Pothole Problem Podcast

To commemorate President’s Day, this week’s guest is Tom Hughes, former President of the Metro Council (2011-2019). Tom discusses his forty-plus years of experience in public office, from the virtually powerless but high-visibility position of Mayor of Hillsboro, Oregon (2001-2009) to the almost-unknown but extremely important position of Metro President. He reflects on the races he ran and the experiences he had dealing with constituent reactions, and he draws some important lessons for people serving in office and those thinking about seeking office in the future.

This episode features “I Miss You, Darling” by Biscuits and Salty Gravy, recorded live at Mississippi Pizza in Portland, Oregon on June 19th, 2012.

For a longer interview with Tom discussing his time as Metro President, you can watch the City Club of Portland interview from December 2018.

Length: 27:33

In this episode, Zane interviews Jack about the reasons why so many people don't vote, what that means for our democratic system, and how we ought to view the people who don’t vote.

See turnout rates from 1789 through 2018: http://www.electproject.org/national-1789-present.

This episode features, The Patio,” an original song by Ruby Calling.

To mark the beginning of the 2020 Democratic nominating contest, Jack explains how a caucus works and examines the ways it's both very democratic and very undemocratic at the same time.

Watch a short video of Jack explaining the caucus with chalkboard drawings (1m34s).

Subscribe to this Instagram feed and/or this YouTube channel to follow "The Voting Minute," a series of short videos about elections that Jack will be releasing throughout the year.

You can see the full schedule of 2020 nominating contests here: http://frontloading.blogspot.com/p/2020-presidential-primary-calendar.html

This episode features "Goin' Down to Man Band," recorded live in the White Tiger Studio, December 13th, 2019, by Eric, Dan, Chuck, Steve, Brandon, Johnny, Pat, and Jack.

This week's guest is Jack Hoffman, former mayor of Lake Oswego, OR (2009-2013). Jack discusses his tumultuous experience working in local government, and with the perspective afforded by years of reflection and hindsight, he examines the sources of conflict and the reasons for the rising levels of animosity among the citizens and elected officials of Lake Oswego that pervaded his time in office. He also examines what he believes is necessary for these powerful feelings to be reduced and for local elected officials to establish trust and connection with the people they represent.

This episode features "Cocaine Blues," an early-20th century song of uncertain origin, recorded by Craig Bradford.

This week's guest is Multnomah County Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson (D-District 3). She discusses the concerns that got her to enter politics in the first place and the ones that continue to keep her energized, how she's learned to deal with the frustrations of the political process, and how she manages to achieve a life-work balance that's key to sustaining a career in public life.

This episode features "Come to Your Rescue," an original song by Steve Greenwood.

This week's guest is Oregon State Representative Shelly Boshart Davis (R-District 15), a freshman member of the Oregon House of Representatives serving in her first elected position. Rep. Boshart Davis discusses how she manages her expectations and seeks to have an impact beyond her single vote on bills in the legislature. She also examines what it's like to be a woman in the still male-dominated world of politics and explains how she balances toughness with openness to be an effective politician, lawmaker, and person.

This episode features "I Heart Cthulhu," an original song by the Taurus Pedals (tauruspedals.bandcamp.com)

This week's guest is Oregon State Senator Lew Frederick (D-District 22). The senator discusses how he's come to terms with the frustratingly slow pace of change, the changes in America he's seen and is yet to see, and why he remains cautiously optimistic about future progress. He also discusses the obstacles presented by an adversarial media and the possibilities for moving beyond that style of political coverage to something that might contribute to a healthier politics in the future.

This episode features "Up to You," an original song by Eric Todd Smith (soundcloud.com/erictoddsmithtunes).

In this wrap-up to the Fall season, Zane interviews Jack and asks him to recount his favorite guests and most memorable moments and ideas. Jack has a chance to reflect on the first season of the podcast and discuss the ways it impacted his own thinking about outrage. Zane also asked him to talk about his hopes and plans for the future of the show.

Anyone who wants to help Zane realize his wish for a future "listener emails" episode can send email to [email protected], commenting on something they like or don't like about the show or discussing their own outrages and how they relate to them.

This episode features "The Trouble Song," an original song by The Born Losers.

Our guest for this episode is Pat McCormick, co-founder, along with his daughter Allison, of AM:PM PR (ampmpr.com), a Portland public affairs and strategic communications firm. Pat has over 40 years of experience in Oregon politics and public affairs, working for an Oregon legislator and 18-year member of Congress from Oregon Les AuCoin, working as chief of staff to Oregon House Speaker Hardy Myers, and cofounding three firms. In 1999, he was honored by the Portland Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America with its William Marsh Award, recognizing a career of achievement in public relations.

This episode features "Hammer," an original song by Hook & Anchor (soundcloud.com/hookandanchor).

Our guest for this episode is Mischa Webley, Communications Manager for the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (necoalition.org). Mischa talks about some relatively unknown things that are going on in what we might consider "hyper-local" government, discusses how he views the big things that once outraged him about the world, and makes a case for the benefits and impact of engagement at the local level.

This episode features "Los Revueltos," an original song by MangoSon.