Build the Change

On this episode of Build The Change, Find Out Media CEO Tim Fullerton sits down with ActBlue President and CEO Regina Wallace-Jones to discuss how the organization is evolving beyond its roots as a small-dollar fundraising platform to become a comprehensive resource for Democratic candidates and progressive causes. 

Drawing on her experience as a Silicon Valley executive and former mayor of East Palo Alto, Regina shares her vision for making campaign technology more accessible, particularly for local and down-ballot candidates who lack the resources of major national campaigns. They discuss ActBlue's expanding organizing tools, the responsible integration of artificial intelligence, plans to introduce cryptocurrency donations, and why investing in grassroots campaigns is essential to building long-term political power.

Living in a Blue state that isn't considered "up for grabs" in a presidential election can lead to feelings of powerlessness. Tom Hallock and a handful of his friends felt that way in 2016 — so they packed up and traveled out of state to get out the vote. Though that election didn't pan out the way Tom hoped, he realized he and his friends could bring the resources and enthusiasm of progressive areas to the people who really need them... at scale. That's how Force Multiplier was born. In the critical weeks before this historic election, Force Multiplier is mobilizing support for the candidates who need help the most.

Learn more about how you can build change at actblue.com/buildthechange or follow us on Instagram and TikTok.

After Kamala Harris launched her presidential campaign, identity-based groups started popping up and organizing calls to express support and raise money. One of those groups was Swifties4Kamala. While organizing around a common musical taste may seem unconventional, they’ve been able to harness their Swiftie power into political power, raising money and organizing calls with big names in politics and culture. 

Learn more about how you can build change at actblue.com/buildthechange or follow us on Instagram and TikTok.

You can find Democrats wherever you go in this country — north or south, urban or rural, on the coast or otherwise. Sometimes, they’re undecided voters. Sometimes, they’re staunch liberals fighting to find a foothold in a local government dominated by Republicans. In this episode, we’re taking a trip to Huntington, Indiana to learn about how one woman is taking action in a broadly conservative county to increase visibility and push for change — and how more Democrats in similar situations can do the same. 

Learn more about how you can build change at actblue.com/buildthechange or follow us on Instagram and TikTok.

In our second dispatch from the DNC, a group of influencers and changemakers share what first inspired them to step up and make change in their communities. You might have seen some of their posts cross your feed online! Each of them has a unique path to action – and whether it’s running for office, traveling the country to change minds, or even making memes, their stories show us there are countless ways to make a difference.

Learn more about how you can build change at actblue.com/buildthechange or follow us on Instagram and TikTok.

In our first of two episodes recorded at the DNC, Busy Philipps – the award-winning star of some of the most iconic TV shows from the 90s and early 2000s – tells a story about taking a risk and speaking up for the issue that mattered most to her… and how she started a viral movement in the process. 

Learn more about how you can build change at actblue.com/buildthechange or follow us on Instagram and TikTok.

Build the Change explores the diverse stories of advocates, nonprofits, politicians, parents, students, and more, who are fighting for progressive causes. Join us every week until the election for a special Build the Change season featuring incredible changemakers mobilizing Democratic support right now – including interviews recorded on the DNC floor. You’ll walk away with plenty of inspiration… and just maybe, a few new ideas for how to get involved and build the change yourself.

More and more, it feels like our country is offering its citizens the care they need to survive, but not to thrive. At the same time, we're witnessing an increase of attempts to repeal health coverage laws like the Affordable Care Act, and privatize programs like Medicaid. This has left the disability community at the forefront of the fight to protect and expand our governments’ care resources. So, what happens when you get tired of waiting around for change and you decide to take matters into your hands? We’ll hear from a disability justice advocate who decided to run for office to bring awareness to the care crisis. As well as a mother of a medically complex child who founded her own lobbying organization aiming to influence healthcare policies in Congress. 

In our final episode of the season, we’re talking about care access, disability justice and the political power of the disability community.

Learn more about how you can build change at actblue.com/buildthechange or follow us on Instagram and TikTok.

The United States’ system of abortion care is mired in stigma and resistant to change. However, between increasing evidence for the safety of medication abortion, lawsuits against the FDA, and the COVID-19 pandemic, a unique solution for more abortion freedom rose to prominence: virtual care. Despite such strides, gaps in access remain. And these new freedoms stand on the precipice of being stripped after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. We’ll hear from a trio of healthcare providers, who discovered a major barrier to virtual abortion care and created an organization of their own to address it.

In this episode, we’re talking about how virtual abortion care rose to prominence, and what it will take to continue fighting for access to this essential.

Learn more about how you can build change at actblue.com/buildthechange or follow us on Instagram and TikTok.

In Minnesota, a landmark piece of legislation promised better resources for people experiencing mental health crises. Advocates worked hard to get Travis’ Law passed – it was named after a man killed by the police while in the midst of a mental health crisis. And it was written to ensure trained professionals would respond to these kinds of calls. But the work doesn’t stop there. Today, advocates say the law isn’t always being enforced. We’ll hear from families and organizations in Minnesota – and around the country – who are teaming up to keep their communities safe and supported during mental health crises. 

In this episode, we’re talking about creating new systems to support mental health.

Learn more about how you can build change at actblue.com/buildthechange or follow us on Instagram and TikTok.