Participation Trophy

EP14: This is How We Win Young People

Youth organizers are reshaping democracy from the ground up with a level of purpose and urgency that’s impossible to ignore.
 
This episode of Participation Trophy takes a clear look at how youth are driving real change through community-based organizing. Topher Williams talks with Dakota Hall of the Alliance for Youth Action, who explains why young people are stepping up in such large numbers and how rising costs, shrinking opportunities, and a desire for honest leadership shape their political energy. Dakota shares the personal moments that sparked his own commitment to organizing, and he reflects on the lessons that help him move through self-doubt and stay grounded in the long tradition of people who fought for justice before him. What does meaningful action look like in a moment that feels overwhelming? How do young leaders build power without losing hope? 
 
Join Topher and Dakota in this conversation to get a glimpse of where democracy is headed and the growing role youth play in shaping it.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Do Young People Really Care About Democracy?
01:34 How Dakota Hall Builds Youth Power Nationwide
03:41 The Economic Issues Driving Young Voters
10:08 How Young People Can Organize in Conservative States
12:31 Combating Isolation and Creating Community
14:37 The Life Lessons That Shaped Dakota’s Leadership
18:23 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Through History and Legacy
26:47 Dakota’s Early Awakening to Injustice
30:24 Three Actions Anyone Can Take to Fight Authoritarianism
31:38 What Makes Wisconsin Unique
37:46 Participation Trophies, Politics, and Final Thoughts
Connect with Dakota Hall:
Follow Alliance for Youth Action on LinkedIn
Follow Alliance for Youth Action on Instagram
Follow Alliance for Youth Action on Facebook
Connect with Dakota on LinkedIn
Connect with Topher Williams:
Visit the Participation Trophy website 
Connect with Topher on LinkedIn 
Follow Topher on Instagram
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP13: Here’s What It Looks Like to Run For Office in Texas

What does it really mean to run for office in Texas today? Topher Williams talks with Odus Evbagharu, a millennial organizer and Houston native, about what it takes to fight for working families in a state where politics often feels out of reach.
 
Odus breaks down how issues like health care, education, and wages shape daily life across Texas and why every campaign should start with those kitchen table concerns. He also explains how redistricting tilts the playing field and what it takes to push back with clarity and heart.
 
Rooted in his story as the son of Nigerian immigrants, Odus shares a vision of leadership grounded in community, service, and love for the people the government is meant to serve. If you’ve ever wondered what change in Texas could look like from the ground up, this conversation offers both the blueprint and the belief that it’s possible.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Houston: The Heart of Texas
03:11 Empowering Millennial Leadership
06:00 Redistricting and Its Implications
08:50 The Immigrant Experience in Houston
11:49 Inspiration from Barack Obama
17:55 Optimism and Activism in Texas
23:26 Texas: A Dual Energy Powerhouse
24:51 Diversity in Progressivism
26:40 Kitchen Table Issues Matter
28:23 Welcoming Conversations in Progressivism
31:03 Embracing Discomfort for Change
34:21 Economic Realities vs. Social Issues
39:17 Connecting with the Community
Connect with Odus Evbagharu:
Visit Odus Evbagharu for Texas
Connect with Odus on LinkedIn
Follow Odus on Instagram
Follow Odus on Facebook
 
Connect with Topher Williams:
Visit the Participation Trophy website 
Connect with Topher on LinkedIn 
Follow Topher on Instagram
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP12: Ghosting Voters: How Democrats are Getting Political Media Wrong

Local elections shape how our communities actually function, from the safety of our streets to the quality of our parks and schools. In this episode, DSPolitical’s Director of Business Development MaryEllen Veliz joins Topher Williams to talk about why those races deserve more of our attention and how democrats can start showing up differently. Why do so few people vote in elections that affect their lives the most? What would happen if campaigns treated voters like real people instead of targets in a spreadsheet? 
 
MaryEllen shares how growing up in San Antonio taught her the value of neighborhood involvement and why she believes connection, not perfection, drives political impact. She and Topher break down what’s missing in most political ads, how audience-first storytelling reaches voters where they actually are, and why cultural nuance and language matter more than ever. The episode will leave you thinking about the everyday power of local elections and how small, consistent action can reshape the political landscape.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Why Local Elections Matter More Than You Think
03:59 What Most People Get Wrong About Texas and San Antonio
06:32 Understanding Municipal Ballots and Voter Confusion
07:20 MaryEllen Veliz on Finding Her Path Into Politics
10:41 The Moment That Sparked Real Political Involvement
15:29 How Democrats Can Build Better Political Ads
17:01 Reaching Latino Voters Through Language and Culture
23:01 Making Political Messaging Personal and Relevant
29:58 Finding Hope and Inspiration in Local Organizing
33:28 From Protest to Action: How to Create Real Change
Connect with MaryEllen Veliz:
Visit the DSPolitical website
Connect with MaryEllen on LinkedIn
 
Connect with Topher Williams:
Visit the Participation Trophy website 
Connect with Topher on LinkedIn 
Follow Topher on Instagram
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP11: Redefining Relationships: Is Monogamy for the Boomers?

