Episode Summary

We made it! In this season finale, I take a step back to reflect on everything we’ve explored together.

In this mini episode, I talk about the biggest lessons from Season 1 and what’s coming in Season 2. Spoiler: more interviews, deeper dives into the issues that shape our lives, and more conversations about how everyday people — not just career politicians — can step into leadership.

So let’s wrap up this season the way we started it: with the question, Why not me? And even more importantly… Why not you?

Resources & References

• Brookings Institution – resources on what presidents can and can’t do, and the role of parties.
• OpenSecrets.org – data on campaign spending and finance.
• FairVote.org – resources on ranked choice voting and alternatives to the two-party system.

Call to Action:

Thank you for joining me on this journey through Season 1 of Why Not Me? — your time, your curiosity, and your willingness to think differently about politics mean so much.

If this season made you think, laugh, or wonder, share it with a friend who’s said, “I wish someone like me could run,” because maybe they can.

If you have something you want to hear about in a future episode, or even want to be interviewed, send me an email or voice memo at shana@whynotme2028.com.

And stay tuned for Season 2, where we’ll dive deeper into issues that affect all of us — wages, healthcare, housing — and keep asking the big question: What would our democracy look like if we believed ordinary people could lead it?

Use this link to send us a text, or email us at the address in show notes.

Email

shana@whynotme2028.com

Credits

Graphics and editing by Rory Lawson

Music by Universfield from Pixabay

Episode Summary:

In this episode, we ask a question that might sound radical… until you sit with it for a minute: Do we actually need political parties?

Along the way, we talk about how those party dynamics impact our elections, our discourse, and the people who feel left behind by a system that only offers two choices.

So: What would politics look like if we stripped away the party labels and focused on what we actually believe? And is it possible to reclaim the idea of representation — not for a team, but for a country?

References & Resources:

• Federalist Paper No. 10 – James Madison on factions
• Brookings Institution – What Political Parties Do
• Pew Research Center – The shifting coalitions within each party
• Ballot Access News – Ongoing coverage of third-party and independent ballot access struggles
• OpenSecrets – Data on campaign finance and party fundraising
• FairVote – Resources on Ranked Choice Voting and alternatives to two-party dominance
• Ezra Klein, Why We’re Polarized – Insight into how our modern party system feeds division

Call to Action:

Think about the last time you voted. Did you vote for someone because you believed in them — or because they were “your party’s” candidate?

What if more of us stopped voting like team captains and started voting like citizens?

And if you’ve ever thought, “I could never run for office — I’m not a Democrat or a Republican…’

What if that wasn’t a disqualifier — but a superpower?

Contact:

Do you have a story to tell, or a comment to make? Email me at shana@whynontme2028.com

Use this link to send us a text, or email us at the address in show notes.

Email

shana@whynotme2028.com

Credits

Graphics and editing by Rory Lawson

Music by Universfield from Pixabay

Summary

Running for office isn’t just something for career politicians or wealthy insiders. Sometimes it’s your neighbor, your kids’ teacher, or the mom you see at the grocery store.

In this episode, Shana sits down with Amy Brooks, a high school English teacher, mom, and candidate for State Delegate in Maryland. This is her second run, and she shares what pushed her to run again, what she’s learned along the way, and how everyday life shapes her campaign.

From balancing family and teaching with politics, to fundraising, door-knocking, and staying motivated — this conversation takes you inside what it’s like for a “regular person” to step into public service.

Resources & References

• Maryland State Board of Elections – Candidate filing and election info
• National Conference of State Legislatures – Resources on state legislatures and representation
• Campaign site for Amy Brooks

Call to Action

Would you ever consider running for local office — or do you know someone in your community who should? I’d love to hear your stories. Send me your thoughts at shana@whynotme2028.com.

If you’re enjoying the podcast, share this episode with a friend — maybe one who’s been saying, “Why not me?”

Use this link to send us a text, or email us at the address in show notes.

Email

shana@whynotme2028.com

Credits

Graphics and editing by Rory Lawson

Music by Universfield from Pixabay

Summary

Trust is the glue that holds democracy together. But today, Americans distrust almost everything — political parties, Congress, government agencies, even each other. In this episode, I look at where trust has frayed, where it still exists, and why it matters. From The West Wing’s fictional handover of power to neighbors helping each other with packages, we explore how trust once worked — and how we might rebuild it.

Resources & References

• In 2023, Congress passed just 27 laws — the lowest number since the Great Depression (PolitiFact).
• Michael Lewis, Who Is Government? (2025) — collection of essays on public servants’ contributions.
• Robert Putnam, Bowling Alone (2000) — landmark work on declining civic engagement and trust.
• Pew Research Center, Public Trust in Government: 1958–2023.
• Historical context of unequal justice for minorities in U.S. courts (Jim Crow, sentencing disparities).

Call to Action

Do you still see trust working — in your neighborhood, your community, or an institution you believe in? Send me your stories at shana@whynotme2028.com. And if this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend.

Use this link to send us a text, or email us at the address in show notes.

Email

shana@whynotme2028.com

Credits

Graphics and editing by Rory Lawson

Music by Universfield from Pixabay

Episode Summary

In this episode of Why Not Me?, we dive into the messy world of American media — from the early days of openly partisan newspapers, to the era of the Fairness Doctrine, to today’s fractured, 24-hour, hyper-partisan news environment. We explore how corporate consolidation, the loss of shared facts, and the return to openly partisan outlets shape not only what we see and hear, but also who gets heard. Along the way, we revisit The West Wing’s sharp observations about media ownership, and ask whether a better-informed democracy is still possible in the age of endless headlines and social media feeds.

