Two Parties? Why Not More? Why Not None?

SummaryChanging your mind shouldn't be a radical act.You believe something; you learn something new. You think about it, and sometimes you realize that what you believed before was wrong, or at least incomplete.In this episode, I talk about something I've changed my own mind about, why politicians get accused of “flip-flopping,” and what Harry Truman, Lyndon Johnson, and an 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin can teach us about being willing to reconsider what we think we know.Because maybe the goal isn't to have a President who never changes their mind OR one who changes it easily.Maybe it's to have a President who can change it.Sources and Further ReadingBenjamin Franklin’s Closing Speech at the Constitutional ConventionGeorge H. W. Bush: Domestic AffairsHarry S. Truman and Civil Rights - BackgroundHarry S. Truman and Civil Rights - National Park ServiceJudge Gergel: Unexampled CourageLBJ: Still Casting a Long ShadowGeorge Ball's “A Compromise Solution for South Viet-Nam”Naomi Klein, DoppelgangerUse this link to send us a text, or email us at the address in show [email protected] by Rory LawsonMusic by Universfield from Pixabay

Summary“Why do you want to be President?”It sounds like a question anyone running for President should be able to answer. But when Ted Kennedy was asked in 1979, his famously rambling response helped derail his campaign. And when The West Wing borrowed the moment decades later, even President Bartlet discovered the question wasn't quite as easy as it sounded.So what is a good answer?In this episode, I look at how presidential candidates from George Washington to Ronald Reagan have explained why they wanted the job. Along the way, I try to figure out what we should actually want to hear when someone asks us to give them that much power.And since I've spent all this time asking “Why Not Me?” there's another question I probably can't avoid forever.LinksThe interview that blindsided the Ted Kennedy Presidential campaign - The Boston GlobeGeorge Washington, letters to Henry Knox and others, 1789 — Founders Online, National ArchivesWhen Duty Calls, the Good Soldier Answers, Townsend Hoopes, The Washington Post, May 17, 1981Adlai Stevenson, 1952 Democratic presidential nomination acceptance speechElizabeth Drew, “1980: Bush,” The New Yorker, 1980Abraham Lincoln, letter to Lyman Trumbull, April 29, 1860 Richard Nixon, “The Nature of the Presidency,” September 19, 1968John F. Kennedy, remarks at the New York Coliseum, November 5, 1960Jimmy Carter, presidential candidacy announcement, December 12, 1974Ronald Reagan 1976 Campaign AdUse this link to send us a text, or email us at the address in show [email protected] by Rory LawsonMusic by Universfield from Pixabay

SummaryWhat makes someone decide to stop working behind the scenes and put their own name on the ballot?In this episode of Why Not Me?, I talk with Anthony Lyon, a 28-year-old candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates in Harford County.Anthony shares why he decided this was the right moment to run, what it's like being a young candidate, and how his experiences growing up in Ohio and making Maryland his home shaped the way he sees politics. We also talk about the role of a state delegate, the issues he's hearing about from voters in his district, and what he's learned from knocking on doors and listening to people's stories.Anthony also talks candidly about how his own political views have changed over time—and why he believes getting outside our own communities and experiences can change the way we understand one another.And, fittingly, we talk about the moment Anthony found himself asking the same question at the heart of this podcast:Why not me?It's a conversation about politics, participation, and why making a difference doesn't necessarily mean running for office. Sometimes it just means deciding to get involved.LinksLyon for DelegateUse this link to send us a text, or email us at the address in show [email protected] by Rory LawsonMusic by Universfield from Pixabay

SummaryThis week is a little different—no policy talk, no interviews, just . . . some reflection. LinksNational Park ServiceThe Wild Animal SanctuaryEd SheeranSubscribe & ConnectIf you’re enjoying Why Not Me?, please consider subscribing, sharing the podcast with a friend, or leaving a review.Questions, thoughts, or interested in being a [email protected] this link to send us a text, or email us at the address in show [email protected] by Rory LawsonMusic by Universfield from Pixabay

SummaryIn this episode of Why Not Me?, we take a look at one of the biggest challenges facing communities across America: affordable housing.We explore the many factors that have driven housing costs higher, including supply and demand, zoning restrictions, construction costs, investors, short-term rentals, and decades of policy decisions that have made it harder to build new housing where people want to live.We'll look at some of the solutions being proposed—from building more housing and reforming zoning laws to workforce housing programs, tax incentives, and first-time homebuyer assistance—and I'll share what I would prioritize if I were President.ResourcesAbundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, 2025Congress Nears Final Vote On 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act The shares of young adults living with parents vary widely across the U.S. The Average Age of First-time U.S. Homebuyers Is 38, an All-time High –CNBC One City Might Have Just Cracked the Housing CrisisEnterprise Community PartnersLow-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program OverviewSubscribe & ConnectIf you’re enjoying Why Not Me?, please consider subscribing, sharing the podcast with a friend, or leaving a review.Questions, thoughts, or interested in being a [email protected] this link to send us a text, or email us at the address in show [email protected] by Rory LawsonMusic by Universfield from Pixabay

