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On this episode, Matt talks with Nick Troiano, the Executive Director of Unite America. Nick is a civic entrepreneur, author, speaker, and commentator with over a decade of experience bridging divides and improving American democracy.In a time of deep division, Troiano explains how reforming primaries and adopting ranked choice voting could restore competition, accountability, and better governance — without needing Congress or a constitutional amendment.During this conversation, Matt and Nick also discuss:— Indiana Republicans standing up to Trump pressure on mid-decade redistricting and gerrymandering— Why party primaries fuel extremism and how open primaries can create more representative leaders— The power of ranked choice voting (RCV) and top-four systems, with real-world success in states like Alaska and Louisiana— Structural reforms to reduce gridlock, encourage bipartisanship, and align politicians with the majority of voters— And MUCH more!Subscribe to Matt Lewis on Substack: https://mattklewis.substack.com/Support Matt Lewis at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattlewisFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattLewisDCTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattklewisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattlewisreels/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhSMpjOzydlnxm5TDcYn0A– Who is Matt Lewis? –Matt K. Lewis is a political commentator and the author of Filthy Rich Politicians.Buy Matt's books: FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS: https://www.amazon.com/Filthy-Rich-Politicians-Creatures-Ruling-Class/dp/1546004416TOO DUMB TO FAIL: https://www.amazon.com/Too-Dumb-Fail-Revolution-Conservative/dp/0316383937Copyright © 2025, BBL & BWL, LLC
Nick Troiano, executive director of Unite America, joins the Chuck ToddCast for a wide-ranging conversation about why America’s political system feels increasingly broken—and what reforms could actually fix it. Troiano explains how ranked-choice voting and primary reform can weaken the grip of the two-party system, produce more representative outcomes, and give voters in places like Alaska and Louisiana more meaningful choices. They unpack why partisan primaries reward conflict over problem-solving, how safe districts all but decide elections before voters reach the general, and why unaffiliated voters are often locked out of taxpayer-funded contests. The discussion expands to the broader reform landscape, from redistricting and campaign finance to unconventional ideas like compulsory representation and even randomly selected legislatures. Troiano argues that periods of political turmoil and inequality have historically led to democratic breakthroughs—and that today’s moment may demand the same. As power continues to consolidate and parties work to protect their advantage, this episode explores whether structural reform, rather than new personalities, is the only path to a healthier, more functional democracy. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Nick Troiano joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:15 How did you get started with Unite America 02:15 There’s been pushback to ranked choice voting in recent years 03:00 Ranked choice voting is a salve for partisan primaries 05:00 New York and Maine are only partially ranked choice system 06:30 There are good ways to present ranked choice results 07:00 The current non-ranked system favors the two major parties 08:45 Runoff elections get a bad rap 10:30 Louisiana has a more functional political system due to electoral reform 11:30 More Alaskan voters can cast a “meaningful” ballot due to ranked choice 13:30 Ranked choice seems to be more beneficial to center left than center right 14:45 Ranked choice opponents trying to repeal it in Alaska 16:00 The two party wants to protect their power & fight against ranked choice 17:00 The status quo is causing our current politics to unravel 17:30 What states do you expect to be on the ballot with primary reform? 18:45 There’s movement to allow unaffiliated voters to vote in primaries 19:45 Politics has become about fighting rather than solving problems 22:00 Why is it so hard to galvanize the centrist voters? 23:45 Without a representative congress, we’ll get terrible policies 24:15 Without competitive elections, we get bad career politicians 26:45 Is there an order democracy reforms will need to be passed? 29:00 There are multiple potential pathways to make democracy better 30:45 Periods of major turmoil & inequality historically lead to major reforms 32:00 Is it difficult to find wealthy donors to back nonpartisan reforms? 34:00 Strong executive leadership makes it easier for legislatures to follow 35:15 Redistricting reform had strong support & has gone in the opposite direction 36:15 Trump is weaponizing the primary system to force redistricting 38:30 90% of districts in the midterms will be decided before the general election 39:15 In safe districts you only can choose what type of Dem/GOP candidate 40:15 Should be able to vote on any candidate in taxpayer funded elections 42:00 It’s strange that government requires public party affiliation records 43:15 Parties shouldn’t be allowed to ask voters to sign party pledge 44:15 Campaign finance reform is a salient issue to most voters 46:00 We used to be far more engaged politically at the local level 48:30 What if we randomly selected legislatures like we do juries 49:30 Rural states might be open to compulsory representation 51:00 Thoughts on a constitutional convention? 52:30 The electoral college is working as intended, but needs updating 53:15 The bar is very high for ratification during a convention 54:00 If power continues to consolidate, a convention becomes more necessary 54:45 Any itch to run for office again? 55:30 What are the major issues running as an independent candidate? 57:00 There are fewer gatekeepers for getting attention as a candidateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck confronts the alarming rise of antisemitism following a mass shooting that targeted Jews in Australia on the first night of Hanukkah, reflecting on how hatred now crosses traditional political lines and sharing his own family’s experiences. He argues that social media has become a primary accelerant—profiting from outrage, trapping people in media silos, and rewarding the most extreme voices—while insisting that free speech does not guarantee unlimited reach. The conversation widens to the urgent need for tech reform, growing support for restricting smartphones for kids, and public backlash to Donald Trump’s hands-off approach to regulating AI. Chuck also examines Trump’s foreign policy actions, economic excuses, and erosion of constitutional norms, warning that the U.S. is drifting toward “competitive authoritarianism.” Despite the dangers of normalization and resignation, the episode closes with a reminder that America still has the capacity to push back and reclaim democratic guardrails. Nick Troiano, executive director of Unite America, joins the Chuck ToddCast for a wide-ranging conversation about why America’s political system feels increasingly broken—and what reforms could actually fix it. Troiano explains how ranked-choice voting and primary reform can weaken the grip of the two-party system, produce more representative outcomes, and give voters in places like Alaska and Louisiana more meaningful choices. They unpack why partisan primaries reward conflict over problem-solving, how safe districts all but decide elections before voters reach the general, and why unaffiliated voters are often locked out of taxpayer-funded contests. The discussion expands to the broader reform landscape, from redistricting and campaign finance to unconventional ideas like compulsory representation and even randomly selected legislatures. Troiano argues that periods of political turmoil and inequality have historically led to democratic breakthroughs—and that today’s moment may demand the same. As power continues to consolidate and parties work to protect their advantage, this episode explores whether structural reform, rather than new personalities, is the only path to a healthier, more functional democracy. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the political and cultural impact of The Simpsons, answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and recaps the latest in college football. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 03:00 Mass shooting targets Jews in Australia on first night of Hanukkah 04:30 Antisemitism comes from both sides of the political aisle 06:00 Chuck’s family’s experience with antisemitism 07:15 Biggest culprit in rise in antisemitism is social media 09:45 Social media companies profit from destroying kids & country 11:00 People need to step out of their media silos 13:30 You have the right to speech but not to reach 16:00 Tech companies need to be the focal point for major reform 17:00 Trump’s “light touch” approach to regulating AI is very unpopular 18:45 Tech can get what they want by writing a check to Trump 20:15 Growing support for restricting smartphones for kids/teens 21:15 Most extreme content reaches the most online men* 22:30 Mark Warner says “double tap” strike was 40 mins later 23:30 Strike was indefensible, it’s why Pentagon won’t release video 25:30 Trump has no legal authority from congress for strikes 28:00 Trump basically admits Republicans will lose the midterms 29:00 Trump has begun the excuse making for a bad economy 30:15 Trump spent time working on DC’s golf courses 31:30 Foreign Affairs essay says USA is in competitive authoritarianism 34:30 Trump’s actions subvert rule of law & the constitution 35:15 Competitive authoritarians turn state power on enemies 37:45 Large swaths of the media have caved to the Trump administration 40:00 After Watergate, authoritarian abuse had disappeared… until Trump 41:00 America still has hope for turning away authoritarianism 41:30 Greatest danger is acceptance and resignation 49:15 Nick Troiano joins the Chuck ToddCast 50:30 How did you get started with Unite America 51:30 There’s been pushback to ranked choice voting in recent years 52:15 Ranked choice voting is a salve for partisan primaries 54:15 New York and Maine are only partially ranked choice system 55:45 There are good ways to present ranked choice results 56:15 The current non-ranked system favors the two major parties 58:00 Runoff elections get a bad rap 59:45 Louisiana has a more functional political system due to electoral reform 1:00:45 More Alaskan voters can cast a “meaningful” ballot due to ranked choice 1:02:45 Ranked choice seems to be more beneficial to center left than center right 1:04:00 Ranked choice opponents trying to repeal it in Alaska 1:05:15 The two party wants to protect their power & fight against ranked choice 1:06:15 The status quo is causing our current politics to unravel 1:06:45 What states do you expect to be on the ballot with primary reform? 1:08:00 There’s movement to allow unaffiliated voters to vote in primaries 1:09:00 Politics has become about fighting rather than solving problems 1:11:15 Why is it so hard to galvanize the centrist voters? 1:13:00 Without a representative congress, we’ll get terrible policies 1:13:30 Without competitive elections, we get bad career politicians 1:16:00 Is there an order democracy reforms will need to be passed? 1:18:15 There are multiple potential pathways to make democracy better 1:20:00 Periods of major turmoil & inequality historically lead to major reforms 1:21:15 Is it difficult to find wealthy donors to back nonpartisan reforms? 1:23:15 Strong executive leadership makes it easier for legislatures to follow 1:24:30 Redistricting reform had strong support & has gone in the opposite direction 1:25:30 Trump is weaponizing the primary system to force redistricting 1:27:45 90% of districts in the midterms will be decided before the general election 1:28:30 In safe districts you only can choose what type of Dem/GOP candidate 1:29:30 Should be able to vote on any candidate in taxpayer funded elections 1:31:15 It’s strange that government requires public party affiliation records 1:32:30 Parties shouldn’t be allowed to ask voters to sign party pledge 1:33:30 Campaign finance reform is a salient issue to most voters 1:35:15 We used to be far more engaged politically at the local level 1:37:45 What if we randomly selected legislatures like we do juries 1:38:45 Rural states might be open to compulsory representation 1:40:15 Thoughts on a constitutional convention? 1:41:45 The electoral college is working as intended, but needs updating 1:42:30 The bar is very high for ratification during a convention 1:43:15 If power continues to consolidate, a convention becomes more necessary 1:44:00 Any itch to run for office again? 1:44:45 What are the major issues running as an independent candidate? 1:46:15 There are fewer gatekeepers for getting attention as a candidate 1:48:15 Chuck’s thoughts on interview with Nick Troiano 1:49:15 ToddCast Time Machine December 17th, 1989 1:49:30 Debut of The Simpsons 1:50:45 Simpsons has outlasted entire media eras 1:51:15 Simpsons is brilliant at parodying politics & culture 1:52:00 Burns runs for governor teaches lessons of campaigns 1:52:45 Monorail episode shows failures of debt financing infrastructure 1:53:45 Lisa goes to Washington a great explainer of how DC works 1:54:30 Sideshow Bob rigs an election and wins anyway 1:56:00 Simpsons has had cameos from major political voices 1:56:30 Simpsons spawned an entire industry for adult animation 1:57:30 South Park’s “Simpson’s Did It” was the perfect omage 1:58:15 The Simpsons made audiences smarter about how to consume politics 1:58:30 Ask Chuck 1:59:15 Did Adam Schiff hurt or help Mandella Barnes by endorsing him? 2:02:00 A “shave your head” bet between you and Cillizza over A&M vs Miami? 2:05:15 Why has the donor class become the priority over the public? 2:09:15 Why can companies absorb tariff costs, but can’t raise wages? 2:12:30 College football updateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Per approfondire gli argomenti della puntata: L'Iliade raccontata : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs1zsZh9J-0&list=PLpMrMjMIcOkkFj-zKhX0pWPqogoEgtWYd&index=1&ab_channel=LaBibliotecadiAlessandria Altre pillole di mitologia : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Kz1KGVDmJs&list=PLpMrMjMIcOklC1yb6BYrmsIvqW01EnXwJ&index=1&ab_channel=LaBibliotecadiAlessandria Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Settle in, loosen that belt, and get ready for a Thanksgiving-sized conversation! In this special holiday episode of Bred to Perfection, Kenny Troiano and Brian Reeder team up once again for an unscripted, open-ended, and always entertaining deep dive into the world of breeding and poultry genetics. If you're stuffed with turkey and looking for the perfect show to veg out to, this is it. Join us as we "Talk Chickens," swap insights on breeding practices, explore genetic principles, and answer your questions live in the chat. Who knows how long we'll go? When Kenny and Brian get rolling, marathon sessions are almost guaranteed. The real question is: Can you slip away from the family long enough — and do you have the stamina to hang with us from start to finish? We've also got a few exciting announcements you won't want to miss — and trust us, you'll want to act fast before the offers expire. Grab a plate of leftovers, settle into your favorite chair, and enjoy the show! #BredToPerfection #TalkChickens #PoultryBreeding #ChickenGenetics #ThanksgivingSpecial #KennyTroiano #BrianReeder #BackyardChickens #BreedersChat #PoultryPodcast Join us on Bred to Perfection Live, Friday's at 6pm PST or 9pm EST on YouTube, as we discuss the benefits of creating your own strain. See ya there! Kenny Troiano Founder of "The Breeders Academy" We specialize in breeding, and breeding related topics. This includes proper selection practices and the use of proven breeding programs. It is our mission to provide our followers and members a greater understanding of poultry breeding, poultry genetics, poultry health care and disease prevention, and how to improve the production and performance ability of your fowl. If you are interested in creating a strain, or improving your established strain, you are in the right place. We also want to encourage you to join us at the Breeders Academy, where we will not only help you increase your knowledge of breeding and advance your skills as a breeder, but improve the quality and performance of your fowl. If you would like to learn more, go to: https://www.breedersacademy.com
"Colpo Gobbo" con Dario Ghiringhelli e Luigi Schiffo. Ospiti: Beppe BJ, avv. Simone Troiano.
