The Low Hum
Season 1
Concrete Without Shade: Building a Government That Actually Works
by Rachel Steele and Ava Brennan
Most people can name their mayor. Far fewer can name their Cook County Commissioner. In this episode, Rachel Steele talks with Isaiah White about the hidden infrastructure of local government and why it matters more than you think. Overseeing a $10 billion budget, the Cook County Board shapes public healthcare, the justice system, and critical infrastructure for over 5 million residents. Yet many of these seats go uncontested, creating what Isaiah describes as a broken “accountability feedback loop.” Drawing on his experience as a policy worker, and teacher, Isaiah breaks down: Why systems like CountyCare are generous but hard to access How inefficiency drives up costs and worsens outcomes Why property taxes keep rising while services feel stagnant What it takes to challenge entrenched political systems As federal funding shifts and pressure builds, this episode asks: What would it take to build a government that actually works? A conversation about local power, and how to reclaim it. Recorded by Seth Lauver Mixed and mastered by Rachel Steele For more information about Isaiah White please visit https://isaiahwhite.org/
Welcome to The Low Hum, a podcast exploring the intersection of creative practice, community organizing, and spiritual life through conversations with diverse world-builders. In this debut episode, hosts Ava Brennan and Rachel Steele introduce themselves, share the story of how they met, and reflect on the experiences that shape their work, including navigating chronic illness as artists and building community through collaborative projects like The Great Gathering music festival. This episode features: The origin story of The Low Hum Reflections on art, resilience, and identity beyond trauma A preview of upcoming interviews, including a conversation with Cook County Commissioner candidate Isaiah White The debut of Ava Brennan’s original song “Predator War” featuring Chaepter Follow us on Instagram @the.low.hum Sounds composed by Rachel Steele