Repetition 27:28 Door Knocking Gold Standard 28:30 Vine TikTok Attention Spans 29:24 Abolish ICE Pledge Strategy 31:14 Turnover Accountability Recall 34:24 Gen Z Millennials Show Up 37:40 Mutual Aid Candidate Offices 38:40 Homeless Work Program Ideas 40:29 Scapegoats Zohran Storytime 45:01 Where To Find Triple NC 46:48 Rapid Fire And Hope

  7. Jun 24

    The Foolish Optimist: Hartzell for KC

    Show Me Superstar: Hartzell Gray’s Freedom Budget for Missouri’s 4th Follow along at @hartzell4kc or hartzellforcongress.com. On The Foolish Optimist Podcast, host Amy McDonald interviews Hartzell Gray, a Kansas City–born organizer and media personality running for U.S. Congress in Missouri’s 4th District, about his “freedom budget” platform and strategy to flip the seat against Mark Alford after redistricting.  00:00 Welcome Back and Guest Intro 01:46 Why He’s Running Freedom Budget 04:25 Paying for Social Housing 06:38 Billionaires and Wealth Taxes 08:41 Closing Loopholes and Day One Plan 11:15 Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness 12:15 Big Swings and Fighting Monsters 14:07 Gerrymandering and Democracy War 18:06 Accountability and Impeachment Tactics 22:30 Democrats Outdated Playbook 26:18 Material Politics and Scapegoating 27:19 DNC Messaging Failures 29:15 Take the Swing Organize Hard 29:58 Biden Legacy and Unburdened Talk 30:37 Coconut Hope Hangover 30:58 Unfair Standards Women 31:31 Missouri Wake Up Call 32:17 Connecting Dots Locals 33:48 Cheney To Star Wars 34:56 Ground Game Voting Plan 38:22 Expand Tent Moral Clarity 40:21 FDR Forcing The Issue 42:45 Corporate Class Barriers 45:54 Better World Blueprint 47:38 Donate And Get Involved 49:31 Rapid Fire Missouri KC 52:11 Universal Healthcare Why 54:03 Wrap Up And Pickup Line

  8. Jun 17

    The Foolish Optimist: Jen Wiles for NC House 75

    Jen Wiles on North Carolina’s Benefits Cliff, Corporate Influence, and a Tax Plan for Working Families Follow Jen's Campaign at https://www.jenwilesnchouse.com/    On The Foolish Optimist podcast, host Amy McDonald interviews Jen Wiles, a North Carolina healthcare provider running for House District 75, about why she’s running in 2026 and what she’s hearing from voters. Wiles describes North Carolina as heavily gerrymandered and dominated by corporate influence, citing Duke Energy’s monopoly, low corporate taxes headed to zero, underfunded public education, and a state budget that is 315 days late. She outlines a tax plan to reduce or eliminate income taxes for many working families, protect small businesses, and raise revenue to fund public schools, universal pre-K, and address a 20,000+ person Innovations Waiver waitlist. Wiles also discusses disability policy issues like asset limits and the “benefits cliff,” argues for door-to-door organizing across diverse communities, and reflects on challenges such as purity politics on the left.  01:33 Why She’s Running 02:58 NC Politics Explained 03:10 Gerrymandering And Corporate Power 05:44 Budget Chaos And Power Plays 08:16 What Voters Want Most 09:59 Talking To Republican Voters 12:15 Culture Wars And Human Rights 18:20 State Solutions For Families 18:29 Tax Plan And Funding Schools 21:37 Disability Waivers And Pre-K 23:16 Pre-K Funding Pitch 23:55 Other States Doing Pre-K 24:44 Why Early Education Matters 25:58 Disability Advocacy Lessons 27:53 Innovations Waiver Explained 29:15 Benefits Cliff Reality 31:11 District Stats And Messaging 32:54 Door Knocking Strategy 34:28 Where To Find Jen 35:04 Rapid Fire Favorites 42:57 Wrap Up And Thanks

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About

I’m Amy McDonald, and I am on the hunt for the next generation of leaders, both in the ballot boxes and the teams behind them. On The Foolish Optimist, you’ll find interviews with candidates running for office in the 2025 and 2026 elections and beyond. But we also speak with civilians working behind the scenes to make elections go. You’ll find tidbits on how to communicate effectively, how neuroscience fits into campaigns, and what you can do with your current skills to help get quality candidates elected.

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