Just a Couple Kids

Former Washington County Democratic Chairman and Candidate for County Controller, Ben Bright brings an insight to the pod that we haven't seen. His experience and travel up and down the western side of Pennsylvania shows a perspective of what is going in rural PA and what we can do to expand the Dem presence outside of metropolitan areas.

The Kids go into no man's land and reeled in one of Ryan's neighbors from Munhall, Mayor Rob Falce. Great conversation about local government and Falce's career in both Allegheny County and in his own neighborhood.

This week the Kids have a candidate spotlight with Democratic Candidate for District 33 State Representative, Mandy Steele.  She brings a very diverse background to the forum where the kids talk about stormwater management, farming, and climate change issues.

Small town mayor with big-time plans and accomplishments! The Kids have Mayor O'Donnell on the show this week to discuss political rivals, Android phones, daily life, and much more!

A lifelong community advocate and incredible public defender, Patrick Sweeney is the epitome of what we look for in leadership. Pat discusses his roots crisscrossing the Commonwealth, but finally returning to the Burgh. We also delve into his relationship with the Irish community and his future in Allegheny County.

The Kids have a full lineup of news for you from local to state and even some Federal talk. We discuss the pay raises on city council, along with the upcoming state house races and redistricting. Additionally, the Kids chat about taxes, Supreme Court and more.

Invigorated after some time off from the pod (and one another) the Kids have laid out the landscape for the 2022 election cycle from local to state and back. Plus, some insight on how szn 2 is panning out!

The Kids take a trip down memory lane on the last episode of Season 1. A lot of chatting between Tony & Ryan regarding guests, moments, and the strenuous relationship of making a podcast.

The Kids brought the Senior Advisor, Sean Harrington back to the show to break everything down statewide and local. Giving us some much-needed answers as to how everything panned out a few weeks ago.

So the Kids took an unplanned, extended vaca after the election, but we're back to fill you in on everything that happened from a local, regional, and statewide perspective. Also, they discuss the future of the region after the results of November 2nd.

The Kids wanted to make sure to keep it local and that's what they did with three candidates for the first rung of the judicial system in Allegheny County, district magistrate. Although there are many MDJ races going on throughout the region, the Kids chose three highly contested races.Hilary Wheatley Taylor, an attorney,  is repping the south with Dormont and Tony's hometown, Mt. Lebanon.  Leah Williams-Duncan, a domestic relations officer, hails from the Northside of Pittsburgh, Wards 26 & 27. Nick Martini, a township administrator, a lifelong West End kid is fighting for the 20th & 28th Wards of the Steel City.

Quiet and unassuming, but dedicated to justice and excellent at every stop in his career- there is a reason why refer to Judge Bruce Beemer the Tim Duncan of the judicial slate. Not to mention, a low post game and 20 ft bank shot can't be stopped. Find out how his approach to leadership helped him navigate a tumultuous time in the Commonwealth and a challenging docket on the bench. DISCLAIMER: This episode was to be published on 10/20/21, so there are some timely errors in the synchronization of episodes.

A perennial student of her craft, Judge Lori Dumas looks to bring her incredible resume from the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia to the Commonwealth Court. Additionally, she explained how the Commonwealth Court works, what it does, and how it affects the normal everyday person. As a woman of the people, Judge Dumas brings a different perspective to this infamous judicial tier.

A product of Fifth Avenue, Jessel Costa has been doing legal work since his career started fresh out of Duquesne Law School. With a diverse background, both as a public defender and attorney general, Costa shows that age is nothing but a number because he's as ready as anyone to take the bench this fall.

From taking the District Attorney's race of 2019 by storm, Lisa Middleman has been in the spotlight in the Pittsburgh political scene. However, she didn't just appear out of nowhere. Tireless and selfless years at the Public Defender's Office readied her for the current run at the bench.

The Kids were so excited to have the Queen of Allegheny County, also referred to as Controller Chelsa Wagner back on the show. This time the focus is on the bench, as in why Chelsa opted to run for this position, how it felt to be the top Dem vote-getter, and how she envisions the judicial system looking with herself and slate on it.

Allegheny County's own, Judge David Spurgeon is everything you'd expect from a blue-collar guy from the Mon-Valley. The Kids chat about his early years,  rise to the bench, and statewide campaign. Not to mention, he's one cool dude.

From the candidate that no one knew to one of the all-stars of the slate of 10, Tiffany Sizemore's experience, both lived and professional makes her one of the most interesting candidates on this ticket. In addition to her experience in the DC and the Allegheny County Public Defender's Offices, she created the Youth Advocacy Clinic at Duquesne University School of Law. This unique background contributes to her holistic approach to justice where all aspects of the problem are addressed. 

As one of the most experienced judicial candidates on the slate, Judge Tom Caulfield explains how his time at the Public Defender's Office, a State Representative's office, and his magisterial tenure bring different ideas to the bench downtown. The Kids chat about Caulfield's shortcoming in the primary, reemergence into the general and of course, baseball... lots of baseball.

You knew Tony would be excited for this one and she did not disappoint. Nicola Henry-Taylor is everything anyone would want in a judge. The Kids discuss the primary, the county committee, how campaigning is going with the slate, and much more. For Tony's sake, give this a listen and make sure you show up for her in November.

With years of experience in the courtroom and a vast amount of knowledge about the judicial system, Wrenna Watson has everything you would want in a judge. The Kids discuss her upbringing, being the daughter of a judge, of course, her law school alma mater (thanks to Ryan), and experiences in the courts that fueled her to continue to fight for her community as an attorney and as a judge.

