2026 Midterms: The Game Plan
2025-12-11 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | BigTent Zoom Room
BigTentUSA wrapped up its final virtual event of the year with an energizing conversation featuring Gretchen Barton of Worthy Strategy Group and Michael Frias of Catalist. They broke down what the 2025 results and new exit polling are telling us about the road ahead and shared the key shifts that will shape the fight to win back Congress in 2026.
The speakers reminded everyone that real progress happens when Democrats connect with swing voters by listening, finding shared values, and showing there’s room for them in the bigger pro-democracy community—rather than pushing them away.
They also dug into what the 2025 electorate revealed about persuasion and turnout, how different groups showed up, and where the biggest opportunities lie next year. And they closed with practical advice on how people, campaigns, and organizations can step up now—including smart ways to direct political donations so they make the strongest possible impact.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Gretchen Barton is the founder of Worthy Strategy Group, a research and strategy firm shaping influential narratives in American public life. A leading researcher and strategist, she has led national studies on poverty, women and leadership, the youth vote, immigration, gender in America, global nuclear disarmament, how Americans discern truth, what they seek in their next president, and what the Democratic and Republican brands signify. Over the past three years, she has spearheaded research and messaging in support of Ukraine and advocated for the return of Ukrainian children captured by Russian forces. Her work has been used by the U.S. State Department, global governments, and NGOs. She has also worked extensively to identify programs and messaging that reduce antisemitism. Gretchen has conducted interviews with over 3,000 Americans and designed polling reaching more than 200,000. She heads the American Leadership Project and advises History Wars. A Cornell graduate, she has authored multiple publications and research studies.
Michael Frias is the Chief Executive Officer of Catalist, the premier progressive data and analytics firm supporting campaigns, advocacy groups, and civic organizations nationwide. As Catalist’s first Latino CEO, he has led the company through a period of innovation, strengthening its role as a trusted source of rigorous and actionable insights into the American electorate. Michael brings over twenty years of experience at the intersection of politics, government, and national security. At the Department of Homeland Security, he served as Deputy Chair of the Common Vetting Task Force, where he led the creation of a big data environment to improve information sharing across DHS and the intelligence community, earning the Secretary’s Award for Excellence from Secretary Jeh Johnson. His political experience includes serving as Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick, holding senior roles in Governor Janet Napolitano’s administration, and leading statewide and national campaigns. He advises several innovation- and equity-focused organizations.

Winning for Democracy: Utah’s Playbook for Red-State Bipartisan Coalitions
2026-01-15 19:00 - 20:00
On January 15, leaders from across Utah’s civic and political landscape came together for a virtual discussion on how the state’s shifting population is influencing organizing and electoral strategy. Katie Wright, Executive Director of the Utah Donor Collaborative, Emma Petty Addams, Co-Executive Director for Mormon Women for Ethical Government, and Matt Lyon, Utah Lead for the Rural West Project—joined by moderator Reed Galen, Co-Founder of The Lincoln Project and President of The Union—shared firsthand perspectives on the collaborative work underway to build durable, cross-partisan alliances across urban and rural communities.
Throughout the conversation, the speakers underscored the central role of fair political representation in strengthening democracy, pointing to examples of Utahns finding common ground across ideological lines. They highlighted how shared values around accountability, participation, and representation have allowed unlikely partners to work together effectively.
The panel also challenged the assumption that meaningful pro-democracy progress is limited to traditionally blue states. Drawing on lessons from Utah, they emphasized that red states should not be written off—arguing instead that sustained organizing, inclusive coalitions, and strategic engagement can and do create openings for democratic reforms, even in places long considered politically out of reach.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Katie Wright is a nonprofit leader focused on connecting human and financial capital to address challenges such as climate change and democracy reform. As Executive Director of the Utah Donor Collaborative, she partners with donors and expert organizations to help transform Utah’s political landscape. From 2008 to 2021, she led the Park City Community Foundation, growing it into one of the nation’s fastest-growing community foundations while expanding grant-making and community investment. From 2021 to 2025, she led Better Boundaries, advancing fair maps and protecting Utahns’ constitutional rights to balanced ballot language and citizen-led reform. Katie is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Morocco, 2005–2007) and holds an MPA from Rutgers University and a B.A. from Colorado College.
Emma Petty Addams serves as co-executive director for Mormon Women for Ethical Government. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in piano performance at Stanford University, she spent time in Boston and Silicon Valley working in contracts negotiation, corporate transactions and capitalization, and investor relations. In addition, she has built and run large piano studios in California, New Jersey, and Omaha, Nebraska. While seemingly unrelated, these previous career opportunities were excellent preparation for the fast-paced yet methodical and collaborative nature of the work at MWEG. Every time an MWEG member writes an op-ed, speaks out against injustice, or expresses her opinion peacefully on social media, Emma is grateful for the chance to help women contribute their part to the complex multi-voice symphony that is our democracy. Emma currently resides with her husband and three sons in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Matt Lyon is the founding and managing partner of Blueprint Public Affairs, Finance Director for the Rural West Project, and leads the Rural West Project’s program in Utah. A long time Utah political consultant and operative, Matt was a founder of the Better Boundaries initiative, the Utah Donor Collaborative, Alliance for a Better Utah, and other local and national redistricting efforts. He has run and worked on campaigns for the U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, various state and mayoral efforts and a State Democratic Party.
Reed Galen is an independent political strategist, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, and currently serves as the President of The Union, a nationwide coalition working to rebuild American democracy from the ground up. The Union brings together volunteers, organizers, and local leaders to support decent, competent candidates at every level of government. Under Reed’s leadership, The Union is building the infrastructure needed to show up in all 50 states and strengthen civic engagement nationwide.

Citizens Under Assault: Reporting Live From Minneapolis
2026-01-20 19:00 - 20:00
On January 20, BigTentUSA hosted a discussion featuring public policy analyst and creator of the The Existentialist Republic newsletter Christopher Armitage, and political strategist and co-founder of The Lincoln Project Reed Galen. The two examined recent developments in ICE enforcement, including the fatal shooting in Minneapolis and the national reaction it sparked. The speakers explored the broader implications for federal immigration operations and public trust, emphasizing that law enforcement — particularly federal agencies — must operate under strict guardrails and be held to higher standards of justice and accountability. They also underscored that lasting change depends on consistent engagement with government representatives, noting that sustained public pressure matters because, ultimately, lawmakers are accountable to voters.
The event capped an hour of expert insight paired with practical suggestions for civic engagement at a time of heightened concern about democratic norms, civil liberties, and the rule of law.

