The Centrist Playbook

How centrists can fight extremism, win elections, rebuild trust, and deliver real solutions.

I grew up in a family where dinnertime was a full contact sport. With six people in my immediate family and 21 cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents living in our neighborhood, our meals were more like controlled chaos. Every Tuesday night, we’d pile into Grandma’s house for her famous spaghetti, argue over who sang it better on American Idol, and sit on the porch swapping stories long into the night.

One of my earliest memories is of my uncle holding a ketchup bottle like a squirt gun, ready to “instill discipline” on anyone who coughed or sneezed at the table. It didn’t work, of course—it just made us dodge faster and laugh harder. My mom once convinced everyone that eating raw garlic was the cure for what ailed us. My grandfather, ever the showman, gagged on his clove, ran to the sink to dramatically rinse his mouth out, and returned only to sip vinegar disguised as wine (a prank courtesy of my cousin).

No one would ever accuse us of being fancy.

These weren’t refined dinners, but they were full of love, good mischief, and the kind of peace that comes from being there for each other, no matter what. We weather life’s chaos together.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the chaos we’re facing as a country. It’s overwhelming, and if I’m honest, I’m still trying to make sense of how we got here.

I love America and Americans. I think most Americans love this country, too. I think most of us are decent, optimistic people trying to make sense of a world that feels like it’s spinning out of control. But I also think a lot of us are disillusioned—bewildered, even—by how we got here. We live in a country where our neighbors re-elected an insurrectionist. We’re trapped between two major parties that seem more interested in fighting each other than representing us. And it’s not clear how to move forward.

That’s why I’m launching Maverick.

Centrists need more than just a space to read and listen—we need a place to connect and figure out how to take action. Over the past 10 years (wow!), I’ve had the chance to meet amazing people who care deeply about fighting political extremism, and my favorite part has always been the conversations—whether in-person or virtual.

You’ve told me (and I agree!) that it’s not enough to read articles or follow accounts. We want to do something in our communities. That’s the heart of what I hope Maverick can spark.

Our first series, The Centrist Playbook, explores what it means to step up in this moment and how we can work together. But I also want this Substack to be about conversation—where the comments are as thought-provoking as the posts. And where readers can actually connect.

This isn’t just about resisting chaos; it’s about rebuilding purpose. The old ways of fighting MAGA extremism didn’t work. We need to adapt and evolve. I believe we can figure this out. And more than that, I believe in us—the ones who refuse to give up, who see the spark of something better and want to fan it into a flame.

If that’s you, this playbook is for you. It’s for anyone bewildered by where we are and ready to fight for where we go next.

So, pull up a chair. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get messy, together.

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About The Centrist Playbook

The next four years are going to test us. Policies will come down that divide us, frustrate us, and make life harder for millions of Americans. It’s going to be tempting to throw our hands up, tune it all out, and let the shouting match rage on without us. But that’s not how Mavericks roll.

We know the stakes. We know the fight isn’t just about this presidency—it’s about building something better. The 2026 elections are right around the corner, and we have a shot to take Congress back from the extremists. But we have to start now. We need a plan, a purpose, and a community that believes in fighting smart and building for the long haul.

Over the next two weeks, I’ll publish pieces right here on Substack to explore what comes next. In the coming months, others will join me and publish here as well. Maybe even you!

Here’s what The Centrist Playbook is all about:

• Why We Fight: Posts like The Maverick Manifesto and Seize the Moment lay out what’s at stake and why the fight for the center matters more than ever.

• How We Win: Pieces like Trench Warfare: How Moderates Can Win the Battle for America’s Future and The Myth of the Third Party will break down how to build grassroots power, show up in primaries, and support pro-democracy candidates.

• Courage and Leadership: From The Center Outward to The Underdog’s Guide to Courage in Divided Times, we’ll talk about what it takes to lead when the odds are against you.

• The Future We’re Fighting For: We’ll explore big ideas like Factional Governance, On American Patriotism, and How Centrists Will Make Your Life Better to paint a picture of what’s possible when we work together.

These posts aren’t just words—they’re a roadmap. They’re a call to action for anyone who’s tired of the chaos and ready to fight for something better. If you’ve ever wondered, What can I do? or Where do we go from here?—this is your moment to jump in.

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Why It Matters

If we don’t show up now, the extremes will keep winning. They’ll keep making decisions for us, taking us further down a path of division, dysfunction, and distrust. But we can change that. We can build something real—a movement of Mavericks who reject the noise, focus on the work, and deliver results.

This isn’t just about politics; it’s about reclaiming the soul of our republic. It’s about proving that common sense, courage, and collaboration still have a place in America.

So, let’s dig in. Let’s debate the big ideas, argue about the best paths forward, and commit to making 2025 the year we start winning back our country. These essays are just the beginning of the conversation.

Join us. Read, share, and engage. Together, we’ll fight smart, build strong, and show the world that the Mavericks are here to stay.

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So, Are You In?

In my family, chaos was just part of the deal—but so was showing up, pitching in, and figuring it out together. That’s the vision I have for the community I hope we can build as fellow Mavericks.

So now, I want to hear from you: What’s one step you’re committed to taking to fight for this country in 2025? I can’t wait to read your comments below.