Bill de Blasio served as the 109th Mayor of New York City from 2014 to 2021. Raised with a deep pride in his Italian-American roots, his grandparents immigrated from small towns in Southern Italy. His parents were affected by McCarthyism, despite no ties to Communist organizations, and experiencing the fallout from those accusations deeply influenced his political outlook. In our conversation, Bill emphasizes his progressive approach to family values and his belief that government can protect and uplift working families. He also reflects on the importance of open dialogue and debate in democracy, stressing the need for understanding and addressing diverse perspectives.