About The Speakers:
Christopher Armitage is a former law enforcement officer with a background in national security. He now works as a public policy analyst, anti-authoritarian activist, and journalist. His work has been cited by Mother Jones, the Brookings Institute, and Thom Hartman.
Reed Galen is an independent political strategist, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, and currently serves as the President of The Union, a nationwide coalition working to rebuild American democracy from the ground up. The Union brings together volunteers, organizers, and local leaders to support decent, competent candidates at every level of government. Under Reed’s leadership, The Union is building the infrastructure needed to show up in all 50 states and strengthen civic engagement nationwide.

Oligarchs and Empire: Trump’s Global Power Play
2026-01-29 12:00 - 13:00
On January 29, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, journalist, and author of Autocracy, Inc. Anne Applebaum and journalist, lawyer, and founder of the Popular Information newsletter Judd Legum joined moderator Charlie Sykes, author of the To the Contrary newsletter and podcast, for a timely discussion on how political power is being reshaped in the U.S. and globally—and what it means for democracy.
The conversation examined how democratic institutions are increasingly undermined through gradual, legal changes that concentrate power, weaken accountability, and reward loyalty over principle. Speakers emphasized that the greatest danger lies not in any single leader, but in systems that normalize corruption, disinformation, and politicized governance.
Ukraine emerged as a critical test of democratic resolve, highlighting the global stakes of the moment.
The discussion concluded with a clear warning and reminder: democracy does not sustain itself—it survives only when citizens choose to defend it.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Anne Applebaum is staff writer for The Atlantic and author of the best-selling 2020 book Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism and her latest book Autocracy, Inc. Applebaum is also a senior fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and the SNF Agora Institute, where she co-directs Arena, a program on disinformation and 21st-century propaganda.
Judd Legum is the founder and author of Popular Information, an independent newsletter dedicated to accountability journalism. Popular Information won the 2020 Online Journalism Award for Excellence in Newsletters, and the 2025 David Nyhan Prize for Public Policy Journalism. Its reporting was credited by Bloomberg for bringing a “political reckoning” to corporate America. Previously, Legum founded and served as editor-in-chief of ThinkProgress, a progressive media outlet. In 2008, Legum was the research director for Hillary Clinton’s first presidential campaign. He is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and Pomona College.
Charlie Sykes is the author of the Substack newsletter, To the Contrary, and contributes to The Atlantic and MSNBC. His most recent book, How the Right Lost Its Mind, published by St. Martin’s Press, was released in October 2017.
Sykes has written for The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Weekly Standard, The Washington Post, Commentary, The Wall Street Journal, Politico, The Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, Time.com, USA Today, National Review, The New York Review of Books, the New York Daily News, and other national publications.

The FBI Went Down to Georgia: 2026 Elections Under Threat
2026-02-09 12:00 - 13:00
On Monday, February 9, BigTentUSA convened Lauren Groh-Wargo, Founder and CEO of Fair Fight Action, and Wendy Weiser, VP for Democracy at the Brennan Center for Justice, to sound the alarm on escalating threats to the 2026 election. From the unprecedented seizure of Fulton County voting records to pushes for proof-of-citizenship laws and federal overreach, speakers warned of a coordinated effort to reshape election control and suppress participation.
The Constitution remains a guardrail, and courts have begun pushing back against unlawful overreach—but institutional defenses alone won’t hold. Protecting democracy now demands mass civic engagement: vote, become a poll worker, track ballots, organize locally, support election officials, and use every legal and advocacy tool available. The warning was stark but empowering—autocracy thrives on silence, so the moment calls for visible, relentless participation. Democracy will only survive if we show up, lock arms, and defend it.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Lauren Groh-Wargo is a political and civic engagement strategist, executive, and advocate for economic and voting rights. She partnered with Stacey Abrams in 2012 to build Democratic and progressive infrastructure in Georgia, and in response to 2018 voter suppression, founded and serves as CEO of Fair Fight Action, which combats suppression and advances voter education. Fair Fight played a key role in the 2020 election and 2021 Georgia runoff. An organizer at heart, Lauren has led campaigns and advised nonprofits nationally for over 20 years. She holds an Economics degree from American University and lives in Atlanta with her partner and son.
Wendy Weiser is Vice President for Democracy at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law School, where she oversees work on voting rights, elections, redistricting, courts, and abuse of power. A constitutional lawyer and democracy expert, she directs research, litigation, policy, advocacy, and public education initiatives, including programs on voting access, judicial reform, and executive power safeguards. Weiser has litigated landmark cases, authored Supreme Court briefs, advanced policies like automatic voter registration, and contributed to the Freedom to Vote and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Acts. She is a frequent speaker and media commentator. She holds a BA and JD from Yale.

The Epstein Reckoning: What The Files Reveal About Power
2026-02-19 19:00 - 20:00
On Thursday, February 19, speakers dug into the latest revelations in the Epstein saga, including high-profile arrests abroad, and asked the pressing question: why is accountability happening overseas while America stalls?
In this urgent Big Tent conversation, Camaron Stevenson and Nina Burleigh of COURIER Newsroom, moderated by Kimberly Atkins Stohr of The Boston Globe, explored what the document releases reveal about power, money, and political protection—and how entrenched interests may be slowing justice at home. They examined congressional inaction, the role of media pressure, and whether partisan gridlock is shielding key figures. The discussion made clear that transparency is not automatic; it’s forced by public demand.
Most importantly, this wasn’t just analysis—it was a call to action. Attendees were urged to push representatives for full, un-redacted disclosures, support investigative journalism, and keep sustained pressure on institutions that would prefer silence.
Accountability isn’t a spectator sport—it’s a citizen’s responsibility.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Nina Burleigh is a a journalist, best-selling author, documentary producer, and publisher of a Substack on politics called American Freakshow. A contributing editor at The New Republic and frequent contributor to The New York Times and New York Magazine, her journalism has been published widely including in translation in the Norwegian and Italian press. She’s the author of eight books on an array of topics including archaeological forgery, scientists in 18th Century Egypt, James Smithson, Amanda Knox in Italy, and the Trump women, which were reviewed, excerpted or covered in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Nation, New York Magazine, BBC, ABC, MSNBC, and other media outlets.
Camaron Stevenson is the Founding Editor and Chief Political Correspondent for The Copper Courier, and has worked as a journalist in Phoenix for over a decade. He also teaches multimedia journalism at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.
Kimberly Atkins Stohr is a senior opinion writer and columnist at The Boston Globe. She is also an MSNBC contributor, a frequent panelist on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” and co-host of the weekly Politicon legal news podcast #SistersInLaw. Previously, Kim was the inaugural columnist for The Emancipator, a collaboration between The Boston Globe and Boston University’s Center for Antiracist Research that reframes the conversation about racial justice and equality.

