Volta Insider

It was an honor to walk alongside participants of the Women’s March on Washington last Saturday, January 21st. I feel so lucky to have been able to capture the experiences of the marchers on the Mall and to learn what drew them out by the thousands to make signs, demonstrate, and raise their voices and bring some of it to you in this the latest episode of Volta Insider.

I was so pleased to have a conversation with one of the most exciting young writers, Graham Moore, author of the new historical novel The Last Days of Night. You probably remember his speech at the Oscars when he won for writing the screenplay for The Imitation Game, based on the life of Alan Turing. Moore’s stirring speech about his teenage depression, trying to hurt himself and his call to action to relentlessly pursue your passion become a viral video hit.

Volta Insider podcast host, Rachel Greenberg, goes inside the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, and meets one man trying to find common ground between the parties. He is artist and psychotherapist Andrew Purchin, and he created The Curious End to the War Against Ourselves to give people an artistic outlet for their anger and frustration.

Volta Insider meets the 52 contestants vying to be Miss America 2017. The contestants came to Washington, DC to push for college affordability. I met them at L'Hommage Bistro Francais while they were introduced to an innovative education program aimed at US Veterans called "Armed Serves Arts Partnership."

Jon Ward, Senior Political Correspondent for Yahoo News, spoke with Volta Insider's Rachel Greenberg at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. They previewed convention coverage at the RNC and discussed what it's like to cover Donald Trump as a candidate, as well as the importance of print journalism.

Having had the pleasure of attending the White House Summit on the United State of Women this past June, I am thrilled to share with you what I consider to be a lesson in inspiration.

The summit hosted an array of impressive speakers, featuring President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Representative Nancy Pelosi, Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Actress Kerry Washington, and Oprah Winfrey. Valerie Jarrett and Tina Tchen organized and hosted the day-long event.

Bryan Cranston, star of “Breaking Bad” and most recently “All the Way” as President Lyndon B. Johnson, spoke with Volta Insider’s Rachel Greenberg at the 2016 White House Correspondents Garden Brunch. On the importance of getting involved this election season, Cranston said, “voting is a voice…if you don’t vote, you don’t have that voice.”

At the annual White House Correspondents' Weekend Garden Brunch, Volta Insider's Rachel Greenberg talks to entertainers and DC politicos about the best advice they've ever given or received and their thoughts on this election season. Listen to what Helen Mirren, Bryan Cranston, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Cosmopolitan Editor-in-Chief Joanna Coles, Tony Goldwyn, Uber's Travis Kalanick and many more had to say.

I had the honor of sitting down with Ambassador Capricia Marshall, the former U.S. Chief of Protocol, for this episode of Volta Insider.

After serving as Special Assistant to First Lady Hillary Clinton (a role Capricia created, and has been in existence with each subsequent First Lady), Capricia was asked to be the White House Social Secretary.

However, her ultimate dream was to one day be the Chief of Protocol. Therefore, when President Obama asked Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for recommendations to take over the post, Sec. Clinton asked Capricia if she would like her name put forward. Of course she said yes!

Please enjoy this episode of Volta Insider.

Over the past few weeks, I have had the opportunity to hit the campaign trail to find out the catalyst behind voters so motivated in supporting their favorite Presidential candidate.

I attended rallies for Clinton, Sanders, Cruz and Trump to gain an unrefined perspective on the interactions between the candidates and the people. At the Ted Cruz rally in Ames, Iowa, I was able to talk with some of his supporters and piece together all the aspects of his campaign that enticed their vote.

When the day of the caucus rolled around, I observed the caucus voting method at Precinct 55. I came away from the experience with more of an understanding about this unique process of selecting a presidential nominee than I could have ever imagined. I’ve never seen anything like it. My time in Iowa was, for lack of better phrasing, a life changing experience.

Also included in this episode of Volta Insider is my interview with U.S. Chief Technology Officer, Megan Smith. She shares her insights about serving as an advisor to President Obama and why students should pursue careers in technology.