Before you fill in another bubble on a ballot, ask yourself these five questions — because the candidate you choose says less about them and more about you than you might think.

In this episode of The Flow, Bob Martin cuts through polling averages, attack ads, and 15-second gotcha clips to hand you a practical voting guide: five questions he asks himself before voting for anyone, for anything. Drawing on a story from a friend who spent decades managing White House communications, Bob unpacks what real competence and experience look like in a leader tasked with making fast, high-stakes calls. From there, he pushes past the surface — asking what world a candidate actually wants to build, whether their campaign runs on vision or opposition, whether they appeal to your fears or your better angels, and whether their politics grows the tent or shrinks it. The episode closes with an unexpected twist: these questions don't just judge candidates, they judge us, revealing what kind of world we're really asking for every time we vote.

If you found this candidate evaluation framework helpful, hit subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Flow. Catch The Flow Calm Waters this Monday and The Flow: Commentary by Bob Martin next Wednesday. Stay awake, stay aware, and stay engaged — see you next time.

📌 Video Chapters

00:00 Intro & Welcome

00:36 Why These 5 Questions Matter

01:33 Cutting Through Misinformation

02:01 No Sponsors, All Heart

02:30 Q1: Competence & Experience

04:28 Q2: The World They Want to Build

05:24 Q3: For Something or Against Something?

05:37 Q4: Fear vs. Better Angels06:00Q5: Inclusive or Exclusive?

06:30 What These Questions Reveal About You

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