Best Elsa Lawrence Podcasts (2024)

1
How to Run for Office 35:39

2+ y ago35:39

35:39

In the final episode of the Run for Something podcast, Amanda and co-founder Ross Morales Rocketto dig in on how to run for office. They answer questions like how to know which office to run for, what dooms a campaign, and why it matters for people like you to get involved. To learn more about Run for Something (the organization), check out runfors…

1
How Elsa Mejia Won in a Conservative Town & Became the First Indigenous City Councilmember in Madera, CA 21:43

2+ y ago21:43

21:43

First, a programming note: Next week will be the last episode of this podcast! Then, a conversation with Elsa Mejia, an Indigenous Mexican woman, bilingual journalist and communications specialist for a local union who turned her community roots into community leadership. We talk about running for office as an introvert, how she overcame partisansh…

1
Amber Sellers is the first Black woman elected to the Lawrence City Commission 30:28

2+ y ago30:28

30:28

In November, Amber Sellers became the first Black woman elected to the Lawrence City Commission in Kansas. At first, Amber didn't think she'd be the one to run -- in fact, she was trying to recruit someone else to fill the spot. But after months of conversation, she realized she should do it, even if she was afraid, and even if it meant putting her…

1
Yes, We Elect Coroners: Sophia Garcia-Jackson in Chester County, PA 27:15

2+ y ago27:15

27:15

In around 1300 counties across the country, we still elect coroners. Run for Something has worked with a handful of them over the years -- Sophia Garcia-Jackson of Chester County, PA, is our first winner! We talk about how she got into the line of work, what a coroner actually does, the story she tells at cocktail parties, and why it matters to hav…

1
How to Keep Georgia Blue: A conversation with Gwinnett County Commissioners Ben Ku and Nicole Love Hendrickson 27:45

2+ y ago27:45

27:45

I talk with two members of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners in Georgia -- Ben Ku and Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson. Ben won his seat in 2018 and became the first LGBTQ member of the board; Nicole won in 2020 and completed the full flip to give Democrats control of the board. We dig in on how county government works, what the experien…

1
Brianna Lennon explains what county clerk actually does & why you might want to be one 32:17

2+ y ago32:17

32:17

First, a quick run-through of how previous guests did on Election Day, and some thoughts on VA & NJ. Then: We talk with Boone County Clerk Brianna Lennon on what it was like running an election during a pandemic, what county clerks actually do, and what you should do now if you might want to run for that position one day. You can find Brianna on so…

1
Jasmine Crockett is not backing down from fighting for Texans 36:20

2+ y ago36:20

36:20

First, a quick rundown of some of the previous guests who are on the ballot today -- some of the 271 Run for Something folks up for a vote! Then, a conversation with Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who went from lawyer to the state representative, fighting hard for voting rights, equality, and safety. As a new member of the legislature, she was consta…

1
If Kelly Krout Can Run a Family With 7 Kids, She Can Help Lead Arkansas 32:04

2+ y ago32:04

32:04

When Kelly Ross Krout was a teenager, she fell into a crowd of Evangelical conservatives and identified as a Republican -- over the last decade, she's been slowly but surely changing her mind as she realized some of the policies she believed in were not inclusive of people she loved. In 2020, Kelly ran for state house in deep red Arkansas as a Demo…

1
Denzel McCambell is Fighting for Democracy in Detroit 31:57

2+ y ago31:57

31:57

Denzel McCambell grew up in Detroit as the son of social worker mom and an autoworker dad -- it was a union family. He always understood why civic engagement mattered and how precious the right to vote is; during and after college he got involved in LGBTQ+ organizing, worked for a state representative and other community organizations, then took on…

1
Shan Rose Wants to Let Kids Be Kids 25:26

2+ y ago25:26

25:26

Shan Rose never imagined she'd be running for office. She's experienced teenage homelessness, lost her husband to gun violence, lost a son to medical problems -- and instead of letting all that heartbreak stop her, she turned it into a desire to fight for her community. She's been a nonprofit exec and community activist for years; now she's running…

