Participation Trophy

EP06: Everything is More Fabulous in Texas

Can you really lead a movement in sparkly boots and a big hat? And more importantly, shouldn’t you?
 
This week on Participation Trophy, Topher Williams sits down with Charlie Bonner, a fierce advocate for democracy who cut his teeth organizing in Texas and now brings that same energy to his work in the UK. From middle school civics class to testifying at the Capitol, Charlie’s path to leadership is full of grit, humor, and really good stories. He shares what it was like to fight back against voter suppression in 2021, why joy belongs at the center of activism, and how organizing across different political systems still comes down to one thing: figuring out who has the power and how to move them. What does it mean to show up for your community when the odds are stacked? Can voting still feel like an act of power and self-respect in a broken system? And how do you keep your spirit intact while doing hard things?
 
This episode is part pep talk, part strategy session, and part love letter to the people who keep showing up not because it’s easy or glamorous, but because they believe in something bigger than themselves. Charlie reminds us that leadership is not about being the loudest or the most polished. Leadership is all about staying present, telling the truth, and making room for others to step in. Charlie doesn’t gloss over the burnout or the political absurdity, but he’s clear: joy and community are still some of the strongest tools we’ve got. Who actually holds the power, and what does it take to move them? How do you keep going when the system feels rigged? Charlie and Topher’s conversation won’t tie things up in a bow, but it will leave you thinking differently about what it means to fight for democracy.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Charlie Bonner and the Power of Fabulousness
01:19 Joy, Creativity, and Humor in Texas Politics
05:55 Advocacy Work in the UK and Comparing Democracy Across Borders
10:23 How a Middle School Civics Class Sparked a Lifetime of Leadership
15:16 Inside the 2021 Texas Fight for Voting Rights
19:15 Community, Perseverance, and the Emotional Core of Organizing
23:15 One Voice, One Room, and Why Voting Still Matters
26:32 Rapid Fire: Charlie’s Take on Texas Favorites
27:38 Participation Trophies and a Baseball Career That Wasn’t
29:04 Final Thoughts and Where to Follow Charlie Online
 
Connect with Charlie Bonner:
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/charlie-bonner
https://www.instagram.com/thecharliebonner/
Connect with Topher Williams:
https://www.participationtrophypod.com/ 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/topher-williams-1a477264/ 
https://www.instagram.com/tophmcgoph/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP05: How to Get Off the Sidelines and Into the Movement

Karen Pandy-Cherry didn’t wait for someone to hand her a megaphone, she picked it up herself. Raised in Belize and now leading from Tulsa’s historic Black Wall Street, Karen shares how early lessons in family, service, and leadership shaped her path to becoming the President and CEO of New Leaders Council. Her approach to leadership is rooted in building power and making sure others have access to it, too.
 
In this episode, Karen and Topher Williams get real about what it takes to stop watching from the sidelines and start making change right where you are. They talk about what happened when her dad told her she hadn’t led, she’d just done the work, and how that moment reframed her entire understanding of leadership. Karen also shares a story from her time working in a Florida prison that became a personal tipping point, one that pushed her into law school and set her on a course toward community-based activism.
 
Ever felt like you’re doing the work but don’t have the title to match? Or questioned whether your day-to-day life actually counts as movement-building? Karen reminds us that leadership isn’t about status. It’s how you show up and who you bring with you. And through the New Leaders Council, she’s helping more people recognize the power they already hold in their communities.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Meet Karen Pandy-Cherry: Leadership, Activism, and Black Wall Street01:13 What Is Black Wall Street and Why It Still Matters04:03 Redefining Leadership: Power Sharing and Proximity05:25 A Hard Lesson on Leadership from Her Father08:55 The Prison Encounter That Changed Everything14:24 From Law School to Movement Work17:09 How to Start Making Change in Your Own Backyard19:08 Inside New Leaders Council: Building a National Network21:35 Rapid Fire: Reggae, Beach Days, and Participation Trophies
Connect with Karen Pandy-Cherry:newleaderscouncil.org
https://www.instagram.com/karenpandycherry/?hl=en
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenpandycherry/
https://www.instagram.com/newleaderscouncil
https://www.facebook.com/karenpandycherry
https://www.amazon.com/Biographies-Karen-Cherry-Books/s?rh=n%3A2%2Cp_27%3AKaren%2BCherry
 
Connect with Topher Williams:
https://www.participationtrophypod.com/ 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/topher-williams-1a477264/ 
https://www.instagram.com/tophmcgoph/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP04: Why Registering to Vote Still Matters

HeadCount is turning concerts into launchpads for civic action by making voter registration as common as buying a band tee. In this episode, Topher Williams chats with Lucille Wenegieme, the Executive Director at HeadCount, about how music, culture, and civic engagement all show up in the same place, and why that matters more than ever. Lucille shares how her Nigerian-American upbringing shaped her approach to community, and how that early sense of mutual aid evolved into a nationwide movement that registered nearly 500,000 voters in 2024.
They unpack why traditional “just vote” messaging misses the mark with Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and how Headcount is closing that gap by meeting people where they already are: at concerts, festivals, and online. With partnerships ranging from Sabrina Carpenter and Green Day to Spotify, HeadCount creates experiences that feel fun and real, not forced or transactional.
Lucille also lays out the structural challenges young voters face and makes a strong case for voting systems built around access, not red tape. The results speak for themselves: a 78% turnout rate among Headcount participants and over 3.3 million civic actions in a single cycle.
The episode wraps with Lucille’s hot takes on fashion, playlists, and why a crisp white button-down might be the secret to a good day. It’s a reminder that the people leading these efforts aren’t just policy wonks or campaign strategists. They’re also music lovers, community builders, and maybe even someone you’d want to swap outfits with. Curious what it takes to make civic engagement feel like a movement instead of a lecture? This one’s worth a listen!
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Meet Lucille Wenegieme: Where Music, Voter Registration, and Elections Intersect
03:33 How Community Roots Shaped a Career in Civic Action
05:03 What Actually Motivates Young Voters Today
09:04 Why the Voting System Needs to Catch Up
16:04 Inside HeadCount: Turning Concerts into Civic Hubs
21:13 Authenticity, Culture, and the Future of Engagement
27:49 Fashion, Playlists, and Lucille’s Civic Style
 
Connect with Lucille Wenegieme:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucillewenegieme/
https://www.headcount.org/
https://www.facebook.com/HeadCountOrg/
https://www.instagram.com/headcountorg/
https://www.tiktok.com/@headcountorg 
https://x.com/HeadCountOrg
https://www.threads.com/@headcountorg
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:youx3yujl2pz7g5ebjd5spjc
https://www.linkedin.com/company/headcount-inc./
 
Connect with Topher Williams:
https://www.participationtrophypod.com/ 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/topher-williams-1a477264/ 
https://www.instagram.com/tophmcgoph/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP03: Alt-Utah, What Democrats are Missing About the Beehive State

Two powerhouse organizers are flipping the script on Utah politics by proving that even the reddest states can be ripe for progressive change. Topher Williams is joined by Jackie Morgan and Gabi Finlayson, the co-founders of Elevate Strategies, for a conversation that challenges the way we think about political possibility in places like Utah. If a state has been red for decades, does that mean it will always stay that way? And what happens when people on the ground start organizing differently, not with big budgets or national headlines, but through relationships, trust, and showing up?
 
Jackie and Gabi talk about what brought them back to Utah after years of working on campaigns across the country, and why they saw a need for deeper investment in local candidates and issues. Jackie shares how her mom introduced her to politics by knocking on doors in their neighborhood, and how that early experience shaped her sense of what real community work looks like. Gabi opens up about the moment she realized she couldn’t walk away from this work, even when the wins felt far off.
 
They’re not interested in top-down strategies or generic playbooks. Instead, they focus on listening, educating, and meeting people where they are, especially in places where politics often feels distant or out of reach. They also dig into what makes Utah such a unique political landscape: a fast-growing population, a deeply rooted culture of service, and a generation of young voters who are shifting left in big numbers.
 
This episode invites a different kind of political imagination. What if we stopped waiting for swing states to save us? What if real change could start anywhere, with the people already in the room? Whether you’ve canvassed before or are just starting to pay attention to local politics, Jackie and Gabi offer a grounded, hopeful take on how movements begin and what it takes to keep them going.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Transforming Utah’s Political Landscape
06:11 Personal Stories Behind the Activism
09:05 Understanding Utah Voters and Identity
12:08 Where Change Is Happening
17:57 Strategies for Winning in Red States
21:14 How Real Impact Takes Root
31:21 The Power of Political Storytelling
35:25 How to Get Involved in Local Politics
45:14 Final Thoughts and Community Connection
Elevate Strategies:
https://www.elevatecampaignstrategies.com/ 
https://www.linkedin.com/company/elevate-strategies-ut/ 
https://www.instagram.com/elevate_utah/ 
 
Connect with Gabi Finlayson:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielle-finlayson/ 
https://www.instagram.com/gabifinlayson/ 
https://x.com/gabifinlayson/  
 
Connect with Jackie Morgan:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-morgan-9b7a44149/ 
https://www.instagram.com/jpmorgan01/ 
 
Connect with Topher Williams:
https://www.participationtrophypod.com/ 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/topher-williams-1a477264/ 
https://www.instagram.com/tophmcgoph/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP02: How Old is Too Old to Run for Office?