Topics Covered

• The historical shift from partisan press to “objective” news — and back again
• The Fairness Doctrine — what it was, why it mattered, and what happened when it was repealed
• How corporate ownership affects what makes the news
• The power and pitfalls of the 24-hour news cycle
• Practical steps listeners can take to support a healthier news ecosystem

Notable References & Resources

• Ezra Klein, Why We’re Polarized (2020) – discussion of partisan press history
• Federal Communications Commission – “The Fairness Doctrine” historical overview
• Pew Research Center – “Americans’ Trust in Media” survey data
• Columbia Journalism Review – articles on corporate media consolidation

Call to Action

Do you think the media has gotten too partisan — or is it just reflecting us? What would you change about how news is produced and consumed? Share your thoughts and let’s start the conversation. And if you enjoy Why Not Me?, share it with a friend who loves a good debate about politics, policy, and pop culture.

Use this link to send us a text, or email us at the address in show notes.

Email

shana@whynotme2028.com

Credits

Graphics and editing by Rory Lawson

Music by Universfield from Pixabay

Description

In this special episode, I sit down with my daughter for a candid, funny, and sometimes surprising conversation about politics from a Gen Z perspective. From what frustrates her most about today’s leaders, to how young people get their news, to whether she’d ever run for office herself — nothing is off the table. Along the way, we compare notes on generational values, civic engagement, and how the political system could work better for everyone.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• The general “vibe” Gen Z has about politics right now
• How TikTok helps shape political awareness
• What issues Gen Z cares about most — and how that’s different (or not!) from older generations
• Thoughts on voting, activism, and whether running for office feels realistic
• Some light mother–daughter banter and plenty of laughs

Resources & References

• Pew Research Center – Millennials and Gen Z: Political Views and Civic Engagement
• CIRCLE (Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement) – Youth Voting Trends and Data

Call to Action

What about you — do you know how the young people in your life feel about politics? Have you asked them lately? Share your thoughts, stories, and even your disagreements by emailing me. And if you enjoyed this conversation, pass it along to someone who thinks Gen Z is “checked out” — they might be surprised.

Use this link to send us a text, or email us at the address in show notes.

Email

shana@whynotme2028.com

Credits

Graphics and editing by Rory Lawson

Music by Universfield from Pixabay

Summary
Running for office isn’t just about good ideas or a desire to serve — it’s about access. And in America, access starts with money. A lot of it.

In this episode, I take a closer look at why the cost of running for office is so high, who gets left out because of it, and how other countries are doing it differently. From campaign finance to media gatekeeping to public funding solutions, we’ll ask: What would democracy look like if it were built for the rest of us?

In This Episode, I Talk About

• Real-world stories like Gary Hart mortgaging his house to run
• How Citizens United changed everything
• The media’s role in deciding who gets taken seriously
• Why some voices are never heard — even when they’re qualified
• What countries like Ireland, France, and the UK do differently
• What a public financing system could look like in the U.S.
• How local reforms are already working — and where we go from here

Resources & Links:

Campaign Spending & Fundraising

• OpenSecrets – 2020 Election Costs
• Gary Hart – Wikipedia
• Citizens United v. FEC – Oyez Summary

Media Gatekeeping & Debate Access

• Shorenstein Center: 2016 Media Coverage Study
• Andrew Yang 2020 Campaign – Wikipedia
• Lawrence Lessig 2016 Presidential Run – Wikipedia

Global Campaign Finance Comparisons

• Ireland’s Spending Caps – SIPO
• BBC – UK Election Rules
• France – Campaign Finance Overview (in French)

Local Reform Examples

• Howard County Public Financing Program
• Seattle’s Democracy Vouchers
• NYC Campaign Finance Board

Listener Prompt

Would you be more likely to run for office if money weren’t such a huge barrier? What kinds of reforms would make our elections more accessible - and more fair? Have you seen local efforts that give you hope?

Support the Show

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who’s said, “I wish someone like me could run.” Leave a rating, send a message, or post about it.

Use this link to send us a text, or email us at the address in show notes.

Email

shana@whynotme2028.com

Credits

Graphics and editing by Rory Lawson

Music by Universfield from Pixabay

Summary
Sure, this podcast started with the idea of me running for President. But what if it’s you — and what if you’re not aiming for the White House? In this episode, we shift the focus from President to other national campaigns and state impact. We’ll talk about the real backgrounds of some folks who stepped into office — sometimes unexpectedly. From a Minnesota pro-wrestler to a fictional social studies teacher, we look at how regular people can lead, and what offices might actually be more accessible (and impactful) than you think. Because maybe you don’t have to run for President. Maybe you just have to run.

Resources & Links
- List of Presidents and their positions - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_presidents_of_the_United_States_by_previous_experience

- How Every Member Got to Congress - https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/01/26/opinion/sunday/paths-to-congress.html

- Fun Facts About Governors - https://governors.rutgers.edu/fast-facts-about-americas-governors/

- Harry S. Truman - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_S._Truman

- Pew Research Center - Age and generation in the 119th Congress - https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/01/16/age-and-generation-in-the-119th-congress-somewhat-younger-with-fewer-boomers-and-more-gen-xers

- Jesse Venture - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Ventura

- Ballot Ready – Find out what’s on your local ballot - https://www.ballotready.org/

Listener Question

Have you ever thought about running for something — school board, city council, state rep? What would push you to take that step? What’s holding you back?

Send me a text (through the web site) or email (shana@whynotme2028.com) or Instagram message — I’d love to feature your story in a future episode.

Support the Show

If Why Not Me? is resonating with you, please follow, rate, or share the podcast.

And tell someone who’s never seen themselves in power — but probably should.

Use this link to send us a text, or email us at the address in show notes.

Email

shana@whynotme2028.com

Credits

Graphics and editing by Rory Lawson

Music by Universfield from Pixabay