Participation Trophy

Youth organizers are reshaping democracy from the ground up with a level of purpose and urgency that’s impossible to ignore.   This episode of Participation Trophy takes a clear look at how youth are driving real change through community-based organizing. Topher Williams talks with Dakota Hall of the Alliance for Youth Action, who explains why young people are stepping up in such large numbers and how rising costs, shrinking opportunities, and a desire for honest leadership shape their political energy. Dakota shares the personal moments that sparked his own commitment to organizing, and he reflects on the lessons that help him move through self-doubt and stay grounded in the long tradition of people who fought for justice before him. What does meaningful action look like in a moment that feels overwhelming? How do young leaders build power without losing hope?    Join Topher and Dakota in this conversation to get a glimpse of where democracy is headed and the growing role youth play in shaping it.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Do Young People Really Care About Democracy? 01:34 How Dakota Hall Builds Youth Power Nationwide 03:41 The Economic Issues Driving Young Voters 10:08 How Young People Can Organize in Conservative States 12:31 Combating Isolation and Creating Community 14:37 The Life Lessons That Shaped Dakota’s Leadership 18:23 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Through History and Legacy 26:47 Dakota’s Early Awakening to Injustice 30:24 Three Actions Anyone Can Take to Fight Authoritarianism 31:38 What Makes Wisconsin Unique 37:46 Participation Trophies, Politics, and Final Thoughts Connect with Dakota Hall: Follow Alliance for Youth Action on LinkedIn Follow Alliance for Youth Action on Instagram Follow Alliance for Youth Action on Facebook Connect with Dakota on LinkedIn Connect with Topher Williams: Visit the Participation Trophy website  Connect with Topher on LinkedIn  Follow Topher on Instagram Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

What does it really mean to run for office in Texas today? Topher Williams talks with Odus Evbagharu, a millennial organizer and Houston native, about what it takes to fight for working families in a state where politics often feels out of reach.   Odus breaks down how issues like health care, education, and wages shape daily life across Texas and why every campaign should start with those kitchen table concerns. He also explains how redistricting tilts the playing field and what it takes to push back with clarity and heart.   Rooted in his story as the son of Nigerian immigrants, Odus shares a vision of leadership grounded in community, service, and love for the people the government is meant to serve. If you’ve ever wondered what change in Texas could look like from the ground up, this conversation offers both the blueprint and the belief that it’s possible.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Houston: The Heart of Texas 03:11 Empowering Millennial Leadership 06:00 Redistricting and Its Implications 08:50 The Immigrant Experience in Houston 11:49 Inspiration from Barack Obama 17:55 Optimism and Activism in Texas 23:26 Texas: A Dual Energy Powerhouse 24:51 Diversity in Progressivism 26:40 Kitchen Table Issues Matter 28:23 Welcoming Conversations in Progressivism 31:03 Embracing Discomfort for Change 34:21 Economic Realities vs. Social Issues 39:17 Connecting with the Community Connect with Odus Evbagharu: Visit Odus Evbagharu for Texas Connect with Odus on LinkedIn Follow Odus on Instagram Follow Odus on Facebook   Connect with Topher Williams: Visit the Participation Trophy website  Connect with Topher on LinkedIn  Follow Topher on Instagram Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Local elections shape how our communities actually function, from the safety of our streets to the quality of our parks and schools. In this episode, DSPolitical’s Director of Business Development MaryEllen Veliz joins Topher Williams to talk about why those races deserve more of our attention and how democrats can start showing up differently. Why do so few people vote in elections that affect their lives the most? What would happen if campaigns treated voters like real people instead of targets in a spreadsheet?    MaryEllen shares how growing up in San Antonio taught her the value of neighborhood involvement and why she believes connection, not perfection, drives political impact. She and Topher break down what’s missing in most political ads, how audience-first storytelling reaches voters where they actually are, and why cultural nuance and language matter more than ever. The episode will leave you thinking about the everyday power of local elections and how small, consistent action can reshape the political landscape.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why Local Elections Matter More Than You Think 03:59 What Most People Get Wrong About Texas and San Antonio 06:32 Understanding Municipal Ballots and Voter Confusion 07:20 MaryEllen Veliz on Finding Her Path Into Politics 10:41 The Moment That Sparked Real Political Involvement 15:29 How Democrats Can Build Better Political Ads 17:01 Reaching Latino Voters Through Language and Culture 23:01 Making Political Messaging Personal and Relevant 29:58 Finding Hope and Inspiration in Local Organizing 33:28 From Protest to Action: How to Create Real Change Connect with MaryEllen Veliz: Visit the DSPolitical website Connect with MaryEllen on LinkedIn   Connect with Topher Williams: Visit the Participation Trophy website  Connect with Topher on LinkedIn  Follow Topher on Instagram Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Ever notice how much shame still creeps into the way we talk about love, sex, and relationships - even in supposedly progressive spaces?    