Building the Bench

Building the Bench

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Rep. Sarah Elfreth on Finding Her Political Voice at 19 and How it Landed Her in Congress
Sarah reflects on entering politics young, how age isn't an impediment to being taken seriously, and building a career defined by curiosity…
 • Matt Staab
47:54
Rep. Summer Lee on Speaking Plainly in Congress and Why Big Money Distorts Democracy
She reflects on class, representation, and the forces shaping who gets heard in Washington.
 • Matt Staab
50:08
Rep. George Whitesides on Outer Space, Innovation, and "Getting Sh*t Done"
From space exploration to Congress, Whitesides shares how curiosity, empathy, and mission-driven leadership guide his work in Washington.
 • Matt Staab
39:32
BONUS Ep: Rep. Delia Ramirez on ICE Raids and a City That is Fighting Back
Ramirez joins me to discuss the ICE raids terrorizing neighborhoods, mobilizing community networks, and why the real test of democracy is what people do…
 • Matt Staab
29:18
BONUS Ep: Rep. George Whitesides on the Moral Cost of the Shutdown
As the shutdown drags into its fifth week, Whitesides joins me to talk about the GOP using hunger as political leverage, the impact of Trump's attacks…
 • Matt Staab
24:56
BONUS Ep: Rep. Melanie Stansbury on the Shutdown’s Breaking Point
In the shutdown's third week, Stansbury joins me to discuss skyrocketing health insurance premiums, the Grijalva standoff, and the fight to stop an…
 • Matt Staab and Rep. Melanie Stansbury
25:30
Smart Communication in the Age of Over-Management
A handwritten sign and four simple words said what carefully choreographed messages couldn’t.
 • Matt Staab and Rep. Melanie Stansbury
1:32
Building the Bench
Building the Bench
News and interviews with rising leaders in Democratic politics.
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