Hands Off Our Ballots: Safeguarding The 2026 Midterms
2026-03-10 19:00 - 20:00
Democracy doesn’t defend itself—and the road to the 2026 midterms is already a battlefield.
In this BigTentUSA spotlight event, legal experts Joyce Vance and Marc Elias, moderated by Reed Galen, broke down the growing threats to free and fair elections and what citizens can do right now to push back. The speakers warned that MAGA-aligned forces are laying the groundwork to challenge election results long before ballots are cast—through lawsuits, state-level rule changes, and coordinated efforts to undermine trust in the system. Elias highlighted how the courts remain a critical front line in protecting voting rights, while Vance emphasized the broader rule-of-law stakes if election subversion tactics succeed. Both stressed that vigilance, legal accountability, and civic engagement are essential in the months ahead.
The takeaway was clear: safeguarding democracy in 2026 won’t happen automatically—it will require informed citizens, organized communities, and relentless defense of the rules that keep elections free and fair.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Marc Elias is the Firm Chair of Elias Law Group. Marc has successfully argued and won four cases in the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as dozens of cases in state supreme courts and U.S. courts of appeal. In 2020, Marc led the historic legal effort to protect voting rights, winning over 60 lawsuits against MAGA’s efforts to suppress the vote. Marc is the founder of Democracy Docket, the leading platform for advocacy and information about voting rights, elections, redistricting and democracy.
Joyce White Vance is a Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Alabama, a legal analyst for NBC and MSNBC, and the author of the Civil Discourse newsletter. She co-hosts the podcasts #SistersInLaw and Insider with Preet Bharara. A former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama under President Obama. Joyce lives in Alabama with her husband, retired Judge Robert Vance Jr., their four kids, a collection of pets—and she knits, a lot.
Reed Galen is an independent political strategist, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, and currently serves as the President of The Union, a nationwide coalition working to rebuild American democracy from the ground up. The Union brings together volunteers, organizers, and local leaders to support decent, competent candidates at every level of government. Under Reed’s leadership, The Union is building the infrastructure needed to show up in all 50 states and strengthen civic engagement nationwide.

Cornhuskers Countdown: Nebraska and the 2026 Midterms
2026-03-19 12:00 - 13:00
On Thursday, March 19, BigTentUSA convened a TentTalk discussion highlighting the political stakes in Nebraska ahead of the 2026 midterms.
With Aaron Parnas as moderator, independent candidate for U.S. Senate Dan Osborn pointed to rising living costs and a worsening economic outlook for farmers—driven by flawed economic policies and tariffs—as the defining pressures shaping voter sentiment. He made clear that these challenges are fueling a growing demand for change—and that voters have the power to demand better.
Osborn called for meaningful campaign finance reform, arguing that local races should not require massive sums of money and that elected officials must remain accountable to constituents, not special interests. As a longtime registered Independent, he also urged participants to think beyond party lines and actively support candidates based on their ideas, integrity, and experience. The conversation positioned Nebraska as a critical proving ground for a broader movement toward accountability and reform.
Osborn closed with a powerful call to action, encouraging immediate support for Nebraskans affected by the largest wildfire in the state’s history—and reminding everyone that showing up for one another is where real change begins.
Support Nebraskans affected by the wildfires:

Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund
Nebraska Sandhills Rancher Fire Relief Fund
United Way of Western Nebraska
American Red Cross Nebraska Region
The Salvation Army
Nebraska Wildfire Recovery Fund

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Dan Osborn is a steamfitter and former union leader who gained national attention leading the 77-day Kellogg’s strike in Omaha in 2021. As president of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 50G, he successfully negotiated wage increases and prevented implementation of a two-tier wage system for over 1,400 workers. A U.S. Navy veteran and father of three, Osborn has spent the last 20 years punching a clock as a steamfitter and industrial engineer, work that he continues to do while campaigning for Senate. He is running as an independent candidate focused on economic issues affecting working families.
Aaron Parnas is one of the leading Gen Z voices shaping how news is consumed today. An independent journalist, political commentator, strategist, and attorney, Aaron has quickly become a key figure in the national political conversation, offering sharp insights at the intersection of law, media, and policy.
He first gained widespread attention through viral, educational content that breaks down complex political issues in a fast, accessible way—particularly resonating with younger, highly engaged audiences. His rapid-response analysis of major court decisions, legislative battles, and election narratives has made him a trusted voice for millions across platforms.

On The Brink: The Iran War Explained
2026-03-31 19:00 - 20:00
On Tuesday, March 31, Congressman and Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee Rep. Jim Himes (CT-4) and national security expert Miles Taylor unpacked the Iran conflict, explaining how geopolitical tensions, media narratives, and domestic politics are intersecting in ways that could increase the risk of escalation. Moderated by Charlie Sykes, author of the To The Contrary newsletter and podcast, speakers emphasized that the human, economic, and global consequences of conflict are often treated too abstractly, underscoring the importance of staying informed and engaged.
The discussion also focused on practical ways individuals can take action: diversifying news sources, contacting elected officials to end U.S involvement in the war with Iran, backing candidates committed to democratic norms in competitive races, and engaging in informed conversations within their communities.
The takeaway was straightforward: understanding the stakes is important, but meaningful change depends on sustained engagement and informed action.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Jim Himes was elected to Congress in 2008 and has since built a record delivering results for Connecticut families. He has served in key roles including Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee and as a senior member of the Financial Services Committee, focusing on economic growth, national security, and bipartisan solutions. He previously chaired the Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth and has a long history of local service, including with the Greenwich Housing Authority and other community organizations.
Miles Taylor is a national security expert who works in Washington, DC as Founder of DEFIANCE.org. Taylor previously served as chief of staff at the US Department of Homeland Security, where he published a bombshell “Anonymous” essay in The New York Times, blowing the whistle on presidential misconduct. He later published the #1 national bestseller A Warning, revealed himself to be the author, and launched a campaign of ex-officials to oppose Donald Trump’s reelection. Taylor is also the author of The New York Times best-selling book Blowback and the host of the iHeartRadio podcast “The Whistleblowers.”
Charlie Sykes is the author of the Substack newsletter, “To the Contrary,” and contributes to The Atlantic and MSNBC. His most recent book, How the Right Lost Its Mind, published by St. Martin’s Press, was released in October 2017.
Sykes has written for The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Weekly Standard, The Washington Post, Commentary, The Wall Street Journal, Politico, The Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, Time.com, USA Today, National Review, The New York Review of Books, the New York Daily News, and other national publications.