"Colpo Gobbo" con Dario Ghiringhelli e Luigi Schiffo. Ospiti: Beppe BJ, avv. Simone Troiano.
“Tutta La Juve che Vuoi” con Dario Ghiringhelli e Giulia Caligaris. Ospiti: Avv. Simone Troiano, Mario Martinelli (Eco di Bergamo).
Avv. Simone Troiano a “Tutta La Juve che Vuoi”.
“Tutta La Juve che Vuoi” con Dario Ghiringhelli e Giulia Caligaris. Ospiti: Avv. Simone Troiano, Mario Martinelli (Eco di Bergamo).
“Tutta La Juve che Vuoi” con Dario Ghiringhelli e Giulia Caligaris. Ospiti: Avv. Simone Troiano, Mario Martinelli (Eco di Bergamo).
Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhy does so much political dysfunction begin before Election Day? In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright speaks with Nick Troiano, Executive Director of Unite America and author of The Primary Solution. They unpack how gerrymandering and redistricting battles in states like Texas and California are only part of the problem. The real issue? Closed primaries that shut out millions of voters and reward partisan extremes.Troiano explains how open primaries, ranked choice voting, and reforms already working in states like Alaska, Colorado, and New Mexico could restore competition, accountability, and majority rule to American elections. This conversation blends history, constitutional context, and on-the-ground reform efforts to show how we can strengthen democracy from the ground up.If you've ever wondered why your vote feels like it doesn't matter—or what can be done about it—this episode is your roadmap to meaningful reform.Guest BioNick Troiano is the Executive Director of Unite America, a nonpartisan organization advancing political reform to foster a more representative and functional government. A nationally recognized leader on electoral reform, Troiano has been at the forefront of efforts to end gerrymandering and promote open primaries across the country. His book, The Primary Solution (2024), makes the case for abolishing closed party primaries and empowering voters with real choice. He has been featured in national outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and C-SPAN, and is widely regarded as one of the leading voices on fixing the structural roots of polarization in American politics.Relevant LinksNick Troiano's book: The Primary Solution https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-primary-solution-nick-troiano/Unite America: www.uniteamerica.org Support the show
Qual a relação entre branding e experiência do cliente? Existe uma relação intrínseca entre estas duas ciências e quem explica para gente, é Cecília Troiano, CEO da Troiano Branding. Cecilia é Psicóloga, mestre em Gender Studies e escritora. Autora de livros relacionados ao comportamento feminino e Colunista da Pais e Filhos e da CBN.O Professor Fernando Coelho, Diretor do Instituto Experiência do Cliente e autor dos livros CX na Prática, Fidelizando o Cliente na Prática e Gestão de Vendas e Experiência do Cliente conduziu esse bate papo! Dá o play! Palestras do Professor Fernando Coelho:https://www.institutoexperienciadocliente.com/Formação Online Experiência do cliente na prática:coelhofernandofalou.com.br/formacao-em-cx/ Siga o Professor Fernando Coelho, no Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernando-coelho-experi%C3%AAncia-do-cliente-%F0%9F%8F%B3%EF%B8%8F%E2%80%8D%F0%9F%8C%88%F0%9F%92%9B-bab71425/
Today we are going to be releasing an interview we did with Nick Troiano, who's coming back on the podcast for the second time. Nick is the Executive Director of Unite America, an organization trying to spread election reform all across the United States. We thought this interview was timely because we just had a very impactful mayoral race in New York City that was determined by rank choice voting. This interview was recorded back in April so we didn't get his perspective on Zohran Mamdani and what happened in New York City, but we did get to talk to him about similar election reforms that are spreading all across the country. Looking ahead, I am thrilled to announce that we're actually going to be partnering with Unite America to do some more in-depth reporting and explanatory videos discussing how we might be able to change some of our elections for the better. They are some of the leading experts on election reform in the country. They're actually on the ground trying to make many of these changes. We have tons more content coming, but we thought this would be a great one to get out to you guys now. I hope you guys enjoy this interview. Ad-free podcasts are here!Many listeners have been asking for an ad-free version of this podcast that they could subscribe to — and we finally launched it. You can go to ReadTangle.com to sign up!You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here. Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.This podcast was written by: Isaac Saul and edited and engineered by Jon Lall. Music for the podcast was produced by Diet 75.Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Lindsey Knuth, Kendall White, Bailey Saul, and Audrey Moorehead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to Bred to Perfection with Kenny, Nancy, and Frank – the go-to podcast for serious breeders who want to master the art and science of selective breeding. Hosted by master breeder Kenny Troiano, his wife and co-host Nancy Troiano, and fellow breeder Frank Bradley, this show talks about the principles of genetics, strain development, health management, and everything you need to breed, raise and maintain high-quality chickens and gamefowl. Each episode offers practical advice, expert interviews, live Q&A sessions, and real-world insight drawn from decades of hands-on experience. Backed by the Breeders Academy, our online learning platform, Bred to Perfection equips breeders of all levels with the knowledge and tools to build strong, sustainable, and productive breeding programs. New to the show? We're glad you're here! Tune into today's episode to get a feel for what Bred to Perfection is all about. Whether you're just starting out or refining your own strain, you'll find something valuable in every conversation. Fridays at 6 PM PST / 9 PM EST on YouTubeJoin Kenny Troiano and guests as they explore advanced breeding techniques, poultry nutrition, health management, and genetic sustainability—all with one goal: helping you create high-quality, long-lasting strains. See ya there! Kenny Troiano Founder of "The Breeders Academy" We specialize in breeding, and breeding related topics. This includes proper selection practices and the use of proven breeding programs. It is our mission to provide our followers and members a greater understanding of poultry breeding, poultry genetics, poultry health care and disease prevention, and how to improve the production and performance ability of your fowl. If you are interested in creating a strain, or improving your established strain, you are in the right place. We also want to encourage you to join us at the Breeders Academy, where we will not only help you increase your knowledge of breeding and advance your skills as a breeder, but improve the quality and performance of your fowl. If you would like to learn more, go to: https://www.breedersacademy.com
In yesterday's show, the neuroscientist Leor Zmigrod explained how radical ideology is infecting our brains. Today, Unite America executive director Nick Troiano explains how the American democratic system is empowering radicals in both parties. In The Primary Solution, Troiano argues that party primaries give disproportionate influence to political extremes, with 90% of elections being decided in primaries where few people participate. Troiano advocates for open primaries that allow all voters to participate regardless of party affiliation, citing Alaska's reform which combine open primaries with ranked-choice voting as a model solution. FIVE TAKEAWAYS* The primary election system in America gives disproportionate influence to political fringes, as 90% of elections are effectively decided in primaries where few people participate.* In 16 states, independent voters (about 16 million Americans) are locked out of taxpayer-funded primaries, meaning they cannot participate in elections that often determine the final outcome.* Five states (Nebraska, Louisiana, California, Washington, and Alaska) have already abolished party primaries for state or federal elections, implementing various alternative systems.* Troiano advocates for the Alaska model, which combines an open all-candidate primary with instant runoff elections, allowing all voters to participate regardless of party affiliation.