Chapin, the DFL nominee and an election administration expert, joins Monica and Christy to discuss his campaign’s growth, his exchange over Emmer’s absence from a Farmfest candidate forum, and the costs families and farmers are facing. They also talk about mail ballots, health care, child care, ICE accountability, and why Chapin believes Congress must assert its authority over spending and war, even when the president belongs to his own party.

“People deserve a member of Congress who shows up,” Chapin says. Hear what that promise means in this race—and stay for his unexpected Minnesota State Fair talent.

GUEST RESOURCES

Doug Chapin for Congress
https://www.chapinforcongress.com/

Doug Chapin for Congress social links
https://linktr.ee/chapinforcongress

FOLLOW THE POLITICS CHICKS

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Why do some politicians get credit for being “real” while women and people of color get penalized for the same imperfections? Political strategist Maya Rupert joins Christy Branham and Monica Healy to examine how racism, sexism, and voter expectations shape who gets seen as authentic—and who gets seen as electable.

Maya managed Julián Castro’s presidential campaign and Maya Wiley’s New York mayoral campaign. She is the author of The Real Ones: How to Disrupt the Hidden Ways Racism Makes Us Less Authentic and host of When We Win. Drawing on her campaign experience, she explains how people can be pressured to change themselves, then criticized for appearing inauthentic.

From Donald Trump and Kamala Harris to the public images of Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Michelle Obama, we explore who gets room to make mistakes and who is expected to be flawless. Maya also challenges the claim that Harris lost because she ran too far left, calls for stronger independent media, and makes the case for community organizing that brings voters into the conversation.

“People absolutely vote on policy,” Maya says. We discuss what that means for Democrats, what she learned from women leaders on St. Paul’s historic all-women City Council, and why she sees possibility in voters demanding something better than a return to the status quo.

GUEST RESOURCES

Maya Rupert — Official Website
https://mayarupert.com/

The Real Ones — Book Information and Purchase Options
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/747083/the-real-ones-by-maya-rupert/

When We Win with Maya Rupert — Lemonada Media
https://lemonadamedia.com/show/whenwewin/

Maya Rupert: Let Democrats Be Democrats — Courier Essay
https://couriernewsroom.com/news/maya-rupert-let-democrats-be-democrats/

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In Episode 52 of The Politics Chicks, Christy and Monica welcome environmental attorney, author, and longtime grassroots organizer Gary Lucks for a practical conversation about turning concern into action ahead of the 2026 midterms and beyond. The founder of Progressive Action East Bay and Resistance Action East Bay, Gary brings four decades of organizing experience to his book, We Are the Power: To Win the Future.

Gary explains why he believes protests need to lead to sustained participation, how to find a volunteer role that fits your strengths, and why community is essential to keeping a movement alive. We explore farmers market outreach, virtual fundraising parties, election protection, early voting, and the challenge of staying engaged after an election.

As Gary puts it, “We do it with joy to sustain the movement.”

Whether you live in a red, blue, or purple district, this conversation offers ways to get involved, build connections, and make political participation part of everyday life.

GUEST RESOURCES

Gary Lucks — Official Website
https://www.garylucks.com/

We Are the Power: To Win the Future — Book Information
https://www.garylucks.com/book

FOLLOW THE POLITICS CHICKS

YouTube | Substack | Threads | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky | TikTok @ThePoliticsChicks

How to Turn Political Anxiety into Action | Gary Lucks, Gary Lucks, We Are the Power, The Politics Chicks, progressive political podcast, womens progressive political podcast, 2026 midterms, grassroots organizing, Indivisible, protecting democracy, voter turnout, political burnout, Resistance Action East Bay, community organizing, election protection, Goods Unite Us

A Democrat challenging Republican Tim Burchett in Tennessee’s 2nd Congressional District, Barnett is an engineer, small-business founder and former congressional science policy fellow. She shares her frustrations with Democrats’ response during the “One Big Beautiful Bill” debate and makes the case for confronting misleading claims and holding lawmakers accountable.

The conversation connects government reform with everyday pressures across East Tennessee: rural healthcare access, wages, housing costs and infrastructure. Barnett discusses banning congressional stock trading, changing campaign finance rules and using public pressure to push colleagues in both parties to act.

She also outlines priorities for regulating AI and massive data centers, protecting privacy from license plate surveillance, and building constituent services that help people navigate federal agencies. Through it all, she returns to what keeps her knocking doors: “And in East Tennessee, hope is a choice. It's a choice and it's a verb. It's not a feeling.”

GUEST RESOURCES

Michaela for Tennessee — Official Campaign Website
https://www.michaelafortennessee.com/

Campaign Priorities
https://www.michaelafortennessee.com/issues

Campaign Events
https://www.michaelafortennessee.com/events

FOLLOW THE POLITICS CHICKS

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Michaela Barnett, Tim Burchett, The Politics Chicks, Tennessee politics, Tennessee 2nd Congressional District, East Tennessee, 2026 midterms, Democratic Party, government reform, congressional accountability, campaign finance reform, congressional stock trading, rural healthcare, affordable housing, minimum wage, data centers, privacy, constituent services, progressive political podcast, womens progressive political podcast

A Navy veteran, former Air Force JAG officer, educator, and former Wind Cave National Park ranger, Bengs explains how DOGE’s National Park Service cuts helped spur his decision to run. He makes the case for protecting public lands, confronting big money in politics, and building an independent bloc with the power to break Senate gridlock.

“Well, my party is South Dakota.”

We discuss rural hospital funding and Medicaid cuts, his proposals for Medicare eligibility at 55 and a Medicare public option, and his concerns about AI data centers, tax incentives, and local infrastructure costs. Bengs also challenges Congress’s handling of war powers, discusses the military’s constitutional oath, and explains his support for term and age limits.

Watch or listen to hear how Bengs connects his independent campaign to the everyday needs of South Dakotans. If this conversation resonates, like, comment, and share—and tell us what you would want an independent senator to prioritize.

GUEST RESOURCES

Brian Bengs for U.S. Senate — Official Campaign Website
https://bengsforsouthdakota.com/

Brian Bengs — Policy Positions
https://bengsforsouthdakota.com/policy-positions/

Brian Bengs — Get Involved
https://bengsforsouthdakota.com/get-involved/

Brian’s Book Recommendation — Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? by Michael J. Sandel
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781429952682/justice/

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Brian Bengs, Brian Bengs Senate, South Dakota Senate race 2026, Mike Rounds, independent Senate candidate, independent voters, rural health care, Medicaid cuts, Medicare public option, money in politics, campaign finance reform, DOGE cuts, national parks, Wind Cave National Park, public lands, AI data centers, congressional war powers, term limits, The Politics Chicks, episode 50, progressive political podcast, womens progressive political podcast

Can gathering neighbors over fried fish help change who gets heard in Washington? In Episode 49 of The Politics Chicks podcast, Christy and Monica welcome Erik Osberg, the Minnesota DFL candidate challenging Michelle Fischbach in Minnesota’s 7th Congressional District, for a conversation about rural voters, common concerns, and accountable representation.

Known as the “fishing politician,” Erik explains why his community fish fry town halls welcome everyone—and what he’s hearing from people who feel their concerns have gone unanswered. He shares stories of Republican support, challenges Fischbach’s record, and explains why he wants a constitutional amendment overturning Citizens United.

The conversation also explores his work on rural economic development in Otter Tail County, the need for housing and childcare, and his argument that family farmers need predictable markets and reliable trade relationships. Erik describes how he would build an accessible congressional office and why showing up must continue after Election Day.

As Erik puts it: “I want to be beholden to the people.”

Listen to the full episode for a candid conversation about community, corporate influence, and what meaningful representation could look like for western Minnesota—plus a distinctly Minnesotan lightning round.

GUEST RESOURCES

Erik Osberg for Congress — Official Campaign Website
https://www.erikosberg4congress.com/

Meet Erik — Background and Experience
https://www.erikosberg4congress.com/meet-erik

Get Involved — Campaign Volunteer Information
https://www.erikosberg4congress.com/get-involved

FOLLOW THE POLITICS CHICKS

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Erik Osberg, Minnesota 7th district, MN07, Michelle Fischbach, Minnesota DFL, rural voters, fish fry town halls, campaign finance reform, Citizens United, corporate money in politics, family farms, farm bill, rural economic development, Otter Tail County, congressional accountability, 2026 midterms, The Politics Chicks, Episode 49, progressive political podcast, womens progressive political podcast

Running for Congress, ballot access, and first-time candidate challenges take center stage as Arizona attorney Blake Bracht joins The Politics Chicks to explain what a congressional campaign really demands. After launching a Democratic campaign for Arizona’s 5th Congressional District, Bracht spent more than a year organizing, fundraising, building a public presence, and gathering nomination signatures.

He describes the work voters rarely see: federal filings, political-ad approvals, constant social media, door knocking, donor calls, and the relentless tradeoff between time and money. The campaign became a second full-time job alongside his legal career, long commute, and life with a young child.

The race ended after a legal challenge to his nomination petitions. Bracht explains why some signatures could not count, why he concluded he would fall short, and why he withdrew instead of pursuing a case he did not believe he could argue in good faith.

The conversation also explores campaign burnout, the disadvantage facing grassroots candidates, the need for earlier voter involvement, and the public-service work that can continue outside elected office.

This candid conversation is a practical look behind the campaign signs—and a reminder that getting representative candidates onto the ballot begins long before Election Day.

As always, if you find value in what we do, please LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE and SUBSCRIBE so we can grow the show, open the dialogue and inspire change moving forward. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear this conversation.

GUEST AND RESOURCES

Blake Bracht campaign archive:
https://www.brachtforcongress.com/

Federal Election Commission candidate record:
https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H6AZ05208/?cycle=2026

Arizona candidate challenges and withdrawals:
https://azsos.gov/elections/candidates/candidate-legal-challenges

FOLLOW THE POLITICS CHICKS

Website:
https://www.thepoliticschicks.com/

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@ThePoliticsChicks

💙 xoxo — Christy & Monica

Why Good Candidates Never Make the Ballot | Blake Bracht, Blake Bracht, running for Congress, ballot access, candidate petition challenge, Arizona politics, Arizona 5th Congressional District, first-time candidate, grassroots campaigns, campaign fundraising, nomination signatures, public office, The Politics Chicks

Bodnar traces a life shaped by public-school teachers, West Point, military service, business and eight years leading the University of Montana. He makes the case for mission-first leadership and describes an independent campaign built around affordability, American competitiveness and reforming what he calls a broken political system.

Christy, Monica and Seth discuss Montana’s teacher shortage, rural hospital closures, Medicaid cuts, medical debt, comprehensive immigration reform, congressional checks and balances, war powers, term limits, stock trading by public officials and the importance of rebuilding American alliances.

Can an independent coalition move Congress beyond partisan gridlock? Listen to Episode 47 and hear Seth’s argument for country over party—and the questions he believes every senator should be willing to answer.

As always, if you find value in what we do, please RATE, REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE so we can grow the show, open the dialogue and inspire change moving forward. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear this conversation.

GUEST AND RESOURCES

Guest: Seth Bodnar — independent candidate for U.S. Senate in Montana; Green Beret veteran and former University of Montana president

Campaign website:
https://www.sethformontana.com/

Montana Free Press 2026 candidate guide:
https://projects.montanafreepress.org/election-guide-2026/candidates/seth-bodnar/

University of Montana leadership record:
https://www.umt.edu/news/2026/01/012126seth.php

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Website:
https://www.thepoliticschicks.com/

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💙 xoxo — Christy & Monica

Seth Bodnar, Montana Senate race, independent candidate, two-party system, rural healthcare, public education, immigration reform, congressional reform

Immigration-court observer Erin Moncure joins Christy Branham and Monica Healy to share what she has witnessed at the Santa Ana Immigration Court, ICE check-ins and the Adelanto ICE Processing Center. She describes confusing “mega master” hearings, people facing the system without attorneys, families terrified of detention and the volunteers helping them understand what happens next.

Erin also takes listeners inside the human side of immigration enforcement—from paying immigration bonds and visiting people in detention to building lasting friendships with those she first met during some of the most traumatic moments of their lives. Her experiences reveal what gets lost when immigrants are reduced to statistics, labels or political talking points.

This conversation is also a reminder that meaningful action does not require special training or extraordinary skills. Erin explains how ordinary people can observe court proceedings, connect families with resources, support bond funds and find a sustainable way to serve their communities.

As always, if you find value in what we do, please RATE, REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE so we can grow the show, open the dialogue and inspire change moving forward. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear this conversation.

GUEST AND RESOURCES

Guest: Erin Moncure

Immigration-court observer and immigrant-justice volunteer

CLUE Justice — Justice for Immigrant Workers and Families:
https://www.cluejustice.org/working-for-justice/justice-for-immigrant-workers-and-families/

Los Angeles Times — Chaos and Long Lines Overwhelm Immigration Courts:
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-07-01/chaos-long-lines-confusion-overwhelm-l-a-immigration-courtrooms

Santa Ana Immigration Court — Court Information and Observation Guidance:
https://www.justice.gov/eoir/santa-ana-immigration-court

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https://www.thepoliticschicks.com/

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Thom Hartmann joins The Politics Chicks to uncover the disputed 1886 Supreme Court headnote that helped lay the foundation for corporate personhood, Citizens United and the destruction of America’s one-income middle class.

