Not Suitable for Democracy

This week, we break down five special elections that delivered major victories for progressive Democrats across the country. From Christian Menefee’s win in TX-18 and Taylor Rehmet’s upset in Texas State Senate District 9, to Erik Bottcher in New York Senate District 47, Diana Moreno’s grassroots victory in New York State Assembly District 36 (aka The People's Republic of Astoria), and Analilia Mejia’s win in New Jersey’s 11th District, these races offer a clear picture of what’s working for Democrats right now. 

What do all those candidates have in common? And how did they pull it off? We take a close look at the issues each candidate ran on — affordability, lowering costs, healthcare, labor, and immigration reform — and how strong organizing and clear messaging helped carry them over the finish line.

The episode also digs into the voting results, how endorsements played a role, and coalition-building that powered these campaigns. What do these wins signal for Democrats heading into the midterms? Are progressives building a durable path forward? What lessons can be scaled nationally? If you’re looking for reasons to feel cautiously optimistic about the future of American democracy, this episode delivers both the receipts and the roadmap.

New episodes out on Tuesdays.

After a four-week hiatus, we’re joined by Eric Thor, a longtime Astoria resident, tech freelancer, and full-time believer in people-powered politics. Eric has become deeply embedded in local organizing through the Queens chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, lending his time and talents to campaigns like Zohran Mamdani, Tiffany Cabán, and most recently, Diana Moreno. As a friend of Zohran Mamdani, Eric also worked on two website projects for him — blending tech skills with movement-building in a very modern way.

Together, we unpack the uniquely local politics of Astoria, the everyday issues where Mayor Mamdani can make a real difference, and what it actually looks like to organize block by block in one of New York City’s most dynamic neighborhoods. We also spotlight Diana Moreno’s run for State Assembly District 36, discussing how her passion and organizing prowess make her a remarkable candidate that the district deserves. Plus, we'll answer the head scratching question recently published in The New Yorker: how did Astoria become so socialist?

It’s a conversation that’s thoughtful without being heavy, hopeful without being naïve, and proof that democracy still works best when it’s local, collective, and a little bit joyful.

New episodes out every Tuesday.

In this episode, we dive into a wave of progressive campaigns reshaping politics from Maine to New York. Host Nick breaks down Graham Platner’s bold Senate run in Maine, the powerhouse Texas duo of Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico running for U.S. Senate, and the vibrant slate of New York State Assembly contenders — Brian Romero and Aber Kawas in AD34, along with Mary Jobaida, Rana Abdelhamid, and Diana Moreno in AD36. 

Nick shares who he’s supporting and why, offering insight into the values, strategies, and community impact that set these candidates apart. He also lays out the key factors voters should consider when evaluating candidates, such as lived experience in the district, policy knowledge, and building relationships within the community. Stayed tuned on more updates, especially on the elections happening in Western Queens.

New episodes drop every Tuesday.

This week, we switch gears and dive into three Netflix shows that blur the line between entertainment and the political realities that shaped (and still shape) America: Death by Lightning, The Diplomat (Season 3), and Stranger Things (Season 5, Part 1). 

We start with the extraordinary — and often overlooked — legacy of President James Garfield, whose assassination still echoes in our political systems today. Death by Lightning showcases the meteoric rise and tragic demise of one of America's greatest leaders.

Then we shift to the sharp, strategic world of Kate Wyler in The Diplomat, unpacking her mastery of international negotiations and the real-world political dynamics mirrored on screen. This coupled with her tumultuous relationship with her estranged husband, Hal Wyler, who just so happens to be the Vice President of the United States.

Finally, we explore the darker side of U.S. history through Stranger Things, connecting the show’s supernatural fiction to the very real Cold War mind-control experiments of Project Montauk and MKUltra. Yes, those programs were real.

It’s part political history lesson, part media analysis, and all the reasons why America’s past keeps showing up in its storytelling. New episodes drop every Tuesday.

In this episode, we break down Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s historic meeting with President Trump — the first face-to-face between the Queens democratic socialist and the Republican president. What did the meeting signal for New York City’s future? How do the optics play a role in this moment? And what does it mean for Democrats and party leaders like Hakeem Jeffries?

Then we shift to Brooklyn, where City Council Member Chi Ossé is mounting an insurgent congressional run to unseat Jeffries himself. It’s a race redefining generational and ideological lines inside the Democratic Party. But support on the left is far from guaranteed: the NYC Democratic Socialists of America are openly divided over endorsing the Gen-Z council member in what many see as an uphill, high-risk challenge. Hear the concerns fueling DSA's internal debate — and why the chapter might ultimately vote against endorsing Councilmember Ossé.

