Liz sits down with former San Francisco Mayor and legendary California Assembly Speaker Willie Brown. From growing up in Mineola, Texas during segregation to becoming one of the most influential leaders in California history, Brown reflects on the values that shaped his life—education, discipline, service, and listening. He shares how his mother and grandmother instilled a sense of responsibility to contribute to humankind, why working across differences is essential, and how real leadership comes from helping others without expecting anything in return. This conversation is a masterclass in generosity, humility, and what it truly means to serve.

In this episode, Aliza Sokolow shares how food builds health, community, and confident, curious kids—and why nourishing ourselves is inseparable from caring for one another.

In this episode, Liz Hirsh Naftali sits down with Ambassador Ryan Crocker, a six-time U.S. ambassador whose service took him to Lebanon, Kuwait, Syria, Pakistan, Iraq, and Afghanistan. From growing up in an Air Force family and traveling internationally as a child, to building a career in some of the world’s most dangerous diplomatic posts, Ambassador Crocker reflects on what diplomacy really is: listening deeply, understanding culture, speaking with adversaries, and knowing when strength must accompany conversation. He shares stories from Beirut, Baghdad, and Kabul, explains the real work of an embassy, and offers a powerful reminder that public service requires empathy, discipline, and a clear sense of purpose.

Rabbi Sharon Brous joins Liz Hirsh Naftali for a deeply personal conversation about leadership, grief, curiosity, and the urgent need to rehumanize one another. Rabbi Brous reflects on growing up in New Jersey, discovering Jewish learning later in life, falling in love with Talmud, and why community is built through presence—not agreement. Together, Liz and Sharon explore loneliness, loss, unlikely allies, and what it truly means to show up for one another in moments of pain.

Liz sits down for a virtual coffee with Congressman Gabe Amo of Rhode Island. Rep. Amo reflects on his journey as the son of West African immigrants, his path into public service, and what it means to be the first person of color to represent Rhode Island in Congress. From lessons learned on the football field to helping his mother study for her U.S. citizenship test, this conversation explores leadership, collaboration, self-care, and joy as essential elements of meaningful service.

Rahm Emanuel reflects on public service, parenting, and the national education emergency he believes America can’t ignore. From dinner-table debates to Chicago school reform, this is a candid conversation about leadership, family, and what it takes to compete—and care—for the next generation.

Liz sits down for a virtual coffee with James Talarico, a Texas leader shaped by faith, service, and a deep commitment to “love thy neighbor.” James shares how his granddad’s teaching—love God and love neighbor—became the foundation of his public service, first as a public school teacher in San Antonio and later in the Texas House. He reflects on growing up with a single mom, the life-changing love that built his family, and how servant leadership and relationships make it possible to work across differences. The conversation also explores his seminary journey, why he defends the separation of church and state, how he invests in young leaders, and why joy is more than happiness—it’s calm, peace, and light in darkness.

“Listen, learn, and lead — in that order.” Congresswoman Haley Stevens joins Liz’s Coffee Connection to talk leadership, Michigan grit, and why listening comes before lawmaking. From factories to farms, women in STEM to young voices shaping the future, this is a fast, real conversation about showing up—and leading with heart.