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Democrats Abroad: The Blue Vote Café

Democrats Abroad: The Blue Vote Café

By Democrats Abroad

Every American living abroad can vote in the U.S., and can engage politically back home through Democrats Abroad, an official arm of the Democratic Party.

Brought to you by David Schellenberg and Rachel Eugster (co-chairs of the Canada's Capital Region chapter of Democrats Abroad) this podcast is about Americans living outside the U.S.--who we are, what we stand for, how to get engaged back home, and how to make sure your vote is counted, Because when Democrats vote abroad, Democrats at home win.

For more info: democratsabroad.org
To register and request your ballot: votefromabroad.org
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The Global Youth Caucus in Democrats Abroad (Season 4, Ep1)

Democrats Abroad: The Blue Vote CaféFeb 20, 2021

00:00
38:52
Simon Rosenberg from the Hopium Chronicles (Season 9, Ep5)

Simon Rosenberg from the Hopium Chronicles (Season 9, Ep5)

Rachel and David's guest in the café is longtime Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg, who gained notoriety in 2022 for calling the election right when everyone else had it wrong.

Simon talks about the weakness of the GOP's position, with a candidate diminished in multiple ways and a crazy, ideologically unhinged politic, the 6 factors that will impede Trump in 2024, and about the Hopium Chronicles community that he founded with the watch words, "Do more, worry less."

With a reference to diapers and pictures you might not want to look up, and a resounding endorsement of FDR's four freedoms.

For more information, visit https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/.

Register and request your ballot every year at votefromabroad.org.

Find the full library of Blue Vote Café episodes as bluevotecafe.com.

Mar 06, 202456:11
Rev. Harcourt Klinefelter on the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Season 9, Ep3)

Rev. Harcourt Klinefelter on the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Season 9, Ep3)

The Reverend Harcourt ("Harky") Klinefelter joins Rachel and David to share memories from the time he spent working with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Harky, a DA member, talks about serving as Dr. King's press officer, and the Selma and Montgomery marches. He brings the voices of long-ago freedom fighters to life, and about working on Dr. King's funeral.

Clips that are mentioned in the interview and a transcription:

The part of the speech that appeared during Dr. King’s funeral was from “The Drum Major Instinct” King concluded the sermon by imagining his own funeral. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mefbog-b4-4 The three hour documentary that only aired once is “King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis”. The documentary was recently restored and can once again be seen in its original form. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065944/

The first part of the interview with the 10 year old Selma marcher is a bit hard to hear because of the quality of the recording. Here is a transcription of the first half:

`I didn't go prepared to march. I had planned to go all the way  but I wasn't sure they were going to be able to take me because they taken all the names and I didn't take anything but my coat. So I had to sleep (in the) cold, and the heaters (in the tent) went out and the wind and everything was real terrible, and so I stayed woke (awake) that night by the little gas burner they had outside. The next day-- the next day we marched and marched and it rained, and that's the day we really had to walk hard  all that rain. 

I didn't get a cold, the next day it rained which was Tuesday, that was through Lownes country, Yeah, that's the day you had to `pick them up and put them (your feet) down'. Blisters and everything, oh boy I'm telling you, I said  I know they (the racists) they're going to try something even if they have to wait until we come back. I said `Lord,I say, I know these people, in Lownes country. All I want you to do is take care of me and give me the strength to walk faster through this stretch. I mean, I prayed that prayer all the way through there.

I didn't have any water all day  because if we stopped we had to run to catch up, you know, and I wanted to be credited for walking all the way  So I just did without water, and my tongue was swole (swelled) up. The next day, ah, the nurses out there they waited on me and she came and she say (said) `Little girl are you going to march today?' I say (said) `Sure I am.? All those blisters?' I say (said) `There not hurting, only when I stop'. And you stayed out all the time?  `All the time, every camp we stayed in. I slept in it.'

How did you feel when you marched up the street to the Capital?

`My feet were so bad! and when I had the flag carrying, one of the biggest ones out there, I felt so happy, I didn't knew what to do  Dr King, I think he's the greatest that's happened. Really,  it's just like heaven. And I'll go anywhere he tells me to go, really, with blisters, sores, sore head, anything. 

You know, I couldn't hardly breathe when I was out there, I fainted, I passed out, and everything, but I ended up going on ahead. What do you feel the march was accomplished? `We're 50 years ahead from where we started when this voter registration started. Really in Selma, 50 years, because people can walk around and not be afraid. If someone get killed that doesn't stop them, I didn't walk 50 miles in vain.' 

