Participation Trophy

Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen talks about leadership in government through a lens that feels anything but abstract. She shares what it was like growing up with a parent struggling with opioid addiction and how that experience shaped the way she thinks about policy, fairness, and the role of congress in people’s everyday lives.

What does it mean to step into an institution built for older, wealthy men when you’re a millennial woman raising two kids? How do you push for the government to reflect the realities of modern families when the rules were written centuries ago? And what happens when your own family’s story becomes the reason you take on that fight?

Brittany and Topher talk openly about the barriers that make public service harder than it should be - the childcare waitlists, the cross-country flights with a newborn, the outdated rules that leave younger voices out of the room. They point out why citizen voices still matter most. This is leadership with real stakes, grounded in lived experience and aimed at building systems that actually work for people.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Welcoming Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen

01:10 Being a Millennial Woman in Congress

02:00 Balancing Leadership and Family Life

03:20 Viral Moment Flying with Newborn to Vote

04:15 Modernizing Congress for Parents and Families

09:25 Fighting the Opioid Epidemic

14:02 Growing Up with a Parent Struggling with Addiction

17:10 Passing the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act

18:40 How Citizens Can Influence Government Policy

20:08 From Apathy to Action Getting Off the Sidelines

25:53 Advice for Millennials and Gen Z Considering Public Office

Connect with Brittany Pettersen:

Visit Brittany’s Website

Follow Brittany on Instagram

Follow Brittany on X

Visit the Participation Trophy Website 

Connect with Topher on LinkedIn 

Follow Topher on Instagram

The fight for truth has never felt more urgent, and few know that better than political journalist Maritsa Georgiou. In this episode, she joins Topher Williams to talk about the realities of journalism in a fractured media landscape, the rise of disinformation, and the Montana roots that shaped her belief in community and integrity.

Maritsa shares how early influences, from her grandfather’s work as a TV meteorologist to watching the aftermath of 9/11 unfold on live television, set her on a path to reporting. Over the years, she’s interviewed Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama, covered wildfires, hurricanes, and high-profile tragedies, and seen firsthand how people rally together in moments of crisis. She reflects on the shift to independent media, the challenge of maintaining credibility when false narratives spread faster than facts, and the hope she holds onto that good will prevail.

From Montana newsrooms to national interviews, Maritsa’s path shows that journalism endures through persistence, curiosity, and the resolve to keep asking the questions others stop asking, even when the answers are uncomfortable or slow to surface, because truth rarely emerges without someone who refuses to let it go.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Media and Misinformation

00:32 Maritsa Georgiou

01:19 Changing the World: Raising Kind Kids

02:01 The Role of Journalists in Society

03:06 Launching the Grounded Podcast with Jon Tester

05:48 Inspiration to Become a Journalist

07:26 Optimism in Journalism and Advocacy

08:21 Community Resilience in Times of Tragedy

13:30 Iconic Interviews with Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton

17:07 Opportunities for Journalists in Montana

18:05 Transition to Independent Journalism

24:19 Navigating Disinformation in Modern Media

25:00 Why Diversifying News Sources Matters

Connect with Maritsa Georgiou:

Instagram

X

Grounded with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou on Instagram

Grounded with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou on Substack

Grounded with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou on Spotify

Grounded with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou on Apple Podcasts

Grounded with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou on YouTube

Participation Trophy Website 

LinkedIn 

Instagram

Montana conservationist Whitney Tawney joins host Topher Williams for a conversation about the messy, meaningful work of protecting public lands and the relationships that make real progress possible.

Raised in Missoula by parents who founded the state’s first environmental lobby, Whitney grew up with a front-row seat to grassroots activism and long-term conservation work. Now a mother herself and former executive director of Montana Conservation Voters, she reflects on the people and places that shaped her path and how those early lessons continue to guide her leadership today.

Whitney shares the behind-the-scenes story of how she helped bring together two seemingly opposite figures, Kristi Noem and Tim Walz, to support the Sodsaver provision in the 2014 Farm Bill. What does it take to build that kind of bipartisan coalition? How do you keep conversations going when values clash? And what role does local organizing still play in moving national policy forward?

This episode explores the tension between idealism and practicality, and the quiet power of showing up again and again in rooms where trust has to be earned. Whitney’s story is rooted in Montana, but her insights stretch far beyond state lines. If you’ve ever wondered whether cooperation is still possible or whether one person can make a difference in a system that feels stuck, Topher and Whitney’s conversation offers perspective and possibility.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Guest Introduction: Whitney Tawney

02:02 A Legacy of Conservation in Montana

06:13 Inside the U.S. Senate Page Program

12:03 From Mailroom to Policy Change: The Ducks Unlimited Story

16:43 How SodSaver Passed with Bipartisan Support

19:39 Building Bridges Across Political Divides

20:58 Facing Imposter Syndrome as a Young Woman Leader

22:28 Choosing a Fuller Life Outside of Work

26:11 Favorite Book: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

30:41 Whitney’s Participation Trophy: Jump Rope Nationals

Connect with Whitney Tawney:

LinkedIn

Instagram - Whitney Tawney

Instagram - Montana Conservation Voters

Connect with Topher Williams:

Participation Trophy Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

Bryce Bennett went from a closeted teen in rural Montana to a state legislator who helped repeal Montana’s anti-LGBTQ laws. Now, he’s leading a national movement to make voting more accessible through Vote Early Day.

