Freedom Over Fascism: Fireside Chats

Gloria Johnson's Website TN State Representative Gloria Johnson has dedicated her life to serving Tenneseans, fighting for justice and standing tall for all who have been left out, left behind, or left without a voice. Early on Gloria’s family instilled in her the drive to put people first, no matter the cost. Growing up, Gloria remembers sleeping in the hallway of their family home, instead of her bedroom, to avoid gunshots from the KKK. The Klan terrorized her family because Gloria’s Dad, an FBI Special Agent, had the courage to investigate their wickedness in the Deep South and bring members of the KKK to justice. A special education teacher of 27 years, Gloria was fed up with elected officials attacking the rights of public school students and teachers. After the legislature took away a teacher’s seat at the table, she decided to run for the Tennessee House in Knoxville in 2012 — she won and has been fighting to hold extreme politicians and special interests accountable ever since. This year, when a murderer stole the lives of three 9-year-olds and three adults in a mass school shooting in Tennessee, Gloria once again stood tall for victims of injustice. As a member of the “Tennessee Three” she demanded Republican politicians in Nashville stop with the BS and pass gun safety measures to prevent future shootings. For speaking truth to power, Republican leaders tried to kick her out of office. But Gloria survived the politically charged expulsion vote and she is now helping to build a statewide movement for change. In August 2023, during a special legislative session, Gloria stood up before Tennessee’s leadership to recount the day her former high school was devastated by a school shooting, where her students witnessed their classmate take his last breath. Her Republican colleagues were interested in protecting guns instead of kids, and instead passed draconian legislation to censor grieving families and elected leaders at the Tennessee Capitol. Tennesseans are fed up with corrupt, “do nothing” politicians, like Marsha Blackburn, who has taken millions from the pharmaceutical industry, the NRA and the insurance industry while voting against lowering our drug costs, against bipartisan gun reform, and for denying coverage for people with pre-existing conditions. And Tennessee women deserve a Senator who trusts them to make their own medical decisions, unlike Blackburn who called the repeal of Roe v. Wade “a blessing” and has long supported passing a federal abortion ban. Gloria is running for U.S. Senate because she knows it is time to shift power back where it belongs: with working and middle class families. ----more---- Please subscribe wherever you listen and leave a review to help us be more visible. Please support us at patreon.com/freedomoverfascism to help support the podcast and help Stephanie feed her family. Patrons will receive bonus content such as early access to podcasts, Q&As, bonus content, messaging guidance, and more. ----more---- Questions to [email protected]. More info, message hub, donations: www.hoosiervictoryalliance.org. Newsletter and podcast: substack.com/freedomoverfascism; Social media: www.facebook.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.instagram.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.threads.net/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.twitter.com/hoosier_victory; www.post.news/hoosiervictory; www.tiktok.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.youtube.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.spoutible.com/hoosiervictory Please subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.

Emily Voorde is Founder and CEO of INTO Strategies, a Disabled-led firm bringing people into moments, movements, and campaigns. Emily also serves as a Presidentially-appointed Councilmember on the National Council on Disability. She previously served as an Associate Director in the White House Office of Public Engagement as the Biden-Harris Administration’s liaison to Disabled Americans and K-12 educators. Voorde’s personal passions and professional expertise center on justice for individuals with disabilities and equitable access to education. Her career began as an AmeriCorps member and 2nd grade teacher in Mississippi. In the summer of 2019, Emily returned to her hometown of South Bend, Indiana to support Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s run for President, serving as Chasten Buttigieg’s full-time body woman on the campaign trail. During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, Voorde served as an Associate Director with the University of Notre Dame’s Sara Bea Center for Students with Disabilities. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame, a Masters of Education from the University of Notre Dame, and a Masters of Public Policy in Education from Vanderbilt University. She was born, raised, and has since returned to her hometown of South Bend, Indiana. I first started following her when she was part of the Pete for America campaign, and I’m so excited to hear about her new venture and what she thinks about the state of disability inclusion in the country today. Emily's book recommendation: Demystifying Disability by Emily Ladau ----more---- Please send questions for a Q&A or Mailbag Episode to [email protected]. Please subscribe wherever you listen and leave a review to help us be more visibile. Please support us at patreon.com/freedomoverfascism to help support the podcast and help Stephanie feed her family. Patrons will receive bonus content such as Q&As, bonus content, messaging guidance, and more. ----more---- Questions to [email protected]. More info, message hub, donations: www.hoosiervictoryalliance.org. Newsletter and podcast: substack.com/freedomoverfascism; Social media: www.facebook.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.instagram.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.threads.net/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.twitter.com/hoosier_victory; www.post.news/hoosiervictory; www.tiktok.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.youtube.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.spoutible.com/hoosiervictoryPlease subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.

