How Michigan Manufacturing is Handling Tariffs with Lansing Mayor Andy Schor
Release Date: 05/01/2025
How Americans Experience Politics with Gretchen Barton
An Honorable Profession
In this week’s episode, NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Gretchen Barton, founder of Worthy Strategy Group, who uses qualitative research to uncover not just what people think but why they hold those views. Gretchen draws on images voters choose and personal stories they tell to express how they experience politics and the challenges affecting their daily lives. Barton also reflects on what Democrats can learn from this year’s elections heading into 2026 and 2028, and how state and local politics can rebuild Americans’ sense of agency and hope. Tune in to learn more from this...
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How to Have Faith in the Midst of Dysfunction with County Commissioner Lesley Briones
An Honorable Profession
In this week’s episode, host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Harris County, TX, County Commissioner Lesley Briones, who explains her role representing the third-largest county in the country with a population larger than 26 U.S. States and 34 cities. Ryan and Briones discuss her journey as a Harvard and Yale Law School graduate who became a public school teacher and then a judge, and how her parents instilled in her the belief that she should always help others. Briones talks about navigating the chaos left by the Trump administration—including Governor Abbott's redistricting plan —how faith...
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How to Use Your Voice With State Representative Stephanie Simacek
An Honorable Profession
In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Arizona State Representative Stephanie Simacek. They talk about how her journey from teacher to legislator, including how a concern with her daughter’s education drove her to run for office and how she flipped a seat in one of the state’s most competitive districts. Simacek explains what she’s learned about using her voice in a divided state government, and how Democrats in Arizona have found creative ways to deliver wins for families despite being in the minority in both chambers of the legislature. The...
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How to Break Barriers with State Senator Sarah Anthony
An Honorable Profession
In this week’s episode, host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Michigan State Senator Sarah Anthony. They talk about her achievements and her many ‘‘firsts’ in politics - including her path to becoming the first African American woman elected to the Michigan Senate and the first to Chair the Senate Appropriations Committee -- and the obstacles she has overcome along the way. Anthony explains how she is trying to improve equity and opportunity for all Michiganders and the challenges of leading the effort to shape what she calls the “people’s budget.” In addition, she offers insights...
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Celebrating 300 Episodes with Pete Buttigieg: How to Rebuild Trust in Democracy
An Honorable Profession
We’re celebrating our 300th episode of An Honorable Profession! Thank you to our listeners for being part of this journey and we look forward to introducing you to more inspiring leaders from across the country over our next 300 episodes. In this special episode, hosts NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan and Ryan Coonerty are joined by former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, a longtime NewDEAL Leader and one of the podcast’s early guests. Buttigieg discusses the lessons he has learned from politics and leadership on his journey from South Bend Mayor to a cabinet member. The...
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How to Celebrate Growth and Diversity with City Councilmember Ed Pollard
An Honorable Profession
In this week’s episode, host Ryan Coonerty sits down with Houston City Councilmember Ed Pollard. They discuss being a blue dot in a red state, Pollard's approach to being “pro- growth and pro-business,” and what Houston needs to do to reach its true potential. Ryan and Pollard also talk about what national Democrats get wrong about the politics of Texas and immigrant communities, Pollard’s full-time job as a lawyer, and how you should spend 24 hours in Houston. Tune in to learn more from this engaging conversation! IN THIS WEEK'S EPISODE: • [01:16] Introducing today’s guest,...
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How to Restore Trust in Government with Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald
An Honorable Profession
In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with New Jersey Majority Leader Lou Greenwald. They discuss Greenwald’s approach to governing, including his work on the bipartisan Next New Jersey Manufacturing Program, which will invest in the state’s economy, create jobs, and bring long-term economic growth. In addition, Debbie asks about this year’s New Jersey governor's race and the historical trends that Democrats have to battle. They also talk about the importance of delivering for constituents and how the political landscape has changed over the past...
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How to Lead with Purpose with Representative Eleni Kavros DeGraw
An Honorable Profession
In this week’s episode, host Ryan Coonerty sits down with Connecticut Representative Eleni Kavros DeGraw. They discuss her work to reduce hunger in her state, pass landmark legislation to make housing more affordable despite pushback, and advance Connecticut’s first criminal justice model for trauma-informed engagement with survivors of sexual assault. Kavros DeGraw also explains how her background as a journalist and English major has prepared her for politics and what motivates her to continue her work. Tune in to learn more from this engaging conversation and how Kavros DeGraw is...
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How to Fight Towards a Better Democracy with New York Senator Jamaal T. Bailey
An Honorable Profession
In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan sits down with Bronx, NY State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey. They discuss how experiences in high school and college inspired Bailey to run for public office, the advice he has for his constituents during these uncertain times, and his bi-partisan work on criminal justice reform. They also discuss Senator Bailey’s new role as the Chair of the Insurance Commission and his focus on making life more affordable for New Yorkers. Tune in to get Senator Bailey’s thoughts on the NYC Mayoral race and what he’s looking forward to in the...
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How to Lead Forward in Alabama with Representative Jeremy Gray
An Honorable Profession
In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Alabama State Representative and Minority Whip Jeremy Gray. They discuss his career journey from Division 1 football to the Alabama Legislature, where he advocates for student-athletes and works on tech and innovation policy to keep Alabama’s economy competitive. Ryan and Representative Gray also discuss how financial literacy is key to building generational wealth, as well as how overturning Alabama’s three-decade yoga ban became a national story and what the experience taught him about building coalitions. Tune in to learn why...
info_outlineThis week, host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Lansing, MI, Mayor Andy Schor whose community and state are at the center of national politics and the current debates around manufacturing, jobs, and tariffs. Mayor Schor discusses the disconnect between President Trump’s campaign promises versus the actual impacts his policies are having on the lives of the everyday Michiganders who elected him. He digs into the specific impacts of tariffs, including how they threaten mid-Michigan’s auto industry, as well as small businesses through the Lansing region, and speaks more broadly about how mayors across the country are navigating the uncertainty of the second Trump administration, including threats to Biden-era federal funds. The mayor also reflects on his career in politics, detailing the pros and cons of serving both in the state legislature and as mayor, and how he views the changing political landscape. Tune in to hear how Mayor Schor is championing equitable growth across Michigan’s capital city.
IN THIS EPISODE:
• [01:04] Mayor Andy Schor’s key position at ground zero of American politics in Michigan today.
• [02:12] An overview of life in Lansing, Michigan, following the 2020 pandemic.
• [04:28] How Lansing created the conditions for growth and what the response has been.
• [07:06] Mayor Schor’s experience of serving at different levels of government.
• [12:50] How Michigan citizens are feeling about the political climate in 2025.
• [15:43] The impact of tariffs on manufacturing jobs and the car industry.
• [20:58] Threats and impacts to cities across the country.
• [23:35] How the change in status of tax-exempt municipal bonds will affect Lansing.
• [25:22] What it’s truly like to be Mayor of Lansing, Michigan.
• [28:00] How the world of politics has changed since Mayor Schor’s early involvement.