The MeidasTouch Podcast: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani On Making Government Work for People
Date: January 11, 2026
Host(s): MeidasTouch Network (Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas)
Guest: Zoran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City
Theme: Governing for the People — Delivering Tangible Results in NYC
Episode Overview
This episode contrasts the chaos and distraction in federal politics—specifically under the Trump administration and its foreign policy distractions—with the tangible, people-focused governance of New York City under Mayor Zoran Mamdani. The conversation centers on the NYC announcement of a path to universal childcare, a landmark collaboration between Mayor Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul, and what it signals about the potential for government to work for real people, not just political interests.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Federal Government Distraction vs Local Governance That Delivers
- [00:30-07:01] The brothers recap chaotic national politics, focusing on Trump’s obsession with foreign policy tangents (e.g., discussing Venezuela, Greenland) that don’t connect with voters’ pressing domestic concerns.
- Polls show voters overwhelmingly oppose these foreign adventures, wanting government to focus on cost of living, healthcare, and childcare.
- Republican lawmakers are frustrated that Trump’s focus is off domestic priorities, leading to intra-party conflict.
“Should the United States prioritize Venezuela over America? It's like only 7% of people support that. And I guess in that 7% is Donald Trump and his cabinet who keep talking about we're running Venezuela. […] The American people hate this.” — Political Commentator [00:30]
2. Universal Childcare — A Milestone for New York
- [07:01-08:08] The hosts introduce the major NYC policy announcement: a $1.2 billion state commitment to make universal childcare a reality.
- The partnership between self-identified progressive Mamdani and centrist Governor Kathy Hochul is highlighted as proof of cross-ideological cooperation.
- This addresses a key crisis: with the average childcare cost at $22,500/year, too many working families are being priced out of the city.
“We're talking about a $1.2 billion commitment from the state of New York to the city of New York to make universal childcare a reality. […] And so what today's commitment and today's partnership between the governor and myself shows is that working families are not going to have to make the choice any longer between the city they love and the family they want to actually raise.” — Zoran Mamdani [08:08]
3. Working Across Political Divisions for the People
- [08:55-10:00] Host and Mayor reflect on how real governance is about results, not partisan labels.
- Mamdani notes New Yorkers care less about political labels than whether policies help them.
- The new coalition between the Mayor and Governor is seen as setting a new tone: “the era of empty promises is over.”
“New Yorkers rarely ask me how to describe my politics. More often they ask me if my politics includes them.” — Zoran Mamdani [09:19]
4. Defying Cynicism and Delivering Quickly
- [10:00-11:03] In only eight days in office, Mamdani’s administration has delivered on a major campaign promise.
- This rapid action is seen as a counterpoint to political cynics who say change is slow or impossible.
“We are showing them that politics can be different than what it has been. We are showing them that when we dare to dream of a world that is better than this, that's the first step in not just fighting for it, but winning it.” — Zoran Mamdani [10:25]
5. Restoring Faith in Democracy Through Results
- [11:03-12:13] The conversation turns to the broader implications for the Democratic Party and U.S. democracy.
- Mamdani argues that faith in government can be restored when it delivers on people’s needs.
- He sees his campaign and early actions as a template for matching solutions to the scale of problems.
"A lot of New Yorkers have lost faith in democracy not because of losing faith in the ideal of it, but rather losing faith in its ability to deliver on their material needs as working class individuals." — Zoran Mamdani [11:26]
6. Governing for Both Big and Small Issues
- [12:13-13:32] Mamdani shares a concrete, small-scale example: fixing a cycling hazard on the Williamsburg Bridge demonstrates that responsive government can act on both large-scale and everyday concerns.
- He stresses that no issue is too small if it impacts New Yorkers' daily lives.
“There's a temptation to think that governance is only about the issues that are as large as our city, when in fact, governance is also about showing that there's no issue too small.” — Zoran Mamdani [12:32]
7. Final Reflections: Politics That Centers People
- [13:32-15:09] The interview ends on the need for politics that reflect people’s lived realities—housing, affordability, childcare—instead of political spectacle.
- Mamdani frames today’s victory as an embodiment of listening to and acting for everyday people, so New Yorkers can keep calling the city home.
“Are my struggles actually a part of your politics? Are my day to day realities reflected in what you are working on? […] We're going to do that by making it easier, making it more affordable. To keep calling the city your home. And it's truly an honor to be a part of this movement.” — Zoran Mamdani [14:13]
Memorable Quotes & Moments
-
On Political Labels:
“New Yorkers rarely ask me how to describe my politics. More often they ask me if my politics includes them.”
— Zoran Mamdani [09:19] -
On Delivering Results:
“We are showing them that when we dare to dream of a world that is better than this, that's the first step in not just fighting for it, but winning it.”
— Zoran Mamdani [10:25] -
On Restoring Faith in Democracy:
“A lot of New Yorkers have lost faith in democracy not because of losing faith in the ideal of it, but rather losing faith in its ability to deliver on their material needs as working class individuals.”
— Zoran Mamdani [11:26] -
On Responsiveness to Small Issues:
“There's no issue too small. […] If you care about working class New Yorkers, if you care about their needs, whether big or small, you can start to deliver on them.”
— Zoran Mamdani [12:32] -
Reflecting People’s Daily Struggles:
“Are my struggles actually a part of your politics? [...] We're going to do that by making it easier, making it more affordable. To keep calling the city your home.”
— Zoran Mamdani [14:13]
Important Timestamps
- [00:30] – Federal government’s misplaced priorities and polling backlash
- [07:01] – NYC announces $1.2B investment in universal childcare
- [09:19] – Mamdani: “Do my politics include you?”
- [10:25] – Defying cynicism: showing what’s possible with vision and action
- [11:26] – On why faith in democracy falters and how to restore it
- [12:32] – Real-time problem solving: cycling hazard over Williamsburg Bridge
- [14:13] – Making politics answer the struggles of real people, not just rhetoric
Conclusion
This episode provides a hopeful and practical road map for how government can, and should, serve the people. Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s rapid progress on universal childcare is framed not just as a local win, but as a model for rebuilding trust in democracy through action, inclusion, and results. The conversation is marked by a clear contrast between national distractions and the focused, cooperative, and listened-based governance happening in New York City.