Indigenous communities have been stewarding the land for millennia, yet their knowledge has often been overlooked in mainstream conservation efforts. That’s changing.

In this episode, Dr. Cristina Eisenberg—Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence and Director of Tribal Initiatives in Natural Resources at Oregon State University’s College of Forestry—shares how Indigenous science is shaping climate action. As an advisor to the White House and an invited speaker at the United Nations, Dr. Eisenberg is at the forefront of efforts to integrate Tribal sovereignty and traditional ecological knowledge into global environmental policies.

Join us as we discuss how Indigenous perspectives are transforming conservation, the power of restoring land stewardship to Native communities, and why Indigenous leadership is essential in the fight against climate change.

🎧 Tune in now to learn why the future of the planet depends on honoring its original caretakers.

To learn more about Dr. Eisenberg’s work with the Traditional Ecological Knowledge Lab through the College of Forestry at Oregon State university, please visit their website at tek.forestry.oregonstate.edu

To learn more about The Counter, please visit our website at thecounterpac.com

Dr. Cristina Eisenberg Bio

Dr. Cristina Eisenberg is the Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence and Maybelle Clark Macdonald Director of Tribal Initiatives in Natural Resources at the Oregon State University College of Forestry. She is the Director of the Indigenous Natural Resource Office and the TEK Lab.

She is of Raramuri and Western Apache heritage and has partnered with Indigenous communities globally for nearly 20 years to lead research about how Indigenous Knowledge, cultural stewardship practices, and cultural keystones can restore climate resilience to forests and grasslands. She leads two long-term ecocultural restoration research projects for the BLM on the northern great plains in Montana, working with the Fort Belknap Indian Community, and in western Oregon working with several Tribal Nations.

She partners with the US Forest Service in facilitating ecocultural Tribal Roundtables in the US and works with federal leaders and the US White House in developing policies to support Tribal sovereignty, focusing on natural resource stewardship.

The Counter is a registered non-connected political action committee and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

Democracy thrives when its leaders—and its people—embrace self-awareness, authenticity, and personal responsibility. Leadership isn’t just about authority; it’s about balancing intellect with empathy, making tough decisions with integrity, and fostering trust in a time when trust is scarce.

Few understand this better than Betsy Myers. From working in the White House to serving as Executive Director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard’s Kennedy School, and as Chief Operating Officer for President Obama’s historic 2008 campaign, Betsy has spent her career studying what makes leaders succeed—or fail.

In this conversation, we explore what distinguishes great leaders, how personal responsibility shapes democracy, and why the future of politics depends on each of us stepping up—not just those in power.

🎧 Tune in to The Counter for an inspiring message of hope, leadership, and the role we all play in shaping our democracy.

To learn more about Betsy Myers, please visit her website at betsymyers.com

To learn more about The Counter, please visit our website at thecounterpac.com

Betsy Myers Bio

Betsy Myers is on a mission to improve leadership by developing leaders and teams who infuse passion and purpose into their organizations by leading from both the head and the heart. Betsy's insightful keynotes and workshops have inspired executives and managers worldwide to level up their leadership. Her practical guidance helps attract and retain top talent, build an inspirational culture, and achieve impactful results in the rapidly changing workplace.

Betsy is a renowned expert on emerging leadership trends and women’s leadership and is the author of Take the Lead: Motivate, Inspire, and Bring Out the Best in Yourself and Everyone Around You. She is currently a senior advisor at the Warren Bennis Leadership Institute at the University of Cincinnati. She also serves on the Council on Advancing Women in Business for the US Export-Import Bank and the Board of the International Leadership Association. She has extensive experience in the corporate world, government settings, and in higher education.

Previously, she was the founding director of the Center for Women and Business at Bentley University and the executive director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard's Kennedy School. A senior adviser to two U.S. presidents, Betsy served as President Clinton's White House Advisor on Women's Issues and was the Chief Operating Officer and Chair of Women for Obama during President Obama's historic 2008 national campaign. Her extensive leadership background also includes roles at the U.S. Small Business Administration, including heading the Office of Women's Business Ownership.

The Counter is a registered non-connected political action committee and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

Ellen Hopkins is no stranger to controversy—or the bestseller list. As the #1 New York Times bestselling author of 21 novels, Ellen has captivated readers with her raw, unfiltered explorations of relationships, love, and the struggles that shape us. Her latest young adult novel, SYNC, hit shelves last August, continuing her tradition of tackling tough, real-life issues.