You feel that people will be afraid to register vote?

`Well, I don't think they should be afraid because after all they have been killing Negroes all the time and noting has be done about it. They do find out who killed'em (them) now.

This has been a big improvement?

`If you will excuse me for the slang, "It's just a nigger dead."'

Feb 27, 202401:16:17
Carl Weinschenk on Biden and the Swing States (Season 9, Ep4)

Carl Weinschenk on Biden and the Swing States (Season 9, Ep4)

Carl Weinschenk joins David and Rachel to talk about his blogging and video efforts to communicate President Biden's substantial accomplishments to undecided voters in the swing states. With some discussion of the race to fill George Santos's vacant seat, a long-ago glimpse of the young Donald Trump in Jamaica Estates NY, a little of Carl's family history, and the Cafe's first mention of "double-haters."

Also a shout-out to @DanPfeiffer and @PodSaveAmerica.

Carl's site: https://bidenandtheswingstates.com/ and

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@bidenandtheswingstates

Feb 13, 202435:54
Checking in with DA Spain (Season 9, Ep2)

Checking in with DA Spain (Season 9, Ep2)

Kathy Tullos (Chair, DA Spain) and Andrew Anderson (Vice Chair, Veterans and Military Families Global Caucus) join Rachel and David from DA Spain to talk about DA Spain's recent growth, and its new community-building initiatives.

Kathy's leadership style evokes a quote frequently misattributed to Ghandi; Andrew gives an update on the progress with addressing complications with educational benefits for veterans and active servicepeople overseas, and both share observations of how how US politics are perceived in Spain.

The conversation also touches on dating tips, the importance of wine, and the "unhelpful desk."

Jan 30, 202445:31
Novelist Steve Erickson: 13 Resolutions to Save Democracy (Season 9, Ep1)

Novelist Steve Erickson: 13 Resolutions to Save Democracy (Season 9, Ep1)

David and Rachel talk to Steve about the resolutions he posted on The Journal of the Plague Years on January 1, 2024. Click to read the post.

The conversation touches on the dangers of confusing imperfect choices for clear ones; the shift from James Carville's "it's the economy, stupid" to what Steve sees as our current reality ("it's the culture, stupid"); and how his work American Stutter would appear to a novelist in a parallel universe where Hillary won the presidency in 2016.

The talk also turns to living near the stars on Hollywood Boulevard, and plants seeds of optimism that Steve, Rachel, and David agree need urgent, active, and immediate tending.

Bonus: an answer to the question David posed to Wayne Liebman of the Blue Voter Guide (Season 8, Ep8) about how many different ballots there are in a given US election. Register and request your ballot at Vote From Abroad!

Jan 23, 202438:31
Wayne Liebman and the Blue Voter Guide (Season 8, Ep8)
Dec 19, 202333:47
Dr. Dan Barkhuff and Veterans for Responsible Leadership (Season 8, Ep7)

Dr. Dan Barkhuff and Veterans for Responsible Leadership (Season 8, Ep7)

Dr. Dan Barkhuff joins David and Rachel to talk about the organization he founded, Veterans for Responsible Leadership (vfrl.org). The conversation delves into the concepts of duty and honor, the downstream effects of the shift 50 years ago to all-volunteer military, and Trump's inability to understand the military and unfitness to serve as the country's leader. We also touch on the political composition of the military, how many veterans live overseas, and the Lincoln ads featuring Barkhuff that went viral in 2020.

Dec 13, 202344:25
Jason Berlin from Field Team 6 (Season 8, Ep6)

Jason Berlin from Field Team 6 (Season 8, Ep6)

Jason Berlin joins Rachel and David to talk about Field Team 6, the partisan voter registration organization he founded to register Democrats.

Jason talks about Field Team 6's focus on unregistered voters, about the gaps in the traditional approach to voter registration, and the cost per voter.

Dec 05, 202336:20
High School Democrats of America (Season 8, Ep5)

High School Democrats of America (Season 8, Ep5)

Annika Krovi and Henry Pahlow, National Chair and Vice Chair of High School Democrats of America, join David and Rachel to talk about engaging voters and potential voters when they are still enrolled in high school.

Neither Annika nor Henry is eligible yet to cast their own votes, but they speak like veteran political operatives about canvassing, phone-banking, and participating on campaigns--and about their success in bringing a resolution to the Democratic National Committee meeting and have it approved.