Courageous Citizenship: Bridging the Divide
2026-04-09 12:00 - 13:00
On April 9, BigTentUSA convened a timely conversation featuring Randy Freeman and Michael Asbury of Braver Angels, the nation’s largest cross-partisan volunteer movement working to bridge America’s political divide. Moderated by Jess Piper, Executive Director of Blue Missouri, the trio explored how Americans can better navigate political differences. Drawing on lived experiences, Jess noted a shift in her rural Missouri community, where some previously loyal MAGA voters are beginning to question the Trump Administration as policies more directly affect their daily lives.
Speakers shared practical techniques for engaging across divides, grounded in real-world examples of communities working through deep disagreement. A central theme was focusing on what individuals can control: their own mindset, how they listen, and how they communicate. Participants were encouraged to approach conversations with curiosity, while also recognizing when it’s more productive to disengage from those unwilling to listen. The discussion emphasized that this work unfolds over time, positioning the Braver Angels approach as a long-term investment in rebuilding trust and strengthening civic dialogue.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Jess Piper is a mother to five and grandmother to three and lives on a small farm on the Missouri/Iowa border. She was born and raised in rural America. She was an American Literature teacher for 16 years. After the 2016 election of Trump, Jess became politically active. Jess ran for office in 2022 for State Representative in HD1 in Northwest Missouri. Jess writes a well known newsletter: The View from Rural Missouri
Randy Freeman is a retired psychotherapist and couples therapist who joined Braver Angels in 2017 because she was upset about the political divisiveness. She is presently the New York State Coordinator, an Ambassador and a moderator for the organization. Randy sees this as a continuation of her work as a couples therapist and sees her role as a therapist for the country.
Michael Asbury is the Co-Chair of the Capital Region of NY State Alliance of Braver Angels since 2020, one of over 125 such local Alliances across the USA. Serving with a Co-Chair of the opposite political persuasion, he guides the local mission of Braver Angels to bring Americans together by bridging the partisan divide to strengthen our democratic republic, and by seeking common ground where none was formerly known. Braver Angels works with all those answering the call for civic renewal.

The Next Wave: New Leaders, Real Change
2026-04-21 19:00 - 20:00
On Tuesday, April 21, Congressional candidates, Shannon Bird (CO-8), Paige Cognetti (PA-8), and Nancy Lacore (SC-1), shared relatable stories in a powerful discussion moderated by Alli Peters of Majority Democrats. From voters struggling with rising costs and deepening distrust in government to a growing sense that leaders have lost touch, no issue was off the table. The candidates pointed to stark examples—a senior forced to choose between groceries and medical care, and communities demanding greater transparency—to underscore a consistent message: the country is facing a dual crisis of affordability and accountability.
Each candidate emphasized practical leadership rooted in service—whether balancing budgets, defending democratic institutions, or putting people over special interests. They pushed back on extremism and highlighted the need to rebuild trust through responsiveness and results.
The throughline: change won’t come from Washington alone. Citizens are urged to take action—engage locally, support candidates who reflect their values, stay informed, and speak up consistently.
The stakes are real, and so is the opportunity—this moment demands participation, not spectatorship.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Shannon Bird, raised by a hardworking single mother and grandmother, understands the struggles families face and is committed to fighting for hardworking Coloradans. After a career in law and public service, she became a strong advocate for equitable education and community empowerment. In the Colorado State House, she has fought for job creation, small businesses, reproductive rights, and climate action. Now, she is running for Congress in Colorado’s Eighth District to defend democracy and ensure Colorado remains a place where everyone can achieve their dreams.
Mayor Paige Cognetti has built her career on making government more accountable, transparent, and responsive. After uncovering corruption as a state auditor and serving on the Scranton School Board, she ran for mayor in 2019 as an Independent and won, becoming the city’s first woman mayor. In office, she has taken on special interests, eliminated waste, restored finances to investment grade, secured over $155 million in funding, and driven economic growth. She is now running for Congress to bring that commitment to Washington.
Nancy Lacore served for 35 years in the Navy, beginning as a helicopter pilot and rising to three-star admiral and Chief of Navy Reserve, leading more than 60,000 sailors. Her career took her around the world, grounded in family and a deep love of country. Following her father’s footsteps, she earned an ROTC scholarship to the College of the Holy Cross and was commissioned after graduation. She and her husband Pat, also a Navy pilot, have been married 30 years and raised six children with a strong sense of service.
Alli Peters is Chief Digital Officer at Majority Democrats and a director and editor based between Los Angeles and Madison, Wisconsin. She most recently managed Adam Schiff’s successful U.S. Senate campaign. Her work focuses on reshaping how people perceive the Democratic Party: restoring trust through human, optimistic storytelling that shows how politics can meaningfully improve people’s lives.