1
In Class By Day, Running for Office By Night: Justin Tseng for Medford City Council 28:49

2+ y ago28:49

28:49

First, a sneak preview of an exciting initiative launching today! Then: Justin Tseng grew up in Medford -- a small town outside Boston. Now as a senior at Harvard (and at only 21 years old!) he's running for city council to help lead the city he loves into the next phase of its growth. We talk about his experience campaigning and balancing a full l…

1
This Race is A Very Big Deal: Sheila Nezhad for Mayor of Minneapolis 31:04

2+ y ago31:04

31:04

Sheila Nezhad has a long history of activism and serving her community of Minneapolis. After the murder of George Floyd in 2020, the city (and the world) erupted in an unprecedented uprising for Black lives -- Sheila was in the center of it, working with the city government to reimagine public safety, helping create the charter amendment that's now…

1
Keeping Georgia Blue: Dontaye Carter for Mayor of Sandy Springs, GA 29:08

2+ y ago29:08

29:08

Dontaye Carter is running for mayor of Sandy Springs, GA, a city just outside Atlanta -- his opponent is the former chair of the Georgia Republican Party. Sandy Springs has changed a lot over the last decade, but its leadership hasn't -- it's time for a new voice. Learn more about Dontaye's campaign at dontayeformayor.com Produced by Dear Media.…

1
Elizabeth Wanczak Just Really Really Loves Local Government - That's Why She Wants to Serve In It 40:05

3y ago40:05

40:05

Elizabeth Wanczak first started caring about local government by watching the city planning meetings on public access television. (She admits, it was sometimes about as boring as watching paint dry.) But the more she watched, the more she understood what was happening and what could be fixed. When a dear friend who'd been pushing her to run for off…

1
A Very Special Episode with RFS Co-founder Ross Morales Rocketto 29:43

3y ago29:43

29:43

For our 50th week of podcasting (and 51st episode, whoops!), Amanda and Run for Something co-founder Ross Morales Rocketto check in to talk about their thoughts on the Biden administration and what RFS has been up to this year, then answer a few questions from listeners, including which episodes have been their favorites, what they're most excited …

1
How the Pandemic Inspired Public Health Expert Dr. Aditi Bussells to Run for Office 36:01

3y ago36:01

36:01

Dr. Aditi Srivastav Bussels never thought she'd run for office -- she got multiple degrees in public health to try and take care of people. But when the pandemic started, she realized exactly how critical her perspective would be in city government. Now she's running for Columbia City Council in South Carolina. We talk about her experience becoming…

1
Broward County School Board Member Sarah Leonardi is Taking On the Florida Governor to Fight for Kids 29:40

3y ago29:40

29:40

School boards and Florida have both been in the news lately - so we talked with Broward County School Board member Sarah Leonardi about what's going on in her community. Sarah was a public school teacher who got her start in politics by volunteering on another local campaign. She ran and won in 2020 and at 31, became the youngest member of the scho…

1
Go Blue! How University of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker's Age Makes Him Better at His Job 36:07

3y ago36:07

36:07

Jordan Acker was a University of Michigan alum and lawyer working hard and raising a family when he went through a health scare that landed him in the UM hospital system. That experience made him realize just how important the university was to the state -- which led him to ultimately running for the Board of Regents to help govern it. When he won …

1
Ruthzee Louijeune Is Going to Bring Affordable Housing to Boston 31:36

3y ago31:36

31:36

Ruthzee Louijeune is the daughter of Haitian immigrants -- a history that's intimately shaped her approach to serving and fighting for her community. Her experience as a housing lawyer (who also served as counsel to Elizabeth Warren's presidential campaign) has prepared her to join the Boston City Council and bring affordable housing to a city that…

1
From Hair Stylist to Black Lives Matter Activist to Candidate: Bridgette Craighead is Going to Flip Her Virginia District Blue 30:42

3y ago30:42

30:42

Bridgette Craighead was born and raised in Rocky Mount, Virginia -- as a mom and small business owner, she'd never really gotten political before until the murder of George Floyd, when she organized Rocky Mount's first ever Black Lives Matter protest, where even some police officers came out to show their support. Imagine her surprise when six mont…

1
Why Texas Democrats Had to Flee Texas to Do Their Jobs and Fight for Democracy, with Reps. Erin Zwiener and James Talarico 54:06

