In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty engages in a thought-provoking conversation with New Hampshire House Minority Leader Matt Wilhelm, who talks about how his diverse experiences, from the music industry to serving as an AmeriCorps member in under-resourced schools, have guided his political career. Wilhelm delves into strategies for engaging Gen Z in politics, as well as the ideas and potential impact of implementing a year of national service for our nation’s youth. Additionally, Wilhelm provides insights into New Hampshire’s policies, political landscape, and the consequential issues at play in his purple state, where he leads one of the biggest caucuses in the country in New Hampshire’s 400+ person House. Tune in to gain deeper insights from this great conversation, and discover Wilhelm’s recommendations for making the most of your time in New Hampshire.

On the latest episode of An Honorable Profession, co-host Ryan Coonerty sits down with Bexar County, TX, District Judge Monique Diaz to discuss her path to public service, the unique role of judges in Texas politics, and Judge Diaz’s admirable work in curbing domestic violence and advocating for families. They talk about Judge Diaz’s former career as an attorney representing low-income families, domestic violence survivors, and small businesses, as well as her motivation to serve her community in a different capacity as a city attorney and, eventually, as District Judge. Judge Diaz discusses her goals to build a holistic and preventative judicial system, and she reflects on her significant role representing young, Latina women in judicial positions and how she hopes to inspire future generations of leaders. Tune in to this captivating episode as we unravel the powerful story of Judge Monique Diaz, a true champion for justice, reform, and the pursuit of a better tomorrow!

In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty talks with North Wilmington, DE, Representative Krista Griffith. They discuss her key areas of legislative focus, such as expanding health care coverage for undocumented children and enacting more comprehensive data privacy laws for better consumer control over personal information. They also explore another pressing area of need: Delaware’s attempts to reduce gun violence, which have included legislation for firearm permits, restrictions in certain locations like polling places and schools, and secure storage requirements. Tune in to learn more about Representative Griffith and how her son’s Leukemia diagnosis changed the course of her life.

In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty speaks with La Mesa, CA Councilmember, and California State Assembly candidate Colin Parent. A prominent figure in housing, transportation, and environmental advocacy in Southern California, Parent shares insights from both his experience in local government and as Executive Director and General Counsel at Circulate San Diego, a nonprofit organization focused on improving urban mobility and creating vibrant neighborhoods. He also discusses his career journey, transitioning from state government to city government, and why he is pursuing state legislative office now. The conversation delves into the intricate relationship between housing and transportation, along with the policies and politics surrounding these issues. Join us to discover how Parent’s passion for policy originated at a young age and how his drive to unite diverse perspectives for impactful change carries on to this day.

 

In this week’s episode, co-host Ryan Coonerty talks with Eboo Patel, Founder and CEO of Interfaith America and the author of the book “We Need to Build: Field Notes for a Diverse Democracy.” The conversation focuses on the importance of interfaith efforts to reduce dangerous nationalism and strengthen civic life in America. They discuss what it means to create an interfaith movement in America, the differences between white Christian nationalism and other faith movements, and the role of faith in a Democracy. Eboo also connects the decline in religious participation with negative outcomes for civic infrastructure and social service. Tune in to hear Eboo discuss his work with President Obama’s Inaugural Faith Counsel and his path to service.