Drawing from his new book, Who Killed the American Dream? The Greatest Political Crime Ever Told, Hartmann traces the story from railroad barons and the Boston Tea Party through the Powell memo, Reaganomics and unlimited corporate political spending. He explains how corporate power reshaped wages, trade, taxes and American democracy—and why racism, misogyny and other forms of division can distract voters from that economic story.

The conversation also explores practical paths forward, including congressional action, state corporate-charter laws and a constitutional amendment declaring that money is not speech and corporations are not people.

As always, if you find value in what we do, please RATE, REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE so we can grow the show, open the dialogue and inspire change moving forward. Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear this conversation.

GUEST AND RESOURCES

Thom Hartmann:
https://www.thomhartmann.com/

Who Killed the American Dream? The Greatest Political Crime Ever Told:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/835380/who-killed-the-american-dream-by-thom-hartmann/

Move to Amend:
https://www.movetoamend.org/

Public Citizen — Democracy Is for People:
https://www.citizen.org/article/democracy-is-for-people/

FOLLOW THE POLITICS CHICKS

https://www.thepoliticschicks.com/

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Today we’re pulling up a chair on Mamaw’s Porch with Lisa J. Parker—a veteran, former police officer, political organizer, treatment-court advocate, businesswoman, and the gloriously salty voice behind Mamaw’s Porch and Politics.

🎙️ Lisa shares how her Appalachian roots and a lifetime of service shaped her voice; how conservative organizers built political power through media, local offices, and the courts; and why Democrats must reach people where they are online. We also discuss older women finding their voices, humor as protest, the WTAF-8647 “butthurt money” form, civic-action tools, unions, military families, responsible gun ownership, independent candidates, and the younger generation giving her hope.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE

🧂 Stay Salty, Not Silent

Lisa explains why democracy works only when ordinary people participate—and why nobody should wait for permission to speak up. Her message is simple: Stay salty, not silent.

🏡 How Mamaw’s Porch Was Born

After years of organizing in a deeply Republican part of rural Ohio, Lisa reached her breaking point during a local Democratic Party meeting. Her husband, Calvin, told her to take her frustration to the porch. She did—and Mamaw’s Porch and Politics was born.

📣 Why Plain Talk Matters

Lisa discusses why political experts and party officials often lose rural audiences by talking over them. She believes complicated issues can be explained clearly without insulting people or treating a lack of formal education as a lack of intelligence.

🏛️ The Long Conservative Strategy

Lisa traces how conservative leaders invested in media, the Federalist Society, judicial appointments, school boards, state offices, and gerrymandering. She argues that Democrats must honestly assess how that strategy succeeded and build durable political power of their own.

📱 Politics in the Social-Media Era

Traditional polling and legacy-media advertising can miss the online communities where voters now gather. Lisa, Christy, and Monica discuss why independent creators are essential for reaching people with accessible, relatable political information.

🤝 Creators Working Together

Pro-democracy creators are building a collaborative movement rather than guarding their individual platforms. As Lisa puts it, there is no right-handed or left-handed oar—you just need to know how to row the boat.

👵 OWLs, Boomers & Women Who Are Done Asking Permission

Older women are often expected to become quiet or invisible. Lisa rejects that idea. She celebrates boomers, Gen X organizers, young activists, and the women who consistently show up to vote, protest, work the polls, and defend their communities.

😂 Humor as Political Protest

The WTAF-8647 “butthurt money” form helped connect Mamaw’s Porch and The Politics Chicks. Christy explains why satire, ridicule, and small creative acts of resistance can be effective against authoritarian leaders—especially those who cannot laugh at themselves.

📞 From Laughter to Civic Action

Lisa recommends using the Five Calls app to contact elected officials. Even when callers reach voicemail, offices must log constituent contacts. The conversation also covers the Digital Democracy Project and new tools designed to help voters follow legislation and hold lawmakers accountable.

🗣️ Appalachian Language & Identity

Lisa explains the many meanings of “bless your heart,” the difference between Southern and Appalachian accents, and why she reclaimed the accent she once worked to lose. She celebrates the strength and culture shared across southeastern Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia.

⛏️ Blair Mountain & the Power of Unions

Lisa highlights the Battle of Blair Mountain and the Appalachian coal miners who fought for unionization. The conversation connects their struggle to the eight-hour workday, weekends, workplace-safety rules, health benefits, and the bargaining power workers have today.

🎖️ Military Service & Military Families

Drawing on her own service and a long family military tradition, Lisa discusses the financial pressure on military households, frequent moves, voting obstacles, and the responsibility national leaders have when placing service members in harm’s way.

🔫 Responsible Gun Ownership

Lisa talks about her rifle-team experience and pushes back on the idea that Democrats do not own guns. She argues that responsible gun ownership and common-sense gun laws can—and should—coexist.

🗳️ Independents & the 2026 Elections

Lisa shares why she believes independent candidates could play an important coalition-building role in the next Senate. For her, the Constitution, country, and duty to fellow Americans must come before political party loyalty.

🌱 What Is Giving Lisa Hope?

Young people. Lisa is encouraged by how politically aware younger Americans are, how seriously they take the environment and their economic future, and how clearly they understand the work their generation must do.

👇 LEARN MORE

📱 Follow Lisa J. Parker:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Mamawsporchnpolitics

Substack:

https://substack.com/@mamawsporchnpolitics1

Listen on Podbean, iHeart, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

🛍️ Shop Mamaw’s Merch

Merchandise:

https://artsieaubreys.myshopify.com/collections/mamaws-porch-n-politics

Trump acupuncture and chiropractic “practice doll”:

email directly to order: Bren9999@live.com

📲 Civic-Action Resources

Five Calls:

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🧡 xoxo — Christy & Monica

Lisa J. Parker, Mamaw’s Porch and Politics, Appalachian politics, Appalachian culture, Appalachian history, rural America, rural Ohio, Ohio politics, rural Democrats, political organizing, political strategy, conservative media, Federalist Society, social media organizing, independent political creators, political humor, political satire, humor as protest, civic engagement, Five Calls, Digital Democracy Project, defending democracy, authoritarianism, fascism, MAGA movement, Donald Trump, women activists, older women in politics, intergenerational activism, labor movement, labor unions, union rights, Battle of Blair Mountain, coal miners, workplace protections, military families, veterans, responsible gun ownership, independent candidates, 2026 midterm elections, The Politics Chicks Podcast, Christy Branham, Monica Healy

Today we’re joined by Nat Smith, the DFL candidate for Minnesota Senate District 33. Nat is an attorney who fights fraud nationwide and represents whistleblowers, with a focus on protecting patient care. During Minnesota’s 2026 legislative session, he worked with Sen. Ron Latz on proposed changes to strengthen the Minnesota False Claims Act.

🎙️ Nat explains how suspected, charged, and proven fraud differ; why whistleblowers need protection; and how earlier reporting can help recover public money. We also discuss his campaign, affordability, housing and healthcare consolidation, bipartisan problem-solving, PFAS, and drinking water.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE

⚖️ Suspected, Charged & Proven Fraud

Nat distinguishes a report that warrants investigation from a case supported by enough evidence to bring charges—and from fraud established through a verdict or guilty plea. He explains why mistakes and negligence must be separated from knowing misconduct and why every allegation must move through a fact-based legal process.

🔎 Minnesota Fraud Without the Political Spin

Fraud is real, taxpayers deserve accountability, and oversight failures must be addressed. Nat argues that sweeping estimates, partisan blame, and conflating separate programs can obscure the evidence. His focus: find the facts, close exploitable loopholes, recover public money, and hold wrongdoers accountable.

📜 The False Claims Act & “Lincoln’s Law”

Enacted during the Civil War after contractors defrauded the Union Army, the federal False Claims Act created a public-private partnership between whistleblowers and government. Modern cases can involve healthcare, defense contracting, customs, and other public programs.

🗣️ Why Whistleblowers Need Protection

Employees often discover fraud from inside an organization—and may face firing or other retaliation after reporting it. Nat explains why legal guidance matters and how stronger protections could prevent companies from silencing insiders who are trying to protect patients and taxpayers.

💰 Measuring Whether Reform Works

What would success look like? Nat says Minnesota should see more fraud reported, misconduct reported earlier, and larger taxpayer recoveries before money or assets disappear.

🏛️ Strengthening Minnesota’s False Claims Act

Nat discusses proposed 2026 amendments developed with Sen. Ron Latz. The legislation would expand the conduct covered by the law, strengthen anti-retaliation protections, prevent interference with reporting, and address certain unemployment-insurance and tax-fraud schemes.

🗳️ Why Nat Smith Is Running

Nat says becoming a father strengthened his decision to move from advocacy into public service. He is running to challenge political gridlock, put people over politics, and bring his experience interpreting complex statutes, solving problems, and working across competing interests to the Minnesota Senate.

🏠 Affordability, Housing & Healthcare

District 33 includes Stillwater, hospitality businesses, and agricultural communities in Washington County. Nat discusses property taxes, housing, groceries, gas, healthcare, zoning, and private interests buying homes and senior-care facilities.

🤝 Common Ground Over Gridlock

Conversations at the doors have convinced Nat that voters share more priorities than partisan narratives suggest. He pledges to work across the aisle on practical results for working families.

👇 LEARN MORE

🌐 Nat Smith for Minnesota Senate District 33:
https://www.natsmithformn.com/

📱 Follow Nat Smith:

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/natsmithformn/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581620278495

📜 Minnesota False Claims Act — Minnesota Attorney General:
https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Consumer/Publications/MNFalseClaimsAct.asp

🏛️ SF 4786 — 2026 False Claims Act Legislation:
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2026/0/SF/4786/versions/latest/

🗳️ VOTER RESOURCES

View Your Sample Ballot:
https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/whats-on-my-ballot/

Register to Vote:
https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/register-to-vote/

FOLLOW/SUPPORT

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🧡 xoxo — Christy & Monica

Nat Smith, Nat Smith Minnesota, Minnesota Senate District 33, Senate District 33, Minnesota Senate election 2026, Karin Housley, Washington County, Stillwater Minnesota, Minnesota politics, Minnesota DFL, fraud attorney, Minnesota fraud, fraud prevention, government accountability, taxpayer dollars, whistleblowers, whistleblower retaliation, whistleblower protections, Minnesota False Claims Act, False Claims Act, Lincoln’s Law, healthcare fraud, Medicare fraud, Medicaid fraud, public-private partnership, affordability, property taxes, housing affordability, healthcare costs, private equity, hedge funds, PFAS, drinking water, bipartisan leadership, political gridlock, The Politics Chicks Podcast

Today we’re joined by Todd Achilles, an independent candidate for the United States Senate in Idaho, former U.S. Army tank commander and armor officer, former Idaho state representative, longtime technology and business executive, and public-policy educator.

🎙️ Todd joins us to explain why he believes Idaho—and the country—need an independent voice in Washington. We discuss the lessons he carried from the family farm, the military, the business world, the classroom, and the Idaho Legislature; the rising cost of housing and healthcare; corporate power and economic inequality; the future of rural hospitals; congressional dysfunction; artificial intelligence and data centers; and his campaign to unseat longtime incumbent Senator Jim Risch.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE

🪖 Leadership, Service & Putting People First
Todd reflects on growing up on a family farm and serving as an Army tank commander and armor officer. He explains how military service taught him teamwork, accountability, and the principle that leaders take care of the people they serve before taking care of themselves—and why he believes Washington has lost too much of that spirit.

🏠 Idaho’s Growth, Affordability & an Economy That Feels Rigged
An influx of new residents has helped transform Idaho from what Todd describes as a medium-wage, low-cost state into a low-wage, high-cost one. We discuss the pressure on younger workers and families who cannot afford housing, childcare, or health insurance—and why voters across the political spectrum keep raising the same kitchen-table concerns.

🏥 Healthcare, Medicaid & the Fight to Save Rural Hospitals
Todd calls the American healthcare system deeply broken and argues for a stronger public option alongside greater accountability for large employers whose workers rely on taxpayer-funded coverage. He also explains why Idaho’s small critical-access hospitals are essential to rural communities—and how even modest Medicaid cuts could threaten facilities already operating on razor-thin margins.

💰 Corporate Power, Fair Wages & Algorithmic Price Fixing
Drawing on his experience at Hewlett-Packard, T-Mobile, and in the Idaho Legislature, Todd makes the case for an economy built on fair competition rather than concentrated corporate power. We discuss Idaho’s minimum wage, restrictive noncompete agreements, taxpayer subsidies for low-wage employers, and allegations that rent-setting algorithms are driving housing costs higher.

