Episode #157: Feeney Talks with Jillian Gilchrest

#BeAGoodFriend and check out episode #157 of #FeeneyTalksWithFriends featuring Jillian Gilchrest.

It was great to talk with my #friend, Jillian!

Jillian is the State Representative for the 18th District.

We talked about:
Year 8 of being State Rep (minute 1)
Selfie videos (minute 2)
Personal and Political balance (minute 5)
The West Hartford community (minute 6)
Jason Hayes, First Selectman of East Granby (minute 8)
Jillian is running for Congress (minute 11)
3 keys that make a good Congress person (minute 14)
Jahana Hayes and National History Day (minute 16)
John Larson’s biggest competition since 1999 (minute 18)
Money in Politics (minute 20)
Should Feeney get into politics? (minute 27)
PAC money for political fundraising (minute 29)
Healthcare Insurances donating to political campaigns (minute 32)
Bar graph photo of the rise of healthcare (minute 34)
Policy and advocacy (minute 37)
Jillian’s book, Feminist Advocacy - Championing Gender and Social Justice (minute 38)
Christina’s Connors book, Christina’s Cottage (minute 46)
Daniell M. Howell’s book, Bee 4 Goodnight- The Four B’s (minute 47)
An autograph for Caden (minute 48)
Gift card to Sally and Bob’s Eatery (minute 49)
Past and future podcast guests (minute 50)
What “Being a good friend” means to Jillian and some of her good friends (minute 51)
Order a #FriendsOfFeeney Quarter Zip (minute 53)
Future events (minute 54)
Political Events: First, Last, Best, Worst (minute 55)
Photo from our Donut Crazy fundraiser (minute 57)
Closing remarks (minute 58)

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Creators and Guests

Host

Eric Feeney

After teaching for nearly a decade at his alma mater in Waterbury, in 2014, Eric Feeney began teaching at Wolcott Elementary in West Hartford. Shortly following, Sam Sohn, the father of one of his students, passed away suddenly from a heart attack. He left behind four beautiful children and a loving wife, Nancy Wallace-Sohn. Eric saw first-hand the toll this took on the family as they navigated their way through this unthinkable tragedy. The following year, Rashad Collier Sr., another father of a student in Eric’s class, passed away in Hartford as a result of gun violence. Rashad left behind two fantastic children and a loving wife, Denise Villegas. The impact of these tragedies weighed on Eric and motivated him to build an organization that could provide assistance for similar situations. With that, Friends of Feeney was born. In 2019, Friends of Feeney Inc. became an official 501©(3) nonprofit organization, allowing more funds to be raised and expanding the range of services provided to children and families in need. Today, over a decade since Eric’s idea to build a community organization dedicated to supporting our friends in need, Friends of Feeney has burgeoned into a reputable and recognized organization capable of providing financial and resource support to numerous families and individuals across greater Hartford and beyond. Through this work, an incredible community of children and families has been recognized, who care for and appreciate each other’s kindness.

Producer

David Chmielewski

David started his video career in the early 1990s working on video crews as an independent contractor for such companies as Martha Stewart Living, IBM and Xerox. After graduating Southern Connecticut State University with the degree in Corporate Communications, David continued his video production career and accepted a position at WFSB in Hartford, CT. Within a few years the news and production studios became his charge and David designed, installed and maintained the televisions sets for the various programs at the station. At the end of 2013 David founded DirectLine Media, a video production company that specializes in creating memorable and compelling video content for businesses.

Editor

Stefania Sassano

Stefania's acting journey began as early as the fourth grade, where she took on the role of Scarlett O'Hara in a stage production of Gone With the Wind. This early experience sparked a lifelong passion for the arts. With a background in musical theater fueled by her love of music and singing, Stefania stepped into larger roles, such as Fraulein Kost in Cabaret during her sophomore year at the University of New Haven. This performance earned her a nomination for the prestigious Irene Ryan Acting Award at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival—an honor she would receive again in her junior year.

What is Feeney Talks With Friends?

Eric Feeney talks with #friends! Eric is the founder of the nonprofit organization Friends of Feeney. Their mission is to help children and families who need assistance after heartbreak and tragedy. www.friendsoffeeney.com

all right, all right.

Feeny talks with friends
episode 157 with a good friend.

What's up? Jillian? Nothing.

How are you
happy to be here, Jillian Gilchrist.

Very excited. You have so much going on.

Author.

Mom, politician.

What else do I miss? Anything.

Do you do yoga?

No, but I run. Run runner.

Where do you want to start?

Let's start with running for office. Yes.

Currently state rep.

Yes. Currently state rep.

In my fourth term. Nice.

So I'll be heading into year
eight this spring.

Geez. Yeah, it's been eight years.

It's been eight years.

The first term
and the second term were in, the pandemic.

Gotcha.

Kind of made things a little, yeah.

But yeah,

so eight years, eight years, 2017,
because you marched in a parade.

Yeah. Let's pull it up.

You're pulling up
picks already, Stephanie. You're ready.

boom. It's going to be right here.

Do you remember this picture?

Yes I do, yeah, yeah.

Now where you running for the first time
or were you already in

when I was running for the first. Yeah,
that's what I thought.

So it was running.

So it was 2018 and then boom
the first term was 2019 2020.

Yeah okay. Yeah. Yeah.

And then your kid's so small there
I know to see the kids.

That's when you know.

Yeah. Yeah.

That's when you really know.

Now she's like a peanut in this picture.

And the dog has a dog.

That dog someone handed to me,
classic politician picture.

That is not my dog. Oh, that's so funny.

State rep.

No, I think you're, Great. You're.

I like how you get right into it.

The videos to the selfie videos. Yes.

Do you find those helpful? Effective?

Are you okay with some of the comments?

Like I first thought,
I know we can talk about state

rep and politician,
but that comes to mind right away.

So if you don't mind touching on that.

So selfie
videos are the most well received. Yes.

I don't I don't know why.

I mean, I don't know the studies on it,

but it does seem like people
must be like you're talking right to them.

And it's just I try to use them
as a way of explaining policy.

Yeah. Yep.

We're kind of making a topic
that might seem really difficult,

very concise, like, here's
what's going on.