As a gay youth growing up in a small, deep South farming town in Tennessee, Lance Preston experienced an enormous amount of religious hate from the Southern Baptist Church. Though his family was always supportive, accepting, and loving, his struggles between living his truth and living in Christianity led to a suicide attempt at the age of 19. As a result, he is passionate in his advocacy for LGBTQ2S+ young people – especially those in rural areas where resources are extremely limited. Lance founded Rainbow Youth Project as a social welfare organization in response to recent legislation targeting the rights of LGBTQIA+ people, women, Indigenous people, and immigrants in the United States. He is a hands-on member of Rainbow Youth Project’s leadership team and actively participates in political discourse by advocating for LGBTQ2S+ youth rights at school board, state legislative, and other official hearings across the country. During the 2022-2023 school year, he testified before school boards in 127 districts across 12 states, and in opposition to anti-LGBTQ2S+ legislation before the Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Virginia state senates and houses of representatives. CW: Suicide, murder, child abuse. Rainbow Youth Project: RYP is a social welfare organization that promotes the health, safety, and wellness of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual young people throughout the United States. Elevated Access: Non-profit organization that enables people to access healthcare by providing flights on private planes at no cost. Their volunteer pilot network transports clients seeking abortion or gender-affirming care across the United States.----more---- Please support us at patreon.com/freedomoverfascism to help support the podcast and help Stephanie feed her family. Early access to podcasts, bonus content only found on Patreon, easy access to Stephanie for your questions. And other secret bonus stuff just for patrons. Please send questions for a Q&A or Mailbag Episode to [email protected]. Please subscribe wherever you listen and leave a review to help us be more visible. Patrons will receive bonus content such as Q&As, bonus content, messaging guidance, and more. ----more---- Questions to [email protected]. More info, message hub, donations: www.hoosiervictoryalliance.org. Newsletter and podcast: substack.com/freedomoverfascism; Social media: www.facebook.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.instagram.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.threads.net/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.twitter.com/hoosier_victory; www.post.news/hoosiervictory; www.tiktok.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.youtube.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.spoutible.com/hoosiervictoryPlease subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.

Dr. Katie McHugh is a board certified OBGYN and an abortion provider, chronic pain specialist, and patient advocate. She is currently licensed in 3 states (Indiana, Ohio, and Maryland) and travels to provide abortion care in various locations in these states to provide compassionate, trauma-informed, patient-empowering abortion care. While the work is technically difficult and logistically challenging, she says it is the most meaningful and rewarding part of her professional life. Advocacy is an integral part of Dr. McHugh's motivation to be a physician and she is active on social media and public speaking. As a visible physician advocate for reproductive rights and health equity, her reach as a physician extends far beyond the individual patient in the exam room. Dr. McHugh is a queer, cis woman who delights in her two teenaged children and is lucky to be partnered with an incredible woman. Together, the family enjoys game nights, good food, and their ridiculous dogs at home in Indiana. We talked about abortion bans in Indiana and around the country and the effects of the bans on women’s healthcare overall. I think you’ll learn a lot from someone from a unique perspective and close up view of reproductive health across the country. Two organizations helping women and transgender individuals find the medical care they need, as mentioned in the episode: Elevated Access: Non-profit organization that enables people to access healthcare by providing flights on private planes at no cost. Their volunteer pilot network transports clients seeking abortion or gender-affirming care across the United States. Midwest Action Coalition: MAC is a practical abortion fund, MAC helps people traveling to, from, and within the Midwest access a safe abortion by assisting with travel coordination and costs, lodging, food, medicine, and childcare. ----more---- Please send questions for a Q&A or Mailbag Episode to [email protected]. Please subscribe wherever you listen and leave a review to help us be more visibile. Please support us at patreon.com/freedomoverfascism to help support the podcast and help Stephanie feed her family. Patrons will receive bonus content such as Q&As, bonus content, messaging guidance, and more. ----more---- Questions to [email protected]. More info, message hub, donations: www.hoosiervictoryalliance.org. Newsletter and podcast: substack.com/freedomoverfascism; Social media: www.facebook.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.instagram.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.threads.net/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.twitter.com/hoosier_victory; www.post.news/hoosiervictory; www.tiktok.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.youtube.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.spoutible.com/hoosiervictoryPlease subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.

