Roots & Routes Podcast Episode 2: Mamdani & Milwaukee

Welcome back to Episode 2 of Roots & Routes!This week, Nsé and Eric dive into the rise of Zohran Mamdani — the youngest and first Muslim mayor of New York City — and unpack the deeper political tradition behind his campaign: Sewer Socialism.From historic youth turnout to a 100,000-person volunteer operation, Mamdani’s campaign wasn’t powered by corporate PAC money — it was powered by people. The hosts break down what made his message resonate, how material policies like rent freezes and universal childcare became winning issues, and why proving democracy works in people’s everyday lives was central to his victory.But this conversation goes further back.Nsé and Eric trace the roots of Sewer Socialism to early 1900s Milwaukee, where leaders like Victor L. Berger and Daniel Hoan built public housing, municipal power plants, sanitation systems, and labor-aligned governance that improved working-class life in tangible, everyday ways.This is a conversation about delivery, people power, and what happens when government actually works.📲 FOLLOW USInstagram: @rootsandroutes.podThreads: @rootsandroutes.podTikTok: @rootsandroutes.podcastFacebook: https://tinyurl.com/RootsandRoutesPodFB📚 Want to explore the roots of Sewer Socialism and Mamdani’s campaign?Read More ⬇️Mamdani’s campaign and NYC Democrats — The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/06/zohran-mamdani-campaign-new-york-democratsMilwaukee political history & municipal culture — Marquette University Law Schoolhttps://law.marquette.edu/facultyblog/2012/01/why-milwaukee-lost-the-braves-perspectives-on-law-and-culture-from-a-half-century-later/Sewer Socialism in Wisconsin — Labor Politicshttps://www.laborpolitics.com/p/sewer-socialism-in-wisconsin-and🎶 Want to hear some of our favorite songs honoring the movement in Milwaukee?Listen here ⬇️https://tinyurl.com/RRPlaylist2