The Counter

Tribal Knowledge Can Save The Planet with Dr. Cristina Eisenberg

Indigenous communities have been stewarding the land for millennia, yet their knowledge has often been overlooked in mainstream conservation efforts. That’s changing. In this episode, Dr. Cristina Eisenberg—Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence and Director of Tribal Initiatives in Natural Resources at Oregon State University’s College of Forestry—shares how Indigenous science is shaping climate action. As an advisor to the White House and an invited speaker at the United Nations, Dr. Eisenberg is at the forefront of efforts to integrate Tribal sovereignty and traditional ecological knowledge into global environmental policies. Join us as we discuss how Indigenous perspectives are transforming conservation, the power of restoring land stewardship to Native communities, and why Indigenous leadership is essential in the fight against climate change. 🎧 Tune in now to learn why the future of the planet depends on honoring its original caretakers. To learn more about Dr. Eisenberg’s work with the Traditional Ecological Knowledge Lab through the College of Forestry at Oregon State university, please visit their website at tek.forestry.oregonstate.edu [http://tek.forestry.oregonstate.edu] To learn more about The Counter, please visit our website at thecounterpac.com [http://thecounterpac.com] Host:  Penny Ronning Writer:  Penny Ronning Producers:  Penny Ronning, Ty Lowe Editor:  Ty Lowe Sound Designer/Engineer:  Ty Lowe Music:  Ty Lowe, Konstantin Klimov Intro Vocals:  Roy Pack Graphic Design:  Penny Ronning, Ty Lowe Website:  Ty Lowe Social Media: Emma Trunkle       Dr. Cristina Eisenberg Bio Dr. Cristina Eisenberg is the Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence and Maybelle Clark Macdonald Director of Tribal Initiatives in Natural Resources at the Oregon State University College of Forestry. She is the Director of the Indigenous Natural Resource Office and the TEK Lab.  She is of Raramuri and Western Apache heritage and has partnered with Indigenous communities globally for nearly 20 years to lead research about how Indigenous Knowledge, cultural stewardship practices, and cultural keystones can restore climate resilience to forests and grasslands. She leads two long-term ecocultural restoration research projects for the BLM on the northern great plains in Montana, working with the Fort Belknap Indian Community, and in western Oregon working with several Tribal Nations.  She partners with the US Forest Service in facilitating ecocultural Tribal Roundtables in the US and works with federal leaders and the US White House in developing policies to support Tribal sovereignty, focusing on natural resource stewardship.   The Counter [https://thecounterpac.com] is a registered non-connected political action committee and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

Personal Responsibility In Democracy with Betsy Myers

Democracy thrives when its leaders—and its people—embrace self-awareness, authenticity, and personal responsibility. Leadership isn’t just about authority; it’s about balancing intellect with empathy, making tough decisions with integrity, and fostering trust in a time when trust is scarce. Few understand this better than Betsy Myers. From working in the White House to serving as Executive Director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard’s Kennedy School, and as Chief Operating Officer for President Obama’s historic 2008 campaign, Betsy has spent her career studying what makes leaders succeed—or fail. In this conversation, we explore what distinguishes great leaders, how personal responsibility shapes democracy, and why the future of politics depends on each of us stepping up—not just those in power. 🎧 Tune in to The Counter for an inspiring message of hope, leadership, and the role we all play in shaping our democracy. To learn more about Betsy Myers, please visit her website at betsymyers.com [https://betsymyers.com/] To learn more about The Counter, please visit our website at thecounterpac.com [http://thecounterpac.com] Host:  Penny Ronning Writer:  Penny Ronning Producers:  Penny Ronning, Ty Lowe Editor:  Ty Lowe Sound Designer/Engineer:  Ty Lowe Music:  Ty Lowe, Konstantin Klimov Intro Vocals:  Roy Pack Graphic Design:  Penny Ronning, Ty Lowe Website:  Ty Lowe Social Media: Emma Trunkle   Betsy Myers Bio Betsy Myers is on a mission to improve leadership by developing leaders and teams who infuse passion and purpose into their organizations by leading from both the head and the heart. Betsy's insightful keynotes and workshops have inspired executives and managers worldwide to level up their leadership. Her practical guidance helps attract and retain top talent, build an inspirational culture, and achieve impactful results in the rapidly changing workplace.  Betsy is a renowned expert on emerging leadership trends and women’s leadership and is the author of Take the Lead: Motivate, Inspire, and Bring Out the Best in Yourself and Everyone Around You. She is currently a senior advisor at the Warren Bennis Leadership Institute at the University of Cincinnati. She also serves on the Council on Advancing Women in Business for the US Export-Import Bank and the Board of the International Leadership Association. She has extensive experience in the corporate world, government settings, and in higher education.  Previously, she was the founding director of the Center for Women and Business at Bentley University and the executive director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard's Kennedy School. A senior adviser to two U.S. presidents, Betsy served as President Clinton's White House Advisor on Women's Issues and was the Chief Operating Officer and Chair of Women for Obama during President Obama's historic 2008 national campaign. Her extensive leadership background also includes roles at the U.S. Small Business Administration, including heading the Office of Women's Business Ownership.    The Counter [https://thecounterpac.com] is a registered non-connected political action committee and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

