Participation Trophy

Millennials have been handed a sh*t sandwich. We’ve been labeled lazy, entitled, and (just like our participation trophies) we’ve had everything handed to us. But Millennials are all grown up, and it turns out that this hard-working, purpose-driven generation is changing the world. Join host Topher Williams as he sits down with Millennial do-gooders and changemakers on an unfiltered and (extremely) unscientific quest to discover if participation trophies actually made Millennials unstoppable.

Participation Trophy is a society podcast hosted by Topher Williams, with 15 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Topher Williams hosts Participation Trophy, a society show with 15 episodes published.

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  Episode #15

  EP14: This is How We Win Young People

  Nov 28, 202540 min

  Youth organizers are reshaping democracy from the ground up with a level of purpose and urgency that’s impossible to ignore. This episode of Participation Trophy takes a clear look at how youth are driving real change through community-based organizing. Topher Williams talks with Dakota Hall of the Alliance for Youth Action, who explains why young people are stepping up in such large numbers and how rising costs, shrinking opportunities, and a desire for honest leadership shape their political energy. Dakota shares the personal moments that sparked his own commitment to organizing, and he reflects on the lessons that help him move through self-doubt and stay grounded in the long tradition of people who fought for justice before him. What does meaningful action look like in a moment that feels overwhelming? How do young leaders build power without losing hope? Join Topher and Dakota in this conversation to get a glimpse of where democracy is headed and the growing role youth play in shaping it. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Do Young People Really Care About Democracy? 01:34 How Dakota Hall Builds Youth Power Nationwide 03:41 The Economic Issues Driving Young Voters 10:08 How Young People Can Organize in Conservative States 12:31 Combating Isolation and Creating Community 14:37 The Life Lessons That Shaped Dakota’s Leadership 18:23 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Through History and Legacy 26:47 Dakota’s Early Awakening to Injustice 30:24 Three Actions Anyone Can Take to Fight Authoritarianism 31:38 What Makes Wisconsin Unique 37:46 Participation Trophies, Politics, and Final Thoughts Connect with Dakota Hall: Follow Alliance for Youth Action on LinkedIn Follow Alliance for Youth Action on Instagram Follow Alliance for Youth Action on Facebook Connect with Dakota on LinkedIn Connect with Topher Williams: Visit the Participation Trophy website Connect with Topher on LinkedIn Follow Topher on Instagram Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

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  Episode #14

  EP13: Here’s What It Looks Like to Run For Office in Texas

  Nov 14, 202541 min

  What does it really mean to run for office in Texas today? Topher Williams talks with Odus Evbagharu, a millennial organizer and Houston native, about what it takes to fight for working families in a state where politics often feels out of reach. Odus breaks down how issues like health care, education, and wages shape daily life across Texas and why every campaign should start with those kitchen table concerns. He also explains how redistricting tilts the playing field and what it takes to push back with clarity and heart. Rooted in his story as the son of Nigerian immigrants, Odus shares a vision of leadership grounded in community, service, and love for the people the government is meant to serve. If you’ve ever wondered what change in Texas could look like from the ground up, this conversation offers both the blueprint and the belief that it’s possible. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Houston: The Heart of Texas 03:11 Empowering Millennial Leadership 06:00 Redistricting and Its Implications 08:50 The Immigrant Experience in Houston 11:49 Inspiration from Barack Obama 17:55 Optimism and Activism in Texas 23:26 Texas: A Dual Energy Powerhouse 24:51 Diversity in Progressivism 26:40 Kitchen Table Issues Matter 28:23 Welcoming Conversations in Progressivism 31:03 Embracing Discomfort for Change 34:21 Economic Realities vs. Social Issues 39:17 Connecting with the Community Connect with Odus Evbagharu: Visit Odus Evbagharu for Texas Connect with Odus on LinkedIn Follow Odus on Instagram Follow Odus on Facebook Connect with Topher Williams: Visit the Participation Trophy website Connect with Topher on LinkedIn Follow Topher on Instagram Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