We talk about expanding the membership of USDA, about the opportunity Annika and her grandparents will have in 2024 to cast their votes for the first time, about Henry's research and initiatives to involve rural voters, and--it must be said--about dad jokes.

For more information: https://hsdems.org/

Nov 28, 202343:22
Talking with Stewart Reynolds (aka Brittlestar) (Season 8, Ep4)

Talking with Stewart Reynolds (aka Brittlestar) (Season 8, Ep4)

Rachel and David make social media darling Brittlestar laugh at his own jokes, and discourse seriously (and at least semi-intelligently) with his alter ego Stewart Reynolds on his recent book (Welcome to the Stupidpocalypse: Survival Tips for the Dumbageddon); on the objective perspective on the U.S. afforded to Canadians and to American citizens living outside the country; and on the challenge of learning to interact maturely with the big dumb, nonstop, in-your-face electronic bulletin board that is social media.

Nov 15, 202336:44
Ashley Houghton from FairVote explains Ranked Ballots (Season 8, Ep3)

Ashley Houghton from FairVote explains Ranked Ballots (Season 8, Ep3)

Ashley Houghton, FairVote's Senior Director of Programs and Policy, sat down with David and Rachel to talk about election reform in general, and ranked choice voting in particular. FairVote is a nonpartisan organization that researches and advances voting reforms in the hope of making democracy more functional and representative.

Oct 12, 202333:47
Author David Pepper Spells Out How to Save Democracy (Season 8, Ep2)

Author David Pepper Spells Out How to Save Democracy (Season 8, Ep2)

A former chair of Ohio Democratic Party, David Pepper is the author of several books, including Laboratories of Autocracy and Saving Democracy. You may have caught him in a short segment with Rachel Maddow or Morning Joe. The day after Issue One was defeated in Ohio in August, 2023, he joined Rachel and David on the pod to talk about how the Democrats' strategy differs from the Republicans', how that must change, and how you can help.

For more information: savedemocracy.us

And don't forget to register and request your ballot EVERY YEAR at votefromabroad.org

Aug 13, 202341:04
Horrific Barriers of Buoys and Razor Wire in a Texas River (Season 8, Ep1)
Aug 05, 202345:11
The 2023 International Chair Candidate Forum (Season 7, Ep13)
May 25, 202353:00
The 2023 Treasurer Candidate Forum (Season 7, Ep11)
May 25, 202307:36
The 2023 Legal Counsel Candidate Forum (Season 7, Ep10)
May 25, 202319:17
The 2023 Secretary Candidate Forum (Season 7, Ep9)
May 25, 202329:43
The 2023 International Vice Chair Candidate Forum (Season 7, Ep12)
May 25, 202301:08:28
President Joe Biden Comes to Ottawa (Season 7, Ep8)

President Joe Biden Comes to Ottawa (Season 7, Ep8)

What you need to know when you find out that the President of the United States is coming to your town!

Mar 29, 202334:08
Why all Wisconsin voters need to vote right away (Season 7, Ep7)

Why all Wisconsin voters need to vote right away (Season 7, Ep7)

Wisconsin voters Liz Blackbourn and Annie Graul explain the importance of this current election.

They outline why they are supporting liberal Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Janet Protasiewicz.


Mar 14, 202334:08
Shari Temple explains the 100 year birthday party for the Equal Rights Amendment (Season 7, Ep5)

Shari Temple explains the 100 year birthday party for the Equal Rights Amendment (Season 7, Ep5)

March 22, 2023 will mark 100 years since the Equal Rights Amendment was first introduced.

And it still has not been passed.

Feb 16, 202333:21
Tricia Augustine-Hamilton catches us up on DA's quest to restore NJ's overseas voters' rights (Season 7, Ep4)

Tricia Augustine-Hamilton catches us up on DA's quest to restore NJ's overseas voters' rights (Season 7, Ep4)

Tricia Augustine-Hamilton picks up the story where John Baumlin left off (listen to "The quest to restore New Jersey's overseas voters' rights, with John Baumlin" to hear Part One). Tricia shares with David and Rachel the inside story on how a team from around the world worked for three years to see legislation through to passage. She pulls back the curtain on Candice Kerestan's first action as DA's International Chair. And she touches upon the topic of trailing spouses, lauds the people and grassroots power of DA, and discusses the fact that lobbying and voter protection ≠ gravy.

