Blue Bench Podcast

Jorgia and Andy return for a recap of the Trump Administration's latest attacks on foundational legal precedent. He's called the National Guard to DC and federalized their police. They're officially seeking to overturn gay marriage at the Supreme Court. And the EPA is considering repealing their finding that greenhouse gases are harmful to public health - a finding that is crucial for progressive...

The Montana Democratic Party hosted a virtual town hall last week to discuss the statewide impacts of proposed federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. Democratic lawmakers and community stakeholders addressed the consequences the cuts will have on food security and access to healthcare, rural hospitals, indigenous communities, and reproductive care across the state of Montana.

On this episode of the Blue Bench Podcast, we chat with the Montana Democratic Party’s Interim Executive Director Justin Ailport. We talk about his Montana roots, what drives him, and why organizing right now matters more than ever.

The so-called Big Beautiful Bill will threaten access to health coverage for tens of thousands of Montanans in years to come. Now, Gianforte’s Department of Health and Human Services is trying to speed up the process, imposing work requirements and higher costs than the rest of the country. State Senator Cora Neumann from Bozeman sits down with us today to discuss. Join the resistance and leave pu...

Jorgia and Andy rally around the cowardice of Sen. Daines, Sen. Sheehy, Rep. Zinke, and Rep. Downing - after shutting down the House to protect a pedophile, they're now appearing to skip out on town halls again. Montana Democrats are hosting their own town hall, Thursday July 31 @ 6pm - RSVP at montanademocrats.org/townhall . The two also discuss Trump's insane trade war, his "deal" with the EU, a...

On this week's episode, Jorgia and Andy dive into the topic that has the whole country tuned in: the Epstein Files. We also explain how DPHHS is trying to kick Montanans off of Medicaid a year and a half earlier than necessary, and why cuts to public media are so detrimental to a rural state like ours. Contact DPHHS - dphhscomments@mt.gov - Subject: HELP Demonstration Waiver Suggested body: DPHHS’...

Jorgia and Andy give a whirlwind recap of the last week in Montana politics. The two discuss the arrest of Christopher Martinez by ICE in Helena and the impact Trump's cuts to tribal colleges will have on Indigenous communities. To no one's surprise, the MTGOP is up to no good and their new chair is no role model. Also, the Held v. Montana kids are suing Donald Trump and AG Knudsen is getting in t...

This week on The Blue Bench Podcast, we’re joined by special guest Representative James Reavis of Billings to break down some of the biggest vetoes from Governor Gianforte’s desk and what they mean for Montana families. We also dig into the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” and share tips on staying engaged and fired up through the summer months.

Jorgia is joined by No Time for Neutral's new co-host: Andy Nelson! The two attempt to break down Trump's Big, Ugly, No Good, Very Bad Bill. It's a HUGE piece of legislation, with cuts to healthcare, education, and clean energy. The deficit goes up, billionaires make more money, and the rest of us get left out in the cold. A loving reminder from MDP: Take care of yourselves. Holding our delegation...

On this episode, we sit down with public lands champion Land Tawney. We talk about why protecting our public lands matters, how to take meaningful action, and the power of pressuring lawmakers to put people over profit. Don’t miss this one!

Jorgia and Shannon discuss Governor Gianforte's vetoes this session. He's vetoed anything from property tax relief for veterans to a bill holding his office accountable to the people. Tune in for the full rundown!

This week we sit down with longtime advocate and leader Nancy Keenan to talk about the fight for reproductive freedom in a post-Roe America. From her years at NARAL Pro-Choice America to her work in her home state of Montana, Nancy shares lessons from the frontlines and how everyday people can be effective advocates during this critical moment.

Jorgia and Shannon discuss the massive turnout at No Kings protests in Montana and the United States and what it might mean for the future. They also recap new updates in the Big Ugly Terrible Bill and talk about the tragedy in Minnesota - and why we need to come back together. Contact Sens. Daines and Sheehy to say NO to the reconciliation bill. Daines: DC: (202) 224-2651, Helena: (406) 443-3189...

This week on Blue Bench Podcast, Gaby and special co-host Andy Nelson, MDP’s Blue Bench Associate, sit down with Missoula Councilwoman Jennifer Savage. Earlier this month, Councilwoman Savage led the charge on a landmark resolution making the Pride flag an official city flag of Missoula, circumventing a law that bans the Pride flag from flying on public buildings. You don’t want to miss this episo...

On this week's No Time for Neutral, Shannon and Jorgia unpack the LA protests and Northwestern Energy's latest greed scheme. Shannon takes us back to school to learn about the veto process, and the two talk all things.. Hamilton (the musical, not the Founding Father, but him too.. technically)

This week on No Time for Neutral, we talk about the Elon–Trump breakup (spoiler: it's MESSY) and the newest Senate noise around the GOP’s “big beautiful bill”—but more importantly, we focus on what really matters: rebuilding the middle class and where Democrats go from here. Tune in for honest conversation, a few laughs, and a hopeful look at the road ahead for Democrats fighting for real progress...

In this episode, we sit down with newly elected DNC Chair Ken Martin to talk about how Democrats can rebuild trust and regain ground in rural America—including right here in Montana. From from community organizing to healthcare access, Chair Martin shares his vision for reconnecting with rural voters.

This week, we’re joined by Rebecca Miller and Johnny Ratka Skinner, Chair and board member of the Valley Neighbors of Flathead, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting immigrants to resources in the Flathead area, and equipping communities to provide resources for immigrants. Our guests discuss challenges facing the immigrant community in the Flathead Valley, including the recent arrest a...

In the latest episode of the Blue Bench's new segment, No Time for Neutral, Shannon and Jorgia recap the GOP budget: How will Medicaid cuts affect Montana? Why do Republicans keep stealing from the poor to give to the rich? They also talk higher education attacks, Governor Gianforte's latest vetoes, and Northwestern Energy's latest antics. There's also some good news too - finally! Call the PSC be...

Welcome to Season 2 of the Blue Bench Podcast. Now that the Legislative session is over, we're changing our focus to the national stage. Every week, we'll have interviews that help bring national news and issues home here to Montana. This week, we interviewed farmer and rancher from central Montana, Ben Peterson. Ben is on the board of the Farmers Union, Cattleman's Beef Board, and the Montana Dem...

There's no time for neutral because sitting this out isn't an option. Welcome to Blue Bench Season 2! We'll be splitting the podcast into two episodes so you get all the information you need - but don't worry, we're not getting rid of anything! In this season opener, Jorgia and Shannon recap the last week of politics and it's a doozy. They talk Trump's Qatari plane, habeas corpus, the GOP budget,...

Join us for our final episode of Blue Bench Podcast Season One, where we’ve been covering the Montana Legislature since January. We close season one with our very first guest, Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers. Senator Flowers answers our lingering questions about the session and shares his parting words of wisdom to future leaders. Don't worry! The podcast isn't over! MDP will continue dropping...

We're officially in the final stretch of the 2025 Legislative session. Today's talk of the town: property taxes, property taxes, and did I mention property taxes? Shannon breaks down property tax relief proposals and sits down with MFPE Executive Director Amanda Curtis to discuss labor and education.

Shannon sits down with special co-host guest Jorgie Hawthorne, the Gail Stoltz Fellow for MDP. Listen for updates regarding the legislative session, state budget, property taxes, and more! The two also debrief the max capacity rally in Missoula Wednesday afternoon, featuring Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

This week, Shannon and Gaby provide updates on property tax relief, attacks on Montana’s judiciary branch, and child care bills. There is some good news to report and, unfortunately, some not-so-great news. Plus, Shannon sits down and talks clean energy in Montana with Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC) Executive Director Anne Hedges. Do you care about climate change, the environment,...