SummaryIn this episode of Why Not Me?, I sit down with Linda Lamppert, candidate for the Howard County Democratic Central Committee, to talk about local politics, community involvement, and why ordinary people should pay attention to what happens close to home.Linda shares how her experiences as a parent in Howard County schools led her to become more involved in politics and advocacy. We discuss what a local Democratic Central Committee actually does, why local elections matter, and how decisions made at the county level can have a direct impact on issues like education, housing, and quality of life.Resources MentionedHoward County Democratic Central Committee Howard County Board of Education League of Women Voters PATH (People Acting Together in Howard)Connect with Why Not Me?If you've ever thought, "Someone should do something about that," maybe the question is: Why not you?Follow Why Not Me? as we explore politics, public service, and whether ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference.Use this link to send us a text, or email us at the address in show [email protected] by Rory LawsonMusic by Universfield from Pixabay

In this episode of Why Not Me?, Shana talks with Dan Schwartz, a first-time candidate running for Congress in Maryland’s 1st District against longtime incumbent Andy Harris.Dan shares what motivated him to jump into the race, why he believes “regular people with regular people problems” need to be represented in government, and what he’s hearing from voters across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The conversation touches on affordability, healthcare, farming, campaign fundraising, bipartisan cooperation, and the realities of running for office as a husband, father, and political newcomer.They also discuss why local engagement matters, how ordinary people can step into public service, and what it takes to build a campaign rooted in grassroots support rather than corporate donations.If you’ve ever wondered what pushes someone from frustration with politics into actually running for office, this episode is for you.LinksLearn more about Dan Schwartz’s campaign:Dan Schwartz for CongressSubscribe & ConnectIf you’re enjoying Why Not Me?, please consider subscribing, sharing the podcast with a friend, or leaving a review.Questions, thoughts, or interested in being a [email protected] this link to send us a text, or email us at the address in show [email protected] by Rory LawsonMusic by Universfield from Pixabay

In the Season 2 premiere of Why Not Me? we take a closer look at one of the most well-known — and often misunderstood — parts of the U.S. Constitution: the First Amendment.From freedom of religion to speech, press, and the right to assemble, this episode explores what these protections actually mean — and why they matter more than ever. We unpack common misconceptions, reflect on how these rights show up in everyday life, and ask a bigger question: Are we applying these freedoms consistently, even when it’s uncomfortable?Because the true test of a free society isn’t how we protect the speech and beliefs we agree with — it’s how we handle the ones we don’t.References & ResourcesThe U.S. Constitution – First Amendmenthttps://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/bill-of-rights-transcriptWhy Press Freedom Matters: A roundtable featuring AP Executive Editor Julie Pace, Los Angeles Times Executive Editor Terry Tang, and Committee to Protect Journalists CEO Jodie Ginsberg, held Monday, April 27, 2026Email: [email protected] a voice memo — you might be featured in a future episode!Use this link to send us a text, or email us at the address in show [email protected] by Rory LawsonMusic by Universfield from Pixabay

Episode SummaryWe made it! In this season finale, I take a step back to reflect on everything we’ve explored together. In this mini episode, I talk about the biggest lessons from Season 1 and what’s coming in Season 2. Spoiler: more interviews, deeper dives into the issues that shape our lives, and more conversations about how everyday people — not just career politicians — can step into leadership.So let’s wrap up this season the way we started it: with the question, Why not me? And even more importantly… Why not you?Resources & ReferencesBrookings Institution – resources on what presidents can and can’t do, and the role of parties. OpenSecrets.org – data on campaign spending and finance.FairVote.org – resources on ranked choice voting and alternatives to the two-party system.Call to Action:Thank you for joining me on this journey through Season 1 of Why Not Me? — your time, your curiosity, and your willingness to think differently about politics mean so much.If this season made you think, laugh, or wonder, share it with a friend who’s said, “I wish someone like me could run,” because maybe they can.If you have something you want to hear about in a future episode, or even want to be interviewed, send me an email or voice memo at [email protected] stay tuned for Season 2, where we’ll dive deeper into issues that affect all of us — wages, healthcare, housing — and keep asking the big question: What would our democracy look like if we believed ordinary people could lead it?Use this link to send us a text, or email us at the address in show [email protected] by Rory LawsonMusic by Universfield from Pixabay

Episode Summary:In this episode, we ask a question that might sound radical… until you sit with it for a minute: Do we actually need political parties?Along the way, we talk about how those party dynamics impact our elections, our discourse, and the people who feel left behind by a system that only offers two choices.So: What would politics look like if we stripped away the party labels and focused on what we actually believe? And is it possible to reclaim the idea of representation — not for a team, but for a country?References & Resources:Federalist Paper No. 10 – James Madison on factionsBrookings Institution – What Political Parties Do Pew Research Center – The shifting coalitions within each party Ballot Access News – Ongoing coverage of third-party and independent ballot access strugglesOpenSecrets – Data on campaign finance and party fundraisingFairVote – Resources on Ranked Choice Voting and alternatives to two-party dominance Ezra Klein, Why We’re Polarized – Insight into how our modern party system feeds divisionCall to Action:Think about the last time you voted. Did you vote for someone because you believed in them — or because they were “your party’s” candidate?What if more of us stopped voting like team captains and started voting like citizens?And if you’ve ever thought, “I could never run for office — I’m not a Democrat or a Republican…’What if that wasn’t a disqualifier — but a superpower?Contact:Do you have a story to tell, or a comment to make? Email me at [email protected] this link to send us a text, or email us at the address in show [email protected] by Rory LawsonMusic by Universfield from Pixabay