Feb 12, 202350:18
DA's Youth Caucus joins Young Democrats of America (Season 7, Ep3)
Jan 27, 202340:55
Introducing Jarryd Rauch, the new Executive Director of Democrats Abroad (Season 7, Ep2)

Introducing Jarryd Rauch, the new Executive Director of Democrats Abroad (Season 7, Ep2)

Three weeks into the job, Jarryd shares with David and Rachel what he hopes to accomplish as DA's new Executive Director. Amongst the cat talk and the banter about who is whose boss, Jarryd's role is distilled into "tending, water, and weeding--but not mowing--DA's grass roots." The conversations also explores voting as an expression of values, DA's Africa Task Force, relational organizing, Wisconsin's Supreme Court election in April, and upcoming state races in November.

Jan 13, 202332:05
Exploring State Teams with Jennifer von Estorff (Season 7, Ep1)

Exploring State Teams with Jennifer von Estorff (Season 7, Ep1)

Democrats Abroad State Teams are working to make sure that everyone gets their ballots.

Dec 27, 202233:16
Georgia Runoff Election 2022 (Season 6, Ep9)

Georgia Runoff Election 2022 (Season 6, Ep9)

If you're a Georgia voter living outside the U.S., here is all the information you need about the upcoming runoff election. Georgia voter Deirdre O’Brien and Democrats Abroad Vote from Abroad Coordinator Heidi Burch sit down with David and Rachel to talk about how to vote from abroad, where to get help if you need it, and the need for speed. Hear about complications stemming from the new legislation, the three categories of Georgia voters living outside the U.S., and why this election is so important.

Nov 17, 202244:14
Leigh McGowan: Politics Girl (Season 6, Ep8)

Leigh McGowan: Politics Girl (Season 6, Ep8)

If you follow PoliticsGirl, you know where Leigh McGowan stands. But do you know how she got there? Leigh sits down with Rachel and David to talk about how her love of democracy led to the creation of her persona as Politics Girl. She talks about how her early non-partisan blog posts about basic civics made that her realize that when people understand what's going on, they get engaged. She traces the path that led to the daily TikTok/IG/Twitter rants she delivers today (with her trademark sass) that--along with her podcast and YouTube channel--are followed by hundreds of thousands of people. The conversation touches on health care, power-hungry Republicans, and the careening Car of Democracy that we can only tip back to stability by voting in numbers in the 2022 midterms. PoliticsGirl wants the 6 to 9 million Americans who live outside the country to feel their transformational power and VOTE!
https://www.votefromabroad.org/
https://www.politicsgirl.com/

Oct 01, 202258:59
Elizabeth Hahn, Democrats Abroad’s Voter Protection Officer (Season 6, Ep7)

Elizabeth Hahn, Democrats Abroad’s Voter Protection Officer (Season 6, Ep7)

Two weeks into her job as DA's Director of Voter Protection, Elizabeth Hahn sat down with David and Rachel. She discusses the three things she'll be looking for in the lead-up to the midterms: the obstacles to voting that face Americans abroad, what countries it's most difficult to vote from, and what states it's most difficult to vote in. Liz talks about getting friendly with her volunteer Voter Protection force, and forging connections with her state party counterparts and the DNC. 

Sep 16, 202242:02
Heather Stone from the Medicare Portability Task Force (Season 6, Ep6)
Aug 20, 202237:42
Antar Keith from the Reparations Task Force in Democrats Abroad (Season 6, Ep5)

Antar Keith from the Reparations Task Force in Democrats Abroad (Season 6, Ep5)

The Reparations Task Force is looking for Democrats Abroad members who are motivated to jump into the fight for full reparative justice for Black Americans.

We are looking for volunteers who wish to support H.R. 40 and all other American reparative legislation at the local, state, and national levels.

If you are interested in getting involved in this fight for justice, please send an email to reparations@democratsabroad.org.

Aug 06, 202256:05
The quest to restore New Jersey's overseas voters' rights, with John Baumlin (Season 6, Ep4)

The quest to restore New Jersey's overseas voters' rights, with John Baumlin (Season 6, Ep4)

A tale of intrigue from John Baumlin, former DA Japan chair and newly elected rep to the DNC for DA Asia Pacific. John tells David and Rachel about his knotty five-year quest to re-enfranchise New Jersey voters living outside the country. With gratitude for a silver mine of DA knowledge, and side trips into internet philosophy, and the ins and outs of game translation.

Jul 25, 202255:25
Stephanie Perry explains the importance of GOTV (Season 6, Ep3)

Stephanie Perry explains the importance of GOTV (Season 6, Ep3)

A solid Get Out The Vote (GOTV) campaign is an important part of every election.