* Structural reform at the state level is more achievable than national reform, as the Constitution allows states to set the "time, place, and manner" of their elections without requiring constitutional amendments.Nick Troiano is the founding executive director of Unite America, a philanthropic venture fund that invests in nonpartisan election reform to foster a more representative and functional government. Since 2019, Unite America has invested over $50 million to help win three major statewide ballot initiatives and over a dozen state legislative and municipal policy victories. In 2014, Troiano ran for the US House of Representatives in Pennsylvania's 10th District and was both the youngest candidate of the cycle and the most competitive independent Congressional candidate nationally in over two decades. Nick earned both his BA and MA in American government from Georgetown University and, as an undergraduate, cofounded an endowed Social Innovation and Public Service Fund. He regularly provides commentary to a range of media outlets on topics of democracy and politics, and he has been featured in three documentaries: Follow the Leader, Broken Eggs, and Unrepresented. He lives in Denver, Colorado.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting the daily KEEN ON show, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy interview series. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode of Bred to Perfection, we dive deep into the world of poultry breeding with Kenny Troiano, alongside his wife, Nancy Troiano. Together, they share their wealth of knowledge on creating and maintaining strong, healthy poultry strains. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned poultry enthusiast, Kenny and Nancy offer practical tips, proven methodologies, and invaluable advice to help you master the art of poultry breeding. We also take a moment to highlight Kenny's recent appearance on The Poultry Nerds Podcast. There, he joined hosts Carey and Jennifer for an insightful discussion about various breeding techniques, including inbreeding, line-breeding, clan mating, and double mating. Kenny breaks down these methods and clears up common misconceptions, while offering tips on selecting the best genetic traits for a healthy strain. Key Highlights: Springtime Breeding Tips: Kenny and Nancy discuss the seasonal preparations that breeders face, from setting up brood pens to navigating the challenges of maintaining a chicken yard before the hatching season begins. Breeding Methods Explored: Kenny delves into the various breeding strategies, including inbreeding, line breeding, clan mating, and double mating, providing clarity on their benefits and drawbacks. He emphasizes the importance of careful selection and the pitfalls of complicated techniques like double mating. New Blood and Strain Purity: The episode also tackles the controversial topic of introducing new genetics into an established strain, with Kenny advising against it in favor of maintaining strain purity through selective breeding. The Necessity of Culling: Kenny offers an honest and insightful perspective on culling, explaining how this crucial practice ensures the quality and health of your strain by eliminating undesirable traits. Join the Conversation: This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in elevating their poultry breeding practices. Whether you're looking to start your breeding journey or refine your techniques, Kenny and Nancy provide the knowledge and guidance you need. Plus, they invite you to join the Breeders Academy community for continued learning and support. Tune in to gain expert insights and take your breeding efforts to the next level! Make sure to follow and watch our future shows. We plan to dive deep into the world of breeding and genetics, nutrition and health management, and provide essential tips, so you too can create high quality strains. Whether you're breeding domestic chickens, gamefowl, or various types of livestock, this show is for you. Join us on Bred to Perfection Live, Friday's at 6pm PST or 9pm EST on YouTube, as we discuss the benefits of creating your own strain. See ya there! Kenny Troiano Founder of "The Breeders Academy" We specialize in breeding, and breeding related topics. This includes proper selection practices and the use of proven breeding programs. It is our mission to provide our followers and members a greater understanding of poultry breeding, poultry genetics, poultry health care and disease prevention, and how to improve the production and performance ability of your fowl. If you are interested in creating a strain, or improving your established strain, you are in the right place. We also want to encourage you to join us at the Breeders Academy, where we will not only help you increase your knowledge of breeding and advance your skills as a breeder, but improve the quality and performance of your fowl. If you would like to learn more, go to: https://www.breedersacademy.com This episode of the podcast 'Bred to Perfection' focuses on advanced breeding techniques for poultry, aimed at both novice and experienced breeders. Hosted by Kenny Troiano, founder of the Breeders Academy, and co-hosted by his wife Nancy, the episode covers topics, such as inbreeding, line-breeding, clan mating, and double mating. The importance of proper selection, genetic diversity, and understanding genetic drift are discussed. Kenny also shares his thoughts on introducing new blood, the role of culling, and how environmental factors and epigenetics impact breeding outcomes. Additionally, Kenny talks about his recent interview on 'The Poultry Nerds Podcast,' offering further insights into various breeding strategies. #breedinggamefowl #breedingchickens #chickenbreeders #gamefowlbreeding #chickenbreeding, #gamefowlnation, #selectivebreeding, #poultrygenetics #poultryhealth #backyardbreeders #breedersacademy #bredtoperfection #kennytroiano #gamefowl
Welcome to another episode of Bred to Perfection, brought to you by the Breeders Academy! In this episode, hosts Kenny and Nancy Troiano dig into the heart of breeding misconceptions and challenge the myths that hold many breeders back. From old wives' tales to outdated methods, they emphasize the importance of relying on science and common sense to achieve success in breeding. Join Kenny and Nancy as they uncover the truth behind widely-held myths, like the supposed necessity of adding new blood frequently and the dangers of inbreeding. They highlight the need for breeders to move beyond tradition and embrace the scientific principles of genetics, offering practical advice on how understanding alleles and chromosomes can improve breeding outcomes. The episode also explores the crucial role of conformation and type in breeding, stressing that attention to these elements is key to maintaining breed standards and ensuring long-term success. Kenny and Nancy challenge complacency in breeding practices, urging breeders to refine their methods and strive for excellence. Finally, the Troiano's share their vision for the future of breeding—one where innovation, knowledge, and scientific principles work hand-in-hand to perfect each generation. Whether you're a seasoned breeder or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable insights that will help you breed with precision and purpose. Tune in now and take your breeding practices to the next level! Make sure to follow and watch our future shows. We plan to dive deep into the world of breeding and genetics, nutrition and health management, and provide essential tips, so you too can create high quality strains. Whether you're breeding domestic chickens, gamefowl, or various types of livestock, this show is for you. Join us on Bred to Perfection Live, Friday's at 6pm PST or 9pm EST on YouTube, as we discuss the benefits of creating your own strain. See ya there! Kenny Troiano Founder of "The Breeders Academy" We specialize in breeding, and breeding related topics. This includes proper selection practices and the use of proven breeding programs. It is our mission to provide our followers and members a greater understanding of poultry breeding, poultry genetics, poultry health care and disease prevention, and how to improve the production and performance ability of your fowl. If you are interested in creating a strain, or improving your established strain, you are in the right place. We also want to encourage you to join us at the Breeders Academy, where we will not only help you increase your knowledge of breeding and advance your skills as a breeder, but improve the quality and performance of your fowl. If you would like to learn more, go to: https://www.breedersacademy.com In this episode of 'Bred to Perfection,' host Kenny Troiano discusses various breeding practices aimed at improving our strains. The show, presented by the Breeders Academy, emphasizes the importance of proper breeding programs, understanding polygenic traits, and avoiding common misconceptions in breeding. Kenny talks about the challenges breeders face, such as compensation breeding and maintaining purity of blood. The episode also includes updates on upcoming guest appearances, membership benefits, and interaction with the audience through Q&A. The overarching theme is to elevate breeder knowledge and skills through credible science and focused breeding techniques. #breedinggamefowl #breedingchickens #chickenbreeders #gamefowlbreeding #chickenbreeding, #gamefowlnation, #selectivebreeding, #poultrygenetics #poultryhealth #backyardbreeders #breedersacademy #bredtoperfection #kennytroiano #gamefowl