🤝 Bipartisanship, Independents & Breaking the Two-Party Grip
Todd explains how serving as one of only a handful of Democrats in the Idaho House required finding common ground with colleagues across the political spectrum. Now running as an independent, he argues that both major parties avoid hard choices, reward fundraising over expertise, and deepen division—and says independent senators could become a powerful fulcrum in a closely divided Senate.

🗳️ The Idaho Senate Race—and a Demand for Debate
With the Democratic candidate out of the race, Todd describes a contest that now puts his independent campaign directly against longtime Republican incumbent Jim Risch. He challenges the idea that any elected office belongs to an incumbent, calls for public debates, and argues that voters deserve accountability on the national debt, congressional war powers, foreign policy, and Risch’s record in office.

🏛️ Fixing Congress, Restoring Accountability & Bringing in New Leadership
Todd outlines his first priority in Washington: making Congress function again. His reform agenda includes term and age limits, overturning Citizens United, curbing dark money, addressing gerrymandering, ending congressional stock trading, and replacing sprawling omnibus packages with one issue and one vote at a time—before tackling the economy, healthcare, housing, and the national debt.

🤖 Artificial Intelligence, Data Centers & Idaho’s Water
As a former technology executive and current public-policy instructor, Todd discusses the need for leaders who understand how to regulate artificial intelligence without sacrificing innovation. He also addresses local opposition to data centers, their enormous water and power demands, and why technology companies must be pushed to build more efficient systems—especially in a state where water is precious.

🌄 Finding Hope in Idaho—and Common Ground Across America
After 14 months of traveling the state, Todd says conversations with Idahoans are giving him hope. Whether speaking with lifelong Republicans, Democrats, or independents, he hears a shared desire for change, a Congress people can respect, and leaders willing to put mission and community ahead of political tribalism.

👇 Learn More:

🌐 Todd Achilles for Idaho:
https://www.achillesforidaho.com/

📅 Campaign Events:
https://www.achillesforidaho.com/events

📋 Todd’s Priorities:
https://www.achillesforidaho.com/policies

📱 Follow Todd Achilles for Idaho:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/achilles4idaho
X: https://x.com/Achilles4Idaho

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🧡 xoxo — Christy & Monica

Todd Achilles, Achilles for Idaho, Idaho U.S. Senate race, Idaho Senate election 2026, independent candidate, Jim Risch, Idaho politics, independent voters, two-party system, congressional reform, term limits, age limits, Citizens United, dark money, congressional stock trading, national debt, bipartisan leadership, rural hospitals, Medicaid expansion, healthcare reform, public option, housing affordability, algorithmic price fixing, noncompete agreements, minimum wage, corporate power, economic inequality, artificial intelligence regulation, AI data centers, Idaho water, public education, military leadership, Army tank commander, Hewlett-Packard, T-Mobile, Boise State University, The Politics Chicks, political podcast, women in politics, women’s political podcast

Today we’re joined by Darci Smith, the DFL-endorsed candidate for the Minnesota House of Representatives in District 37A. Darci is a realtor, longtime sales trainer and executive educator whose commitment to advocacy was shaped by her blue-collar union family and a simple lesson she learned as a child: good neighbors stand up for one another.

🎙️ Darci joins us to explain why she believes government should work for everyday people—and why real-life experience matters in the Minnesota Legislature. We discuss the growing barriers to homeownership, corporate ownership of single-family homes, fraud prevention, affordable childcare, education, gun safety, critical infrastructure, and the importance of electing representatives who listen to the people they serve.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE

🏡 Minnesota’s Housing Affordability Crisis

As a working realtor, Darci sees firsthand how high prices, interest rates, limited inventory, and rising closing costs are locking younger Minnesotans out of homeownership. She explains why the average first-time buyer is approaching 40—and why delaying homeownership threatens family stability and generational wealth.

💰 Down-Payment Assistance & Community Land Trusts

Minnesota already has programs that can help qualified buyers with down payments and reduce the cost of purchasing a home. Darci discusses expanding awareness and investment in these programs, including community land trusts that allow buyers to purchase a house without purchasing the land beneath it.

🏘️ Corporate Ownership of Minnesota Homes

What happens when investment companies buy hundreds of single-family homes and turn them into permanent rentals? Darci distinguishes between an ordinary family using one property as a retirement investment and corporations hoarding housing inventory, driving up costs, and preventing families from building equity.

🗣️ Representation That Starts With Listening

Darci argues that the word “representative” has lost some of its meaning. Having faced the same bills, financial pressures, and difficult choices as other working Minnesotans, she believes elected officials must listen before assuming they understand what their constituents need.

🤝 Finding Common Ground at the Doors

Door-knocking has strengthened Darci’s faith in democracy. She shares how face-to-face conversations allow candidates and voters to move beyond partisan talking points, build trust, and discover how much they have in common—even when they begin with different political views.

🔎 Minnesota Fraud & Fixing the System

Fraud is one of the concerns Darci hears most often from voters. She compares an effective fraud investigation to an aviation investigation: establish the facts, identify the root cause, close the systemic gaps, and hold responsible parties accountable instead of using the crisis to score political points.

🚰 Cybersecurity, Water Systems & National Security

After Maple Plain issued a boil-water notice amid reports that municipal water systems were being targeted, the conversation turns to cybersecurity and the vulnerability of critical infrastructure. Darci discusses why threats to local water systems demand serious investigation, strong federal-state cooperation, and leadership that protects every community.

🏛️ What High-Functioning Government Looks Like

Darci explains why winning a Minnesota House majority matters: it determines which bills receive hearings, advance through committees, and reach the floor for a vote. Her priorities include affordable childcare and healthcare, better fraud safeguards, strong public education, and passage of Minnesota’s Equal Rights Amendment.

🧒 Affordable Childcare & Early Education

The earliest years of a child’s life offer an extraordinary opportunity for learning and development. Darci shares how her older brother’s investment in her education changed her life—and why public investment in childcare and education produces long-term benefits for families, public safety, innovation, and Minnesota’s economy.

🔒 Gun Ownership & Common-Sense Gun Safety

A gun owner who grew up around hunting and sport shooting, Darci rejects the idea that supporting the Second Amendment is incompatible with responsible gun legislation. She discusses safe-storage requirements, accountability, high-capacity magazines, and keeping firearms away from people likely to cause harm.

🗳️ Why Minnesota House District 37A Matters

District 37A stretches from suburban Maple Grove into the rural and exurban communities surrounding Maple Plain. With no incumbent seeking reelection, the race represents a significant opportunity to flip a competitive seat and shape control of the Minnesota House.

🌱 Local Organizing, Public Service & Hope

What gives Darci hope? The residents, volunteers, activists, and first-time organizers working together despite their differences. She explains why local campaigns offer voters an opportunity to make a major impact—and why a relatively modest investment in a State House or school-board race can change who holds power.

👇 LEARN MORE

🌐 Darci Smith for Minnesota House District 37A:
https://smithformnhouse.com/

📱 Follow Darci Smith:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smithformnhouse/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585427545048

🗳️ RESEARCH YOUR BALLOT AND VOTING OPTIONS

Minnesota Secretary of State — What’s on My Ballot?
https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/whats-on-my-ballot/

Register to Vote or Update Your Registration:
https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/register-to-vote/

Minnesota Candidate Filings:
https://candidates.sos.mn.gov/CandidateFilingResults.aspx

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Darci Smith, Darci Smith Minnesota, Minnesota House District 37A, MN House 37A, Minnesota House election 2026, Minnesota politics, Minnesota elections, Maple Grove politics, Maple Plain politics, housing affordability, Minnesota housing crisis, first-time homebuyers, down-payment assistance, community land trusts, corporate homeownership, affordable childcare, public education, Minnesota fraud, government accountability, gun safety, safe firearm storage, Equal Rights Amendment, Minnesota DFL, local elections, women in politics, The Politics Chicks, political podcast

Today we’re joined by Emily Roose and Megan Wind of Ely Community Response, the volunteer network that sprang into action when wildfires threatened Ely, the Boundary Waters, and surrounding northern Minnesota communities.

🎙️ Emily, an Ely City Council member and mayoral candidate, and Megan, creative content manager for Save the Boundary Waters, take us inside Ely’s wildfire response. They explain how neighbors organized volunteers, masks, air purifiers, housing, logistics, and firefighter support almost overnight. We also discuss wildfire preparedness, economic recovery, rural community, and why Ely remains open for business.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE

🔥 When Lightning Strikes Became a Crisis
Megan describes how early-July lightning, extreme heat, wind, drought, and heavy smoke transformed scattered fires into an urgent threat that prompted evacuations and hazardous air conditions.

🤝 Building Ely Community Response Overnight
Emily explains how a few text messages became a response hub within hours. At Ely’s Historic State Theater, the group matched needs with offers of housing, N95 masks, air purifiers, transportation, and other help.

🚒 Supporting Firefighters With Local Knowledge
The guests explain why contracted crews and local departments sometimes needed help federal teams could not accept or provide. Ely Community Response solved housing, transportation, and logistics problems and helped raise $20,000 for the Morse-Fall Lake Fire Department in 12 hours.

🏘️ Neighboring Beyond Politics
Ely may be politically diverse, but the crisis brought residents, nonprofits, businesses, and competing outfitters together. Emily and Megan explain why effective disaster response must channel goodwill toward verified needs.

🛡️ Preparing Ely for the Next Wildfire
Emily outlines priorities including Firewise prevention, coordination with neighboring townships, clearer evacuation communication, public emergency planning, and year-round preparedness.

💵 Wildfire Recovery & Northern Minnesota’s Economy
With tourism businesses facing significant losses, the guests urge Minnesotans to support economic relief, contact legislators, visit Ely, shop locally, and make plans for the fall and off-season.

🎭 Ely Is More Than a Gateway to the Wilderness
From theater and folk arts to museums, restaurants, trails, northern lights, and a close-knit year-round community, Emily and Megan share why Ely is worth visiting beyond peak canoe season.

🌱 What’s Giving Them Hope
Both guests return to one answer: community. They are inspired by neighbors who acquired new skills, became leaders, solved problems, and showed up for one another.

👇 Learn More:

🔥 Ely Community Response
Substack: https://elycommunityresponse.substack.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elycommunityresponse
Email: mailto@gmail.com
Resource Request & Support Form: https://elycommunityresponse.substack.com/about
Support Ely Businesses and Organizations: https://elycommunityresponse.substack.com/p/looking-for-places-to-donate-to-support

👥 What’s Up Ely, MN? Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/115144388951357/

🌲 Save the Boundary Waters
https://www.savetheboundarywaters.org/
Meet Megan Wind: https://www.savetheboundarywaters.org/our-team

🚨 Wildfire Preparedness & Updates
Watch Duty: https://www.watchduty.org/
Minnesota Firewise: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/firewise/
Ely Emergency Information: https://www.ely.mn.us/emergency

🧭 Plan a Visit to Ely
Official Ely Tourism: https://www.ely.org/
Ely’s Historic State Theater: https://elystatetheater.org/
Northern Lakes Arts Association: https://www.northernlakesarts.org/
Ely Folk School: https://www.elyfolkschool.org/
Lake Vermilion–Soudan Mine tours: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/tours/lake_vermilion_soudan.html
Ely-Winton History Museum: https://www.elywintonhistory.org/
Ely’s Historic Pioneer Mine: https://www.pioneermine.org/
Dorothy Molter Museum: https://www.rootbeerlady.com/
Trezona Trail: https://www.ely.org/things-to-do/outdoors/hiking/
Semer’s Park: https://www.ely.mn.us/semerspark
Mesabi Trail: https://mesabitrail.com/

🍽️ Ely Food & Drink Mentioned
Boundary Waters Kitchen & Market: https://www.boundarywaterskitchen.com/
Insula Restaurant: https://www.insularestaurant.com/
Burntside Lodge Dining: https://www.burntside.com/dining
Boathouse Brewpub: https://www.boathousebrewpub.com/
Northern Grounds: https://www.northerngroundscoffeeandtea.com/
Brainstorm Bakery: https://www.brainstormbakery.com/
Sheridan Street Delicatessen: https://www.sheridanstreetdeli.com/

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Ely Minnesota wildfires, Ely Community Response, Boundary Waters, Emily Roose, Megan Wind, wildfire recovery, northern Minnesota tourism, community resilience, grassroots volunteers, The Politics Chicks

Today we’re joined by Minnesota State Representative Cedrick Frazier, a former Hennepin County public defender, New Hope City Council member, labor attorney, and the DFL and labor-endorsed candidate for Hennepin County Attorney.