Banned, Bold, and Brilliant: A Conversation with Ellen Hopkins

Ellen Hopkins is no stranger to controversy—or the bestseller list. As the #1 New York Times bestselling author of 21 novels, Ellen has captivated readers with her raw, unfiltered explorations of relationships, love, and the struggles that shape us. Her latest young adult novel, SYNC, hit shelves last August, continuing her tradition of tackling tough, real-life issues. But with fearless storytelling comes pushback. Three of Ellen’s books were among the 11 most banned titles during the 2022–2023 school year, placing her alongside literary icons like Harper Lee, Toni Morrison, Judy Blume, and Margaret Atwood on the list of most challenged authors. In this episode of The Counter, we explore the power of words, the fight against censorship, and why some institutions fear the very stories that help young people navigate the world. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with one of my heroes, Ellen Hopkins! 🎧 Tune in now! To learn more about Ellen Hopkins’ writings, please visit ellenhopkinsbooks.com [http://ellenhopkinsbooks.com] To learn more about The Counter, please visit our website at thecounterpac.com [http://thecounterpac.com] Host:  Penny Ronning Writer:  Penny Ronning Producers:  Penny Ronning, Ty Lowe Editor:  Ty Lowe Sound Designer/Engineer:  Ty Lowe Music:  Ty Lowe, Konstantin Klimov Intro Vocals:  Roy Pack Graphic Design:  Penny Ronning, Ty Lowe Website:  Ty Lowe Social Media: Emma Trunkle     Ellen Hopkins Bio   Ellen Hopkins is a former freelance journalist and the award-winning author of twenty nonfiction books for kids, four novels for adult readers, two middle grade novels, and fourteen NY Times bestselling young adult novels.  After six decades in California and Nevada, she recently moved with her extended family and two spectacular German Shepherds to five acres of Missouri woods.   The Counter [https://thecounterpac.com] is a registered non-connected political action committee and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

Garrett Morris: A Life of Laughter and Liberation

Garrett Morris is a legend—from Saturday Night Live to Broadway, hit television sitcoms, and now a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. But beyond his groundbreaking career in entertainment, he has been a lifelong advocate for civil rights, reproductive equality, religious freedom, and a just legal system. In this episode of The Counter, Garrett shares his personal journey—the triumphs, the struggles, and the moments that shaped his unwavering commitment to justice. His story is one of resilience, activism, and the belief that laughter and liberation go hand in hand. 🎧 Tune in for a powerful conversation with the one and only Garrett Morris—where comedy meets courage, and art fuels activism. To watch the Garrett Morris interview with DJ Vlad, please visit VLAD TV’s YouTube channel HERE [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJXY7FfBIg4&t=61s] To learn more about The Counter, please visit our website at thecounterpac.com [http://thecounterpac.com] Host:  Penny Ronning Writer:  Penny Ronning Producers:  Penny Ronning, Ty Lowe Editor:  Ty Lowe Sound Designer/Engineer:  Ty Lowe Music:  Ty Lowe, Konstantin Klimov Intro Vocals:  Roy Pack Graphic Design:  Penny Ronning, Ty Lowe Website:  Ty Lowe Social Media:  Emma Trunkle Garrett Morris Though Garrett Morris is best known as one of the original cast members of NBC's Saturday Night Live, he has appeared in numerous television shows and movies since the early 1970s (2 Broke Girls, Hunter, The Jamie Foxx Show, Martin, The Jeffersons, The Longshots, Carwash, and Cooley High).   His musical roots go back to his youth starting as a church-choir singer. Trained at The Juilliard School of Music, and a graduate of Dillard University, he soloed with the Harry Belafonte Singers early on in his career and performed in a number of Broadway musicals (Hallelujah, Baby! and Ain't Supposed To Die A Natural Death).   The Counter [https://thecounterpac.com] is a registered non-connected political action committee and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

Dark Money, Democracy, and the Fight for Transparency with Reilly Neill

The unchecked flow of dark money in politics is eroding our democracy. Since the Citizens United ruling, corporations and the ultra-wealthy have been able to sway elections, drown out individual voices, and flood communities with attack ads, all while operating in the shadows. This isn't just about politics—it’s about power, accountability, and the very foundation of our freedoms. In this episode of The Counter, we sit down with Reilly Neill—author, former Montana state legislator, and candidate for Congress—to discuss the dangers of dark money, its impact on local and national elections, and what we can do to take back our democracy. Democracy isn’t a spectator sport. Citizen involvement—running for office, serving on advisory boards, attending public meetings, and demanding transparency—is more critical than ever. 🎧 Join us for a conversation on how we can fight back against dark money and reclaim the power of the people. To learn more about Reilly Neill, please visit her website at www.neill4congress.com [http://www.neill4congress.com] To learn more about The Counter, please visit our website at thecounterpac.com [http://thecounterpac.com] Host:  Penny Ronning Writer:  Penny Ronning Producers:  Penny Ronning, Ty Lowe Editor:  Ty Lowe Sound Designer/Engineer:  Ty Lowe Music:  Ty Lowe, Konstantin Klimov Intro Vocals:  Roy Pack Graphic Design:  Penny Ronning, Ty Lowe Website:  Ty Lowe Social Media:  Emma Trunkle     Reilly Neill Reilly Neill is a former Montana State House Representative, member of the Water Policy Interim Committee, and longtime newspaper publisher. She organized and facilitated statewide reproductive rights rallies in 2021 and after the Dobbs decision in 2022 and remains the administrator of a 5,000-strong online Montana reproductive rights group. Reilly and her husband Brad live near Livingston in Park County where they've invested in their community for over 25 years. They continue to raise their family through the academic and sports programs of Montana’s public schools and universities. The Counter [https://thecounterpac.com] is a registered non-connected political action committee and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.