Have you ever stopped to think about what sparked your political awareness? In this episode of A Couple Thinks, we (Aaron and Lisa) take a step back from the chaos of current events and trace our personal paths through politics and activism, from childhood memories to adulthood engagement.
Lisa remembers canvassing with her aunt and being involved in student government. Aaron recounts tagging along with his mom, a judge of elections, to the firehouse polling place in Pennsylvania—learning early on that democracy is both serious and communal (and occasionally involves fire trucks). From student council campaigns to family commitments, our early experiences planted the seeds for a lifetime of engagement.
We also explore how our political lives intersected as young adults—volunteering, organizing, and even lobbying Congress together through Jewish leadership programs. Over time, our activism evolved: from the hopeful energy of Obama’s 2008 campaign to the gut-punch of 2016 and the organizing energy that followed. We also talk about what we’ve learned from our (now adult) kids, how activism looks different in different life stages, and why we’re still writing postcards and showing up when it matters.
If you’re feeling burnt out, nostalgic, or just curious about what shaped us into the people behind the podcast, this episode offers a reflective, and hopefully fun, look at the personal side of civic action. Plus, stay tuned at the end for our joyful moments, which this time involve one long-neglected hot tub.
Resources:
Find your local No Kings Day, June 14th, event at: Mobilize.us
Email us at: hello@acouplethinks.com