Topher Williams sits down with Bryce to trace the throughline of his life: a deep belief in democracy, a commitment to visibility, and an unshakable drive to make change. Bryce shares what it was like growing up queer in a conservative town where violence felt more real than acceptance, and how those early experiences fueled his path into organizing. After becoming the first openly gay man elected to public office in Montana, Bryce found himself confronting everything from bizarre bills about spear hunting and militias to life-threatening rhetoric during legislative hearings. He opens up about the emotional weight of coming out on the House floor in 2013 to advocate for striking Montana’s anti-LGBTQ statute, a moment of personal courage that helped shift policy and set precedent.

Through all of it, Bryce stayed focused on the work: expanding access, building coalitions, and proving that grassroots power still matters. Now, as director of Vote Early Day, he’s mobilizing a national network of nonprofits, businesses, and everyday citizens to ensure no one is left out of the democratic process. This episode is both a personal story and a political roadmap - a reminder that even in the face of fear, marginalization, or absurdity, participation still works. Change doesn’t start with perfection. It starts with showing up.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 The Power of Individual Impact

01:01 Bryce Bennett’s Journey from Rural Montana to Washington, D.C.

02:54 Growing Up LGBTQ in a Conservative Town

05:03 Becoming Montana’s First Openly Gay State Legislator

08:45 Wild and Dangerous Moments Inside the Legislature

10:15 Expanding Medicaid for 100,000 Montanans

11:45 Overturning Montana’s Anti-LGBTQ Law

16:06 Why Vote Early Day Matters

22:33 How to Start Making Change in Your Own Community

25:36 Rapid Fire Questions: Montana Edition

28:11 Participation Trophies: Bryce’s Experiences

Connect with Bryce Bennett:

https://www.instagram.com/brycebennettmt/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryce-bennett-8885b7217/

https://voteearlyday.org/

https://www.participationtrophypod.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/topher-williams-1a477264/ 

https://www.instagram.com/tophmcgoph/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Can you really lead a movement in sparkly boots and a big hat? And more importantly, shouldn’t you?

This week on Participation Trophy, Topher Williams sits down with Charlie Bonner, a fierce advocate for democracy who cut his teeth organizing in Texas and now brings that same energy to his work in the UK. From middle school civics class to testifying at the Capitol, Charlie’s path to leadership is full of grit, humor, and really good stories. He shares what it was like to fight back against voter suppression in 2021, why joy belongs at the center of activism, and how organizing across different political systems still comes down to one thing: figuring out who has the power and how to move them. What does it mean to show up for your community when the odds are stacked? Can voting still feel like an act of power and self-respect in a broken system? And how do you keep your spirit intact while doing hard things?

This episode is part pep talk, part strategy session, and part love letter to the people who keep showing up not because it’s easy or glamorous, but because they believe in something bigger than themselves. Charlie reminds us that leadership is not about being the loudest or the most polished. Leadership is all about staying present, telling the truth, and making room for others to step in. Charlie doesn’t gloss over the burnout or the political absurdity, but he’s clear: joy and community are still some of the strongest tools we’ve got. Who actually holds the power, and what does it take to move them? How do you keep going when the system feels rigged? Charlie and Topher’s conversation won’t tie things up in a bow, but it will leave you thinking differently about what it means to fight for democracy.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Charlie Bonner and the Power of Fabulousness

01:19 Joy, Creativity, and Humor in Texas Politics

05:55 Advocacy Work in the UK and Comparing Democracy Across Borders

10:23 How a Middle School Civics Class Sparked a Lifetime of Leadership

15:16 Inside the 2021 Texas Fight for Voting Rights

19:15 Community, Perseverance, and the Emotional Core of Organizing

23:15 One Voice, One Room, and Why Voting Still Matters

26:32 Rapid Fire: Charlie’s Take on Texas Favorites

27:38 Participation Trophies and a Baseball Career That Wasn’t

29:04 Final Thoughts and Where to Follow Charlie Online

Connect with Charlie Bonner:

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/charlie-bonner

https://www.instagram.com/thecharliebonner/

https://www.participationtrophypod.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/topher-williams-1a477264/ 

https://www.instagram.com/tophmcgoph/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Karen Pandy-Cherry didn’t wait for someone to hand her a megaphone, she picked it up herself. Raised in Belize and now leading from Tulsa’s historic Black Wall Street, Karen shares how early lessons in family, service, and leadership shaped her path to becoming the President and CEO of New Leaders Council. Her approach to leadership is rooted in building power and making sure others have access to it, too.

