Informazioni su questo podcast
What if a regular person ran for President?
Why Not Me? is a smart, thoughtful, sometimes funny podcast about one woman’s journey to ask that question — out loud. Shana is not a celebrity, not a billionaire, and not backed by a political machine. She’s a former nonprofit worker and PTA fundraiser, and current higher ed employee who’s spent her life working, parenting, and trying to make things better from the ground up.
In each episode, she explores what it would actually take for someone like her to run for the highest office in the land — from policy ideas to campaign hurdles, from civic curiosity to systemic barriers. Along the way, she asks bigger questions about leadership, representation, and what democracy really means in 21st-century America.
This isn’t a show about bashing politicians or pushing an agenda. It’s about making space for new voices, honest conversations, and people who’ve never seen themselves in power. If you've ever looked at a ballot and thought, “Seriously? These are my choices?” — this podcast is for you.
Episodi
- Why Not Change Your Mind? · 21 min · Stagione 2 Episodio 8Summary Changing your mind shouldn't be a radical act. You believe something; you learn something new. You think about it, and sometimes you realize that what you believed before…
- Why Not Me? Okay…But Why Me? · 36 min · Stagione 2 Episodio 7Summary “Why do you want to be President?” It sounds like a question anyone running for President should be able to answer. But when Ted Kennedy was asked in 1979, his famously…
- Anthony Lyon Literally Asks “Why Not Me?” · 28 min · Stagione 2 Episodio 6Summary What makes someone decide to stop working behind the scenes and put their own name on the ballot? In this episode of Why Not Me?, I talk with Anthony Lyon, a 28-year-old…
- Why Am I Celebrating? · 15 min · Stagione 2 Episodio 5Summary This week is a little different—no policy talk, no interviews, just . . . some reflection. Links National Park ServiceThe Wild Animal SanctuaryEd SheeranSubscribe &…
- Housing: Why Can't We Afford to Live Anywhere? · 29 min · Stagione 2 Episodio 4Summary In this episode of Why Not Me?, we take a look at one of the biggest challenges facing communities across America: affordable housing. We explore the many factors that…
- What Does a Central Committee do Anyway? An interview with Linda Lamppert · 24 min · Stagione 2 Episodio 3SummaryIn this episode of Why Not Me?, I sit down with Linda Lamppert, candidate for the Howard County Democratic Central Committee, to talk about local politics, community…
- Why Not Congress? A Conversation with Dan Schwartz · 33 min · Stagione 2 Episodio 2In this episode of Why Not Me?, Shana talks with Dan Schwartz, a first-time candidate running for Congress in Maryland’s 1st District against longtime incumbent Andy Harris. Dan…
- The First Amendment: What It Says… and What It Means Right Now · 20 min · Stagione 2 Episodio 1In the Season 2 premiere of Why Not Me? we take a closer look at one of the most well-known — and often misunderstood — parts of the U.S. Constitution: the First Amendment. From…
- Season 1 Finale · 11 min · Stagione 1 Episodio 12Episode Summary We made it! In this season finale, I take a step back to reflect on everything we’ve explored together. In this mini episode, I talk about the biggest lessons…
- Two Parties? Why Not More? Why Not None? · 19 min · Stagione 1 Episodio 11Episode Summary: In this episode, we ask a question that might sound radical… until you sit with it for a minute: Do we actually need political parties? Along the way, we talk…
- Why Not a Teacher? A Conversation with Amy Brooks · 48 min · Stagione 1 Episodio 10Summary Running for office isn’t just something for career politicians or wealthy insiders. Sometimes it’s your neighbor, your kids’ teacher, or the mom you see at the grocery…
- Who Do You Believe Anymore? · 18 min · Stagione 1 Episodio 9Summary Trust is the glue that holds democracy together. But today, Americans distrust almost everything — political parties, Congress, government agencies, even each other. In…
- The News Is Broken — Can We Fix It? · 21 min · Stagione 1 Episodio 8Episode Summary In this episode of Why Not Me?, we dive into the messy world of American media — from the early days of openly partisan newspapers, to the era of the Fairness…
- Why Not Gen Z? A Conversation with My Daughter · 55 min · Stagione 1 Episodio 7Description In this special episode, I sit down with my daughter for a candid, funny, and sometimes surprising conversation about politics from a Gen Z perspective. From what…
- What If We Had a Level Playing Field? · 17 min · Stagione 1 Episodio 6Summary Running for office isn’t just about good ideas or a desire to serve — it’s about access. And in America, access starts with money. A lot of it. In this episode, I take a…
- What If It’s You...Running for Something Else? · 16 min · Stagione 1 Episodio 5Summary Sure, this podcast started with the idea of me running for President. But what if it’s you — and what if you’re not aiming for the White House? In this episode, we shift…
- Okay, What Would I Run On? · 24 min · Stagione 1 Episodio 4Summary In this episode, Shana lays out the foundational beliefs and big-picture ideas that would shape her platform — from fair wages and affordable healthcare to housing…
- So, What Does a President Actually Do? · 16 min · Stagione 1 Episodio 3Summary Today I’m digging into the question behind the headlines: What does the President of the United States actually do? Beyond the big speeches and bigger headlines, what’s…
- So, What Does It Take to Run for President? · 15 min · Stagione 1 Episodio 2Episode Summary You don’t need a law degree, a million Instagram followers, or a private jet to run for president. Legally, the bar is low. But in practice? That’s a different…
- Why Not Me? · 9 min · Stagione 1 Episodio 1Welcome to Why Not Me?, a podcast where I explore the wild idea of a regular person — me — running for President of the United States. In this first episode, I share my story…