America’s Next Chapter: Renewal, Tough Leadership, and 2028
2026-04-30 19:00 - 20:00
On Thursday, April 30 BigTentUSA hosted Amb. Rahm Emanuel in a candid discussion moderated by Rachel Janfaza of The Up and Up.
In the discussion, Amb. Emanuel argued that corruption and dysfunction have become normalized in American politics, eroding trust at home and credibility abroad. His core message: the country doesn’t need more partisan reruns—it needs results.
He laid out his vision for middle-class economics, strong public education, public safety, and restoring faith in institutions. He connected big-picture concerns—like global competition and democratic stability—to urgent domestic failures, especially in education, where declining literacy rates threaten long-term opportunity and economic strength.
Amb. Emanuel also previewed his “six for ’26” agenda focused on raising wages, lowering health care costs, and enforcing real ethics reforms, while drawing a sharp contrast with both Trumpism and ideological extremes within his own party.
The bottom line: Deliver results, rebuild trust, and prove government can work again.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Rahm I. Emanuel most recently served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan, where he strengthened the U.S.-Japan alliance and supported expanded security cooperation. He previously served as the 55th Mayor of Chicago, leading major investments in education, public safety, infrastructure, and economic development, including universal pre-K, free community college, and the O’Hare modernization program. Earlier, he was President Obama’s Chief of Staff, helping pass the Recovery Act and Affordable Care Act, and served four terms in Congress. Emanuel also held senior roles in the Clinton administration. He holds degrees from Sarah Lawrence College and Northwestern University.
Rachel Janfaza is the founder of The Up and Up, a research, media, and strategy firm focused on Gen Z. A member of Generation Z herself, Janfaza is best known for her theory of The Two Gen Zs. Her written work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, Vox, The Free Press, Glamour, POLITICO Magazine, Teen Vogue, Vogue, Elle, Cosmo, and Bustle. And her on-air analysis has been featured on CNN, CBS, C-SPAN, NY-1, and WNYC Public Radio. She is also a contributor to The Bulwark.

Securing the States: Protecting Our Vote
2026-05-06 18:30 - 19:30
Democracy isn’t defending itself—and this conversation made clear that the frontlines run straight through the states.
On May 6, BigTentUSA hosted a powerful discussion moderated by Joanna Lydgate of States United Action. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and New Mexico’s Doña Ana County Clerk Amanda López Askin laid out the growing threats to free and fair elections—and the leaders fighting back.
The speakers warned that attacks on election workers, misinformation campaigns, voter intimidation, and efforts to undermine public trust are already shaping the road to 2028. But they also emphasized that coordinated state-level leadership defeated attempts to overturn the 2020 election and can do so again. From protecting vote-by-mail access to preventing intimidation at polling sites, both leaders stressed the importance of proactive safeguards and community engagement.
The message was unmistakable: volunteer to serve as a poll worker, support trusted local election officials, and stay engaged year-round—because protecting democracy starts long before Election Day.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Amanda López Askin is a public servant rooted in New Mexico, raised in Las Cruces by a hardworking single mother who relied on assistance and public housing. She became a therapist, helping children in foster care, before serving as Doña Ana County Clerk. In that role, she leads with fairness and compassion, ensuring election integrity while combating misinformation and protecting election workers. Now running for Secretary of State, Amanda is focused on keeping elections safe and secure, expanding voter access and education, increasing campaign finance transparency, and supporting small businesses by streamlining licensing processes across the state.
Jocelyn Benson is Michigan’s 43rd Secretary of State and a Democratic candidate for governor. Raised in a working-class family by two special education teachers, she was shaped by values of hard work, opportunity, and service. Since 2019, she has transformed Michigan’s motor vehicle services, improving efficiency with 150+ convenient self-service stations, while strengthening election security and access. In the face of threats to both herself and her colleagues, she oversaw two of the highest-turnout, transparent elections in state history. Benson is running for governor to expand efficient, accessible public services, lower costs for working families, and invest in education, housing, child care, health care, and economic development for all.
Joanna Lydgate is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the States United Democracy Center and States United Action, nonpartisan organizations dedicated to preserving the rule of law and free, fair, secure elections. Since 2020, States United has provided legal, research, policy, and communications support to state officials. Before launching States United, Joanna served as Chief Deputy Attorney General of Massachusetts. In that role, she coordinated multi-state litigation and worked with a bipartisan team of colleagues from across the country to uphold shared values, protect civil liberties, and defend the rule of law. She also oversaw criminal enforcement, coordinating daily with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners. Joanna has served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, was a law clerk to Judge Norman H. Stahl on the First Circuit Court of Appeals, and worked in nonprofit legal services in New York City. She is a graduate of Yale University and the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law.

Power & Representation: The Post-Callais Fight
2026-05-14 19:00 - 20:00
Democracy is under attack—and this conversation made clear that the fight for voting rights is entering a dangerous new phase.
On Thursday May 14, Lauren Groh-Wargo, CEO of Fair Fight, and Tennessee State Rep. Justin Pearson joined BigTentUSA’s urgent discussion on the fallout from Louisiana v. Callais. Groh-Wargo and Pearson sounded the alarm on escalating efforts to dismantle fair representation across the South. From racial gerrymandering and attacks on Black voting power to coordinated pushes for partisan redistricting, the speakers warned that extremist lawmakers are testing how far they can weaken democracy—and counting on people to tune out. The conversation highlighted mounting threats in states like Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana, while emphasizing that courts alone will not stop the damage. Instead, organizers urged attendees to focus on turnout, state supreme court races, grassroots organizing, and sustained public pressure.
Folks, the time to organize, mobilize, and fight back is now.
Speakers’ Recommended Actions:

Push back hard against voter suppression, racist gerrymandering, and attacks on democracy by calling them out publicly and keeping the pressure on.
Build bigger, stronger coalitions by bringing together community groups, workers, young people, businesses, and pro-democracy allies.
Reach more voters—including people who feel disconnected from politics—through year-round grassroots organizing and community outreach.
Focus on turnout in the 2026 midterms and key state and local races that will shape voting rights and representation.
Support local organizers and stay involved beyond election season through advocacy, education, and community action.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Lauren Groh-Wargo is a political and civic engagement strategist, executive, and advocate for economic and voting rights. She partnered with Stacey Abrams in 2012 to build Democratic and progressive infrastructure in Georgia, and in response to 2018 voter suppression, founded and serves as CEO of Fair Fight Action, which combats suppression and advances voter education. Fair Fight played a key role in the 2020 election and 2021 Georgia runoff. An organizer at heart, Lauren has led campaigns and advised nonprofits nationally for over 20 years. She holds an Economics degree from American University and lives in Atlanta with her partner and son.
Rep. Justin J. Pearson launched his campaign for Tennessee’s Ninth Congressional District on October 8, 2025, declaring it “a campaign for The People.” A movement leader and Tennessee lawmaker, he rose to national prominence as part of the Tennessee Three, standing up for gun reform and being overwhelmingly reelected after expulsion. A lifelong organizer, he helped lead the victorious Byhalia Pipeline fight, shut down a cancer-causing sterilization plant, and now challenges Elon Musk’s xAI data center. The second-youngest state legislator, Pearson is a national voice for justice, honored with the Truman Center’s 2024 Moral Courage Award. He’s running to bring that fight to Congress. Pearson is married to his partner in life and the struggle for justice Oceana R. Gilliam-Pearson.

