The Low Hum

Most people can name their mayor. Far fewer can name their Cook County Commissioner.In this episode, Rachel Steele talks with Isaiah White about the hidden infrastructure of local government and why it matters more than you think.Overseeing a $10 billion budget, the Cook County Board shapes public healthcare, the justice system, and critical infrastructure for over 5 million residents. Yet many of these seats go uncontested, creating what Isaiah describes as a broken “accountability feedback loop.”Drawing on his experience as a policy worker, and teacher, Isaiah breaks down:Why systems like CountyCare are generous but hard to accessHow inefficiency drives up costs and worsens outcomesWhy property taxes keep rising while services feel stagnantWhat it takes to challenge entrenched political systemsAs federal funding shifts and pressure builds, this episode asks:What would it take to build a government that actually works?A conversation about local power, and how to reclaim it.Recorded by Seth LauverMixed and mastered by Rachel SteeleFor more information about Isaiah White please visit https://isaiahwhite.org/

Welcome to The Low Hum, a podcast exploring the intersection of creative practice, community organizing, and spiritual life through conversations with diverse world-builders.In this debut episode, hosts Ava Brennan and Rachel Steele introduce themselves, share the story of how they met, and reflect on the experiences that shape their work, including navigating chronic illness as artists and building community through collaborative projects like The Great Gathering music festival.This episode features:The origin story of The Low HumReflections on art, resilience, and identity beyond traumaA preview of upcoming interviews, including a conversation with Cook County Commissioner candidate Isaiah WhiteThe debut of Ava Brennan’s original song “Predator War” featuring ChaepterFollow us on Instagram @the.low.humSounds composed by Rachel Steele