Activist, educator, and certified relationship coach Brian Gerald Murphy joins Topher Williams for an honest conversation about what happens when we stop letting shame dictate how we love and start creating relationships built on choice, consent, and curiosity. Together, they unpack the difference between polyamory and open relationships, talk about what it means to form connections that reflect our real values, and explore how millennials are reshaping the meaning of family and commitment. Brian also brings a refreshing take on spirituality, showing how faith can live in places that might surprise you - from drag brunches to late-night laughter with chosen family.    If you’ve ever questioned what love is supposed to look like, or how to reconcile your desires with your beliefs, this episode will remind you that relationships can be both deeply personal and profoundly liberating.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Redefining Modern Relationships 02:00 The Power of Releasing Shame 06:25 Understanding Polyamory 11:03 Open vs. Polyamorous Relationships 14:36 Brian’s Journey and Queer Coaching Work 20:40 Faith, Sex, and Spiritual Freedom 24:49 Finding Meaning Through Community 32:15 Love Beyond Monogamy 34:28 Universal Relationship Advice Connect with Brian Gerald Murphy: Visit Brian’s website Check out Queer Theology Subscribe to Brian’s YouTube channel Follow Brian on Instagram Follow Brian on X   Connect with Topher Williams: Visit the Participation Trophy website  Connect with Topher on LinkedIn  Follow Topher on Instagram Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen talks about leadership in government through a lens that feels anything but abstract. She shares what it was like growing up with a parent struggling with opioid addiction and how that experience shaped the way she thinks about policy, fairness, and the role of congress in people’s everyday lives.   What does it mean to step into an institution built for older, wealthy men when you’re a millennial woman raising two kids? How do you push for the government to reflect the realities of modern families when the rules were written centuries ago? And what happens when your own family’s story becomes the reason you take on that fight?   Brittany and Topher talk openly about the barriers that make public service harder than it should be - the childcare waitlists, the cross-country flights with a newborn, the outdated rules that leave younger voices out of the room. They point out why citizen voices still matter most. This is leadership with real stakes, grounded in lived experience and aimed at building systems that actually work for people.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Welcoming Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen 01:10 Being a Millennial Woman in Congress 02:00 Balancing Leadership and Family Life 03:20 Viral Moment Flying with Newborn to Vote 04:15 Modernizing Congress for Parents and Families 09:25 Fighting the Opioid Epidemic 14:02 Growing Up with a Parent Struggling with Addiction 17:10 Passing the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act 18:40 How Citizens Can Influence Government Policy 20:08 From Apathy to Action Getting Off the Sidelines 25:53 Advice for Millennials and Gen Z Considering Public Office Connect with Brittany Pettersen: Visit Brittany’s Website Follow Brittany on Instagram Follow Brittany on X Connect with Topher Williams: Visit the Participation Trophy Website  Connect with Topher on LinkedIn  Follow Topher on Instagram Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

The fight for truth has never felt more urgent, and few know that better than political journalist Maritsa Georgiou. In this episode, she joins Topher Williams to talk about the realities of journalism in a fractured media landscape, the rise of disinformation, and the Montana roots that shaped her belief in community and integrity.   Maritsa shares how early influences, from her grandfather’s work as a TV meteorologist to watching the aftermath of 9/11 unfold on live television, set her on a path to reporting. Over the years, she’s interviewed Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama, covered wildfires, hurricanes, and high-profile tragedies, and seen firsthand how people rally together in moments of crisis. She reflects on the shift to independent media, the challenge of maintaining credibility when false narratives spread faster than facts, and the hope she holds onto that good will prevail.   From Montana newsrooms to national interviews, Maritsa’s path shows that journalism endures through persistence, curiosity, and the resolve to keep asking the questions others stop asking, even when the answers are uncomfortable or slow to surface, because truth rarely emerges without someone who refuses to let it go.