You can follow Josh's campaign at JoshTaveras.com Empowering Change with Josh Taveras In this episode of the Foolish Optimist Podcast, Amy McDonald interviews Josh Taveras, a candidate for the US House of Representatives from New York's Second Congressional District. Josh, a proud gay Dominican American and first-generation college graduate, discusses his motivation to run for office and his commitment to implementing bold, people-first policies. They delve into Josh's background in community organizing, his focus on issues such as housing affordability, public transportation, and LGBTQ+ rights, and his grassroots campaign efforts. Josh also shares his personal experiences and how they drive his passion for creating positive change in his community. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:48 Josh Taveras' Background and Motivation 01:40 Community Involvement and Impact 03:11 District Demographics and Challenges 05:01 Voter Engagement and Political Landscape 07:51 Housing Affordability Issues 10:35 Transportation and Accessibility 12:08 LGBTQ+ Rights and Challenges 14:57 Education and Disinformation 19:23 Campaign Strategy and Grassroots Efforts 24:46 ICE Activity and Immigration Issues 29:26 Website Information and Smart Domain Choices 29:55 Favorite Thing About the District: The Food 30:28 Taveras Taste: Promoting Local Food Businesses 32:15 Advice for Young People Entering Politics 34:26 The Attention Economy and Taking Breaks 36:58 Rapid Fire Questions: Getting to Know Josh 46:31 Personal Struggles and Motivation for Running 48:57 Conclusion and Where to Follow Josh 50:49 Podcast Wrap-Up and Thank You