Ever notice how much shame still creeps into the way we talk about love, sex, and relationships - even in supposedly progressive spaces? 
 
Activist, educator, and certified relationship coach Brian Gerald Murphy joins Topher Williams for an honest conversation about what happens when we stop letting shame dictate how we love and start creating relationships built on choice, consent, and curiosity. Together, they unpack the difference between polyamory and open relationships, talk about what it means to form connections that reflect our real values, and explore how millennials are reshaping the meaning of family and commitment. Brian also brings a refreshing take on spirituality, showing how faith can live in places that might surprise you - from drag brunches to late-night laughter with chosen family. 
 
If you’ve ever questioned what love is supposed to look like, or how to reconcile your desires with your beliefs, this episode will remind you that relationships can be both deeply personal and profoundly liberating.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Redefining Modern Relationships
02:00 The Power of Releasing Shame
06:25 Understanding Polyamory
11:03 Open vs. Polyamorous Relationships
14:36 Brian’s Journey and Queer Coaching Work
20:40 Faith, Sex, and Spiritual Freedom
24:49 Finding Meaning Through Community
32:15 Love Beyond Monogamy
34:28 Universal Relationship Advice
Connect with Brian Gerald Murphy:
Visit Brian’s website
Check out Queer Theology
Subscribe to Brian’s YouTube channel
Follow Brian on Instagram
Follow Brian on X
 
Connect with Topher Williams:
Visit the Participation Trophy website 
Connect with Topher on LinkedIn 
Follow Topher on Instagram
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP10: Congress and Motherhood with Brittany Pettersen

Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen talks about leadership in government through a lens that feels anything but abstract. She shares what it was like growing up with a parent struggling with opioid addiction and how that experience shaped the way she thinks about policy, fairness, and the role of congress in people’s everyday lives.
 
What does it mean to step into an institution built for older, wealthy men when you’re a millennial woman raising two kids? How do you push for the government to reflect the realities of modern families when the rules were written centuries ago? And what happens when your own family’s story becomes the reason you take on that fight?
 
Brittany and Topher talk openly about the barriers that make public service harder than it should be - the childcare waitlists, the cross-country flights with a newborn, the outdated rules that leave younger voices out of the room. They point out why citizen voices still matter most. This is leadership with real stakes, grounded in lived experience and aimed at building systems that actually work for people.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Welcoming Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen
01:10 Being a Millennial Woman in Congress
02:00 Balancing Leadership and Family Life
03:20 Viral Moment Flying with Newborn to Vote
04:15 Modernizing Congress for Parents and Families
09:25 Fighting the Opioid Epidemic
14:02 Growing Up with a Parent Struggling with Addiction
17:10 Passing the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act
18:40 How Citizens Can Influence Government Policy
20:08 From Apathy to Action Getting Off the Sidelines
25:53 Advice for Millennials and Gen Z Considering Public Office
Connect with Brittany Pettersen:
Visit Brittany’s Website
Follow Brittany on Instagram
Follow Brittany on X
Connect with Topher Williams:
Visit the Participation Trophy Website 
Connect with Topher on LinkedIn 
Follow Topher on Instagram
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP09: The State of Independent Journalism Today

The fight for truth has never felt more urgent, and few know that better than political journalist Maritsa Georgiou. In this episode, she joins Topher Williams to talk about the realities of journalism in a fractured media landscape, the rise of disinformation, and the Montana roots that shaped her belief in community and integrity.
 
Maritsa shares how early influences, from her grandfather’s work as a TV meteorologist to watching the aftermath of 9/11 unfold on live television, set her on a path to reporting. Over the years, she’s interviewed Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama, covered wildfires, hurricanes, and high-profile tragedies, and seen firsthand how people rally together in moments of crisis. She reflects on the shift to independent media, the challenge of maintaining credibility when false narratives spread faster than facts, and the hope she holds onto that good will prevail.
 
From Montana newsrooms to national interviews, Maritsa’s path shows that journalism endures through persistence, curiosity, and the resolve to keep asking the questions others stop asking, even when the answers are uncomfortable or slow to surface, because truth rarely emerges without someone who refuses to let it go.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Media and Misinformation
00:32 Maritsa Georgiou
01:19 Changing the World: Raising Kind Kids
02:01 The Role of Journalists in Society
03:06 Launching the Grounded Podcast with Jon Tester
05:48 Inspiration to Become a Journalist
07:26 Optimism in Journalism and Advocacy
08:21 Community Resilience in Times of Tragedy
13:30 Iconic Interviews with Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton
17:07 Opportunities for Journalists in Montana
18:05 Transition to Independent Journalism
24:19 Navigating Disinformation in Modern Media
25:00 Why Diversifying News Sources Matters
 
Connect with Maritsa Georgiou:
Instagram
X
Grounded with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou on Instagram
Grounded with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou on Substack
Grounded with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou on Spotify
Grounded with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou on Apple Podcasts
Grounded with Jon Tester & Maritsa Georgiou on YouTube
Connect with Topher Williams:
Participation Trophy Website 
LinkedIn 
Instagram
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP08: How We Can Still Pass Conservation Policy in 2025

Montana conservationist Whitney Tawney joins host Topher Williams for a conversation about the messy, meaningful work of protecting public lands and the relationships that make real progress possible.
 
Raised in Missoula by parents who founded the state’s first environmental lobby, Whitney grew up with a front-row seat to grassroots activism and long-term conservation work. Now a mother herself and former executive director of Montana Conservation Voters, she reflects on the people and places that shaped her path and how those early lessons continue to guide her leadership today.
 
Whitney shares the behind-the-scenes story of how she helped bring together two seemingly opposite figures, Kristi Noem and Tim Walz, to support the Sodsaver provision in the 2014 Farm Bill. What does it take to build that kind of bipartisan coalition? How do you keep conversations going when values clash? And what role does local organizing still play in moving national policy forward?
 
This episode explores the tension between idealism and practicality, and the quiet power of showing up again and again in rooms where trust has to be earned. Whitney’s story is rooted in Montana, but her insights stretch far beyond state lines. If you’ve ever wondered whether cooperation is still possible or whether one person can make a difference in a system that feels stuck, Topher and Whitney’s conversation offers perspective and possibility.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Guest Introduction: Whitney Tawney
02:02 A Legacy of Conservation in Montana
06:13 Inside the U.S. Senate Page Program
12:03 From Mailroom to Policy Change: The Ducks Unlimited Story
16:43 How SodSaver Passed with Bipartisan Support
19:39 Building Bridges Across Political Divides
20:58 Facing Imposter Syndrome as a Young Woman Leader
22:28 Choosing a Fuller Life Outside of Work
26:11 Favorite Book: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
30:41 Whitney’s Participation Trophy: Jump Rope Nationals
Connect with Whitney Tawney:
LinkedIn
Instagram - Whitney Tawney
Instagram - Montana Conservation Voters
Connect with Topher Williams:
Participation Trophy Website
LinkedIn
Instagram
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP07: Breaking Barriers, From a Kid in Rural Montana to the First Openly Gay Legislator

Bryce Bennett went from a closeted teen in rural Montana to a state legislator who helped repeal Montana’s anti-LGBTQ laws. Now, he’s leading a national movement to make voting more accessible through Vote Early Day.
 
Topher Williams sits down with Bryce to trace the throughline of his life: a deep belief in democracy, a commitment to visibility, and an unshakable drive to make change. Bryce shares what it was like growing up queer in a conservative town where violence felt more real than acceptance, and how those early experiences fueled his path into organizing. After becoming the first openly gay man elected to public office in Montana, Bryce found himself confronting everything from bizarre bills about spear hunting and militias to life-threatening rhetoric during legislative hearings. He opens up about the emotional weight of coming out on the House floor in 2013 to advocate for striking Montana’s anti-LGBTQ statute, a moment of personal courage that helped shift policy and set precedent.
 
Through all of it, Bryce stayed focused on the work: expanding access, building coalitions, and proving that grassroots power still matters. Now, as director of Vote Early Day, he’s mobilizing a national network of nonprofits, businesses, and everyday citizens to ensure no one is left out of the democratic process. This episode is both a personal story and a political roadmap - a reminder that even in the face of fear, marginalization, or absurdity, participation still works. Change doesn’t start with perfection. It starts with showing up.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 The Power of Individual Impact
01:01 Bryce Bennett’s Journey from Rural Montana to Washington, D.C.
02:54 Growing Up LGBTQ in a Conservative Town
05:03 Becoming Montana’s First Openly Gay State Legislator
08:45 Wild and Dangerous Moments Inside the Legislature
10:15 Expanding Medicaid for 100,000 Montanans
11:45 Overturning Montana’s Anti-LGBTQ Law
16:06 Why Vote Early Day Matters
22:33 How to Start Making Change in Your Own Community
25:36 Rapid Fire Questions: Montana Edition
28:11 Participation Trophies: Bryce’s Experiences
 
Connect with Bryce Bennett:
https://www.instagram.com/brycebennettmt/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryce-bennett-8885b7217/
https://voteearlyday.org/
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

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