Most of America’s political power sits in the hands of people nearly twice the median age, but Amanda Litman is working to change that by helping a new generation step into office.
Topher Williams talks with Amanda about the age gap in American leadership and what it means for the future of the country. Why are so few elected officials under 40? What happens when the same people hold power for decades without making room for new voices? Amanda shares how Run for Something has helped more than 1,500 young people win office across 49 states, and why she believes the next wave of leadership needs to look and lead differently.
Amanda reflects on her own path into politics, from skipping school to see Barack Obama speak to launching a national movement after the 2016 election. Along the way, she raises questions that anyone considering public service should ask: What does good leadership actually look like? How do we balance authenticity with responsibility? And what gets lost when no one’s preparing the next person to take the baton?
This episode is an invitation to think seriously about power, potential, and the kind of country we’re building. If you’ve ever wondered whether you're the kind of person who could run for office, Amanda’s answer is simple: if you care, you’re ready.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 The Age Gap in Leadership
02:59 Empowering Young Leaders
05:59 Redefining Good Leadership
08:51 The Call for Younger Leadership
12:11 The Importance of Succession in Leadership
14:49 Encouraging Young People to Run for Office
17:58 Millennial Nostalgia
 
Connect with Amanda Litman:
https://runforsomething.net/ 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandalitman/ 
https://www.instagram.com/amandalitm/ 
https://www.facebook.com/amanda.litman/ 
https://www.tiktok.com/@amandalitman 
 
Connect with Topher Williams:
https://www.participationtrophypod.com/ 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/topher-williams-1a477264/ 
https://www.instagram.com/tophmcgoph/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP01: Pride and Prejudice, How to Thrive After Surviving a Mass Shooting

Content Warning: This episode includes discussions of gun violence and the Pulse nightclub attack.Brandon Wolf, activist and National Press Secretary for the Human Rights Campaign, shares how surviving the 2016 Pulse Nightclub mass shooting transformed his life, and why he’s dedicated himself to fighting for LGBTQ+ safety, belonging, and justice.
On this episode of Participation Trophy, Brandon joins Topher Williams to trace the personal and political journey that brought him to the frontlines of advocacy. From growing up gay in rural Oregon to building a life in Orlando with a chosen family, Brandon paints a vivid picture of the search for identity and community. That search was shattered the night a gunman entered Pulse Nightclub, killing 49 people, including Brandon’s best friend Drew and his partner Juan.
Brandon opens up about the aftermath of that night, the weight of survival, and the moment he realized that comfort wasn’t enough. He had to fight so others could feel safe, too. He discusses the founding of The Dru Project, an organization supporting LGBTQ+ youth and Gay-Straight Alliances across the country, and shares how its work continues to give him hope through the next generation of changemakers.
From hard-won policy victories to the quiet power of local organizing, Brandon reminds us that activism isn’t a solo effort. Activism is rooted in community, shared purpose, and the courage to imagine something better. This episode is a meditation on grief, resilience, and the urgent need to protect lives and legacies in the face of violence.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 The Journey to Activism
05:08 Reflections on Gun Violence and Hope
10:02 Honoring Legacy and Creating Change
15:00 Resilience and the Power of Collective Action
20:02 Personal Growth and Activism
23:51 Fun and Connection in Activism
 
Connect with Brandon Wolf:
https://brandonwolf.us/ 
https://thedruproject.org/ 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonjwolf/ 
https://www.instagram.com/brandonjwolf/
https://www.facebook.com/bjoewolf1/ 
https://x.com/bjoewolf 
 
Connect with Topher Williams:
https://www.participationtrophypod.com/ 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/topher-williams-1a477264/ 
https://www.instagram.com/tophmcgoph/
 
If you or someone you know has been impacted by gun violence, contact the Brady campaign at https://www.bradyunited.org/To support the LGBTQ community in Florida, make a donation to Equality Florida at https://www.eqfl.org/
 
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Participation Trophy - Trailer

Join host Topher Williams as he sits down with Millennial do-gooders and changemakers on an unfiltered and (extremely) unscientific quest to discover if participation trophies actually made Millennials unstoppable.