An Honorable Profession

In this week's episode, host Debbie Cox Bultan talks with U.S. Representative and Former NewDEAL Leader Greg Stanton. Debbie and Rep. Stanton kick off the conversation reflecting on their shared experience working to build the Democratic bench over the years, and how that work has led to this political moment. In his current role as NewDems Action Fund Chair, Rep. Stanton is  traveling the country...

Surprise- it's a bonus episode! In this special election-season edition of An Honorable Profession, host Debbie Cox Bultan is joined by Neera Tanden, President and CEO of the Center for American Progress. Debbie and Neera discuss the upcoming midterm elections and what lessons Democrats and Republicans should take away if Democrats perform well on the ballot. They also discuss what it'll take to d...

This week, host Debbie Cox Bultan is joined by fellow podcaster Sarah McCammon, host of Unmoderated with Sarah McCammon. After spending 20 years of her career as an award-winning journalist, Sarah shares the story of why she pivoted to the world of podcasting, and highlights the inspiring conversations she has since hosted with elected leaders around the country- including several NewDEAL Leaders!...

In this week's episode, host Debbie Cox Bultan sits down with Mindy O'Neall, Mayor of Fairbanks, Alaska. Elected mayor last November, she became the first Democrat to represent Fairbanks in more than a decade. She and Debbie talk about some of what makes Alaska and Alaskans unique, her path into public service, and her vision to revitalize her city. They also talk about what it's like to be in the...

This week, host Ryan Coonerty talks with Kentucky Rep. Adam Moore about why he threw his hat into the ring of elected office. After growing up in a conservative home, his journey to public office began when he saw the government failing to cover the basics—helping folks with healthcare, jobs, and housing. He became a Democrat, and ran for a state legislature seat that hadn't seen a Democratic cand...

In this week's episode, hosts Ryan Coonerty and Debbie Cox Bultan sit down with Routt County, CO Commissioner Angelica Salinas, the youngest person and first Latina woman ever elected to her seat. They discuss how she has navigated her first term in office, and how she's already brought her lived experience to issues ranging from housing to transportation to economic development. Ryan and Debbie a...

In this week's episode, we continue our Road to November 2026 series with Canton, NC Mayor Zeb Smathers. He and host Debbie Cox Bultan talk about the weariness coursing through communities across the countries as prices and political divisiveness keep rising. They discuss the importance of "listening with both ears" when people share the challenges they are facing, and the necessity of following u...

In today's episode, host Ryan Coonerty talks with Georgia Rep. Omari Crawford, one of Georgia's Top 10 Most Effective Lawmakers according to Center for Effective Lawmaking. They discuss Georgia's political landscape and how Democrats can bring their message to urban, suburban, and rural communities across the state. Rep. Crawford also shares how he uses both data and firsthand knowledge to inform...

In this week's episode, hosts Debbie Cox Bultan and Ryan Coonerty talk with U.S. Rep. Adam Gray and U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, the only two Democratic members of Congress to flip Trump districts in 2024. They discuss the importance of building broad coalitions and showing voters that they can get things done. Gray and Suozzi dive into Promise to America , a pledge that they hope can align the Democrati...

Host Debbie Cox Bultan catches up with Maine Speaker of the House Ryan Fecteau in this continuation of our Road to November 2026 series. After an unprecedented summer in Maine politics, Speaker Fecteau shares what is top of mind for voters across the state and how leaders can deliver results for working families. He and Debbie also discuss the horrific ICE shooting that took place in his community...

In this week's episode, host Ryan Coonerty sits down with Bucks County, Pennsylvania Sheriff Danny Ceisler to discuss why Democrats should be making the case that they are the party of effective public safety. They talk about what leadership as an elected sheriff looks like and how building trust is central to his approach to keeping communities safe. Sheriff Ceisler also shares how he ran for off...