Tar Heel Turnout: The Fight for North Carolina’s Future
2026-05-26 13:00 - 14:00
On May 26, BigTentUSA hosted a virtual conversation with North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton and North Carolina Supreme Court Justices Anita Earls and Allison Riggs on the political and legal battles shaping North Carolina’s future. The speakers discussed ongoing challenges facing election officials and voting rights advocates as court fights over redistricting, election certification, and ballot access continue across the state. They also highlighted efforts to create obstacles on election day, including reports of military veterans being removed from voter rolls after registering with military IDs — a major concern in a state with one of the country’s largest veteran populations.
Justice Riggs shared her experience defending her election victory through a lengthy legal battle and explained that the North Carolina Democratic Party only recently finished paying the associated legal fees. She noted that the fight led to new protections designed to prevent similar challenges in future races.
Anderson Clayton called for aggressive grassroots organizing to energize voters around critical down-ballot races, stressing that canvassing, phone banking, and text banking remain some of the most effective tools for building momentum. She also argued that a Democratic majority in North Carolina is closer than many believe with sustained investment, organizing, and strong voter turnout.
As the 2026 elections approach, the panel made one thing clear: the outcome will depend on who is willing to organize, mobilize, and fight for every vote.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Justice Anita Earls is an Associate Justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court and a longtime civil rights attorney with over 30 years of experience in voting rights, school desegregation, and employment discrimination cases. She founded the Southern Coalition for Social Justice and has held key roles at the U.S. Department of Justice, UNC Law School, and multiple state commissions focused on equity and justice. A graduate of Williams College and Yale Law School, she continues to write, teach, and advocate for racial and social justice.
Justice Allison Riggs was elected by North Carolinians to keep her seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court in November 2024, but that win took 6 months of post-election litigation to defend.
She is the youngest woman to ever serve on the North Carolina Supreme Court, and the only judge of child-bearing age currently serving. Justice Riggs brings an important perspective to the Court and works every day to protect the independence of our judiciary.
She was previously appointed by Governor Roy Cooper to the State Supreme Court before winning her full-term, and the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Before serving as a judge, Justice Riggs worked for 14 years as a civil rights attorney, fighting to protect North Carolinians’ freedoms, including the right to vote. She argued twice before the U.S. Supreme Court in several benchmark redistricting cases.
Anderson Clayton serves as the current chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party. Elected at 25 years old, Anderson Clayton is the youngest chair of a state Democratic Party. Chair Clayton grew up in Roxboro, North Carolina and graduated from Appalachian State University. She worked on Congresswoman Kathy Manning’s congressional campaign, as a field organizer in Iowa for the presidential campaigns of Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren, and then for Amy McGrath’s Senate campaign. Prior to her election as Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, Chair Clayton served as a chair of the Person County Democratic Party, her hometown county. Chair Clayton resides in Roxboro, NC.

BigTent Book Discussion: "Liar’s Kingdom"
2026-06-02 12:00 - 13:00
On Tuesday, June 2, truth, accountability, and the future of American democracy took center stage in BigTentUSA’s conversation with Andrew Weissmann–MS NOW legal analyst and veteran federal prosecutor. Moderated by Reed Galen of The Union, Weissmann discussed themes from his new book Liar’s Kingdom: How to Stop Trump’s Deceit and Save America, arguing that the growing normalization of political lies poses a serious threat to democratic institutions. He highlighted a key contradiction in American law: while lies in business, courtrooms, and congressional testimony can carry legal consequences, political lies often do not.
Weissmann emphasized that restoring trust requires more than defending old norms. He called for stronger legal safeguards, reforms to prevent the weaponization of government power, and greater transparency from institutions such as the Department of Justice. He also argued that future leaders must be willing to confront past abuses rather than simply “look forward,” warning that accountability is essential to preserving the rule of law.
The conversation ended with a clear challenge: democracy is not self-executing, and protecting it requires public engagement, institutional reform, and a refusal to accept corruption or dishonesty as normal.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Andrew Weissmann is an NYU Law School professor and widely respected legal analyst on MS NOW. He was a lead prosecutor in Robert S. Mueller’s Special Counsel’s Office, Chief of the Fraud Section in the Department of Justice, General Counsel of the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Director Mueller, a leader of the Enron Task Force, and started out as an organized crime prosecutor in Brooklyn. He is a co-host of MS NOW‘s award-winning podcast Main Justice and, before that, Prosecuting Donald Trump. He has written two New York Times bestsellers, Where Law Ends: Inside the Mueller Investigation, and, as co-author, The Trump Indictments: The Historic Charging Documents With Commentary, and also writes the Substack newsletter Behind the Headlines. He holds degrees from Princeton and Columbia Law School, was a Fulbright scholar, and teaches at NYU School of Law. He is a New Yorker through and through.
Reed Galen is an independent political strategist, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, and currently serves as the President of The Union, a nationwide coalition working to rebuild American democracy from the ground up. The Union brings together volunteers, organizers, and local leaders to support decent, competent candidates at every level of government. Under Reed’s leadership, The Union is building the infrastructure needed to show up in all 50 states and strengthen civic engagement nationwide.

