There are multiple paths to becoming a political candidate. We need authentic candidates who connect with real-life issues. In this episode, we discuss the importance of engaging young women in the political process, and how language plays a key role in empowering young girls and encouraging them to see themselves as leaders. Additionally, we talk about the necessity for individuals who are not millionaires, lawyers, or lobbyists to run for office.

Join us for this enlightening and empowering conversation with political campaign expert Jamie Lynn Maniscalco!

To learn more about Emerge, please visit their website at emergeamerica.org

To learn more about Theia Solutions, please visit their website at theiasolutionsinc.com

To learn more about The Counter, please visit our website at thecounterpac.com

Social Media: Emma Trunkle

Jamie Lynn Maniscalco

Jamie Lynn Maniscalco (she/her) is the CEO of Theia Solutions Inc., the Deputy Training Director at Emerge, and a Yoga Alliance RYT-200-hour certified yoga, breathwork, and meditation instructor. Jamie integrates mindfulness with her 18 years of experience in the political process to be a catalyst for change. She trains and advises women, non-binary, and BIPOC candidates on running for office and winning campaigns to elect leaders that embody the democratic values of the United States.

In 2019, Jamie launched her consulting firm, Theia Solutions - A Catalyst for Change, with a focused vision of advising women, millennials, Gen Z, and BIPOC candidates to win elections. In 2020, she created and directed RUN NOW, the National Organization for Women’s (NOW) first virtual training program, teaching members how to run for office and become professional political operatives.

Jamie served on fundraising teams for President Obama’s PAC Organizing For Action, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Democratic Party of Virginia, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Jennifer McClellan’s Gubernatorial PAC, Governor Terry McAuliffe’s PAC, Governor Ralph Northam’s PAC, Former Virginia Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, Georgia Secretary of State Candidate Bee Nguyen, and various special election and local campaigns. Theia Solutions' current and previous clients include: Nate Douglas for FL State House, Virginia Delegate Adele McClure, Bee Nguyen for GA Secretary of State, Georgia State Representative Regina Lewis-Ward, Alexsis Rodgers for Virginia State Senate, and Ellen Spiegel for Nevada State Controller.

Jamie began her political journey as a Field Organizer for President Barack Obama in North Carolina and served on his Second Presidential Inaugural Committee as a Day of Service Lead. She is a graduate of East Carolina University, where she earned Bachelor's degrees in Political Science and Philosophy. She also sits on the Board of the Center for Survey Research at East Carolina University.

Jamie hails from Long Beach, New York, and now lives in Miami with her fiancé. She's a proud caretaker of her rescue dog, Khaleesi.

The Counter is a registered non-connected political action committee and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

Personal stories of those affected by fascism highlight its real-world consequences. In this episode, Dr. Uri Barnea shares his family’s story of escape and death during the Holocaust and provides insights into fascism. He explores its historical roots, its manifestations in contemporary society, and the dangers it poses today. The rise of authoritarianism can happen through democratic means. This is why we must continue to share stories of resistance and resilience against fascism.

To learn more about the Holocaust, please visit the following websites:

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum

The Nancy and David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center

To learn more about The Counter, please visit our website at thecounterpac.com

Social Media: Emma Trunkle

Uri Barnea Bio

A native of Israel and a naturalized U.S. citizen since 1982, Uri Barnea has had two careers, one in music (violin, viola, orchestral conducting, composition, teaching and singing) and the other in the rabbinate. After his military service in Israel, he received his B. Music degree from the Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem, with a minor in Biblical and Jewish studies at the Hebrew University. While in Jerusalem he was selected to sing (both tenor and baritone) with the professional chorus of Kol Yisrael, Israel’s radio and television broadcast services.

In 1971 he was invited to serve as Music Director of the Jewish Community Center in Minneapolis. As well, he enrolled at the University of Minnesota Graduate School with a major in conducting and composition and a minor in Middle Eastern studies, earning M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. During his years in the Twin Cities, Uri Barnea was Music Director and Conductor of the Youval, First Unitarian Society, and Kenwood chamber orchestras, and also was Assistant Conductor of the University of Minnesota Symphony and Chamber Orchestras.

In 1978 he moved with his wife to Galesburg, Illinois, where he served as Assistant Professor at Knox College and Music Director of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony, as well as visiting Assistant Professor at Monmouth College. In 1984 the Barneas moved to Billings, Montana, where Dr. Barnea was Music Director of the Billings Symphony (1984-2004) and the Montana Ballet (1993-2004). His conducting career included engagements with over twenty orchestras in the U.S. and abroad.

Barnea’s interest in Judaism continued to grow over the years and in 2004 he left his musical career and enrolled in the Rabbinical School of Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio. While at HUC he served as Teaching Assistant of the Midrash and Post-Talmudic Halakhic Codes courses, and was an intern and student rabbi for congregations in Nashville, Tennessee, Winnipeg, Manitoba, and LaSalle, Illinois. In 2007 he was ordained and began his position as full-time rabbi for Congregation B’nai Israel in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. In June of 2014, he retired from the rabbinate.

Along with his musical career, Dr. Barnea was active in Jewish congregations in Galesburg, Illinois and Billings, Montana, including serving as cantorial soloist during the High Holy Days. He has had other similar cantorial engagements in Richmond, Virginia, Overland Park, Kansas, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, LaSalle, Illinois, and Michigan City, Indiana.

Among Barnea’s accolades are the first prize in composition from the 1976 Aspen Music Festival for his String Quartet and other prizes for his Sonata for Flute and Piano and for his ballet Ruth. He has also received an honorary citation from the Montana Human Rights Network as well as an honorary doctorate from Rocky Mountain College and the Montana Governor’s Arts Award.

Uri Barnea is fluent in Hebrew and English. His rabbinic thesis is an annotated translation from Hebrew to English of the autobiography of the Hebraist Zevi Scharfstein.

The Counter is a registered non-connected political action committee and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

Diversity of perspectives and voices is essential for a healthy democracy and learning. However, when it comes to media, do we choose a diversity of perspectives, or do we choose to feed our biases? As technology advances, our choices for news and information increase, but does our intake of differing voices and sources of information also increase? Or do we stick to a strict diet of what agrees with our already-formed opinions?

Media literacy empowers individuals to resist manipulation by sensational or negative news and to consider other opinions. It also builds trust by helping individuals identify the intent behind media messages and make informed decisions about their responses.

Please join us at The Counter for an engaging conversation with media literacy expert Rosemary Smith from the Getting Better Foundation!

To learn more about the Getting Better Foundation, please visit their website at gettingbetterfoundation.org

To learn more about The Counter, please visit our website at thecounterpac.com

Social Media: Emma Trunkle

Rosemary Smith Bio

Rosemary Smith has accumulated considerable international experience in the media over the last three decades. She began her career in media as a co-owner of FCC licensed radio stations throughout Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. Rosemary is a media literacy expert, Montana’s state lead for Media Literacy Now, and envoy to the U.S. State Department’s American Film Showcase. She manages Montana based Getting Better Foundation, spearheads its global distribution of award-winning “Trust Me” Documentary and the film’s educational curriculum in partner with News Literacy Project.

In addition to her experience as a broadcaster, Rosemary has authored many blogs and is working on her first children’s book about media literacy. She’s delivered presentations and contributed to publications on media and citizenship-related issues in dozens of countries. Rosemary remains interested by the challenges posed by emerging media forms and issues relating to media literacy, mental health, peace, and democracy.

The Counter is a registered non-connected political action committee and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.