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Media and Misinformation 00:32 Maritsa Georgiou 01:19 Changing the World: Raising Kind Kids 02:01 The Role of Journalists in Society 03:06 Launching the Grounded Podcast with Jon Tester 05:48 Inspiration to Become a Journalist 07:26 Optimism in Journalism and Advocacy 08:21 Community Resilience in Times of Tragedy 13:30 Iconic Interviews with Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton 17:07 Opportunities for Journalists in Montana 18:05 Transition to Independent Journalism 24:19 Navigating Disinformation in Modern Media 25:00 Why Diversifying News Sources Matters   Connect with Maritsa Georgiou: Instagram X Grounded with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou on Instagram Grounded with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou on Substack Grounded with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou on Spotify Grounded with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou on Apple Podcasts Grounded with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou on YouTube Connect with Topher Williams: Participation Trophy Website  LinkedIn  Instagram Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Montana conservationist Whitney Tawney joins host Topher Williams for a conversation about the messy, meaningful work of protecting public lands and the relationships that make real progress possible.   Raised in Missoula by parents who founded the state’s first environmental lobby, Whitney grew up with a front-row seat to grassroots activism and long-term conservation work. Now a mother herself and former executive director of Montana Conservation Voters, she reflects on the people and places that shaped her path and how those early lessons continue to guide her leadership today.   Whitney shares the behind-the-scenes story of how she helped bring together two seemingly opposite figures, Kristi Noem and Tim Walz, to support the Sodsaver provision in the 2014 Farm Bill. What does it take to build that kind of bipartisan coalition? How do you keep conversations going when values clash? And what role does local organizing still play in moving national policy forward?   This episode explores the tension between idealism and practicality, and the quiet power of showing up again and again in rooms where trust has to be earned. Whitney’s story is rooted in Montana, but her insights stretch far beyond state lines. If you’ve ever wondered whether cooperation is still possible or whether one person can make a difference in a system that feels stuck, Topher and Whitney’s conversation offers perspective and possibility.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Guest Introduction: Whitney Tawney 02:02 A Legacy of Conservation in Montana 06:13 Inside the U.S. Senate Page Program 12:03 From Mailroom to Policy Change: The Ducks Unlimited Story 16:43 How SodSaver Passed with Bipartisan Support 19:39 Building Bridges Across Political Divides 20:58 Facing Imposter Syndrome as a Young Woman Leader 22:28 Choosing a Fuller Life Outside of Work 26:11 Favorite Book: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey 30:41 Whitney’s Participation Trophy: Jump Rope Nationals Connect with Whitney Tawney: LinkedIn Instagram - Whitney Tawney Instagram - Montana Conservation Voters Connect with Topher Williams: Participation Trophy Website LinkedIn Instagram Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Bryce Bennett went from a closeted teen in rural Montana to a state legislator who helped repeal Montana’s anti-LGBTQ laws. Now, he’s leading a national movement to make voting more accessible through Vote Early Day.   Topher Williams sits down with Bryce to trace the throughline of his life: a deep belief in democracy, a commitment to visibility, and an unshakable drive to make change. Bryce shares what it was like growing up queer in a conservative town where violence felt more real than acceptance, and how those early experiences fueled his path into organizing. After becoming the first openly gay man elected to public office in Montana, Bryce found himself confronting everything from bizarre bills about spear hunting and militias to life-threatening rhetoric during legislative hearings. He opens up about the emotional weight of coming out on the House floor in 2013 to advocate for striking Montana’s anti-LGBTQ statute, a moment of personal courage that helped shift policy and set precedent.   Through all of it, Bryce stayed focused on the work: expanding access, building coalitions, and proving that grassroots power still matters. Now, as director of Vote Early Day, he’s mobilizing a national network of nonprofits, businesses, and everyday citizens to ensure no one is left out of the democratic process. This episode is both a personal story and a political roadmap - a reminder that even in the face of fear, marginalization, or absurdity, participation still works. Change doesn’t start with perfection. It starts with showing up.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 The Power of Individual Impact 01:01 Bryce Bennett’s Journey from Rural Montana to Washington, D.C. 02:54 Growing Up LGBTQ in a Conservative Town 05:03 Becoming Montana’s First Openly Gay State Legislator 08:45 Wild and Dangerous Moments Inside the Legislature 10:15 Expanding Medicaid for 100,000 Montanans 11:45 Overturning Montana’s Anti-LGBTQ Law 16:06 Why Vote Early Day Matters 22:33 How to Start Making Change in Your Own Community 25:36 Rapid Fire Questions: Montana Edition 28:11 Participation Trophies: Bryce’s Experiences   Connect with Bryce Bennett: https://www.instagram.com/brycebennettmt/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryce-bennett-8885b7217/ https://voteearlyday.org/ Connect with Topher Williams: https://www.participationtrophypod.