Kate Barr discusses how to lose an electoral race in the loudest, most impactful way possible.

She explores why America isn't as polarized as we’re led to believe, the critical difference between representatives choosing their voters versus voters choosing their representatives, and the urgent need for fair maps.

She also introduces the Can't Win Victory Fund (https://www.cantwinvictoryfund.com/).

Find the full library of Blue Vote Café episodes at http://bluevotecafe.com.

Remember to register and request your ballot every year at https://www.votefromabroad.org/.

From MAGA to Democrat: Pamela Hemphill opens up about her journey, including her experience on January 6 and her time in prison. She reveals what broke the spell of the lies and offers strategies for talking to those still in the Trump cult. Pamela also reads a personal letter from Mike Pence and discusses why she embraces Democrats as the "party of love."Find the full audio library of Blue Vote Café episodes at http://bluevotecafe.com.

Register and request your ballot every year at https://www.votefromabroad.org/.

Terry Watkins checks in from Democrats Abroad China. The conversation explores the nuances of racism around the world—specifically in China and Chile—as well as the information vacuum in China and the challenges of freely conversing with fellow DA members there. We also discuss the need to combat apathy and the frustration of sloganeering instead of focusing on our common goals.

Find the full audio library of Blue Vote Café episodes at http://bluevotecafe.com.

Register and request your ballot every year at https://www.votefromabroad.org/.

Campaign consultant Eva Posner of Evinco Strategies (https://www.evincostrategies.com/) digs deep into the big questions: what's toxic in our political system, why the Democrats aren't better liked, and how having an agenda is a good thing.

She talks about how our political system is upside-down, what's really needed to win races, and the need to certify and regulate political consultants.

She also dips into how where we are now is the logical conclusion of our country's never having finished Reconstruction, the role of local campaigns in fighting Trumpism, and the strategy behind the cruelty of deportations.

On a more positive note, she also shares the triumph of helping Monica Montgomery Steppe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monica_Montgomery_Steppe) achieve office, and the positive results that can be traced back to her first win.

Find the full audio library of Blue Vote Café episodes at http://bluevotecafe.com.

Register and request your ballot every year at https://www.votefromabroad.org/.

Kathleen Minor began her political journey in 2008, helping her mother work for Obama in Marjorie Taylor Greene's congressional district.

She shares what inspired her to get involved again in 2020, discussing the role of hope, inspiration, and the power that lies in the hands of little people—"two guys on a bridge."

She offers her recipe for winning: from listening to inspiring others.

And she's job hunting! If you have an opening in the political communications sphere, act fast before someone else snaps her up! For more information: https://yourvoiceisaweapon.com/

#CrookedCon

Find the full audio library of Blue Vote Café episodes at http://bluevotecafe.com.

Register and request your ballot every year at https://www.votefromabroad.org/.

Adam Gurri, editor in chief of Liberal Currents https://www.liberalcurrents.com/ talks about this new media company's broad span of investigation, from the foundational work of defining liberalism and the reasons for defending it, to itemizing existing institutional levers that can help resist authoritarianism.

Would Trump have been impeached in 2021 if the Senate rules had specified a vote by secret ballot?

What if state bar associations deemed any law firm that caved in to the administration's demands to be violating their oaths?

Adam outlines an upcoming project of gathering experts to explore how to build back to something better than what existed before, and talks about the GoFundMe that will allow Liberal Currents to hire staff: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-liberal-currents-startup-fund

Find the full audio library of Blue Vote Café episodes at http://bluevotecafe.com.

Register and request your ballot every year at https://www.votefromabroad.org/.

Stuck in Vermont during the pandemic with his partner stranded across the border in Quebec, playwright Terry Allison was inspired to write about the repercussions at the family and small-town level of separation enforced by an invisible line.

Terry talks about language as a fundamental part of our history, about the challenges of writing comedically for a different culture, and about borders as places where people can come together and collaborate to solve problems.

Terry also addresses love as a theme of the play, the role of art in politics, and Kristi Noem's dramatic gesture at the Haskell Free Library and Opera House.

Find the full audio library of Blue Vote Café episodes at http://bluevotecafe.com.

Register and request your ballot every year at https://www.votefromabroad.org/.

Democrats Abroad member Bob Vallier explains what a party platform is, what it does, how it's made, and Democrats Abroad's new efforts to ensure proper platform planning.

He discusses how preparing a party's platform can stimulate the grassroots at the local level, leading to member engagement and volunteer recruitment.

DA members should watch for opportunities to participate and engage others in this process.

Bob also shares tales of doing stand-up in the Netherlands and France, and of the philosophy podcast he co-hosts, Hotel Bar Sessions.

Find the full audio library of Blue Vote Café episodes at http://bluevotecafe.com.

Register and request your ballot every year at https://www.votefromabroad.org/.

Kalere Payton visits the cafe from Iceland to tell a tale of racial trauma and healing.

Payton speaks to what her mother's story has to teach about perseverance, about what it means to be an ally and to use whatever privilege you have to address injustice.

She talks about raising children who will stand in the gap, particularly in a time when there is so much hurt in the world.

Visit https://www.thefaithofthedreamerfilm.com for more information about the documentary directed by Payton's brother Khary Payton. Follow @the.faithofthedreamer.film for news about when it will be available to screen.

Find the full audio library of Blue Vote Café episodes at http://bluevotecafe.com.

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

Rachel made a new friend at the inaugural Crooken Con. Christian Ortega dives into what it was like to attend.

The conversation ranges from Obama's surprise appearance and feeling startstruck by the speakers and panelists; to billionaires; AI; corporate overlords; notable points made by conference speakers such as Simone Snaders Townsend, Hasan Piker, and Lina Khan; and what it's like to feel seen.

Find the full audio library of Blue Vote Café episodes at http://bluevotecafe.com.

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