Youth organizers are reshaping democracy from the ground up with a level of purpose and urgency that’s impossible to ignore.

This episode of Participation Trophy takes a clear look at how youth are driving real change through community-based organizing. Topher Williams talks with Dakota Hall of the Alliance for Youth Action, who explains why young people are stepping up in such large numbers and how rising costs, shrinking opportunities, and a desire for honest leadership shape their political energy. Dakota shares the personal moments that sparked his own commitment to organizing, and he reflects on the lessons that help him move through self-doubt and stay grounded in the long tradition of people who fought for justice before him. What does meaningful action look like in a moment that feels overwhelming? How do young leaders build power without losing hope?

Join Topher and Dakota in this conversation to get a glimpse of where democracy is headed and the growing role youth play in shaping it.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Do Young People Really Care About Democracy?

01:34 How Dakota Hall Builds Youth Power Nationwide

03:41 The Economic Issues Driving Young Voters

10:08 How Young People Can Organize in Conservative States

12:31 Combating Isolation and Creating Community

14:37 The Life Lessons That Shaped Dakota’s Leadership

18:23 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Through History and Legacy

26:47 Dakota’s Early Awakening to Injustice

30:24 Three Actions Anyone Can Take to Fight Authoritarianism

31:38 What Makes Wisconsin Unique

37:46 Participation Trophies, Politics, and Final Thoughts

Connect with Dakota Hall:

Follow Alliance for Youth Action on LinkedIn

Follow Alliance for Youth Action on Instagram

Follow Alliance for Youth Action on Facebook

Connect with Dakota on LinkedIn

Connect with Topher Williams:

Visit the Participation Trophy website

Connect with Topher on LinkedIn

Follow Topher on Instagram

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

What does it really mean to run for office in Texas today? Topher Williams talks with Odus Evbagharu, a millennial organizer and Houston native, about what it takes to fight for working families in a state where politics often feels out of reach.

Odus breaks down how issues like health care, education, and wages shape daily life across Texas and why every campaign should start with those kitchen table concerns. He also explains how redistricting tilts the playing field and what it takes to push back with clarity and heart.

Rooted in his story as the son of Nigerian immigrants, Odus shares a vision of leadership grounded in community, service, and love for the people the government is meant to serve. If you’ve ever wondered what change in Texas could look like from the ground up, this conversation offers both the blueprint and the belief that it’s possible.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Houston: The Heart of Texas

03:11 Empowering Millennial Leadership

06:00 Redistricting and Its Implications

08:50 The Immigrant Experience in Houston

11:49 Inspiration from Barack Obama

17:55 Optimism and Activism in Texas

23:26 Texas: A Dual Energy Powerhouse

24:51 Diversity in Progressivism

26:40 Kitchen Table Issues Matter

28:23 Welcoming Conversations in Progressivism

31:03 Embracing Discomfort for Change

34:21 Economic Realities vs. Social Issues

39:17 Connecting with the Community

Connect with Odus Evbagharu:

Visit Odus Evbagharu for Texas

Connect with Odus on LinkedIn

Follow Odus on Instagram

Follow Odus on Facebook

Connect with Topher Williams:

Visit the Participation Trophy website

Connect with Topher on LinkedIn

Follow Topher on Instagram

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Local elections shape how our communities actually function, from the safety of our streets to the quality of our parks and schools. In this episode, DSPolitical’s Director of Business Development MaryEllen Veliz joins Topher Williams to talk about why those races deserve more of our attention and how democrats can start showing up differently. Why do so few people vote in elections that affect their lives the most? What would happen if campaigns treated voters like real people instead of targets in a spreadsheet?

MaryEllen shares how growing up in San Antonio taught her the value of neighborhood involvement and why she believes connection, not perfection, drives political impact. She and Topher break down what’s missing in most political ads, how audience-first storytelling reaches voters where they actually are, and why cultural nuance and language matter more than ever. The episode will leave you thinking about the everyday power of local elections and how small, consistent action can reshape the political landscape.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Why Local Elections Matter More Than You Think

03:59 What Most People Get Wrong About Texas and San Antonio

06:32 Understanding Municipal Ballots and Voter Confusion

07:20 MaryEllen Veliz on Finding Her Path Into Politics

10:41 The Moment That Sparked Real Political Involvement

15:29 How Democrats Can Build Better Political Ads

17:01 Reaching Latino Voters Through Language and Culture

23:01 Making Political Messaging Personal and Relevant

29:58 Finding Hope and Inspiration in Local Organizing

33:28 From Protest to Action: How to Create Real Change

Connect with MaryEllen Veliz:

Visit the DSPolitical website

Connect with MaryEllen on LinkedIn

Connect with Topher Williams:

Visit the Participation Trophy website

Connect with Topher on LinkedIn

Follow Topher on Instagram

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Ever notice how much shame still creeps into the way we talk about love, sex, and relationships - even in supposedly progressive spaces?