In this week's episode, Lauren and Rina chat with museum curator and researcher Cat Troiano. Cat is mother to two young daughters, Stella (4) and Petra (almost 3). Stella has 5p minus syndrome, also known as Cri du Chat syndrome. Growing up in a multilingual family with a strong focus on language and linguistics, Cat's perspective was profoundly transformed by her fight to meet Stella's communication needs. This thought-provoking conversation delves into Cat's journey, the challenges she faced and how she advocated to ensure Stella could more easily interact with the world around her.Content WarningsVery strong Language warning Diagnosis Guest BiographyCat lives in London with her husband, Giorgio, and their two daughters Stella and Petra. Cat works as Curator of Photography at the V&A, and Giorgio manages the design team at a lighting manufacturing company. Professionally, Cat comes from a research background, curating exhibitions and publishing or presenting regularly about photography in its historical and contemporary environments. She has significant experience working in complex institutions, and expertise in institutional policy and practice in the cultural sector. Incidentally, this armed her with a skill set that has proven particularly useful in advocating for Stella – who was born with a rare genetic syndrome – and navigating the paperwork, systems and therapies that help her thrive. Catherine has always been interested in language and linguistics, and she is forever grateful to Stella for upending her world view about language and communication. Useful resourcesfivepminus.org - 5p- Society. This is the American group (the biggest one) relating to the syndromeDocumentary by parent to child with 5p- A sweet mini-doc a filmmaker (also parent to CdCS child) made for a benefit concert in 2012. Raising a rare girl book - Heather Lanier's book 'Raising a Rare Girl' that Cat mentioned. Therarelife.ep-166-nonspeaking-child-longing-to-access-their-inner-world-give-them-medical-autonomy-w-suzi-boubion - Podcast episode referenced by Cat in which Suzy Boubion talks about her non-speaking child. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 360 of The VentureFizz Podcast features Mike Troiano, Partner at G20 Ventures. When I think of Mike, I think of a master marketer, a branding guru, and an amazing storyteller. As we start our conversation we discuss the importance of these traits as it relates to entrepreneurs. The importance of storytelling and brand building is often overlooked by entrepreneurs. Yet, it is such a critical part of a startup's success as a good story attracts customers, talent, and capital. If you haven't followed his blog, please make sure you check it out on Medium, as there are so many great pieces of advice to help you improve your skills in storytelling, creating a brand, and building a startup. He's one of the best. G20 Ventures is the capital partner that helps new businesses grow with smart money, great storytelling, and the right connections. The firm's sweet spot is mainly Series A investing in enterprise software companies. In this podcast, we cover: * Playing sports at Cornell and getting his career started in the marketing agency world, plus starting his own company which was acquired and went public. * The full lifecycle story of M-Qube which was acquired by VeriSign and all the details about how the company powered the voting for American Idol and the lucky case drawing for Deal or No Deal. * Launching a startup called MatchMine which was backed by the Kraft family and was building a personalization tech for consumers that ended up being too early for the market. * The story of Actifio and its copy data management solution which grew into unicorn status with backing from Tier A investors and was acquired by Google. * How a viral post on Medium started his journey into venture capital and joining G20 Ventures, where he was a founding member and LP. * Getting started as a VC and how he found his Zone of Genius, plus what he's targeting for investments. * The 5 phases of a career. * And so much more. Episode Sponsor: As a longtime champion of the local startup ecosystem, Silicon Valley Bank supports innovative companies with the solutions and financing they need through every stage of growth. With more than 1,500 bankers and relationship advisors, and $42B in loans as of Q2 2024 – SVB delivers the right people, service and resources to support your entire financial journey. Learn more at SVB.com.
If you want to change the game, changing the rules and incentives of the game is a powerful approach. Few people who watch the news - or those folks who avoid watching the news! - would say the political system in the United States is going according to plan. The founding fathers, if they were alive today, would be aghast at the unbridgeable chasm that seems to have developed in our political culture, making dialogue, compromise and progress nearly impossible on some of our most pressing issues. In fact, our founding fathers warned against the rise of what they called factions in their time, and what we today call political parties. All of this is happening at a time when the majority of Americans agree that common-sense laws for guns, healthcare and other issues are badly needed. If you look at the numbers, we're closer together on more issues than you'd think. Research shows that our leaders are often much more polarized than we as a people are. Meanwhile, the US and local governments get less done, eroding our confidence in our democracy. What can we do to change the game? Some people say “let's get rid of the electoral college!” but such large scale changes are hard. My guest today has a simple solution that starts at the local level to change the political conversation. Nick Troiano is a civic entrepreneur based in Denver, Colorado, and is the Executive Director of Unite America –– a non-partisan organization that seeks to foster a more functional and representative government. Nick has been a leader in the political reform movement over the last decade, beginning as a founding staff member of Americans Elect in 2010. Nick ran for Congress in Pennsylvania's 10th District in 2014 and drew national attention as both the youngest candidate that cycle and the most competitive independent U.S. House candidate in nearly two decades. He subsequently worked for Change.org to launch a mobile application to help voters cast informed ballots. In 2016, Nick was named to the "Forbes 30 Under 30" for Law & Policy. He earned a Master's degree in American Government from Georgetown University. He has spoken on the topics of political and fiscal reform to dozens of groups across the country, including along three national bus tours that collectively visited over 40 states. Nick is the author of The Primary Solution an *excellent* book that explains the challenge and a viable set of solutions to political division in America, and a producer on the 2024 film Majority Rules which lets you watch political change unfold in real-time. I highly recommend watching Majority Rules - you can rent it on Youtube now! You will see partisan politicians learn to navigate a different political game as the rules are changed - and become more issues-focused instead of attacking personalities, and more inclusive than divisive. I also highly recommend supporting primary reform in your region - it's a non-partisan issue that can help us become less partisan! Listen to the end where Nick and I discuss how he leads his organization and builds coalitions while living his leadership and political values. Head over to theconversationfactory.com/listen for full episode transcripts, links, show notes and more key quotes and ideas. You can also head over there and become a monthly supporter of the show for as little as $8 a month. You'll get complimentary access to exclusive workshops and resources that I only share with this circle of facilitators and leaders. Links The Primary Solution https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Primary-Solution/Nick-Troiano/9781668028254 Majority Rules. https://majorityrulesfilm.com/ David Mayhew's Book “Congress: The Electoral Connection”
THERE'S A DEBATE ON RANKED CHOICE VOTING TONIGHT And I'm going to chat with Nick Troiano about it at 1:30. Two former Secretaries of State have come forward to support Proposition 131 that would change the way we vote in Colorado and one of them is now Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman and he wrote about it with Bernie Buescher here. Find out more about the debate tonight by clicking here.
