Pothole Problem Podcast

Our guest for this episode is Anita Ramachandran, Executive Director of MicroMentor at Mercy Corps. Anita discusses her on-going journey away from what she describes as self-righteous disdain.

Books mentioned by Anita: Reboot by Jerry Colonna, When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chondron, Grit by Angela Duckworth, Becoming by Michelle Obama, and Born a Crime by Trevor Noah.

This episode features "Tiny Hands," an original song by The Breds.

Our guest for this episode is Amanda Manjarrez, Director of Advocacy for the Latino Network and Vice Chair of the City Club of Portland committee tasked with rethinking the city's commission system (learn about the committee here and read its report here). Amanda discusses the evolution of her view on the policymaking process (aka "the sausage factory"), the shortcomings she still finds in the process used today in the Oregon legislature, and how ordinary people can insert their experiences and ideas into the minds and decisions of policymakers.

This episode features "Let's Start a Hive," an original song by The Lover Bees.

Jack examines outrage over the length of the presidential campaign and provides a perspective on why a lengthy presidential campaign might be considered a good thing despite the fatigue and annoyance it often produces in the American public.

This episode features music by the Madison HS marching band, the organ player at the Oaks Park roller rink, and an original song by The Stolen Sweets, "The Sentimental Gentleman From Georgia.”

Our guest for this episode is Darren Golden, (find him on Instagram and Twitter), a 26 year-old with political ambitions and a concrete plan for his future. He examines his experiences as a young black man that have galvanized his political commitment and helped him channel his outrage rather than let it control him. He also discusses how he thinks people can utilize their outrage more effectively and the kind of shift in mindset that our society needs to move our political discourse in a healthier direction.

This episode features "Take Me Back to That Dream," an original song by Chuck Masi.

Darren urges you to donate to this group: youthprogress.org

Join the Pothole Problem Podcast community by going to https://www.potholeproblempodcast.com/join. That's where you can sign up for our email list, make an on-going or one-time donation, or discuss becoming a sponsor of the show.

Our guest for this episode, Rebecca Tweed, is the President of Tweed Strategies, Executive Director of Grow Oregon, and serves on the City Club of Portland Board of Governors. Rebecca gives her perspective on politics from fourteen years inside political campaigns all over the state. She examines the development of politics during her time at the table and discusses ways that people can find common ground before confronting their differences.

This episode features "Wide Open," an original song by Cocks in the Henhouse, a local bluegrass group featuring Jenelle Isaacson on vocals.

Our guest for this episode is Tyler Wilkins, co-founder and co-director of Participatory Budgeting Oregon (pboregon.org), an organization promoting the adoption of participatory budgeting in Portland and throughout Oregon. Tyler explains what participatory budgeting is and how it can promote civic engagement more broadly. He examines the evolution of his own political perspective and explains how he got from a youthful outrage over taxation to the leadership of an organization that now supports an upcoming tax levy.

This episode features "Home Free," an original song by Frankie Holiday (find her on Facebook and Instagram).

"Pedagogy of the Oppressed" by Paulo Freire is available as a free PDF download through the McGraw Common: https://commons.princeton.edu/inclusivepedagogy/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2016/07/freire_pedagogy_of_the_oppresed_ch2-3.pdf

To submit a brief recording with your thoughts and feelings about the length of the presidential campaign, email [email protected].

This podcast is a creation of White Tiger Productions (youcandowhatyouthink.com). If you have an idea for a podcast, a workshop, or a show of any kind, they can help you go from concept to execution. Contact them to let them know what you're thinking.

Our guest for this episode is Jillian Schoene, Executive Director of Emerge Oregon (emergeor.org), an organization that recruits, trains, and supports female Democrats seeking elected office at all levels. Jillian discusses her relationship to political outrage and the obstacles in the way of achieving greater diversity among political candidates and elected officials.

This episode features "The Enchantress of Numbers," an original song by Portland band, Ruby Calling (rubycalling.com). The song is about Ada Lovelace, the daughter of Lord Byron, who is credited with writing the world’s first computer program in 1843. According to the songwriter, "her mom thought Lord Byron was too flighty, so she got Ada all sorts of tutors in mathematics and science."

Jack's novel, "1994, a novel of politics," is available on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1073741834).

In the pilot episode, the host explains the concept of the pothole problem and the intention of the podcast, and his teenage son interviews him about the evolution of his own political outrage.

This episode features "Stickin' It to the Man,” an original song by Greg Weinger.