Michael Roth on Play, Power, and Rebuilding an Economy That Works

Apr 23

Michael Roth on Play, Power, and Rebuilding an Economy That Works

In this episode of The PlayFull Podcast, Kristine Michie speaks with congressional candidate Michael Roth about why he’s running for Congress—and why play, trust, and people-powered leadership matter in politics right now. Drawing from decades of work supporting small businesses and economic opportunity, Michael reflects on what it means to rebuild public systems that actually serve working families, how concentrated power drains joy and voice from civic life, and why storytelling, transparency, and authentic connection are essential for restoring trust in government. Together, they explore how reinvention—not restoration—can open space for hope, agency, and shared responsibility.

Key Takeaways:

The economy is rigged, but it can be rebuilt. Michael argues that today’s systems favor billionaires and large corporations over working families and Main Street, and that real change requires designing new structures rather than returning to what already failed.
Trust grows from listening, not hierarchy. Political leadership rooted in deep listening and transparency creates space for people to feel seen, heard, and involved, even when answers are imperfect.
The opposite of play is concentrated power. Rigid, top-down systems silence creativity and joy, while playful, human moments restore agency and participation in civic life.
Small businesses are community anchors. From family history to policy impact, Michael sees small businesses as trusted local institutions, and the first to feel when government fails.
Stories reveal the stakes of policy. Personal encounters, such as families choosing between healthcare and marriage and businesses struggling post-COVID, shape priorities more honestly than abstractions.
Hope is built through presence. Grassroots energy, shared mission, and frequent in-person connections sustain resilience in the face of high political stakes.

"Government has to deliver for people constantly. When we rebuild, we don’t just rebuild what was there and what was not working for people, but we reinvent something that is far better than what was there before." — Michael Roth

“It’s not about being in an enclosed room with a bunch of policy experts drawing things out. It’s about being connected with community.” — Michael Roth

"Small businesses are cornerstones of our main streets, of our communities. They are what make home feel like home." — Michael Roth

More About Michael Roth:

Michael Roth is the former head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, a CEO with nearly 20 years of economic development experience, and is now running as a Get-Stuff-Done Democrat for Congress in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District to unseat Tom Kean Jr. and deliver real results for working people in New Jersey.

Connect with Michael Roth:

Website: https://www.michaelrothforcongress.com/

Instagram: instagram.com/michaelrothnj

Twitter: twitter.com/michaelrothnj

Facebook: facebook.com/michaelrothnj

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelrothnj.bsky.social

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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