The Hot Dish

In this episode, guest host Bethany Brookshire recaps the Rural Progress Summit and brings you conversations with panelists including Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Joe Donnelly, Maya MacGuineas, Anderson Clayton, and experts from fields like agriculture, education, health care, and tribal affairs. You will gain fresh perspectives on the hope and resilience in rural communities, practical solutions for...

This week on the Hot Dish, we're switching things up for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit. It's a virtual event celebrating the importance of rural communities in shaping America's future, featuring a keynote fireside chat with Sec. Pete Buttigieg. Instead of our usual Wednesday episode, we’ll be sharing a glimpse into the summit on Friday. Register now at ruralprogress.com. 

Sarah Longwell of the Bulwark and Phil Snape of Impact Social join this episode to discuss voter sentiment in rural areas. Then, Heidi Marttila-Losure and Christopher Vondracek explore the value of rural journalism and the impact of current political trends. Hosts Heidi and Joel Heitkamp discuss the real-world effects of tariffs, job security, and community resilience in rural America. Listen to h...

Jess Piper, Bryce Oates, and Isaac Nehring join this episode to discuss the future of rural America, from youth leadership to media access and political advocacy. Isaac shares his journey as a Truman Scholar, while Bryce and Executive Producer Richard Fawal tackle the urgent need for truthful reporting in rural America. Jess Piper joins host Heidi Heitkamp to break down how Democrats can rebuild t...

Many rural veterans join the Hot Dish for this special Memorial Day episode. Marine Corps Infantryman and North Dakota Army National Guard First Sergeant Bradley Aune discusses issues veterans face when rejoining civilian life. North Dakota Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Jessica Petrick offers her perspective on what Memorial Day means to her. And One Country Project board member and former Se...

Jerry Hagstrom, Sarah Melotte, and Bob Leonard join host Joel Heitkamp and guest host J.D. Scholten to discuss the impacts to rural America of Trump’s first 100 days in office. You will learn about disaster relief, rural healthcare, tariffs, manufacturing, immigration, and the ongoing Farm Bill debates in Congress. Each guest offers firsthand perspectives from their communities, highlighting the s...

DNC Chair Ken Martin joins hosts Heidi and Joel Heitkamp to discuss the Democratic Party’s future in rural America. They explore the brand image of the Democratic Party and how to reconnect with blue collar and rural voters. Ken, Heidi and Joel stress the importance of authentic local messengers to deliver Democratic narratives, offering you practical steps for community-driven change. Listen to l...

In this episode, Heidi and Joel give you specific advice on how to channel your frustrations into positive action within your community, focusing on local issues and building a strong support network. They offer insights into being proactive and engaged, highlighting how to make a difference on the ground, especially in rural settings. Then Jess Piper, Executive Director for Blue Missouri, joins J...

North Carolina Representative Julie Von Haefen, Tennessee Representative J.C. Bowman, and Iowa Representative and One Country Project board member J.D. Scholten join The Hot Dish to discuss the challenges facing public education in rural America. The conversation highlights the efforts to fight against the dismantling of public education systems and the consequences of funding private schools with...

In this episode, Joel Heitkamp hosts a roundtable discussion with farmers Chris Gibbs, Will Westmoreland, and Nick Levendofsky. They talk about the ups and downs of farming today and dive into topics like tariffs, infrastructure, and politics. From tariff troubles to the fight to keep rural infrastructure strong, listeners will get an inside scoop on what it's like to manage a farm in today's chal...

In this episode, we examine how the absence of local news affects political polarization, civic engagement, and community identity.  First, scholars John Volk and Joshua Darr join The Hot Dish to discuss the emergence and consequences of News Deserts across the United States.  Then, journalist Brandon Tensley and Joel engage in a compelling conversation on the importance of local news to communiti...

Veteran political strategist Paul Begala joins the Hot Dish to discuss how the Democratic Party can reconnect with rural Americans. He offers straightforward actions each of us can take to respond to the challenges of chaos in Washington and State Capitals and to help our neighbors get past the misinformation and propaganda to see the truth about the dangerous impacts of the Donald Trump / Elon Mu...

