What if We?

RALLY
  • 4.0 (1)
  • Non-Profit
  • Updated Biweekly

What If We? is a new podcast about advocacy, persuasion, and the messages that move us. Hosted by Kaitlin Funaro from advocacy agency RALLY, each episode features real talk with advocates and strategists working on issues like marriage equality, education equity, climate action, racial justice, and many others. Follow wherever you get your podcasts, and reach out to us at pod@wearerally.com.

  1. Jul 16

    America 250: Engaging the patriotic skeptics with WaPo’s Theodore R. Johnson

    Fourth of July is a time to celebrate freedom and independence. Right? But what if you’re not feeling particularly patriotic these days? In this episode of What If We?, host Kaitlin Funaro sits down with Theodore R. Johnson, columnist at The Washington Post and Senior Advisor at New America, and Sheri Klein, Senior Director of Research and Strategy at RALLY, to explore what America’s 250th anniversary means for those of us who hold complicated feelings about where this country has been and where it’s headed. Drawing on Theodore’s work on civic belonging and Sheri’s expertise in public opinion research, the conversation explores how we can talk about democracy in ways that feel meaningful and inspiring. They also examine the role of trusted messengers, the power of hopeful stories, and why national milestones like America’s 250th anniversary can be an opportunity to bring people together. In This Episode: How patriotism and honest criticism can exist at the same timeHow do we talk about democracy when it means different things to different people?How can we use shared values like fairness, freedom, and autonomy to engage people who feel disconnected from democracy?How patriotic symbols like the American flag can shape the way people see the country and its leadersThe role of trusted messengers in building civic participationHow hope and shared purpose can inspire people to engage in democracyWhat gives us hope for America’s next 250 years

  2. Jun 18

    America at 250: What Young People See Ahead

    As America approaches its 250th anniversary next month, one question looms large: what does the future look like for the generation that will inherit it? Young Americans are living through rising costs, political polarization, and growing skepticism about institutions—but they haven’t checked out. In this episode of What If We?, Kaitlin Funaro talks with Benjamin Oh, Senior Data Director at the Alliance for Youth Action, about what young people actually think about democracy, opportunity, and civic engagement. Drawing on new research, Benjamin shares what’s driving young people’s hopes, frustrations, and priorities—and why many remain determined to help shape the future. It’s a conversation about the next 250 years, and the generation already working to define them. In This Episode: How young people see America at its 250th anniversary and the tensions shaping their outlookWhether the American Dream means the same thing today as it did for previous generationsWhat research reveals about youth participation in voting, civic engagement, and political actionHow economic concerns influence the way young people think about politics and democracyWhat messages are most effective at motivating young people to participate in civic lifeWhat advocates, organizers, and institutions can learn from youth attitudes toward leadership and changeWhy authenticity, accountability, and bold ideas resonate with younger generationsWhat gives us hope for the role young people will play in America's future

  3. May 14

    The Hidden Power of Memes

    Episode Description: In this episode of What If We?, host Kaitlin Funaro sits down with internet culture writer and editor Aja Romano to explore how memes shape the way we communicate, organize, and understand the world around us. What may appear trivial or disposable on the surface often carries deep cultural meaning. From catchphrases and reaction images to political symbols and online movements, memes function as shared cultural language that evolves as people remix, reinterpret, and redistribute them across communities. Together, Kaitlin and Aja unpack how memes gain traction, why authenticity matters, and what happens when ideas lose their original context as they spread online. Drawing on examples ranging from Pepe the Frog and “Dark Brandon” to the evolution of terms like “woke” and “cancel culture,” the conversation explores how memes can both build connection and distort meaning. Aja explains why memes are difficult to engineer intentionally, why brands and institutions often struggle to participate authentically, and how marginalized communities frequently shape internet culture before their contributions are absorbed into the mainstream. In This Episode: What gives memes their staying power while so many internet trends quickly disappearHow memes evolve as they move between communities and platformsExamples of memes shaping political movements, public discourse, and collective identityWhy authenticity and spontaneity are essential to successful memesHow organizations and advocacy campaigns can participate in meme culture and the risks it involvesHow memes change meaning as they move across different online communities and audiencesWhether memes can engage serious issues without trivializing them Tap into more online culture via fansplaining.com.