Jocelyn Vare is an at-large member of Fishers Indiana City Council and currently serves as the first Democrat ever elected to Fishers municipal office. She is running for re-election in 2023. Her city is at the center of an ever-growing battle between MAGA far right radicals and Moms for Tyranny and public libraries and schools. Find more here and donate to her campaign: https://www.jocelynvareforfishers.com/ Barbara Shoup is the author of 8 books for adults and young adults, including Wish You Were Here and Stranded in Harmony, which won ALA’s Best Book for Young Adults Award. She’s the James Powell Writer-in-Residency of the Indiana writer’s center and a faculty member of Art Workshop International https://www.barbarashoup.com/ Tracy Richardson is the award winning author of The Field and Catalyst, and is the past president of Luminis Books, a boutique, publisher of children’s and adult literary fiction. https://tracyrichardsonauthor.com/ Support us at patreon.com/freedomoverfascism to help support the podcast and help Stephanie feed her family. Patrons will receive bonus content such as Q&As, bonus content, messaging guidance, and more. Questions to stephanie@hoosiervictoryalliance. More info, message hub, donations: www.hoosiervictoryalliance.org. Newsletter and podcast: substack.com/freedomoverfascism; Social media: www.facebook.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.instagram.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.threads.net/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.twitter.com/hoosier_victory; www.post.news/hoosiervictory; www.tiktok.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.youtube.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.spoutible.com/hoosiervictoryPlease subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.

Best Of: Jessica Craven is a community organizer, activist, mom, and elected member of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party. She’s also the author of "Chop Wood, Carry Water," a daily actions e-mail that’s been published five days a week since November of 2016. She’s a member of the CADem Environmental Caucus, a climate activist, and a grassroots volunteer who has knocked doors, phone-banked, fundraised, texted, and postcarded for hundreds of progressive candidates. Jessica has made it her mission to get regular people more involved with politics on both a federal and local level, and conducts “Activism 101” workshops to groups all over the country. She also does this on TikTok, where she’s a political content creator. You can find her newsletter, "Chop Wood, Carry Water" at chopwoodcarrywater.substack.com Send any questions to [email protected]. Please help Freedom Over Fascism by subscribing wherever you're listening to this pod. You can join our Patreon and help Stephanie continue to host this podcast at https://www.patreon.com/FreedomOverFascism. Patrons will receive bonus content such as Q&As, messaging guidance, and more. Donate at www.hoosiervictoryalliance.org; www.facebook.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.instagram.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.spoutible.com/hoosiervictory; www.tiktok.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.youtube.com/@hoosiervictoryalliancePlease subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.

