United SHE Stands

In episode 177, we sit down with Liz Schmidt, the Executive Committee Co-Chair of Ohio Equal Rights, to talk about the campaign to amend Ohio's constitution and make it the strongest equal rights framework in the nation. Ohio's constitution offers no equal rights protections for residents. There are no protections from government discrimination based on race, sex, sexual orientation, disability, o...

In episode 176, we are finally talking about DATA CENTERS. Ohio is in the middle of a data center boom. Google, Amazon, Meta, and dozens of other tech giants are building massive facilities across the state — particularly in Central Ohio — drawn by cheap land, fiber infrastructure, and generous tax breaks from our Statehouse. While these companies are selling the story of jobs and economic growth,...

In episode 175, we break down the Ohio Primary on May 5th, walking you through statewide races, the Senate special election, Ohio Supreme Court races, congressional districts across the state, and more. Resources: * Our Ohio Primary Voter Guide (via Sway) * Ohio - Find out what’s on your ballot! * Find Your District * Columbus Safety Collective - Issue 5 (VOTE YES) * Voting in Primaries: What Are...

In episode 174, we sit down with Tom Herner, Democratic candidate for Ohio House District 37, to talk about what it takes to flip a seat, fight public corruption, and actually represent the people who sent you to Columbus. Tom Herner is a lifelong Ohioan, Centerville High School graduate, and Wright State University alumnus running for State Representative in District 37. Raised by union parents a...

In episode 173, we talk with Amanda Litman, the cofounder and president of Run for Something, which recruits and supports young, diverse leaders running for local office. We talk about what it really takes to rebuild Democratic power from the ground up and why the path forward might look different than you’d expect. Since 2017, Run for Something has launched the careers of thousands of millennials...

In episode 172, congressional candidate Carl Setzer tells us how he went from insider to outsider. He was raised inside the ultra-conservative movement and is now running as a Democrat in Ohio’s 14th District with a very different vision for what public service should look like. Carl Setzer, born in Ohio, experienced firsthand the consequences when powerful individuals in Ohio politics face no acc...

In episode 171, we sit down with Zach Rossfeld, candidate for Ohio House District 7. As a practicing physician and former Ohio Medicaid official, Zach has seen firsthand what broken policy costs real people and he's done waiting for someone else to fix it. We talk healthcare, public schools, reproductive rights, and what gives him hope. Zach is a dad and a doctor who’s running for quality, funded...

In episode 170, we’re joined by our new friend Haley Pepper! We dig into the nuance of whether influencers have a responsibility to speak up, how beauty culture and the male gaze are being reexamined, and what it really means to ‘protect your peace’ when the world is on fire. Haley is a women’s health activist, birth and postpartum doula, NFL wife, and mom of two. She hosts Detoxed , which is an e...

In episode 169, we announce the launch of Ohio Creators for Progress , a digital organizing network bringing together creators from across the state to win elections online. We also break down some of the worst bills moving through the Ohio Statehouse right now and share how you can take action. Resources: * OhioBills. WTF * TAKE ACTION: Ohio Statehouse 2025-2026 * Ohio House Bill 1 * Ohio Senate...

In episode 168, we chat with Jerrad Christian, Democrat running for Ohio's 12th Congressional District on a no-corporate-money, people-first platform. We get into healthcare, foreign policy, the economy, and what hope looks like when the stakes feel impossibly high. Jerrad Christian grew up in rural Ohio in a working-poor family where government programs and community weren’t abstract policy debat...

In episode 167, we sit down with Sean Connolly to talk about what it looks like to run for Congress as a labor Democrat in a true primary. We dig into his bold vision for investing in eastern Ohio, from high-speed rail to strengthening unions, lowering costs, and rebuilding the middle class, and what sets him apart from the rest of the field. Sean Connolly was born and raised in Ohio and built his...

In episode 166, we sit down with Ashley Craig of Patriotic Millionaires to unpack how extreme wealth inequality took hold in the United States and what it will actually take to fix it. Ashley breaks down why “tax the rich, pay the people, and spread the power” isn’t just a slogan - it’s a roadmap. Ashley Craig is a former finance and audit professional who has spent her career working primarily fo...