Ready, Set, Vote: Removing Barriers to the Ballot
2026-06-09 12:00 - 13:00
Democracy works best when everyone can participate—and that starts with making sure every eligible voter can cast a ballot.
At this BigTentUSA TentTalk held on June 9, VoteRiders’ Sylvester Johnson III joined activist and organizer Jessica Craven for a practical conversation about one of the biggest barriers to voting: voter ID requirements. Johnson explained that more than 34 million voting-age Americans lack a current government-issued ID, while 38 states require identification to vote. He outlined how VoteRiders helps voters navigate often confusing state rules, obtain supporting documents such as birth certificates, secure transportation to ID offices, and successfully complete the process from start to finish.
The discussion also explored broader threats to voter participation, strategies for increasing turnout, and the importance of grassroots engagement. Attendees learned how simple actions—letter writing, texting, sharing information, and helping neighbors prepare to vote—can make a measurable difference.
The takeaway was clear: Whether you live in a battleground state or not, there are concrete ways to help ensure every eligible voter can make their voice heard.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Sylvester Johnson III serves as the Voter Outreach & Data Manager for VoteRiders. A Georgia native, Sylvester’s commitment to civic engagement began in high school through his work with organizations such as the Special Olympics of Georgia. After graduating from Howard University, he returned to his home state and served as Political Director for Carolyn Bourdeaux’s 2018 congressional campaign in Georgia’s 7th Congressional District. Since joining VoteRiders, Sylvester has spent more than six years helping ensure that all eligible citizens have the information and support they need to exercise their fundamental right to vote.
Jessica Craven is a full time activist, community organizer, political TikTok creator, and elected member of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party’s Central Committee. She’s also the author of “Chop Wood, Carry Water,” a daily actions e-mail.

Uncovering the Epstein Network: Accountability, Power, and Civic Action
2026-06-11 19:00 - 20:00
On Thursday, June 11, our Spotlight Speaker event centered on COURIER Newsroom’s ongoing reporting into Jeffrey Epstein’s network and the launch of an AI-powered database designed to make thousands of pages of public records more accessible to journalists, researchers, advocates, and the public. COURIER Journalist Camaron Stevenson and CEO of Thorian AI, Josh Levine, demonstrated how technology can help uncover connections, identify patterns, and accelerate the search for facts hidden within massive volumes of documents.
Panelists Nina Burleigh of COURIER and Ambassador Norm Eisen, co-founder of Democracy Defenders Action, emphasized that transparency, accountability, and persistence remain essential to protecting democracy. They discussed the critical role of investigative journalism, litigation, and public engagement in exposing corruption, combating disinformation, and ensuring abuses of power do not go unchecked.
A consistent theme emerged throughout the discussion: meaningful change requires informed citizens who stay engaged, support independent journalism, and demand accountability.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Nina Burleigh is a a journalist, best-selling author, documentary producer, and publisher of a Substack on politics called American Freakshow. A contributing editor at The New Republic and frequent contributor to The New York Times and New York Magazine, her journalism has been published widely including in translation in the Norwegian and Italian press. She’s the author of eight books on an array of topics including archaeological forgery, scientists in 18th Century Egypt, James Smithson, Amanda Knox in Italy, and the Trump women, which were reviewed, excerpted or covered in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Nation, New York Magazine, BBC, ABC, MSNBC, and other media outlets.
Ambassador (ret.) Norman Eisen is a co-founder and board member of Democracy Defenders Action, which has been helping lead the successful national court fights against the Trump Administration, helping secure multiple landmark orders against its authoritarian moves. His work in the courts of law is matched by his efforts in the court of public opinion as the co-founder and publisher of The Contrarian. He is also the co-founder and former chair of other major non-profits including CREW and States United.
Camaron Stevenson is a national correspondent for COURIER Newsroom and publisher of the Below The Beltway newsletter on Substack. A veteran political journalist, he spent more than a decade reporting in Phoenix and served as the Founding Editor and Chief Political Correspondent of The Copper Courier. His reporting focuses on politics, policy, and the forces shaping American democracy at the national and local levels.
Josh Levine is a multi-time entrepreneur (1x exit) building at the nexus of AI, public policy, and the future of data. After an initial career in public finance, Josh founded companies in the education technology and small business M&A spaces. He is now building Thorian AI, which specializes in data processing, extraction, and automation-building across massive, multi-modal datasets. Thorian serves as a data backbone for local government permitting processes, state and federal compliance processes, and complex grant applications/management while keeping costs low through the use of data methods that allow us to use the smallest possible language models for the job. For his efforts, Josh was recently named one of Austin’s top five technologists under 40 for the second time in 2026. A native of Texas, he holds a Master of Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs and an undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University.

From Mar-a-Lago to Mega-Yachts: Trump and the New Gilded Age
2026-06-17 19:00 - 20:00
How much inequality can a democracy withstand before citizens push back? That was the central question explored in BigTentUSA’s conversation on June 17 with New Yorker staff writer and author Evan Osnos, moderated by Ed Luce, Financial Times US National Editor.
Drawing from his latest reporting and book The Haves and the Have-Yachts, Osnos examined the growing concentration of wealth and power in America, arguing that today’s oligarchs wield influence not only through money, but through control of information, technology, and political institutions. The discussion explored the unprecedented alliance between political power and extreme wealth, the rise of tech billionaires, and the ways social media and artificial intelligence could accelerate economic inequality in the years ahead.
The conversation also looked abroad for lessons, highlighting how corruption and democratic backsliding have unfolded in countries such as Hungary—and what Americans can learn from those experiences.
The takeaway was clear: democratic change rarely begins with majorities. It starts when engaged citizens decide enough is enough—and take action to make democracy work for everyone.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Evan Osnos has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 2008. In addition, he is co-host of The New Yorker’s Political Scene podcast, and a nonresident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. His coverage ranges from politics and foreign affairs to white-collar crime and espionage. His first book, “Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China,” won the National Book Award and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. His latest book “The Haves and Have-Yachts: Dispatches on the Ultrarich,” was an instant New York Times bestseller. Prior to The New Yorker, he worked as the Beijing bureau chief for the Chicago Tribune, where he was on teams that won the Pulitzer Prize in 2001 and 2008. Before his assignment to China, he worked in the Middle East, reporting mostly from Iraq. He lives with his family near Washington, D.C.
Edward Luce is the US national editor and columnist at the Financial Times. Before that he was the FT’s Washington Bureau chief. Other roles have included South Asia bureau chief, Capital Markets editor, and Philippines Correspondent. Luce was previously the speechwriter for US Treasury Secretary Lawrence H. Summers, in the Clinton administration.
He is the author of four highly acclaimed books: Zbig, The Life of Zbig Brzezinski: America’s Great Power Prophet (2025); The Retreat of Western Liberalism (2017); Time to Start Thinking: America in the Age of Descent (2012); and In Spite of the Gods: The Strange Rise of Modern India (2007).