Best of: Jonathan Zucker, founder of Every State Blue, Is a political technology entrepreneur and campaign finance attorney. He was the first COO and second CEO of ActBlue. He talks to Heidi and Stephanie about the idea behind Every State Blue (Blue Missouri, Blue Ohio, Blue Texas, and hopefully Blue Indiana). The goal is to crowdfund money to provide to candidates for every single state legislative race in the state. In this way, we can provide a choice for voters in red states and in places where many state legislative seats are uncontested. While many of these candidates won't win immediately, they'll be able to start reaching voters who haven't had a democrat on their ballots for years. Listen for more of why funding every state legislative candidate is a winning long term strategy. Please help What the Gerrymander and subscribe wherever you're listening to this pod. Also, please consider a recurring donation of $15 to help start Blue Indiana and crowdsource funding for state legislative candidates. Donate at www.hoosiervictoryalliance.org; www.twitter.com/hoosier_victory; www.facebook.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.instagram.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.post.news/hoosiervictory; www.spoutible.com/hoosiervictory; www.tiktok.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.youtube.com/@hoosiervictoryalliancePlease subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.

Freedom Over Fascism was formerly known as What the Gerrymander. Brynn Tannehill is a graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy and the Air Force Institute of Technology with degrees in Computer Science and Operations Research. She is a Naval Aviator who did four deployments to locations such as the Adriatic, Middle East, and the North Atlantic. After leaving active duty she has continued to work in defense research, while as an advocate, writer, and researcher on LGBT civil rights issues and policy. She currently works at a think-tank in the Washington D.C. area as a senior analyst, where she lives with her wife and three children. She co-authored the 2020 Biden campaign’s policy agenda for LGBT service members and veterans. Links to Brynn's writing: American Fascism, (2021) Everything You Wanted to Know About Trans...But Were Afraid to Ask (2018) The End of Trans America Comes Into Focus (The New Republic 4/24/2023)* * This is the basis for our discussion. It is DARK, but given the current moment, the logical conclusion to the anti-trans violence MAGA-captured America is perpetrating. Please help Freedom Over Fascism and subscribe www.freedomoverfascism.usPlease subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.

"It's time to go on offense." Simon Rosenberg has been a top Democratic operative for a long time. He founded NDN, a democracy research and advocacy group in 1996. Recently, he started to believe that the United States is entering a new political era that requires new strategies and approaches. He created a new project, Hopium Chronicles, as a way to tout positive messaging about Democrats and the United States. One Hopium’s projects is called “Get to 55.” that starts a big conversation in Democratic and pro-democracy circles about how to grow the current Democratic coalition from Biden’s 51.4% in 2020 to 55% in 2024 and keep it there for a while. He joins us as part of his efforts to educate the grassroots on the economic successes of the Democratic party and his mission of creating a grassroots army to fight MAGA. Find Hopium Chronicles here: Hopium Chronicles Send any questions to [email protected]. Please help What the Gerrymander and subscribe wherever you're listening to this pod. Also, please consider a recurring donation of $15 to help start Blue Indiana and crowdsource funding for state legislative candidates. Donate at www.hoosiervictoryalliance.org; www.facebook.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.instagram.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.spoutible.com/hoosiervictory; www.tiktok.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.youtube.com/@hoosiervictoryalliancePlease subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.

Veronical Pejril, is a city council member in Greencastle, IN and the only elected transgender individual in Indiana. Veronica is also an assistant professor in DePauw University’s School of Music, where she teaches courses in music technology and provides leadership for the university’s instructional technology team. She’s a member of Hoosier Women Forward, a board member of Indiana Stonewall Democrats, and also serves on the board of Indiana Youth Group, a nonprofit organization that works to ensure positive outcomes for LGBTQ+ Hoosier youth. She plays jazz/blues piano with her church community and in Putnam County’s music scene. She is a proud parent of two Purdue graduates and a resident of rural Greencastle since 2006. You can find out more about her at www.pejril.com; Announcement of 2023 Campaign Press Release. Please consider a recurring donation of $20 to help start Blue Indiana and crowdsource funding for state legislative candidates. Donate at www.hoosiervictoryalliance.org; www.twitter.com/hoosier_victory; www.facebook.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.instagram.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.post.news/hoosiervictory; www.spoutible.com/hoosiervictory; www.tiktok.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; You Tube. Please subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.

