In this episode, Tenessa dives into one of the topics we all feel but don’t always understand—money and government budgets. Instead of heavy jargon, she breaks it down in plain language and shows how decisions made in city halls and state capitols actually affect the everyday lives of families across the country.

The conversation starts with the big picture—why money is such a constant theme in both our personal lives and government—and then zooms in to what it looks like at the local level. Tenessa shares her perspective as a city council member, explaining how budget choices impact programs, services, and the sense of security people feel in their communities.

Throughout the episode, she encourages listeners not to feel shut out or intimidated by politics. Government isn’t just about cutbacks and complicated numbers—it’s about people, priorities, and shared values. By the end, listeners will walk away with a clearer sense of how the budget process works, why it matters, and how they can engage with it in simple, practical ways.

It’s a hopeful, down-to-earth conversation meant to remind us that government can be approachable—and that every voice has a place at the table.

0:00 - Intro

2:15 - Why government and money feel overwhelming 

5:40 – How national budgets grew in recent years 

9:10 – What “budget cuts” really mean for everyday families

13:00 – City Council perspective: local budgets and real-life impact 

18:20 – Programs people rely on: what gets funded, what gets cut  

23:45 – Encouragement: how ordinary people can engage with the process 

28:00 – Final thoughts: government as people, priorities, and shared values

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