🎙️ Cedrick joins us to explain the county attorney race’s unusual nonpartisan, top-two primary—and why voters need to flip over their ballots and research the candidates before voting. We discuss how his childhood on Chicago’s South Side shaped his understanding of gun violence, drug trafficking, public safety, and the criminal justice system. Cedrick also lays out his approach to accountability for federal agents, rebuilding public trust, reducing racial disparities, addressing fentanyl addiction, investing in young people, and leading one of Minnesota’s most consequential public law offices.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE

🗳️ The Top-Two Primary—and Why You Must Flip Your Ballot

The Hennepin County Attorney race is nonpartisan, which means party endorsements do not appear beside candidates’ names. Cedrick explains how the two candidates receiving the most votes advance to the general election regardless of party—and why voters must flip over their ballots, research the candidates, and avoid leaving this consequential race blank.

⚖️ Public Safety Starts With Public Trust

Drawing on his experience as a public defender, city council member, legislator, and attorney, Cedrick explains why accountability must include prevention, intervention, rehabilitation, and listening to victims. He discusses diversion, restitution, conviction integrity, and why every case file represents real people, families, and communities.

🚨 Gun Violence, Prevention & Legislative Action

Cedrick discusses losing loved ones to gun violence, Minnesota’s stalled gun-safety legislation, and the need to prevent violence before police and prosecutors are called. He also explains how a county attorney can use crime data, community partnerships, civil litigation, and relationships with state lawmakers to advocate for safer communities.

🛡️ Operation Metro Surge & Accountability for Federal Agents

Cedrick addresses the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, the harm caused during Operation Metro Surge, and the community’s demand for accountability. He explains how state criminal investigations involving federal agents work, why federal officers do not have blanket immunity from state law, and why the next county attorney will play a pivotal role in determining whether those cases continue.

✊ George Floyd, Racial Disparities & Moving Minnesota Forward

The conversation examines Minnesota’s unfinished reckoning following the murder of George Floyd. Cedrick discusses racial disparities in policing, charging, and sentencing—and why he believes the justice system must treat every person with humanity, decency, and fairness while continuing to hold people accountable.

💊 Addiction Is a Public-Health Issue

Cedrick explains why he does not believe people choose addiction. He outlines an approach that distinguishes people who need treatment from large-scale traffickers bringing fentanyl into Minnesota communities. We also discuss drug courts, diversion, rehabilitation, and the lifelong collateral damage that a criminal conviction can create—particularly for young people.

🏛️ Leadership, Experience & the County Attorney’s Office

The Hennepin County Attorney does much more than oversee criminal prosecutions. The office also handles child-protection matters, civil litigation, victim services, and legal representation for county departments and institutions. Cedrick makes the case that his lived, legal, legislative, and elected experience gives him the breadth required to lead the office.

🌱 Workplace Culture, Community Engagement & Hope

Cedrick describes what he would want to accomplish during his first year, including improving workplace culture, supporting staff, continuing the pursuit of accountability for Operation Metro Surge, and making the office more accessible and transparent. He also shares why increased voter engagement—and conversations at the doors—are giving him hope.

👇 Learn More:

🌐 Cedrick Frazier Campaign:
https://www.cedrickfrazier.org/

📱 Follow Cedrick:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CedrickFrazier

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cedrickfrazier/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cedrickfrazier.bsky.social

🏛️ Minnesota House Profile:
https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/15548

🗳️ Research Your Ballot and Voting Options:

View Your Sample Ballot — Minnesota Secretary of State:
https://www.sos.minnesota.gov/elections-voting/whats-on-my-ballot/

Register to Vote or Update Your Registration:
https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/register-to-vote/

Hennepin County Early and Absentee Voting:
https://www.hennepincounty.gov/services/elections/absentee-early-voting

Hennepin County Offices on the Ballot:
https://www.hennepincounty.gov/services/elections/offices-on-the-ballot

League of Women Voters’ VOTE411 Voter Guide:
https://www.vote411.org/

🔎 Additional Resources Discussed:

Minnesota Attorney General’s Glock Litigation:
https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Office/Communications/2025/08/21_Glock.asp

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Cedrick Frazier, Representative Cedrick Frazier, Hennepin County Attorney, Hennepin County Attorney election, Hennepin County Attorney primary, Minnesota primary 2026, Minnesota elections, Minnesota politics, nonpartisan primary, top-two primary, jungle primary, flip your ballot, public safety, public trust, criminal justice reform, public defender, gun violence prevention, Minnesota gun laws, Operation Metro Surge, ICE accountability, federal agents, Renee Good, Alex Pretti, George Floyd, police accountability, racial disparities, fentanyl crisis, opioid addiction, addiction treatment, drug court, diversion programs, juvenile justice...

Today we’re joined by Minnesota State Representative Andy Smith, a Rochester small-business owner and DFL legislator representing District 25B who has earned a following by making state government accessible through humor, social media, and plainspoken policy explanations.

🎙️ Andy joins us to discuss life inside an evenly divided Minnesota House, the fight for gun-safety legislation following the Annunciation School shooting, the fear driving today’s Republican Party, and why Democrats must focus on building broad coalitions instead of ideological labels. We also discuss Andy’s evolution from a conservative evangelical and Republican voter to a DFL lawmaker, the importance of empathy in politics, and why joy and laughter are essential when doing serious work.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE

🏛️ Inside Minnesota’s Divided Legislature
What serving in a 67–67 Minnesota House looks like, why politics is a team sport, and how the balance of power determines whether lawmakers can deliver for their constituents.

🚨 Gun Safety & Republican Obstruction
The gun-safety package passed by the Minnesota Senate, Speaker Lisa Demuth’s decision to prevent a House hearing or vote, and the nearly 50-hour sit-in staged by DFL lawmakers demanding action.

🤝 Empathy, Evolution & Building Coalitions
How travel, art, relationships, and personal experience changed Andy’s political beliefs—and why Democrats must build coalitions around voters’ lives instead of sorting everyone into centrist and progressive boxes.

📱 Social Media & Accessible Government
Why Andy uses humor and short-form videos to explain complicated policy, how online communication can make government more accessible, and the challenge of governing in an increasingly performative political culture.

✨ Finding Common Ground—and Joy
From door-knocking and conversations with voters to fantasy books, State Fair food, coffee, and a proposed Minnesota version of Hot Ones, Andy explains why human connection and laughter help sustain the work of creating change.

👇 Learn More:

🌐 Andy Smith Campaign:

https://www.andysmithmn.com/

💙 Donate on ActBlue:

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/andy-smith-for-house

📱 Follow Andy:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndySmithMN

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andysmithmn/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@andysmithmn

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/andysmithmn.bsky.social

🏛️ Minnesota House Profile:

https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/15606

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Andy Smith, MN Rep. Andy Smith, Minnesota politics, Minnesota House of Representatives, District 25B, Rochester, Minnesota DFL, gun-safety legislation, gun violence prevention, Annunciation School shooting, Lisa Demuth, divided government, political coalitions, progressive politics, social media, state government, empathy in politics, door-knocking, political communication, Minnesota elections, The Politics Chicks, political podcast, women in politics, womens political podcast

Today we're joined by Trina Swanson, the DFL-endorsed candidate for Minnesota's 8th Congressional District, who is running to unseat Congressman Pete Stauber in one of the most closely watched congressional races in Minnesota.

🎙️ Trina returns to discuss Minnesota's August 11 DFL primary, what she learned after spending nine months campaigning across northeastern Minnesota, the future of the Boundary Waters, infrastructure, rural healthcare, Tribal Nations, economic development, and why she believes she's the strongest candidate to represent Minnesota's 8th District in Congress. We also discuss the importance of organizing, listening to voters, and building a coalition capable of defeating Pete Stauber in November.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE

🗳️ The August 11 DFL Primary
Why Trina sought and earned the DFL endorsement, what she's learned on the campaign trail, and why she believes she's the strongest candidate to carry the Democratic banner in November.

🚗 Nine Months Across Minnesota's 8th District
What Trina heard from voters in Duluth, the Iron Range, Tribal Nations, farming communities, manufacturing towns, and rural northeastern Minnesota—and how those conversations shaped her campaign.

🌲 The Boundary Waters & Minnesota's Outdoor Economy
Wildfires, tourism, mining, conservation, Twin Metals, and how Trina believes Minnesota can protect both its economy and one of America's most treasured wilderness areas.

🏗️ Infrastructure, Rural Healthcare & Economic Opportunity
The Blatnik Bridge, broadband, housing, healthcare access, and why investing in rural communities is essential to Minnesota's future.

💙 Defeating Pete Stauber
Why Trina believes experience, organization, and showing up for communities across the district make her the strongest Democrat to flip Minnesota's 8th District.

👇 Learn More:

🌐 Trina Swanson Campaign: https://trinaforcongress.com/

💙 Volunteer & Donate: https://trinaswanson.com/get-involved/

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/trina-swanson-1?refcode=directory

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Trina Swanson, Minnesota 8th District, MN-08, DFL, DFL endorsement, Pete Stauber, Luke Gulbranson, August 11 primary, Minnesota politics, Boundary Waters, Twin Metals, Iron Range, Duluth, rural healthcare, infrastructure, Blatnik Bridge, rural economy, Tribal Nations, Congress, Democratic primary, campaign interview, political podcast, The Politics Chicks, women in politics, progressive politics, Minnesota elections, northeastern Minnesota, congressional race, public policy

Today we’re joined by writer, editor, communications strategist, and one of Threads’ most beloved political voices, Ami Berger.

🎙️ Ami joins us for one of our most personal conversations yet as we discuss Threads, political humor, online community, writing, Minnesota’s culture of neighboring, Jewish identity, the lasting impact of COVID, and why protecting your joy may be one of the most important acts of resistance during difficult times. From hilarious one-liners to thoughtful reflections on community and democracy, this episode feels less like an interview and more like catching up with an old friend.  

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE

😂 Humor as Resistance
How comedy, storytelling, and perfectly timed one-liners help people survive political chaos while building genuine community. 

📱 Threads & Building Authentic Community
Why Ami unexpectedly became one of Threads’ favorite follows, how social media has evolved since Twitter, and the real friendships that have grown from online connections.

❤️ Finding Joy During Difficult Times
Why authoritarian movements thrive on despair—and why protecting your happiness, your creativity, and your sense of humor is one of the most important acts of resistance.

🏡 Minnesota’s Culture of Neighboring
A conversation about Metro Surge, community organizing, civic engagement, and why Minnesota’s deep-rooted culture of neighboring became a model for showing up when people needed each other most.

📚 Writing, Memory & Personal Essays
Ami shares the inspiration behind her personal writing, her reflections on childhood, and why storytelling helps us understand who we are.

✡️ Jewish Identity & Repairing the World
Growing up Jewish, raising children with strong values, the meaning of tikkun olam (“repairing the world”), and how community shapes our lives.

🐈 Cats, Dogs & Midwestern Life
From Alfredo’s surprise appearance to patios, neighborhoods, food, friendships, and plenty of laughter, this conversation reminds us that joy and connection still exist—even in difficult times.

👇 Learn More:

🌐 Threads: https://www.threads.com/@amib

✍️ Fragments by Ami Berger: https://fragments.ghost.io/

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Ami Berger, Threads, Threads creator, political humor, humor, online community, social media, Minnesota, neighboring, community organizing, civic engagement, democracy, political podcast, The Politics Chicks, storytelling, writing, Ghost, personal essays, creative nonfiction, Jewish identity, tikkun olam, COVID, Metro Surge, resilience, hope, women in media, progressive politics, Minnesota politics, finding joy, podcast interview

Today we’re joined by Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, who is running to succeed Senator Tina Smith in the United States Senate.

🎙️ Peggy joins us to discuss her personal journey from growing up on Medicaid, SNAP, Section 8 housing, and childcare assistance to serving as Minnesota’s Lieutenant Governor. We talk about Medicare for All, affordability, campaign finance reform, universal school meals, Native American representation, and why she believes working families deserve a stronger voice in Washington.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE

🏥 Medicare for All
Why Peggy supports universal healthcare, how she believes it would work, and what it could mean for Minnesota families struggling with rising healthcare costs.

💵 Affordability & Growing Up on Public Assistance
Peggy shares how Medicaid, SNAP, Section 8 housing, and childcare assistance helped shape her life—and why those experiences continue to influence her public service.

🍎 Universal School Meals
How Minnesota’s free breakfast and lunch program is helping students succeed while saving families money.

💰 Campaign Finance Reform
Why Peggy refuses corporate PAC money, supports ending Citizens United, and believes elected officials should answer to voters—not special interests.

🪶 Native Representation
What it would mean to become the first Native American woman elected to the U.S. Senate and why authentic representation matters.

🎡 The Minnesota State Fair, Family & Leadership
A fun conversation about Minnesota traditions, supporting Native artists through her signature earrings, balancing public service with motherhood, and staying grounded during a statewide campaign.

👇 Learn More:

🌐 WEBSITE: https://www.peggyflanagan.com/

💙 ACTBLUE: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/peggy-flanagan-for-senate

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Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota Lieutenant Governor, U.S. Senate, Minnesota Senate race, Tina Smith, Medicare for All, Universal Healthcare, Healthcare, Affordability, Campaign Finance Reform, Citizens United, Native American Representation, Indigenous Leadership, Universal School Meals, Public Education, Working Families, Minnesota Politics, Democratic Party, Election 2026, Political Podcast, The Politics Chicks, Women in Politics, Progressive Politics

Today we’re honored to welcome Ingrid Lyons, Executive Director of Save the Boundary Waters, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting one of America’s most treasured wilderness areas through education, advocacy, and conservation.

