What do you do at the Independent Center?
TL;DR: I read and write. I’m on the policy team, and my role is to stay up-to-date on what works and what doesn’t in public policy. I also monitor Congress's machinations to help keep the IC aware of what’s happening.
What do you bring to the team?
I’m a researcher at heart. I love research methodology and answering questions. I’ve been lucky to do that in congressional and state legislative offices as well as non-partisan groups like The Council of State Governments.
Why are you an Independent?
To quote Lewis Black “A Republican stands up in Congress and says 'I GOT A REALLY BAD IDEA!!' and the Democrat stands up after him and says 'AND I CAN MAKE IT SHITTIER!!”
What’s one thing you think people misunderstand about independent voters?
Bitterness towards the two-party duopoly is not the underlying philosophy. Independents actually have a remarkably cohesive approach to public policy. Good public policy needs a variety of ideas to sharpen and hone each other to be better.
What’s your go-to book, podcast, or show right now?
Right now a lot of Cal Newport and Ryan Holliday. Chef’s Table on Netflix. Heavy Metal 101and Dracula: The Danse Macabre are a couple of fun podcasts.
If you could have a coffee chat with any historical or current figure, who would it be and why?
Anthony Bourdain at some random coffee shop in Sana’a or Aden. The conversation about the cultural impact of food and his philosophy around it would be second to none. Doing it on one of the oldest coffee cultures in the world is just a cherry on top.
