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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 — th...

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 ...

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 Th...

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 Tal...

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 mo...

Summary In this episode, Shana lays out the foundational beliefs and big-picture ideas that would shape her platform — from fair wages and affordable healthcare to housing, taxes, education, justice reform, and more. She reflects on how real-life experience, not just political theory, could inform leadership — and why it’s time to reimagine who belongs at the top. Resources & References Economic Inequality & Wages - Economic Policy Institute: The Productivity–Pay Gap - https://www.epi...

Summary Today I’m digging into the question behind the headlines: What does the President of the United States actually do? Beyond the big speeches and bigger headlines, what’s the real job description? We’ll look at the official powers, the practical limits, and whether someone like me — or maybe like you — could actually do it. In This Episode, I Talk About What the Constitution actually says about presidential powers What the President can’t do (hint: it’s a lot) Why values matter more ...

Episode Summary You don’t need a law degree, a million Instagram followers, or a private jet to run for president. Legally, the bar is low. But in practice? That’s a different story. In this episode, I unpack the real barriers to running for the highest office in the land — from fundraising and ballot access to party politics and media gatekeeping. It’s part behind-the-scenes explainer, part reality check, and part rallying cry for everyday people to imagine what might be possible if we rebui...

Welcome to Why Not Me?, a podcast where I explore the wild idea of a regular person — me — running for President of the United States. In this first episode, I share my story: where I come from, what shaped me, and why I even started asking this question in the first place. In This Episode: My Pennsylvania roots and working-class upbringingWhat I learned from nonprofits, government work, and higher edWhy I'm even thinking about thisThe big question: Could someone like me run — and should they...