In this episode of 'The Foolish Optimist,' host Amy McDonald interviews Dani Sterbinsky, a Navy veteran and HR professional running for the US House of Representatives seat in Arizona's Ninth District. Dani discusses her background, motivation for running, and the key issues facing her district, including education funding and economic inequality. She emphasizes the importance of grassroots campaigning and building community networks to reach voters. The conversation delves into her personal experiences, her stance on various policies, and the challenges of modern political campaigning. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:58 Dani's Background and Motivation 02:14 Life in the Navy 05:02 Post-Navy Career and Social Work 06:34 Challenges in Social Work 10:10 Parenting and Campaigning 11:35 Arizona's Ninth District Issues 12:38 Education and Economic Concerns 23:49 Campaign Strategy and Voter Engagement 28:02 Challenges of Voting Accessibility 29:29 Campaign Information and Signature Collection 31:38 Fundraising and Campaign Finance 35:27 Randomized Personal Questions 40:53 Favorite Politicians and Political Memories 47:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts