In this episode of Business Talk with Meghan McNulty, Meghan sits down with Joe Mitchell—elected to the Iowa House at just 21, becoming the youngest state representative in Iowa history. Now a housing developer and founder of Run Gen Z, Joe is campaigning for Congress in Iowa’s 2nd District. He shares why he believes a new generation needs to step into national leadership, and what he’s hearing most from voters across Northeast Iowa: affordability, attainable housing, and protecting agriculture.

Drawing on his experience in state government and housing, Joe outlines a “common sense” approach to cutting red tape, revisiting outdated regulations, and increasing the supply of workforce housing. Meghan also zooms out to explore how federal agencies and regulatory decisions shape day-to-day business operations—and what accountability could look like in Washington.

In this episode, Meghan and Joe also discuss:

 How policy decisions directly affect affordability, housing markets, and long-term wealth building

 Why regulation matters to business owners long before it shows up on a balance sheet

 The role of advocacy in protecting growth, capital, and enterprise value

 How leadership and decision-making differ when you’ve built businesses—not just careers in politics

 What professionals should watch as legislation shapes opportunity across industries

Ultimately, this conversation underscores why staying informed about policy isn’t optional for business owners and professionals, it’s part of long-term planning. From housing and workforce dynamics to regulatory oversight and advocacy, Meghan and Joe highlight how decisions made far from the boardroom can meaningfully shape opportunity, risk, and value creation. It’s a timely reminder that leadership today requires not just reacting to change but understanding how it’s formed—and where it’s headed.

About Meghan’s Guest

Joe Mitchell is an Iowa lawmaker, housing developer, and founder of Run Gen Z. He made history at age 21 as the youngest person ever elected to the Iowa House of Representatives, where he served on key committees focused on fiscal and economic policy. Following his legislative service, Joe worked at the federal level with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, gaining firsthand experience with housing policy and regulation. He is also the founder of Run Gen Z, a nonprofit that has helped recruit and mentor hundreds of young candidates to run for public office nationwide. Joe is currently campaigning for Congress in Iowa’s 2nd District, bringing a business-informed perspective to issues of affordability, housing, and regulation.

Learn more about Joe Mitchell and his work at www.joemitchell.com