In this week's episode, host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Indiana Representative Victoria Garcia Wilburn to discuss her path from academia and healthcare to public service, as well as what it takes for a latina Democrat to win and govern in a predominantly white suburban swing district. Garcia Wilburn shares how listening and prioritizing human connection has made her an effective candidate and legis...

In this episode, our Road to November 2026 series continues with Colorado Senator and candidate for State Treasurer, Jeff Bridges. He and host Debbie Cox Bultan discuss how voters are feeling about rising costs and the federal government's inability to deliver, and how that anger is fueling a desire for change from all sides of the political spectrum. Bridges shares how this dynamic played out in...

This week, we bring you the next episode of our Road to November 2026 series, as Debbie Cox Bultan sits down with Mayor of Fargo, ND, Josh Boschee. Having won a five-way mayoral race with 47% of the vote, Mayor Boschee shares which issues are top-of-mind for his constituents and what city leaders can do to address them- especially when it comes to costs. Debbie and Mayor Boschee also discuss how t...

This week, we bring you another episode of our Road to November 2026 series, as Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Michigan Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State Candidate Garlin Gilchrist to discuss what he is hearing on the ground from Michigan voters and the factors he thinks will ultimately determine the competitive U.S. Senate race. They also talk about the lessons Michigan has to teach natio...

This episode kicks off our Road to November 2026 series. Over the next few months we'll feature conversations with NewDEAL Leaders running for higher office and others who are on the ground in key states and districts. We'll hear about what's resonating with voters, how to navigate key issues heading into the midterms, and what the Democratic Party can learn from their experiences. For today's con...

In this week's episode, host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Mississippi State Senator Rod Hickman to discuss Hickman's career, what led him to run for office, how he navigates a majority Republican legislature to pass bipartisan solutions, and his advice to any candidate on door-knocking effectively. Senator Hickman also shares his experience in public office and the joy it has brought him, as well as...

In this week's episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Cleveland, OH, Mayor Justin Bibb to discuss his recently announced Midline project, which will revitalize long-vacant fields and reconnect ignored neighbors to high-paying jobs and opportunities. Mayor Bibb explains why the project is personal to Cleveland's history, how the city funded the work, and how his team built supp...

In this week's episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with North Carolina State Representative Dante Pittman to discuss the interesting political climate in the state, the community he represents, and the importance of leading in a bipartisan way. Their conversation touches on the biggest affordability issues the representative's constituents are facing and how those issues are dri...

In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor about her path from academia and school board service to county leadership. They talk about her decision to run for school board first, what led her to public service, and how Delaware County flipped its government after decades of one-party GOP rule. They also discuss the county's work to cre...

In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Wyoming House Democratic Leader Mike Yin. They discuss how his district includes Jackson Hole -- one of the most beautiful and wealthiest places in the world, sitting alongside Grand Teton National Park. But beneath that natural beauty are serious challenges, from growing income inequality to limited access to affordable housing and healthc...

In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Redmond, WA, Mayor Angela Birney to discuss how she is leading a city shaped by new investments and rapid population growth while keeping community needs at the forefront. They discuss how the city is using transit-focused development, zoning reform, and middle housing construction to create more options for residents. The conversation also...

In this week's episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Jason Altmire and Riley Burr, authors of the recently published book, Trade Up: Why the Future Belongs to Skilled Trades and How Career Education is Transforming the Workforce. Their conversation touches on how skilled workers will help power the infrastructure of the AI revolution, and what is keeping people from accessing...

In this week's episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read to discuss how he is navigating the Trump Administration's efforts to interfere with state election administration, the state's recent primary elections, threats to our democracy, his experience being sued by the Trump administration, and what other states can learn from Oregon's vote-a...

In this week's episode, co-host Ryan Coonery speaks with Lawrenceburg, IN Councilmember Dylan Liddle to discuss his city and its unique financial structure, and how the city has changed over the last year. They also discuss his upbringing and how his parent's addiction shapes his decisions, what it's like to be the only Democrat on a Republican council, and the best, worst, and most surprising par...