Request your ballot at www.votefromabroad.org

Get general help at info@democratsabroad.org 

Get specific voting help at gotv@democratsabroad.org 

Send your questions directly to Stephanie at gotv@democratsabroad.ca 

May 20, 202249:24
Exploring Roberts Rules of Order with Rob Carolina (Season 6, Ep2)

Exploring Roberts Rules of Order with Rob Carolina (Season 6, Ep2)

What are Robert’s Rules of Order?

Why does Democrats Abroad use them in the AGM?

Rob Carolina gives us the history plus the pros and cons.

May 14, 202255:57
Talking with Will Bakker, Chair of the Resolutions Committee (Season 6, Ep1)

Talking with Will Bakker, Chair of the Resolutions Committee (Season 6, Ep1)

As Democrats Abroad prepares for an upcoming global meeting, Will Bakker explains the role of the Resolutions Committee (Carol Adamson in Sweden, Farid E. Ben Amor in Japan, Kent Getsinger in Australia, Beverle Lax in Kenya, past chair of the committee Susan Vaillant of France, and Rick Wicks of Sweden). How do resolutions get brought to the governing body? What sorts of resolutions are considered? What difference do they make? Who gets to propose and vote on them?

Apr 29, 202253:29
The Environment and Climate Crisis Council in Democrats Abroad (Season 5, Ep12)

The Environment and Climate Crisis Council in Democrats Abroad (Season 5, Ep12)

Chatting with Dana Freling and Dash Nesbitt from the Environment and Climate Crisis Council.


Apr 23, 202243:08
Chatting with Jen Rakow-Stepper, the Regional Vice-Chair for EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) (Season 5, Ep11)

Chatting with Jen Rakow-Stepper, the Regional Vice-Chair for EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) (Season 5, Ep11)

Jen explains the challenges of coordinating Democrats Abroad across more than 20 countries.

Apr 10, 202238:45
Talking to Rebecca Lammers who is the Chair of Democrats Abroad's Global Taxation Task Force (Season 5, Ep10)

Talking to Rebecca Lammers who is the Chair of Democrats Abroad's Global Taxation Task Force (Season 5, Ep10)

United States citizens around the world are supposed to file their taxes every year but don't do it.

Apr 02, 202201:04:17
The Global Seniors Caucus in Democrats Abroad (Season 5, Ep9)

The Global Seniors Caucus in Democrats Abroad (Season 5, Ep9)

Getting all the details on why the caucus was created and its goals.

Mar 22, 202241:53
Meeting Allyssa Schoenemann from the Democrats Abroad Global Disability Caucus (Season 5, Ep8)

Meeting Allyssa Schoenemann from the Democrats Abroad Global Disability Caucus (Season 5, Ep8)

A lively and fun discussion about this new caucus that focuses on the rights and protections of Americans with disabilities around the world.

Mar 19, 202253:59
Talking with Steve Nardi about Democrats Abroad in the Americas (Season 5, Ep7)

Talking with Steve Nardi about Democrats Abroad in the Americas (Season 5, Ep7)

Steve Nardi explains how Democrats Abroad is organised around the world.

Feb 05, 202242:24
Heidi Burch talks about DA's voter registration portal votefromabroad.org (Season 5, Ep6)

Heidi Burch talks about DA's voter registration portal votefromabroad.org (Season 5, Ep6)

"Ballots in boxes!" is the central preoccupation of Democrats Abroad's Vote from Abroad coordinator. Heidi Burch joins David and Rachel to talk about votegfromabroad.org, the non-partisan voter registration portal operated by Democrats Abroad. Heidi outlines multiple reasons for registering via votefromabroad.org instead of directly with your state, what it takes to keep the site up-to-the-minute in the face of changing regulations, and how easy it is for overseas voters to get help in registering. Plus, you'll learn who does the snow shovelling in Rachel's house, what David has against librarians, and what it means to unremember personal information "the European Way."

Jan 20, 202249:31
Mike Nitz from the Global Veterans & Military Families Caucus (Season 5, Ep5)

Mike Nitz from the Global Veterans & Military Families Caucus (Season 5, Ep5)

The history of the Global Veterans & Military Families Caucus and the new problem that vets have when trying to use their education benefits around the world.

Dec 08, 202148:19
Meeting the Global Hispanic Caucus (Season 5, Ep4)

Meeting the Global Hispanic Caucus (Season 5, Ep4)

Understanding the challenges of the Democrats Abroad Global Hispanic Caucus with Carlos Colao, Edgar Lopez and Amerika Garcia Grewal.