3y ago54:06

54:06

It's the biggest story in politics right now: In order to deny Texas Republicans the quorum needed to pass egregious voter suppression laws, Democrats in the Texas state house literally left the state, and can't come back for at least three weeks. First, we reconnect with early podcast guest TX Rep. Erin Zwiener to get into the details on how they …

1
You're Going to Fall in Love with Dr. Tyler Titus 37:56

3y ago37:56

37:56

Dr. Tyler Titus grew up in poverty in rural Pennsylvania, never feeling like they quite fit in -- they were bullied and struggled with suicide ideation and depression. It wasn't until they got to college and met other queer people that Tyler finally found themselves. In between working in county family services, getting a masters in counseling, and…

1
Rhode Island Sen. Cynthia Mendes On Why Young Women of Color Need To Claim Their Power 33:31

3y ago33:31

33:31

At least a half dozen people called in to 833-244-5382 and requested her, so here she is: Rhode Island Sen. Cynthia Mendes talks about how she grew up never seeing people like her in office, and didn't think politics was a meaningful way to make change -- until a few years ago, when a friend asked her to run for office herself. Along with a network…

1
Why A Queer Latinx Architect Should Be Mayor of Seattle - Andrew Grant Houston 29:35

3y ago29:35

29:35

Some election updates! (Spoiler: A bunch of the folks you've met on the show in past episodes have WON -- get excited.) Then, a conversation with Andrew Grant Houston, aka Ace, candidate for mayor of Seattle. Like many millennials, Ace moved to a city for work a few years ago -- he quickly got engaged in housing activism, an issue near and dear to …

1
The First Latinx Leader in the NC State House: Ricky Hurtado 39:25

3y ago39:25

39:25

Ricky Hurtado made history in 2020: He became the first Latinx leader in the NC state house, and was one of the rare Democrats anywhere to flip a state legislative seat red to blue. His story is both incredibly special and deeply common -- Ricky grew up in an immigrant household, was the first generation in his family to go to college, went to work…

1
India Walton Is Going to Be the First Woman Mayor of Buffalo 28:55

3y ago28:55

28:55

When India Walton was growing up working class in Buffalo, she always knew she'd serve her community in some way -- but she never would have guessed that one day she'd be in the running to be the first woman mayor of Buffalo. From being a mother at 14 to having twins in the NICU that nudged into going into nursing to her later role as a non-profit …

1
Amanda Farías Is Who The Bronx Needs in City Hall 35:08

3y ago35:08

35:08

First, our very first voicemail!! Listen in as Amanda responds to a caller about the 1/6 commission and talks about how she gets her news. (Then leave a voicemail yourself at (833) 244-5382!) Then, a conversation with Amanda Farías, candidate for New York City Council in the Bronx. She ran in 2017, came up short, then kept fighting as she worked he…

1
How Jennifer Kitchen Plans To Flip A Red Seat Blue in Rural Virginia 27:40

3y ago27:40

27:40

After the 2016 election, Jennifer Kitchen started getting involved -- in spite of a chronic pain disorder that made marching and canvassing hard, she kept showing up and organizing her rural community. She ran in 2019 and lost, but won more votes than any Democrat in her district had before. She almost immediately launched her 2021 campaign, then w…

1
Black Lives Matter Activist Chi Ossé Is Ready to Represent Brooklyn 33:18

3y ago33:18

33:18

First, some news! The Run for Something podcast now had a voicemail box. Give us a call at (833) 244-5382 with any questions, hopes, fears, dreams, or thoughts on who you want us to talk to next. Then, a great conversation with Chi Ossé, who's been making headlines as an activist and culture-driver, and now as a fresh 23 year old, one of the younge…

1
From Berkeley Graduation to Berkeley City Council - Rigel Robinson's Leading When It Matters Most 33:50

3y ago33:50

33:50

Missouri native Rigel Robinson started at UC Berkeley in 2014 as an eager student, ready to learn and to fall in love with the city he'd call home. Four years later, just as he was about to graduate, folks started clamoring for him to run for office. He jumped in the fight, won, and throughout his first term, has already pushed forward necessary re…