🎙️ Ingrid joins us for an in-depth conversation about the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the proposed Twin Metals copper mining project, sulfide-ore mining, clean water, public lands, outdoor recreation, and why the future of this extraordinary wilderness has become one of the nation’s most important environmental and public policy debates.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE

🛶 The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
What makes the Boundary Waters one of the world’s most unique freshwater ecosystems—and why millions of Americans consider it a national treasure worth protecting.

⛏️ The Twin Metals Mining Proposal
The history behind the proposed copper-nickel mine, where the project stands today, and why it has sparked decades of political and environmental debate.

💧 Clean Water & Sulfide-Ore Mining
Why scientists and conservationists believe this type of mining presents unique risks to an interconnected watershed unlike anywhere else in the country.

🌲 Conservation & Economic Development
Can protecting wilderness and supporting local economies coexist? Ingrid discusses tourism, recreation, mining, and the difficult balance policymakers face.

🏛️ Public Lands & America’s Wilderness Legacy
How the Wilderness Act helped preserve the Boundary Waters and why federal land protections continue to shape the future of northern Minnesota.

🚣 Outdoor Recreation & Minnesota’s Economy
Why paddling, camping, fishing, and outdoor recreation contribute billions to local economies while preserving one of America’s last great wilderness areas.

🌎 Why This Matters Beyond Minnesota
Why the fight over the Boundary Waters isn’t just a regional issue—it’s a national conversation about clean water, conservation, public lands, and the legacy we leave future generations.

👇 Learn More

Save the Boundary Waters (501(c)(3))
https://www.savetheboundarywaters.org

Boundary Waters Action Fund (501(c)(4))
https://www.boundarywatersaction.org

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (U.S. Forest Service)
https://www.fs.usda.gov/bwca

The Wilderness Act (National Park Service)
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/wilderness/wilderness-act.htm

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🧡 xoxo,
Christy & Monica

The Politics Chicks Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Substack.

Politics Podcast, Progressive Politics Podcast, Politics Podcast Host, Politics Podcast Analysis, Politics News Show, Political Interviews, US Political Podcasts, Current Events, Ingrid Lyons, Save the Boundary Waters, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Boundary Waters Action Fund, Twin Metals, Copper Mining, Sulfide-Ore Mining, Clean Water, Conservation, Environmental Policy, Public Lands, Wilderness Act, Outdoor Recreation, Minnesota Politics, Ely Minnesota, Canoeing, Freshwater Protection, Natural Resources, The Politics Chicks

🌟 Welcome to Episode #33 of The Politics Chicks Podcast! 🌟

Today we’re honored to welcome Dr. Patrick Hadorn, a primary care physician, Medical Director at Park Nicollet Maple Grove, and one of Minnesota’s leading advocates for compassionate, evidence-based patient care.

🎙️ In one of our most personal episodes yet, Dr. Hadorn joins us to discuss physician burnout, artificial intelligence in healthcare, vaccine misinformation, chronic illness, patient trust, healthcare policy, and why strong relationships between doctors and patients remain the foundation of good medicine.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE

🩺 Primary Care & Patient Trust

Why long-term relationships between physicians and patients lead to better health outcomes—and why trust is the most important tool in medicine.

🤖 Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

How AI is transforming medicine, reducing physician workload, improving patient care, and creating new ethical challenges.

💉 Vaccines & Medical Misinformation

How physicians navigate vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and public health in today’s rapidly changing healthcare landscape.

🏥 The Healthcare Workforce Crisis

Why physician burnout, insurance bureaucracy, and provider shortages threaten the future of primary care.

❤️ Living With Chronic Illness

Christy shares her own healthcare journey and why compassionate, patient-centered medicine has changed her life.

📚 Evidence-Based Medicine

How patients can identify trustworthy medical information and avoid misinformation online.

👇 Learn More

Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org

Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org

Open Evidence https://www.openevidence.com

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@ThePoliticsChicks    www.thepoliticschicks.com

🧡 xoxo,
 Christy & Monica

If you enjoy thoughtful political interviews, conversations about healthcare, public policy, current events, artificial intelligence, medical misinformation, and the future of American democracy, subscribe to The Politics Chicks Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Substack.

Politics Podcast, Progressive Politics Podcast, Politics Podcast Host, Politics Podcast Analysis, Politics News Show, Political Interviews, US Political Podcasts, Current Events, Democracy, Public Policy, Healthcare, Primary Care, Physician Burnout, Artificial Intelligence, AI in Healthcare, Vaccine Misinformation, Evidence-Based Medicine, Chronic Illness, Public Health, Healthcare Workforce, Patient Advocacy, Medical Ethics, Dr. Patrick Hadorn, The Politics Chicks 

Today we’re joined by Matt Gromlich, educator, community advocate, and Democratic candidate for Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District, where he’s challenging House Speaker Mike Johnson.

🎙️ Matt returns to discuss how his campaign has evolved after Louisiana’s unprecedented election controversy, why he believes education and healthcare should be national priorities, and what voters across northwest Louisiana are telling him.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:

📍 Challenging Mike Johnson
 Why Matt decided to take on one of the most powerful Republicans in Washington.

📚 Education First
 From universal pre-K to free school meals, Matt explains why investing in children strengthens entire communities.

🏥 Healthcare & Affordability
 Why he believes healthcare should be accessible regardless of employment.

💰 The Economy Beyond Wall Street
 Why economic success should be measured by working families—not stock market numbers

🗳️ Voting Rights & Representation
 The impact of Louisiana’s redistricting battles and why showing up for constituents matters.

❤️ Leading With Hope
 Matt shares why listening, empathy, and practical solutions remain at the center of his campaign.

👇 Learn more:
WEBSITE: https://www.mattgromlichforcongress.com/
ACTBLUE: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/matt-gromlich-1
PODCAST: https://www.youtube.com/@MattGromlichForCongress

FOLLOW/SUPPORT

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🧡 xoxo — Christy & Monica

Politics, Louisiana, Mike Johnson, Matt Gromlich, Congress, Louisiana 4th District, Democratic Party, House of Representatives, Elections, Campaign 2026, Democracy, Voting Rights, Public Education, Education, Public Schools, Healthcare, Economy, Infrastructure, Redistricting, Public Policy, Campaign Interview, The Politics Chicks, Political Podcast, Women’s Political Podcast, Women in Politics

Today we’re joined by Lisa Erbes and Rebecca Larson, co-leaders of Indivisible Twin Cities, to talk about grassroots organizing, defending democracy, election engagement, and how ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference.

🎙️ From the Minnesota 15 arrests and Operation Metro Surge to election organizing, civic action, and overcoming political anxiety, this conversation is about finding purpose—and taking action when democracy needs you most.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:

📍 The Minnesota 15
What happened during last week’s federal arrests and why organizers say “the process is the punishment.”

🗳️ How Indivisible Works
How one of America’s largest grassroots movements helps everyday people become effective advocates.

🚨 Operation Metro Surge
Civil liberties, protest response, and why organizers believe community action matters.

💪 Action Beats Anxiety
Why taking even one small step can combat overwhelm and restore hope.

🏛️ Election Like No Other
How volunteers are preparing for voter outreach, election protection, and the 2026 midterms.

✨ Finding Hope
Why community, organizing, and showing up together remain the strongest antidotes to authoritarianism.

Learn more:

Indivisible National: https://indivisible.org

Indivisible Twin Cities: https://indivisibletwincities.org

FOLLOW/SUPPORT

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🧡 xoxo — Christy & Monica

#ThePoliticsChicks #Indivisible #MinnesotaPolitics #Grassroots #Democracy

Indivisible, Indivisible Twin Cities, Lisa Erbes, Rebecca Larson, Grassroots Organizing, Democracy, Civic Engagement, Minnesota Politics, Operation Metro Surge, Political Activism, Election Protection, Voting Rights, Progressive Politics, Community Organizing, The Politics Chicks

Today we’re honored to welcome Senator Tina Smith, who has represented Minnesota in the United States Senate since 2018 after previously serving as Minnesota’s Lieutenant Governor.

🎙️ Senator Smith joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about her final year in the Senate, protecting the Boundary Waters, voting rights, mental health advocacy, Operation Metro Surge, civic engagement, and the future of Minnesota.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:

📍 Protecting the Boundary Waters
 Why one of America’s most treasured wilderness areas remains at risk and what’s really behind efforts to expand mining near the watershed.

🏠 The Bi-Partisan Housing Bill
Senator Smith explains why she considers affordable housing one of the most urgent issues facing Minnesota and discusses the recently passed housing package she helped negotiate—and why its future is suddenly uncertain despite broad bipartisan support.

🗳️ Voting Rights & The SAVE Act
 How proposed voting restrictions could impact millions of Americans, including married women whose names have changed.

🏛️ Operation Metro Surge
 The lasting impact on Minnesota communities, accountability, civil liberties, and rebuilding public trust.

🧠 Mental Health Matters
 Senator Smith reflects on her advocacy for mental health care, reducing stigma, and helping young people access support.

🌎 Public Service & Legacy
 Looking back on more than 70 bills and provisions signed into law, including Juneteenth, climate legislation, and affordable housing initiatives.

✨ What Gives Her Hope
 Why organizing, civic engagement, and emerging leaders continue to inspire optimism for the future.

Follow Sen. Smith on her social media and at:
https://www.smith.senate.gov/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
______________________________________________________________________________________
FOLLOW/SUPPORT :

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🧡 xoxo — Christy & Monica

#ThePoliticsChicks #TinaSmith #MinnesotaPolitics #BoundaryWaters #MentalHealth #VotingRights

Tina Smith, Minnesota Politics, United States Senate, Boundary Waters, Voting Rights, SAVE Act, Operation Metro Surge, Mental Health, Public Service, Democracy, Civic Engagement, Environmental Protection, Copper Mining, Affordable Housing, Climate Legislation, Juneteenth, Minnesota Democrats, Political Podcast, Progressive Politics, The Politics Chicks

Today we’re joined by Kristy Janigo, Maple Grove City Council Member, Army National Guard veteran, veterans advocate, and candidate for the Minnesota Senate. From serving during the post-9/11 era to helping veterans access housing, benefits, and critical support services, Kristy has dedicated her career to public service. In this episode, she shares how her experiences in the military, local government, higher education, and veterans advocacy shaped her approach to leadership and why she believes now is the right time to serve Minnesota in the State Senate.

🎙️ We discuss military service, veteran advocacy, housing affordability, local government, economic challenges facing Minnesota families, bipartisan problem-solving, and what it takes to build stronger communities.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:

📍 Growing up in rural North Dakota and the value of community

🎖️ Joining the Army National Guard at 17 and serving during the post-9/11 era

🏠 Helping veterans access housing, disability benefits, and critical services

⚖️ Receiving the Stephen A. Pallagia Justice Partners Award for her work with Veterans Treatment Court participants

🌳 The role local government plays in shaping everyday life

🏙️ Maple Grove’s growth, parks, trails, economic development, and community planning

💰 Housing affordability and the challenges facing Minnesota families

🤝 Building bipartisan coalitions and finding common ground

🗳️ Why Kristy decided to run for the Minnesota Senate

🎧 Listen now and learn why Kristy Janigo believes public service is about listening first, solving problems, and putting people before politics.

🌐 Learn more about Kristy’s campaign:
 https://kristyjanigoformn.com

💙 Support Kristy’s campaign:
 https://secure.actblue.com/donate/twg-kristy

📲 Follow Kristy:
 Facebook | Instagram | Threads | BlueSky | LinkedIn

🐥 Follow The Politics Chicks:
 @thepoliticschicks

📲 Find us on Substack, Threads, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, BlueSky, and YouTube.

#MinnesotaPolitics #KristyJanigo #MinnesotaSenate #VeteransAdvocacy #MapleGrove #PoliticsChicks #MinnesotaElections #VeteranLeadership #HousingAffordability #PublicService

Today we’re joined by Mark Legvold, Democratic candidate for Minnesota Senate District 58. A lifelong farmer, military veteran, educator, firefighter, law enforcement officer, and community leader, Mark has spent decades serving others both in and out of uniform. In this wide-ranging conversation, we discuss Minnesota agriculture, public education, military service, leadership, rural communities, economic challenges facing working families, and why treating people with dignity and respect remains at the center of his campaign. If you’re interested in Minnesota politics, rural issues, public service, or the future of state government, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

🎙️ Before politics, Mark was learning lessons on a family farm in southern Minnesota—lessons about hard work, sacrifice, cooperation, and community. Those experiences shaped a lifetime of service that eventually led him to the military, public education, emergency response, law enforcement, and now a campaign for the Minnesota Senate.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:

🌽 Growing Up on a Minnesota Farm

Mark shares stories from his childhood on a family farm, where summers were spent baling hay, caring for cattle, and learning the value of hard work. He explains how farming taught him responsibility, resilience, cooperation, and the importance of helping neighbors when times get tough.

