Madam Policy

As the FBI Agents Association (FBIAA) prepares for its annual G-Man Honors fundraising gala, Madam Policy welcomes Tresa Roth, a dedicated champion and advocate for 9/11 families. In this special episode, host Dee Martin is joined by guest host Jean O’Connor, Executive Director of the FBI Agents Association and retired FBI Special Agent, to talk with Tresa about navigating grief, preserving the legacy of 9/11 responders, and honoring her late husband, Supervisory Special Agent Bob Roth, one of the first agents to respond to the Pentagon on 9/11 along with co-host Jean O'Connor. Curious about Tresa’s experience in the national security arena? Interested in learning how the FBIAA Memorial College Fund has supported her family? Then be sure to tune in!

With election day one day away, Madam Policy welcomes Mandy Gunasekara, former EPA Chief of Staff during the Trump administration and author of Y’all Fired: A Southern Belle’s Guide to Restoring Federalism and Draining the Swamp. Listen in as hosts Dee Martin and Anna Karakitsos talk with Mandy about her new book detailing her experience as a political appointee during the Trump administration, her role in Project 2025, and her biggest professional achievements, including developing former President Trump’s strategy for exiting the Paris Climate Accords. Curious to hear more about Mandy’s new book and what she thinks a second Trump administration could look like? Then tune in!

Madam Policy welcomes Celina Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of the League of Women Voters (LWV), to talk about the importance of voting, making a plan to vote, and voting as early as possible! In celebration of Vote Early Day and election day in just seven days, hosts Dee Martin and Bracewell Partner Kate Day chat with Celina about the critical importance of voting rights, what the LWV is doing to ensure voter access, remove barriers to voters, and empowering first-time voters. Want to hear more about the legal strategies the LWV is implementing to ensure a fair and trustworthy election process? Then tune in! For more information on how to vote, visit vote411.org to make a plan for the 2024 election.

With the election just a week away, Madam Policy welcomes Hannah Fried, Executive Director of All Voting is Local, to discuss the critical issues surrounding voter access and the impact it has on our democracy. Hosts Dee Martin and Caitlin Sickles talk with Hannah to explore All Voting is Local’s mission to ensure equitable access to the ballot and how they are working in all states to combat barriers faced by underrepresented communities and to fight the wave of misinformation currently facing America’s elections. Want to hear about the work Hannah is doing to combat the “cost” of voting facing many Americans? Then tune in!

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Madam Policy welcomes Friday Jones, a renowned tattoo artist who specializes in helping empower breast cancer survivors by transforming their mastectomy scars into illustrative tattoos. Friday joins hosts Dee Martin and Joshua Zive to discuss the emotional and psychological impact of her work on clients and the importance of creating a supportive environment for women and non-binary individuals in the tattoo culture. Want to hear more about Friday Jones’ perspective on the intersection of tattoo artistry and the medical reconstructive process? Want to hear about Friday’s experience in legalizing tattooing in Montenegro and tattooing Angelina Jolie? Then listen now!

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, Madam Policy welcomes Running Start alumnae Nykarlis Santos Núñez and Jessica Vallejo, political powerhouses and experts in legislative affairs and policy. Hosts Dee Martin and Kendall Mitchell sit down with Nykarlis and Jessica to highlight the vital contributions of Latina leaders in shaping policy, what it was like to go through Madam Policy alum Susannah Wellford’s Running Start program which trains young women to join the political space, and the amazing work that Nykarlis and Jessica have done since the program. Spoiler alert, Nykarlis Santos Núñez is currently serving as a Foreign Service Officer for the U.S. Agency of International Development and Jessica Vallejo is in her second year at the University of Pennsylvania’s world-renowned Wharton Business School! Want to hear about Jessica’s emotional experience being in Congress during the passing of the Dreams and Promise Act? Want to know about Nykarlis’ journey from immigrant to Foreign Service Officer? Then tune in!

Political powerhouse and Legislative Counsel for Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), Donni Turner, joins the Madam Policy Podcast to talk about her extensive experience in legislative advocacy, the importance of representation and mentorship in politics, and the impact of education policies in the United States. Hosts Dee Martin and Ihna Mangundayao sit down with Donni to discuss her work shaping the College for All Act, the Cancel Student Loan Debt proposal, the Universal School Meals Deal, and the establishment of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Donni also shares valuable advice on negotiation and networking, emphasizing the need for women to advocate for themselves in the workplace. Curious about student loan policies, negotiating in the workplace, or advocating for diverse representation in Congress? Then tune in to learn more!

Madam Policy welcomes champion and advocate for mental health services and LGBTQ+ rights as well as a fighter for all things Vermont, U.S. Representative Becca Balint (D-VT). Rep. Balint joins Madam Policy hosts Dee Martin and Ihna Mangundayao to discuss her key policy priorities for Vermont including housing, healthcare, and climate issues. Tune in as former middle school teacher, Rep. Balint, gives her take on whether teaching members of congress or teaching middle schoolers is more challenging. Tune in to hear more about the Congresswoman’s journey and the importance of being the first openly gay person to represent Vermont in Congress. Want to know how Rep. Balint cultivates bipartisan support for some of the most critical issues facing our nation? Then listen now!

Madam Policy host, Dee Martin, welcomes the latest batch of Policy Resolution Group (PRG) interns for the Summer 2024 semester, Jenna Bolonik, Margaret Hecht, Cooper Henson, Jenny Hu, Margaret Hutt, Joelle Rosenthal, and Kyleigh Voity. Dee and the interns discuss the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity available during the internship, constantly seeking out opportunities to learn, and more! The interns also talk about their favorite moments from the in-person D.C. internship including a U.S. Supreme Court Tour and a U.S. Capitol Tour, newsroom tours including NPR and Fox News, and more! Want to hear about the interns’ favorite pieces of advice they received over the semester? Want to know what advice this next generation of policy makers would give to their 50-year-old selves? Then tune in!

In this special episode of Madam Policy, listen in as host Dee Martin speaks at the Feminist Equalitea, an event hosted as part of the Democratic National Convention (the DNC) by the Feminist Majority and the ERA Coalition. Dee and the other advocates and leaders at the Equalitea called on Congress to take the procedural steps needed to adopt the Equal Rights Amendment and enshrine equal protection under the law. Listen 🎧