1
What Happens When A Queer Muslim Woman Runs for Office Again - Liliana Bakhtiari for Atlanta City Council 32:24

3y ago32:24

32:24

When Liliana Bakhtiari ran for Atlanta City Council in 2017, she made national headlines as a queer Muslim millennial seeking leadership. She came up a few hundred votes short, but kept organizing, because her campaign was never really about what happened on Election Day -- it was about engaging her community. When every problem she ran to solve th…

1
From First-time Activist to First-time Candidate: Justan Fields for Allentown City Council 29:11

3y ago29:11

29:11

Justan Parker Fields had never really been involved in politics before -- it had run in his family, sure, but he'd never been too engaged. But when the police shot and killed Philando Castile back in 2016, he decided to try and organize a protest in his hometown of Allentown, PA. Not too many people showed up. A few years later, when George Floyd w…

1
The "Squad" of Sacramento - City Councilmembers Katie Valenzuela and Mai Vang 43:15

3y ago43:15

43:15

Housing activist Katie Valenzuela ran against an incumbent member of the Sacramento City Council and won, in spite of being outspent 3 to 1. A few months later, she was joined on the council by organizer Mai Vang, the first Asian American woman to join the body. The two have built a beautiful friendship and in just a few months, revolutionized poli…

1
Following In The Footsteps of Barack Obama - IL State Sen. Robert Peters 51:23

3y ago51:23

51:23

IL State Sen. Robert Peters was born to a mom with addiction problems and was then adopted by a social worker and a civil rights lawyer, who raised him in the politically-active Hyde Park area in Chicago. He had a tough childhood -- he was born deaf, had a speech impediment, and tended to get into trouble as a kid. In spite of deaths in his family,…

1
How To Talk to Trump Voters with Maine State Senator Chloe Maxmin 37:48

3y ago37:48

37:48

Climate activist Chloe Maxmin first ran for Maine state house in 2018 and won, becoming the first Democrat to ever represent her very rural very old community. (She was only 26 years old!) Then in 2020, she ran for Maine state senate and beat out the top-ranking leader of the Republican party. Listen in to find out how she did it, why rural America…

1
Boston City Council Candidate Kendra Hicks Is a Rising Star 31:47

3y ago31:47

31:47

Kendra Hicks is an activist, an organizer, a mom of a son on the autism spectrum, and a possibly history-making candidate for Boston City Council. She's a rising star and win or lose, you're going to see her on the national scale in a big way in the next few years. Listen now to see why we're obsessed - then head to her website to help her campaign…

1
Cleveland Can't Wait: Why Justin Bibb is Running for Mayor 26:38

3y ago26:38

26:38

When his mom told him he was never going to be the next LeBron James, Ohio native Justin Bibb was crushed -- until a chance encounter with a presidential campaign in a hotel lobby redirected his passion to politics. Now he's running for mayor of Cleveland, because his city can't wait for someone else to bring about change. We talk about his path to…

1
How Denver School Board Director Tay Anderson Became the Youngest Elected Official in Colorado 25:11

3y ago25:11

25:11

First, Amanda talks through some new Run for Something research that shows local candidates really do have "reverse coattails." Then: A conversation with Tay Anderson, Denver School Board Director and the youngest elected official in Colorado, who ran and lost in 2017, but didn't let that stop him -- he ran again in 2019 and handily won, and has no…

1
Marche' Johnson Lost By 6 Votes The First Time - That Won't Happen Again 30:50

3+ y ago30:50

30:50

We don't often hear from Democrats running in Alabama - let's fix that! Meet Marche' Johnson, a veteran and single mom running for Montgomery City Council, ran for the first time in 2019 and lost by just six votes. Then the incumbent who beat her died in office -- often the only way space is made for new leaders, unfortunately -- and now she's figh…

1
Why NY state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi is Furious (And Unapologetic About It) 42:17

3+ y ago42:17

42:17

NY state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi talks about her path to elected office, what Democrats got done over the last few years, and why she's so (righteously and appropriately) furious with NY Governor Andrew Cuomo. Tune in for some outrage, and follow her on Twitter at @Biaggi4NY Produced by Dear Media.

