Blue Dot

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Blue Dot Podcast, Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl speak with Andrea Ankrum, Environmental Health Chair for the Northern Kentucky Sierra Club, about the power of local environmental action. Andrea shares how Sierra Club volunteers are working to protect farmland, improve air quality, maintain hiking trails, and create pollinator habitats throughout the regi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Blue Dot Podcast, Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl sit down with Chris Herrmann, candidate for Erlanger City Council, to discuss his vision for the city's future and why local government matters more than ever. Chris shares how his experience leading community service projects, advocating for public libraries, and working with local leaders inspired hi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Blue Dot Podcast , hosts Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl sit down with veteran Kentucky political strategist Trey Hieneman to discuss what it will take for Democrats to win elections in Kentucky—both in 2026 and beyond. Drawing on more than two decades of campaign experience, Trey explores the parallels between the current political climate and previous De...

Send us Fan Mail This week, Natalie and Brian remember the life and legacy of Dolly Parton , whose generosity transformed communities across Kentucky and beyond. They also break down Kentucky's controversial data center tax breaks, the latest developments in voting rights and mail-in ballots, the Democratic primary and a tightening congressional race in Kentucky's 6th District. Plus, way...

Send us Fan Mail Young people aren’t just the future of politics—they are leading right now. In this episode of The Blue Dot Podcast , hosts Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl sit down with Ezra Anglin ,  Programs Director for the Kentucky High School Democrats (KYHSD) , as well as the former National Finance Director for the High School Democrats of America (HSDA). Ezra breaks down how high school...

Send us Fan Mail Flock cameras face growing resistance in Northern Kentucky as Fort Mitchell votes to end its contract and residents continue pushing back in Independence. Plus, we break down surprising primary election results in Florida, South Carolina, and Alaska, recap the record-setting Kentucky Democratic Party Forward Together Dinner, and discuss what growing grassroots momentum could mean...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Blue Dot Podcast, hosts Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl sit down with Blair Haydon, Executive Director of Emerge Kentucky, to discuss the organization’s mission of recruiting, training, and empowering Democratic women to run for office across the Commonwealth. Blair shares how Emerge Kentucky, one of the earliest state affiliates of the national Emerge net...

Send us Fan Mail In this week’s Blue Dot Podcast Weekly Roundup, Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl cover the biggest political and community stories shaping Kentucky. They discuss Governor Andy Beshear’s ongoing push for universal pre-K education, including the expansion of the state’s pre-K pilot program, and highlight a statewide Democratic food drive aimed at helping families during the back-to...

Send us Fan Mail Kentucky could move faster on pre-K, schools, housing, and reproductive freedom - if the legislature reflected the people demanding change. State Representative  Ann Gay Donworth explains why the fights over education and health care are really fights over the future of Kentucky families, and why the next election could shift more than just a few seats. Donworth, the 76th House Di...

Send us Fan Mail With just 90 days until Election Day, Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl break down the latest political developments in Northern Kentucky, across the Commonwealth, and on the national stage. They discuss volunteer opportunities, grassroots organizing efforts, and how listeners can connect with local Democratic organizations through county party resources. The conversation turns to...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Blue Dot Podcast , hosts Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl welcome Kentucky State Representative Adam Moore , who flipped House District 45 in 2024. Moore discusses his first term in Frankfort, including the creation of Kentucky’s bipartisan Veterans Caucus and his efforts to support veterans and military families across the Commonwealth. The conversation fo...

Send us Fan Mail This week on the Blue Dot Podcast , Natalie and Brian tackle a whirlwind of political headlines, from Mitch McConnell's continued disappearance from the public eye and the drama surrounding Fancy Farm, to Governor Andy Beshear's last-minute move to save Kentucky Medicaid funding. They also dig into the ever-growing price tag of Trump's luxury Air Force One project,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Blue Dot Podcast , hosts Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl sit down with Josh Baker , Democratic candidate for Kentucky State Senate District 24. Baker discusses his background as a veteran and hospitality industry professional, his decision to run for office, and his commitment to representing working families who he believes have been overlooked by state g...

