In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li sits down with Sarah Elfreth, who represents Maryland’s 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

From her early start in student government and higher education leadership to becoming the youngest woman ever elected to the Maryland State Senate and now serving in Congress, Congresswoman Elfreth’s path reflects a grounded, institution-focused approach to public service. In this conversation, Mark and Congresswoman Elfreth explore what it actually takes to move policy forward—from expanding voting access and digital inclusion to tackling environmental challenges in the Chesapeake Bay and navigating the realities of governing at the federal level.

They also discuss how decisions are made inside institutions, the balance between economic growth and sustainability, and why process and accountability matter in moments of national decision-making. Throughout the episode, Congresswoman Elfreth shares her perspective on where younger generations fit into today’s political landscape—and how they can move from observing change to actually shaping it.

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li sits down with Kweisi Mfume, who represents Maryland’s 7th Congressional District. From leaving high school at 16 to support his family in Baltimore, to serving in Congress, leading the NAACP, and returning to public office decades later, Congressman Mfume’s journey reflects a life shaped by responsibility, resilience, and long-term commitment to public service.

This conversation goes beyond titles and positions. Mark and Congressman Mfume explore how power actually works inside institutions, what it takes to sustain leadership over time, and how policy decisions translate into real outcomes for communities. They also discuss the role of youth in civic life, the challenges of building trust in public institutions, and where younger generations can find meaningful ways to engage and create lasting impact.

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, Host Mark Li sits down with Marc Korman, who represents District 16 in Montgomery County and currently serves as Chair of the Environment and Transportation Committee in the Maryland House of Delegates.

They talk about how decisions are actually made in Maryland inside the systems that shape transportation, infrastructure, and environmental policy. Delegate Korman walks through what it takes for a bill to move, where real influence sits within the legislative process, and why outcomes are often decided long before a final vote.

We also explore the gap between passing policy and delivering results, the long-term challenges behind building a reliable regional transit system, and how tradeoffs are made when balancing growth, sustainability, and navigating youth participation above all in the civic system.

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li sits down with Chair of the Maryland Senate Finance Committee Pamela Beidle, who represents District 32. From her beginnings in local government to her work shaping policy at the state level, Senator Beidle offers a grounded perspective on how leadership evolves, and how decisions made in Annapolis impact everyday life.

We explore the role of state government in areas like economic development, infrastructure, and environmental policy, and what those decisions mean for students and young people across Maryland. This conversation also takes a closer look at youth civic engagement, the barriers that keep young people from fully participating, and what it actually takes to move from awareness to impact in the community.

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li sits down with Oliver Ma, a civil rights attorney and leading candidate for Lieutenant Governor of California, to examine what leadership looks like in a moment defined by division, inequality, and generational change.

Drawing from his work representing tenants and immigrant communities, Oliver reflects on the limits of individual advocacy and the need for structural change. The conversation explores the realities facing AAPI communities, the barriers to political representation, and how identity shapes both legal practice and public leadership.

Mark and Oliver also discuss youth civic engagement, declining trust in democratic institutions, and what it takes to build meaningful connections with the next generation beyond election cycles. Grounded in both lived experience and policy perspective, this episode considers how power, responsibility, and representation are evolving in one of the most consequential political landscapes in the country.

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li sits down with Maryland State Senator Cory McCray, who represents the 45th Legislative District in northeast Baltimore City.

Senator McCray shares the personal story that shaped his path to public service, reflecting on his early life in Baltimore, his time at the Cheltenham Detention Center as a teenager, and the apprenticeship opportunity that redirected his future and eventually led him into leadership and elected office.

The conversation explores the policy challenges and opportunities facing Baltimore today, including economic mobility, transportation, education disparities, and the role of state government in shaping outcomes for communities across Maryland. Senator McCray also discusses how collaboration between city leadership and state policymakers can influence progress for Baltimore residents.

Throughout the episode, we also focus on youth civic participation, the importance of mentorship and opportunity, and what it means for young people to see themselves as leaders within their own communities.

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li sits down with William He, the founder of Dream for America, a national youth-led organization mobilizing young people to participate meaningfully in democracy.

William reflects on building an institution from the ground up at 16, navigating youth leadership, scaling civic engagement without losing long-term vision, and what it takes to turn political interest into sustained action. The conversation spans grassroots organizing, national moments like Democracy Fest, political identity formation, and what young leaders should take from today’s emerging generation in public life—plus one unexpected hot take at the end.

In this episode of Beyond the Hyphen, host Mark Li speaks with Dr. Kevin Chin, an emergency room physician and Democratic candidate for the Howard County Council representing District 1. Drawing on his experience working at the front lines of public health, Dr. Chin discusses what motivated his transition from medicine into local government and how clinical decision-making has shaped his approach to accountability, resource allocation, and public service. The conversation explores the role of county government in shaping everyday life in Howard County, from education funding and school capacity planning to transparency in budgeting, procurement, and regulatory decisions.