Vedant Patel is a seasoned communications professional, most recently serving as a Spokesperson for the Department of State, and before that, for the White House. On this episode, Vedant walks us through his journey from aspiring doctor, into the world of politics, and gracefully responds to my probing questions into the future of the Democratic Party and of democracy writ large. We recorded this episode the same day that more than 1,300 career Civil and Foreign Service Officers received their RIF notices from the State Department, so we spent more time than expected talking about the distinct (and ideally, mutually supportive) roles of political appointees and career public servants. I also asked Vedant the question I have always wondered about being a spokesperson: Doesn't it suck to get grilled by the press? His answer is unsurprisingly diplomatic.

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