In this episode of the Forward Party Podcast, the conversation centers on one of the movement’s most important guiding principles: service. From grassroots political organizing to military leadership and veteran advocacy, the hosts explore how civic responsibility, community engagement, and nonpartisan leadership can help strengthen democracy in a divided political environment.

The episode begins with a conversation featuring Bob Perls, chair of the Forward Party New Mexico and a former member of the New Mexico State Legislature. Drawing from decades of experience as an elected official, entrepreneur, nonprofit organizer, and diplomat, Bob shares the journey that led him from being a longtime Democrat to becoming a champion for political independence and reform. His story highlights how firsthand experience inside traditional party structures can reshape perspectives about the need for new political infrastructure.

Bob explains how the Forward Party has been building momentum across New Mexico over the past year. With an expanding volunteer network, professional organizers, and leaders from diverse backgrounds, the team has been working to secure ballot access while developing a sustainable grassroots presence across the state. He discusses the importance of empowering volunteers, building cross-partisan coalitions, and creating a culture where experimentation and innovation are encouraged.

Throughout the conversation, Bob reflects on how his time serving abroad as a U.S. diplomat shifted his understanding of American democracy. Seeing global perspectives on governance helped him recognize the challenges facing political consensus at home. That experience, combined with years of organizing around democracy reforms like open primaries, ultimately led him to help launch and scale the Forward Party’s presence in New Mexico.

Later in the episode, the podcast welcomes Sarah Czech, a U.S. military veteran and national leader of the Forward Party Veterans and Military Families Committee. Sarah brings a perspective on leadership, service, and the realities facing veterans and military families after active duty.

Sarah discusses the challenges that service members and their families face, including transitions back into civilian life, navigating healthcare systems, and finding stable community support. She emphasizes that these issues should never become partisan talking points, but instead deserve thoughtful solutions that put people before politics.

Together, these conversations reinforce a central theme: democracy depends on citizens who are willing to step forward and serve. Whether through local organizing, national advocacy, or military service, leadership grounded in trust and responsibility can rebuild civic confidence.

Key themes explored in this episode include:

• The growth of the Forward Party in New Mexico and the strategy behind gaining ballot access

• How Bob Perls built a volunteer team to expand grassroots political infrastructure

• The importance of open primaries, voter choice, and independent political movements

• Sarah Czech’s advocacy for veterans, service members, and military families

• Why nonpartisan leadership and civic engagement help rebuild trust in democracy

The hosts also reflect on how service connects people across political differences. Leaders like Bob and Sarah show how community-centered leadership can open the door to a more collaborative political future.

If you enjoyed this episode of the Forward Party Podcast, be sure to follow the show on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others discover the conversation. You can also learn more about the Forward Party, get involved with local chapters, and connect with the hosts through the organization’s official website and social media channels. Listeners are encouraged to share the episode and continue the discussion in their communities.

In Episode 4 of The Forward Party Podcast, Lindsey Williams Drath, Kerry Healey, and Christine Todd Whitman go deeper on the question they hear everywhere: What can I do that actually matters? The answer is bigger than a single election cycle and bigger than any one candidate. This episode makes the case for building a durable political movement that restores voter choice, rewards problem-solving, and helps everyday Americans step into leadership where it counts.Kerry Healey shares her personal “why,” shaped by decades in public life and a clear-eyed view of how political polarization has pulled the country off course. She reflects on serving in Massachusetts, where independent voters make up a large share of the electorate, and how that experience proved something essential: democracy works best when leaders must appeal beyond partisan extremes. Her message to listeners is direct and empowering. If you are asking how to help your community right now, you are already closer than you think. State and local politics are reachable, practical, and filled with real opportunities to serve.Christine Todd Whitman grounds her “why” in family and responsibility to the next generation. She recalls a time when leaders could debate fiercely over policy and still work together to get results. She draws a sharp distinction between governing and politics driven by performance and fear. Whitman explains why the Forward Party principles matter: respect for the Constitution, the rule of law, and a commitment to working with anyone to solve problems. She also underscores how decisions made at the state and local level shape daily life, from election access to education to community trust.A central theme of this episode is the difference between a movement and a moment. Kerry explains why past third-party efforts often faded: they centered on a single personality and failed to build lasting political infrastructure. Forward is taking a different approach by building from the ground up. The focus is on local elections and community leaders: city council members, mayors, state legislators, sheriffs, school boards, and others who form the backbone of democracy. The hosts also challenge the “spoiler” narrative with a simple reality: in many parts of the country, elections are uncontested. When voters have only one option, there is nothing to spoil. What is missing is choice.The conversation turns practical as Lindsey asks what it really takes to run for office. Christine describes being recruited, losing before winning, and stepping into statewide leadership. Kerry shares her own path of raising her hand, learning through losses, and eventually recruiting future leaders. Together, they demystify the process and make a compelling case that leadership is learned, not innate, and that conviction matters more than a perfect résumé.The hosts also confront a major gap in representation: parents of young children and the lack of women in politics with kids under 18. They speak candidly about balancing family and public service, the power of role models, and why encouragement is critical. Research shows women are often asked multiple times before they say yes, and this episode makes clear why asking again can change the future of leadership.The episode closes with a look ahead at what Forward is building next: not rigid policy litmus tests, but a growing library of proven ideas shaped by communities across the country. The call to action is unmistakable. Volunteer. Recruit. Run. If you want a country where problems get solved and communities come first, the work starts close to home. Not Left. Not Right. Forward.