Catch brief updates on the war in Ukraine, Eric Swalwell's big announcement, the DNC's ranked choice voting, and more on this week's episode of Not Suitable for Democracy.

In this episode, we take a sweeping look at the new wave of candidates on the left stepping into the 2026 arena and reshaping what Democratic politics could look like. Host Nick starts with some news updates regarding President Trump.

Then we discuss the U.S. Senate race in Maine, where Graham Platner is launching an insurgent, people-powered campaign. Coupled with his dirty laundry, this is the kind of run that tests whether liberal identity politics outweighs bold, economic populist ideas, and so far, Platner's ideas are winning the race. From there, we turn to New York City, where democratic socialist candidates are challenging the status quo in the State Assembly. Get a quick introduction on who these candidates are and how you can support their campaigns.

But the biggest political showdown may be the one unfolding in Brooklyn, where City Council Member Chi Ossé is preparing to take on House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. While Council Member Ossé gears up for this run, there are several concerning factors that have us closely watching this uphill battle for Chi. It’s a race that could test the future of the Democratic Party itself: movement vs. machine, insurgent energy vs. entrenched leadership, and two radically different answers to what Democrats should stand for in a post-Trump era.

 New episodes drop every Tuesday.

This week, we look at three major stories shaping American politics. First, we break down the aftermath of Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral victory. We even measure the power of his message based on his cost per vote. Then we determine what his transition team signals about his mayorship.

From NYC to Washington D.C., we turn to the Supreme Court. On Monday, November 10th, they rejected Kim Davis’ petition and avoided reopening a fight that could have put same-sex marriage rights at risk. We discuss this in Episode 22 as well.

And finally, we dig into the Senate Democrats who joined Republicans to reopen the government without securing funding for ACA subsidies — a move that raises serious questions about Chuck Schumer’s leadership and the party’s chances of winning back the Senate in 2026. It’s a week of big wins, big warnings, and a Democratic Party running out of room to spin its mistake.

New episodes drop every Tuesday.

In this episode, we celebrate a new chapter for New York City as Zohran Mamdani is elected mayor. Host Nick takes listeners on a journey to a local gay bar in Zohran’s Assembly District, where community and democracy meet over good conversations and better company. 

There at ICON Bar, he’s joined by three friends of the podcast, Jason, Skylar, and Darien to talk about voting, the state of Democratic leadership, the direction of the party, and why Zohran’s message resonated with so many New Yorkers. 

Plus, learn about the election results, what this means for the Democratic Party, who and what is the Working Families Party, and what this could mean for future elections.

This week, it’s all about the New York City mayoral election and the movement behind Zohran Mamdani’s campaign. Host Nick breaks down everything voters need to know before heading to the polls, including his Early Voting experience in Astoria and his Voter Guide for New York City voters. Most interesting is the record breaking turnout from the first two days of Early Voting. Then, learn about the six ballot proposals shaping the city’s future. Hear what they're all about and recommendations on how to vote on them. 

From the voting booth, we head to Forest Hills, Queens for the New York Is Not For Sale Rally, where more than 10,000 people packed the stadium in a show of grassroots power. Governor Hochul joined in support asking everyone to "vote for Zohran to save the country." AOC delivered a rousing speech that called out President Trump directly, while Bernie Sanders urged the crowd to “fight the oligarchy” and take back control of democracy. Zohran Mamdani rounded out a night with wise words from FDR that felt less like a campaign stop and more like a moment in American history.

Make sure to vote now through November 2nd. The last day to vote is Tuesday, November 4th. Go to findmypollsite.vote.nyc for voting hours and polls site information.

Expect next week's episode to be released on Wednesday after the election.

In this episode, we hit the streets of New York City for the No Kings March, a vibrant protest with one clear message: power belongs to the people, not the powerful. 

Host Nick shares his firsthand experience at the march — the chants, the energy, and the humor that only New Yorkers can bring to a protest. Along the way, he interviews six attendees, including a union member, a member from the Democratic Socialist of America, and activists from ACT UP. They share their thoughts on the state of democracy, their favorite protest signs, and what they plan to do next to keep the movement alive. It’s democracy in motion — loud, passionate, and unmistakably human.

Nick also pushes back on the critiques surrounding the march, arguing that real change starts with how we treat one another. The march wasn’t just about protest — it was about participation. By bringing more people into the political process, the hope is that the next event will be even larger, louder, and more united than before.

New episodes drop every Tuesday.