The Foolish Optimist: Josh Taveras, candidate in New York State’s 2nd Congressional District

You can follow Josh's campaign at JoshTaveras.com   Empowering Change with Josh Taveras   In this episode of the Foolish Optimist Podcast, Amy McDonald interviews Josh Taveras, a candidate for the US House of Representatives from New York's Second Congressional District. Josh, a proud gay Dominican American and first-generation college graduate, discusses his motivation to run for office and his commitment to implementing bold, people-first policies. They delve into Josh's background in community organizing, his focus on issues such as housing affordability, public transportation, and LGBTQ+ rights, and his grassroots campaign efforts. Josh also shares his personal experiences and how they drive his passion for creating positive change in his community.   00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:48 Josh Taveras' Background and Motivation 01:40 Community Involvement and Impact 03:11 District Demographics and Challenges 05:01 Voter Engagement and Political Landscape 07:51 Housing Affordability Issues 10:35 Transportation and Accessibility 12:08 LGBTQ+ Rights and Challenges 14:57 Education and Disinformation 19:23 Campaign Strategy and Grassroots Efforts 24:46 ICE Activity and Immigration Issues 29:26 Website Information and Smart Domain Choices 29:55 Favorite Thing About the District: The Food 30:28 Taveras Taste: Promoting Local Food Businesses 32:15 Advice for Young People Entering Politics 34:26 The Attention Economy and Taking Breaks 36:58 Rapid Fire Questions: Getting to Know Josh 46:31 Personal Struggles and Motivation for Running 48:57 Conclusion and Where to Follow Josh 50:49 Podcast Wrap-Up and Thank You