Send us Fan Mail In this week’s Blue Dot Podcast Weekly Roundup , Brian Koehl and guest co-host Nisia Thornton break down Kentucky’s biggest political developments, along with the continuing laughable, yet also dangerous, foibles of the Trump administration. Brian and Nisia discuss Rocky Adkins’ entry into the Kentucky governor’s race and the high-profile Democratic primary that will ensue. Also d...

Send us Fan Mail Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District is one of the most competitive House races in the country, and candidate Zach Dembo joins the Blue Dot Podcast to discuss why he believes Democrats can flip the seat in 2026. A ninth-generation Kentuckian, former Navy JAG officer, federal prosecutor, teacher, and public servant, Dembo shares the personal journey that led him from public servic...

Send us Fan Mail This week’s round up explores concerns about the Site Readiness Initiative (SRI) and Flock camera surveillance systems, emphasizing the need for transparency, public involvement, and accountable local leadership. The episode features insights from Democratic Kenton County Commissioner candidates Sarah Frelick, Ben Bach, and Jordan Baldridge, who share their perspectives on develop...

Send us Fan Mail Live from the Kenton County Fair, Brian and Natalie sit down with Kenton County Commissioner District 1 candidate Sarah Froelich to discuss transparency in local government and the role county commissioners play in the community. Sarah explains why residents should have a better understanding of their county government, discusses the connection between the Fiscal Court and the Nor...

Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Live from the heart of Kenton County at the Kenton County Fair! We're joined by Jordan Baldridge, candidate for Kenton County Commissioner, District 3 , to discuss his attendance at the recent Fiscal Court meeting and the conversation surrounding Flock cameras in Kenton County.

Send us Fan Mail The Blue Dot Podcast broadcasts live from the heart of the county at the Kenton County Fair - Brian and Natalie sit down with Ben Bach, Candidate for Commissioner District 2 to discuss issues facing Southern Kenton, the SRI Initiative and the Power of the People. 

Send us Fan Mail This week on the Blue Dot Podcast, Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl recap strong Democratic turnout at Northern Kentucky Fourth of July parades and discuss growing concerns over Medicaid cuts in Kentucky and across the country. They break down the potential impact on hospitals, home health care, seniors, and people with disabilities, while highlighting ongoing legal and political...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Blue Dot Podcast , hosts Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl sit down with Dustin Reinstedler , President of the Kentucky AFL-CIO, to discuss the state of organized labor in Kentucky and the growing movement for worker empowerment. Dustin shares his journey from a bricklayers' apprentice to leading more than 131,000 union members across the Commonwealth....

Send us Fan Mail In this week’s Blue Dot Podcast roundup, Natalie McDonald and Brian Koehl take a closer look at the celebrations surrounding America’s 250th anniversary and the controversy surrounding competing commemorative efforts. The hosts discuss the origins of the bipartisan America 250 Commission, its mission to create inclusive, nonpartisan programming, and the community-focused initiativ...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Blue Dot Podcast , Natalie and Brian explore the persistent overlap between religion and politics, tracing how faith has shaped political movements from the Cold War to the rise of the Moral Majority and today’s debates around Christian nationalism. Despite the constitutional separation of church and state, religion continues to influence policy, identity, a...

Send us Fan Mail Northern Kentucky is on the move—but not without challenges. This week on the Blue Dot Podcast , we break down a bold vision for a regional trail network that could connect Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties, boosting recreation, tourism, and community access. At the same time, Covington continues to wrestle with traffic disruptions from the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project...

Send us Fan Mail Brant Owens, candidate for Campbell County Commissioner (District 3), joins the Blue Dot Podcast to discuss his vision for more transparent, responsive local government. A lifelong resident and active community volunteer, Owens shares why he’s running, emphasizing the importance of showing up, listening to residents, and making long-term decisions that strengthen infrastructure, g...