The Case for Primary Reform w/ Rich Barton

Building A Battleground w/ Andrew Grossman

In this episode, Paige sits down with veteran Democratic strategist and organizer Andrew Grossman to discuss the launch of Battleground Alliance and the strategy behind Democrats’ effort to flip the House. Grossman explains why field organizing, relational outreach, and early voter engagement still matter in an era dominated by digital media and political outrage cycles. The conversation explores how Battleground Alliance works with local organizations to build large-scale organizing efforts in key Republican-held districts months before most campaigns fully ramp up. Drawing on decades of political experience—including helping pass the Affordable Care Act and working on campaigns across 36 states—Grossman offers a behind-the-scenes look at how modern Democratic infrastructure is evolving. Paige and Andrew also discuss the importance of precinct-level organizing, persuadable voters, and why volunteers still play a critical role in shaping political outcomes.   Follow me on Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/currentaffairsunfilteredpod/?hl=en] Subscribe to my Substack [https://sheknowsthescore.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips] Learn more about Paige [https://currentaffairsunfilteredpod.podbean.com/]   Get involved with Battleground Alliance [https://battlegroundalliance.org/] Learn more about Battleground New York [https://www.battlegroundnewyork.com/] Learn more about Andrew Grossman [https://grossmansolutions.com/about/]

Another Week in Democratic Decline

In this episode, Paige discusses the last month(!!!) of breaking news, including the White House Correspondents dinner shooting, the influence of Trump on primaries, and the state of the Supreme Court's voting rights decisions. Plus! Why we actually might need to bring back USAID.  Follow me on Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/currentaffairsunfilteredpod/?hl=en] Subscribe to my Substack [https://sheknowsthescore.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips] Learn more about Paige [https://currentaffairsunfilteredpod.podbean.com/]

The Case for Primary Reform w/ Rich Barton

In this conversation, Rich Barton, a fellow with Unite America, discusses the evolution and impact of primary elections on political polarization and governance. He explores how the Citizens United ruling has influenced campaign finance, the decline of party establishments, and the fear lawmakers have of being primaried. Barton advocates for open primaries as a solution to the current issues within the electoral system, highlighting evidence from states that have implemented reforms such as Alaska and California. He expresses hope for future reforms and the potential for a more representative political landscape.   Follow me on Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/currentaffairsunfilteredpod/?hl=en] Subscribe to my Substack [https://sheknowsthescore.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips] Learn more about Paige [https://currentaffairsunfilteredpod.podbean.com/]   Read 'The Primary Solution' [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Primary-Solution/Nick-Troiano/9781668028254] Read more from Rich: * "The Influence of Special Interests in Primary Elections" [https://259b2dad.streak-link.com/CyYblFx8fH76neebngxtm_a0/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uniteamericainstitute.org%2Fresearch%2Fthe-influence-of-special-interests-in-primary-elections] * California’s Top-Two Primary: The Effects on Electoral Politics and Governance [https://259b2dad.streak-link.com/CyYblF5QULUJp0ACaQS1-MG2/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uniteamericainstitute.org%2Fresearch%2Fcalifornias-top-two-primary-the-effects-on-electoral-politics-and-governance] * Louisiana's Long-Term Election Experiment: How Eliminating Partisan Primaries Improved Governance and Reduced Polarization [https://259b2dad.streak-link.com/CyYblF1CQjYqRhXsTgJqAszg/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uniteamericainstitute.org%2Fresearch%2Flouisianas-long-term-election-experiment-how-eliminating-partisan-primaries-improved-governance-and-reduced-polarization]

RERELEASE: From Doomscrolling to Doing: How Overlap is Changing Political Engagement w/ Katya Arutyunyan

EPISODE RERELEASE!! This is an episode from way back when (before I truly figured out the audio on my mic so excuse the quality). BUT now that Overlap is released nationwide, it deserves to see the light of day once again. In this episode of Current Affairs Unfiltered, Paige is joined by Katya, the co-founder of Overlap—the app that's making civic engagement way less confusing and a lot more personal. We'll talk about how a couple of 23-year-olds decided they were done feeling politically hopeless and built a tool to fix it. Katya shares how Overlap is helping users actually understand their political reps, track legislation, and figure out where they stand—without the usual noise. We get into everything from app specifics like memory retention and clean UX, to what it takes to stay unbiased in a chaotic political world. Plus, we talk about why political engagement doesn’t have to be boring, and what it looks like when tech meets democracy in a smart, user-friendly way. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to “get involved,” this episode’s for you. Download Overlap here! [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/overlap-politics/id6739261327] Follow me on Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/currentaffairsunfilteredpod/?hl=en] Subscribe to my Substack [https://sheknowsthescore.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips] Learn more about Paige [https://currentaffairsunfilteredpod.podbean.com/]

Working Like a Lobster, Paid Like a Clam w/ John Beccia (MA06)

This week Paige sits down with John Beccia, a candidate for Congress in Massachusetts’s 6th District, to talk about what it means to run on working-class values in a chaotic political moment. John, a Lynnfield father and business leader, shares why he decided to step into politics and how his campaign is rooted in representing everyday people who feel ignored by Washington. Drawing on his background in the private sector, he explains how building businesses and creating jobs shaped his understanding of the economy and affordability pressures facing families. The conversation explores why cost of living, consumer protection, and economic fairness are central to his platform. John also speaks candidly about the threat posed by Donald Trump to democratic institutions and why defending democracy is a core motivation for his campaign. He outlines a vision for leadership that prioritizes accountability, stability, and governing over political theater. Throughout the episode, John emphasizes making government work for people again — not corporations or partisan interests. This episode offers insight into how lived experience, democratic values, and practical solutions can shape a new kind of congressional leadership.   Follow me on Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/currentaffairsunfilteredpod/?hl=en] Subscribe to my Substack [https://sheknowsthescore.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips] Learn more about Paige [https://currentaffairsunfilteredpod.podbean.com/]   Learn more about John [https://www.becciaforcongress.com/] Connect with John on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/becciaforcongress]  Connect with John on Twitter  [https://x.com/JABeccia] Connect with John on Instagram  [https://www.instagram.com/becciaforcongress/]