Celebrating 300 Episodes with Pete Buttigieg: How to Rebuild Trust in Democracy
Release Date: 10/23/2025
How to Fight For Justice in Politics with North Dakota Rep Jayme Davis
An Honorable Profession
In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with North Dakota State Representative Jayme Davis. Following the tragic events in Minnesota, Davis discusses why she still believes there is hope to fight for more honorable and humane politics. She shares how she prioritizes the protection of the most vulnerable people, her stance during this challenging time, and how lessons from her family and her desire to find the good in everything keeps her motivated to do this challenging work at a difficult time. In addition, the conversation delves into why Davis ran for public office, how she...
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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 the 2025 to win in 2026 and 2028, and how state and local politics can rebuild Americans’ sense of agency and hope. Tune in to learn more from this insightful...
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How Dems are Setting 2026 Priorities in the States
An Honorable Profession
In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan welcomes Oregon House Majority Leader Ben Bowman, Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, New Jersey Senate Majority Leader Vin Gopal, and Kansas House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard for our 2026 state legislative preview. These NewDEAL Leaders set the stage for the year ahead and discuss their top priorities for the 2026 sessions, emphasizing their determination to pursue an agenda focused on affordability, even as they navigate the many challenges created by decisions made in Washington, D.C. Policy proposals...
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How to Take Hardship and Have Each Other's Back with Assistant Majority Leader Grant Hauschild
An Honorable Profession
In this week’s episode, NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Grant Hauschild, the Assistant Majority Leader in the Minnesota Senate in the midst of an exceptionally challenging time in his state. They talk about the tragedies and ongoing fallout from last week’s killing of Renee Good, as well as last summer’s assassination of former Speaker Melissa Hortman and the attempted assassination of Senator John Hoffman. In addition, Hauschild talks about his experience as the last Democrat standing in rural Northeast Minnesota, along with his focus on the affordability issues his...
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How to Craft Policy with Alaskan Representative Genevieve Mina
An Honorable Profession
Happy New Year! For our first episode of 2026, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with Alaska State Representative Genevieve Mina. They discuss what it takes to craft policy in a state grappling with severe climate impacts and some of the nation's highest healthcare costs. Representative Mina offers an inside look at the unique challenges and opportunities shaping Alaska’s future. The conversation also unpacks what sparked her initial interest in policy and politics, and how her perspective has shifted over the years. Mina explains how the Alaskan legislature works in both structure and culture...
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: ICYMI: How to Respond to Natural Disasters with Hawaii State Senator Troy Hashimoto
An Honorable Profession
Happy New Year! While our team is off for the holiday, we want to take this opportunity to revisit our conversation with Hawaii State Senator Troy Hashimoto. Host Ryan Coonerty and Hashimoto reflect on the devastating 2023 Maui wildfires, including lessons around preparing for and building resilience against natural disasters, as well as best practices for coordinating disaster safety efforts across multiple levels of government. Senator Hashimoto also discusses his efforts to address Maui’s housing crisis and improve the local economy after tourism took a major hit from COVID and the fires....
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ICYMI: How to be a Democrat in West Virginia with Delegate Kayla Young
An Honorable Profession
Happy Holidays! While our team is off for the holiday, we want to take this opportunity to revisit our conversation with West Virginia Delegate Kayla Young. Host Ryan Coonerty and Young offer a political history lesson on how once-blue West Virginia took a sharp right turn, what the rest of the country can learn from the Mountain State, and how she approaches her work as part of the smallest legislative minority in the country. The conversation also dives into energy policy and politics, including the impact of the Biden Administration's investment in a clean energy economy, the Trump...
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How to Make Government Deliver with Delaware Lieutenant Governor Kyle Gay
An Honorable Profession
Recorded at the 15th Annual NewDEAL Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., host Ryan Coonerty’s conversation with Delaware Lieutenant Governor Kyle Gay digs into how she helped pass Delaware’s equal rights amendment, her period-equity initiative, and her efforts to expand pathways to legal services. Gay talks about her time as Deputy Attorney General, representing clients in Delaware’s business courts and practicing pro bono law for foster youth – experiences that now inform how she convenes communities, agencies, and decision-makers to change outcomes. The episode also explores how...
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How Ethical Leadership is Crucial in Troubled Times with State Rep. Alexis Simpson
An Honorable Profession
Recording from the 15th Annual NewDEAL Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., host Ryan Coonerty talks with New Hampshire State Representative and Democratic Leader Alexis Simpson about the importance of ethical leadership in these troubled times, how she approaches her legislative priorities, and how her weekends as a minister in her community informs how she does her job as a legislator. Ryan and Simpson also discuss New Hampshire’s status as a swing state and “picker of presidents,” and what all Americans need to know about how the state evaluates those who pursue our nation’s...
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How to Build Vibrant Communities with Mayor Leonardo Williams
An Honorable Profession
Recorded at the 15th Annual NewDEAL Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., host Ryan Coonerty talks with Durham, NC, Mayor Leonardo Williams. They talk about how the mayor built a career grounded in community service and leadership, and how his experiences equipped him with what he needs most to be a successful mayor. In addition, they unpack what it means to lead when there are ICE raids in your community, causing kids not to want to go to school and people not to want to go to work, and what it takes to have a vibrant community with flourishing small businesses. Tune in to learn about Mayor...
info_outlineWe’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 conversation delves into his advice for communicating with Americans of all political stripes in a highly polarized environment and why it’s critical for leaders to go everywhere to meet people in the physical and virtual spaces where they are. In addition, Debbie, Ryan, and Buttigieg talk about how Democrats move forward with an agenda to rebuild damage from the Trump Administration without going back to a past status quo. Buttigieg also reflects on fatherhood and finding perspective beyond politics, sharing how family helps keep his actions grounded in hope. Tune in for a full-circle conversation that honors public service and looks ahead to a new generation of hopeful and pragmatic leaders.
Help us celebrate our 300th episode by sharing this episode and subscribing to An Honorable Profession wherever you listen to podcasts, and giving us a five star rating on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
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IN THIS EPISODE:
• [00:00] Celebrating the 300th episode milestone of An Honorable Profession.
• [02:24] Remembering Buttigieg’s first appearance on the show as a young mayor.
• [03:57] Lessons from local leadership that continue to guide his perspective.
• [06:23] Buttigieg’s advice on when and how Democrats should take principled, effective stands.
• [08:53] Defining what it means to “fight” as democrats: standing for what’s right, not just
against opponents.
• [10:14] Communicating beyond echo chambers and reaching audiences across divides.
• [12:24] The messages that resonate as we head into the 2026 midterm elections.
• [15:11] How Democrats can prepare now to rebuild government and restore public trust.
• [19:43] Using AI to solve real problems while guarding against its unintended harm.
• [23:36] Rebuilding community through shared service and belonging beyond politics.
• [27:00] Democrats’ effort to reclaim freedom, faith, and patriotism as inclusive American
values.
• [29:11] Finding hope and perspective through fatherhood and a renewed sense of purpose