In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li sits down with Sarah Elfreth, who represents Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

From her early start in student government and higher education leadership to becoming the youngest woman ever elected to the Maryland State Senate and now serving in Congress, Congresswoman Elfreth’s path reflects a grounded, institution-focused approach to public service. In this conversation, Mark and Congresswoman Elfreth explore what it actually takes to move policy forward—from expanding voting access and digital inclusion to tackling environmental challenges in the Chesapeake Bay and navigating the realities of governing at the federal level.

They also discuss how decisions are made inside institutions, the balance between economic growth and sustainability, and why process and accountability matter in moments of national decision-making. Throughout the episode, Congresswoman Elfreth shares her perspective on where younger generations fit into today’s political landscape—and how they can move from observing change to actually shaping it.

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li sits down with Kweisi Mfume, who represents Maryland’s 7th Congressional District. From leaving high school at 16 to support his family in Baltimore, to serving in Congress, leading the NAACP, and returning to public office decades later, Congressman Mfume’s journey reflects a life shaped by responsibility, resilience, and long-term commitment to public service.

This conversation goes beyond titles and positions. Mark and Congressman Mfume explore how power actually works inside institutions, what it takes to sustain leadership over time, and how policy decisions translate into real outcomes for communities. They also discuss the role of youth in civic life, the challenges of building trust in public institutions, and where younger generations can find meaningful ways to engage and create lasting impact.

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, Host Mark Li sits down with Marc Korman, who represents District 16 in Montgomery County and currently serves as Chair of the Environment and Transportation Committee in the Maryland House of Delegates.

They talk about how decisions are actually made in Maryland inside the systems that shape transportation, infrastructure, and environmental policy. Delegate Korman walks through what it takes for a bill to move, where real influence sits within the legislative process, and why outcomes are often decided long before a final vote.

We also explore the gap between passing policy and delivering results, the long-term challenges behind building a reliable regional transit system, and how tradeoffs are made when balancing growth, sustainability, and navigating youth participation above all in the civic system.