1
Nida Allam Was The First Muslim Woman Elected in North Carolina - She Won't Be The Last 30:50

3+ y ago30:50

30:50

A conversation with Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam on her journey into elected office, which began when an anti-Muslim shooter killed her best friend and two others. We talk about her role on the Durham County Commission and how she built her campaign, and Nida speaks candidly about the great joy she took in campaigning as a Muslim woman, as…

1
Meet Gabriella Cázares-Kelly, the First Indigenous Woman Elected in Pima County, Arizona 30:21

3+ y ago30:21

30:21

Gabriella Cázares-Kelly got her start as an organizer and educator, struggling to get Indigenous communities registered to vote. Learn more about how that experience shaped her journey to becoming the Pima County Recorder, who manages (among other things), the voter registration process, how far her family has come in just three generations, and th…

1
A Day in the Life of Kerri-Ann Nesbeth, Candidate for Miramar City Council 30:41

3+ y ago30:41

30:41

First, a little rant about the gerontocracy. (Sorry if it makes you mad!) Then: A conversation with Kerri-Ann Nesbeth, candidate for Miramar City Council down in South Florida. She explains why she ran, what a day in the life looks like for her right now balancing her full-time job and her full-time campaign, the racism and sexism she's encountered…

1
Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit on What Progressive Criminal Justice Looks Like 36:53

3+ y ago36:53

36:53

First, a quick rant on why Democrats have to govern like winners. Then, and more importantly: A conversation with Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit on what district attorneys do, how he won his Michigan community over, whether or not his job is anything like what we see on The Good Wife, and the direct impact his work is already having as he's …

1
NY State Sen. Zellnor Myrie on What Government Can Actually Do 40:45

3+ y ago40:45

40:45

NY State Sen. Zellnor Myrie from Brooklyn explains his path to the state senate to take on an incumbent who outspent him 3 to 1 and what he and the Democratic majority in NY have actually done to make lives better for people. We also discuss his experience being pepper sprayed at the Black Lives Matter protests over the summer, what it's been like …

1
How to Celebrate National Run for Office Day! 30:53

3+ y ago30:53

30:53

Today, January 19th, 2021, is National Run for Office Day! Amanda and Run for Something co-founder Ross Morales Rocketto talk through what that means and why you should run for office. Plus: What they're hopeful for out of a Biden administration, what accountability for the Republican party looks like, and more. To learn more about the holiday, go …

1
On Georgia & the coup - plus, meet Alex Lee, the first Gen-Z legislator in California 36:52

3+ y ago36:52

36:52

A quick rundown of the last week in politics: The victories in Georgia, the coup on D.C., and how it all relates to our focus on local politics. Then, an interview with Alex Lee, the first openly bisexual, first gen-Z and youngest member of the CA state assembly. We talk about his experience running for office as a 24 year old living at home and wo…

1
Sen. Megan Hunt: The Nebraska Progressive Who Won't Ever Stop Fighting 43:38

3+ y ago43:38

43:38

Meet Senator Megan Hunt, a progressive member of the single-body non-partisan Nebraska state legislature. (Yes, there really are progressives in Nebraska!) She's a single mom, a small business owner, the first openly LGBTQ state legislator in the chamber, and unapologetic about doing what she can to fight for her values, even when it's an uphill cl…

1
Michigan Reps. Mari Manoogian and Kyra Bolden On How To Mix Friendship and Politics 45:28

3+ y ago45:28

45:28

In our last episode before the holidays, Amanda talks with Michigan state Reps. Mari Manoogian and Kyra Bolden about friendship, legislating, how they're treated as young women in the state capitol, and how they're surviving this tough year in politics. They're joyful -- you're going to love the conversation. Produced by Dear Media.…

1
The Trailblazers: A Conversation with Del. Danica Roem, Rep. Brianna Titone, and Sen. Sarah McBride 59:27

3+ y ago59:27

59:27

In 2017, Virginia Del. Danica Roem flipped a seat red to blue and became the first trans state legislator in the country. Her campaign inspired Brianna Titone to run and flip a state house seat in Colorado in 2018. They both helped Sarah McBride run in Delaware and become the first trans state senator in America earlier this year. Each one is inter…

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