🚜 Farming, Tariffs, and the Challenges Facing Rural Minnesota

We discuss the economic realities facing farmers today, including rising fuel and fertilizer costs, shrinking commodity prices, and the impact international trade policies have had on Minnesota agriculture. Mark explains why rebuilding agricultural markets is critical for rural communities.

🤝 What Rural Communities Can Teach America

Mark talks about growing up in a community where neighbors shared equipment, labor, and responsibility regardless of political differences. He shares why he believes America needs to rediscover the value of cooperation and community.

🎖️ Thirty Years of Military Service

Mark reflects on his three decades of military service, the mentors who shaped him, and the leadership lessons he learned serving alongside people whose lives depended on one another. He also discusses the importance of service, accountability, and building strong teams.

🔥 Firefighting, Law Enforcement, and Public Safety

After serving as a firefighter for much of his military career, Mark transitioned into military law enforcement. We discuss what he learned about leadership, responsibility, and the importance of training, accountability, and thoughtful decision-making when people are entrusted with the use of force.

🏫 Public Education and Supporting Students

As a former teacher and school administrator, Mark shares stories from his years working in public schools. We discuss student hunger, poverty, educational opportunity, and why he strongly supports ensuring every child has access to meals at school.

⚖️ The Five Core Values Driving His Campaign

Mark outlines the five values at the center of his campaign:

• Work Hard
 • Act with Integrity
 • Serve Others
 • Value Learning
 • Treat Everyone with Care and Respect

We discuss why these principles have guided his life and why he believes they should guide public service as well.

🏛️ Why He’s Running for the Minnesota Senate

After retiring from military service, Mark felt called to continue serving his community. He explains why he entered politics and why he believes now is the time for experienced, community-focused leaders to step forward.

🌾 Understanding Senate District 58

Mark discusses the unique needs of a district that includes farms, small towns, rural communities, and growing suburban areas. He explains why listening to constituents and building relationships remains one of his highest priorities.

👩 Respecting Women Who Serve

One of the most powerful moments of the conversation centers on Mark’s reaction to the cancellation of an event honoring women who died while serving their country. We discuss military service, respect, honoring sacrifice, and why decency should never be partisan.

💙 Finding Hope in Difficult Times

Despite political division and uncertainty, Mark shares why conversations with everyday Minnesotans continue to give him hope for the future and why he believes most people still want kindness, competence, and government that works.

📍 Learn More About Mark Legvold

🌐 Campaign Website:
 https://www.legvold4mnsenate58.com

💙 Support the Campaign:
 https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mark-legvold-for-senate-1

🎧 ABOUT THE POLITICS CHICKS

The Politics Chicks Podcast is hosted by Christy Branham and Monica Healy—two Midwestern moms who refused to stand back and watch democracy die.

Each week we sit down with candidates, advocates, organizers, experts, journalists, and everyday people working to strengthen their communities and protect democratic institutions. We believe politics is personal because policy impacts real people.

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend. It helps us continue bringing important voices and stories to a wider audience.

📱 Follow The Politics Chicks 
@thepoliticschicks

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#MarkLegvold #MinnesotaPolitics #MinnesotaSenate #MNPolitics #PoliticsChicks #MinnesotaDFL #RuralMinnesota #MinnesotaFarmers #PublicEducation #VeteransInPolitics

Today we’re joined by Ronnie Murchinson-Rivera, Democratic candidate for Florida’s 6th Congressional District, who is challenging Randy Fine for a seat in Congress.

With a background spanning EMS, law enforcement, education, and community leadership, Ronnie has spent his career serving others. Now he’s taking that commitment to public service into the political arena, campaigning on affordability, accountability, and the belief that government should work for ordinary people.

🎙️ One of our favorite things to do on The Politics Chicks is introduce candidates to our audience and give them a platform to share who they are, why they’re running, and what they hope to accomplish. This conversation is about service, leadership, and what it means to step forward when you believe your community deserves better.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:

📍 From Public Service to Public Office

Ronnie shares his personal journey, from growing up in New York City to building a life in Florida and ultimately deciding to run for Congress.

🚑 Lessons From EMS, Law Enforcement, and Education

We discuss how years spent serving people in crisis shaped Ronnie’s understanding of leadership, government, and the challenges facing working families.

🏛️ Why Challenge Randy Fine?

Ronnie explains why he entered the race, what he sees as the biggest differences between himself and Congressman Randy Fine, and why he believes voters are looking for a new direction.

💵 Affordability and Everyday Life

From rising housing costs and healthcare expenses to insurance premiums and grocery bills, we discuss the economic pressures families are facing and what can be done to help.

🇺🇸 Rebuilding Trust in Politics

How do we bridge political divides? Ronnie shares his thoughts on restoring faith in government, engaging voters who have become discouraged, and finding common ground in a polarized era.

✨ Hope for the Future

Despite the challenges facing our country, Ronnie talks about what gives him hope and why he remains optimistic about the future of Florida and America.

🛑 Final Word

Public service begins with showing up. Ronnie’s campaign is rooted in the belief that leadership should be about helping people, solving problems, and making government work for the communities it serves.

💌 Learn more about Ronnie’s campaign:
 www.ron4congress.com

FOLLOW/SUPPORT:

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@ThePoliticsChicks

🧡 xoxo — Christy & Monica

Ronnie Murchinson-Rivera, Randy Fine, Florida 6th Congressional District, Florida politics, Congressional election 2026, Florida Democrats, Congressional candidate, Political podcast, Politics Chicks Podcast, Affordability, Cost of living, Healthcare costs, Government accountability, Grassroots campaign, Voter education.

🎙️ Can Technology Save Democracy? | Ramon Perez on Mobile Voting, AI & Government Accountability

Today we’re joined by Ramon Perez, founder of the Digital Democracy Project, a nonpartisan effort using mobile voting, AI-powered bill summaries, legislative transparency, and real-time accountability to help reconnect citizens with government.

Democracy was never meant to be something we participate in once every few years. It was meant to be a living conversation between the people and those elected to represent them. In this episode, we explore whether technology can help save democracy by giving voters greater access to the legislative process, more transparency into how elected officials vote, and new tools for civic engagement.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:

📍 The Story Behind the Mission

Ramon shares the powerful experiences that inspired his work—from the sacrifice of Lieutenant Tyler Brown, a fellow veteran who gave his life leading his troops in Iraq, to an Iraqi grandmother who risked her life simply to cast a ballot. These stories shaped his belief that democracy is an idea worth fighting for.

🗳️ Beyond Election Day

What if voting didn’t happen only every two or four years? Ramon explains how the Digital Democracy Project allows citizens to weigh in on legislation while it is actually being debated, creating a direct connection between voters and lawmakers.

📱 Democracy in Your Pocket

We discuss mobile voting technology, how the platform works, and why Ramon believes increasing access and participation could fundamentally change the relationship between citizens and government.

🔍 Making Legislation Understandable

Most legislation is written by lawyers for lawyers. Ramon explains how his team uses AI to summarize bills into plain language so voters can make informed decisions without needing a law degree.

📊 The Accountability Scorecard

One of the most innovative parts of the project compares what voters wanted with how elected officials actually voted. We discuss transparency, legislative scorecards, real-time district maps, and whether elected leaders truly represent the will of their constituents.

🔒 Can Mobile Voting Be Secure?

Security is the question everyone asks. Ramon walks us through the safeguards, technology, and lessons learned from systems already being used by military voters overseas.

🤖 AI, Civic Engagement & The Future of Democracy

From AI-powered voter education tools to real-time legislative tracking, we explore what democracy could look like in the digital age and how technology may help rebuild trust in government.

✨ Final Word

Millions of Americans feel disconnected from government and frustrated by a political system dominated by money, parties, and special interests. Whether you agree with every aspect of the Digital Democracy Project or not, this conversation asks an important question:

What if voters had a greater voice in shaping the laws that govern their lives?

💌 Learn More:

Digital Democracy Project:
www.digitaldemocracyproject.org

TED Talk:
 Can Technology Save Democracy? — Ramon Perez

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QcWBH1Zx9g

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🧡 xoxo — Christy & Monica

🎙️ The Politics Chicks began as a Substack created by two Midwestern moms trying to make sense of politics, democracy, culture, and the increasingly chaotic world around us. Now we’re bringing those conversations to the podcast.

This week, we sat down with Pastor Steve Young of GracePoint Church in Minnesota for a thoughtful, honest conversation about evangelical Christianity, Christian nationalism, MAGA politics, faith, power, immigration, and what happens when religion becomes intertwined with political identity.

🔥 This is one of those episodes that reminds us that disagreement doesn’t have to mean dehumanization—and that curiosity may be one of the most powerful tools we have for bridging divides.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:

📍 What evangelical Christianity actually is—and how it became so misunderstood

📍 The historical roots of the evangelical movement

📍 The difference between Christianity and Christian nationalism

📍 Why so many evangelicals became associated with MAGA politics

📍 How fear, tribalism, and political identity have shaped modern faith communities

📍 Immigration, faith, and what scripture says about loving your neighbor

📍 Why many Christians are uncomfortable with the current direction of evangelical politics

📍 Trump, morality, power, and the challenges of political tribalism

📍 The role media plays in shaping both religious and political identity

📍 Why curiosity, humility, and neighboring matter more than ever

📍 What gives Steve hope for the future of Christianity in America

✨ ABOUT STEVE YOUNG:

Steve Young serves as Associate Pastor at GracePoint Church in New Brighton, Minnesota, where he focuses on leadership development, mentoring, Christian education, and helping people navigate questions of faith, community, and culture. During this conversation, Steve offers a thoughtful perspective on how faith communities can engage the world with compassion, curiosity, and humility rather than fear and division.

🧭 This conversation touches on:

Evangelical Christianity • Christian nationalism • MAGA • faith and politics • immigration • religion in America • polarization • tribalism • neighboring • media influence • compassion • civic engagement • democracy • spirituality • community • public discourse

💌 We would love your input!

Do you think Christianity and Christian nationalism have become too intertwined in America?

What role should faith play in politics—and where should the line be drawn?

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments.

🔔 RESOURCES:

➡️ GracePoint Church

2351 Rice Creek Road

New Brighton, MN 55112

📞 (651) 633-7515

🌐 https://www.exploregracepoint.com

📧 office@exploregracepoint.com

➡️ Contact Steve Young:

📧 stevenyoung@comcast.net

❤️ FOLLOW & SUPPORT THE POLITICS CHICKS:

Substack: https://thepoliticschicks.substack.com

Threads: https://threads.net/@thepoliticschicks

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thepoliticschicks

Instagram: https://instagram.com/thepoliticschicks

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@thepoliticschicks

🧡 xoxo — Christy & Monica

evangelical Christianity, Christian nationalism, MAGA, Steve Young, GracePoint Church, James Talarico, faith and politics, religion in America, evangelical movement, Trump and evangelicals, Christianity, immigration and faith, loving your neighbor, neighboring, political polarization, culture wars, democracy, civic engagement, spirituality, public discourse, Minnesota podcast, The Politics Chicks, religion and politics, political identity

🎙️ Before this podcast, we honestly didn’t realize just how intense things had become inside the Minnesota Capitol over gun safety legislation. This week, we sat down with Minnesota State Representative Kaela Berg for a raw, urgent conversation about the Capitol sit-in over the Annunciation Catholic School shooting, labor rights, mental health in schools, ICE raids in Minneapolis, and why working-class voices matter now more than ever.

🔥 This is one of those episodes that reminds us politics isn’t abstract—it’s deeply personal.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:

📍 What REALLY happened during the Minnesota Capitol gun safety sit-in
📍 Why Republican leadership refused to hold a vote after the Annunciation school shooting
📍 Assault weapons bans, ghost guns, binary triggers & school safety legislation
📍 The emotional testimony from Annunciation families
📍 Why “guns don’t kill people” ignores America’s unique gun culture
📍 ICE raids, fear in Minneapolis communities & Operation Metro Surge
📍 Mental health resources in schools & why Kaela authored legislation for counselors
📍 Labor unions, captive audience meetings & protecting workers’ rights
📍 Why Kaela Berg is running for Congress in Minnesota’s 2nd District
📍 How ordinary people can still make a difference in dark political moments

✨ ABOUT KAELA BERG:
Kaela Berg is a Minnesota State Representative, union leader, flight attendant, and congressional candidate in Minnesota’s 2nd District. She has authored legislation focused on gun violence prevention, workers’ rights, and mental health resources for students across Minnesota public schools.

🧭 This conversation touches on:
Gun violence prevention • Minnesota politics • school shootings • labor unions • ICE raids • authoritarianism • mental health • workers’ rights • women in politics • grassroots organizing • democracy • education • public safety

💌 We would love your input!
What gives YOU hope right now? What issues do you want us covering next on the podcast?

