Authenticity and Effort Drive Success in Politics and Music - Episode Hero Image

Authenticity and Effort Drive Success in Politics and Music

Andy Beshear Podcast · · Listen to Original Episode →
Original Title:

TL;DR

  • Combating misinformation requires providing accurate information rather than solely disproving falsehoods, as demonstrated by Aaron Parnas's strategy to educate young audiences on social media.
  • Politicians can improve communication by embracing authenticity and speaking to constituents like regular people, avoiding jargon and overly reviewed messaging to build trust.
  • Social media has democratized journalism, empowering young people to voice concerns and influence companies and governments, shifting power dynamics away from older generations.
  • Social media content can drive policy change, as seen when a video about Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield's surgery coverage policy led to its rescission within days.
  • The effectiveness of political campaigns hinges on sustained, year-round engagement and community outreach, not just last-minute advertising, to build genuine connections.
  • Country music success is built on relentless touring and fan connection, with artists often driving their own buses for hours to perform short sets.
  • Authentic communication in politics requires understanding the "why" behind policy, not just the "what," to foster broader support beyond issue agreement.

Deep Dive

This episode of the Andy Beshear Podcast presents a dual focus: combating political misinformation through digital strategy and navigating the landscape of modern country music. Political commentator Aaron Parnas outlines how authentic, accessible communication can counter disinformation, emphasizing the need for politicians to connect with everyday people. Country music star Walker Montgomery shares his journey of building a career distinct from his famous father, highlighting the dedication, travel, and behind-the-scenes work required in the music industry.

Parnas argues that the current political communication landscape suffers from inauthenticity and jargon, hindering genuine connection with the electorate. He posits that by adopting a more natural, direct style--akin to how one would explain complex issues to a jury--politicians can build trust and convey messages more effectively. This approach is particularly crucial for engaging younger demographics like Gen Z, who utilize platforms like TikTok to consume news and seek direct engagement. Parnas's own success stems from providing accessible, accurate information, a strategy he believes is more potent than simply debunking falsehoods. He further contends that focusing on core issues affecting most Americans, such as jobs, healthcare, and public safety, alongside empathetic communication and genuine authenticity, forms the bedrock of effective political engagement. The second-order implication is that a shift toward this style of communication could reduce political polarization by fostering understanding across different groups, echoing his advice to connect with neighbors offline rather than solely engaging in online echo chambers.

On the music side, Montgomery illustrates that success in the country music industry requires more than familial connections; it demands relentless effort, extensive travel, and a commitment to the craft despite its unglamorous realities. His experience of signing a record deal after years of work, performing in diverse venues, and navigating the social networking of Nashville underscores the dedication necessary to establish an independent career. Montgomery's emphasis on performing traditional country music resonates with audiences in markets like Texas, suggesting a persistent demand for established genres. The implication here is that while talent and heritage can open doors, sustained success is built on resilience, adaptability, and a deep understanding of audience engagement, a stark contrast to the often-perceived ease of fame.

Ultimately, the podcast synthesizes these two seemingly disparate conversations by underscoring the universal importance of authenticity, clear communication, and dedicated effort. Whether in politics or music, the ability to connect with people on a genuine level and to persist through challenges--beyond the curated public image--is presented as the key to meaningful impact and sustained success.

Action Items

  • Audit communication strategies: Analyze 3-5 recent political campaign messages for authenticity and clarity, comparing them against the "speak like a normal human being" principle.
  • Create media literacy guide: Draft a 5-section guide for young people on identifying misinformation, focusing on actionable steps and critical thinking skills.
  • Track candidate background diversity: For 3-5 potential future candidates, measure the prevalence of non-traditional backgrounds (e.g., non-Ivy League, non-military) against traditional profiles.
  • Develop community engagement framework: Design a 2-year plan for candidates to conduct consistent door-knocking and constituent outreach, prioritizing pothole-level issues.

Related Episodes

Key Quotes

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"first we have aaron parnes who is a political commentator he's called the walter cronkite for gen z he gives a very thoughtful interview about how we combat misinformation and advice he'd give to democratic candidates that may have a chance of winning districts in 2026 that were harder um in other times and then we have rising country music star walker montgomery a personal friend of mine and the johns he's just come off uh his father john michael montgomery's final big concert where he played to a packed rep arena he signed a new uh album deal uh he is going to talk about some of his best performing songs and we're going to hear a little bit about him he's going to tell us about life on the road the things that are or are not glamorous and even talk about his new engagement with one of the leads of tiger lily gold"

This quote introduces the two main guests of the podcast episode: Aaron Parnas, a political commentator, and Walker Montgomery, a country music star. The speaker outlines the topics to be covered with each guest, ranging from combating misinformation and political strategy to music career milestones and personal life.

"so i actually i wasn't old enough to vote so my first ever vote for president was in 2020 for president biden uh back in 2016 i did support donald trump when he was running and part of the reason why i mean at that time i was i wasn't even 18 years old i was in high school college doing a program at the same time and when you grow up in a household and all you see on tv is fox news all you hear around the dinner table are republican talking points that's all you think you know and so growing up i thought i was a republican i thought i was a supporter of the president's uh we would only watch his rallies essentially in the house and so that's all i knew and it wasn't until i got educated really left the house and educated myself in law school moving up to washington d c that i realized that hey i was what donald trump liked to call a rhino at the time or a republican in name only in the fact that i was a republican because my family were republicans and i quickly realized that hey maybe that's not where i stood because on the issues i was i was not with the president"

Aaron Parnas explains his political evolution, detailing how his early support for Donald Trump was influenced by his upbringing and media consumption. Parnas describes how leaving home, pursuing legal education, and engaging with broader information led him to re-evaluate his political identity and realize his views did not align with the Republican party platform at the time.

"yes so it's been a wild ride i it all dates back to really february of 2022 at the time russia was preparing to invade ukraine i had family in kiev at the time an uncle an aunt and a six year old cousin and i would hear from them pretty much every single day what they were experiencing they would tell me about tanks rolling down the street bombings overhead i mean it was a very horrifying situation and then i turned on the tv here at home and i felt as though media here in the united states was just doing a disservice to my family the way they were portraying the war and the impending invasion so at the time i was about 18 months out of law school and i figured you know what why not screw it i'm going to pick up my phone and open up a tiktok account"

Aaron Parnas recounts the origin of his social media presence, stemming from his desire to share firsthand accounts from his family in Kyiv during the early stages of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Parnas felt that U.S. media coverage was inadequate and decided to use TikTok to provide a more direct and personal perspective on the unfolding events.

"i really feel as though a lot of people in the united states the biggest problem in the united states of america is the lack in my opinion is the lack of civics ethics and media literacy taught in every classroom across the country and if i could fix that i would but i'm not a politician so i can't so what i try to do is bridge that divide through my content and educate as many people as possible specifically young people who get their news on platforms like tiktok about what's happening in the world and there's so much misinformation like you said governor out there that my belief is instead of combating misinformation by just disproving misinformation i just want to provide as much accurate information as possible"

Aaron Parnas identifies a lack of civics, ethics, and media literacy education as a major problem in the United States. Parnas explains that his content aims to bridge this educational gap and combat misinformation by providing accurate information, particularly to young people who consume news on platforms like TikTok.

"i think the biggest thing is authenticity people need to be more authentic uh don't go through 10 layers of review on a video or a tweet just be yourself like express yourself online i think a lot of people like to say social media isn't real life and i completely agree but i'm basing my content and my platform on social media being real life the way i am online is the way i am in person it's the way i'm talking to you right now i think if politicians were like that and didn't just get on social media and drop f bombs just to drop f bombs we'd be in a better place"

Aaron Parnas advises politicians to prioritize authenticity in their communication, emphasizing that they should express themselves naturally online rather than adhering to overly reviewed or curated messages. Parnas believes that mirroring one's real-life persona on social media would foster better connection and trust with the public.

"i would recommend the first one listen now i'm gonna get dad a shout out too so the first one is i love the way you love me which was dad's first number one hit and i re recorded it and it kind of took took my career to the next level so that's number one right there let's take a quick listen to i love the way you love me sung by walker montgomery"

Walker Montgomery recommends his re-recorded version of his father John Michael Montgomery's first number one hit, "I Love The Way You Love Me," as a starting point for listeners. Montgomery explains that this song was pivotal in advancing his own music career.

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Resources

External Resources

Books

  • "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald - Mentioned as an example of a classic novel that teaches about the American Dream.

Articles & Papers

  • "The Memo from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield for the Tri-State Area in New York and Connecticut" - Referenced as a policy that incentivized doctors to complete surgeries in an arbitrary amount of time, which was rescinded after being highlighted online.

People

  • Aaron Parnas - Political commentator, digital strategist, and advocate for combating misinformation, described as "the Walter Cronkite for Gen Z."
  • Walker Montgomery - Rising country music star, son of John Michael Montgomery, who recently signed a new album deal.
  • John Michael Montgomery - Country music star and father of Walker Montgomery, who recently held his final big concert.
  • Travis Denning - Country singer and songwriter, brother-in-law of Walker Montgomery.
  • Eddie Montgomery - Member of the country music duo Montgomery Gentry and uncle of Walker Montgomery.
  • Krista Slayball - Fiancée of Walker Montgomery, member of the band Tiger Lily Gold.
  • John Robenowitz - Mentioned as being present at Walker Montgomery's concert at Rupp Arena.
  • Morgan Wallen - Mentioned as an artist Walker Montgomery played for at parties in Kentucky.
  • Pat Green - Texas country music artist mentioned in relation to the Texas country music scene.
  • Robert Earl Keen - Texas country music artist mentioned in relation to the Texas country music scene.
  • Cody Johnson - Country music artist with whom Walker Montgomery toured.
  • Tim McGraw - Country music artist cited as an influence on Walker Montgomery's sound.
  • George Strait - Country music artist cited as an influence on Walker Montgomery's sound.
  • Bill Clinton - Former President mentioned in the context of desired leadership style.
  • Phil Scott - Governor of Vermont, mentioned as an example of a Democrat leading a Republican state.
  • Donald Trump - Former President, discussed in relation to political communication, economic policy, and tariffs.
  • Joe Biden - Current President, mentioned as Aaron Parnas's first presidential vote.
  • Caroline Leavitt - Mentioned for stating that core CPI was at an average of 2.5% or 2.6% since Donald Trump took office.

Organizations & Institutions

  • 1800Flowers.com - Online flower retailer mentioned for a special offer.
  • Andy Beshear Podcast - The podcast hosting the discussion.
  • Gen Z - Demographic group discussed in relation to political engagement and media consumption.
  • Democratic Party - Political party discussed in relation to candidate recruitment and communication strategies.
  • Republican Party - Political party discussed in relation to candidate recruitment and communication strategies.
  • Kentucky State University - Mentioned in relation to a shooting incident.
  • New York City - City mentioned in relation to a shooting incident and a policy change.
  • Sydney, Australia - City mentioned in relation to a shooting incident.
  • Washington D.C. - City mentioned in relation to a menorah lighting event.
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield - Health insurance provider mentioned for a policy change.
  • Walmart - Retailer mentioned in relation to Thanksgiving meal pricing.
  • Oversight Committee - Government body whose website is a source for public records.
  • Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office - Law enforcement agency where Aaron Parnas worked.
  • Texas - State mentioned as a significant market for Walker Montgomery's music.
  • Kentucky - State mentioned as Walker Montgomery's home state and a focus for political strategy.
  • Iowa - State mentioned in relation to gubernatorial races and political strategy.
  • California - State mentioned in relation to Proposition 50.
  • Indiana - State mentioned in relation to its Republican Senate and redistricting.
  • Rupp Arena - Venue where John Michael Montgomery held his final concert.
  • Montgomery Gentry - Country music duo, of which Eddie Montgomery is a member.
  • Tiger Lily Gold - Band of which Krista Slayball is a member.
  • ACM (Academy of Country Music) - Awards organization that recognized Tiger Lily Gold.
  • Million Dollar Cowboy Bar - Venue in Jackson, Wyoming, mentioned as a tour stop.
  • Billy Bob's Texas - Venue mentioned in relation to Texas country music artists.
  • Greenhall - Venue mentioned in relation to Texas country music artists.
  • Cheesecake Factory - Restaurant chain mentioned for its menu and as a filming location.
  • Congress - Legislative body discussed in relation to AI regulation and hemp/marijuana policy.
  • Federal Government - Governmental entity discussed in relation to policy decisions.
  • The White House - Mentioned in relation to a rally and a statement about affordability.

Tools & Software

  • TikTok - Social media platform used by Aaron Parnas to share information.
  • YouTube - Video platform mentioned for subscribing and leaving comments.
  • Substack - Platform where Aaron Parnas publishes his newsletter.
  • Spotify - Music streaming service mentioned for listening to Walker Montgomery's music.
  • Apple Music - Music streaming service mentioned for listening to Walker Montgomery's music.

Websites & Online Resources

  • Indeed.com - Job search website mentioned for sponsored job postings.
  • BetterHelp.com - Online therapy service mentioned for a discount offer.

Other Resources

  • Misinformation - Concept discussed extensively by Aaron Parnas.
  • Civics Education - Concept identified as a core "why" for Aaron Parnas's work.
  • Media Literacy - Concept identified as a core "why" for Aaron Parnas's work.
  • Substance Use Disorder - Term discussed in relation to political communication and advocacy speak.
  • Tariffs - Economic policy discussed in relation to its impact on consumer prices.
  • Inflation - Economic concept discussed in relation to consumer prices and political messaging.
  • Core CPI (Consumer Price Index) - Economic metric discussed in relation to inflation data.
  • Affordability - Economic issue discussed in relation to consumer prices and political campaigns.
  • Student Debt - Financial issue discussed in relation to young people's economic concerns.
  • Job Market - Economic indicator discussed in relation to the overall economy.
  • Stock Market - Financial indicator discussed in relation to economic performance.
  • Redistricting - Political process discussed in relation to electoral maps.
  • Dummy Mander - Term related to gerrymandering, mentioned in the context of redistricting.
  • 8100 Rule - Political strategy principle emphasizing focus on issues affecting 100% of Americans.
  • Authenticity - Communication principle discussed by Aaron Parnas and Andy Beshear.
  • The American Dream - Societal concept discussed in relation to classic literature.
  • Antisemitism - Prejudice discussed in relation to personal identity and public events.
  • Epstein Files - Series of documents and information related to Jeffrey Epstein, discussed in relation to survivor stories.
  • AI (Artificial Intelligence) - Technology discussed in relation to regulation and future platform trends.
  • Hemp Regulation - Policy discussed in relation to federal government actions.
  • Marijuana Regulation - Policy discussed in relation to state and federal actions.
  • Traditional Country Sound - Musical style associated with Walker Montgomery's music.
  • Two-Stepping - Dance style associated with Texas country music.
  • Public Safety - Issue mentioned as part of the 8100 rule.
  • Public Education - Issue mentioned as part of the 8100 rule.
  • Healthcare - Issue mentioned as part of the 8100 rule.
  • Jobs - Economic issue mentioned as part of the 8100 rule.
  • Public Roads - Infrastructure issue mentioned as part of the 8100 rule.

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