  4. Apr 16

    Wear Orange: How a Movement Begins

    How does a simple color become a national symbol for change? In this episode of What If We?, host Kaitlin sits down with Nza-Ari, Founder of Project Orange Tree, and RALLY Senior Director Jason Rzepka to unpack the origins and evolution of the Wear Orange campaign. What began as a grassroots response to tragedy, honoring the life of Hadiya Pendleton, a victim of gun violence, grew into a powerful cultural movement rooted in visibility, shared humanity, and belonging. Drawing inspiration from hunting culture, where orange signals “don’t shoot,” the campaign reframed the color as a symbol for the value of human life. Together, Jason and Nza-Ari explore how Wear Orange moved beyond policy into culture and community, creating accessible ways for people to participate, connect, and take ownership of change. From local beginnings in Chicago to a decentralized national movement, this episode reveals how identity, storytelling, and collective action can shift norms over time. In This Episode: The origin story behind the Wear Orange campaignThe goals of the campaign and the audience it set out to reachThe role of culture alongside policy in addressing gun violenceWhether the campaign was designed to shift cultural norms and perceptionsHow the strategy evolved as the movement grew beyond Project Orange TreeThe signs that the campaign was gaining traction and shifting normsWhy belonging is essential to building and sustaining a movementHow people can get involved and participate today Learn More: Check out Project Orange at wearorange.org The 12th National Gun Violence Awareness Day will be June 5, 2026.

  5. Mar 19

    The Faith Gap: How Advocacy Is Missing What Matters to Gen Z

    For a lot of Gen Z and Gen Alpha, faith isn’t a political signal—it’s a core part of their identity. That deep connection between spirituality and values is a major, often overlooked, opportunity for advocacy communications. In this episode, host Kaitlin Funaro sits down with Derwin Aikens to unpack how younger audiences are thinking about religious identity and the power of faith as a values framework that shapes how people see the world and their role in it. For younger audiences, spirituality can be a compelling entry point to conversations from immigration to climate justice and racial equity because it connects directly to their moral lens. This conversation is a part of our series on Youth Research: Identity, Culture & Issue Advocacy RALLY produced with Rachel Janfaza of The Up & Up. You can check out all of our insights on our website. In this episode: How young people connect with faith and spiritualityHow faith + identity are interconnectedWhy religion isn’t a partisan signifier for young peopleWhy the rise of the “religiously unaffiliated” (now about 29% of Americans) doesn’t necessarily mean younger generations are less spiritual.How organizations can explore using faith-based messaging to reach younger audiences

  6. Feb 26

    Did Gen Z Kill Identity Politics? Good.

    In this episode of What If We?, Kaitlin Funaro sits down with researcher and Gen Z expert Rachel Janfaza, author of the popular Substack The Up & Up to unpack what young people are actually feeling right now, and why so many institutions are getting it wrong. Drawing from a series of listening sessions with 11–22-year-olds across the country, Rachel explains why Gen Z’s political identity is fluid, why “identity politics” feels outdated to many young people, and how COVID fundamentally reshaped their trust in authority. They explore the generational “bullsh*t meter,” why authenticity beats jargon every time, and what adults, educators, and institutions can do to create meaningful political dialogue instead of shutting it down. If you work in advocacy, education, communications, or simply care about the future of civic engagement, this conversation offers a reality check, and a hopeful one. In This Episode: Why Gen Z’s political views are fluid not fixedHow COVID reshaped Gen Z’s trust in authorityGen Z evaluates leaders based on results, not political parties.Gen Z can quickly spot inauthentic or top-down messaging (“the sniff test”).They prefer open debate and honest conversation over silence or rigid rules.Frustration with politics does not mean disengagement for GenZ. Learn more: Read RALLY’s insights report Youth Research: Identity, Culture, & Issue Advocacy Check out Rachel Janfaza’s work at The Up & Up About RALLY: RALLY is an advocacy communications firm that works with foundations, nonprofits, businesses, and campaigns to change the way people think and act around today’s biggest social and political challenges. Where you can find us: wearerally.comFollow us on LinkedInFollow us on Instagram Do you have an idea for an episode or want to connect with us? Say hello at pod@wearerally.com.

