Ep. 24 – Not Today: Setting Boundaries, Building Change (with Carla D. Cunningham) скачать в хорошем качестве

Ep. 24 – Not Today: Setting Boundaries, Building Change (with Carla D. Cunningham)

In Episode 24 of The Jentry Podcast, host Jonathan Mason speaks with Representative Carla D. Cunningham, who has served North Carolina’s 106th District for more than a decade. From her early career as a nurse to her work as a legislator, Carla’s story is one of resilience, purpose, and service. She shares how personal experiences with her son’s health challenges inspired her to champion Medicaid expansion, the Affordable Care Act, and mental health reforms. The conversation explores the realities of legislating in Raleigh, the art of negotiation, and the importance of building relationships across the aisle. Rep. Cunningham also speaks candidly about gerrymandering, affordable housing, and initiatives ranging from student ID crisis lines to school lunch debt relief. She closes with a powerful message on self-care and boundaries: the importance of saying “Not today” in order to sustain long-term leadership and change. Takeaways From Nursing to Public Office: Carla’s decades in nursing prepared her to lead with empathy, discipline, and a community-first mindset. Health Care as a Calling: Personal struggles with her son’s care fueled her fight for Medicaid expansion and mental health reform. The Hard Work of Politics: Success often means compromise—knowing when to give, when to fight, and how to “get to yes.” Relationships Matter: Respect is earned through listening, research, and building trust across the aisle. Boundaries & Balance: Leadership requires self-care—knowing when to push, and when to say “Not today.” Chapters 00:37 Introduction to Rep. Carla Cunningham 01:56 The people and beauty of North Carolina 03:16 From nurse to legislator: a journey of service 06:30 Family impact of mental health and the push for ACA & Medicaid expansion 10:11 Explaining Medicaid expansion in simple terms 15:25 What a state representative does 21:49 Lessons learned: listening, research, and relationships 26:24 The power of bipartisanship and building allies 27:34 District priorities and working with nonprofits 32:57 Gerrymandering explained in plain terms 39:32 Current initiatives: suicide prevention, jail oversight, housing, school lunch debt 44:00 Legacy, boundaries, and the power of saying “Not today” Keywords Carla D. Cunningham, North Carolina, 106th District, Medicaid expansion, Affordable Care Act, mental health reform, nursing leadership, community health, gerrymandering, bipartisan leadership, affordable housing, school lunch debt, crisis prevention, public service, women in politics