Podcast
Organizing to Victory
Hosted by Lee-Alyse Perry · EN
Welcome to the Organizing to Victory Podcast with Lee-Alyse Perry, a climate activist and community organizer based in Orlando, FL.
22episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Protecting Our Right to Vote (with Tim Ayers)
2w ago01:06:36Tap to summarizeSeniors are aging out of traditional political networks, and the modern electoral system is making it harder than ever for them to stay connected. How do we fight back?In this episode, host Lee Perry welcomes Tim Ayers, Florida Democratic Party State Committee Member and the new President of the Orange County Senior Caucus. Tim brings decades of generational knowledge to the table, tracing his roots from a young mayor in Ohio to a grassroots organizer in Orlando.Topics discussed include: How do we counter the demand for instant gratification in a slow-moving political system? What is the impact of rapid local redistricting ahead of 2026? Most importantly, they discuss concrete strategies for re-engaging marginalized and older communities left behind by typical "three-months-before-the-election" door knocking campaigns.Timecodes:0:00 - Intro0:54 - Tim’s political background8:51 - Overcoming voter burnout 14:11 - Deconstructing populist messaging17:42 - Organizing in marginalized communities20:02 - Why seniors heavily rely on vote-by-mail21:43 - Contested vs. competitive races in Orange County25:46 - The local impact of redistricting ahead of the 2026 elections31:16 - Replicating the latest Senior Caucus success using micro-targeting33:03 - How different generations get their news36:06 - Navigating strict new rules for signatures, licenses, and registration38:56 - How the state-level party infrastructure must adapt to win46:14 - Corporate PACs, union-busting, and shifting worker rights in Florida53:33 - Re-framing the narrative on government spending and local impact56:54 - How national immigration rhetoric directly impacts local economies1:01:26 - Ageism in voter suppression1:02:28 - Actionable steps for seniors
Transcribe →How to Fix Florida (with Antione Fields)
3w ago00:56:43Tap to summarizeAntione Fields, candidate for Florida House District 21, joins us to talk about what drove him into politics: from the murder of Trayvon Martin to fighting the state takeover of Gainesville's municipal utility. They discuss Florida's affordability crisis, the push for universal healthcare at the state level, corporate influence in the legislature, gerrymandering, criminal justice reform, and why Antione believes bold progressive politics is the only answer to Florida's increasingly dark political climate. Learn more at https://www.fieldsforflorida.com/Timecodes:00:00 Intro & Background07:10 Why Run for Office?10:32 Universal Healthcare at the State Level16:12 Gun Violence & the NRA's Influence18:27 How Trayvon Martin Shaped Antione's Path23:46 The District 21 Primary & Rejecting Corporate PAC Money26:08 The Fight to Restore Control of Gainesville's Utility GRU31:10 Florida's Property Insurance & Climate Crisis39:01 Housing, Smart Growth & Public Transit44:52 Gerrymandering & the Congressional Map Special Session49:04 Criminal Justice Reform & Free Prison Calls53:32 Closing Message & How to Get Involved
Transcribe →Criminal Justice Reform (with Janet Buford-Johnson)
4w ago01:03:03Tap to summarizeLee Perry sits down with Janet Buford-Johnson, a grassroots candidate running for the Florida House of Representatives in District 41. Janet shares her 32-year journey from the hospitality and food industry, to facing unimaginable personal tragedies. She opens up about loss, survival, and the fight for justice for her son. She also talks about how Hurricane Ian completely destroyed her home, stripped away a lifetime of irreplaceable memories, and has left her locked in a battle with insurance companies to rebuild what was lost. Learn more at https://janetforoffice.com
Transcribe →Fire Randy Fine! (with Ronnie Murchinson-Rivera)
May 1001:10:32Tap to summarizeLee Perry sits down with Ronnie Murchinson-Rivera, a grassroots Democrat challenging Randy Fine for Florida's 6th Congressional District. Born and raised in New York City and now a Lake County homeowner, Ronnie brings the perspective of a former EMT, law enforcement officer, husband, and father of five to a race the national party has all but written off.In this conversation, Ronnie shares the moment that pushed him to run, what it's like to lose your home to back-to-back hurricanes and fight FEMA and your insurance company for years, and why the DNC told him Florida wasn't worth the investment. He and Lee dig into the issues hitting families in District 6 hardest: skyrocketing property insurance, unaffordable healthcare, underpaid teachers and nurses, gerrymandered maps, and a state government that keeps choosing billionaires and Alligator Alcatraz over working people.Ronnie talks about getting money out of politics, refusing corporate and AIPAC dollars, supporting term limits, expanding the Supreme Court, and why he believes the path to flipping Florida runs through honest conversations with Republicans and independents. He also opens up about raising five kids in a country that feels less safe for them every day, and how his family keeps him grounded through it all.Learn more or get involved at ron4congress.com or firerandyfine.com.
Transcribe →Challenging the Status Quo (with Eric Yonce)
May 101:29:51Tap to summarizeWe sit down with our first-ever congressional candidate guest: Eric Yonce. Eric is running for Florida’s 6th Congressional District, a diverse area spanning from Daytona and Palm Coast to the Ocala National Forest. Eric isn't your typical career politician. With over 20 years in retail management, Eric brings a "worker-first" perspective to a race currently dominated by the divisive rhetoric of incumbent Randy Fine.In this wide-ranging conversation, Lee and Eric dive deep into:- How a local land swap in St. Augustine and the "Trump effect" on political discourse forced Eric to move from the sidelines to the ballot.- The urgent need for infrastructure that respects Florida’s unique environment and protects the state's dwindling aquifer.- Why Eric supports banning congressional stock trading and overturning Citizens United to return power to everyday Floridians.And much more! Join us as we explore what it means to organize for a Florida that prioritizes people over developers.Learn more about the campaign: yonceforcongress.comGet involved with the movement: organizingtovictory.com
Transcribe →Inspired to Do Something (with Lindsay Snyder)
Apr 2401:09:21Tap to summarizeLee Perry sits down with Lindsay Synder, the newly elected chair of the Orange County Democratic Progressive Caucus to discuss the distance between winning elections and saving lives. Lindsay shares her raw, personal journey through homelessness and arrest, explaining how those unfortunate events fueled her mission to provide mutual aid where the system failed. We explore why the future of the Democratic party is found in the community.
Transcribe →Advocating for Disability Rights with JJ Holmes
Apr 1900:20:18Tap to summarizeLee Perry interviews JJ Holmes, a Central Floridian of the Year and a fearless force in the fight for disability rights. In this episode, JJ shares his incredible journey from a teenager who refused to be silent in the face of bullying, to a dedicated activist holding legislators accountable in Tallahassee.JJ recounts his viral moment standing up to Donald Trump at a rally and explains why, even as a teenager, he felt a personal responsibility to confront bullies. Amidst the high-stakes world of political advocacy, JJ discusses how he stays replenished and resilient through his love for musicals and his commitment to authentic, joyful living.
Transcribe →Building Power and Tracking Prices from the Ground Up (with Greg Perkins)
Apr 1201:03:53Tap to summarizeLee Perry sits down with Greg Perkins, the creator of The Egg Report and a leading voice in the Orange County Democratic Black Caucus. They discussing why affordability is the ultimate bridge between parties and how data-driven storytelling can squash political misconceptions.In this episode, we discuss:The Egg Report: Why tracking the daily price of eggs, bacon, and milk is the key to reaching everyday voters who feel left behind by the economy.Voter Palooza: Greg’s visionary idea to transform dry, formal political training into a high-energy "party with a purpose" that empowers local communities.Ditching the "Dry" Politics: A candid critique of why established leaders need to step out of the gala circuit and back onto the streets and social media.The Fight for Florida: Why national organizations shouldn't give up on the Sunshine State and how local organizers are building their own infrastructure to save democracy.Check out "The Egg Report" - https://theeggreport.comNote: this episode was recorded on March 1 2026, before gas prices took a sharp increase.
Transcribe →Florida’s School Voucher Crisis and Tech in Education (with Stephanie Vanos)
Apr 501:03:37Tap to summarizeLee Perry sits down with Stephanie Vanos, an Orange County School Board member and advocate for public education. Stephanie shares her journey of balancing motherhood with high-stakes advocacy.We discuss the explosion of educational technology (EdTech) and the risks of replacing human connection with screen time. Stephanie pulls back the curtain on the $4 billion voucher system in Florida, explaining how taxpayer funds are being diverted to unregulated schools while public teachers struggle for livable wages.Website: votevanos.orgInstagram: @votevanos
Transcribe →Gun Reform in the Sunshine State (with Moms Demand Action)
Mar 2900:58:42Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Organizing to Victory, we’re diving deep into the front lines of gun safety advocacy in Florida. While the state legislature moves to deregulate firearm laws, local organizers are heading to Tallahassee to fight for the safety of our homes, schools, and communities.Host Lee Perry is joined by Laura Buck from the Central Florida chapter of Moms Demand Action and Linda Coffin, co-chair of the League of Women Voters Gun Violence Prevention Group. Together, they dissect the current legislative landscape and share personal stories: from the chilling experience of a first-grade lockdown drill to the traumatic realities of the foster care system -that fueled their commitment to advocacy.In this episode, we discuss:Why legislators are listening to corporate donors over the 80% of Floridians who support common-sense reform.An update on HB 133 (lowering the gun purchase age to 18) and HB 757 (the expansion of the Guardian Program into colleges).The importance of secure storage, de-escalation training, and closing "open carry" loopholes.How to use the Gun Sense Candidate designation to hold elected officials accountable in this election year.Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children in America. This conversation is about how we can reclaim our right to be safe.Visit:MomsDemandAction.orgLWVOC.org (League of Women Voters of Orange County)
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