Generation Reset with Kerry Rodríguez

In this episode of Generation Reset, Kerry Rodriguez sits down with Catherine Vaughan, co-founder of Abundance New York, to discuss how a former social impact consultant moved into electoral politics and began building a political ecosystem focused on making New York easier, faster, and cheaper to build.Catherine traces her path from global health and agriculture work in Rwanda and Ethiopia to Stanford, McKinsey, the Hillary Clinton campaign, Flippable, Swing Left, and eventually Abundance New York. After entering politics in 2016, she became focused on the leverage of electoral work — especially state legislative races, donor strategy, and the political infrastructure needed to support candidates who want government to deliver more effectively.The conversation explores:why nonprofit and social impact work can have limits compared to policy and electoral politicshow the 2016 election pushed Catherine deeper into the political arenathe “moneyball” approach to political giving and down-ballot raceswhy state legislative campaigns can offer outsized political impacthow Catherine and Ryder Kessler launched Abundance New Yorkwhat it means to build a political home for pro-abundance candidates and votersand how listeners can begin building their own political power locallyThroughout the discussion, Catherine argues that housing, transit, clean energy, public space, and government delivery are not separate issues — they are connected by the question of whether government can actually meet people’s needs. She also explains why political power is built not only through campaigns, but through media, advocacy organizations, donors, voters, community boards, and local institutions.This episode is ultimately about political activation, local government, housing, civic infrastructure, and what it takes to turn frustration with broken systems into organized political power.Generation Reset with Kerry Rodriguez is a podcast exploring political activation, civic engagement, and the forces that push people into — or away from — public life.Produced by the ContraSearch Network, a division of ContraSearch, Inc.

In this episode of Generation Reset, Kerry Rodriguez sits down with the podcast’s first featured voter — a 23-year-old Democratic Socialist from New Jersey whose political journey reflects both the frustrations and motivations of a generation coming of age during one of the most turbulent periods in modern American politics. As a child, voter #1 once dreamed of running for office, inspired by the election of Barack Obama and the belief that public service could be a force for positive change. But events such as Charlottesville, the rise of Donald Trump, and growing disillusionment with both major political parties ultimately pushed voter#1 away from pursuing elected office. Despite that, voter#1 remains politically active through organizing, voting, and advocacy for progressive candidates. The conversation explores:why some young Americans have become disenchanted with electoral politicsthe impact of Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and recent political events on a generation of voterswhether Democrats have failed to use political power aggressively enoughthe growing divide between establishment and progressive wings of the Democratic Partyhow ideology shapes voting decisions more than personal background or professional experienceNew Jersey politics, political machines, and local frustrations with state leadershipThroughout the discussion, the guest offers an unapologetically progressive perspective on government, executive power, economic policy, immigration, foreign affairs, and the future of the Democratic Party. While deeply skeptical of many political institutions, voter#1 explains why they still believe participation matters — and why disengagement only guarantees that change never happens. Generation Reset with Kerry Rodriguez is a podcast exploring political activation, civic engagement, and the forces that push people into — or away from — public life.Produced by the ContraSearch Network, a division of ContraSearch, Inc.

In this episode of Generation Reset, Kerry Rodriguez sits down with former Placentia Mayor and California State Senate candidate Rhonda Shader to discuss how an entrepreneur with no plans to run for office ended up helping lead a city on the verge of financial collapse.Rhonda shares the story of being recruited into local government after community leaders encouraged her to help tackle her city's growing fiscal challenges. When she took office, Placentia's reserves had dwindled to just $49. Over the next eight years, she and her colleagues worked to restore the city's finances, grow reserves to more than $15 million, launch a new fire department, improve infrastructure, and attract new economic development.The conversation explores:how entrepreneurs approach government differentlywhat it takes to turn around a financially distressed citythe challenges of economic development at the local levelwhy business owners are increasingly frustrated with state regulationsthe relationship between local governments and Sacramentothe future of California's water infrastructurehow campaigns are adapting to AI and changing voter engagementand why more citizens should pay attention to local governmentRhonda also reflects on her transition from business owner to mayor, the lessons she learned governing through financial uncertainty, and what motivated her to launch a campaign for the California State Senate.This episode is ultimately about political activation, public service, fiscal responsibility, and the role ordinary citizens can play in shaping the future of their communities.Generation Reset with Kerry Rodriguez is a podcast exploring political activation, civic engagement, and the forces that push people into — or away from — public life.Produced by the ContraSearch Network, a division of ContraSearch, Inc..

In this episode of Generation Reset, Kerry Rodriguez breaks down why ContraSearch Network is hosting inaugural Tech Week events in both Boston and New York — and why founders, creators, investors, candidates, and operators should be paying close attention to the growing opportunities emerging at the intersection of government, AI, and civic infrastructure.Kerry previews conversations with Boston City Councilor Enrique Pepén and New York City Council Member Julie Won, exploring how founders can build alongside government, where innovation is accelerating in the public sector, and why civic entrepreneurship may become one of the most important startup opportunities of the next decade.The episode also explores:why AI startups focused on government workflows are rapidly growingthe rise of civic data infrastructure and real-time sentiment analysis toolsopportunities in public-sector innovation that founders are still overlookingwhy climate and public infrastructure startups face unique regulatory barriersthe growing role of AI-generated civic engagement tools and AI “twins”how partnerships between government and innovators historically shaped technologies like the internet and GPSand why the relationship between founders and public institutions may become increasingly important in the AI eraKerry also shares insights from the attendee ecosystem forming around ContraSearch’s Tech Week events — including founders, investors, students, operators, and creators building at the edge of civic technology and institutional change.This episode is ultimately about more than startups. It’s about political activation, civic infrastructure, public trust, and the future relationship between technology and government.Generation Reset with Kerry Rodriguez is a podcast from the ContraSearch Network, produced by ContraSearch, Inc..

For the first episode of Generation Reset, Kerry Rodriguez sits down with independent California gubernatorial candidate Reza Safarnejad to discuss political disillusionment, outsider campaigns, immigration, institutional trust, and what it means to challenge the modern party system.Born in Iran and shaped by revolution, war, and immigration to the United States, Reza brings a perspective on governance that is deeply personal — and increasingly relevant in a political climate where many voters feel politically homeless.The conversation explores:why independent candidates struggle to break throughhow party systems shape public discoursesteps future candidates can take to increase their odds of winning office as an independentmarket needs that entrepreneurs can address to help all candidates compete more effectivelyGeneration Reset with Kerry Rodriguez is a podcast from the ContraSearch Network, produced by ContraSearch, Inc..

I’m your host, Kerry Rodriguez. This is a show about political activation: what pulls people into American politics, what pushes them away, and what happens when staying disengaged is no longer an option.In an era where states may have more room to redraw voting maps and reshape political power, the stakes are changing for voters, campaigns, founders, and communities across the country. Whether you are tuned into politics or running from it, the reality is simple: at some point, the rules of government may reach your life — and you may need to engage to protect your lifestyle.Join us every week on Generation Reset, where we explore the people, power shifts, and political forces shaping what comes next.