How Public Service Can Solve Our Challenges with Josh Friday

An Honorable Profession

In this week’s episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan speaks with NewDEAL Alum Josh Fryday, the former mayor of his hometown, Novato, CA, who went on to be California's Chief Service Officer and is now a candidate for Lieutenant Governor. They discuss how service benefits everyone and acts as a triple win - for the service member, for the community, and all of us. They emphasize the need to push back on federal cuts affecting public service efforts and how California has stepped up by expanding service programs. Debbie and Josh delve into the importance of valuing and encouraging service to build strong communities, solve big challenges, and bring people together, and they talk about what inspired Josh to build a career out of service as well as how it has impacted him and those he serves. Recognizing it as one of the big challenges for communities to solve, Josh also offers a unique approach to mitigating the economic disruption that AI can cause. Tune in to learn why Josh decided to run for Lieutenant Governor and how he thinks leaders should show up for their people.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [02:16] An introduction to today’s guest, Josh Fryday, Chief Service Officer for California.

• [03:08] Josh tells us about the California Office of Service and Community Engagement.

• [05:44] What volunteers are doing in the different groups within the organization.

• [08:44] The impact of the Trump administration cuts and how they’re fighting them.

• [11:05] What we can learn from the service work happening at the local level.

• [13:34] Why Josh believes we need to talk about the importance of building communities.

• [15:51] How to support the California Office of Service and Community Engagement.

• [17:51] Josh tells us about the best experiences he’s had doing this work.

• [20:42] Where Josh’s desire for service came from and how it has given his life purpose.

• [22:51] How Josh thinks we should handle the economic disruption that’s predicted.

• [24:47] Josh tells us about his election campaign for Lieutenant Governor of California.

• [27:34] Why leaders should prioritize outcomes so they can deliver for their people.