I spoke with
creator of the Groundwork Agency about the reasons that people like AOC and Zohran Mamdani resonate with online audiences and why Chuck Schumer doesn’t. We talked about how the grassroots pro-democracy movement craves authentic leaders who will fight against the Regime, and how Democratic insiders aren’t on the same page.We spoke the week before the No Kings rally on Saturday Oct 18, and talked a lot about what the grassroots is looking for, the messaging that is really important (he does a lot of work with
) and the real systemic problems that need to be addressed when we ultimately seek to rebuild a democratic America that grants equality and justice to all of us.I asked, as I’m going to ask every guest from now on, what radically creative ideas he has for after the dictatorship. His ideas were fascinating, and not where I might have started. But they’re so, so important. You can fast forward toward the end of the recording to find them, though I think the entire podcast is worth listening to.
Here’s the video of the conversation:
Thank you to
and and all the other. members of my community here on Substack for your encouragement and support.*****
Summary
In this conversation, Aviv Russ discusses the evolving concept of authenticity in politics, particularly how it affects Democratic messaging and performance. He emphasizes the generational differences in how authenticity is perceived and the challenges faced by older politicians in connecting with younger voters. The discussion also touches on the importance of grassroots movements, the need for radical ideas to restructure society, and the necessity of state-level coordination in the face of federal overreach. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the urgent need for political leaders to engage authentically with their constituents and to embrace innovative solutions for economic justice and healthcare reform.
Chapters
00:00 The Evolution of Authenticity in Politics
08:29 Generational Shifts in Political Leadership
16:32 Grassroots Movements and the Future of Democracy
29:00 Authenticity in Politics
32:28 The Role of Institutions and Media
33:52 Creative Solutions for a New Society
36:16 Addressing Systemic Inequities
39:24 Government Surveillance and Control
40:40 State Power and Federal Overreach
43:32 Radical Ideas for Change
54:23 Decoupling Healthcare from Employment
56:24 intro slide fof.mp4
Keywords
authenticity, politics, generational change, grassroots movements, media, leadership, economic justice, healthcare, political engagement, state coordination
