Why Not Me? 2028
What if a regular person ran for President?
Why Not Me? is a smart, thoughtful, sometimes funny podcast about one woman’s journey to ask that question — out loud. Shana is not a celebrity, not a billionaire, and not backed by a political machine. She’s a former nonprofit worker and PTA fundraiser, and current higher ed employee who’s spent her life working, parenting, and trying to make things better from the ground up.
In each episode, she explores what it would actually take for someone like her to run for the highest office in the land — from policy ideas to campaign hurdles, from civic curiosity to systemic barriers. Along the way, she asks bigger questions about leadership, representation, and what democracy really means in 21st-century America.
This isn’t a show about bashing politicians or pushing an agenda. It’s about making space for new voices, honest conversations, and people who’ve never seen themselves in power. If you've ever looked at a ballot and thought, “Seriously? These are my choices?” — this podcast is for you.
Why Not Me? 2028
What If We Had a Level Playing Field?
Summary
Running for office isn’t just about good ideas or a desire to serve — it’s about access. And in America, access starts with money. A lot of it.
In this episode, I take a closer look at why the cost of running for office is so high, who gets left out because of it, and how other countries are doing it differently. From campaign finance to media gatekeeping to public funding solutions, we’ll ask: What would democracy look like if it were built for the rest of us?
In This Episode, I Talk About
- Real-world stories like Gary Hart mortgaging his house to run
- How Citizens United changed everything
- The media’s role in deciding who gets taken seriously
- Why some voices are never heard — even when they’re qualified
- What countries like Ireland, France, and the UK do differently
- What a public financing system could look like in the U.S.
- How local reforms are already working — and where we go from here
Resources & Links:
Campaign Spending & Fundraising
Media Gatekeeping & Debate Access
- Shorenstein Center: 2016 Media Coverage Study
- Andrew Yang 2020 Campaign – Wikipedia
- Lawrence Lessig 2016 Presidential Run – Wikipedia
Global Campaign Finance Comparisons
Local Reform Examples
Listener Prompt
Would you be more likely to run for office if money weren’t such a huge barrier? What kinds of reforms would make our elections more accessible - and more fair? Have you seen local efforts that give you hope?
Support the Show
If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who’s said, “I wish someone like me could run.” Leave a rating, send a message, or post about it.
Use this link to send us a text, or email us at the address in show notes.
shana@whynotme2028.com
Credits
Graphics and editing by Rory Lawson
Music by Universfield from Pixabay