In this episode, Karen and Topher Williams get real about what it takes to stop watching from the sidelines and start making change right where you are. They talk about what happened when her dad told her she hadn’t led, she’d just done the work, and how that moment reframed her entire understanding of leadership. Karen also shares a story from her time working in a Florida prison that became a personal tipping point, one that pushed her into law school and set her on a course toward community-based activism.

Ever felt like you’re doing the work but don’t have the title to match? Or questioned whether your day-to-day life actually counts as movement-building? Karen reminds us that leadership isn’t about status. It’s how you show up and who you bring with you. And through the New Leaders Council, she’s helping more people recognize the power they already hold in their communities.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Meet Karen Pandy-Cherry: Leadership, Activism, and Black Wall Street

https://www.instagram.com/karenpandycherry/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenpandycherry/

https://www.instagram.com/newleaderscouncil

https://www.facebook.com/karenpandycherry

https://www.amazon.com/Biographies-Karen-Cherry-Books/s?rh=n%3A2%2Cp_27%3AKaren%2BCherry

Connect with Topher Williams:

https://www.participationtrophypod.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/topher-williams-1a477264/ 

https://www.instagram.com/tophmcgoph/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

HeadCount is turning concerts into launchpads for civic action by making voter registration as common as buying a band tee. In this episode, Topher Williams chats with Lucille Wenegieme, the Executive Director at HeadCount, about how music, culture, and civic engagement all show up in the same place, and why that matters more than ever. Lucille shares how her Nigerian-American upbringing shaped her approach to community, and how that early sense of mutual aid evolved into a nationwide movement that registered nearly 500,000 voters in 2024.

They unpack why traditional “just vote” messaging misses the mark with Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and how Headcount is closing that gap by meeting people where they already are: at concerts, festivals, and online. With partnerships ranging from Sabrina Carpenter and Green Day to Spotify, HeadCount creates experiences that feel fun and real, not forced or transactional.

Lucille also lays out the structural challenges young voters face and makes a strong case for voting systems built around access, not red tape. The results speak for themselves: a 78% turnout rate among Headcount participants and over 3.3 million civic actions in a single cycle.

The episode wraps with Lucille’s hot takes on fashion, playlists, and why a crisp white button-down might be the secret to a good day. It’s a reminder that the people leading these efforts aren’t just policy wonks or campaign strategists. They’re also music lovers, community builders, and maybe even someone you’d want to swap outfits with. Curious what it takes to make civic engagement feel like a movement instead of a lecture? This one’s worth a listen!

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Meet Lucille Wenegieme: Where Music, Voter Registration, and Elections Intersect

03:33 How Community Roots Shaped a Career in Civic Action

05:03 What Actually Motivates Young Voters Today

09:04 Why the Voting System Needs to Catch Up

16:04 Inside HeadCount: Turning Concerts into Civic Hubs

21:13 Authenticity, Culture, and the Future of Engagement

27:49 Fashion, Playlists, and Lucille’s Civic Style

Connect with Lucille Wenegieme:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucillewenegieme/

https://www.headcount.org/

https://www.facebook.com/HeadCountOrg/

https://www.instagram.com/headcountorg/

https://www.tiktok.com/@headcountorg 

https://x.com/HeadCountOrg

https://www.threads.com/@headcountorg

https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:youx3yujl2pz7g5ebjd5spjc

https://www.linkedin.com/company/headcount-inc./

Connect with Topher Williams:

https://www.participationtrophypod.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/topher-williams-1a477264/ 

https://www.instagram.com/tophmcgoph/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Two powerhouse organizers are flipping the script on Utah politics by proving that even the reddest states can be ripe for progressive change. Topher Williams is joined by Jackie Morgan and Gabi Finlayson, the co-founders of Elevate Strategies, for a conversation that challenges the way we think about political possibility in places like Utah. If a state has been red for decades, does that mean it will always stay that way? And what happens when people on the ground start organizing differently, not with big budgets or national headlines, but through relationships, trust, and showing up?

Jackie and Gabi talk about what brought them back to Utah after years of working on campaigns across the country, and why they saw a need for deeper investment in local candidates and issues. Jackie shares how her mom introduced her to politics by knocking on doors in their neighborhood, and how that early experience shaped her sense of what real community work looks like. Gabi opens up about the moment she realized she couldn’t walk away from this work, even when the wins felt far off.

They’re not interested in top-down strategies or generic playbooks. Instead, they focus on listening, educating, and meeting people where they are, especially in places where politics often feels distant or out of reach. They also dig into what makes Utah such a unique political landscape: a fast-growing population, a deeply rooted culture of service, and a generation of young voters who are shifting left in big numbers.