This is what I think. Here's
what you can do.

Yeah. The comments.

So interestingly, my first term in office,
introduced an ammunition tax.

I don't know if you were aware of that.

I went out big,

at 50%.

I still stand by the policy.

Over the years, I tweaked it,
but the intent is

we would have a tax on ammunition,

and then the revenue would be used for gun
violence prevention programs.

Now, since introducing
it, two states have passed in Colorado.

In California, 50%. Yeah.

Okay.

And my proposal got down.

I think it's like 15%. Yeah.

Interesting for some people in West
Hartford were like, did you go for 100%?

But so, you know, depends on
who you're speaking to.

But anyway, when I did that proposal,

the NRA shared a video.

I did, about that proposal.

It went viral with the NRA, and I got, oh,

yeah,
tons of hate from across the country.

So I don't know if those same people

are the people coming back
or what it is about their algorithms.

But if I mentioned certain key
people or phrases, I'll get folks and it's

those are really people
from not Connecticut. Wow.

And so seven years in, heading into my
eight year, it really doesn't bother me.

So you have thick skin.

Did it thicken

throughout the eight years
that first I bring up that first incident.

I remember now that you
that you said that that happened

I was they like re quoted you right.

And then like had your video here
but had some words above it maybe I never

I mean to have that
many people coming at you.

But now

did you get mail or phone calls
or anything else?

Did you change your number?

No. Wow.

So phone calls.

And it mostly though
was online in my entire time.

Now only knock on wood.

One letter to the house.

Yeah.

A lot of, keyboard warriors and.

Yeah,

that's social media, though.

No matter what you put out there,
someone's going to have a

differing opinion.

Not being a good friend.

Yes. Well,
and that's if you had a different opinion.

Great.

Let's have a conversation. Yeah.

It's just when you been hit.

Yeah we do we get So did you find,

did your lifestyle change?

How did that
how was your balance from personal life?

Political life? Did you see?

I had to learn how to manage that.

The work, never the work could never end.

Which in many ways, I'm
fine with because I enjoy the work.

But I have a family.

And so I've gotten really good,
on a whole nother role.

Everyone's not perfect, at being able
to like certain times of day,

phone goes down
and I'm focused, like with the kids.

Yeah. Family.

And then I'll pick it up again
when they're in bed.

It's been interesting too, though,
as we're talking about them getting older,

you know, like different phases of life.

So when they were younger,
they wanted to engage me.

Now that they're a little older,
I have more time again at night.

Yeah.

They're doing one thing
so I can be doing work in the evening.

So it really to me it's about,
quality over quantity. So.

Okay, when I have time with folks,
I want to be engaged with them.

And that's all about it.

Nice, nice.

I live and work in West Hartford.

I love the community.

What's your thoughts on the West
Hartford community?

How long have you been here?

What is, you feeling?
You're making an impact.

I hope so, so I've been here since 2008.

Okay.

I came to Connecticut in 2000
to go to New Con. Yep.

From upstate New York. Not too far up.

And when I kind of found West Hartford,
that was it for me.

I, I was, raised in a rural area,
and then Yukon was rural.

And so West Hartford with the sidewalks,

it was like,
this is the place I want to be. Yeah.

I love it here.

Yeah, my kids here.

It's been absolutely amazing.

It also

the values I have seemed to be reflected
in the community, and they do seem pretty

pleased with the work I've been doing
on your behalf with the legislature.

And on a whole,
when there is disagreement,

there can still be that kind exchange.

That's what I find in this town.
So that's been positive.

Nice. Nice.

No, I've had,

state reps.

Kate.

And I'm missing Tammy.

Yeah, but you're you're.

Well, it's the trio, right?

The state reps are there as well. Now we.

Oh, because you go to Newington
in Hartford now.

Yep. So we have, Rep Sanchez. Yep.

That's right.

Someone suggested I have them on. Yes.

You open
invite rep Sanchez and Gibson. Yes.

You're in. Please come
on. Feeney talks with friends.

We'd love to chat with you.

How was your week? Which you been up to?

So we have a common friend.
You are in East Granby?

Yes. What?

So how does that work?

And how does that benefit you or him?

West Hartford state rep goes supports.

Is he town council?

He just became, first select person.

Is that like the mayor? Yes. Gotcha.

So he's like.

And it's like the first Democratic mayor,
you know, very long time in East Granby,

right? Yes.

Because that's my connection.
My wife's from East Granby.

She went to high school in East Granby,

her best friend's wedding.

My guy Jason and his husband.

Is he still with, what's his name?

Right. So nice. Yeah. Awesome. Dude.

So this guy Jason shows up to the wedding
decked out in a sharp coat,

sharp pat kicking his feet up over my head
on the dance floor.

And I'm like, this guy's awesome.

Yeah, and I get to know
him, meet him a little bit.

You know, he did make up for RuPaul.

He is like Broadway, well known dude.

And now I guess he's settling down to East
Granby and now he's the mayor.

They've been in East Granby,
I think, almost 20 years.

And so his quick story

to kind of how I met Jason is last spring,

he recognized that people were feeling
overwhelmed.

In the Trump administration.

And so he didn't
want to have another rally.

He wanted to have a forum where
people could come and get information.

And so I was he reached out to me
to be at the reproductive health table.

And just because someone said, oh,
you should talk to Jillian.

So I came at him through that,

and then he let me know
that he was running for first elected.

I'm running for Congress

in the first Congressional District,
of which East Granby is one of the towns.

Oh, God.

And so it's been helpful for me
to learn about that community.

Yeah. And then we just really hit it off.

Yeah, we have a lot of aligned values.

He door knocked

every door in East Granby.

That was 100%.

Yeah.
It didn't matter if they were Republican.

Democrat registered.

Registered.

He knocked everyone and then won.

And so he had the first ever

swearing in
and hundreds of people showed up.

Nice. Congrats to my guy Jason.

Positive day.

I think I saw him at a baptism
in a wedding.

That's it. But yeah.

Cool, dude.

And congrats.

That's really cool.

Open invite for my guy Jason too.

Yeah, I saw you there. And I'm like,
that's the connection.

