Williamsport, PA, Mayor Derek Slaughter on Community-Driven Leadership & Transformative Governance
Release Date: 12/12/2024
How to Fix the Housing Crisis with New Jersey Senator Troy Singleton
An Honorable Profession
In this week’s episode, host Ryan Coonerty speaks with New Jersey Senator Troy Singleton, who is working alongside Governor Phil Murphy and his legislative colleagues to address the housing crisis. New Jersey is one of the most densely populated states in our union, which poses unique challenges and unique opportunities to increase housing. Ryan and Senator Singleton explore misconceptions about what affordable housing is and who it serves, and they discuss why the senator believes it's more effective to market affordable housing as workforce housing. Singleton also talks about New...
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Pete Buttigieg Looks Towards the Future
An Honorable Profession
With a new administration beginning in Washington this week, the importance of pragmatic and effective state and local officials is clearer than ever. That was the message from former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and NewDEAL alum Pete Buttigieg when he spoke at our 2024 Leaders Conference. His remarks are a vital reminder of the key role state and local policymakers play in delivering results and making everyday life better for the American people. After his opening remarks, Buttigieg, who was then appearing in his official capacity as Secretary of Transportation, joined MSNBC's Symone...
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Efficiency & Economics Will Dominate State Legislatures in 2025
An Honorable Profession
In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Oregon House Majority Leader Ben Bowman, Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton, and Georgia Democratic Caucus Chair Representative Tanya Miller. These three NewDEAL Leaders reflect on their 2024 accomplishments – from lowering prescription costs for Pennsylvania seniors to passing landmark, bipartisan bills addressing Oregon's housing shortage. They then look towards the year ahead and discuss their top priorities for the 2025 legislative session, which include improving government oversight to ensure that...
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MSNBC’s Symone Sanders Townsend on One Year of The Weekend & How to Handle the Next Four Years
An Honorable Profession
Happy New Year! Our first episode of 2025 features leading political strategist and author Symone Sanders Townsend, now host of MSNBC's The Weekend. Symone speaks with co-hosts Debbie Cox Bultan and Ryan Coonerty about the importance of citizens being informed and staying engaged in the political arena, even if they feel worn out after the 2024 election. She shares her approach to covering the incoming Trump administration and the current political environment, as well as the nuts and bolts of her life in the political media and what it takes to be ready to go live every Saturday and...
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Best of 2024: Representative Megan Srinivas Shares Why Government Needs a Doctor
An Honorable Profession
This week, we want to take the opportunity to revisit our conversation with Iowa State Representative Megan Srinivas. She and co-host Ryan Coonerty talk about her journey as the child of immigrants in a small Iowa town, to a life changing visit to Kenya, to Harvard, and back to Iowa to represent disadvantaged communities. They discuss her storytelling strategies to create a middle ground on key issues like abortion and why medical professionals are well-positioned to run for office. Srinivas also explains how she embraces the diverse experiences of Iowans to align her messaging on key policy...
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Best of 2024: Assemblymember Alex Bores on the Role of AI in Politics
An Honorable Profession
Happy holidays! While our team is off enjoying a well-deserved break, we're revisiting an episode with New York Assemblymember Alex Bores, co-chair of the NewDEAL Forum AI Task Force. As one of the few state legislators in the country with a computer science background, Bores explains how artificial intelligence can change our elections, economy, and everyday lives. He also shares his thoughts on how the government should adjust to the rapid development of AI technology, including about how New York integrates AI into government services, the state economy, and the education system. In...
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Phoenix City Councilmember Kesha Hodge Washington on Making a Difference
An Honorable Profession
Filmed at the 14th Annual NewDEAL Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., host Ryan Coonerty talks with Phoenix, AZ, City Councilmember Kesha Hodge Washington. She shares her approach to leadership and her commitment to creating opportunities for more people in her community. The conversation delves into her journey from the U.S. Virgin Islands to the Valley of the Sun and how this ultimately led her down the path of politics and on to the City Council. She shares how she balances immediate neighborhood needs with long-term policy goals, and talks about ensuring big investments create...
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Williamsport, PA, Mayor Derek Slaughter on Community-Driven Leadership & Transformative Governance
An Honorable Profession
Filmed at the 14th Annual NewDEAL Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., host Ryan Coonerty talks with Williamsport, PA, Mayor Derek Slaughter. Mayor Slaughter reflects on his unexpected journey from high school teacher and basketball coach to public servant. He discusses his focus on revitalizing his city, highlights efforts to boost economic development, enhance public safety, and invest in youth programming. He also shares his insights on navigating the challenges of good governance during a highly polarized time in the U.S., emphasizing the importance of connecting with constituents...
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Milwaukee County Supervisor Marcelia Nicholson on Advocacy, Teaching, and the Power of Baked Goods
An Honorable Profession
Filmed at the 14th Annual NewDEAL Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., host Ryan Coonerty talks with Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson. Growing up in one of the country’s most underserved zip codes, Nicholson is using her experiences to improve the communities she holds dear. She begins the conversation explaining how she found her way to elected office after being upset by the lack of resources available to her students as a fourth grade teacher. From there, she explains how to organize and advocate successfully at the local level, offering her...
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ICYMI: Unlocking Abundance and How to Make Inclusive Public Policy with Derek Kaufman
An Honorable Profession
Happy Thanksgiving! While our team is out of the office this week, we want to take this opportunity to revisit our September 2024 conversation focused on the Abundance Movement. In this episode, NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with the CEO and Founder of the Inclusive Abundance Initiative, Derek Kaufman. Derek is a thought leader and policy strategist dedicated to advancing equity and sustainability through innovative business practices. The Inclusive Abundance Initiative aims to create inclusive economic systems that foster abundance for all, pushing back against a scarcity mindset with...
info_outlineFilmed at the 14th Annual NewDEAL Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., host Ryan Coonerty talks with Williamsport, PA, Mayor Derek Slaughter. Mayor Slaughter reflects on his unexpected journey from high school teacher and basketball coach to public servant. He discusses his focus on revitalizing his city, highlights efforts to boost economic development, enhance public safety, and invest in youth programming. He also shares his insights on navigating the challenges of good governance during a highly polarized time in the U.S., emphasizing the importance of connecting with constituents on shared concerns and showcasing tangible results. A testament to the power of local leadership, this conversation reveals how the Mayor of Williamsport is making a lasting impact.
IN THIS EPISODE:
• [01:54] Williamsport’s growth and the impact of hosting the Little League World Series.
• [04:16] Mayor Slaughter’s unexpected journey from teacher and coach to city leadership.
• [06:42] Surprising challenges of becoming mayor without a political background.
• [08:09] Navigating the complexities of hosting a national political campaign in Williamsport.
• [09:33] Lessons from the 2024 elections and the value of meeting voters where they are.
• [11:58] Leveraging federal funds and innovative ideas to revitalize Williamsport’s economy
• [14:50] A mayor’s role in facilitating and advocating for economic development projects.
• [16:41] The importance of investing in youth programs, including mentorship opportunities.
• [19:35] Mayor Slaughter’s future in public service and the possibility of pursuing higher office.