In our special Best Of series, we're featuring this episode on patriotism for the 4th of July holiday. Ben Railton teaches American Studies of Fitchburg State University in MA. He is author of six books on American identity, national narratives, and collective memory, most recently Of Thee I Sing: The Contested History of American Patriotism (2021). He writes the daily American Studier blog, contributes the bimonthly Considering History column for the Saturday Evening Post, and is a frequent public scholarly tweeter @AmericanStudier. His work explores the connections between America’s past and present. Most recent book: Of Thee I Sing Send any questions to [email protected]. Please help What the Gerrymander and subscribe wherever you're listening to this pod. Also, please consider a recurring donation of $15 to help start Blue Indiana and crowdsource funding for state legislative candidates. Donate at www.hoosiervictoryalliance.org; www.facebook.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.instagram.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.spoutible.com/hoosiervictory; www.tiktok.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.youtube.com/@hoosiervictoryalliancePlease subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.

Welcome to the last original episode in the first season of What the Gerrymander. We saved the best for last, and this interview with Anat Shenker-Osorio is chock full of magically delicious messaging guidance. Anat Shenker-Osorio is owner of ASO Communications and host of the podcast Words to Win By. She has been my messaging guiding light since I became aware of her work 2 years ago. I first heard her on a podcast talking about how the MAGA faction was the same White Supremacist, anti-democratic faction that had been a part of American society since before the founding. This reframing of MAGA blew my tiny little mind and realigned my thinking about Trump and MAGA in one moment. Since then, I’ve attended the movement briefings with the Research Collaborative and integrated their recommendations into all my work, including on Heidi Beidinger’s campaign. Anat’s skill at reframing narratives and making voters into protagonists gives us great tools as we work on building power in MAGA-captured America. As she notes in the first few minutes, Indiana—and Ohio, Missiouri, and all MAGA-captured states—aren’t red states, they’re rigged states. Her most important message remains “say what you’re for, say what you’re for, say what you’re for), even when we’re in a deeply disturbing moment in history. I hope you listen to our conversation and come away with values-driven ways to discuss the moment with people you talk to, whatever their political leanings. We all have a lot of work to do together to protect our freedoms, and I think she gives us some great tools for claiming the moral high ground and reaching people where they are. www.asocommunications.com https://researchcollaborative.org/ Send any questions to [email protected]. Please help What the Gerrymander, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you're listening to this pod. Also, please consider a recurring donation of $15 to help start Blue Indiana and crowdsource funding for state legislative candidates. Donate at www.hoosiervictoryalliance.org; www.facebook.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.instagram.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.spoutible.com/hoosiervictory; www.tiktok.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.youtube.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance Please subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.

Sheila Kennedy is a former ED of the Indiana ACLU, Emerita Professor of Law and Public Policy at IUPUI. Sheila’s journeyed from being a liberal republican to leaving the Republican party in 2000 after it had moved irreversibly to the Right. She currently works in democratic circles for democracy and freedom, and against gerrymandering and voter suppression. She writes a daily blog at https://sheilakennedy.net/ Send any questions to [email protected]. Please help What the Gerrymander, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you're listening to this pod. Also, please consider a recurring donation of $15 to help start Blue Indiana and crowdsource funding for state legislative candidates. Donate at www.hoosiervictoryalliance.org; www.facebook.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.instagram.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.spoutible.com/hoosiervictory; www.tiktok.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.youtube.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance Please subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.

Sam Goldman is the host of the podcast Refuse Fascism and is on the editorial board of refusefascism.org. Send any questions to [email protected]. Please help What the Gerrymander and subscribe wherever you're listening to this pod. Also, please consider a recurring donation of $15 to help start Blue Indiana and crowdsource funding for state legislative candidates. Donate at www.hoosiervictoryalliance.org; www.twitter.com/hoosier_victory; www.facebook.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.instagram.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.post.news/hoosiervictory; www.spoutible.com/hoosiervictory; www.tiktok.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.youtube.com/@hoosiervictoryalliancePlease subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.

