Episode 138: Nick Rathod Is Bridging Hollywood and DC
Nick Rathod has been thinking a lot about the power of culture and using it as a platform for change. And he has some experience with that.
Over the span of his 20-year career, Nick Rathod has built successful campaigns, businesses, governmental and non-governmental institutions and been a key advisor to the nation's leaders. Nick has served as special assistant to the President and Deputy Director for Intergovernmental Affairs in the White House, and was also the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Obama-Biden transition team.
Nick has also built a number of nonprofit organizations. Most notably, Nick was the founder and first Executive Director of the State Innovation Exchange. Nick has most recently served as the campaign manager for Beto's race for governor of Texas. He is now the President of Impact and a founding partner in the People of Culture Studios in Hollywood, California.
Nick shares his vision of affecting real change by using Hollywood culture to connect people of color to the mainstream, how he brought his 20 years of experience in politics to bear on the upcoming election, and his fascinating journey of growing up brown in rural Nebraska.
Nick is also currently a partner in building the first ever sneaker and streetwear museum in Houston, TX. NBD.
Honestly, Nick is one of those undercover badasses that has done so much in his professional journey, is sincerely the kindest to everyone, and really never asked for the spotlight.
We need more people like Nick in this world.
What we talked about:
People of Culture Studios + how Hollywood movies can bring stories of sexism and patriarchy as well as people of color to Middle America + bridging Hollywood and DC. (04:35)
DEI and the challenge of creating authentic brown stories in movies without becoming a niche. (14:27)
#ImmaBeHonest and tackling mental health taboos in the Black and South Asian communities. (16:06)
United Dream Fund supporting immigrant investors + building the first ever sneaker and streetwear museum in Houston. (22:24)
Beto campaign and championing women's reproductive health, immigrants and the LGBTQ community in Texas + Nick’s love of Texas. (26:51)
Election year: Democrats need to break out of the DC bubble and connect with people to beat Trump + how Vivek Ramaswany embodies the worst stereotypes of South Asian men. (29:54)
How Nick’s family have supported him in his career + balancing individuality and compromise in marriage. (36:33)
Growing up brown and poor in Nebraska and overcoming racism and bullying to develop empathy + his sister, the debt owed to his immigrant parents and taking his father to meet Obama. (39:04)
Rapid fire questions (50:29)
Nick’s bucket list. (51:35)
Connect with Nick:
Let’s talk Connect:
This podcast is produced by Ginni Media