Bonus Episode: 2026 Midterms Preview: What 2024 and 2025 Election Data Tells Us with ’ Roshni Nedungadi
Tue Feb 03 2026
We’re back from hiatus with a deep-dive political conversation you’ve probably been craving. Atima is joined by returning guest Roshni Nedungadi, founding partner and Chief Research Officer at HIT Strategies, to break down what happened in the 2024 and 2025 elections, why turnout shifted among young voters and voters of color, and what it all means as we head into 2026.
This episode focuses on the big question: how do Democrats win when trust is low, costs are high, and voters are exhausted by chaos—and what does the data say voters actually need to hear to show up?
IN THIS EPISODE:
Why turnout dropped among Black, Latino, and AAPI voters in 2024—and what that meant for DemocratsHIT Strategies’ core framework: mobilize marginalized base voters vs. prioritizing persuadable moderatesThe “what have you done for me lately?” question young voters kept asking—and why it matteredWhy cost of living (not abstract “the economy”) remains the dominant driverWhat 2025 results suggested: broad movement toward Democrats in many places, including shifts even in rural areasWhy “vote against Trump” isn’t enough—and what voters want to vote for insteadWhat voters mean when they say they’re tired of empty promises and want real actionThe role of authenticity: why messaging can’t just be “poll-tested paragraphs”What issues are rising now: healthcare affordability and fears tied to racism/discrimination and safetyHow to read polls critically (sample size, registered vs. likely voters, and why “women voters” stats often erase women of color)What everyday people can do: talk to your networks and break through siloed information
If you’re trying to make sense of conflicting narratives—“the base is disengaged” vs. “Democrats are rebounding”—this episode helps you hold both truths at once. Roshni explains what the data shows about trust, turnout, and persuasion, and why the road to 2026 depends on rebuilding relationships with the voters who make up the Democratic coalition—especially young voters and voters of color.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 — Atima welcomes listeners back from hiatus + introduces Roshni Gati (HIT Strategies) and the focus: what 2025 results mean for 202600:03:00 — The 2024 turnout drop: Black, Latino, and AAPI turnout declines (and what that signaled for Democrats)00:07:00 — Why young voters of color disengaged in 2024: “Democrats have been in charge… what have you done for my life?”span class="ql-ui"...
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We’re back from hiatus with a deep-dive political conversation you’ve probably been craving. Atima is joined by returning guest Roshni Nedungadi, founding partner and Chief Research Officer at HIT Strategies, to break down what happened in the 2024 and 2025 elections, why turnout shifted among young voters and voters of color, and what it all means as we head into 2026. This episode focuses on the big question: how do Democrats win when trust is low, costs are high, and voters are exhausted by chaos—and what does the data say voters actually need to hear to show up? IN THIS EPISODE: Why turnout dropped among Black, Latino, and AAPI voters in 2024—and what that meant for DemocratsHIT Strategies’ core framework: mobilize marginalized base voters vs. prioritizing persuadable moderatesThe “what have you done for me lately?” question young voters kept asking—and why it matteredWhy cost of living (not abstract “the economy”) remains the dominant driverWhat 2025 results suggested: broad movement toward Democrats in many places, including shifts even in rural areasWhy “vote against Trump” isn’t enough—and what voters want to vote for insteadWhat voters mean when they say they’re tired of empty promises and want real actionThe role of authenticity: why messaging can’t just be “poll-tested paragraphs”What issues are rising now: healthcare affordability and fears tied to racism/discrimination and safetyHow to read polls critically (sample size, registered vs. likely voters, and why “women voters” stats often erase women of color)What everyday people can do: talk to your networks and break through siloed information If you’re trying to make sense of conflicting narratives—“the base is disengaged” vs. “Democrats are rebounding”—this episode helps you hold both truths at once. Roshni explains what the data shows about trust, turnout, and persuasion, and why the road to 2026 depends on rebuilding relationships with the voters who make up the Democratic coalition—especially young voters and voters of color. Timestamps: 00:00:00 — Atima welcomes listeners back from hiatus + introduces Roshni Gati (HIT Strategies) and the focus: what 2025 results mean for 202600:03:00 — The 2024 turnout drop: Black, Latino, and AAPI turnout declines (and what that signaled for Democrats)00:07:00 — Why young voters of color disengaged in 2024: “Democrats have been in charge… what have you done for my life?”span class="ql-ui"...