Campaigns spend millions to influence voters. This works better | Katie Paris
Summary
Community organizer Katie Paris shares how she shifted from DC political strategy to grassroots organizing after realizing that authentic connections, not polished messages, drive engagement. Through her organization Red Wine and Blue, she highlights how friends mobilizing each other in living rooms and backyards boosts voter turnout by 5-7 points, far exceeding traditional campaign efforts. Paris argues that building trust through shared experiences and local networks makes politics feel less exhausting and more effective, encouraging people to engage with their communities rather than tun…
Topics discussed
Introduction: The exhaustion of modern politics
Sponsor: Bill finance platform for accounting firms
Sponsor: Kohler smart toilets and design philosophy
Sponsor: Land Rover Defender for outdoor adventures
The 'ick' of politics and the need for engagement
Katie Paris's background in DC political strategy
The 2018 election and suburban women organizing
Meeting local organizers: Friendship before politics
Tara's story: From backyard gathering to school board
Founding Red Wine and Blue: Connecting local networks
The strategy: Mobilizing friends and neighbors
Data results: 5-7% increase in voter turnout
Sustained community action beyond election day
Conclusion: Find your people and do it together
Credits and production team acknowledgments
Sponsor: Verizon Fios and NFL Sunday Ticket
Sponsor: Citizens Bank mobile banking upgrade
Sponsor: Choiceology podcast by Charles Schwab
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