New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart talks about her Republican identity, tackling homelessness during COVID-19, and balancing motherhood with being a mayor.

(The music in the Be The Change series came royalty-free from ⁠⁠⁠BenSound⁠⁠⁠.)

Justin Farmer, 25, is currently serving on the Hamden Legislative Council. He ran for the District 17 state senate seat this year but lost to Jorge Cabrera in an August primary. Farmer discusses how he became "radicalized" into running for office and what it means to be an "activist" politician.

(The music in the Be The Change series came royalty-free from ⁠⁠⁠BenSound⁠⁠⁠.)

Councilman Ed Ford Jr. of Middletown knew he was meant to be involved in politics ever since he ran for vice president of his senior class at Middletown High. After that, he served on the Board of Education and now at age 23, he's on the city council hoping to bridge the partisan divide on issues that both parties can agree on.

CTNewsJunkie Listener is our podcast channel where we broadcast interviews and/or audio news stories. Our first podcast series is called Be The Change, and is hosted by reporter Emily DiSalvo, who plans to interview the young people who have run for office or otherwise work in politics.

(The music in the Be The Change series came royalty-free from ⁠⁠⁠BenSound⁠⁠⁠.)

Eli Sabin, a New Haven city alder representing a district that is 60% Yale University students, is a Yale student himself. He is also director of the Connecticut Progressive Caucus. We talk about issues related to affordable housing and how it relates to desegregation, and why he loves New Haven so much.

CTNewsJunkie Listener is our podcast channel where we broadcast interviews and/or audio news stories. Our first podcast series is called Be The Change, and is hosted by reporter Emily DiSalvo, who plans to interview the young people who have run for office or otherwise work in politics.

(The music in the Be The Change series came royalty-free from ⁠⁠⁠BenSound⁠⁠⁠.)

Kim Healy is running for state Senate in Connecticut against incumbent Will Haskell. She is hoping to bring a common sense, fiscally responsible vision to the Capitol. Her experience as an accountant and longtime volunteer in the town of Wilton have given her the background to talk with community members about issues that matter to them. In this podcast, Healy discusses her plans if elected, the importance of civil political discussion, and the role of police. (The music in these podcasts came royalty free from Ben Sounds.)

#election2020

Will Haskell started running for office even before he graduated from college. Once elected to Connecticut's state Senate, the 24-year-old pushed for affordable college, improved transportation, and climate-friendly policies. On Be The Change, Haskell talks about being a young person in politics, his plans if re-elected, and his hopes to one day attend law school. (The music in these podcasts came royalty free from Ben Sounds.)

#BeTheChange #Election2020

First up on #BeTheChange with Emily DiSalvo, a conversation with Mayor Ben Florsheim of Middletown, CT.

Elected in 2019 at the age of 27, Florsheim is one of Connecticut's youngest politicians. Florsheim, who attended Wesleyan University, is originally from the Midwest.

In today's episode, we discuss why he chose to stay in Middletown after college, leadership during the pandemic, racial justice, and his plans for the future.

#BeTheChange