In this week's episode of Politics In Question, Lee and James explore America's reliance on direct primaries in federal elections with Nick Troiano. Troiano is the Executive Director of Unite America and the author of The Primary Solution: Rescuing Our Democracy from the Fringes (Simon & Schuster, 2024).What are direct primaries? Why do Americans rely on them? When did they first start using direct primaries in federal elections? And what are the consequences? These are some of the questions Nick, Lee, and James ask in this week's episode.Additional InformationPolitics in Question PodcastMore shows from The Democracy Group
In this week's episode of Politics In Question, Lee and James explore America's reliance on direct primaries in federal elections with Nick Troiano. Troiano is the Executive Director of Unite America and the author of The Primary Solution: Rescuing Our Democracy from the Fringes (Simon & Schuster, 2024).What are direct primaries? Why do Americans rely on them? When did they first start using direct primaries in federal elections? And what are the consequences? These are some of the questions Nick, Lee, and James ask in this week's episode.
What's going on, y'all! In today's episode of The Flipped Lifestyle Podcast, I'm sitting down with my good friend and longtime community member, Kenny Troiano. Kenny has an incredible story—he's taken his passion for breeding chickens and turned it into a thriving online business called Breeders Academy! In this conversation, Kenny shares how he built his membership site from the ground up and why consistency and curiosity have been the key drivers of his success. We also dive into some powerful strategies he's used—like live streaming, YouTube, and newsletters—to engage his audience and grow his platform. Kenny also opens up about the balance between family, freedom, and ambition. He's figured out how to create a business that not only provides financially but also allows him to spend time with the people who matter most. You're going to love hearing how his online business has changed his life! Plus, I'll give you a sneak peek into my new book, Earn More, Live More, packed with more success stories from our Flipped Lifestyle community. If you're ready to start your own journey, you won't want to miss this episode! What You'll Learn in This Episode: Kenny's story of turning his love for chickens into an online membership business How staying curious and consistent led to massive growth The power of using YouTube, live streaming, and newsletters to connect with your audience Simple tactics to create scarcity and urgency in your offers How Kenny balances work, life, and family as an entrepreneur Proven strategies to automate your business for more freedom We would love to have you as a member of The Flipped Lifestyle Community! We believe you have God-given talents and experiences you can use to start an online business! All you need is 100 people to pay you $50/m online to make $5,000/m, $60,000/y! Let us help you start a membership of your own. Click here to learn more: https://flippedlifestyle.com
Election reform is officially on the ballot for voter approval in Colorado this year. This “Top Four” voting system is similar to the Alaska model of a unified open primary plus ranked choice general election. But there is a catch to this Colorado ballot measure, and it came via the state legislature in the final moments of the 2024 session. “Well, the last couple of days of the legislative session are very hectic,” says Jeni Arndt, a three term Democratic House Member in Colorado before her election as non-partisan Mayor of Fort Collins. “And you don't know every amendment that you're voting on in the last few days. But this was clearly an orchestrated effort to put in a poison pill.” The amendment in question requires at least 12 Colorado municipalities to pass and implement ranked choice voting elections before the state can do so. Thus it could delay citizen-will on this issue until at least 2028, even if voters overwhelmingly pass the initiative in November. “When our legislature waits and passes a law with very little debate that no one basically really knew that that was in the bill,” says Republican State Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, “that's wrong.” Senator Kirkmeyer has not yet taken a position on the Top Four voting in Colorado. Both nationally and in Colorado her party has come out against any form of ranked choice voting. By contrast, Democratic opposition or concern around election reform has been more nuanced. “I think the folks who brought the amendment, I've worked closely with them on lots of different things,” says Democratic Senator Chris Hansen, a former House Member and former candidate for Mayor in Denver. “I think they were trying to make sure there was not an implementation issue with ranked choice if that moves forward in November.” Executive Director of Denver-based Unite America, Nick Troiano, is not so sure. He sees similar motivations behind both GOP and Democratic tactics in preventing or delaying these increasingly popular reform measures. “The fact that they went out of their way in a midnight effort to try and undermine the people's will not only demonstrates the potential impact of this reform,” says Troiano, author of The Primary Solution. “But it also demonstrates the problem that we're trying to solve, which is politicians are largely in it for their self-interest.” Was this Colorado amendment a self-interested poison pill or an effort to make RCV elections go smoothly once implemented? Tune in for three viewpoints on this question and make up your own independent mind. And stay tuned for more upcoming episodes on the various ways party and legislative leaders in multiple states begin pushing back on nonpartisan election reform momentum in 2024, a potentially historic year for depolarizing ballot initiatives. It's all part of our season long series on state and district level reform from Washington DC to Alaska with a record number of states in between, including Idaho, Nevada, South Dakota, Arizona, Oregon and now Colorado. The Purple Principle is a Fluent Knowledge production. Original music by Ryan Adair Rooney.
There's nothing more fascinating + fun to me than my aura!So I was giddy excited to sit with Jeanette Troiano of Auracle. Jeanette has done a deep dive into aura technology + psychology. She has a state-of-the-art aura camera system that allows her to produce photographs of your aura. And, she is educated and insightful in offering interpretation of the colors, shapes and forms captured in the picture. Take a listen as we unpack the details. And then consider joining us for a little yoga BEFORE + AFTER aura experiment at Studio 108 on August 24th. (Yup! You'll get two aura photos, a practice and a personal interpretation of your aura.)But whether you can attend or not, this conversation is a worthwhile listen. There's something pretty cool about this aura-thing!You'll find Jeanette on IG at @the_auracle_ohCheck her out!And thanks for FOLLOWING!
WILL RANKED CHOICE VOTING BRING UP VOTER PARTICIPATION? Nick Troiano from Unite America joins me at 12:30 to talk about how few of us decided so many races in the primaries and how ranked choice voting would change that. Find out more about it by clicking here.