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments.

🔔 RESOURCES:
➡️ Kaela Berg for Congress: https://kaelaforcongress.com

❤️ FOLLOW & SUPPORT THE POLITICS CHICKS:
Substack: https://thepoliticschicks.substack.com
Threads: https://threads.net/@thepoliticschicks
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thepoliticschicks
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thepoliticschicks
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@thepoliticschicks

🧡 xoxo — Christy & Monica

Minnesota politics, Kaela Berg, gun safety, gun violence prevention, Minnesota Capitol protest, Annunciation school shooting, assault weapons ban, ICE raids Minneapolis, labor unions, workers rights, Minnesota Democrats, Moms Demand Action, school mental health, gun reform debate, working class politics, The Politics Chicks, democracy, grassroots movement, Minnesota news, political podcast, ghost guns, NRA, Everytown for Gun Safety, Lisa Demuth, public safety

🎙️ Before this podcast, The Politics Chicks began as two women trying to make sense of politics, power, and the human cost of cruelty. This conversation is about what happens when ordinary people decide they are done looking away.

Today we’re joined by Teri Leigh, creator of Fierce Love MN, whose writing documents grief, resistance, mutual aid, women, community, and the quiet courage of people showing up for each other in impossible moments.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:

📍 What “Fierce Love” Really Means
Teri explains how fierce love became her way of understanding the helpers, organizers, mothers, neighbors, and women refusing to abandon each other.

💔 Grief, Hope, and the Both/And
We talk about how grief is rooted in love — and why hope is not denial, but survival.

🧡 Minnesota Women in Resistance
Teri shares powerful stories of women stepping into mutual aid, legal observing, community protection, and care work during ICE enforcement actions in Minnesota.

🦉 The Rise of the OWLs
Older White Ladies with no more fucks to give are showing up, standing in their privilege, protecting families, and reminding the world that women have always led in moments of crisis.

🚨 ICE Is Still Here
We discuss what is still happening in Minnesota, why these stories matter, and how cruelty thrives when people stop paying attention.

✨ Turning Up the Volume on Love
Teri reminds us that even in the flood of awful, people are still choosing each other — and that may be exactly how culture changes.

🛑 Final Word
 Fierce love is not soft. It is not passive. It is not naïve. It is the choice to stay human when the world gives you every reason not to.

💌 Find Teri’s work at:
 fiercelovemn.com

FOLLOW/SUPPORT:
 Substack | Threads | BlueSky | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook
 @ThePoliticsChicks

🧡 xoxo — Christy & Monica

🎙️ We started on Substack building a community around truth, accountability, and real conversations—and now we’re bringing those conversations here.

🔥 YOU CAN’T LEAD IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE YOU BELONG

Why the confidence gap starts long before women ever run for office

What if the leadership gap doesn’t start in adulthood—but in high school?

Today we’re joined by Sarah Jakle, founder of Democrashe, an organization helping girls build confidence, resilience, and the skills to step into leadership before the world teaches them not to.

Women with the same qualifications are far less likely to run—and when they do, they face significantly more pushback and harassment.  

This isn’t a pipeline problem. It’s conditioning.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE

• Why high school is the last point girls and boys see leadership equally
 • How neuroplasticity shapes confidence early
• The role of the amygdala in fear and hesitation
• Why “just be confident” doesn’t work
• Inner critic → inner best friend
• Trauma, burnout, and the 24/7 news cycle
• Why Democrashe pays girls to participate
• The stat that says it all:
→ 76% of high-performing women get negative feedback vs. 2% of men  

🧠 THE BIG IDEA

Confidence isn’t a personality trait—it’s a skill.

If we don’t teach it early, the world teaches girls the opposite.

🛑 FINAL WORD

Leadership doesn’t start when you run for office.
 It starts when you believe your voice matters.

🔗 RESOURCES

🌐 Democrashe — https://democrashe.org
 💼 Sarah Jakle on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-jakle-535617240/

 🎙️ Before this podcast, we launched our journey on Substack—where we shared sharp takes on current events, deep dives into policy, and personal reflections on the state of politics. Now, we’re bringing that same energy—and our signature voice—straight to your favorite podcast platform.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:
 Today we’re joined by Chad Maschke—creator of MN06 Watch, a rapidly growing Substack dedicated to tracking what’s actually happening in Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District using real data and primary sources.  
This isn’t spin.
 This isn’t partisan noise.
 This is receipts.

📍 FROM FRUSTRATION TO ACTION
 One dad. No platform. No media background.
 Just a growing frustration with not being able to verify what was true—and the decision to do something about it.  

🏪 BUILDING ACCOUNTABILITY FROM SCRATCH
 Using data, transcripts, and public records, Chad built a system to track votes, rhetoric, and contradictions—proving you don’t need a title to make an impact.  

🤝 RECEIPTS OVER RHETORIC
 “Receipts, not rage” isn’t just a tagline—it’s a methodology.
 No spin. No fluff. Just primary sources that let people draw their own conclusions.  

🧭 BREAKING DOWN THE SAVE ACT
 What people think it does vs. what it actually does—and how misinformation spreads when no one reads beyond the headline.  

🚨 RHETORIC VS. REALITY
 From contradictions in messaging to discrepancies between votes and public statements, we dig into how narratives are shaped—and challenged.  

✨ SCALING TRUTH
 What happens when this model expands beyond one district?
 The potential to track accountability across Congress—and give power back to voters.  

🛑 FINAL WORD
 This conversation is a reminder that you don’t need credentials, connections, or a platform to make a difference—you need curiosity, consistency, and the willingness to ask better questions. Because when everyday people start paying attention and demanding clarity, the entire system shifts. And that’s where real change begins.

📄 Chad’s Substack: www.mn06watch.substack.com
🌐 Chad’s Website: www.mn06watch.com

💌 We would love your input! If you have topics you want us to cover, news to share, or a shout-out to give—please let us know. We’re building this together.
💌 If this conversation moved you, taught you something, or made you think—please like, comment, and share. It helps more than you know and puts our work in front of more eyes.

📱 Find and follow us @thepoliticschicks on Substack, Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok
 
🧡 Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark.
 We are always stronger together.
 — Christy & Monica 🧡

🎙️ Before this podcast, we launched our journey on Substack—where we shared sharp takes on current events, deep dives into policy, and personal reflections on the state of politics. Now, we’re bringing that same energy—and our signature voice—straight to your favorite podcast platform.

Building Joy Where It Was Missing: How One Woman Turned Frustration Into a Movement for Women’s Sports and Community

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:

Today we’re joined by Jillian Hiscock—owner of A Bar of Their Own, the Midwest’s first sports bar dedicated entirely to women’s sports. 

📍 FROM FRUSTRATION TO ACTION

A missed softball game. A dismissive bar.

And a moment that turned into a mission.

Jillian didn’t just notice the inequity in women’s sports—she built something to change it.

🏪 BUILDING SOMETHING FROM NOTHING

No restaurant experience.

No formal business training.

Just passion, community, and the willingness to ask for help—and figure it out anyway.

🤝 COMMUNITY IS A VERB

This isn’t just a bar—it’s a hub.

From inclusive design to staff culture to giveback nights, everything is intentional.

Because belonging doesn’t happen by accident.

🧭 INCLUSION BY DESIGN

Accessibility. Representation. Language.

From large print menus to “period products” instead of “feminine products,”

this space was built by listening—not assuming.

🚨 MORE THAN SPORTS

Women’s sports aren’t just games—they’re political, cultural, and deeply human.

From pay gaps to visibility to trans athlete debates,

we unpack what progress looks like—and how far we still have to go.

✨ JOY AS RESISTANCE

In a world that feels heavy, this is a reminder:

Joy matters.

Community matters.

And sometimes the most powerful thing you can do… is build something better.

🛑 Final Word

What Jillian built isn’t just a bar—it’s a blueprint. A reminder that when systems fail, people step in. That community isn’t something we wait for—it’s something we create. In a moment where so much feels fractured, spaces like this prove something simple but powerful: people are still showing up for each other. And that might just be how we get through this—together.

💌 We would love your input! If you have topics you want us to cover, news to share, or a shout-out to give—please let us know. We’re building this together.

💌 If this conversation moved you, taught you something, or made you think—please like, comment, and share. It helps more than you know and puts our work in front of more eyes.

📱 Find and follow us on Substack, Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

@thepoliticschicks
www.thepoliticschicks.substack.com
thepoliticschicks@gmail.com

🧡 Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark and we are always stronger together.

— Christy & Monica 🧡

🎙️ We started on Substack—bringing sharp takes, real talk, and grounded analysis. Now we’re bringing that same energy straight to your ears.

A New Generation of Leadership

Urgency. Accountability. And Showing Up

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:

We sit down with Minnesota State Senator Zaynab Mohamed—one of the most dynamic rising voices in politics.

Elected at just 24, she made history as the youngest person ever elected to the Minnesota Senate, the first Somali woman, and one of the first three Black women to serve in the chamber.  

This conversation isn’t theoretical.

It’s real.

It’s happening right now.

📍 A New Generation is Done Waiting

• What Gen Z leadership actually looks like:
• Living the crises—not just studying them
• Demanding action, not empty promises
• Holding elected officials accountable in real time
• Organizing constantly—online and in real life

🚨 Gun Violence Is a Lived Reality

This isn’t abstract policy—it’s personal:

• School shootings and community violence shaping a generation
• Firsthand stories from families and survivors
• Legislative efforts to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines
• A push to move from headlines → action

⚖️ The Truth About “Fraud” in Minnesota

Cutting through the political noise:

• Fraud has existed for decades—not tied to one administration
• System failures come from outsourcing + lack of oversight
• Solutions focus on prevention—not punishment of vulnerable communities
• Bipartisan efforts are actually happening despite the rhetoric

🧱 How Division Is Manufactured

Who benefits when communities are turned against each other:

• Scapegoating immigrant communities
• Weaponizing misinformation
• Creating fear to suppress participation
• Why staying engaged is the antidote

🤝 What “Showing Up” Really Means

This is where Minnesota stands apart:

• Community-led food drives and mutual aid networks
• Neighbors organizing rent support, safety, and resources
• Thousands stepping in where systems fall short
• Proof that people—not systems—hold communities together

✨ Hope in the Henhouse

Even in crisis:

• People are choosing each other
• Connection is stronger than fear
• Action replaces helplessness
• Community becomes the safety net

🛑 Final Word

This isn’t about left vs right.

It’s about whether we show up—for each other.

Minnesota did.

The question is: will everyone else?

💌 We want to hear from you! Topics, questions, shout-outs—send them our way.

💌 If this episode moved you, please like, comment, and share—it helps more than you know.

📱 Follow us everywhere:

Substack • Bluesky • Threads • Instagram • Facebook • TikTok

@thepoliticschicks

🧡 Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark.

We are always stronger together.

— Christy & Monica 🧡

🎙️ Before this podcast, we launched our journey on Substack—where we shared sharp takes on current events, deep dives into policy, and personal reflections on the state of politics. Now, we’re bringing that same energy—and our signature voice—straight to your favorite podcast platform.

The SAVE Act, Election Fear, and the Truth About Your Vote

What’s Real, What’s Not, and What You Need to Do Now

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:

Today we’re joined by returning guest Doug Chapin—election law expert, congressional candidate, and self-proclaimed “election law geek”—to break down the growing anxiety around the SAVE Act, election integrity, and what the 2026 midterms could actually look like.

If you’ve been scrolling and wondering how much of this is real, this episode is for you.

Because right now, fear is spreading faster than facts.

And that’s exactly the point.

🗳️ What’s Actually Happening with Elections

Doug walks us through the big picture:

• Elections in the U.S. are run at the state and local level—not by the federal government
• Executive orders do not override constitutional authority
• Despite the noise, the system itself is still structurally sound
• The real threat right now isn’t collapse—it’s confusion and fear

⚖️ The SAVE Act—What It Really Does

This is where things get serious:

• The SAVE Act would require documentary proof of citizenship to register or update voter registration
• Even small changes (like moving apartments) could trigger new documentation requirements
• It creates massive logistical strain on already limited local election offices
• It introduces subjective decision-making at the point of registration

Translation:

This isn’t about showing ID at the polls.

It’s about who gets approved before they ever get there.

🚨 Voter Suppression vs “Election Integrity”

We break down the rhetoric vs reality:

• Voting is a constitutional right—not comparable to buying alcohol or boarding a plane
• Any cost (time, money, access) tied to ID requirements can function as a modern poll tax
• The biggest risk isn’t just policy—it’s who controls access at the ground level
• Fear and intimidation are being used as tools to discourage participation

🧠 The Psychology of Fear

This might be the most important part of the conversation:

• The administration’s strategy isn’t just legal—it’s psychological
• Creating doubt makes people question whether voting is even worth it
• Smart, informed people are still being pulled into worst-case thinking
• The goal isn’t always to stop the system—it’s to stop you from using it

🧭 What You Should Do Right Now

Doug gives a clear, actionable plan:

• ✔️ Check your voter registration at vote.gov
• ✔️ Check it again as elections get closer
• ✔️ Know your polling place before Election Day
• ✔️ Have a plan for how and when you’ll vote

Because the only person who can ultimately take away your vote…

is you.