This episode invites a different kind of political imagination. What if we stopped waiting for swing states to save us? What if real change could start anywhere, with the people already in the room? Whether you’ve canvassed before or are just starting to pay attention to local politics, Jackie and Gabi offer a grounded, hopeful take on how movements begin and what it takes to keep them going.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Transforming Utah’s Political Landscape

06:11 Personal Stories Behind the Activism

09:05 Understanding Utah Voters and Identity

12:08 Where Change Is Happening

17:57 Strategies for Winning in Red States

21:14 How Real Impact Takes Root

31:21 The Power of Political Storytelling

35:25 How to Get Involved in Local Politics

45:14 Final Thoughts and Community Connection

Elevate Strategies:

https://www.elevatecampaignstrategies.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/elevate-strategies-ut/ 

https://www.instagram.com/elevate_utah/ 

Connect with Gabi Finlayson:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielle-finlayson/ 

https://www.instagram.com/gabifinlayson/ 

https://x.com/gabifinlayson/  

Connect with Jackie Morgan:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-morgan-9b7a44149/ 

https://www.instagram.com/jpmorgan01/ 

Connect with Topher Williams:

https://www.participationtrophypod.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/topher-williams-1a477264/ 

https://www.instagram.com/tophmcgoph/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Most of America’s political power sits in the hands of people nearly twice the median age, but Amanda Litman is working to change that by helping a new generation step into office.

Topher Williams talks with Amanda about the age gap in American leadership and what it means for the future of the country. Why are so few elected officials under 40? What happens when the same people hold power for decades without making room for new voices? Amanda shares how Run for Something has helped more than 1,500 young people win office across 49 states, and why she believes the next wave of leadership needs to look and lead differently.

Amanda reflects on her own path into politics, from skipping school to see Barack Obama speak to launching a national movement after the 2016 election. Along the way, she raises questions that anyone considering public service should ask: What does good leadership actually look like? How do we balance authenticity with responsibility? And what gets lost when no one’s preparing the next person to take the baton?

This episode is an invitation to think seriously about power, potential, and the kind of country we’re building. If you’ve ever wondered whether you're the kind of person who could run for office, Amanda’s answer is simple: if you care, you’re ready.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 The Age Gap in Leadership

02:59 Empowering Young Leaders

05:59 Redefining Good Leadership

08:51 The Call for Younger Leadership

12:11 The Importance of Succession in Leadership

14:49 Encouraging Young People to Run for Office

17:58 Millennial Nostalgia

Connect with Amanda Litman:

https://runforsomething.net/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandalitman/ 

https://www.instagram.com/amandalitm/ 

https://www.facebook.com/amanda.litman/ 

https://www.tiktok.com/@amandalitman 

Connect with Topher Williams:

https://www.participationtrophypod.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/topher-williams-1a477264/ 

https://www.instagram.com/tophmcgoph/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Content Warning: This episode includes discussions of gun violence and the Pulse nightclub attack.

On this episode of Participation Trophy, Brandon joins Topher Williams to trace the personal and political journey that brought him to the frontlines of advocacy. From growing up gay in rural Oregon to building a life in Orlando with a chosen family, Brandon paints a vivid picture of the search for identity and community. That search was shattered the night a gunman entered Pulse Nightclub, killing 49 people, including Brandon’s best friend Drew and his partner Juan.

Brandon opens up about the aftermath of that night, the weight of survival, and the moment he realized that comfort wasn’t enough. He had to fight so others could feel safe, too. He discusses the founding of The Dru Project, an organization supporting LGBTQ+ youth and Gay-Straight Alliances across the country, and shares how its work continues to give him hope through the next generation of changemakers.

From hard-won policy victories to the quiet power of local organizing, Brandon reminds us that activism isn’t a solo effort. Activism is rooted in community, shared purpose, and the courage to imagine something better. This episode is a meditation on grief, resilience, and the urgent need to protect lives and legacies in the face of violence.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 The Journey to Activism

05:08 Reflections on Gun Violence and Hope

10:02 Honoring Legacy and Creating Change

15:00 Resilience and the Power of Collective Action

20:02 Personal Growth and Activism

23:51 Fun and Connection in Activism

Connect with Brandon Wolf:

https://brandonwolf.us/ 

https://thedruproject.org/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonjwolf/ 

https://www.instagram.com/brandonjwolf/

https://www.facebook.com/bjoewolf1/ 

https://x.com/bjoewolf 

Connect with Topher Williams:

https://www.participationtrophypod.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/topher-williams-1a477264/ 

https://www.instagram.com/tophmcgoph/

If you or someone you know has been impacted by gun violence, contact the Brady campaign at https://www.bradyunited.org/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm