The Redemption Project: Civic Conversations

Why choose federal office—and what problems would you try to solve there? Joshua Ashburn joins Brandon Burley for an archived Civic Conversations interview about his independent campaign for Tennessee’s 1st Congressional District. He introduces himself as a Bristol resident, a parent, and a full-time worker, then explains why he decided to enter the race. Questions behind a candidacy Brandon asks...

People hear the word lobbyist and often picture money changing hands, private dinners and powerful corporations attempting to buy political influence. That picture is not entirely invented. It is also far from complete. The better question is not simply whether lobbying is good or bad. It is: Who is attempting to influence public policy, whom do they represent, and what are they asking the governm...

For Breanna Houston, the debate over abortion is not theoretical. At 18 years old, away at college and frightened about what an unexpected pregnancy might mean for her future, she had an abortion. Years later, after becoming a Christian and walking through a post-abortion Bible study, she began confronting the grief, shame and questions she had carried with her. That experience now shapes the work...

What is the Tennessee Forward Party? In this Season 4 Civic Conversation, Brandon Burley talks with Nick Nugent, chair of the Tennessee Forward Party, about what the Forward Party is, why it wants to challenge the two-party system, how third parties try to gain ballot access, and why the party believes Tennessee voters may be hungry for another option. The conversation covers open primaries, ranke...

The numbers are interesting. They are also easy to overread. A poll can tell us something useful about public opinion at a particular moment. It cannot guarantee what voters will do weeks or months later, predict every change in a campaign or turn a small lead into a certain election result. In this Season 4 Civic Conversation, Brandon Burley speaks with pollster Mark Cunningham about what polls a...

Voting can feel complicated long before anyone reaches the polling place. People register, but then struggle to find reliable information about the candidates. They may not understand what will appear on their ballot, where to research a local race or whether it is acceptable to admit that they have questions. For some voters, that uncertainty becomes embarrassment. Eventually, embarrassment becom...

Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app. I am a retired detective and criminal justice / government educator based in Tennessee. I am a commentary write for Tennessee Lookout and a weekly columnist with Knox TN Today . My work examines public policy, public safety systems and civic responsibility. My reporting and commentary have also appeared...

by Brandon Burley and The Redemption Project Sheriff campaigns often center on broad safety language. But the stronger voter questions usually involve staffing, jail operations, narcotics pressure, and how decisions function once campaigning ends. I am a retired detective and criminal justice / government educator based in Tennessee. I am a commentary write for Tennessee Lookout and a weekly colum...

by Brandon Burley and The Redemption Project Addiction pressure is not limited to large cities. But access to treatment often is. In many smaller communities, the same need exists with fewer immediate options — which means geography quietly shapes recovery outcomes more than many people realize. I am a retired detective and criminal justice / government educator based in Tennessee. I am a commenta...

Jesse Crosson was arrested just after his 18th birthday and sentenced to 32 years in prison for a robbery and non-fatal shooting. For nearly two decades, prison was the only adult life he knew. When Jesse was granted a conditional pardon in 2021 , he was released with just an hour and a half’s notice —no reentry plan, no housing secured, no roadmap waiting for him. What he did have was preparation...

Human trafficking often hides in plain sight. In this narrated journalism episode of The Redemption Project , Brandon Burley examines a new Tennessee law that requires licensed tattoo artists to complete human trafficking awareness training—and why that policy matters. Drawing from reporting, survivor advocacy, and law enforcement experience, this episode explores how traffickers have historically...

Hey! Welcome to season 4. Season 4 is all about narrated journalism. These short form episodes should all be around the 2 minute mark. I would love to hear your thought on each one! Get full access to The Redemption Project Newsroom at newsroom.theredemptionproject.news/subscribe