The Foolish Optimist with Amy McDonald
I’m Amy McDonald, and I am on the hunt for the next generation of leaders, both in the ballot boxes and the teams behind them. On The Foolish Optimist, you’ll find interviews with candidates running for office in the 2025 and 2026 elections and beyond. But we also speak with civilians working behind the scenes to make elections go. You’ll find tidbits on how to communicate effectively, how neuroscience fits into campaigns, and what you can do with your current skills to help get quality candidates elected.
Episodes
In this episode of the Foolish Optimist podcast, Amy McDonald engages in a deep conversation with Joyce Takako, a TikTok influencer known for organizing lists of Democratic candidates. You can follow her work @joycetakakoedgington
They discuss Joyce's journey from LGBTQ activism to political involvement, the importance of healthcare reform, and the urgent need for better veteran care. Joyce, a cancer survivor and single mom, share...
Navigating the Path of Political Communications with Marla Bautista |
The Foolish Optimist In this episode of The Foolish Optimist, host Amy McDonald sits down with Marla Bautista, author, TEDx speaker, and CEO of the Bautista Project, Inc., a nonprofit organization assisting the homeless in Tampa, Florida. Marla, who has a master's degree in communications from Syracuse University, shares her experiences as a communications mana...
Brian Del Vecchio is running for office in Arizona's first congressional district. An attorney, a judge, and a father he's running because we need to address the affordability crisis and make sure future generations of Americans are taken care of with universal healthcare and free lunch for children. You can follow his campaign, donate, or volunteer at del4az.com.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:13 Brian Delvecchi...
Alex Braswell is the first nominee for the Democratic party in Alabama's 11th District in over 15 years, and she is the first woman Democratic nominee in history. An interpreter by trade, she's running in a special election for Alabama's state house. You can follow her campaign at https://braswellfor11.com/
Kelly Brown is running for Wisconsin's 6th District, encompassing Sheboygan, Fon du Lac. You can follow them on Instagram at FriendsofKellyBrown and on TikTok at KellyforWI.06
Mike Swanson is running for US Senate in Texas! He understands what working class folks are going through, and is ready to fight for them in Washington DC! You can donate to his campaign at MikeSwanson.Org.
Robert People is running for Florida's 15th Congressional District - so just east of Tampa. If you like what you hear, you can find all of his campaign information at PeopleForCongress.com
Dakarai Larriett is running for US Senate to represent Alabama. He's an entrepreneur and is leading his campaign with a Listening Tour of all 67 counties in Alabama. You can follow his campaign for US Senate at DakaraiLarriett.com or on socials at DakaraiLarriettforSenate.
JD is running for City Council in Charlotte, North Carolina! I highly suggest you listen to this if running for office is on your to-do list. He is changing the political game. You can join his campaign at JD4CLT.com
Jeremy is a veteran and a father, running in Alabama's Fifth Congressional District. You can join his campaign, donate, and volunteer at JeremyTakesTheHouse.org.
Christ Kallas is running for the US House of Representatives in Illinois's 8th District.
If you like what you hear today - join his campaign, donate, or follow him at KallasForCongress.com.
Jonathan Bonner is running for the US House of Representatives to represent the people of the Georgia's 13th District.
You can follow his campaign, donate, or volunteer via Bonner4Congress.com.
Bernard Taylor is running for the US House of Representatives in Florida's 21st District.
You can join his campaign, donate, or follow his journey via https://www.bernardtaylorforcongress.org/
The Foolish Optimist is a podcast, hosted by me - Amy McDonald. I am interviewing candidates for the House of Representative, Senate, State Houses, State Senate and more.
Get to know who is running in your district - and if I haven't interviewed them yet. Send me a note at TheFoolishOptimistPodcast@gmail.com
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