Activist, educator, and certified relationship coach Brian Gerald Murphy joins Topher Williams for an honest conversation about what happens when we stop letting shame dictate how we love and start creating relationships built on choice, consent, and curiosity. Together, they unpack the difference between polyamory and open relationships, talk about what it means to form connections that reflect our real values, and explore how millennials are reshaping the meaning of family and commitment. Brian also brings a refreshing take on spirituality, showing how faith can live in places that might surprise you - from drag brunches to late-night laughter with chosen family.

If you’ve ever questioned what love is supposed to look like, or how to reconcile your desires with your beliefs, this episode will remind you that relationships can be both deeply personal and profoundly liberating.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Redefining Modern Relationships

02:00 The Power of Releasing Shame

06:25 Understanding Polyamory

11:03 Open vs. Polyamorous Relationships

14:36 Brian’s Journey and Queer Coaching Work

20:40 Faith, Sex, and Spiritual Freedom

24:49 Finding Meaning Through Community

32:15 Love Beyond Monogamy

34:28 Universal Relationship Advice

Connect with Brian Gerald Murphy:

Visit Brian’s website

Check out Queer Theology

Subscribe to Brian’s YouTube channel

Follow Brian on Instagram

Follow Brian on X

Connect with Topher Williams:

Visit the Participation Trophy website

Connect with Topher on LinkedIn

Follow Topher on Instagram

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen talks about leadership in government through a lens that feels anything but abstract. She shares what it was like growing up with a parent struggling with opioid addiction and how that experience shaped the way she thinks about policy, fairness, and the role of congress in people’s everyday lives.

What does it mean to step into an institution built for older, wealthy men when you’re a millennial woman raising two kids? How do you push for the government to reflect the realities of modern families when the rules were written centuries ago? And what happens when your own family’s story becomes the reason you take on that fight?

Brittany and Topher talk openly about the barriers that make public service harder than it should be - the childcare waitlists, the cross-country flights with a newborn, the outdated rules that leave younger voices out of the room. They point out why citizen voices still matter most. This is leadership with real stakes, grounded in lived experience and aimed at building systems that actually work for people.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Welcoming Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen

01:10 Being a Millennial Woman in Congress

02:00 Balancing Leadership and Family Life

03:20 Viral Moment Flying with Newborn to Vote

04:15 Modernizing Congress for Parents and Families

09:25 Fighting the Opioid Epidemic

14:02 Growing Up with a Parent Struggling with Addiction

17:10 Passing the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act

18:40 How Citizens Can Influence Government Policy

20:08 From Apathy to Action Getting Off the Sidelines

25:53 Advice for Millennials and Gen Z Considering Public Office

Connect with Brittany Pettersen:

Visit Brittany’s Website

Follow Brittany on Instagram

Follow Brittany on X

Connect with Topher Williams:

Visit the Participation Trophy Website

Connect with Topher on LinkedIn

Follow Topher on Instagram

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

The fight for truth has never felt more urgent, and few know that better than political journalist Maritsa Georgiou. In this episode, she joins Topher Williams to talk about the realities of journalism in a fractured media landscape, the rise of disinformation, and the Montana roots that shaped her belief in community and integrity.

Maritsa shares how early influences, from her grandfather’s work as a TV meteorologist to watching the aftermath of 9/11 unfold on live television, set her on a path to reporting. Over the years, she’s interviewed Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama, covered wildfires, hurricanes, and high-profile tragedies, and seen firsthand how people rally together in moments of crisis. She reflects on the shift to independent media, the challenge of maintaining credibility when false narratives spread faster than facts, and the hope she holds onto that good will prevail.

