Innovators & Disruptors: Cate Mayer & Jeanine Abrams McLean: The Power of “Being For Something”

Apr 8

Kristine Michie - Playfull Podcast Interview - Cate Mayer and Jeanine Abrams McLean

Innovators & Disruptors: Cate Mayer & Jeanine Abrams McLean: The Power of “Being For Something”

In this episode, Kristine Michie sits down with Cate Mayer of Be the Ones and Jeanine Abrams McLean of Fair Count to explore how joy, play, and creativity can transform civic engagement. Together, they challenge the idea that disengagement is a personal failure, reframing it as a response to systems that leave people feeling unseen and disconnected from power.

Through stories like the monks’ Peace Walk that captured global attention and rural bus tours filled with moments of wonder, they show how shared experiences rebuild trust and inspire participation. Their work expands civic life beyond voting to include belonging, imagination, and relationships that sustain communities over time.

At its core, this conversation invites a shift from being against something to being for something: peace, connection, and shared responsibility, reimagining participation as something people can truly belong to.

Key Takeaways:

Joy and play are essential tools that build trust, lower barriers, and create entry points for participation.
Disengagement is often misread as apathy, when it reflects systems that make people feel their voices don’t matter.
People are seeking opportunities to stand for something together, shifting civic energy toward shared purpose.
Lasting engagement is built through relationships and trust over time, not rushed efforts in crisis.
Expanding beyond traditional tactics opens the door for more inclusive and accessible participation.
Shared experiences become identity anchors, turning moments into stories that communities carry forward.
Experimentation is essential, requiring a willingness to test ideas and adapt.
Hope is not passive but sustained through action, storytelling, and visible change.

“I don't believe in voter apathy, because apathy puts the blame on the individual, not the systems and structures that make people feel like they can't participate or their vote doesn't matter.” — Cate Mayer

“We are living in a moment where everything feels like we're against something, but this was for something… for peace, for community, for each other.” — Cate Mayer

“I think it's okay to go into these spaces with some half-baked ideas… because sometimes, even if the cookies come out kind of off, the dough is still delicious.” — Jeanine Abrams McLean

“When I hear people say that my vote doesn't matter… I can give examples from other communities… if we listen and work together, we can bring that hope back.” — Jeanine Abrams McLean

Episode References:

Be The Ones: https://www.betheones.or
Fair Count: https://faircount.org/
The Center for Artistic Activism (C4AA): https://c4aa.org/
The Reimagination Lab: https://www.betheones.org/reimaginationlabC4AA
Be The Ones, Fair Count Field Test Report: https://c4aa.org/news/field-tests-event-recap/

More About Cate Mayer & Jeanine Abrams McLean:

Cate Mayer is the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Ones, a South Carolina–based organization focused on removing barriers to civic participation and building a culture of joyful, community-centered engagement. Her work emphasizes creativity, youth leadership, and reimagining civic systems to be more inclusive and relational.

Jeanine Abrams McLean, PhD, is the President of Fair Count, an organization that began with a focus on census participation and has expanded into civic engagement, public health, and power-building work across the South. She leads efforts that blend experimentation, storytelling, and community-centered design to reach underserved populations.

Connect with Cate Mayer:

Website: https://www.betheones.org

Connect with Jeanine Abrams McLean, PhD:

Website: https://www.faircount.org/

Connect with Kristine:

Website: https://www.impactfullinc.co m/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfull_inc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-breese-michie/

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