In episode 142, we are joined by Sam Grube, who is running for the Ohio Statehouse in District 18. Sam Grube grew up in Shaker Heights and has deep roots in the neighborhoods that make up Ohio House District 18, from Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights to East Cleveland, Orange and Warrensville Heights.

As a product of public schools and a lifelong Northeast Ohioan, Sam knows firsthand what our families, workers, and students face — because he’s lived it too. He cares deeply about affordable housing, and healthcare, and about making education better and more accessible.

Resources:

* Sam Grube for Ohio House District 18

* Instagram

* X/Twitter

* Facebook

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This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:

* Website

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In episode 141, Caroline Stout shares her journey from growing up in a conservative household and working at Turning Point USA to breaking away from right-wing ideology. She opens up about the challenges of deconstructing her beliefs and embracing a progressive worldview.

Caroline is a lawyer, progressive political activist, and former conservative who has seen the inside of the movement and chosen a different path. She spent years in right-wing spaces before realizing how deeply misinformation, exclusion, and fear were shaping the narrative. Today, she uses her legal training and personal experience to unpack propaganda and help others navigate their own political shifts. Her mission is to ensure people feel informed, empowered, and unafraid to question what they’ve been told.

Connect with USS:

* Substack

* Instagram

* TikTok

This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:

* Website

* Instagram

In episode 140, Aliza Lifshitz, founder of the Youth Advisory Project, a nonpartisan initiative embedding youth voice into government institutions, joins us to talk about creating lasting pathways for young leaders in government.

Aliza is a national leader in youth civic engagement. With a background in public policy and youth organizing, she has led advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill, co-authored nationally published op-eds, and advised offices across the country on launching Youth Advisory Councils (YACs).

She previously served as a coalition builder and strategic advisor at Giffords, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, YouthinGov Coalition, Voters of Tomorrow and continues to advise campaigns, civic leaders, and institutions on generational equity in policymaking. She holds a BA in Women's and Gender studies from Barnard College and is currently pursuing a Master's in Public Policy at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy.

Resources:

* Youth Advisory Project

Connect with USS:

* Substack

* Instagram

* TikTok

This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:

* Website

* Instagram