Liz, Sean, and Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton are happy warriors with hope during tough times. We talk local, state, and federal politics while eating an astonishing variety of snacks. The Speaker reveals her secret to solving problems and creating change — spoiler alert: it's working together — and explains why she focuses more on progress and less on what divides us. Liz admits the podcast was largely inspired by her experiences in government, and applauds the Speaker for her steady work toward making politics safe for women.

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In this episode of Cleaning Up Dirty, Reid Scott—star of Veep, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Law & Order—tells Liz & Sean about his unlikely rise to fame, and his first stint as a campaign manager in high school where he learned how people power disruption and authenticity are effective tools against unjust authority. Reid puts his dad hat on and compares governance styles to helicopter parenting. We discuss how the political pendulum has swung too far for the right AND the left, and how we might restore sanity in America. Spoiler alert: it may involve reaching across the aisle and talking to each other like people.

Learn more about Clean Air Action at CleanAirActionFund.org

In this episode of Cleaning Up Dirty, Senator Nikil Saval tells Liz & Sean about his journey from a journalist with no plan to run for office to unseating a 10+ year incumbent, then passing bipartisan legislation in a purple state. We discuss whether Bernie Sanders would have beaten Trump in 2016, the Harrisburg Shrug and partisan politics—especially given the influence of the fossil fuel industry in PA—and how to kindle our patented ‘reckless optimism.’

We also talk building community to spark little fires, particularly in labor organizing — and even shout out UAW, since Liz helped found UAW’s local Defenders Union 5502.

Learn more about Clean Air Action at CleanAirActionFund.org

Attorney General candidate Eugene DePasquale tells us about the heat he got by pushing for financial accountability in government when he was Auditor General, and why he's running for AG -- spoiler alert: He's "not just here to clean your air." (But that's one reason!) In his audit of the state agency responsible for protecting our constitutional right to breathe clean air, he found they failed to protect us from the fossil fuels industry, so he forced the state to hire 64 more people to better protect Pennsylvanians. Plus he tells a deeply personal story about Reproductive Health that motivates his public interest work. We are so proud to endorse him––especially because he knows what football fans and Lord of the Rings fans can agree on: "There's always hope" and "you can't unhug Jerry Jones."

Learn more about Clean Air Action at CleanAirActionFund.org

In an episode that turned into a political therapy session, Sean gives an overview of American history that led to mass distrust of government and disappointment with presidential candidates. As Sean puts Liz on the spot to unpack her skepticism, we talk bias and human nature. Are our systems inherently flawed? Is this just “politics, baby!”? Are there bad people? Since nothing changes if nothing changes, we break down what is interfering with American ideals being available to #WeThePeople — and what brought Liz to finally feel “little sparks of hope” in America again.

Plus Liz can’t help but fall in love with @RitzCrackers. Please sponsor our podcast.

@BrassAgainst @cryingdaycarechoir @TempleLaw

Learn more about Clean Air Action at CleanAirActionFund.org

Liz & Sean talk about trends like Americans’ growing desire for authenticity and relatability in politics, give a little DNC recap, and assess the VP candidates’ environmental records in a state and national context. We also discuss tensions between corporations and regulations, and where people power comes into play. Plus we get hype about the hopeful energy of your favorite teacher and coach running for VP!

Learn more about Clean Air Action at CleanAirActionFund.org

In the wake of the political earthquake of Kamala becoming a presidential candidate, Liz and Sean discuss trends in politics over the last 20 years, like the evolution of expectations for women in politics and disillusionment leading to a craving for fun and authenticity from candidates. We break down what finally got us excited about Kamala and the relief of having better energy in politics again — which is even stirring a bit of a “we the people reclamation.”

Learn more about Clean Air Action at CleanAirActionFund.org

Executive Director of Critical Investments & Chair of PENNVEST Brian Regli tells us about his switch from Republican to Democrat, why socialism is not the answer, and what government does well. We discuss the importance of stepping away from echo chambers like the national media so we can hold nuance, prioritize practical over performative, and work with the other side on common local action.

Brian also tells us how Governor Shapiro is bringing hundreds of millions in federal clean energy investments into Pennsylvania via President Biden's IRA & IIJA climate and business legislation—which fuels state and local progress, and #CleaningUpDirty cohost Sean helped pass! We also discuss how Pennsylvania taxpayers shoulder burdens from polluting corporations that even Texans don’t, and how the proposed PRESS & PACER legislation will help lower utility bills and protect public health.

Learn more about Clean Air Action at CleanAirActionFund.org