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  Episode #13

  EP12: Ghosting Voters: How Democrats are Getting Political Media Wrong

  Oct 31, 202541 min

  Local elections shape how our communities actually function, from the safety of our streets to the quality of our parks and schools. In this episode, DSPolitical’s Director of Business Development MaryEllen Veliz joins Topher Williams to talk about why those races deserve more of our attention and how democrats can start showing up differently. Why do so few people vote in elections that affect their lives the most? What would happen if campaigns treated voters like real people instead of targets in a spreadsheet? MaryEllen shares how growing up in San Antonio taught her the value of neighborhood involvement and why she believes connection, not perfection, drives political impact. She and Topher break down what’s missing in most political ads, how audience-first storytelling reaches voters where they actually are, and why cultural nuance and language matter more than ever. The episode will leave you thinking about the everyday power of local elections and how small, consistent action can reshape the political landscape. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why Local Elections Matter More Than You Think 03:59 What Most People Get Wrong About Texas and San Antonio 06:32 Understanding Municipal Ballots and Voter Confusion 07:20 MaryEllen Veliz on Finding Her Path Into Politics 10:41 The Moment That Sparked Real Political Involvement 15:29 How Democrats Can Build Better Political Ads 17:01 Reaching Latino Voters Through Language and Culture 23:01 Making Political Messaging Personal and Relevant 29:58 Finding Hope and Inspiration in Local Organizing 33:28 From Protest to Action: How to Create Real Change Connect with MaryEllen Veliz: Visit the DSPolitical website Connect with MaryEllen on LinkedIn Connect with Topher Williams: Visit the Participation Trophy website Connect with Topher on LinkedIn Follow Topher on Instagram Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

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  Episode #12

  EP11: Redefining Relationships: Is Monogamy for the Boomers?

  Oct 17, 202541 min

  Ever notice how much shame still creeps into the way we talk about love, sex, and relationships - even in supposedly progressive spaces? Activist, educator, and certified relationship coach Brian Gerald Murphy joins Topher Williams for an honest conversation about what happens when we stop letting shame dictate how we love and start creating relationships built on choice, consent, and curiosity. Together, they unpack the difference between polyamory and open relationships, talk about what it means to form connections that reflect our real values, and explore how millennials are reshaping the meaning of family and commitment. Brian also brings a refreshing take on spirituality, showing how faith can live in places that might surprise you - from drag brunches to late-night laughter with chosen family. If you’ve ever questioned what love is supposed to look like, or how to reconcile your desires with your beliefs, this episode will remind you that relationships can be both deeply personal and profoundly liberating. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Redefining Modern Relationships 02:00 The Power of Releasing Shame 06:25 Understanding Polyamory 11:03 Open vs. Polyamorous Relationships 14:36 Brian’s Journey and Queer Coaching Work 20:40 Faith, Sex, and Spiritual Freedom 24:49 Finding Meaning Through Community 32:15 Love Beyond Monogamy 34:28 Universal Relationship Advice Connect with Brian Gerald Murphy: Visit Brian’s website Check out Queer Theology Subscribe to Brian’s YouTube channel Follow Brian on Instagram Follow Brian on X Connect with Topher Williams: Visit the Participation Trophy website Connect with Topher on LinkedIn Follow Topher on Instagram Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

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  Episode #11

  EP10: Congress and Motherhood with Brittany Pettersen

  Sep 19, 202535 min

  Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen talks about leadership in government through a lens that feels anything but abstract. She shares what it was like growing up with a parent struggling with opioid addiction and how that experience shaped the way she thinks about policy, fairness, and the role of congress in people’s everyday lives. What does it mean to step into an institution built for older, wealthy men when you’re a millennial woman raising two kids? How do you push for the government to reflect the realities of modern families when the rules were written centuries ago? And what happens when your own family’s story becomes the reason you take on that fight? Brittany and Topher talk openly about the barriers that make public service harder than it should be - the childcare waitlists, the cross-country flights with a newborn, the outdated rules that leave younger voices out of the room. They point out why citizen voices still matter most. This is leadership with real stakes, grounded in lived experience and aimed at building systems that actually work for people. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Welcoming Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen 01:10 Being a Millennial Woman in Congress 02:00 Balancing Leadership and Family Life 03:20 Viral Moment Flying with Newborn to Vote 04:15 Modernizing Congress for Parents and Families 09:25 Fighting the Opioid Epidemic 14:02 Growing Up with a Parent Struggling with Addiction 17:10 Passing the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act 18:40 How Citizens Can Influence Government Policy 20:08 From Apathy to Action Getting Off the Sidelines 25:53 Advice for Millennials and Gen Z Considering Public Office Connect with Brittany Pettersen: Visit Brittany’s Website Follow Brittany on Instagram Follow Brittany on X Connect with Topher Williams: Visit the Participation Trophy Website Connect with Topher on LinkedIn Follow Topher on Instagram Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

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