At The Kitchen Table

On the Hunt: how Cheyenne is taking aim at abusers & misogynists in politics

Caroline and Debra sit down with human rights attorney and Reckoning Action [https://reckoningaction.org/] founder Cheyenne Hunt - who went from a young staffer warned about an "open secret" - to the organizer who helped end a gubernatorial frontrunner's career in 11 days. She joined Caroline and Debra to talk share how she helped survivors come forward with sexual harassment allegations against a leading California gubernatorial candidate [https://people.com/influencer-claims-30-more-women-have-eric-swalwell-allegations-11949764] — and what that whirlwind taught her about accountability, whisper networks, and the cost of speaking out. From the resurgence of misogyny in the algorithm age to the role of social media creators in breaking political stories, this conversation digs into what it takes to make abuse of power politically costly again.

Melita Easters: a Georgia WIN for women's rights

Perhaps you've watched her a time or few on WAGA-TV / Fox 5 Atlanta's "The Georgia Gang" - airing Sunday mornings at 8:30am. Or perhaps you've attended a forum she's moderated or one-on-one with a profound thinker and/or author. Maybe you know her from her tireless work as executive director at the Georgia WIN List [https://gawinlist.com/], an organization championing pro-choice women candidates. Melita Easters joined us virtually "at the kitchen table" for a little background on both her and her organization, plus provides some keen insights into Georgia's recent political history and where the state appears to be trending.

Josh McLaurin - once JD Vance's Yale roommate - on being the conscience of the majority in a minority party

State Senator Josh McClaurin [https://www.joshmclaurin.com/about] spent time ahead of the Georgia Democratic Party primary with Caroline and Debra. He's now in a run-off to be the party's nominee for the Lieutenant Governor's office currently held by the GOP's Burt Jones, a Trump acolyte and fake elector. Interestingly enough, though, it's another Trump sycophant that McClaurin had a more intimate tie to; he was once JD Vance's Yale law school roommate [https://www.newsweek.com/jd-vance-vice-president-former-roommate-donald-trump-1925691]. Hear Josh recall their interactions, noting how different they were then and continue to be now. Josh's framing of Georgia Democrats' role in politics is interesting too: being in the minority party, he says, means being the "conscience of the majority" while out of power. Great conversation - take a listen!

Balancing budget policy & personal wellness: Staci Fox keeps fighting for us and herself

Staci Fox, President & CEO at the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute [https://gbpi.org/], joined Caroline and Debra at the kitchen table for an insightful conversation on everything from the state's budget priorities to Fox's own personal battle. Staci has been living with stage‑four lung cancer, a diagnosis that has prompted her and her friend Meagan Davies to co‑author the book Miss You Already. The book blends their personal story with clinical insight, focusing on anticipatory grief — the emotional experience of grief that begins before a loss is certain.

What's the (New)Deal, Debbie?

Our guest at the Kitchen Table this episode is Debbie Cox Bultan [https://newdealleaders.org/members/debbie-cox-bultan/], CEO at NewDeal. NewDEAL [https://newdealleaders.org/about/] is a selective center-left network of state and local elected leaders from across the nation. Ther mission is to scour the country to lift up the best and brightest elected officials who are pragmatic and get results – including councilmembers, county executives, mayors, state legislators, and state-wide leaders below the level of governor. We promote their ideas for expanding opportunity, spurring economic growth, and creating broadly shared, sustainable progress.Hear how Debbie and NewDEAL got their start, how they've navigated their 15-year (so far) journey through some choppy political waters, and what they have their eye on, looking ahead.