The Dan Parsons Show

State Senator Danielle Conrad and GOP consultant Ryan Horn join the show to break down Nebraska’s chaotic post-primary political landscape. We discuss the emergence of new minor-party efforts, rumors of strategic ballot maneuvering, the state of the governor’s race, the possibility of independent candidates reshaping November, and what Bob Evnen’s primary loss could mean for the future of Nebraska...

Mark Gudgel, candidate for the Omaha Public Power District Board in District 2, joins the show to discuss why public power matters and what’s at stake for OPPD customers. We talk about electric rates, data centers, renewable energy, grid reliability, the future of the North Omaha Power Station, climate change, and how board decisions shape affordability, economic development and Nebraska’s energy...

Jocelyn Brasher, Democratic candidate for Nebraska Attorney General, joins the show to discuss her campaign against incumbent Mike Hilgers and her vision for the office. Brasher talks about her background as a former assistant attorney general, consumer protection attorney and prosecutor, while outlining her priorities on consumer rights, antitrust enforcement, medical cannabis, right-to-repair is...

Becky Stille, Democratic candidate for Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District, joins the show to discuss her campaign against longtime incumbent Rep. Adrian Smith. She shares why federal debates over tariffs, SNAP, health care and rural hospitals pushed her into the race, while also discussing her background as a single teen mom, the challenges facing working families and farmers, and her plan to t...

Austin Ahlman, an independent candidate for Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District, joins the show to discuss his late entry into the race against Republican incumbent Mike Flood and Democratic nominee Chris Bachemeyer. Ahlman shares the personal family tragedy that motivated his campaign, explains why he believes independent candidates can break through in Nebraska politics, and outlines his views...

Rick Beard, the Legal Marijuana NOW Party nominee for Nebraska governor, joins the show to discuss his unconventional campaign and vision for the state. We talk about his background in Nebraska, California’s cannabis industry, and why he believes cannabis legalization could generate revenue for property tax relief, schools, and economic development. Beard also outlines his ideas for industrial hem...

Jo Giles, executive director of the Women's Fund of Omaha and a sponsor of the Respect Nebraska Voters campaign, joins the show to discuss Nebraska's ballot initiative process and the growing debate over lawmakers changing voter-approved laws. We talk about the paid sick leave measure approved by voters in 2024, subsequent legislative changes to that law, and the campaign's proposal to make it mor...

Robinette Farms co-owner Alex McKiernan joins the show to discuss local food systems, community-supported agriculture, and the challenges of building a more resilient food economy in Nebraska. We discuss why Nebraska imports much of the food it consumes despite being a leading agricultural state, the benefits of buying local food, and how farm-to-table relationships can strengthen both communities...

Nebraska Public Media General Manager and CEO Stacey Decker joins the show to discuss the organization's expansion into Omaha with a new radio station, its efforts to become a truly statewide media network, and the future of public broadcasting in Nebraska. We also discuss the closure of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the challenges facing local journalism, Nebraska's growing news desert...

Political strategist, philanthropist, and author Luis Miranda Jr. joins the show to discuss his lifelong involvement in politics and civic engagement. Best known to many as the father of Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, Luis shares the story behind his family's journey from Puerto Rico to New York City, the origins of his son's name, and how the success of Hamilton gave his family a larger pla...

As part of our “Last Call” series ahead of Nebraska’s May 12 primary election, each Democratic candidate in the NE-02 congressional race delivers one final pitch directly to voters. In this compilation, we asked John Cavanaugh, Denise Powell, Kishla Askins, Crystal Rhoades, and Melanie Williams three key questions: • What is the biggest issue facing NE-02? • What is your top priority in Washington...

As part of our “Last Call” series ahead of the May 12 primary, we’re giving each candidate in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District one final opportunity to speak directly to voters. In this interview, we sit down with Melanie Williams to ask three key questions: • What is the biggest issue facing NE-02? • What is your top priority in Washington? • How do you plan to win in November? Plus, her fin...

