‘Stuff You Should Know’ Host Chuck Bryant On Why He Goes To The Polls

On the Why I’m Voting podcast, Holly Frey sits down with some of her fellow podcast hosts as well as musicians, celebrities, and public figures to talk about why they vote, because as Holly says, “Democracy doesn’t work without you.” On this episode, she talks with Chuck Bryant, host of Stuff You Should Know and Movie Crush, about when he started to take part in elections, how he does his research, and what keeps him going to the polls for every election. Chuck grew up in a very non-political household, so he didn’t get into voting until after he went to college; he didn’t register when he turned 18 because he was afraid of being drafted. “Silly,” he says ruefully. Besides, “I didn’t know anything about anything back then, so I’m not sure I would have been a very responsible voter!” he laughs.

But one of his roommates in college was studying to become a lawyer, and was very political; his interest drew Chuck in, as well, helping him realize that it was “important to be involved, and be aware, and know what’s going on.” Chuck remembers watching the progress of the Gulf War on the news during this time, and was galvanized to vote in the 1996 presidential election. But his education wasn’t over. He thought just voting for president was enough, but began to understand that local elections, particularly down-ballot measures, were the things most directly impacting his life and the lives of the people he cares about. So for the past 15 years, he’s researched his local politicians’ platforms, participated in each election, and tried his best to help create a world he’s happy to let his five-year-old daughter grow up in. 

He acknowledges that there are several reasons to feel cynical about voting, referring to the electoral college, gerrymandering policies, and discriminatory voter ID laws, but stresses that everyone’s vote does count, especially when it comes to local elections. “Take a look at the world around you and if you don’t like what you see, it’s kind of one of the only things that we have,” he points out. And don’t just vote for yourself; think about who will come after you, what kind of planet and what kind of country you’ll be leaving for them, and vote to steer us in the direction you think is best. Holly agrees: “You’re not just voting for yourself; you’re voting for the well-being of everyone in your community,” she says. Hear more about Chuck’s political journey, from his opinion on early voting to how he conducts his ballot research, on this episode of Why I’m Voting.

“Why I’m Voting” features some the biggest stars, cultural influencers and athletes, sharing what matters to them most as the upcoming election approaches, and why it’s so important to show up to the ballot box. The podcast will run weekly through Election Day in November, and listeners will have the chance to talk about why they are voting, and can record and submit their own 20 second or less audio or video message at iHeartRadio.com/vote.