California Congressman Gil Cisneros (D-CA 31) joins Damian Galvan to talk about life, opportunity, and politics beyond headlines. Gil shares his story of getting married at the Vatican in St. Peter’s Basilica, his reflections on visiting Rome, Prague, and Europe while serving in the Navy, and the advice he’d give his 21-year-old self.
We dig into the politics of internships, access, and privilege. Discussing from the shift to paid internships in Congress, to the debate over nepotism vs. opportunity, and why diversity and inclusion are about fairness! Our conversation also covers the latest culture-war absurdities like Gavin Newsom trolling Trump, Fox News backlash, far-right figures like Nick Fuentes describing Gavin Newsom as “Aryan,” and why conservatives are embracing contradictions.
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro
02:35 – Travel, Rome, and Favorite Art (School of Athens, Sistine Chapel)
06:28 – Visiting Prague & Eastern Europe’s History
09:45 – Advice to Gil’s 21-Year-Old Self
12:31 – Why Studying Abroad & Networking Matters
13:36 – Internships Going From Unpaid to Paid
15:53 – Barriers for First-Gen Students
19:25 – Social Mobility, Family, & Creating Opportunity
22:04 – Nepotism vs. Opportunity (Kennedy, Trump, DEI)
26:29 – Gavin Newsom Trolls Trump, Fox News Reacts
29:08 – Nick Fuentes, Far-Right, and Newsom Praise
37:01 – GOP Performative Politics (Gaetz, Miller)
40:02 – Cooling Centers & Local Resources (CA-31st District)
41:57 – Family Updates
42:37 – Staying Cool w/ Ice Cream & Our Summer Movie Recs
42:55 – Closing Thoughts
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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