✨ Hope in the Henhouse

Here’s the part we don’t want you to miss:

• The system is under pressure—but it’s not broken
• States are pushing back
• Courts still matter
• And voters still have power

If turnout is strong enough,

fear doesn’t win.

🛑 Final Word

This isn’t about panic.

And it’s not about pretending everything is fine.

It’s about being clear-eyed, informed, and ready.

Because the question isn’t whether there will be noise, chaos, or attempts to intimidate.

The question is:

Will you show up anyway?

🔗 RESOURCES

• Check your voter registration: https://www.vote.gov
• Learn more about Doug Chapin: https://chapinforcongress.com

📣 FOLLOW + SUPPORT

If this conversation moved you, taught you something, or helped cut through the noise—please like, comment, and share. It helps more than you know and puts our work in front of more eyes.

📱 Follow us everywhere:

Substack | Threads | Bluesky | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok

@thepoliticschicks

🧡 Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark.

We are always stronger together.

— Christy & Monica 🧡

Organizer Kelly Wilson explains how communities are stepping up through mutual aid, why hyperlocal planning must start now, and how ICE is taking this show on the road—to a city near you.

🌟 Welcome to Episode #16 of The Politics Chicks Podcast! 🌟

🎙️ Before this podcast, we launched our journey on Substack—where we shared sharp takes on current events, deep dives into policy, and personal reflections on the state of politics. Now, we’re bringing that same energy—and our signature voice—straight to your favorite podcast platform.

🐓 IN THIS EPISODE:

Today we’re joined by Kelly Wilson—a community organizer working on the front lines of immigrant support and rapid-response coordination. Kelly gives a clear-eyed, on-the-ground look at what’s happening as ICE activity expands—and how communities are responding in real time.

This isn’t abstract. 
This isn’t hypothetical.
This is happening right now.

📍 What’s Happening on the Ground

Kelly walks us through what ICE presence actually looks like in communities:

• Increased visibility and enforcement activity
• Families afraid to leave their homes
• Disruptions to schools, workplaces, and daily routines
• A growing sense of instability impacting entire neighborhoods

🏪 The Ripple Effect on Local Economies

This isn’t just about individuals—it’s about entire systems:

• Workers missing shifts or unable to show up
• Small businesses losing staff and customers
• Supply chains and local services feeling the strain
• Communities absorbing the economic shock in real time

🤝 Mutual Aid in Action

When systems fail, communities step in:

• Neighbors are organizing food, transportation, and resources.
• Rapid-response networks are sharing real-time information.
• Volunteers are stepping up to support families in crisis.
• Local efforts are becoming lifelines, not just support systems.

🧭 Hyperlocal Organizing: Start Now

• Kelly emphasizes the importance of preparation.
• Communities need localized, ready-to-move networks.
• Planning must occur before enforcement reaches an area.
• Waiting until it’s “your problem” is too late.
• The situation in Minnesota is a preview of what’s to come, not an exception.

🚨 This Is Expanding

ICE isn’t staying in one place:

• Operations are growing.
• Enforcement is spreading.
• The events happening in this location are likely to occur in other cities as well.

✨ Hope in the Henhouse

• Even in the fear, there is something powerful happening:
• People showing up for each other
• Communities choosing connection over isolation
• Action replacing helplessness
• Proof that collective care still exists—and works

🛑 Final Word

• The issue at hand is not someone else’s problem.
• It is already present and spreading.
• The question is not whether your community will be affected, but rather if you will be prepared when it is.

💌 We would love your input! If you have topics you want us to cover, news to share, or a shout-out to give—please let us know. We’re building this together.

💌 If this conversation moved you, taught you something, or made you think—please like, comment, and share. It helps more than you know and puts our work in front of more eyes.

📱 Find and follow us on Substack, Bluesky, Threads, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok

@thepoliticschicks
www.thepoliticschicks.substack.com

🧡 Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark.

We are always stronger together.

— Christy & Monica 🧡

🎙️ Before launching this podcast, we built our audience on Substack, where we share sharp commentary on politics, culture, and the forces shaping modern life. Now we’re bringing those conversations directly to you — with the same honesty, curiosity, and refusal to accept easy answers.

What happens when food insecurity, immigration enforcement, and local economies collide?

In this episode, we’re joined by Bob Branham, a longtime leader in environmental sustainability, food waste mitigation, and hunger relief. Bob spent decades helping build systems that moved surplus food to families in need while reducing waste across the supply chain.

We discuss:
 • The U.S. produces enough food, yet millions still go hungry.
 • Food waste and hunger are connected.
 • Food shelves are serving more families long-term.
 • ICE enforcement impacts small businesses and local economies.
 • Supporting immigrant-owned businesses matters right now.

From 2013 to 2020, Bob served as Director of Produce Strategy at Second Harvest Heartland, where produce distribution grew from 23 million pounds to 50 million pounds annually. He also founded the Midwest Region Produce Cooperative, helping food banks across eight states expand access to healthy food.

Now retired, Bob volunteers at his local food shelf and has been raising awareness about the ripple effects ICE enforcement has had on immigrant-owned businesses across the Twin Cities.

This conversation is a reminder that food systems, labor, small businesses, and public policy are deeply connected — and that sometimes supporting your community starts with something as simple as where you choose to eat, shop, and show up.

Follow Bob on his social media:

FACEBOOK: @bob.branham.77
INSTAGRAM: @living_the_dream_bob
THREADS: @living_the_dream_bob

RESOURCES
Second Harvest Heartland:
https://www.2harvest.org/

The Food Group:
https://thefoodgroupmn.org/

📌 FOLLOW / SUPPORT
If this episode made you think:
✅ Like
✅ Comment
✅ Share
✅ Subscribe

📱 Find us everywhere: @thepoliticschicks
Substack • Threads • Bluesky • Instagram • TikTok • Facebook

🕯️ Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark.
💪🤲 We are stronger together.
🧡 xoxo — Christy & Monica

🎙️ Before launching this podcast, we built our audience on Substack, where we share sharp commentary on politics, culture, and the forces shaping modern life. Now we’re bringing those conversations directly to you — with the same honesty, curiosity, and refusal to accept easy answers.

Is AI already influencing your kids without you realizing it?

In this episode, we talk with Naomi Richman, founder of Moms for Ethical AI, about the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence into children’s lives — and the serious questions parents should be asking.

Naomi is part of a growing movement encouraging parents and consumers to rethink how AI tools like ChatGPT are entering everyday life. Her argument is simple but controversial: surveillance capitalism isn’t a side effect of AI companies — it’s the business model.

We discuss:

• The risks of AI chatbots interacting with young people
• Kids turning to AI for emotional support and mental health conversations
• How AI companies collect and use user data
• Why some critics are urging people to reconsider their relationship with AI tools

Naomi’s advocacy was galvanized by the tragic death of teenager Adam Raine, whose suicide was linked to interactions with an AI chatbot — raising urgent questions about how these systems affect vulnerable users.

Her perspective is also shaped by her father, David Gelperin, a pioneer in software testing who believed technology should be proven safe before reaching the public — a philosophy that contrasts sharply with Silicon Valley’s “deploy first, fix later” approach.

This conversation asks a critical question:

Who decides how powerful technologies enter society?

Because if we’ve learned anything from social media, it’s this:

By the time we understand the consequences, the technology is already everywhere.

RESOURCES

Moms for Ethical AI:

https://m4eai.com/

Guide for parents talking to kids about AI:

https://www.commonsense.org/system/files/pdf/2025-05/activity-guide-for-parents-talking-to-your-kids-about-ai-5.pdf

Seven tips for talking to kids about generative AI:

https://theconversation.com/seven-tips-for-talking-to-children-and-young-people-about-generative-ai-275718

📌 FOLLOW / SUPPORT

If this episode made you think:

✅ Like
✅ Comment
✅ Share
✅ Subscribe

📱 Find us everywhere: @thepoliticschicks

Substack • Threads • Bluesky • Instagram • TikTok • Facebook

🕯️ Keep shining your light so we can find each other in the dark.
💪🤲 We are stronger together.

🧡 xoxo — Christy & Monica

🎙️ Before launching this podcast, we built our audience on Substack, where we share sharp commentary on politics, culture, and the forces shaping modern life. Now we’re bringing those conversations directly to you—with the same honesty, curiosity, and refusal to accept easy answers.

Here on the podcast, we take those conversations further by sitting down with the people shaping our communities, our politics, and our future.

In this episode, we talk with Trina Swanson, candidate for Congress in Minnesota’s 8th District, who is challenging incumbent Pete Stauber. Trina brings something Washington desperately needs right now: experience in public service, a working-class perspective, and a commitment to integrity over political theater.

Her campaign focuses on affordability, accessible healthcare, strong unions, education, protecting Minnesota’s natural resources, and restoring serious leadership in government.

But this conversation goes beyond campaign talking points. We discuss the deeper issues facing the country right now—the cost of healthcare, the erosion of unions, environmental protection, foreign policy, money in politics, and what real representation should look like in a democracy.

🧑‍💼 Meet Our Guest: Trina Swanson

Trina Swanson grew up in Hermantown, Minnesota, in a working-class family that shaped her commitment to public service.

Her mother worked as a nurse for 42 years, and her father worked as a carpenter and later at a paper mill. Watching her parents work hard while still struggling to keep up with rising costs gave her a firsthand understanding of the economic pressures many families face today.

After attending college and law school in St. Paul, Trina dedicated her adult life to public service.

She spent 25 years working for the U.S. government, including 20 years as a senior official with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Her career included international assignments in Frankfurt, Germany, and Nairobi, Kenya, where she worked on immigration policy, national security, and international cooperation.

Her work required balancing two responsibilities that sit at the heart of immigration policy: upholding American values while protecting national security.

Trina ultimately left government when political interference and ethical concerns made it impossible to continue serving in the way she believed the public deserved. She then launched an immigration law firm with former USCIS colleagues, continuing to advocate for fairness and due process.

Now she’s stepping into a new arena: running for Congress to represent Minnesota’s 8th District.

🎙️ In This Episode

Why Trina Decided to Run for Congress

After 25 years in public service, Trina found herself in a position no public servant wants to face—being pressured toward actions she believed were unethical or unconstitutional.

Rather than compromise her integrity, she chose to leave government.

Watching her district’s current representative consistently fall in line with national political leadership instead of advocating for Minnesotans convinced her that it was time to step forward and run.

Healthcare and the Reality Facing Working Families

Healthcare reform is one of the central pillars of Trina’s campaign.

She shares a deeply personal story about her mother suffering a stroke and losing employer-based health insurance after her FMLA protections expired—forcing her parents to rely on COBRA coverage costing nearly $1,800 per month.

Stories like that are not unusual in America, and Trina believes they highlight a fundamental problem with the system.

Her goals include:

• Fighting for Medicare for All or a single-payer system
• Lowering prescription drug costs
• Breaking up healthcare monopolies through antitrust enforcement
• Ending the dependence on employer-based healthcare

As she puts it, no American should be one medical emergency away from bankruptcy.

The Affordability Crisis

From groceries to housing to education, Trina argues that working families are increasingly being squeezed.

Many Americans now find themselves deciding which bills to pay each month while corporate profits and executive compensation continue to rise.

Her campaign focuses on restoring balance by:

• Strengthening the middle class
• Supporting good-paying jobs
• Ensuring corporations pay their fair share
• Ending tax policies that disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Americans

Why Unions Matter

Unions played a major role in shaping Trina’s understanding of economic fairness.

Her parents relied on union protections in their careers, and she saw firsthand what happened when those protections disappeared.

Later in her own career at USCIS, she worked closely with unions while managing government offices and saw the role they play in ensuring fair treatment, transparent workplace policies, and stronger wages.

Trina argues that strong unions built the American middle class—and they remain essential to preserving it.

Education as Opportunity

Education is another key focus of her platform.

Whether students pursue four-year degrees, trade schools, or apprenticeship programs, Trina believes post-secondary education should be affordable and accessible.

She sees education as one of the most powerful tools for lifting people out of poverty and creating long-term economic stability.

Protecting the Boundary Waters

One of the most pressing environmental issues in Minnesota’s 8th District is the future of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The region is not only an ecological treasure—it also supports a major tourism economy and countless local small businesses.

Trina strongly opposes efforts to open the area to mining by foreign corporations that would extract minerals, ship them overseas for processing, and potentially leave environmental damage behind.

She argues that Minnesota can support responsible mining while still protecting one of its most treasured landscapes.

A Different Approach to Politics

Throughout the conversation, Trina makes clear that her campaign is not focused on personal attacks.

Instead, she wants to bring politics back to a place where leaders:

• Work with their neighbors
• Listen to opposing viewpoints
• Focus on solutions rather than division

As...