Haley Bash (she/they) is the founder of Donor Organizer Hub. Their style of donor organizing is having one-on-ones with friends and sending out BCCed emails to a list of 150 people 2-3 times per year. Haley is passionate about helping each donor organizer find their preferred method of doing this work to raise for under-funded progressive causes! https://www.donororganizerhub.org/ Send any questions to [email protected]. Please help What the Gerrymander and subscribe wherever you're listening to this pod. Also, please consider a recurring donation of $15 to help start Blue Indiana and crowdsource funding for state legislative candidates. Donate at www.hoosiervictoryalliance.org; www.twitter.com/hoosier_victory; www.facebook.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.instagram.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.post.news/hoosiervictory; www.spoutible.com/hoosiervictory; www.tiktok.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.youtube.com/@hoosiervictoryalliancePlease subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.

Heidi Beidinger and Stephanie Gerber Wilson discuss how Heidi's worldview shifted after our interview with Ryan Busse, which was recorded the day before we recorded this episode (that's why you hear Heidi say we talked to him yesterday.) Heidi and Stephanie discuss what it really means to be in a war with MAGA Republicans who want to take power and create a white Christian authoritarian state. We both have a lot to say about how we turn the tide in Indiana, and we hope you'll discover actions you want to take. Please consider a recurring donation of $15 to help start Blue Indiana and crowdsource funding for state legislative candidates. Donate at www.hoosiervictoryalliance.org; www.twitter.com/hoosier_victory; www.facebook.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.instagram.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.post.news/hoosiervictory; www.spoutible.com/hoosiervictory; www.tiktok.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.youtube.com/@hoosiervictoryalliancePlease subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.

Jessica Piper ran for office in 2022 for State Representative in Northwest Missouri. She was not successful, but used the experience to organize progressives in rural Missouri. She is now is the Executive Director for Blue Missouri and hosts a weekly podcast called “Dirt Road Democrat” which can be found wherever you listen to podcasts. is a mother to five and grandmother to three and lives on a small farm on the Missouri/Iowa border. She was born and raised in rural America. She earned degrees in English and Teaching from the University of Arkansas and was a high school American Literature teacher for 16 years. After the 2016 election of Trump, Jess became politically active. Please consider a recurring donation of $10 to help start Blue Indiana and crowdsource funding for state legislative candidates. Donate at www.hoosiervictoryalliance.org; www.twitter.com/hoosier_victory; www.facebook.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.instagram.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.post.news/hoosiervictory; www.spoutible.com/hoosiervictory; www.tiktok.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.youtube.com/@hoosiervictoryalliancePlease subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.

Ryan Busse, author of Gunfight: My Battle Against the Industry that Radicalized America, joins us to discuss the NRA and MAGA's culture wars to build power and wealth, and to turn the country into an autocracy. Listen to a discussion of whether "it can happen here," and how Heidi wants to understand responsible gun owners. Busse tells us how we can turn the culture war around. Please consider a recurring donation of $20 to help start Blue Indiana and crowdsource funding for state legislative candidates. Donate at www.hoosiervictoryalliance.org; www.twitter.com/hoosier_victory; www.facebook.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.instagram.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.post.news/hoosiervictory; www.spoutible.com/hoosiervictory; www.tiktok.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; www.youtube.com/@hoosiervictoryalliancePlease subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.

Kimberly Allen is founder of Power the Vote and Blue Texas. She joined Power the Vote from Covington & Burling LLP, where she was Special Counsel in the Commercial Litigation group. During the 2020 election cycle, Kim was Deputy Director of Voter Protection at the Democratic Party of Georgia, where she led the ballot monitoring program. She started the voter protection program with Power the Vote in Texas after the 2020 election. Power the Vote: https://powerthevote.org/index.html; Blue Texas: https://bluetexas.org/ Please consider a recurring donation of $20 to help start Blue Indiana and crowdsource funding for state legislative candidates. Donate at www.hoosiervictoryalliance.org; www.twitter.com/hoosier_victory; www.facebook.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.instagram.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.post.news/hoosiervictory; www.spoutible.com/hoosiervictory; www.tiktok.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZGbZYLSX6ZzqjqqRRUJS0wPlease subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.