But it makes sense that you need
you're getting to know people

and spreading your

spiderweb or your reach.

Yeah.

Oh, cool.
I forgot. I'm so excited to chat.

Welcome to Feeny talks with friends.

My name is Eric Feeney, founder
and president of Friends of Fini.

Our mission is to help
children and families

that need assistance
after heartbreak or tragedy.

And I use this podcast.

Feeny talks with friends,
and I talk to a wonderful people

in the community
that are doing great things.

That's how I should introduce
you and Jillian.

You're doing great.

So happy to speak with you.

This is podcast 157.

Big news. Yeah.

This is not an exclusive.

People know by now, but this is amazing.

And, you're running for Congress. Yeah.

Thank you. How's that feel?

You nervous?

Excited? Both.

Both.

I know that, on a daily basis, there is.

Yeah.

And you're all in.

Right.

So. So.

No more state rep regardless.

So, I mean, is there an option,

is there an option to run for Congress
and get state rep back?

You know, once you go to go for Congress.

So you could okay, so I make it clear,
like I do have in my fourth term

that I'm in, I will have this session
starts in February.

Yeah.

That's I think born in
you know, that's my second year of that.

It's a two year term.

But right now I would be announcing

if I were running again for 2026.

Gotcha.

People can you can kind of have

conversations and say,
hey, guys, like two other people.

Can you wait?

Because I'm going to see
if this plays out

and then if it doesn't,
I'm going to run for state rep again.

Yeah, but that's what are the time frames.

It's the.

So may may when's the Congress election.

The congressional election.

The conventions are in May. Okay.

And it's my understanding that the
congressional convention will be first.

So there again, like,
there could be where you could be like,

oh, well,
I didn't get that. I'm going to bump over.

I think it's like a week or two later.

But I've made the decision.

No, I'm all in nice.

When I

ran for state rep, I made it
clear like that it's not my seat.

It's the people seat.

And I've loved it.

And I think I've done a great job.

I hope people feel that way.

But now it's like, who's next?

You know, someone else gets to run.

And I'm running for Congress, right?

I think I'll do a great job there.

So, Yeah.

But to you,
you know, there's anxiety in that, right?

Yeah, there's excitement,
but there's there's anxiety in that.

And what comes next now
there's sessions for state reps.

Now explain this to a third grader

or actually explain this
to a third grade teacher.

Their state rep
sessions is their congressional sessions.

Are you full time?

Are you more full time as Congress
then state?

Obviously you do more and more full time.

It's still just what about the pay?

Is the pay increase pay increases?

That's important.

Gotta get the money
pay increases to your term

and it is all year.

However, well, this is the nice part.

As an organized person, Congress,
they put out the schedule ahead of time.

We don't get our stuff.

We know we go into session here
in Connecticut from February to May,

but when we are going in and which days
where we don't get told that,

it's gotten better.

What days you're staying until midnight?

Yeah, we don't really get told that.

But down there they do put out like,
you know, you're in for two weeks

in a row without the weekends,
so it's a back and forth.

Gotcha.

And they make it that way because you are
still representing your community.

It's important to be here

and learn from people and be able
to share what you're working on.

Very cool. Yeah.

So yeah, let's get into it.

We have, some sponsors.

We're here at Maximum Beverage.

Thanks.

So this is our host
and we have Direct Line Media.

Thank you Dave and Stephania.

We also have Bluff Law Group,
Parkville Management,

people's Bank, Luna Pizza, Sally and Bob's

People's
Bank, Sally Keating Agency, insurance,

float 41, The Fix, Ivy and New England
dawn security.

So with New England Dawn security,
what are three keys

that are going to make you
a great congressperson?

A good listener. Good listener.

I'm optimistic.

So I believe good things can happen
and that the optimistic good bye people.

And I'm an incredibly hard worker.

An incredibly hard worker. All right.

Listener.

Hard worker.

The middle one.

I don't know.

I mean, I'll know.

Compassionate. Well, you go to.

That's how good my memory, I guess.

The sun and shaved and work.

I'm optimistic.

Got it?

Yes. Optimism. That's very.

That's key for any job.

And listening comes up.

Any job teaching.

You want to be a good listener.

Financial advisor? Good listener.

Yeah, I'm sure that's true
for a politician or congressperson.

Do you want me to connect you with Jahana
Hayes?

Have you connected with her?

I have connected with her, but sure.

Yeah, she's been on.

No, but she's coming out
and she's from Waterbury.

I'm from Waterbury.

We taught summer school together.

I consider her her friend, so.

Yeah. Teacher of the year?

Yep. She's great.

So, I'm trying to get her.

I want to podcast with her at the Capitol.

My daughter got National History Day
last year, and we went down to the Capitol

and got a tour,
and John Hayes was our tour guide.

So we got National History Day.

Oh, National history Day.
So you should look into this.

All students out there
as a junior, senior, you get a project.

She did the Capitol crawl.

It helped FDR

change laws and regulations for the for,

For, like,

if, you know, stairs
now have to have ramps. Yes.

So the Capitol crawl,
all these people with disabilities went

there, got out of their wheelchairs
and crawl to the top,

almost like a rally or a protest
made national news.

They changed the rules and the laws.

Now that every place has to have a ramp,
that's the Capitol crawl.

So she makes this presentation.

She went to, Burlington, Burlington,
Saint

Louis Mills High School for State,

National History Day.

So state history day.

Then she went to central
for Regional History Day,

and then her project got selected
to go to DC for National History Day.

And it's an amazing opportunity.

She got a bag of, like, 20
Connecticut pins.

She goes around and trades
to get all the state pins.

I loved it, and it was so good.

It was amazing. She tried again this year.

Didn't get selected

for National History Day,
but you know yeah, we had the experience.

She got a free waiver
application to Maryland

because that's where they hosted it.

So she applied to Maryland.

She loved the campus in the school.

So, but then seeing Jahana Hayes

and I think John
Larsen was down there too.

And Murphy, I think was down there too.

And they came to the event

and they know all the kids sat on the,
steps of the Capitol

they talked him up for
I think they each had like 20 minutes.

And then they were on their way.

But Jahana Hayes chatted me up.

She looked at my daughter was like,

you look
familiar because I sent her a picture.