Casting A Wide Net: Building Alaska’s Future Across Party Lines
2026-06-25 19:00 - 20:00
Alaska is proving that politics doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game.
In a lively BigTentUSA conversation held on June 25, independent congressional candidate Bill Hill and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins shared how Alaska’s unique political culture is creating space for practical leadership, coalition-building, and solutions that put people ahead of party. They discussed the importance of protecting democracy, preserving Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system, and working across political divides to rebuild trust in government.
The conversation also highlighted the critical role of Alaska’s fisheries, with both candidates calling for stronger protections against bycatch, greater local representation in fisheries management, and expanded opportunities for young Alaskans to remain in the industry. Throughout the discussion, both speakers emphasized that lasting progress comes from listening, collaboration, and staying focused on the needs of local communities rather than partisan agendas.
Their message was clear: when leaders choose cooperation over division, democracy—and the people it serves—are stronger for it.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Bill Hill is running for Alaska’s Congressional At-Large seat, and grew up in a small village in Bristol Bay, Alaska – the home of the largest salmon run in the world. He grew up subsistence fishing and hunting, trapping, and raising and racing sled dog teams with his family. Bill is first and foremost a commercial fisherman, joining his dad on the family fishing boat when he was 12 and fishing every fishing season in Bristol Bay since. Bill also worked in rural construction, from building houses, working on remote health clinics and canneries, environmental remediation, and on a crew that installed the sewer system in the Bristol Bay Borough. A son of two teachers, Bill spent nearly 25 years working as a teacher, a principal, and a superintendent, and was named Alaska Superintendent of the Year in 2023. He’s a proud union guy, having been part of both the Laborers union and the NEA. Bill is a husband, dad of four, and Chada (grandpa) to 7. Bill and his family have lived in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. Now he and his wife Diane are back in Naknek, population 470.
Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins — known as JKT — is running for governor of Alaska in an open-seat election. Born and raised in the island community of Sitka in Southeast Alaska, JKT became interested in politics at a young age. At 13, he attracted national attention, leading Howard Dean’s presidential campaign’s Alaska efforts. During his senior year of college, he received recruitment calls to run against the powerful eight-year Republican incumbent for his home district. He mounted a scrappy underdog campaign in 2012, defeating him by 32 votes. At 23 years old, JKT was the third-youngest legislator elected in Alaska history, and served in the Alaska House of Representatives for 10 years. Four years in, in 2016, he worked across the aisle to help sweep into power a “bipartisan coalition” majority caucus of all House Democrats, as well as independents and moderate Republicans. That bipartisan coalition remains in power today. JKT is running for governor to bring a new generation of leadership to the governor’s office — supporting schools, lowering the cost of energy, building new homes, and balancing the budget — so that the next generation will also call Alaska home.

A Term in Review: The Supreme Court’s Impact
2026-06-29 13:00 - 14:00
The Supreme Court is reshaping the balance of power in America—and understanding what comes next has never been more important.
On Monday, June 29, in this timely BigTentUSA conversation, Michael Waldman, President and CEO of the Brennan Center for Justice, joined Boston Globe journalist Kimberly Atkins Stohr to unpack the Court’s most consequential rulings of the term and what they mean for democracy, civil rights, immigration, executive power, and the rule of law. They explored landmark decisions limiting nationwide injunctions, expanding presidential authority, and signaling a diminished role for Congress, while emphasizing the real-world consequences these rulings will have for Americans. Throughout the discussion, the speakers stressed that the Constitution ultimately depends on an engaged public and accountable elected leaders. They urged viewers to stay informed, support organizations defending democratic institutions, advocate for a stronger Congress, and participate in every election.
The message was clear: protecting democracy isn’t someone else’s job—it’s a responsibility that belongs to all of us.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Michael Waldman is president and CEO of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law. A nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to improve systems of democracy and justice so they work for all, the Brennan Center is a leading national voice on voting rights, money in politics, criminal justice reform, and constitutional law. Waldman is a constitutional lawyer and writer who is an expert on the presidency and American democracy. He has led the Center since 2005. He was a member of the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States in 2021.
Kimberly Atkins Stohr is a senior opinion writer and columnist at The Boston Globe. She is also an MSNBC contributor, a frequent panelist on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” and co-host of the weekly Politicon legal news podcast #SistersInLaw. Previously, Kim was the inaugural columnist for The Emancipator, a collaboration between The Boston Globe and Boston University’s Center for Antiracist Research that reframes the conversation about racial justice and equality.

The Mind of the President: What’s at Stake?
2026-07-09 19:00 - 20:00
Join BigTentUSA on Thursday, July 9 at 7 pm ET for a virtual conversation (Substack Live) with Mary Trump, an American psychologist and author, moderated by Jessica Yellin, the founder of News Not Noise, and former CNN White House Correspondent.
Drawing on Mary Trump’s deep understanding of Trump’s psychological dynamics and Jessica Yellin’s reporting on national politics, this discussion will dig into why Trump appears increasingly desperate around the election and the ecosystem of enablers surrounding him—from cowards and power-seekers to true believers and manipulators.
Together, they’ll unpack how these psychodynamics translate into real-world decisions, attacks on institutions, and threats to democratic norms.
How to watch: Simply visit the BigTentUSA Substack a few minutes before 7:00 p.m. ET and click on the live broadcast when it appears. If you’re subscribed to our Substack, you’ll also receive a notification when we go live, making it easy to join the conversation from your computer or mobile device.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Mary L. Trump is an American psychologist and author. Her first book, “Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World’s Most Dangerous Man” (2020), which sold nearly one million copies on its first day of publication. She is the author of two other New York Times bestsellers, “The Reckoning” (2021), and a memoir, “Who Could Ever Love You” (2024).
Trump writes The Good in Us, a best-selling newsletter on Substack, and is the founder of Mary Trump Media and the Mary Trump Media YouTube channel.
Jessica Yellin is the founder of News Not Noise, a pioneering Webby award-winning independent news brand dedicated to helping you manage your “information overload.” The platform delivers substantive reporting and expert interviews giving audiences context, not anxiety. Yellin is the former chief White House correspondent for CNN and an Emmy, Peabody and Gracie Award-winning political correspondent for ABC, MSNBC and CNN. Her work has been published in The New York Times, The Atlantic, and the Los Angeles Times. Meta has used her platform to train newsrooms around the world. A Harvard graduate, she is also the author of “Savage News“, available from HarperCollins. Find her work on Substack and YouTube at News Not Noise and on Instagram @JessicaYellin.
