People's Pod: Politics for the People with Bowinn & Boyle

In the final episode, Bowinn & Boyle answer questions from you, the listeners! What’s the best way to support women in politics? Do you get along with politicians you vehemently disagree with? How can you gain support for wedge issues within your party? Does being in politics interfere with your personal and family relationships? Is there a balance between pestering and engaging a politician? As always, Bowinn and Boyle deliver the straight goods, including what they would instantly change about the political systems in BC if they had magical powers.

Elections are a team effort and there are many components in a successful campaign, including the candidate and their hard working campaign staff as well as an army of dedicated volunteers and the donors who fill up the campaign coffers.  Speaking from experience as both volunteers on election campaigns and (successful!) candidates, Bowinn & Boyle share the nitty gritty of electing strong community champions. From putting elastics on door hangers to making get-out-the-vote phone calls on E Day, there's a job for everyone! And yes, there will be hummus. Lots of hummus.

Creating positive social change can be messy at the best of times ! But how do you make change from outside the political system? Bowinn & Boyle discuss what they learned as activists and community organizers , what they see from the inside as making an impact, and why social movements and progressive elected leaders can - and should - see their roles as complementary.

Show notes:

Spectrum of Allies 

Overton Window 

In Episode 3, Bowinn & Boyle interview each other about what it's like to work for positive change within the political systems  they've been elected into - provincial and municipal, respectively. They share their experiences, including some “what the eff” moments as they navigate a political system designed to resist change. While the gals are impatient to help people and make things better *now* they find that a lot of important, systemic work is slow - much slower than either of them would like.

Ever wonder what it's like to be a Member of the BC Legislature or a Vancouver City Councillor? Bowinn and Boyle give a "day in the life" rundown of their jobs as elected officials, from attending Council meetings and Legislature sittings to attending community events and working to help constituents solve problems. Hilarity, frustration - and progressive change - ensue.

Bowinn & Boyle talk about their journey to elected office, including community activism and the very different but formative moments that drew them to politics, the challenges they faced along the way and the pivotal decision to put their name forward as a candidate. What happens next is life changing...