The Electorette Podcast

Amanda Litman on local power, political messaging, and rebuilding the Democratic bench

At a moment when national politics feels stalled and increasingly disconnected from everyday life, something very different is happening at the local level.

In this episode of The Electorette, Jen Taylor-Skinner speaks with Amanda Litman, cofounder of Run for Something, about why Democrats are seeing success in down-ballot races—even as dysfunction persists in Washington. Litman argues that local candidates are able to do something national leaders often struggle with: communicate clearly, connect directly with voters, and deliver tangible results.

The conversation explores the limits of policy without messaging, the importance of candidates who can effectively “sell” their work, and why communication is not secondary to governing—it’s central to it. Litman also outlines Run for Something’s long-term strategy of building a new generation of leaders from the ground up, many of whom are already moving into higher office.

At the heart of the discussion is a larger question about political identity and direction: what replaces the “old normal” that many voters rejected, and what does it take to build something durable in its place?

This is a conversation about power—where it’s shifting, who’s building it, and what it means for the future of the Democratic Party.
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Patricia Martin on identity, algorithms, and the quiet politics of the inner self

In the digital age, life online increasingly involves shaping and presenting versions of the self—across platforms, in real time, and often multiple times a day. Over time, that performance begins to influence how identity is formed and understood.

In this episode, Jen Taylor-Skinner speaks with Patricia Martin, author of Will the Future Like You?, about how the internet is reshaping the relationship between the inner self and the public persona.

Drawing on more than a decade of research, Martin explains how the “persona”—the version of the self presented to others—has become a form of currency in the attention economy. As more energy is directed outward, access to the inner resources that support decision-making, adaptation, and self-definition can become more limited.

The conversation explores the psychological strain of constant performance, the subtle ways platforms influence behavior, and the broader implications for identity and agency in an AI-driven future. At its core, this is a discussion about self-determination—what it requires, what undermines it, and why it remains essential in a rapidly changing world.

📚 Get the book:

Will the Future Like You? Reflections on the Age of Hyper-Reinvention
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Why women candidates are winning—and changing what “electable” means

For years, politics has been shaped by assumptions about who is “electable”—assumptions that often sideline women candidates. But those assumptions are starting to fail.

In this episode, Jen Taylor-Skinner speaks with Jessica Mackler, President of EMILYs List⁠, about what that shift looks like in real time, starting with Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton’s recent primary win.

Despite being outspent and underestimated, Stratton’s victory reflects a broader pattern: women candidates, including women of color, are winning competitive races—and doing so without the traditional advantages long seen as necessary.

They discuss how the idea of electability shapes funding, media coverage, and political strategy—and what happens when candidates succeed without fitting that mold.

This conversation examines how power is built, who gets backed, and how those dynamics are beginning to change.
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How flipped seats are shaping the response to federal immigration enforcement — A conversation with Sarah Curmi of ⁠States Win⁠

From lawsuits to new legislation, states are beginning to push back on federal immigration enforcement in ways that were once unthinkable.

This shift isn’t happening in a vacuum. Since the last election, Democrats have flipped 30 state legislative seats—changing who holds power in key chambers across the country.

In this episode, Sarah Curmi of States Win explains how those gains are translating into policy—and why state legislatures may be the most important political battleground right now.
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ICE at airports, a weeks-long shutdown, and why the DHS Secretary may not be in charge

The Department of Homeland Security has been partially shut down for weeks. At the same time, ICE agents are showing up in airports, and Markwayne Mullin has just been confirmed as DHS Secretary.

So what’s actually going on—and who’s really in charge?

In this conversation, I’m joined by Andrea Flores, former DHS and White House official, attorney, and immigration policy expert, to break down the reality behind the headlines. We talk about why this leadership change may be more symbolic than substantive, how immigration enforcement is expanding in ways most people aren’t noticing, and why this moment may be less about policy—and more about power.

We also dig into what Democrats should be doing right now, what’s at stake heading into the midterms, and why it’s important to understand just how far outside the norm this moment really is.

From this episode:

A New DHS Secretary Won’t Change Trump’s Immigration Agenda

Securing America's Promise
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