From Montana newsrooms to national interviews, Maritsa’s path shows that journalism endures through persistence, curiosity, and the resolve to keep asking the questions others stop asking, even when the answers are uncomfortable or slow to surface, because truth rarely emerges without someone who refuses to let it go.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Media and Misinformation

00:32 Maritsa Georgiou

01:19 Changing the World: Raising Kind Kids

02:01 The Role of Journalists in Society

03:06 Launching the Grounded Podcast with Jon Tester

05:48 Inspiration to Become a Journalist

07:26 Optimism in Journalism and Advocacy

08:21 Community Resilience in Times of Tragedy

13:30 Iconic Interviews with Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton

17:07 Opportunities for Journalists in Montana

18:05 Transition to Independent Journalism

24:19 Navigating Disinformation in Modern Media

25:00 Why Diversifying News Sources Matters

Connect with Maritsa Georgiou:

Instagram

X

Grounded with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou on Instagram

Grounded with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou on Substack

Grounded with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou on Spotify

Grounded with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou on Apple Podcasts

Grounded with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou on YouTube

Connect with Topher Williams:

Participation Trophy Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Montana conservationist Whitney Tawney joins host Topher Williams for a conversation about the messy, meaningful work of protecting public lands and the relationships that make real progress possible.

Raised in Missoula by parents who founded the state’s first environmental lobby, Whitney grew up with a front-row seat to grassroots activism and long-term conservation work. Now a mother herself and former executive director of Montana Conservation Voters, she reflects on the people and places that shaped her path and how those early lessons continue to guide her leadership today.

Whitney shares the behind-the-scenes story of how she helped bring together two seemingly opposite figures, Kristi Noem and Tim Walz, to support the Sodsaver provision in the 2014 Farm Bill. What does it take to build that kind of bipartisan coalition? How do you keep conversations going when values clash? And what role does local organizing still play in moving national policy forward?

This episode explores the tension between idealism and practicality, and the quiet power of showing up again and again in rooms where trust has to be earned. Whitney’s story is rooted in Montana, but her insights stretch far beyond state lines. If you’ve ever wondered whether cooperation is still possible or whether one person can make a difference in a system that feels stuck, Topher and Whitney’s conversation offers perspective and possibility.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Guest Introduction: Whitney Tawney

02:02 A Legacy of Conservation in Montana

06:13 Inside the U.S. Senate Page Program

12:03 From Mailroom to Policy Change: The Ducks Unlimited Story

16:43 How SodSaver Passed with Bipartisan Support

19:39 Building Bridges Across Political Divides

20:58 Facing Imposter Syndrome as a Young Woman Leader

22:28 Choosing a Fuller Life Outside of Work

26:11 Favorite Book: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

30:41 Whitney’s Participation Trophy: Jump Rope Nationals

Connect with Whitney Tawney:

LinkedIn

Instagram - Whitney Tawney

Instagram - Montana Conservation Voters

Connect with Topher Williams:

Participation Trophy Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Bryce Bennett went from a closeted teen in rural Montana to a state legislator who helped repeal Montana’s anti-LGBTQ laws. Now, he’s leading a national movement to make voting more accessible through Vote Early Day.

Topher Williams sits down with Bryce to trace the throughline of his life: a deep belief in democracy, a commitment to visibility, and an unshakable drive to make change. Bryce shares what it was like growing up queer in a conservative town where violence felt more real than acceptance, and how those early experiences fueled his path into organizing. After becoming the first openly gay man elected to public office in Montana, Bryce found himself confronting everything from bizarre bills about spear hunting and militias to life-threatening rhetoric during legislative hearings. He opens up about the emotional weight of coming out on the House floor in 2013 to advocate for striking Montana’s anti-LGBTQ statute, a moment of personal courage that helped shift policy and set precedent.

Through all of it, Bryce stayed focused on the work: expanding access, building coalitions, and proving that grassroots power still matters. Now, as director of Vote Early Day, he’s mobilizing a national network of nonprofits, businesses, and everyday citizens to ensure no one is left out of the democratic process. This episode is both a personal story and a political roadmap - a reminder that even in the face of fear, marginalization, or absurdity, participation still works. Change doesn’t start with perfection. It starts with showing up.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 The Power of Individual Impact

01:01 Bryce Bennett’s Journey from Rural Montana to Washington, D.C.

02:54 Growing Up LGBTQ in a Conservative Town

05:03 Becoming Montana’s First Openly Gay State Legislator

08:45 Wild and Dangerous Moments Inside the Legislature

10:15 Expanding Medicaid for 100,000 Montanans

11:45 Overturning Montana’s Anti-LGBTQ Law

16:06 Why Vote Early Day Matters

22:33 How to Start Making Change in Your Own Community

25:36 Rapid Fire Questions: Montana Edition

28:11 Participation Trophies: Bryce’s Experiences

Connect with Bryce Bennett:

https://www.instagram.com/brycebennettmt/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryce-bennett-8885b7217/

https://voteearlyday.org/

Connect with Topher Williams:

https://www.participationtrophypod.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/topher-williams-1a477264/

https://www.instagram.com/tophmcgoph/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm