Blue Dot

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Blue Dot Podcast , hosts Natalie and Brian return following the elections with a renewed focus on community leaders building a better future for Kentucky. They are joined by Rachel Belin (Managing Partner of the Kentucky Student Voice Team, or KSVT) and Nate Reeves (Scott County High School senior and KSVT Policy Coordinator) to discuss how Kentucky students...

Send us Fan Mail What a week! Natalie is joined by Kenton County Democratic Party Chair Danielle Bell to break down the 2026 midterm election results, from major Democratic wins across the country to important shifts right here in Kentucky and Northern Kentucky. Natalie and Danielle dig into Aaron Curran’s big victory in Kentucky’s 65th House District, Democratic gains in the Kentucky General Asse...

Send us Fan Mail With Election Day just four days away, Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl return for the Blue Dot Podcast’s final weekly roundup before November 3. They discuss surging early voter turnout, why Democrats appear to have momentum heading into the election, and why now is the time to vote, not become complacent. The conversation then turns to a series of recent political controversies...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Brian talks about the importance of voting, how to make a voting plan, and the impact of midterm elections on local and national policies. He emphasizes the significance of every vote and provides practical tips for voters to participate effectively, as well as talking points that Democratic voters can share to encourage others to participate in exercising their v...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Blue Dot Podcast's 2026 Changemaker Candidate Conversation Series, hosts Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl sit down with William Whalen, Democratic candidate for Kentucky House District 64. A fourth-generation union worker, IBEW electrician, and Independence resident, Whalen shares the experiences and values that motivated his decision to run for office...

Send us Fan Mail Sarah Cole McIntosh is the Democratic candidate for Kentucky State Senate District 36. She joins Brian to make her case for the Senate position in the final days before the midterms.  In this episode, Sarah shares her motivations for running for Kentucky State Senate, discusses the complexities of property tax reform, and explores issues like healthcare, education funding, and hou...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Blue Dot Podcast's 2026 Changemakers Candidate Conversation Series, Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl sit down with Ben Bach , Democratic candidate for Kenton County Commissioner in District 2. A lifelong Kenton County resident, cloud engineer, and community advocate, Ben shares the personal experiences and values that inspired him to enter public servi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Blue Dot Podcast's Change Maker Candidate Conversation Series, hosts Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl sit down with Wilann Stangel , Democratic candidate for Kentucky House District 69. A retired educator and library media specialist, Stangle discusses what motivated her to run for office, sharing concerns about the direction of government, the impact...

Send us Fan Mail Brant Owens is the Democratic candidate running for Campbell County Commissioner District 3. He joins Brian to make his case for the County Commissioner office in the final weeks before the midterms.  Brant is a lifelong Campbell County resident who currently and a certified financial planner with over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. From his time on the...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Blue Dot Podcast's 2026 Changemakers Candidate Conversation Series, Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl sit down with Stephen Hoffman , Democratic candidate for Kenton County Magistrate/Justice of the Peace in District 1. Known by many in Northern Kentucky as "The Love Doctor," Hoffman shares stories from his decades of service officiating more...