Then, Dom welcomes Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano back onto the Dom Giordano Program for another update on the shore town and other vacation destinations as leaders continue to push against large groups of teenagers taking advantage of new edicts set forth by Phil Murphy that limits police involvement in underage drinking and smoking. Ernie also tells us about how his family ended up in Wildwood, and tells how he's looking forward to seeing Dom and listeners at Dom Giordano Day, next Friday at Mulligan's in Wildwood. (Photo by Getty Images)
Dom welcomes Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. back onto the Dom Giordano Program to discuss the wave of violence that shore towns saw this Memorial Day weekend, a preview of what may be a regularity throughout this summer season. Yesterday, after needing to issue a State of Emergency over the weekend, Ernie put out a news release that called attention to an edict set forth statewide by Governor Phil Murphy that largely ties the hands of police when dealing with juveniles on the boardwalk imbibing in marijuana and alcohol use. Mayor Troiano joins to delve into the situation, explaining what he hopes will be done to allow his law enforcement officers to keep these teen mobs from developing. (Photo by Hannah Beier/Getty Images)
Dom welcomes in Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano back onto the Dom Giordano Program to reflect on the amazing weekend in Wildwood, where his City hosted former President Trump for a rally that drew tens of thousands to the shore destination. Mayor Troiano takes us behind the scenes, setting the stage for a face-to-face meeting he shared with Trump prior to his hopeful words on the beach. Troiano clears up questions around the numbers, telling that the seemingly inflated numbers also take into account not only the beach attendees, but the mass of crowds along the motorcade route and on the boardwalk and in nearby restaurants watching the event. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Full Hour | Today, Dom led off the Dom Giordano Program by recapping the weekend in Wildwood with both Trump's rally on the beach and the meet and greet at Mulligan's Shore Bar and Grill with Rich Zeoli. Dom tells how amazing the camaraderie was on Saturday, noting why he believes there to be such a great environment every time he's attended a Trump rally. Then, Dom welcomes in Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano back onto the Dom Giordano Program to reflect on the amazing weekend in Wildwood, where his City hosted former President Trump for a rally that drew tens of thousands to the shore destination. Mayor Troiano takes us behind the scenes, setting the stage for a face-to-face meeting he shared with Trump prior to his hopeful words on the beach. Troiano clears up questions around the numbers, telling that the seemingly inflated numbers also take into account not only the beach attendees, but the mass of crowds along the motorcade route and on the boardwalk and in nearby restaurants watching the event. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Full Hour | In today's second hour, Dom welcomes back Steve Feldman, Executive Director for the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Zionist Organization of America, to hear about some of the rhetoric coming out of the pro-Palestinian encampments on the campus of UPenn. Feldman tells about a speech made by former Temple professor Marc Lamont Hill, who appeared on the campus, offering up vitriol toward Jewish individuals, with producer Dan playing back clips from the event. Feldman breaks down both Lamont Hill's words and claims made against both Zionists and Israel, explaining many misconceptions that these pro-Palestine individuals hold. Then, Dom welcomes back Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano to hear a lay of the land for the upcoming Trump rally on Saturday. First, Dom asks Troiano about comments he made to the Philadelphia Inquirer when asked why he would bring Trump to Wildwood, noting the large economic impact this weekend will have on his shore town. Then, Dom asks Troiano for some history of his very famous cement company, with the Mayor explaining why he imprints his company name on his projects throughout the island. After that, Troaino sets the stage for the event, telling listeners where the President will speak and when they should arrive for the best time. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Dom welcomes back Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano to hear a lay of the land for the upcoming Trump rally on Saturday. First, Dom asks Troiano about comments he made to the Philadelphia Inquirer when asked why he would bring Trump to Wildwood, noting the large economic impact this weekend will have on his shore town. Then, Dom asks Troiano for some history of his very famous cement company, with the Mayor explaining why he imprints his company name on his projects throughout the island. After that, Troaino sets the stage for the event, telling listeners where the President will speak and when they should arrive for the best time. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Dom welcomes in Ernie Troiano, Mayor of Wildwood, back onto the Dom Giordano Program to discuss the upcoming Trump rally announced for May 11th. Ernie, who served as Mayor off and on for the past 20 years, expresses his deep excitement of a return from the former President, explaining the economic impact and infusion of visitors that come with Trump rallies. Troiano explains that the footprint of the event will mimic their great Barefoot Country Music Festival, which spurns some discussion about the great event that draws from the entire country once a year. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Full Hour | In today's second hour, Dom welcomes in Ernie Troiano, Mayor of Wildwood, back onto the Dom Giordano Program to discuss the upcoming Trump rally announced for May 11th. Ernie, who served as Mayor off and on for the past 20 years, expresses his deep excitement of a return from the former President, explaining the economic impact and infusion of visitors that come with Trump rallies. Troiano explains that the footprint of the event will mimic their great Barefoot Country Music Festival, which spurns some discussion about the great event that draws from the entire country once a year. Then, Dom continues the show by offering up his thoughts of a continued push against House Speaker Mike Johnson by a sect of congressional Republicans. Dom analyzes the strife, telling of the danger of entering into another speaker vote, but noting why he's in favor of a new vote. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Subscribe to The Realignment to access our exclusive Q&A episodes and support the show: https://realignment.supercast.com/REALIGNMENT NEWSLETTER: https://therealignment.substack.com/PURCHASE BOOKS AT OUR BOOKSHOP: https://bookshop.org/shop/therealignmentEmail Us: realignmentpod@gmail.comFoundation for American Innovation: https://www.thefai.org/posts/lincoln-becomes-faiNick Troiano, author of The Primary Solution: Rescuing Our Democracy from the Fringes and founding executive director of Unite America, joins The Realignment. Marshall discuss the case against party primaries, how politicians respond to the structure of the American political system, the lessons and results of 2020s election reforms, and whether proposed election reforms benefit one side of the aisle over the other.
Michael Steele speaks with Nick Troiano about his new book, "The Primary Solution: Rescuing Our Democracy from the Fringes." The pair discuss how in 2024, 24 million independents will be locked out of closed primaries for president or Congress. They discuss the benefits of abolishing the primary system, the states that have already changed their primary systems, and where third parties and ranked-choice voting fits into the mix.Check out "The Primary Solution" here: https://www.amazon.com/Primary-Solution-Rescuing-Democracy-Fringes-ebook/dp/B0C7RMW1Z1Check out Unite America here: https://www.uniteamerica.org/If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or share it with a friend!Follow Nick Troiano @NickTroianoFollow Michael @MichaelSteeleFollow the podcast @steele_podcast
Nick Troiano is the founding executive director of Unite America, a philanthropic venture fund that invests in nonpartisan election reform to foster a more representative and functional government. Since 2019, Unite America has invested over $50 million to help win three major statewide ballot initiatives and over a dozen state legislative and municipal policy victories. In 2014, Troiano ran for the US House of Representatives in Pennsylvania's 10th District and was both the youngest candidate of the cycle and the most competitive independent Congressional candidate nationally in over two decades. His new book, The Primary Solution: Rescuing Our Democracy from the Fringes, is out now.The Primary Solution: Rescuing Our Democracy from the FringesUnite AmericaIf You Liked This Conversation, You'll Probably Like These Episodes of Where We Go Next:90: In Defense of an Eternally Radical Idea, with Greg Lukianoff77: From Fear to Fascination: Understanding Each Other in a Divided World, with Mónica Guzmán30: How to Resolve Intractable Conflicts, with Amanda Ripley65: Untangling Partisan Narratives and Fixing Political News, with Isaac SaulNick's website: nicktroiano.comFollow Nick on X: @NickTroiano----------Are you a fan of Where We Go Next? Listen to the very end of this episode for details.Email: michael@wherewegonext.comInstagram: @wwgnpodcast
We keep looking at our broken political system — the politicians who show up on our TV's and our phones, the lawmakers who end up in Congress, and the general lack of solutions to our biggest problems — and we shake our head. We promise to vote the bums out. We vow to drain the swamp. We pledge to overturn the plutocracy. But we don't think about our assembly line, the system that gives us the choices we are presented with. Remember Lee Drutman's line? "Who chooses the choices?" That's the right question. When we show up to the toy store, and don't like our choices, we're not asking who is making the decision to limit us to these options. We simply keep buying from their limited selection, hoping for a different outcome. The point of Nick's Troiano's book, The Primary Solution, is that we have to change the way we choose our choices. This means getting rid of party primaries, which have become a weapon used by ideologues and zealots to turn our politics into a bloodsport rather than something that serves its citizens. Nick's book is an explanation of how that came to be, why it should be changed, and how we can change it. You can also read a series of four Substack posts on the book here.