Nov 27, 202145:29
The Democrats Abroad Progressive Caucus (Season 5, Ep3)

The Democrats Abroad Progressive Caucus (Season 5, Ep3)

Learning the history and the future of the Democrats Abroad Progressive Caucus.

More information can be found at https://www.democratsabroad.org/pc

Follow the Progressive Caucus Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/prodacaucus/

Nov 20, 202146:38
Meeting Leedonal "Jazz" Moore from the Global Black Caucus (Season 5, Ep2)

Meeting Leedonal "Jazz" Moore from the Global Black Caucus (Season 5, Ep2)

The newly appointed chair of DA's Global Black Caucus joins David and Rachel to talk about issues, changes, and plans. Overseeing a team of 22 people, Jazz is working to ensure that the GBC is tackling a host of issues with a new deputy structure designed to avoid damage to the team and burnout. Jazz discusses growing issues of advocacy such as reparations and artificial intelligence, as well as the importance of justice and peace, taking down barriers and borders, and letting people be heard. Jazz briefly details upcoming events such as Spill the Beans: the GBC Cafe, and highlights the Power to the People podcast and the GBC's poet laureate's circle.

Oct 28, 202135:13
Meeting Nicholas Gordon, Regional Vice Chair for Asia Pacific (Season 5, Ep1)

Meeting Nicholas Gordon, Regional Vice Chair for Asia Pacific (Season 5, Ep1)

Nicholas Gordon, one of the three new Regional Vice Chairs elected to DA's Executive Committee, is David and Rachel's guest. Nicholas represents the Asia-Pacific region, which includes the Pacific Islands; East, Southeast, South, and Central Asia; and Australia and New Zealand. The conversation touches on the diversity of cultures and communities in the area, its growing presence and power in American politics, the role of the regional vice chair in supporting members who don't belong to a country committee, and how to engage "Secret Americans." Nicholas describes how casting his first in-person vote in DA's 2016 Global Primary led to becoming RVC---with a brief diversion into whether or not there is still a bottle of vodka in the freezer at his U.S. voting address.

Sep 20, 202136:52
Meeting Orlando Vidal, the International Counsel (Season 4, Ep11)

Meeting Orlando Vidal, the International Counsel (Season 4, Ep11)

Orlando Vidal is the newly elected International Counsel for Democrats Abroad.


Jul 31, 202143:42
Meeting Beth Landry, the new Secretary for Democrats Abroad (Season 4, Ep10)

Meeting Beth Landry, the new Secretary for Democrats Abroad (Season 4, Ep10)

With side forays into game design and encroaching thunderstorms, David and Rachel chat with Beth about the role of DA Secretary. Beth shares the perspective of someone who hasn't lived abroad very long, yet has contributed at all four levels of DA (local, country, regional, and now inernational). Beth reveals a passion for dotting i's and crossing t's, and talks about bringing on deputies for Secretary and other ExCom officers, creating a DA handbook, and staying hydrated and cool as a delegate to the DNC. One of these undertakings revealed an answer to a question posed in our conversation with Chair Candice Kerestan!

Jul 25, 202146:35
Meeting Quyen Nguyen, the new Treasurer for Democrats Abroad (Season 4, Ep9)

Meeting Quyen Nguyen, the new Treasurer for Democrats Abroad (Season 4, Ep9)

Quyen votes in Iowa, lives in Columbia, and got swept into leadership in the Columbia chapter after her second DA meetings. Our new International Treasurer shares thoughts about contrasting aspects of her job, from the behind-the-scenes procedural matters to her goals to make DA's financial picture easy to understand and to ensure that members are excited about the numbers. David shares how to acquire a tan in Winnepeg, Rachel's Zoom profile pic inspires a metaphor, and Quyen presents a persuasive case for destination weddings in Iowa. Members interested in becoming sustaining donors (even to the tune of $1.00/month) should visit democratsabroad.org/donate .

Jul 17, 202143:43
Meeting Art Schankler, the new Vice Chair for Democrats Abroad (Season 4, Ep8)

Meeting Art Schankler, the new Vice Chair for Democrats Abroad (Season 4, Ep8)

Art tells David and Rachel about the transformation of infrastructure from boring to popular, DA's growth over time, and his own political beginnings at the age of 5. Namedropping both stadiums and people, he talks about the big impact various celebrities have had in helping DA raise its profile worldwide. Complete with a digression into rakia and quinces.

Jun 12, 202145:35