  7. Feb 12

    15 Min FAQ: Pitching the New Earned Media - Podcasts, Substacks, YouTube and TikTok

    What if getting press meant more than just a headline in the New York Times? In this episode of What If We?, host Kaitlin sits down with earned media experts Sara Lueders and Alexis Gosselin to demystify the insider world of earned media. From the shifting landscape of traditional newsrooms to the rise of Substack communities, they explore how to reach audiences in today's media landscape. Sara and Alexis break down why audience identity, not just outlet size, should dictate your strategy and how being scrappy is the new standard for communication professionals. Whether you're pitching a national reporter or sliding into the DMs of a niche content creator, this episode reveals the art of the hustle and the science of storytelling in the current media ecosystem. In This Episode: What do we actually mean by earned media?When starting an earned media strategy, what information do you need to gather and what is the first question to ask? Navigating the world of podcasts, substacks, and social media clips that are fed to audiences by algorithms.How to pitch to content creators and podcasts who don't have traditional newsroom email addresses and can be harder to reach. How to evaluate a spokesperson’s ability to deliver engaging audio and video performances. About RALLY: RALLY is an advocacy communications firm that works with foundations, nonprofits, businesses, and campaigns to change the way people think and act around today’s biggest social and political challenges. Where you can find us: wearerally.comFollow us on LinkedInFollow us on Instagram Do you have an idea for an episode or want to connect with us? Say hello at pod@wearerally.com.

  8. Jan 27

    How to Reach People Conflicted About Immigration

    During the border patrol crackdown in Minneapolis, people have shown up—loudly and visibly—for immigrant rights. That kind of mobilization is real, necessary, and powerful. But movements don’t win by speaking only to the people already in the streets. They also win by persuading the people watching from the sidelines—the ones who don’t see themselves as anti-immigrant, but aren’t fully on board either. In this episode, Kaitlin talks with Tasha Moro, the communications director for Justice Action Center, and RALLY Director Claire Shipton about how to reach that audience—what our new research calls “Conflicted Colin”. Key Takeaways: Persuasion starts with how people feel, not what they know.Sacred values like safety, order, and protection often guide political decisions more than policy positions.Many people in the “movable middle” hold conflicting views—and that tension is an opportunity, not a liability.People are more likely to change their minds when they arrive at conclusions on their own.Narrative change requires experimentation, creativity, and meeting audiences in the spaces they already trust. Why This Conversation Matters At a moment when anti-immigrant narratives have become increasingly normalized, this episode challenges advocates to rethink how persuasion works—and who it’s for. Instead of speaking only to the base, it asks: what would it look like to build a broader, more durable coalition rooted in shared values and lived experience? This episode is part of The Art and Science of Persuasion series, exploring how people actually change their minds—and what that means for movements working toward a more inclusive future for immigrants in the US. About RALLY: RALLY is an advocacy communications firm that works with foundations, nonprofits, businesses, and campaigns to change the way people think and act around today’s biggest social and political challenges. Where you can find us: wearerally.comFollow us on LinkedInFollow us on Instagram Do you have an idea for an episode or want to connect with us? Say hello at pod@wearerally.com.

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About

What If We? is a new podcast about advocacy, persuasion, and the messages that move us. Hosted by Kaitlin Funaro from advocacy agency RALLY, each episode features real talk with advocates and strategists working on issues like marriage equality, education equity, climate action, racial justice, and many others. Follow wherever you get your podcasts, and reach out to us at pod@wearerally.com.

Information

  • Creator
    RALLY
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 What if We?
  • Show Website
    What if We?