As part of our “Last Call” series ahead of the May 12 primary, we’re giving each candidate in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District one final opportunity to speak directly to voters. In this interview, we sit down with Crystal Rhoades to ask three key questions: • What is the biggest issue facing NE-02? • What is your top priority in Washington? • How do you plan to win in November? Plus...

As part of our “Last Call” series ahead of the May 12 primary, we’re giving each candidate in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District one final opportunity to speak directly to voters. In this interview, we sit down with Kishla Askins to ask three key questions: • What is the biggest issue facing NE-02? • What is your top priority in Washington? • How do you plan to win in November? Plus, her final...

As part of our “Last Call” series ahead of the May 12 primary, we’re giving each candidate in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District one final opportunity to speak directly to voters. In this interview, we sit down with Denise Powell to ask three key questions: • What is the biggest issue facing NE-02? • What is your top priority in Washington? • How do you plan to win in November? Plus, her final...

As part of our “Last Call” series ahead of the May 12 primary, we’re giving each candidate in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District one final opportunity to speak directly to voters. In this interview, we sit down with Nebraska State Sen. John Cavanaugh to ask three key questions: • What is the biggest issue facing NE-02? • What is your top priority in Washington? • How do you plan to win in Novem...

CD1 Democratic primary candidates Eric Moyer and Chris Backemeyer join the show for a head-to-head forum ahead of the May 12 election. The two candidates outline competing approaches on health care, including Medicare for All versus strengthening the Affordable Care Act, and debate how to address rising costs for working families. We also discuss global instability and its impact on Nebraska agric...

Democratic congressional candidate Melanie Williams joins the show to discuss her run in Nebraska’s 2nd District primary. She outlines her background in activism, her identification as a democratic socialist, and her push for policies like Medicare for All and tuition-free college. We also discuss divisions within the Democratic Party, campaign strategy in a crowded primary field, and her views on...

Former Nebraska state senator Brett Lindstrom joins the show to discuss his potential independent run for governor this year against incumbent Jim Pillen and Lynne Walz. He explains his reasons for dropping from the CD2 race earlier this year and his Republican to nonpartisan switch shortly after. We also discuss the polarization of the political landscape, voter frustration and the upward trend o...

Broadway actor Marya Grandy and the Lied Center’s Executive Director Bill Stephan join the show to discuss Suffs, the Tony Award-winning musical about the women who fought for the right to vote. We explore the overlooked history behind the suffrage movement, the show’s modern political resonance, and why its message about activism, democracy, and persistence still feels urgent today. Suffs will pl...

While attending the Nebraska Farmers Union convention in Norfolk we ran into Congressional District 1 candidate, Eric Moyer while on the campaign trail. Sitting down with him for a spontaneous interview we discussed his thoughts on incumbent Mike Flood and his hopes for winning this race. We also discussed: ⦁ His plan to build up Nebraska as a major exporter of renewal energy ⦁ The universal probl...

Attorney and hemp industry advocate Christine Nannen and chemistry professor Dr. Andrea Holmes join the show to discuss the growing legal and political battles surrounding hemp-derived products in Nebraska and across the country. Our conversation dives into the science behind cannabinoids, the controversy over “synthetic” compounds, and the regulatory confusion separating hemp...

Is the world witnessing a historic fracture between the White House and the Vatican? In this episode, Dan Parsons breaks down the escalating tension between President Trump and Pope Leo. As war policies clash with papal decrees, we explore whether this is a mere diplomatic spat or the beginning of a "New Cold War" between the Shepherd and the State. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

Is military policy being driven by faith? In this episode, we dive deep into the complex intersection of Christian nationalism within the U.S. military and the contrasting calls for global peace from the Vatican.  Host Dan Parsons analyzes the tension between modern military strategy and religious doctrine, specifically looking at *Pope Leo’s legacy* of peace versus the rising influence of na...

Political consultant Ryan Horn returns to the show to break down the fast-moving developments surrounding the U.S.–Iran conflict and what it means for American strategy abroad. Horn gives his take on the reported ceasefire, the administration’s approach to the war, and the broader implications for deterrence and U.S. foreign policy. We also discuss the political fallout at here at home,...