In Episode 3 of The Forward Party Podcast, Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey, and Lindsey Williams Drath take a wide-angle look at one of the most important shifts in American politics: the rise of independent voters and the growing demand for a new political approach. Joined by veteran political journalist Chris Cillizza and historian Dr. Jeremi Suri, the conversation explores what this moment means for the future of democracy—and whether a new party can move the country forward.

With nearly half of Americans now identifying as independent, the hosts dig into what that really signals. Is it frustration with polarization? A rejection of party loyalty? Or a deeper desire for common-sense solutions that neither major party seems willing to prioritize? Chris Cillizza offers an unfiltered look at today’s political climate, arguing that while the appetite for change is real, building a successful third party requires more than a headline-grabbing announcement. It takes grassroots organizing, credible candidates, and proof that independent leaders can win and govern.

The discussion centers on a critical theme: bottom-up reform. Rather than focusing on billionaire-backed presidential bids, the episode highlights the importance of local candidates, state legislative races, and community trust. As Cillizza explains, voters need proof of concept. They need to see independent leaders solving problems where they live before they believe larger change is possible.

The episode then turns to history. Dr. Jeremi Suri, chair of Leadership in Global Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, places this political moment in context. He draws parallels to the 1850s and the Progressive Era—times when economic upheaval and social change disrupted existing party systems and opened space for new movements. According to Dr. Suri, when major parties fail to address pressing concerns, voters eventually realign around leaders and ideas that better reflect their lived realities.

Together, the guests explore how today’s transformations—from artificial intelligence and workforce disruption to health care affordability and political disengagement—are reshaping expectations of government. The conversation challenges the idea that Americans are divided on everything. In reality, there is broad agreement on many core issues, but the current system amplifies the smallest points of conflict.

This episode explores:

• Why independent voters are now the largest voting bloc in America

• How grassroots wins can build credibility for a new political movement

• Historical moments when new parties reshaped the political system

• The impact of AI, economic change, and generational shifts on party politics

• Why voters are hungry for big ideas that focus on problem-solving over partisanship

Throughout the episode, Gov. Whitman, Lt. Gov. Healey, and Lindsey Williams Drath reflect on the Forward Party’s commitment to reducing polarization, expanding competition in elections, and empowering candidates to represent their constituents—not party bosses. They discuss how reforms like ranked-choice voting, nonpartisan primaries, and independent redistricting commissions can create a more responsive and representative democracy.

At its heart, this conversation is about restoring trust. It asks what happens when elected officials are incentivized to divide rather than solve problems—and what it would take to change those incentives. It also makes a direct appeal to public servants who feel politically homeless: there is another path.

If you’re concerned about polarization, curious about the future of independent voters, or interested in practical political reform, this episode offers both historical perspective and forward-looking strategy. It is a thoughtful, candid discussion about how Americans can reclaim agency in a system that often feels unresponsive.

Not Left. Not Right. Forward.

In this wide-ranging episode of The Forward Party Podcast, hosts Lindsey Drath, Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, and Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey explore a shared question shaping American civic life right now: How do we rebuild trust, restore dialogue, and lead without falling into partisan traps? The conversation brings together two distinct voices who approach that challenge from different angles, yet land on strikingly similar conclusions about leadership, speech, and responsibility.

The episode opens with journalist and author Rikki Schlott, a columnist for the New York Post and co-author of The Canceling of the American Mind. Drawing from her reporting and personal experience as a Gen Z writer navigating today’s campus climate, Rikki offers a candid look at how free speech debates, social media incentives, and institutional failures are shaping young people’s political identities. She discusses why so many Gen Z voters are rejecting the two-party system, how algorithm-driven outrage pulls people toward extremes, and what universities could be doing differently to teach civil disagreement rather than fear-based silence.

