Candid conversations with the next generation of political leaders

We sit down with rising political leaders to talk about the personal moments that shaped them, the early wins (and mistakes) that taught them, and the ideas they’re most excited to test in the years ahead. It’s thoughtful, human, and occasionally spicy.

We keep it accessible: short episodes, clear storytelling, and clips built for the feeds you already scroll. No outrage treadmill, no doom-cycle recaps.

Matt Staab is a New Yorker and lifelong politics nerd who built Building the Bench because he’s, frankly, tired of the same six answers on every show. Matt’s not a pundit — he’s a voter trying to figure out what’s next, and he’s inviting listeners to figure it out with him.

He favors curiosity over hot‑takes, believes enthusiasm beats outrage, and thinks the best political conversations sound less like a press conference and more like a late‑night kitchen table chat.