In episode 165, we sit down with Rose Lounsbury to talk about why she’s running again for the Ohio House and what’s at stake for public schools, voting rights, and working families. We dig into vouchers, gerrymandering, healthcare costs, and what it will take to build an Ohio that truly works for everyday families. Rose Lounsbury is running for State Representative in Ohio’s House District 36, whi...

In this month’s bonus episode, we talk with Minneapolis resident Emma about what it’s been like to live in the city during Operation Metro Surge, where two community members were murdered in the streets by federal agents. She shares what she’s seeing on the ground and how neighbors are showing up for one another in powerful, hopeful ways during an incredibly frightening time. DISCLAIMER: This was...

In episode 163, we break down the Ohio GOP’s newly introduced “Cooperation Package,” a set of four bills designed to expand cooperation with federal immigration enforcement (ICE) across the state. We walk through what each bill would do, why they matter, and the real impacts they could have on Ohio communities. Plus, we share specific, immediate action steps listeners can take to make their voices...

In episode 162, we’re joined by Amanda Nelson of Amanda’s Mild Takes to talk about how power actually operates in the United States. We dig into the fears around the 2026 elections, the history behind modern immigration enforcement, and what real pro-democracy change could look like if Democrats retake Congress. Amanda Nelson is an amateur historian and political content creator behind Amanda’s Mi...

In episode 161, we talk with congressional candidate Don Leonard about what it really means to be a “Do-Something Democrat” in this political moment. Our conversation spans the issues hitting working families hardest - from healthcare, childcare, and housing to economic insecurity, immigration, and accountability for ICE - and what practical action in Congress could look like. Don spent the last d...

In episode 160, we bring you our monthly Ohio-politics focus discussion and, yes, we’re already talking about what could be on your November ballot. We break down the four citizen-led ballot initiatives currently gathering signatures - from marriage equality and broad nondiscrimination protections to a proposal to abolish property taxes and an effort to end qualified immunity - so you know what th...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.unitedshestands.com In January’s ✨bonus✨ episode, we debrief The Nordic Theory of Everything: In Search of a Better Life by Anu Partanen. We unpack how Nordic countries define freedom, independence, and care. We also explore how universal systems like healthcare, childcare, and worker protections can actually increase individual f...

In episode 158, we sit down with Democratic candidate Allison Russo to discuss her run for Ohio Secretary of State, her record defending free and fair elections, and her vision for strengthening democracy for all Ohioans. Resources: * Campaign Website * Donate to Allison’s Campaign * Instagram * TikTok * Facebook * X/Twitter * Threads Connect with United SHE Stands: * Substack * Instagram * TikTok...

In episode 157, we’re joined by Hell Cat Cait Conley - a decorated combat veteran and national security expert running for Congress in New York’s 17th District. From protecting our democracy to fixing what’s broken in Washington, Cait shares why it’s time for leaders who know how to get sh*t done. Resources: * Cait Conley for Congress Website * Hell Cats Website * Donate to Cait’s Campaign: * ActB...

In episode 156, we set our 2026 intentions and ask the uncomfortable question - why don’t more people care about politics? We dig into where apathy comes from, why it matters, and how we move from disengagement to action. Resources * Political Apathy | EBSCO Research Starters * 10 Causes of Voter Apathy in the United States | GoodParty.org * How Does U.S. Voter Turnout Compare to the Rest of the W...

Week Two of our holiday break AKA we’re re-releasing another goodie from 2025! Be sure to listen to this episode (or listen again) with David DeWitt to hear him talk about the importance of state and local news. Original Air Date: August 12th, 2025 David is the Ohio Capital Journal Editor-in-Chief and a Opinion Columnist. He has been covering government, politics, and policy in Ohio since 2007, in...

We’re re-releasing one of our favorite episodes from this year for our holiday break! Enjoy this conversation with Katie Gatti Tassin, where she talks about the intersection of money and politics. Already listened? Do it again - it’s been a while! 🤪 Original Air Date: June 3rd, 2025 Katie Gatti Tassin is the host of the Money with Katie podcast and author of the newsletter of the same name, both...

In episode 153, we kick off the start of our monthly series dropping Ohio-focused episodes, catching you up on the key legislation, power moves, and policy battles shaping Ohio politics. Don’t worry - we include any bright spots we can find plus action items every Ohioan should know. Resources: * Bill regulating drugs (including medication abortion pills) passes Ohio House committee * Both parties...