From the Desk of Katie Harbath: Where We've Been & Where We're Going

Nearly four years, 7,700+ Subscribers, and a Mission That Matters More Than Ever

In September 2021, just before the Wall Street Journal's "Facebook Files" was released (a timing coincidence that couldn't have been scripted better), I launched this newsletter with a clear mission: to help navigate the complex intersection of technology and politics in a way that balances innovation with responsibility. What began with zero subscribers has since blossomed into a community of over 7,700 thinkers, leaders, and changemakers—1,800 of whom joined us just in the past year.

Whether you subscribed yesterday or have been with me since day one, I want to take this moment to reintroduce myself, share our journey, and offer a glimpse of what's ahead.

The Bridge Builder

"Katie Harbath is someone trusted across political divides, as well as in both the tech industry and civil society," notes Vivian Schiller of the Aspen Institute. This observation captures what I've tried to cultivate throughout my career—a unique ability to stand at the crossroads of seemingly disparate worlds.

My path has been anything but conventional. From my early days in Republican politics to a decade at Facebook building and leading international teams that managed elections, I've consistently found myself at the frontiers where technology meets democracy. When I founded Anchor Change in 2021, it wasn't just about starting a business—it was about creating a platform where I could amplify these crucial conversations, mentor others navigating similar terrain, and shape solutions for our collective future.

Last fall, while doing laundry of all things, I had one of those crystallizing moments when trying to think of a title for a newsletter about the panic surrounding AI. Staring at my "Drink Wisconsinbly" t-shirt (a nod to my Wisconsin roots), the phrase "Panic Responsibly" suddenly clicked into place. It perfectly encapsulated what I'd been trying to communicate about AI, elections, and our information environment: stay diligent about the risks, but don't let hypothetical fears drown out the benefits of innovation.

That impromptu epiphany has since become my guiding philosophy and a fun merch side hustle complete with trademark protection! More importantly, it's become a framework that helps our community approach complex challenges with both vigilance and optimism.

What We've Built Together

The past couple of years have been transformative. Beyond a growing subscriber base, I've launched and sustained the "Impossible Tradeoffs" podcast (soon to be rebranded as "Anchor Change")—creating over 50 episodes exploring the nuanced decisions facing leaders in technology and politics.

Many of you have joined me on this journey, witnessing appearances on 60 Minutes (which even made its way to Last Week Tonight with John Oliver), and reading along as I completed the first draft of my book during a writing retreat in France. As Kara Swisher recently noted on her Pivot podcast, "Katie Harbath, who I like very much"—a simple endorsement that meant the world to me.

But the metrics and mentions only tell part of the story. What matters more are the connections we've made and the conversations we've started. As friend and subscriber former Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman wrote, "I was just reading your mid-February post about the Munich Accord and realized I had missed critical information about the tech industry. I just subscribed to support your work and to understand my world better."

This is precisely why I do what I do—to help you understand your world better, especially in moments when technology and politics create either clarity or confusion.

Why This Matters Now More Than Ever

The recent presidential election has placed us at a pivotal moment. With Republicans controlling both legislative and executive branches, my background in Republican politics, combined with my extensive experience at Facebook, positions us uniquely at the collision point of these worlds.

As one tech executive from a "Magnificent 7" company noted, working with me "allowed us to distill complex information into clear, concise, and compelling analysis that has been persuasive at the executive level." This ability to translate between worlds—to make the complex accessible and the theoretical practical—is what I bring to your inbox each week.

In a time when many feel overwhelmed by the pace of technological change and its implications for our democracy, I offer something different: a balanced perspective that respects the gravity of the challenges while maintaining an unwavering belief in our capacity to address them. Or as one subscriber put it more elegantly: "Anchor Change is insightful, pragmatic, and helps you ask all the right questions about the relationship between tech, elections, and democracy. In 2024, this is a more important read than ever."

Looking Ahead: What You Can Expect

The next chapter of our journey together includes exciting new directions:

• The rebranded Anchor Change podcast (formerly Impossible Tradeoffs) will focus on people and organizations pivoting their careers or missions during this time of immense change—it will also be available in both audio and video formats.

• A refresh of the Panic Responsibly merchandise line, with potential pop-up experiences in DC.

• Expanded AI training offerings for organizations looking to improve productivity.

• Continued weekly insights that turn complexity into strategy with clear, actionable solutions.

For those newer to our community, I encourage you to explore some reader favorites:

• "Careless People is Careless"

• "The Future of Our Information Environment"

• "Meta Runs Back Towards Politics"

• "How I Mapped Out My Post-Facebook Journey"

• "My French Writing Adventure"

As we move forward, I'd love to hear more from you. What topics resonate most? What challenges are you facing at the intersection of technology and politics? How can this newsletter better serve your needs in navigating these complex waters?

The beauty of building this community has been the two-way conversation. As I share my expertise, you bring your unique perspectives and questions—creating a dialogue that's far richer than any monologue could be.

Whether you're a tech executive, policy maker, concerned citizen, or simply someone trying to make sense of our rapidly evolving digital landscape, you have a place here. Together, we'll continue to chart a course through uncertainty, guided by both vigilance and vision.

After all, that's what it means to panic responsibly.

Thank you for being part of this journey—whether you've been here since day one or joined us just recently. Your engagement, feedback, and support make this work meaningful and impactful. I'm grateful for each of you and excited about where we're headed next.