{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"From Startups to Statehouses: Rebuilding Politics from the Ground Up","description":"In this high-energy and thought-provoking episode of People, Politics and Pork, hosts Newell Clark and Greg Webb welcome entrepreneur, author, and political reform advocate Neil Thanedar to the mic. From surviving snowstorms and Olympic obsessions to diving headfirst into campaign finance reform, this conversation covers serious ground \u2014 with plenty of Triple P flavor along the way. Neil, Executive Director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network and author of Positive Politics, breaks down the concept of \u201cdark money\u201d in politics and explains how investigative work and grassroots reform can bring transparency back to government. He shares how independent redistricting, ballot initiatives, and focused issue advocacy can create real structural change \u2014 not just noise on social media. The conversation also explores his background in startup culture, his experience with Y Combinator, and how the mindset of an \u201cambitious optimist\u201d could reshape public service for a new generation. With Newell and Greg asking the big questions \u2014 about corruption, civic engagement, and how regular folks can actually make a difference \u2014 this episode blends policy insight with neighborly candor. It\u2019s a reminder that meaningful change doesn\u2019t start in Washington \u2014 it starts locally, with people willing to roll up their sleeves. \ud83c\udfa7 Listen now wherever you stream podcasts \u2014 Apple, Spotify, iHeart, and more. If this episode sparked something in you, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone ready to move from outrage to action. Let\u2019s keep it spinning. ","author_name":"People, Politics and Pork","author_url":"http:\/\/peoplepoliticsandpork.libsyn.com\/site","html":"