Rikki’s conversation with the hosts goes beyond theory. She reflects on firsthand experiences during campus unrest, the consequences of unclear speech norms, and the risks of pushing dissent underground. Throughout the discussion, Gov. Christine Todd Whitman and Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey add perspective from their own leadership roles, emphasizing that free expression and mutual respect are not competing values. Together, they outline why democracy depends on teaching people how to disagree without dehumanizing one another.

The episode then turns to Minnesota, where Mike Newcome, a Forward Party candidate for governor, joins the conversation. Mike brings a practical lens shaped by decades as a business leader and his current campaign. He speaks directly about public anger, institutional distrust, and the leadership vacuum created when politics becomes a constant blame cycle. Rather than feeding polarization, Mike describes a results-driven approach focused on listening, accountability, and de-escalation.

Mike shares how running outside the two-party system changes both the barriers and the opportunities for meaningful engagement. He explains why independent leadership can create space for problem solving, why voters are hungry for straight talk, and how respectful engagement lowers defenses even in tense political moments. His discussion with the hosts highlights the connection between cultural trust and effective governance at the state level.

Key themes explored in this episode include:

• Free speech and civil discourse in higher education and public life

• Gen Z political identity, social media influence, and independent voters

• Leadership without partisan loyalty tests

• Nonpartisan problem solving at the state and national level

• Rebuilding civic trust through dialogue and accountability

What ties these conversations together is a shared belief that democracy works best when people feel heard, respected, and empowered to challenge ideas without attacking one another. From college campuses to state capitols, the episode makes the case that cultural renewal and political reform must move forward together.

To stay connected with The Forward Party Podcast, subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and share the episode with someone who cares about the future of democracy. You can follow and engage with the hosts, Lindsey Drath, Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, and Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey, through Forward Party channels, join the conversation online, and learn how to get involved at forwardparty.com. Your voice and participation are part of how this movement grows.

In the premiere episode of The Forward Party Podcast, hosts Christine Todd Whitman, Lindsey Williams Drath, and Kerry Healey come together to explain why this show exists and why the Forward Party was built for this moment in American politics. Drawing on decades of experience in public service, party leadership, and national campaigns, the hosts share personal stories that trace a common journey: a deep commitment to democracy, growing concern about partisan capture, and a shared belief that the current political system no longer serves most Americans. The conversation opens with a candid look at hyper-partisanship and the toxic incentives driving today’s political culture. Lindsey Williams Drath, CEO of the Forward Party, frames the challenge clearly: the two-party system rewards conflict, discourages problem-solving, and leaves millions of voters without real representation. Christine Todd Whitman reflects on her time as Governor of New Jersey and Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, describing how political nuance has steadily disappeared and how parties punish leaders who challenge orthodoxy. Kerry Healey recounts her decision to leave the Republican Party after January 6, explaining how fear, identity, and party pressure silence honest leadership.Throughout the episode, the hosts break down the business of politics and how it shapes behavior in Washington and beyond. They explain how party leadership controls fundraising, ballot access, primaries, messaging, and campaign technology. These incentives keep elected officials focused on fundraising and base politics rather than governing. The result is gridlock on issues Americans care about most, from immigration reform to budgets to restoring trust in democracy, while wedge issues are amplified to keep voters divided and distracted.A major focus of the discussion is voter participation and primary elections. The hosts explain how low-turnout, closed primaries empower the most extreme voices and decide general elections long before most voters are paying attention. They walk listeners through why reforms like open primaries, ranked-choice voting, and independent redistricting matter, and how these changes can give voters real choices while rewarding candidates who build consensus. These reforms are presented not as theory, but as practical steps that states and communities can take right now.The episode also introduces the Forward Party’s core approach. Forward is not built around rigid policy litmus tests. It is organized around shared principles: democracy, decency, accountability, and putting voters first. The hosts explain why state and local elections are so important, why so many offices go uncontested, and how everyday citizens can step into leadership roles that shape their communities. They share real examples of how Forward has grown through partnerships and mergers with reform-minded movements across the country, building a broad coalition focused on fixing the system rather than fueling division.At its heart, this first episode is an invitation to Americans who feel politically homeless, frustrated, or powerless. The hosts argue that the country is not as divided as social media makes it seem, and that most people want effective, steady government that works. The Forward Party Podcast sets the tone for the series by offering clarity about what is broken, honesty about why past efforts fell short, and optimism about what citizens can build together. This opening conversation lays the groundwork for future episodes that explore solutions, strategy, and how a growing movement can move democracy Forward.