“My goal in this book isn't just to diagnose the problem,” explains Nick Troiano, Executive Director of Unite America. “But to give people a solution that is viable and can happen right there in their own states.” That book is “The Primary Solution: Rescuing Our Democracy from the Fringes,” published this week by Simon & Schuster in time for another polarizing primary season. Yet Nick notes in the book, as in our interview, that a record number of 2024 state level efforts to reform primary elections may soon shift the US Congress from gridlock to governance. “This will be the most robust year for election reform that we've seen in the modern era,” says Troiano who ran for Congress a decade ago in his mid twenties as an independent in Pennsylvania. “The people do agree that every voter should have the right to vote for any candidate in every election, and that elected officials have to win a majority of votes to get elected.” Troiano also details the importance of Alaska's Final Four electoral reforms, passed in 2020 and utilized in the 2022 election, as proof of concept for other state and city efforts. “At the end of the day, we all have one vote,” says Troiano. “There's nothing so wrong with the state of our democracy that we can't fix with the tools that our democracy gives us to do so.” Tune in to learn how as few as 6 state level initiatives could motivate Congress to tackle such long standing chronic issues as the fiscal deficit, gun violence and immigration reform. The Purple Principle is a Fluent Knowledge production. Original music by Ryan Adair Rooney. SHOW NOTES Our Guest Nick Troiano: Bio, X (Twitter) Executive Director, Unite America Additional Resources Nicks Book Information Primary Elections Alaska Case Study by Unite America Problem Solving Caucus Nevada and Open Primaries Find us online! X: @purpleprincipl Facebook: @thepurpleprinciplepodcast Instagram: @thepurpleprinciplepodcast Our website: https://bit.ly/2ZCpFaQ Sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/2UfFSja
Hi Everyone and Welcome Back!This week on The Nick Halaris Show we are featuring civic entrepreneur, Nick Troiano. Nick is the founder and Executive Director of Unite America, a philanthropic venture fund focused on nonpartisan election reform, and the author of a very important new book, The Primary Solution. I had the opportunity to read an advance copy of the book to prepare for the interview and I was blown away. For all those who are concerned about our democracy this is a must-read and a meaningful contribution to the cause. As you'll hear in this not to be missed episode, not only is Nick an incredibly bold civic activist, he's also one of the most effective. He and his colleagues at Unite America already have several big wins under their belts, including comprehensive primary reform in Alaska in 2019 that is already producing some rather encouraging results, and they have big plans in the works. Animated by his noble mission, Nick is fast becoming one of the most important voices in the ongoing fight to save our democracy from extreme polarization, corruption, and autocracy. I wanted to have Nick on the show to explore why he's so convinced that primary reform is the key to repairing our democratic function here in America. My takeaway after reading his book and getting a chance to talk with him in-depth, is that he's on to something here! Tune in to this fascinating and optimistic episode to learn:The history of the ever-evolving election landscape in America and why election reform has been such a constant feature of our democracy The surprising diversity in state election laws and processesHow we got ourselves into a situation where our Congress has record low approval ratings and yet we keep electing the same people over and over againHow primaries came to be weaponized by the ideological extremes of both partiesThe convincing case for why reforming primary elections, especially in the 15 states that still have closed primaries, can be such an effective way to address our extreme polarization problem& Much, much moreStay tuned to the end to hear how you can join the cause and find new meaning in your life by asking what Nick considers to be the fundamental question of citizenship: “what can we do to leave the world a little bit better off than we found it?As always, I hope you all enjoy this episode. Thanks for tuning in! Love this episode? Please rate, subscribe, and review on your favorite podcast platform to help more users find our show.
On this episode, Josh Troiano makes his third appearance on the podcast last since episode 128 and 87. Josh catches us up on all that has happened since the beginning of 2023 starting with the end of his senior year of high school. He talks about being appreciative of his high school experience and wrapping up the school year. Also, Josh mentions what his summer workouts for college football were like. He explains what his first semester of college was like for him and managing being a D1 athlete. Then, he shares details about running for Seekonk School Committee and why he decided to do that. We get into a discussion about social media and what some of the positive and negative effects it has on society. Join us in this deep conversation on community, discipline, and mental health.
Just 8% of voters elect 83% of the House: This is the fact standing behind the reform proposed by Nick Troiano in his book, The Primary Solution, which we discuss in this episode. The problem is truly astonishing. And the solution is quite genius.
For all the talk about how broken some parts of our democracy are, very few people are actually doing something meaningful about it. Nick Troiano is one of those people. Through his work as Executive Director of Unite America, Troiano is attempting what most people probably don't even imagine to be possible: To solve gerrymandering and political polarization. We spoke with Nick about what he thinks the way to do this is to address what he calls the "primary problem". You can read today's podcast here and you can also check out our latest YouTube video here. You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here. Our podcast is written by Isaac Saul and edited by Jon Lall. Music for the podcast was produced by Diet 75. Our newsletter is edited by Bailey Saul, Sean Brady, Ari Weitzman, and produced in conjunction with Tangle's social media manager Magdalena Bokowa, who also created our logo. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tanglenews/message
Part 1 of a 2-part series diving into the pros and cons of rank choice voting and other election reforms. Presenting the pro-side, we have election reform advocate Nick Troiano. What is rank choice voting? How has Alaska fared with its move to rank choice this election cycle? Could the extremism we've seen take hold over both parties end if more states adopted rank choice? We also discuss voting by mail, term limits, campaign finance reform, and allowing candidates to make their pitch in 50 words or less on the ballot itself. Stay tuned for Part 2 with WSJ Editorial Board Member Kim Strassel presenting the con-side of rank choice voting. Nick Troiano is the Executive Director of the Unite America Institute and Unite America, a national organization that works to bridge the growing partisan divide by enacting political reforms. Follow him on Twitter at @NickTroiano.