In this episode, we delve into essential discussions on federal policy, TikTok, and the balance of power in Washington that we know will resonate with you. Heidi and Joel explore the chaos caused by a recent Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo concerning the freeze on federal expenditures. They provide a clear-eyed analysis of the memo's implications for Americans, particularly those relyin...

Welcome to another episode of The Hot Dish, where we serve comfort food for Middle America. In today's episode, Heidi Heitkamp and Joel Heitkamp delve into the political whirlwind surrounding Donald Trump's inauguration, cabinet picks, and executive orders — and their implications for the next four years.  Later in the episode, you'll hear a fascinating conversation between One Country Project Boa...

Welcome back to "The Hot Dish," where we serve up the latest political insights with a side of grassroots wisdom. In today's episode, host Heidi Heitkamp welcomes Iowa State Representative J.D. Scholten, who shares his insights from the campaign trail. We'll dive into the critical issues that drove his unexpected victory in a Trump district. First, the hosts touch on the challenges facing rural co...

Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of The Hot Dish, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate deeply with rural America. In this episode, Heidi and Joel answer some listener mail from parents who fear losing their adult children to MAGA inlaws. Then Joel engages in a riveting discussion with Chris Gibbs, an Ohio farmer and former Republican turned Democrat. Our discussion dive...

Welcome to another insightful episode of The Hot Dish, comfort food for middle America. Today, we're serving up engaging discussions on healthcare accessibility in rural America, challenges for the Trump Administration, and community values. Hosts Heidi and Joel Heitkamp also provide valuable life advice in response to listener mail, addressing career choices and the benefits of community involvem...

Welcome to another powerful episode of The Hot Dish. This one delves deep into the past and present of untold stories from America's heartland, from the historical injustices faced by Native communities to the contemporary heroes fighting fires without pay. Of course, Heidi and Joel begin by reviewing the shocking results of the 2024 elections, and the failure of the Democratic Party to communicat...

Welcome to another enlightening episode of The Hot Dish, comfort food for middle America. We've curated a rich and thoughtful discussion to explore key issues impacting rural and urban communities alike. In this episode, Joel has a fascinating conversation with Dee Davis, the founder of the Center for Rural Strategies . Dee discusses the foundational importance of human connections and shared expe...

Welcome back to another thought-provoking episode of The Hot Dish, where we dive deep into the heart of America’s rural and small-town landscapes. In this very special episode, Joel speaks with two incredibly insightful guests who will illuminate the intertwining of religion and politics in the upcoming election. Joe Donnelly, former Congressman, Senator, and Ambassador to the Holy See, passionate...

Welcome back to another thought-provoking episode of The Hot Dish, where we dive deep into the heart of America’s rural and small-town landscapes. Today, we are honored to host two incredibly insightful guests who will illuminate the challenges and triumphs within their respective spheres. George Goehl joins us to share his profound work on rural organizing groups and debunks stereotypes with his...

It's a bonus episode of The Hot Dish! Today Joel and Heidi review the Vice Presidential Debate with Chuck Corra of the Appodclachia podcast. You'll gain a comprehensive understanding of the debate's dynamics, including who appeared to come out on top, the candidates' strategies, and the critical moments that could sway voters. Joel dives into how Tim Walz and JD Vance navigated crucial issues like...

Welcome back to another episode of The Hot Dish, where we dive deep into the heart of America’s rural and small-town landscapes. Former Missouri Senator, Claire McCaskill, joins us to share her perspectives on Trump’s impact throughout the midwest due to his influence by the dark corners of the internet. Comedian and co-host of the popular youtube channel The Liberal Redneck , Trae Crowder, provid...

In this special BONUS episode, Heidi and Joel are joined by former Congressman, Senator, and Ambassador Joe Donnelly of Indiana to review the Presidential Debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump! (00:00) - Introduction and Guest Introduction (01:28) - Analyzing the Presidential Debate: Trump's True Character Revealed (09:11) - Donald Trump's Anger and Crowd Si...

Welcome back to The Hot Dish, where we dive deep into the heart of America’s rural and small-town landscapes. In this episode, Heidi sits down with the renowned Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Jim Hightower. Jim delves into his lifelong advocacy for rural communities, sharing grassroots movements and economic battles that have shaped his work. Listeners will gain an understanding of how consistent...