But with fearless storytelling comes pushback. Three of Ellen’s books were among the 11 most banned titles during the 2022–2023 school year, placing her alongside literary icons like Harper Lee, Toni Morrison, Judy Blume, and Margaret Atwood on the list of most challenged authors.

In this episode of The Counter, we explore the power of words, the fight against censorship, and why some institutions fear the very stories that help young people navigate the world. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with one of my heroes, Ellen Hopkins!

🎧 Tune in now!

To learn more about Ellen Hopkins’ writings, please visit ellenhopkinsbooks.com

To learn more about The Counter, please visit our website at thecounterpac.com

Social Media: Emma Trunkle

Ellen Hopkins Bio

Ellen Hopkins is a former freelance journalist and the award-winning author of twenty nonfiction books for kids, four novels for adult readers, two middle grade novels, and fourteen NY Times bestselling young adult novels.

After six decades in California and Nevada, she recently moved with her extended family and two spectacular German Shepherds to five acres of Missouri woods.

The Counter is a registered non-connected political action committee and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

Garrett Morris is a legend—from Saturday Night Live to Broadway, hit television sitcoms, and now a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. But beyond his groundbreaking career in entertainment, he has been a lifelong advocate for civil rights, reproductive equality, religious freedom, and a just legal system.

In this episode of The Counter, Garrett shares his personal journey—the triumphs, the struggles, and the moments that shaped his unwavering commitment to justice. His story is one of resilience, activism, and the belief that laughter and liberation go hand in hand.

🎧 Tune in for a powerful conversation with the one and only Garrett Morris—where comedy meets courage, and art fuels activism.

To watch the Garrett Morris interview with DJ Vlad, please visit VLAD TV’s YouTube channel HERE

To learn more about The Counter, please visit our website at thecounterpac.com

Social Media: Emma Trunkle

Garrett Morris

Though Garrett Morris is best known as one of the original cast members of NBC's Saturday Night Live, he has appeared in numerous television shows and movies since the early 1970s (2 Broke Girls, Hunter, The Jamie Foxx Show, Martin, The Jeffersons, The Longshots, Carwash, and Cooley High).

His musical roots go back to his youth starting as a church-choir singer. Trained at The Juilliard School of Music, and a graduate of Dillard University, he soloed with the Harry Belafonte Singers early on in his career and performed in a number of Broadway musicals (Hallelujah, Baby! and Ain't Supposed To Die A Natural Death).

The Counter is a registered non-connected political action committee and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

The unchecked flow of dark money in politics is eroding our democracy. Since the Citizens United ruling, corporations and the ultra-wealthy have been able to sway elections, drown out individual voices, and flood communities with attack ads, all while operating in the shadows. This isn't just about politics—it’s about power, accountability, and the very foundation of our freedoms.

In this episode of The Counter, we sit down with Reilly Neill—author, former Montana state legislator, and candidate for Congress—to discuss the dangers of dark money, its impact on local and national elections, and what we can do to take back our democracy.

Democracy isn’t a spectator sport. Citizen involvement—running for office, serving on advisory boards, attending public meetings, and demanding transparency—is more critical than ever.

🎧 Join us for a conversation on how we can fight back against dark money and reclaim the power of the people.

To learn more about Reilly Neill, please visit her website at www.neill4congress.com

To learn more about The Counter, please visit our website at thecounterpac.com

Social Media: Emma Trunkle

Reilly Neill

Reilly Neill is a former Montana State House Representative, member of the Water Policy Interim Committee, and longtime newspaper publisher. She organized and facilitated statewide reproductive rights rallies in 2021 and after the Dobbs decision in 2022 and remains the administrator of a 5,000-strong online Montana reproductive rights group. Reilly and her husband Brad live near Livingston in Park County where they've invested in their community for over 25 years. They continue to raise their family through the academic and sports programs of Montana’s public schools and universities.

The Counter is a registered non-connected political action committee and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

Politics isn’t just about policies—it’s about people. And the more authentic, diverse voices we bring into the political arena, the stronger our democracy becomes.