Josh Lowry ran for Indiana state senate in 2022 and is running for State House in 2024. He is a lawyer, former Assistant AG, and a foster parent. Josh and his wife Alexis, who is running for city council in Westfield, Indiana, have fostered 11 kids, 4 of whom they adopted. When not driving one of his children to practice or work, Josh is a competitive natural bodybuilder and plays recreational soccer. Our wide-ranging conversation today not only talked about the bills up in Indiana’s general assembly, but how democrats can change the minds of the people around us by showing up and proving that we can be good people too. Take a listen and let us know what you think by rating ups and leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts! Please donate a $20 recurring donation at www.hoosiervictoryalliance.org to fund every state legislative candidate. Questions: [email protected]. Sources: https://legiscan.com/IN/bill/HB1232/2023; https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2023/01/18/bill-would-force-schools-to-tell-parents-about-students-pronouns-gender-identities/; https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2023/02/22/anti-trans-medical-care-bill-passes-senate-committee/; https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/human-rights-campaign-condemns-indiana-state-house-of-representatives-for-passing-dont-say-gay-or-trans-bill-urges-senate-to-reject-discriminatory-bill Please subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.

Nick Roberts is the 22 year old, Gen-Z Democratic nominee for Indianapolis City-County Council District 4. He has been involved in politics for years, which has included much work during 2021's redistricting around the state. His campaign is focusing on infrastructure, public safety and mental health. You can learn more about him on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nickroberts317. You can donate to his campaign at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/nick-roberts-for-indy. Please help Hoosier Victory Alliance crowdfund support for every candidate for state office by donating $20/month. You can donate at bit.ly/fundhva; learn more about Hoosier Victory Alliance at www.hoosiervictoryalliance.org; Find us on social media: www.twitter.com/hoosier_victory; www.facebook.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.instagram.com/hoosiervictoryalliance; www.post.news/hoosiervictory; www.spoutible.com/hoosiervictory; www.tiktok.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZGbZYLSX6ZzqjqqRRUJS0w Articles featuring Nick Roberts: https://www.thecampuscitizen.com/article/2022/11/student-announces-campaign-for-city-county-council; https://anchor.fm/indianas-own-dana-black/episodes/Turn-Left--Indiana-Politics-from-the-Left-Side-of-Things-Claudette-Peterson-and-Nick-Roberts-e1f7cu8; https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/news-interns/gen-z-in-city-council-the-new-generation-of-politics.php; https://www.thecampuscitizen.com/article/2021/11/nick-roberts-politically-active-iupui-student-charts-the-way-to-fairer-districtsPlease subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.

David Pepper, author of Laboratories of Autocracy, joins us to discuss gerrymandering, voter suppression, and how the MAGA GOP has used these strategies to capture statehouses and pass extreme policies in Indiana, Ohio, and many other Red States. His next book is how everyday people can take action to save Democracy, and he previews this, telling us that every community organization, mayor, and business need to take responsibility for democracy and provide their citizens and patrons the opportunity to register to vote everywhere. Resources: HVA: Donate to bring Blue Indiana to Hoosiers www.hoosiervictoryalliance.org Send questions to [email protected] David Pepper’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidPepper Post: post.news/davidpepper Spoutible: spoutible.com/davidpepper HVA Twitter: www.twitter.com/hoosier_victory HVA Post: post.news/hoosiervictory HVA Spoutible: spoutible.com/hoosiervictory HVA Facebook: facebook.com/hoosiervictoryalliance HVA TikTok: tiktok.com/@hoosiervictoryalliance Blue OhioLaboratories of Autocracy Find more information about Indiana public health and health infrastructure at Indiana Governor’s Public Health Commission Report and Indiana Capital Chronicle on Health Infrastructure Bill Please subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.

What the Gerrymander? hosted by Heidi Beindinger, investigates what it takes to build political power in areas where Republicans are trying to make America into a Dictatorship, like in Indiana. We’ll be talking to Democratic state officials in Republican-dominated areas and to activists who are working to build power in so-called Red America. Together we’ll discover what it takes to win in parts of America dominated by the extreme right wing.Please subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.