Damian Galvan sits down with Bernard Taylor, a Florida firefighter/paramedic, community advocate, and now Democratic candidate for Congress. From fighting on the frontlines as an EMT to fighting for working families in Washington, Bernard shares his journey, why he’s rejecting corporate PAC money, and what it really means to run a grassroots campaign in today’s political system.
We talk about healthcare, education reform, and the broken money-driven nature of U.S. politics, as well as Bernard’s background in MMA, firefighting, and community service. He opens up about the challenges young people face in affording college, housing, and starting families - and why investing in people is the only way forward.
On the lighter side, Bernard tells some of the wildest EMT stories you’ll ever hear and we put him through a “Who Would Win in a Fight?” game with politicians and historical figures.
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro
02:06 – Authenticity in Politics & Social Media Advantage
06:00 – MMA Past in his past, Now a Firefighter
08:27 – Why Trade Programs Belong in High Schools
12:18 – America’s Failure to Invest in People vs. Nordic Countries
15:16 – Rejecting Corporate PAC Money & Staying Authentic
17:00 – How Joking Online Led to Running for Congress
19:46 – The Money-First Mentality in Politics
22:57 – Grassroots Candidates & Community Power
24:15 – What “Real Victories” Look Like for His District
33:55 – Healthcare Access & Medicaid’s Ripple Effects
38:00 – How Delayed Care Hurts Families & Communities
42:01 – Why Young People Can’t Afford Families Today
45:20 – Capitalism, Inequality & Systemic Barriers
47:44 – Racism & America’s Fundamental Flaw
50:06 – Universal Healthcare Misconceptions
52:49 – The System Is Broken, Now What??
54:02 – Who Would Win in a Fight? (Politicians Edition)
58:41 – Bernard’s EMT Stories
1:09:23 – Final Thoughts (and where to support Bernard)
Thank you for tuning into the ‘Who Dem?’ Podcast! We bring on Democratic leaders, candidates, personalities, and more with a goal of truly getting to know the person beyond politics. Hosted by Damian Galvan and Rep. Gil Cisneros (D-CA 31).
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