Celebrating 300 Episodes with Pete Buttigieg: How to Rebuild Trust in Democracy
Release Date: 10/23/2025
How North Carolina Drives Results with Mayor Janet Cowell
An Honorable Profession
In this week’s episode, Raleigh, NC, Mayor Janet Cowell joins us from the NewDEAL Forum Ideas Summit to discuss her approach to leading one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. The conversation digs into housing supply needs and affordability, as well as her data-driven approach to public safety and traffic safety. The conversation also covers her path into public service, from her career as a Councilwoman to serving as State Senator, then becoming the first state-wide female Treasurer of the State, and now, Mayor. They talk about the value of collaboration in delivering results and...
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How to Balance Family, Politics and Public Office with Rep. Jennifer O’Mara
An Honorable Profession
In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with PA State Representative Jennifer O’Mara about how her life experiences and the loss of her father shaped her career, how those stories resonated with people during her election, and what Pennsylvanians are saying they want from their elected leaders. The conversation also covers her experience with IVF, how motherhood has impacted her policy work, and how she juggles all her responsibilities. Ryan and Rep. O’Mara discuss her legislative priorities, including the AI mental health bill she is working on, as well as how she thinks...
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How to Move America Forward with Mayor Mitch Landrieu
An Honorable Profession
In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Mitch Landrieu, who served as a Louisiana state legislator, Lieutenant Governor, and long-time Mayor of New Orleans, and who, in the Biden Administration, oversaw the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Debbie and Mayor Landrieu discuss the current political moment and what it will take to get beyond the divisiveness of this moment, emphasizing that the question for the country's direction is not about left, right, and center; it’s about coming together as Americans to fight autocracy. The...
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How to Make Progress in a Super Minority with Representative Joshua Watkins
An Honorable Profession
In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Kentucky State Representative Joshua Watkins about navigating public service from the super minority and building support across divides. They discuss his role as House Minority Whip, what he’s hearing from constituents on issues such as housing, healthcare, and the cost of living, and lessons learned from the state budget process. The conversation also covers how to address housing affordability, including increasing supply, supporting renters, and exploring new funding solutions. Tune in to learn...
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How City Commissioner Ben Sorensen Drives Growth in Florida
An Honorable Profession
In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Ben Sorensen. They discuss what he’s hearing from his constituents and highlight his efforts to address homelessness and affordability, as well as his “fail fast” mindset to adjust and drive more effective solutions. The conversation also covers the launch of the city’s first-ever community court focused on rehabilitation and outlines his vision for building a thriving ocean economy. In addition, Sorensen discusses his belief that government should operate at the speed of...
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How Democracy Can Deliver Through Grace with Congresswoman Sarah McBride
An Honorable Profession
This week we're celebrating 15 years of NewDEAL with Delaware Congresswoman and NewDEAL Alumna Sarah McBride. Hosts Debbie and Ryan begin the conversation with Rep. McBride by reflecting on the major trends in our politics from the last 15 years and the need to maintain willingness to collaborate and a sense of commonality. They also discuss the importance of having a “politics of grace not of grievance” and how it is going to take people to summon that grace to reduce the division and vitriol in our politics. They talk about what it takes to stay focused on delivering results on the...
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How to Meet Your Constituents Where They Are With Representative Mai Xiong
An Honorable Profession
In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty and Michigan State Representative Mai Xiong discuss her journey as the daughter of Hmong refugees, a small business owner, and digital marketer who has built an online following by sharing an unfiltered look at public service. Ryan and Xiong discuss how her background in marketing shaped her approach to communication and reflect key moments in her path into office, including her decision to run for local office during the pandemic and how she won a competitive swing district. Xiong shares how her lived experience informs her work on issues like...
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How to Use Public Service for the Greater Good with Senator Laura Smith
An Honorable Profession
In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty and Montana State Senator Laura Smith discuss her path to office and how her drive to address issues of injustice has secured her a seat at the table to contribute to meaningful change. The conversation covers Montana’s current political climate, the challenges created by the federal Department of Justice under the Trump administration, and how good leadership makes a difference. Smith also details her legislative priorities, the biggest challenges she faces as a policymaker, and how being a mother informs her legislative work. Tune in to learn...
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How to Make Caring for Families More Affordable
An Honorable Profession
This week’s special episode features NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaking with the co-chairs of the NewDEAL Forum Caring for Families Task Force -- a new initiative to address the cost and accessibility of what Americans need to take care of themselves and their loved ones. It’s led by DE Lt. Governor Kyle Gay, MN Senate Assistant Majority Leader Grant Hauschild, WY Vice-Chairwoman of the Board of Commissioners Natalia Macker, and IA State Representative Dr. Megan Srinivas. The co-chairs talk about their approach to advancing pragmatic solutions and what they are hearing from their...
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How to Learn from a Super Minority with KS State Representative Brandon Woodard
An Honorable Profession
In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonery and Kansas State Representative Brandon Woodard discuss how the current legislative session is going, what it looks like to lead from the minority while still delivering real results, and his efforts to flip seats in the midterms. Woodard advocates for human rights, economic opportunity, and a fair Kansas for all. The conversation covers Woodard’s focus on affordability, the realities of governing under a Republican supermajority, his approach to collaborating with his colleagues across the aisle, and why a small numbers of cross-party votes can...
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