In this episode of The Counter, we sit down with political campaign expert Jamie Lynn Maniscalco to discuss why all politics is personal and why we need leaders who reflect real-life experiences—not just millionaires, lawyers, or lobbyists. We explore how to engage young women in the political process, the power of language in shaping leadership, and why representation matters now more than ever.

If we want a government that truly serves the people, we need candidates who understand the struggles of everyday Americans—and that starts with empowering new voices to step up and lead.

🎧 Join us for this inspiring conversation on breaking barriers, redefining leadership, and making politics personal.

To learn more about Emerge, please visit their website at emergeamerica.org

To learn more about Theia Solutions, please visit their website at theiasolutionsinc.com

To learn more about The Counter, please visit our website at thecounterpac.com

Social Media: Emma Trunkle

Jamie Lynn Maniscalco

Jamie Lynn Maniscalco (she/her) is the CEO of Theia Solutions Inc., the Deputy Training Director at Emerge, and a Yoga Alliance RYT-200-hour certified yoga, breathwork, and meditation instructor. Jamie integrates mindfulness with her 18 years of experience in the political process to be a catalyst for change. She trains and advises women, non-binary, and BIPOC candidates on running for office and winning campaigns to elect leaders that embody the democratic values of the United States.

In 2019, Jamie launched her consulting firm, Theia Solutions - A Catalyst for Change, with a focused vision of advising women, millennials, Gen Z, and BIPOC candidates to win elections. In 2020, she created and directed RUN NOW, the National Organization for Women’s (NOW) first virtual training program, teaching members how to run for office and become professional political operatives.

Jamie served on fundraising teams for President Obama’s PAC Organizing For Action, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Democratic Party of Virginia, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Jennifer McClellan’s Gubernatorial PAC, Governor Terry McAuliffe’s PAC, Governor Ralph Northam’s PAC, Former Virginia Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn, Georgia Secretary of State Candidate Bee Nguyen, and various special election and local campaigns. Theia Solutions' current and previous clients include: Nate Douglas for FL State House, Virginia Delegate Adele McClure, Bee Nguyen for GA Secretary of State, Georgia State Representative Regina Lewis-Ward, Alexsis Rodgers for Virginia State Senate, and Ellen Spiegel for Nevada State Controller.

Jamie began her political journey as a Field Organizer for President Barack Obama in North Carolina and served on his Second Presidential Inaugural Committee as a Day of Service Lead. She is a graduate of East Carolina University, where she earned Bachelor's degrees in Political Science and Philosophy. She also sits on the Board of the Center for Survey Research at East Carolina University.

Jamie hails from Long Beach, New York, and now lives in Miami with her fiancé. She's a proud caretaker of her rescue dog, Khaleesi.

The Counter is a registered non-connected political action committee and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

In a time when information is more accessible than ever, are we truly expanding our perspectives—or just reinforcing our biases? The rise of digital media has given us an endless stream of news and opinions, but with it comes misinformation, manipulation, and echo chambers that threaten democracy itself.

In this episode of The Counter, we sit down with media literacy expert Rosemary Smith from the Getting Better Foundation to explore the dangers of misinformation, the importance of critical thinking, and how media literacy can empower us to separate fact from fiction. We discuss how understanding media intent, questioning narratives, and seeking diverse perspectives can help build trust, strengthen democracy, and foster informed decision-making.

🎧 Join us for an eye-opening conversation on navigating today’s media landscape—and why media literacy is more essential than ever.

To learn more about the Getting Better Foundation, please visit their website at gettingbetterfoundation.org

To learn more about The Counter, please visit our website at thecounterpac.com

Social Media: Emma Trunkle

Rosemary Smith Bio

Rosemary Smith has accumulated considerable international experience in the media over the last three decades. She began her career in media as a co-owner of FCC licensed radio stations throughout Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. Rosemary is a media literacy expert, Montana’s state lead for Media Literacy Now, and envoy to the U.S. State Department’s American Film Showcase. She manages Montana based Getting Better Foundation, spearheads its global distribution of award-winning “Trust Me” Documentary and the film’s educational curriculum in partner with News Literacy Project.

In addition to her experience as a broadcaster, Rosemary has authored many blogs and is working on her first children’s book about media literacy. She’s delivered presentations and contributed to publications on media and citizenship-related issues in dozens of countries. Rosemary remains interested by the challenges posed by emerging media forms and issues relating to media literacy, mental health, peace, and democracy.

The Counter is a registered non-connected political action committee and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.