From cheeseburgers on the bench to selling her car for campaign funds to tossing a child on her hip during court, the lived experiences this woman has is everything you'd want in a judicial candidate. West Philly's own, Judge Timika Lane discusses her background and why she's the right candidate for Superior Court.

Keeping things moving on the Judge-A-Rama train a trailblazer protecting women's rights over the course of her career. The Kids discuss Sabrina Korbel's background, the grind of the campaign, her vision of the bench, and plenty of off-the-topic chatter.

No better way to start off the Judge-A-Rama series than with sitting judge, the Honorable Elliot Howsie. The Kids discuss the campaign process, the slate of ten, Howsie's accomplishments in and out of the courtroom, as well as his expectations for the future.

The cheerleader of the Democratic ticket is spunkier than a porcupine drinking a Red Bull. The Kids discuss the Judge's resume and her campaign trail, which has lead her across the Commonwealth. 

The Kids are back and excited to get into the mix with a young, accomplished public servant, City of Pgh Councilman, Corey O'Connor. The Kids preface their convo with the campaign SZN lineup for the next couple of months.  Then they chop it up with the Councilman discussing his transition into politics, golf coaching, Fireball, constituent services, neighborhoods, and more on this episode.

The Kids made it back from Jamaica unscathed and are ready for campaign season to get going. They discuss their travel stories, St fake-Paddy's Day, and the GOP nominees for judge. 

Mom & Dad had a travel issue that pushed back this week's episode, but we made it. Hear all about the travel, the resort, and of course, Pittsburgh politics!

With the extended absence of the Senior Advisor, it was time for Ryan to pull his weight and figure out where the future of the pod was headed. Thankfully, he pulled a rabbit out of his hat and Tony didn't fire him. Take a listen to hear about new members of the Kids and an in-depth breakdown of the paths for the city, county, and state candidates this fall.

The Kids hop on this week solo to discuss local and national news, due to a mishap in scheduling. But we'll be back with guests next week and for the forseeable future.

The Kids travel northeast to beautiful Elk County for the Demstock event.

The Kids got themselves an incredible, young State Rep in Nick Pisciottano from the southwestern neighborhoods of Allegheny County to chat about his first term in office and generalities about local and statewide politics.

A dynamic young mayor, Emily Marburger chats with the Kids about her background, her climb to mayorship, and the future of the party.  

Ryan said 'whatever, let's just have our friends on'. So the Kids are joined by political operatives, Nichole Remmert & Chris Rosselot to discuss the current affairs of Western PA politics.

East McKeesport Chair, Joe Kleppick brings a diverse background including advocacy, politics, and public service to the show. Have a listen to Kids and Joe discuss his background and autism awareness.

The Kids continue to branch out and on this episode, they take a trip up Route 28 to chat with Sharpsburg Mayor and Magisterial District Judge Democratic Nominee, Matt Rudzki.

The Kids & the Special Advisor brought in rural Dem leader and School Director, Braxton White all the way from Clarion County to give a different perspective on the typical discussion of city politics.

Ryan & Tony go at it in every episode, but this time, they're taking the wrestling match to a tag team. Their respective CoS's Curt & Blake go head to head in a city episode of JACKS.

We initially were going to explain aspects of the county makeup and things just went every which way, but it was a ride you definitely want to take with the Kids, the senior advisor, and the lowercase q.

The Kids got their boy back, P$ to discuss some local and statewide news. Ryan brought in former colleague, Aliza Legg for some perspective for the Kids, errr... nerds. This episode is all over the place... an hour and a half you won't get back, but damn, it's entertaining!

The Kids reeled in a big one here in Pittsburgh Public School's Director, Bill Gallagher. The discussion is all over the place, but we do delve into some sports talk, chat about Bill's life experience as a coach and teacher, as well as the current state of the school board.

A veteran in the operative world and former candidate himself, Chris brings a diverse background and perspective to the Kids about local politics.

A new dynamic to the podcast, the Kids brought in Scott Abraham, AKA the voice of JACKS to discuss his career working in the media.  We chat about Scott's resume, life in DC and the political presence amongst all aspects of the news.

We have P$ back to breakdown everything that happened on Election Day. As well as, our thoughts on where things go from here.

We have  Ash & Martell in the house for some great dialogue, along with the Kids and Patrick. What an episode! We discuss everything from local magistrates up to the Supreme Court. Make sure you take a listen before voting!

The Kids last installment of Judge-A-Rama with a candidate who has been picking up steam at the right time. Tiffany Sizemore has a lot to bring the table and her discussion is unlike anyone we've had on before.

Although young, Jessel Costa has been through a lot in his career already. The Kids discuss Jessel's time at the Public Defender's and Attorney General's Offices, as well as the grind of running for judge this spring.

Although he's one of the youngest candidates in the race, Zeke Rediker has experience that matches someone with a long and storied career in the legal culture. Take a listen as to why that experience could make a big impact in the Court of Common Pleas.

She's been all over, but Allegheny County is happy to have her. Henry-Taylor discusses her time assisting folks all over Western PA and what her experience could bring to the bench.

The man has travelled the state and had many different positions, but he ended up back in Allegheny County. He's proven himself time and time again, there's a reason why Judge Bruce Beemer has been unanimously confirmed with bipartisan support on multiple occasions.

He's made a career of helping folks and that's exactly what the Kids chat with him about. From his early days at the District Attorney's Office through the restructuring of the Public Defender's Office onto his time on the bench. Judge Howsie has a resume not comparable to anyone.