Watts of Change

Episode 12: How do we mobilize Generation Z voters for the 2024 presidential election?

On this episode, host Jenn Watts interviews youth vote experts and a Generation Z candidate. How do we mobilize this new voting power? What issues do Generation Z care about and what will it take for them to cast a vote for the 2024 presidential election? Jenn interviews the following individuals to help listeners come to their own conclusions and get involved: Kwesi Chappin, Founder & President, Chappin Consulting. Kwesi Chappin [https://www.instagram.com/kwesic/?hl=en] is a community organizer based in Cheverly, Maryland. On a mission to create tangible change for Black folks, he teaches others how to turn their apathy into anger and hold elected officials accountable. He believes that when Black folks are treated like soccer moms by the political establishment, they'll get the resources and attention needed to win. In all of his endeavors, Kwesi takes a holistic and humans-first approach to organizing: meeting people and communities where they're at and listening to their needs in an authentic, respectful way. One of his former colleagues said, "it's like magic" when Kwesi is in the room. But it's easy to be in the community if you listen. Then, blending his knowledge with the community's, he equips people with the skills and tools to organize on their own. Most recently, Kwesi worked at the online racial justice organization, Color Of Change. As Senior Political Director, he was instrumental in moving the membership base beyond clicking petitions into deeper engagement both online and offline and kicking terrible district attorneys out of office. In 2007, Kwesi's life changed when he joined the Obama campaign. As an organizer, he launched Cleveland's first successful presidential volunteer program, where he mobilized the city's residents to knock on their neighbor's doors instead of bringing in paid outsiders. From there, he served as Training Director at the New Organizing Institute. Next, he created the Black Roots New Media Bootcamp, the first-ever digital strategy training program for people of color, before returning to the Obama campaign in 2012. After that, he was in charge of statewide volunteer coordination and managing paid canvassers in Ohio, ensuring the state stayed blue. Meg Hovious, (she/they) is a campaign advisor and mental health advocate committed to reimagining workspaces and culture. With a career in democratic politics and training in organizational design and cognitive psychology, Meg [https://www.instagram.com/misterhovious/?hl=en] recently launched a boutique consultancy committed to changing minds about culture and mental health. Here is a unique collective of behavioral experts, organizational designers, mental health advocates, and educators making an impact at work, schools, and in community by increasing mental health literacy and advocating for better conditions for all. Meg has previously served as Chief People Officer on Pete Buttigieg’s presidential primary campaign and as an advisor for Senator Mark Kelly’s reelection campaign. Nick Roberts, Nick Roberts [https://www.instagram.com/nickroberts317/?hl=en] is a 22-year old candidate for Indianapolis City County Council District 4 to represent Castleton and Geist. After 7 years of community and political involvement, he is running for Council to advocate for investing in mental health programs, better infrastructure and stronger public safety.

Episode 11: Setting the tone for special series on Generation Z and their voting power

For 2022 midterms, exit voting polls [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/11/11/gen-z-midterms-2022-voting/] found that one in eight midterm voters were under 30, and 61% of those between the ages of 18 and 34 voted [https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2022-elections/exit-polls] for Democrats. The results pushed the Fox News pundits Jesse Watters and Laura Ingram to suggest [https://www.thedailybeast.com/some-republicans-want-to-raise-voting-age-after-gen-zs-strong-midterm-turnout] that the legal voting age should be increased to 21. On this episode of Watts of Change podcast, host Jenn Watts sets the tone for a series on Generation Z and their voting power. She challenges young voters to think critically over the next two years and how they set the agenda for the 2024 presidential election. Jenn sets the stage for another mini series - this time on how Generation Z can wield their power to set policy agendas across the country. Jenn will interview experts and young people who will explain why Generation Z can flip the script on issues that matter for new generations rising.

Episode 10: Building authentic, inclusive organizations from the start with TJ Wright

In episode 10, host Jenn Watts talks with TJ Wright to discuss how you build authentic, inclusive organizations with diversity as a core value for your mission. This is an important episode for changemakers, leaders and entrepreneurs. Over the past decade, TJ Wright has used his superpowers of Storytelling, Systems Thinking, and “Friend-raising” to blaze new pathways, opportunities, and leadership around what it means to exist authentically in the workplace. A forward-thinking leader with a keen intuition for out-maneuvering inequity; TJ has tackled countless burnt-out employees, lots of well-intentioned but poorly executed plans, and the chronic use of "That's just the way we've always done it” to implicitly (and sometimes explicitly) supplant “We don’t care/know-how”. Presently, TJ is an entrepreneur serving entrepreneurs as CEO of Whelhaus Co; a holistic startup studio for Black entrepreneurs in the Midwest, and the first Black & openly LGBTQ+ Executive Director of The Speak Easy; Indiana’s first co-working space.

Episode 9: Prosecutor Ryan Mears and his campaign for criminal justice reform

On this episode, host Jenn Watts interviews Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears. Ryan is in the middle of his campaign as the incumbent prosecutor. We talk to Ryan about his ideas for criminal justice reform, why he got involved in public service, his stance on legalizing marijuana, his unwavering commitment to ending violence against women and why he is determined to lift up our youth. After graduating from Cardinal Ritter High School in Indianapolis, Ryan attended and played basketball at St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer. Ryan then obtained his law degree from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. After completing law school, Ryan immediately began his career in public service at the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. During his fifteen years as a Deputy Prosecutor, Ryan tried more than 100 jury and bench trials. As Chief Trial Deputy in the Prosecutor’s Office, Ryan championed reform, innovation, and leadership, while carrying a caseload along with his fellow Deputy Prosecutors.

Episode 8: How do we disrupt Achievement Culture?

How do we disrupt Achievement Culture? On this episode, we discuss the pressures of achievement culture with special guest and dear friend Jonathan Shepherd, a Senior Data Analyst, writer, documentarian and improviser. Achievement sounds great doesn’t it? What parent doesn’t want their child to achieve? What teacher doesn’t hope their students achieve at a high level? Of course achievement in general is a good thing but the Culture of Achievement created by high stakes accountability measures, financial gains, religion, policies, familial expectations, outdated cultural practices and even martial expectations is having a dangerous effect on us and our children. How do we disrupt Achievement Culture to find our true passions, live healthy lives and love ourselves for who we vs living ONLY for an achievement that ultimately won’t make us, or our kids, happy? We argue that Happiness, or contentment, is not attained by your collective achievements. In fact, one can find strength and self love in failures.