LIZ’S COFFEE CONNECTION

Liz sits down with Lindsay Pinchuk for a conversation about leadership, Jewish advocacy, storytelling, and the power of community. Lindsay reflects on how summer camp shaped her confidence and independence, how growing up in Detroit’s Jewish community gave her a foundation of tradition and belonging, and how October 7th became a turning point in her public voice. From building Bump Club and Beyond...

Liz sits down with former Tennessee Senator and Governor Lamar Alexander for a conversation about leadership, family, music, and what public service is really supposed to look like. From growing up in a small Tennessee town with a piano lesson and a library card, to serving alongside ten U.S. presidents, Lamar reflects on the values that shaped him, the importance of relationships across political...

Liz sits down with Dr. Asif Mahmood — physician, immigrant, humanitarian, and Vice Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom — for a deeply personal conversation about service, faith, immigration, and human connection. Born in a remote village in Pakistan and raised in humble circumstances, Asif shares how his journey to America shaped his belief in compassion, digni...

After three years apart, this is the first Mother’s Day Yael Alexander will spend with her son Edan back home. For 584 days, Yael lived with uncertainty, going through Mother’s Day 2023, 2024, and 2025 without him, holding onto hope when it felt almost impossible, showing up for her family, and fighting every single day. Now, in 2026, she shares what it means to finally have him home. In this powe...

Liz sits down with Hunter Biden for an honest and deeply personal conversation about loss, addiction, recovery, and redemption. Hunter reflects on growing up after the tragic loss of his mother and sister, the unwavering love of his family, and the profound impact of his father’s example. He shares his journey through addiction, the moment he chose to live, and how art became both a refuge and a p...

Liz sits down with Pennsylvania State Representatives Jared Solomon and Jesse Topper for a conversation about friendship, public service, and what it really takes to work across political difference. One is a Democrat from one of the most diverse districts in Pennsylvania; the other is a Republican from one of the most conservative and least diverse districts in the state. Yet together, they have...

Holocaust survivor Herta Amir joins Liz for a rare and deeply personal on-camera conversation—her first time publicly sharing her story. Though Liz has known Herta most of her life as a family friend and community leader, Herta remained silent for decades, like so many survivors. In this episode, she recounts her childhood in Czechoslovakia, the rise of anti-Jewish restrictions, years spent in hid...

Liz sits down with Mayor Karen Goh of Bakersfield, California, for a conversation about service, resilience, faith, and leadership. From being born in India and moving through London before arriving in Bakersfield as a child, to building a career in music education, publishing, nonprofit leadership, and public service, Karen reflects on the extraordinary people and experiences that shaped her life...

Liz sits down with Pastor Ryan Warren, a unique voice blending faith, hip hop, and community leadership. From dancing in studios across the country to serving as a pastor in Dallas, Ryan shares how his passions for worship and movement became one mission: connecting people. He reflects on loving those who are different, building trust with the Jewish community, and why staying true to yourself is...

Liz sits down with former San Francisco Mayor and legendary California Assembly Speaker Willie Brown. From growing up in Mineola, Texas during segregation to becoming one of the most influential leaders in California history, Brown reflects on the values that shaped his life—education, discipline, service, and listening. He shares how his mother and grandmother instilled a sense of responsibility...

In this episode, Aliza Sokolow shares how food builds health, community, and confident, curious kids—and why nourishing ourselves is inseparable from caring for one another.

In this episode, Liz Hirsh Naftali sits down with Ambassador Ryan Crocker, a six-time U.S. ambassador whose service took him to Lebanon, Kuwait, Syria, Pakistan, Iraq, and Afghanistan. From growing up in an Air Force family and traveling internationally as a child, to building a career in some of the world’s most dangerous diplomatic posts, Ambassador Crocker reflects on what diplomacy really is:...

Rabbi Sharon Brous joins Liz Hirsh Naftali for a deeply personal conversation about leadership, grief, curiosity, and the urgent need to rehumanize one another. Rabbi Brous reflects on growing up in New Jersey, discovering Jewish learning later in life, falling in love with Talmud, and why community is built through presence—not agreement. Together, Liz and Sharon explore loneliness, loss, unlikel...

Liz sits down for a virtual coffee with Congressman Gabe Amo of Rhode Island. Rep. Amo reflects on his journey as the son of West African immigrants, his path into public service, and what it means to be the first person of color to represent Rhode Island in Congress. From lessons learned on the football field to helping his mother study for her U.S. citizenship test, this conversation explores le...

Rahm Emanuel reflects on public service, parenting, and the national education emergency he believes America can’t ignore. From dinner-table debates to Chicago school reform, this is a candid conversation about leadership, family, and what it takes to compete—and care—for the next generation.

Liz sits down for a virtual coffee with James Talarico, a Texas leader shaped by faith, service, and a deep commitment to “love thy neighbor.” James shares how his granddad’s teaching—love God and love neighbor—became the foundation of his public service, first as a public school teacher in San Antonio and later in the Texas House. He reflects on growing up with a single mom, the life-changing lov...

“Listen, learn, and lead — in that order.” Congresswoman Haley Stevens joins Liz’s Coffee Connection to talk leadership, Michigan grit, and why listening comes before lawmaking. From factories to farms, women in STEM to young voices shaping the future, this is a fast, real conversation about showing up—and leading with heart.

Barry Goldwater Jr. recalls growing up in a politically famous family, his early career as a stockbroker, and an impulsive night that led him into Congress. He reflects on his relationship with his father, friendships with the Reagans, and meaningful moments in Washington—like work on privacy laws and a surprising act of civility toward Bill Clinton. The conversation highlights values of hard work...

Mandana Dayani’s story begins in Tehran—where, as a child, she lived with bomb sirens, fear in the streets, and the pressure to hide her Jewish identity. By age five, her family fled on a one-day visa, leaving everything behind. Resettled in Queens with nothing, she went on to live the American dream she now fiercely defends. Mandana shares what pushed her into action after witnessing the 2018 chi...

Welcome to Liz’s Coffee Connection (formerly The Capitol Coffee Connection)! New Year, new season, new name, same heart. I’m still bringing you conversations with diverse leaders about heart, humanity, and hope—things we all need more of in 2026. Subscribe to Liz’s Coffee Connection and join me every week.

Opal Vadhan opens up about her journey from a Queens childhood, raised by Indian immigrant parents, to working for Secretary Hillary Clinton and Vice President Kamala Harris. She shares stories of sacrifice, cultural identity, gratitude practices, career twists, mentorship, and the ordinary moments that bring her the deepest joy. A heartfelt look at the humanity behind a woman who embodies the Ame...

Senator Joni Ernst opens up about family, farm roots, military service, gratitude, risk-taking, and why she’s leaving the Senate after her second term. A deeply personal conversation about joy, purpose, and going back to the people who made her who she is.

From a shy pastor’s son delivering newspapers to becoming the governor of Oklahoma — Kevin Stitt reveals the surprising story behind his biggest dream, why he almost erased it, and the one rule he lives by.

What does a Congressman admit he values more than politics? Brad Schneider gets real…  Congressman Brad Schneider sits down with Liz for a personal conversation that focuses on the humanity behind leadership. Brad opens up about family, marriage, fatherhood, coaching, teachers who shaped him, how he approaches decision-making, and what brings him joy — an intimate look into the person behind the p...

Discover how Kay Sides turned conscious design and radical kindness into a global movement with her brand ROAM. This episode will change how you think about success, showing that when you “build it kind,” the ripple outruns the revenue.