In this episode of Generation Reset, Kerry Rodriguez sits down with Catherine Vaughan, co-founder of Abundance New York, to discuss how a former social impact consultant moved into electoral politics and began building a political ecosystem focused on making New York easier, faster, and cheaper to build.

Catherine traces her path from global health and agriculture work in Rwanda and Ethiopia to Stanford, McKinsey, the Hillary Clinton campaign, Flippable, Swing Left, and eventually Abundance New York. After entering politics in 2016, she became focused on the leverage of electoral work — especially state legislative races, donor strategy, and the political infrastructure needed to support candidates who want government to deliver more effectively.

The conversation explores:

• why nonprofit and social impact work can have limits compared to policy and electoral politics
• how the 2016 election pushed Catherine deeper into the political arena
• the “moneyball” approach to political giving and down-ballot races
• why state legislative campaigns can offer outsized political impact
• how Catherine and Ryder Kessler launched Abundance New York
• what it means to build a political home for pro-abundance candidates and voters
• and how listeners can begin building their own political power locally

Throughout the discussion, Catherine argues that housing, transit, clean energy, public space, and government delivery are not separate issues — they are connected by the question of whether government can actually meet people’s needs. She also explains why political power is built not only through campaigns, but through media, advocacy organizations, donors, voters, community boards, and local institutions.

This episode is ultimately about political activation, local government, housing, civic infrastructure, and what it takes to turn frustration with broken systems into organized political power.

Generation Reset with Kerry Rodriguez is a podcast exploring political activation, civic engagement, and the forces that push people into — or away from — public life.

Produced by the ContraSearch Network, a division of ContraSearch, Inc.

In this episode of Generation Reset, Kerry Rodriguez sits down with the podcast’s first featured voter — a 23-year-old Democratic Socialist from New Jersey whose political journey reflects both the frustrations and motivations of a generation coming of age during one of the most turbulent periods in modern American politics.

As a child, voter #1 once dreamed of running for office, inspired by the election of Barack Obama and the belief that public service could be a force for positive change. But events such as Charlottesville, the rise of Donald Trump, and growing disillusionment with both major political parties ultimately pushed voter#1 away from pursuing elected office. Despite that, voter#1 remains politically active through organizing, voting, and advocacy for progressive candidates.

The conversation explores:

• why some young Americans have become disenchanted with electoral politics
• the impact of Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and recent political events on a generation of voters
• whether Democrats have failed to use political power aggressively enough
• the growing divide between establishment and progressive wings of the Democratic Party
• how ideology shapes voting decisions more than personal background or professional experience
• New Jersey politics, political machines, and local frustrations with state leadership

Throughout the discussion, the guest offers an unapologetically progressive perspective on government, executive power, economic policy, immigration, foreign affairs, and the future of the Democratic Party. While deeply skeptical of many political institutions, voter#1 explains why they still believe participation matters — and why disengagement only guarantees that change never happens.

Generation Reset with Kerry Rodriguez is a podcast exploring political activation, civic engagement, and the forces that push people into — or away from — public life.

Produced by the ContraSearch Network, a division of ContraSearch, Inc.

In this episode of Generation Reset, Kerry Rodriguez sits down with former Placentia Mayor and California State Senate candidate Rhonda Shader to discuss how an entrepreneur with no plans to run for office ended up helping lead a city on the verge of financial collapse.

Rhonda shares the story of being recruited into local government after community leaders encouraged her to help tackle her city's growing fiscal challenges. When she took office, Placentia's reserves had dwindled to just $49. Over the next eight years, she and her colleagues worked to restore the city's finances, grow reserves to more than $15 million, launch a new fire department, improve infrastructure, and attract new economic development.

The conversation explores:

• how entrepreneurs approach government differently
• what it takes to turn around a financially distressed city
• the challenges of economic development at the local level
• why business owners are increasingly frustrated with state regulations
• the relationship between local governments and Sacramento
• the future of California's water infrastructure
• how campaigns are adapting to AI and changing voter engagement
• and why more citizens should pay attention to local government

Rhonda also reflects on her transition from business owner to mayor, the lessons she learned governing through financial uncertainty, and what motivated her to launch a campaign for the California State Senate.

This episode is ultimately about political activation, public service, fiscal responsibility, and the role ordinary citizens can play in shaping the future of their communities.

Generation Reset with Kerry Rodriguez is a podcast exploring political activation, civic engagement, and the forces that push people into — or away from — public life.

Produced by the ContraSearch Network, a division of ContraSearch, Inc..