Send us Fan Mail This week Brian argues that Democrats’ midterm efforts are paying off and that the Republican record gives voters a compelling reason to switch. Trump’s low approval, a historically unproductive Congress, damage resulting from Republicans’ signature Big Betrayal Bill, and rampant corruption are forcing Republicans to defend once-safe seats while Democratic candidates surge in the...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Blue Dot Podcast's 2026 Changemaker Candidate Conversation Series , Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl sit down with Joshua Baker , Democratic candidate for Kentucky's 24th Senate District. A Campbell County native, Army veteran, and hospitality manager, Baker shares what motivated him to enter politics for the first time and why he believes Norther...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Blue Dot Podcast's 2026 Changemaker Candidate Conversation Series , hosts Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl welcome Courtney Hunley , candidate for Erlanger City Council. Hunley shares what motivated him to run for office, describing concerns he observed while attending city council meetings and his belief that Erlanger needs more engaged, proactive lea...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Blue Dot Podcast's 2026 Changemaker Candidate Conversation Series , hosts Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl sit down with Chris Herman , candidate for Erlanger City Council. A lifelong Erlanger resident and one of the youngest candidates seeking office, Chris shares why he decided to run and how he hopes to help shape the future of the city he has calle...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Blue Dot Podcast's 2026 Changemaker Candidate Conversation Series , hosts Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl sit down with Sarah Froelich , candidate for Kenton County Commissioner, District 1 . Drawing on nearly eight years of service on the Park Hills City Council, Fralich discusses her decision to run for county office and why she believes voters dese...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Blue Dot Podcast's 2026 Changemaker Candidate Conversation Series, Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl sit down with Laurie Campbell , Democratic candidate for Kentucky House District 7 in Daviess County. A former educator, small business owner, and community advocate, Campbell shares what inspired her to enter public service and why she believes now is t...

Send us Fan Mail This week, Natalie and Brian break down the latest national political developments heading into the 2026 midterms, discuss what Kentucky voters need to know about early voting and absentee ballots, and examine a new Kenton County housing study that highlights growing affordability challenges. They also take a look at a local Park Hills zoning dispute that has reached the U.S. Supr...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Blue Dot Podcast's Changemaker Candidate Conversation Series, Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl sit down with Aaron Curran, candidate for Kentucky House District 65. A lifelong resident of the district and longtime public defender, Curran shares how his experience in the courtroom shaped his belief that government works best when it listens to everyday...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Blue Dot Podcast , hosts Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl kick off their 2026 Changemakers Candidate Conversation Series with Melissa Strange, Democratic candidate for Kentucky's 4th Congressional District. Melissa shares the personal motivation behind her campaign, describing her frustration with political division, dysfunction, and a government that...

Send us Fan Mail With Election Day just 32 days away, the Blue Dot Podcast team shares its official candidate endorsements and previews upcoming candidate interviews that will air on TBNK public access channels. Hosts Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl discuss key federal, state, county, and local races, emphasizing the impact voters' choices will have on issues such as public education, healt...

Send us Fan Mail This week on the Blue Dot Podcast, Natalie flies solo for a fast-paced roundup of political news, campaign momentum, and Democratic organizing across  Kentucky. She previews two major upcoming initiatives: the release of official candidate endorsements and the launch of the 2026 Changemaker Series, featuring in-depth candidate conversations at the Telecommunications Board of North...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Blue Dot Podcast , hosts Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl sit down with Kentucky Senate candidate Charles Booker to discuss his journey from Louisville's West End to becoming one of the state's most recognizable political voices. Booker reflects on growing up in poverty, experiencing food insecurity and healthcare struggles, and how those experien...

Send us Fan Mail With Election Day approaching, Natalie and Brian break down what voters need to know about registration, absentee ballots, and early voting in Kentucky. They discuss a major Supreme Court ruling protecting mail-in voting, the importance of grassroots organizing, and concerns about election misinformation. The conversation also explores campaign finance reform, government ethics, c...

Send us Fan Mail OneQuest Health CEO Rick Wurth joins the Blue Dot podcast to discuss the future of behavioral health care in Kentucky. From its origins as a Northern Kentucky orphanage nearly 150 years ago to its current role serving thousands of families, OneQuest Health has evolved to meet changing community needs. Rick shares insights on healthcare access, Medicaid dependence, workforce shorta...

Send us Fan Mail In this week’s Blue Dot Podcast Weekly Roundup, Natalie MacDonald and Brian Koehl begin with a heartfelt remembrance of September 11, reflecting on the courage, sacrifice, and national unity that emerged in the wake of tragedy. They discuss the importance of leadership, civic engagement, and the hope of finding common ground in today's political climate. The conversation then...