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You, Me, Us, Now — Government
You, Me, Us, Now

I started this podcast in 2014 because I wanted to highlight people I met when I was Mayor of Seattle. I hoped that hearing stories from people on the front lines of social change – how they got started, what they cared about – would inspire others to take action. This spring I was the person deciding to take action – I’ve entered the race for Seattle Mayor. So the podcast has a new twist – It’s You, Me, Us, Now – Campaign Edition. Joined by the inimitable Hanna Brooks Olsen, we will take a look behind the scenes of a campaign. She’ll ask me not just about the issues, but about how campaigns work, and how it feels to be a candidate. If you want a closer look at what it’s like to run for office, sign up and follow along. A little background – the title is derived from the teachings of Marshall Ganz. Change ultimately comes from people sharing their stories to build a shared narrative of the world they want to see. I hope you’ll join me in this campaign, check out some of the prior shows, and get involved yourself in trying to change things for the better.

Latest Episodes:

Diana McCauley, Jamaican environmentalist - "That someone should be me." Apr 20, 2015

Show notes

Diana McCauley of the Jamaica Environmental Trust brought the first environmental lawsuit in a Caribbean nation, earning the title 'that environmental woman,' which wasn't offered as a compliment. Diana reflects on a career in advocacy for the environment in a poor nation where the political leaders focus was always on the next big project.

Diana McCauley, Jamaican environmentalist - "That someone should be me." Mike McGinn

Magdaleno Rose Avila, environment and social justice advocate - "You are not much of a farmworker." Apr 13, 2015

Show notes

Magdaleno Rose Avila is asked to speak in college after the murder of MLK, and then gets involved in the farm worker rights movement, amnesty international, and most recently organizing on behalf of an Oregon ballot measure to ban GMOs. Mike and Leno throw it back and forth on organizing, coalition building, and how the environmental movement can get less white. Leno tells better stories than Mike.

Magdaleno Rose Avila, environment and social justice advocate - "You are not much of a farmworker." Mike McGinn

Chuck Ayers, biking advocate - "The reaction to the reaction." Apr 06, 2015

Show notes

Chuck Ayers was the director of the Cascade Bicycle Club during Mike's term as Mayor. A conversation between friends and allies who found themselves as advocate and politician during the alleged “war on cars” in Seattle. Chuck offers his insights on organizing, electoral politics and pushing politicians to do the right thing once elected, and Mike gives a view from the Mayor’s office.

Chuck Ayers, biking advocate - "The reaction to the reaction." Mike McGinn

Bob Santos, Filipino leader - "Father, these guys are really doing the Lord’s work." Mar 30, 2015

Show notes

Bob Santos on growing up in Seattle's International District before WWII, getting swept up in 1960s activism, and helping create Seattle's multicultural coalition for civil rights. Mike and Bob talk about protests, arrests, and trying to collect church meeting room rent from the Black Panthers.

Bob Santos, Filipino leader - "Father, these guys are really doing the Lord’s work." Mike McGinn

Maru Mora Villalpando, immigration rights activist - "After that moment, I was not afraid anymore." Mar 27, 2015

Show notes

Maru Mora Villalpando, a Latina activist and an undocumented immigrant, decides with others to block buses leaving an immigration detention facility. Their actions reverberate all the way to the White House, helping bring attention to the need for immigration reform.

Maru Mora Villalpando, immigration rights activist - "After that moment, I was not afraid anymore." Mike McGinn

Tim Harris, homeless advocate - "Frankly, it was idealistic and rather disastrous." Mar 26, 2015

Show notes

Tim Harris, homeless advocate and founder of Real Change newspaper, after being kicked out of three high schools and a stint in the air force, discovers activism in college. From there, he works with others to invent homeless activism as a response to Reagan era policies. What works, what doesn't, how he maintains his edge, and working in "the triage tent in the front lines of the war on the poor."

Tim Harris, homeless advocate - "Frankly, it was idealistic and rather disastrous." Mike McGinn

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