I said, my daughter is going to be there.

Yeah, I didn't get to see her.
And she was like, is this you?

Jahana looked at me. Hello?

I was like,
is this you, Neal? I was like, that's me.

Wow. That's my dad.

So it was pretty cool.
That is really cool.

I mean, she's like, she was in the middle
of talking and said, hey, that's you.

Okay. That's.

So cool.

Jahana good friend. Yeah.

And Larsen,

they said this on Wikipedia,
so I did some research.

This is his most, the most competition
he's facing since 1999. Yes.

No, that was the first year.

That was when he ran. Yeah.

And it was an open primary. Yep.

And since then,
he hasn't had a competitive race like.

Yeah. So I got some facts here. We got.

Yeah. 1998 was Kevin O'Connor.

It was like 69,000 to 97,000.

Then I just some people that I recognized

Bob Backlund,
we talked about Bob Backlund WWF champion.

He used to do the crossface
chicken wing which choke you out the tap.

You that's Bob Backlund.

He was a Republican.

Ran he lost 59 59,151

Bob Backlund

and then Joe Visconti is a isn't
he a West Hartford guy?

Pretty animated guy.

Interesting.

Maybe podcast?

Maybe not. We'll see.

Get a little controversial there, Joe.

John Decker

has been a podcast guest in 2012.

My guy John Henry Decker,
basketball player, great guy.

He's podcast guest episode 65.

Interesting that it's athletes 2012.

Yeah, well, he's also a financial advisor.

He just plays at the JCC
over 30 men's league.

Not that we're not the most athletic.

Don't give us too much credit.

We're just trying to get exercise here
with Scott and the crew.

Yeah.

And then Mary Fey, 20 2020

Mary Fey was also a podcast guest. 61.

So this one.

Yeah, you got me.

And then come on, let's go. Yeah.

Great deal of respect
for the congressman.

Just think these seats aren't
intended to be held forever,

and we need some change down
in Washington right now, so

not now.

How does that

do you think this should cap?

That's a big talk.

Capping,
Supreme Court justices, capping Congress.

And like, people that get in forever.

Who's been in longer?

How long is Dick Blumenthal?

Is he also been on or what's he.

He's a senator. Senator?

Yeah, I knew that,

know what year he got into that seat?

He was attorney general for a while
here in the state.

So I'm open to term limits.

It's a question that comes up quite a bit.

I'm to me, though, what's the goal?

And if the goal is to get new leadership
and different experiences

and opinions and views,
I think we need to, address money,

because money in politics
is what I believe is keeping people

in for these length of times
and keeping other people out.

That said, when you bring up

the Supreme Court lifetime appointment,
maybe we look at that.

Yeah, that's kind of crazy.

No job should be a lifetime. Yeah.

Whereas again,
open to term limits with Congress.

Those are elections though.

And so I think
we have to fix some other things,

because if we didn't fix the money piece
and we put in. Yeah.

You're still getting the same people.

What about confirm or deny.

Does they get $170,000 as their payroll.

But some people are millionaires.

Is that what you're talking about, money
or what I'm talking about.

Or is that campaign money you're talking.

But somehow they get the campaign.

Where do the people get the money.

Yeah. So.

Well do you think so we

I'll start with here in Connecticut
we have the best campaign

finance for state races.

So when I ran, when I ran for state rep,

I raise a certain amount of money
from from small donations.

I think it's about $5,000.

And then I qualify for a grant,
and then that means.

Oh, yeah,

because you had to get $5
from a thousand people to get the grant.

Right. People in town to show that you.

Yeah. Yeah, yeah.

And then once you hit that $5,000, you

qualify for the grant
and everybody has the same.

Yep, yep.

At the federal level, even though we're
in Connecticut, those rules don't apply.

And so what I mean is
you have people like John Larson's

already raised a million, half
a million of it is from tax.

Many of those PACs are corporate PACs.

So he's getting money from health
insurance companies.

Well, how are you going to push
to try and change

health care if you're getting money
for your campaign from those entities?

Oh, I liked us then.

And that's why teacher health
care keeps going up. Yeah.

So since I'm

on the other leading opponent,
Luke Bronin,

former mayor of Hartford, he's
raised also $1 million

to get into the weeds
of that 750,000 of that

that he raised is
from people who didn't max out, which he,

which means he got hundreds of people
who could give him $3500 or $7000.

So he has rich friends. Correct.

But where would they be? What?

What's their background?
Was it be health care?

Would it be finance?

Would it be like, what's their gotcha?

But I don't know.

I really anyone

who can has $3,500 sitting around
that they can give

to a politician and not even get
that's not tax deductible.

So you're not getting anything.
You're just giving that money away.

And so it also is

are you going to make policy choices

based on having those connections
and that lived experience.

So those are my concerns
with what's going on in Washington.

And two quick examples
of what's going on in this very race.

And so even if we put in term limits,
if we don't fix the money,

if you still are having folks
who have access to.

Yeah, yeah.

So let's just talk to South Bend.

So if the person gets a half $1 million,

he's spending that to campaign advertise.

And that's going to effectively help
his race.

Is he getting billboards TV commercials
and getting out there?

More and more likely
people will vote for him?

Or is he taking out people to dinner?

Like, what's
what are we doing with this money used?

Great question.

It would be used to get your message out
there, but interesting.

You bring it up because.

So there are now four of us in the race.

There have been five
and we all got in in late August.

September.

What's been interesting is that the media

and political insiders,
and by that I mean like Democratic Town

Committee folks, not all of them,
but people who've been around a while.

They look at how much you can raise

as the determinant of viability.

And so they're covering

those two candidates

more than others
based on how much they run.

So already you're seeing money have this
influence even when it's not being spent

or just because they raised this money.

Then we get but yeah.

So then people might ask
and I think, I mean, I feel bad

because I think a lot of people
are burnt out by political fundraising,

especially when they're not seeing action.

And to your point, health care prices
rise.

It's like, why am I do
you want a donation from me?

Are you kidding me?

Nothing's changed and it's gotten worse.

So what is it actually for?

It is for,
you getting your message out there.

So having mail pieces
that, you know, now,

social media, which isn't too expensive,
but to boost post. Yes.

And then the big and then sending mailers,
the big piece o paying staff.

It's been interesting.

It's like starting a small business,
like running for office.

You know, I have to have a team.

Oh, you have a paid staff.
Yeah. Paid staff.

So you have a social media guy,

a mailer?

Yeah.

Social media phone.

So that's free.

Free nine and nine campaign manager
communications.

We're very small team right now. But yeah.

And you know people need to be paid.

So you have the staff
and then eventually in a race

this size you do need to get up on TV.

And that's one of the bigger question.

Yeah. And then is there

you could only pay this person
a certain amount.

Right.

There's a cap on how many,
how much you could pay your staff.

I don't think they do.

You just take like that might be again.

I think Connecticut has rules for that.

So his staff can be getting per
se to do that social media piece.

10,000 bucks.

But your guy is
doing it for free, correct?

Or that could be even more correct.

Wow. Interesting.

Yeah.

With all this being said,

hypothetically speaking,
say Feeny wants to get into politics.

Do you suggest it?

What advice would you give?

Maybe we'll come back to some things.

But yes, it sounds so.

It's intriguing.

Yeah. Interesting.

But, you know, we need more.

We need more everyday
people to get involved. Yes.

And so I would encourage anyone

to run for office
and this is an open invitation.

Reach out.

I would have coffee with you
and talk it through and let you know.

Actually if we get to the book in there,
I talk about plenty.

Here are the steps
you need to take to do it.

Because the only way we change
things is by being in the game.

I truly believe you have to be within it
to change it.

And so, yeah, I think the more people
who bring their everyday

real life experience to government,
the better it's going to be.

Okay.

Geez.

And how can people reach you,
our listeners?

How can they reach you?
How they how they help support?

I mean, go out and vote number one
and then what else?

So on social media,
on all the different platforms, it's

at Jill Crest, Jill c h r e s t.

But you can find me on all social
platforms.

Vote for jillian.com is the website
for the congressional campaign.

And I want to hear from people,

truly, as a social worker,

the best way I learn is from people.

What are they being impacted by?

And it's interesting
you bring up health care.

Yeah.

It is hurting people.

It's expensive.

It's expensive.

And half the time I don't even use it.

And when you do try to use it, yeah,

yeah, yeah,

that was that thing.

Wow. All right.

That's interesting. That's.

That'd be a big one for me. Yeah.

Or a lot of voters.

It would be a big one.

My my goals are like economic. So.

So you can take the pack from anyone
or per se.

He he seems to take from the health care.

But you can't take from can you take
from the auto industry and alcohol.

Tobacco. Are they in or out?

I'd have to look.

You can pull his list.

I, I don't know the entirety of his list.

So there's others in there, and, yeah,

you can get PAC money
at the federal level.

Can we Google that?

Yeah, right. Now. Come on, let's do that.

I've never googled on it. On the podcast.

It's the first you can see I'm someone.

What would I look up John
Larson PAC like, put together a website

about, you know, donations to,

current sitting congresspeople.

Campaign finance summary.

Yeah. Open secrets dawg.

Okay, maybe.

Top industry two oh 2023 2024 insurances.

Shoot $231,000 top contributor

Wex health $23,000.

So he raised

a mile and a half but spent a mil 0.6.

Oh yeah. Let says okay.

Wex health, Guardian Life insurance
Hartford health

American Israel public
oh that is that I pack a pack.

Oh that's been in the news.

Traveler's insurance securities

would then there is some
yeah mostly insurance.

Oh yeah. So total

$23,000 in insurance.

Securities investment 94,000.

Real estate 85,000 health
professionals, lawyers and firms.

Oh, this is an interesting

and and so you've got a lot of health
care.

You got a question.

But then because and if all these health
care, different health care people

are willing to give the same person money,
they're all in the game for themselves.

They want to keep the prices high.

That's a trick where

shoot.

So peer at maximum beverage
like they call the next liquor store

and say, hey, keep your wine at 15 bucks
or both make out.

But if you lower it to 14 bucks,
you're going to take some people.

Can we have like a almost like, I don't
know, is it a gentlemen's agreement?

But it's very interesting point
being that all these health insurance

people are giving. Yes.

Interesting point.

Like, hey, where the health insurance,
where the insurance capital of the world.

Okay. Yeah, yeah. Hartford. Yeah.

But to me, that's an opportunity because

it's saying,
okay, let's get them to the table.

And if they won't change their business
model,

so be it.

But they have to like right
now, profit in health care doesn't work.

We don't need any more evidence.

People know that like profit
driving health care does not work.

And so we need to change the system so
that people can access the care they need.

Yeah.

If the health insurance industry
can't be a part of that

okay.

We need to move in a different direction,

change and grow.

Cheese.

This is good.

I'm learning something new
and I like podcasts and meeting talk with

I would talk with you anyway
and to be like oh have a little moment.

All right a little light bulb.

So I mean I will do some more research.

That was a quick little internet search.

And I'm again,
I'm not hating on John Larson.

He was a former teacher.
Yeah. Seems like a good dude.

But, you

know, sometimes
and the fact that you bring it up,

he's part of a system in Washington

that he's not the only one, but

that's taking money from industry.

But that's a system we need to change.

And I don't think we do that by electing
the same people who been part of it.

And so that's a way of doing it.

That means we need to be done with
I won't be taking any corporate money.

I would take PAC money

from like I work on endometriosis,
at the state legislature

and there's like a women's health there
because they want to elect

candidates who will push
for research on women's health.

I feel comfortable and ethical
taking that money.

But I have no.

Have they provided that to you? Not.

No. Yeah.

Okay.
You're just saying gotcha, gotcha, gotcha.

No. Which

someone that you are in agreement with
and feel comfortable is very important.

But I don't want to be beholden
or feel like

I owe something to any entity.

Because they gave money to my campaign.

Interesting.

So since 99,

we should do that.

Wish I could pull that up since 99.

Where has the health care in Connecticut?

Where has it?

Bar graph would be great right
now. Boom! 99.

Where have they been? Yeah.

And you think?

They'd be increasing.

The bars would be going upstairs.

We get that here.

Boom.

I don't know if we could get that bar
graph Stefan you look that up.

Boom.

Bar graph.

This is great.

Doing some research on the podcast,

talking about real people and real events
and things that are really happening.

It could affect people.

Usually I talked to Joe Schmo.

Was like, you know, I don't know
Scott and Ty, you know, from the JCC.

Oh. I'll go with the other big issue.

I gonna have two more.

But, so health care is a major reason
I'm running to try and improve

that for folks.

Just the economic inequality is pretty
outrageous right now in this country.

Wages haven't gone up, and costs
just keep rising.

That's another thing. Yeah.

The teacher salary has been here,
but housing

or the market for housing
has been sky food through the roof,

housing through the roof, car,
all that stuff.

But some salaries are staying here.

And public education actually. Yes.

Tied to.

But then, just a separate bucket for me
is public education.

My, both my parents are school teachers.

That's why you

so raise me to public school teachers.

My sister's level school teacher

and partner, actually, right now
as a paraprofessional.

And so, and,
I mean, just working in the legislature,

all we hear is, can you go on record that
you're going to help bump teacher pay?

Looking looking to camera 100%?

I would bump teacher pay.

Oh, all professionals at schools.

Nice. Absurd.

What teachers are paid.

Go on, preach a louder
for the people in the back.

I mean, it's it's insane.

And I was hopeful after the pandemic
when people were like oh wow.

Right. Oh yeah.

That lasted about two weeks. Exactly.

And then it's back to,
oh, we will pay a 50,000.

Like what is happening?

Go on. Jillian okay.

And so we need to beyond the living wage
like teachers need

we need to incentivize people
to go into the profession.

We need to pay you guys what you're worth.

The other thing I've learned,
the legislature, we try to give schools

quite a bit of staff
because that is where kids are all day.

So it makes sense
because it is a central hub.

But we haven't increased the staffing.

And, you know, like

given the supports that are needed
for the amount of things we expect.

Yeah, yeah.

All right. Well,
thank you for the support.

Teachers,

we're on topic.

Anything else that's on your mind
with the Congress and helping out and,

your campaign,
your motivations, inspirations?

Yeah.

So, I mean, the other
I just truly do believe that we need

more everyday people, representing us.

And so I commit to folks like,
I will be here in the community.

That's the point of representing folks.

And so getting ideas from people,
listening to them, what do they need?

And then my skill set as a social worker,

I'm a trained social worker,
is really taking those ideas.

And, translating them into effective
public policy and then doing advocacy.

So to me, it's not just going down there
and saying, oh, I support the Green

New Deal, but then you don't do anything
to try and enact it.

Like you need to go meet with advocacy
groups.

You need to come back and talk
to the community. You need to share.

Hey, these are the policies
and this is how we get them there.

You got to work with your colleagues
in Congress to push for the change

every single day.
And that's just one topic.

But you've got to be pushing,

all the time.

And so I want to get in there, push
for as much change as possible,

and then turn around and say, who's next?

My brother made the joke, oh my God.

If you get elected,
you've got job security till you're 80.

Like, no,

it should we should have different ideas.

What's your brother do?

He's the one. Oh okay. Yeah that's right.

Yeah, yeah.

So he's helping out nice.

That's great. Wow.

No, I wish you the best of luck.

Yeah. We talked.

Mom. Politician. Author.

Yeah. Now.

So you've always been a strong advocate
for women's rights, right?

And that was something that you've been
talking about and running on.

And then you wrote a book.
Where did you find the time?

I'm trying to be an author,
so I want to write a book.

This is motivation.

Yeah. It's good.

What do you.

Yeah, you know,
you have to chunk out time, right? Yeah.

I was planning out each week
when I was going to spend time writing.

I did work with, an editor
who I did all the writing.

But they would give feedback,
which was fantastic.

It took me two years.

The goal was one year,
but it did take two years.

Because I learned once we go

in, went into legislative session,
I couldn't I had no do it.

So mornings, weekends,

but the how many times I did
go back and forth from the editor,

I would send like a chapter at a time.

Oh, that's nice.

That's a good way to do it
towards the end.

Not too bad once in.

Yeah, really.
It took two years because of that.

Like 4 or 5 months of can't. Right.

Because a session.

Yeah. 195 pages.

20 bucks on Amazon.

Rosa de Lord did the

the the forward. Yeah.

You ever think about purple hair or. No.

Can you pull that off?

And who? Shannon.

I know your mom, dad, sister and brother.
And then Shannon.

Shannon was my dear
friend, who passed from cancer.

Oh, don't.

And really kind of shaped
and changed my life.

That's awesome. Great dedication.

No, I have some notes here.

So there's always that,
you know, equal rights.

Roe versus Wade.

What is about when someone would look
at the girl and say, what is she wearing?

What did that stand out
and how did that help you write the book?

So I wrote the book
because I think we do a bad job.

No offense to teachers.

We do a bad job of teaching history
in this country.

It's not the individual teachers.

I just think the content that's know,

like, who gets to make those decisions.

And so one piece of the book is,

taking like different policies
that impact women

and kind of giving a history of, hey,
this is when this happened and this is how

it got done.

To kind
of fill in the blanks on women's history

and then to give kind of a playbook
on how to do advocacy,

using lessons learned. Okay.

And then the goal is to motivate folks

to run for office,
in particular, Democratic women

or chapters that, that.

So, you have to look. Come on. Yeah.

You should know that.

Well, all of them kind of 75.

Yeah. Running to win.

So number seven, chapter seven.

Chapter six.
If they can do it, I can do it.

But really kind of talks
about throughout the book,

different strategies and tips and tools

to run for office to pass policy.

And like I said, yeah,
just kind of knowing where we came from.

The history piece,

I, I've had the opportunity to teach

political science
at a University of Hartford as an adjunct.

And it's always
interesting to me because,

you know, people will give

young people a hard time,
but it's like, well, they weren't around.

So we have to fill in the blanks
of how we got to today.

And that's what this is about.
Like gotcha.

Yeah. Like Roe v Wade getting overturned.

I think that shocked a lot of people.

Way back in 2008,

I would say them, my friends
and others like

you got to keep tending to it.

Because the other side's
always working to take it away.

And so when it got overturned,

I was sitting there like,

yeah, well, yeah,
you saw it coming for decades.

And then it was sad because
people were like, how do we like, fix it?

And it was like, it's
going to be a while, guys, because you,

you know, so I just my hope is

by letting people know
kind of some of the background

of where we got how we got to today
that can help us move forward.

I know that you've advocated for abortion.

Have you known someone personally
that have been through that,

or have you talked with them?

And yeah, personal connections,

because it's 1 in 4
women will have an abortion in their life.

And I think

largely because of the shame societal,

you know, in society, that's
why a lot of people don't talk about it.

But most folks know
someone, who got an abortion

and everyone's story is different.

So, like, there's no one, like, you know,
everybody felt the same way, really.

It it varies across the board.

The bigger piece to me

would always say is like,
I get it and people can have

and should have their personal beliefs
about it.

It's when it comes to policy,
like your personal beliefs

should not inform policies
that impact everybody,

and you really can't legislate

based on different people's experiences.

And so I would love
to see us get to a point in this country

where we just trust that a woman can make

that decision with her, with her family.

We're not there yet.

We're nowhere near that. But,

I think that's what it should be.

And if we did a little more
on the preventative side, like,

that's always to me,
the ridiculous piece is

we're always having it
feels like we're always

having this conversation about abortion.

What about comprehensive sexual health
education or health education in general?

Right.

Or how about ensuring people can access

health care
so that they can prevent things?

And we tend
to not have that dialog as much.

And if maybe we were working
in that space, we wouldn't have to

focus over here. Okay.

That's interesting.

I didn't think about it that way, but

preventative.

And instead of, let's say,
after the fact preventative

or an intervention, whatever.

Like, it's kind of like reactive.

Reactive is the word I was looking for.

Better be preventative.

You know, you get pregnant
until you have a pregnancy.

So. Yeah, we should address that.

Who's the gentle lady?

Chapter eight is there's someone
in particular or is that that concept?

I called it that because once I started
serving, that's what they'll call you.

The gentle lady from West Hartford.

And I just thought that to me, it's
a very funny title.

Instead of gentleman, they do.

They say gentle lady.

Really?

Yeah.

Well,
so that's what that chapter is more about.

Serving in the legislature. Gotcha.

Looks like and feels like

it's.

It was
interesting one piece to talk about.

I had been an advocate for years.

So what that means is
I worked at different nonprofits,

and I was lobbying the legislature,
on reproductive rights.

Preventing,
sexual assault on economic security.

And so I was in that building a lot.

But when I'd see people, they'd just say,

hey, Julian,
you know, just like we're talking.

And then once I got elected,
it was like, the next day I walk in

and it's like, state representative,
good to see you.

You know, it's the very same people
you've been working with, which is

kind of trippy.

Yeah, but I love the book.

Thank you.

Well, and I'm going to read it, I think
I love the fact that I have this book now.

I haven't read it yet,
so I will be checking it out.

champion,
we just learned schwa in third grade.

You know what, a Swiss champ.

So that's an I, but it makes an E sound.

So it gets the schwa sound
and it's an open syllable exception

because you think you would say I,
but it's in e.

So schwa, there's a schwa word.

No, you are actually giving me flashbacks
to the pandemic.

I was expecting to teach my children
things like that.

I was like, I don't know what we're doing.

Yeah, schwa.

And then while we're on books,
this is next,

two weeks,
Christina Connors went to Wolcott School.

She's a professional singer now.

And works with David Friedman,
who works for Disney.

Coming on, 153 was the soulful Faust.

I see great connection for you,
with them.

So for Faust, that was 153.

And then this is my guy, Daniel M Howell.

I just met with this guy.

Complete, mentor inspiration.

I just had a great meeting.

I was on his every word. He's
an awesome guy.

He's a future podcast guest down the road.

But this is the Forbes,
you know, brush book, bed bath, Forbes.

And before you go to bed.

And now he started a whole program.

Now in Waterbury, an amazing person. And,

future guest.

So while we're on the book
topic and I do have my marker,

so maybe later you can sign it.

That'd be great.

We got that. Oh.

Future event.

Let me just go over our future friends
of any event.

February 22nd, come to the wolf pack.

We're giving out its 90s night.

So they're giving slap bracelets

today. What did I say?

See?

Hey, I've made it 50 minutes
without a mistake.

This is pretty good.

A couple stumbles here and there,
but February 21st, people.

February. Saturday, February 21st.

Tickets are $29.12.

It's ninety's night.

Oh, thank you for the correction.

Be there.

Hopefully.

So, Oh, yeah.

And then we got a picture.

Got a sign. We've got a picture.

Got an autograph. We have a fan.

Who's the fan?

My guy Caden.

Caden from, Connor,
actually Caden from Connor.

Oh, and thank you for being such
a great guest.

Sally and bobs,
this is a little gift card for you.

There are sponsor Sally and Bob,
Helen and Cesar now.

But Helen, you know, hopefully
tell Feeney sent you to get a breakfast.

Great place.

Have you ever been to Sally
and Bob's? Nice.

Oh, oh, let's hear some podcast guests
you could talk about anyone you want.

Do you know who 151 was?

Shane Spencer, three time World Series
champ for the New York Yankees.

Know them? You heard of the Yankees? Yeah.

152 Deb and Lisa, do you know them?

Did you did you happen to see minute 30
when we talked about Jillian Gilchrist?

Oh come on. Electric. Okay.

153 we did a hot wings challenge
for pancreatic cancer.

No. Who came on for that?

Ivy Rappaport Smith.

Do you know him?

Yes. Chris
Conway, head of West Hartford Chamber.

Ali Baluchi.

From the chamber.

She does blue jeans. Creative.

She did my website. Okay.

People's Bank had a representative in and.

Hooray!
So yeah, this is our third time doing it.

And we just like hot ones.

We progressively get hotter
and then we get to the bomb.

Okay. And watch that one.

You see a sweat.

And Abby ate, like, five bombs

and he's just sweating, dying.

154 again.

So for forest,
it was Christina, Terry and Tara.

Harry Baluchi,

which is,
retired teacher and football coach

and now the executive director
of Hartford.

Pal. Okay.

Reno from Jay.

Tim so had Jay Tim's wings.

So eight wings on 153
and then wings on 156.

Oh, wings.

Have you ever been to J.

Yes. Good. Wings. You like wings?

Are you a vegetarian?

No, but I like, boneless.

Oh, so you like nuggies chicken nuggets?

Boneless.

Colonel Mike Cadburys next week, Cadbury,

Christina Connors,
John Lyons and Max Markowitz.

Very nice. Good people, great lineup.

So yeah, just happy
that you're a part of it.

Thank you.

Our motto is be a good friend. Oh.

That's for you.

You don't have one on your car.

Come on. Hello.

What does it mean to be a good friend

in our community
in the West Hartford community?

Oh, Or can you name a good friend
that's helped you in your journey?

I'd say being a good friend is

being supportive and.

Open minded.

Be supportive and open minded. Yes.

And I've been fortunate.

Lots of good friends are coming to mind.

Katie Dikes,

Mary Hope Powell, a lot of folks,

my kids went to Morley,

and the Morley neighborhood
was very supportive.

Nice being a Morley mom,
that principal's a basketball player.

Yes, that felt very safe.

It was a very safe and mostly walking.

Right? Yeah.

And so you do they have any busses
or is it all walking?

There are busses for open choice.

But I believe that's it.

And so all walking. Wow.

So really each morning and afternoon,
if you went pick up

the kids, you engaged with parents.

Oh. So it's a cool little community. Yeah.

And they do the wagon.

Yeah, they do the wagon walk.

So it felt really it was really nice.

Very cool.

So yeah, that to me was the community
and being a good friend.

Yeah.

Yeah.

We do our models, pick up trash, hold the
door, give compliments and be charitable.

So I think please think about
giving to friends of Feeney again.

Our mission is to help

children and families that need assistance
after heartbreak or tragedy.

We just helped our 130th family
and we just provided over

$275,000 direct impact
to family and direct

financial donation to families
that are impacted by,

displacement,
loss or some sort of illness.

So, so important.

Check us out on Friends of Phoenix.

Com or like and subscribe
this podcast for any talks with friends.

You you really have done
such an amazing job

when these are all over you,
like everywhere you look.

Yeah, I mean, I hear that a lot.

That's like one, podcast.
Guess what? Like Fini.

That's the best thing you've done.
We see these everywhere.

The mayor wrote me a nice little note.

Mentioned that too.

We got the quarter zips now.

Two quarter zips are in. I have to ask.

You guys are stalking me.
It's like a quarter.

Is it a quarter? Oh, yeah.

No more hoodies.

Kids are wearing hoodies anymore.

Quarter zips.

And of course, friends of Feeney
had to get a quarter zip.

Come on, get big down a quarter. ZIP.

I'll get one quarter.

Get them a quarter. ZIP.

Do you have any future events
coming up or planned activities?

Yes. So political.

Next week I'm having an impeachment town
hall if anyone is interested,

on Wednesday at 6 p.m. on zoom.

I just got.

Now. Who's that for?

Yeah, I just got
who's the impeachment thing for Trump?

So you really don't like him? No.

We. Yeah.

Yeah, not at all. Nothing.

Not one thing. No.

Absolutely negative things.

Just throwing it out there. We talk. Yeah.

We might have to extend this podcast
another I'm kidding.

Not one good thing. Okay.

I don't think he's a good person.

Okay. I don't think he's a good.

Is he a good friend. No.

No. Fresh.

So impeachment.

Go ahead.

Continue.

So, yeah, I'm a courage candidate.

And so, with citizens,
impeachment is an organization.

So we're having a town hall on zoom,
next Wednesday.

Yeah. So that's what's coming up.

Nice, nice.

How about political events?

Will play a quick game.

First. Last best worst.

Your first event.

Your last event. Your best event.

Your worst event or political like,
it could be an interaction.

It could be, campaign.

Event.

It could be first event.

When I announced I was running
for Congress, the kids stood with me.

Nice.

Introduced me.

Super cool pieces on the way.

So you showed the picture earlier.

She's now been,
you know, at my side for quite a while.

In this political world.

On the way to the event, she said, Will

I be taking questions from the press
today?

Yes, but thank you for her.

So she's ready to go.

I love it. Last.

So what is that, like, most recent? Oh,

most recent was the Jason Haynes.

Gotcha. Which was fantastic.

You in what can feel like a dark time?

The fact that an entire community
really is rallying around this amazing

man, for a first select, it was just.

You could feel the positivity in the room.

Nice. Yeah.

And then best and worst.

Did you have something
go wrong or missing, or then did

you have the best one?

Best so far?

I'll go.

The state rep best was passing
pay, family and medical leave.

That was policy for eight years.

Outside the building.

And then once I got elected,
I was able to pass that,

And worst.

All these things are flashing.

Yeah.

The NRA thing sounds kind of crazy.

Yeah.

Yeah, the NRA won. But,

I had a
I did have a death threat to the house.

Oh, yeah?

Yeah.

Okay. Yep.

Not to get dark. That one.

All right.

And segue to the them from that.

All right.

Cool pic of the donut.

Crazy old hair.

Boom.

Be a good friend in the
to the O's. In good.

Where? Donuts. Come on. Yeah.

It was two days
before the school shut down forever

for for, whatever the pandemic. Covid.

Yeah, it was March 8th, 2023.

Yeah, I was
that was like brand new. Pretty.

Yeah. Yeah, it was brand new.

Wow. They opened right before that. Yeah.

All right.

Any closing remarks we talked for?

We usually shoot for 50 minutes
with Feeny.

We're at like an hour.

It was great to sit down
and talk with you.

You're very engaging. Informative.

I learned a lot.

I wish you the best of luck.

You're an author.

You don't do yoga, but she's a runner.

Runner?

Please support by our book.

Check her out on Jillian gilchrist.com.

Vote for Jillian. Jillian.com.

Awesome.

No, just thank you so much
and thank you all for all you do.

Truly for the community.

It means a lot I appreciate you.

We'll say be a good friend down 3123.

Be a good friend.

friends.

A free

day. Hey!