30. From Refugee to Congress: Stephanie Murphy on Belonging, Leadership, and America’s Future

In this episode of The B-Student Podcast, host Betsy Gardner, president of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, sits down with former U.S. Representative Stephanie Murphy for a powerful conversation on belonging, bipartisanship, and the future of American communities.


Stephanie shares her remarkable journey from escaping communist Vietnam as a six-month-old baby on a boat, to being rescued by the U.S. Navy, growing up in rural Virginia, working at the Department of Defense after 9/11, and eventually representing Central Florida in Congress. She reflects on how that immigrant experience shaped her deep sense of gratitude, service, and responsibility to make room for others at the table.

Together, Betsy and Stephanie dig into:

How social media and Big Tech are eroding our sense of connectionWhy belonging is a public health and economic crisis, not just a feelingWhat it really looks like to lead from the center and call “balls and strikes” in a hyper-partisan WashingtonThe skills that young people will need in an AI-enabled world, including emotional intelligence, curiosity, and real-world people skillsWhy Stephanie chose to step away from Congress for her family, and why she is now running for Orange County Mayor to tackle affordability, housing, and thoughtful growth in Central Florida

Time Stamps:
00:00 – Introduction + Why Belonging Matters  
02:45 – Stephanie Murphy’s immigrant journey from Vietnam  
05:30 – Being rescued by the U.S. Navy + early lessons in gratitude  
08:10 – Growing up in rural Virginia and navigating belonging  
10:55 – From Department of Defense to Congress  
13:40 – Bipartisanship, moderation, and leading from the center  
16:25 – Social media, polarization, and the belonging crisis  
19:10 – Emotional intelligence in an AI-enabled world  
21:55 – Parenting, identity, and choosing to leave Congress  
24:40 – The affordability crisis + Central Florida’s future  
27:25 – Rethinking housing, zoning, and community planning  
30:10 – Stephanie’s run for Orange County Mayor  
32:55 – Lightning round: books, emojis, and walk-up song  
35:20 – Final reflections + where to find Stephanie Murphy
 
Connect with Stephanie: 
Instagram: @murphyforocmayor
Website: murphyformayor.com

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Connect with Betsy Gardner:
Website: https://www.betsygardner.com/ 

Learn More about Winter Park Chamber of Commerce: https://www.winterpark.org/
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Podcast produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/