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/topher-williams-1a477264/  https://www.instagram.com/tophmcgoph/ Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Can you really lead a movement in sparkly boots and a big hat? And more importantly, shouldn’t you?   This week on Participation Trophy, Topher Williams sits down with Charlie Bonner, a fierce advocate for democracy who cut his teeth organizing in Texas and now brings that same energy to his work in the UK. From middle school civics class to testifying at the Capitol, Charlie’s path to leadership is full of grit, humor, and really good stories. He shares what it was like to fight back against voter suppression in 2021, why joy belongs at the center of activism, and how organizing across different political systems still comes down to one thing: figuring out who has the power and how to move them. What does it mean to show up for your community when the odds are stacked? Can voting still feel like an act of power and self-respect in a broken system? And how do you keep your spirit intact while doing hard things?   This episode is part pep talk, part strategy session, and part love letter to the people who keep showing up not because it’s easy or glamorous, but because they believe in something bigger than themselves. Charlie reminds us that leadership is not about being the loudest or the most polished. Leadership is all about staying present, telling the truth, and making room for others to step in. Charlie doesn’t gloss over the burnout or the political absurdity, but he’s clear: joy and community are still some of the strongest tools we’ve got. Who actually holds the power, and what does it take to move them? How do you keep going when the system feels rigged? Charlie and Topher’s conversation won’t tie things up in a bow, but it will leave you thinking differently about what it means to fight for democracy.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Charlie Bonner and the Power of Fabulousness 01:19 Joy, Creativity, and Humor in Texas Politics 05:55 Advocacy Work in the UK and Comparing Democracy Across Borders 10:23 How a Middle School Civics Class Sparked a Lifetime of Leadership 15:16 Inside the 2021 Texas Fight for Voting Rights 19:15 Community, Perseverance, and the Emotional Core of Organizing 23:15 One Voice, One Room, and Why Voting Still Matters 26:32 Rapid Fire: Charlie’s Take on Texas Favorites 27:38 Participation Trophies and a Baseball Career That Wasn’t 29:04 Final Thoughts and Where to Follow Charlie Online   Connect with Charlie Bonner: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/charlie-bonner https://www.instagram.com/thecharliebonner/ Connect with Topher Williams: https://www.participationtrophypod.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/topher-williams-1a477264/  https://www.instagram.com/tophmcgoph/ Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Karen Pandy-Cherry didn’t wait for someone to hand her a megaphone, she picked it up herself. Raised in Belize and now leading from Tulsa’s historic Black Wall Street, Karen shares how early lessons in family, service, and leadership shaped her path to becoming the President and CEO of New Leaders Council. Her approach to leadership is rooted in building power and making sure others have access to it, too.   In this episode, Karen and Topher Williams get real about what it takes to stop watching from the sidelines and start making change right where you are. They talk about what happened when her dad told her she hadn’t led, she’d just done the work, and how that moment reframed her entire understanding of leadership. Karen also shares a story from her time working in a Florida prison that became a personal tipping point, one that pushed her into law school and set her on a course toward community-based activism.   Ever felt like you’re doing the work but don’t have the title to match? Or questioned whether your day-to-day life actually counts as movement-building? Karen reminds us that leadership isn’t about status. It’s how you show up and who you bring with you. And through the New Leaders Council, she’s helping more people recognize the power they already hold in their communities.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Meet Karen Pandy-Cherry: Leadership, Activism, and Black Wall Street 01:13 What Is Black Wall Street and Why It Still Matters 04:03 Redefining Leadership: Power Sharing and Proximity 05:25 A Hard Lesson on Leadership from Her Father 08:55 The Prison Encounter That Changed Everything 14:24 From Law School to Movement Work 17:09 How to Start Making Change in Your Own Backyard 19:08 Inside New Leaders Council: Building a National Network 21:35 Rapid Fire: Reggae, Beach Days, and Participation Trophies Connect with Karen Pandy-Cherry: newleaderscouncil.org https://www.instagram.com/karenpandycherry/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenpandycherry/ https://www.instagram.com/newleaderscouncil https://www.facebook.com/karenpandycherry https://www.amazon.com/Biographies-Karen-Cherry-Books/s?rh=n%3A2%2Cp_27%3AKaren%2BCherry   Connect with Topher Williams: https://www.participationtrophypod.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/topher-williams-1a477264/  https://www.instagram.com/tophmcgoph/ Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm