Democrats aren’t just up against Republicans—they’re wrestling with their own identity. From climate activists protesting Matthew Yglesias over fracking, to internal fights about whether to go big on cultural issues or focus narrowly on economic growth, the left feels more fractured than ever.

In this episode of Everybody Gets Pie, Justine Underhill, Burhan Azeem, and Armand Domalewski sit down with Matt Yglesias—author of the Slow Boring newsletter and the “Common Sense Democrat Manifesto”—to ask: what’s next for Democrats?

We dig into:

• Why climate activists confronted Yglesias and what it reveals about progressive tensions
• The case for a bigger Democratic tent on social and cultural issues
• “Big ass truck abundance” and how to make growth and prosperity resonate with swing voters
• Lessons from housing reform, YIMBY victories, and the broader abundance agenda
• What Democrats need to prioritize heading into 2026 and beyond

This conversation isn’t about left vs. right—it’s about whether Democrats can deliver on abundance, build a coalition that lasts, and stay competitive in a changing America.

Links & References:

• A Common Sense Democrat Manifesto
• Big Ass Truck Abundance
• Slow Boring Newsletter

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For decades, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) was untouchable. Originally passed to protect the environment, CEQA evolved into a sprawling law that let almost anyone sue to block nearly any project, not just oil refineries, but also student housing, food banks, daycare centers, bike lanes, and even high-speed rail. Reform was considered politically impossible.

Then, in the final hours of June 2025, that changed. Governor Gavin Newsom called it “the most consequential housing reform we’ve seen in modern history.” CEQA was dramatically scaled back and projects like urban apartments, child care centers, and climate infrastructure were suddenly freed from decades of red tape.

In this episode, hosts Justine, Armand, and Burhan break down how it happened, why it felt impossible until it wasn’t, and what lessons this victory holds for solving other gridlocked challenges. We’re joined by the lawmakers who authored the reforms Senator Scott Wiener and Assemblymember Buffy Wicks for an inside look at how they overcame entrenched interests, shifting political alliances, and years of frustration to deliver a landmark win.

This is a hopeful story about persuasion, persistence, and the power of building movements that make the impossible inevitable.

Follow & Support Everybody Gets Pie
X: @pie4everybody
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YouTube: @EverybodyGetsPie
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🎙️ Subscribe, share, and let us know who you’d like to hear on the next episode!