Moderate Party

Iowa is struggling — with rising cancer rates, a shrinking economy, overburdened healthcare systems, and families being pushed out of communities they love. This week, Rob Sand returns to Moderate Party to talk about why he’s running for governor in a moment when many people would run the other way. Rob is the only Democrat who can still win statewide in Iowa, and he’s trying to build a coalition...

In this episode, Hillari sits down with Lanae Erickson of Third Way to make sense of a political moment that feels chaotic, confusing, and—somehow—full of opportunity. Together, they unpack the blowout victories of moderates like Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill, the progressive shockwave in New York City, and the shutdown fight that left Democrats divided and frustrated. It’s a conversation...

California just passed Proposition 50 — handing lawmakers temporary control of redistricting and pulling the state that once defined fair map-making into the same partisan brawl it used to condemn. Across the country, states are quietly rewriting political boundaries mid-decade — not because populations changed, but because power did. Each redraw justifies the next, and the rulebook that was suppo...

Why does America — the birthplace of the internet — have some of the slowest, most expensive broadband in the developed world? Hillari Lombard sits down with Christopher Mitchell , Director of the Community Broadband Networks Initiative at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, to unpack the root causes behind our bad connections. From monopoly power and fake “fees” to the political roadblocks tha...

The federal government is closed for business — again. But this time, it isn’t about border walls or spending caps. It’s about health care. As the 2025 shutdown drags into its third week, Democrats are demanding an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies for 20-plus million Americans, while Republicans push a “clean” funding bill that leaves those benefits to expire. In the middle: a trillion d...

When conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated on a college campus in Utah, the nation erupted in shock, grief, and rage. For some, Kirk was a hero; for others, he was the worst of the worst. But behind the headlines, what does his death mean for free speech, political violence, and the health of our democracy? In this episode, Hillari Lombard reflects on the personal and political after...

How do we think about history? How do we tell the story of our country? In this episode, Hillari Lombard sits down with Lindsay Graham (no, not that one)—the voice behind American History Tellers , American Scandal , and more—to talk about the accidental path that led him to podcasting, the art of storytelling in history, and how the past helps us make sense of our fractured present. From dusty ar...

What’s happening in Los Angeles right now isn’t just about immigration—it’s about power. In this episode, Hillari Lombard unpacks how a series of ICE raids spiraled into mass protests, a violent crackdown, and the unprecedented deployment of the National Guard and U.S. Marines—over the objection of California’s governor. This isn’t a policy debate. It’s a stress test for our democracy. This episod...

In this episode, Hillari Lombard sits down with Adam Brandon of the Independent Center to explore how independent voters reshaped the 2024 election — and what it means for the future of American politics. They dive into why traditional party strategies are losing ground, how grassroots movements and digital media are fueling real change, and what a future beyond partisan gridlock could look like....

Donald Trump’s America First policy has reignited a debate that has shaped U.S. history for centuries: Should America lead on the world stage, or should it pull back and focus on problems at home? In this episode, Hillari Lombard sits down with Charles Kupchan—senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, professor at Georgetown, and author of Isolationism: A History of America’s Efforts to S...

In this episode of Moderate Party, host Hillari Lombard dives deep into the increasing power of the U.S. presidency and how it has changed over time. Triggered by the importance of President’s Day and growing concerns about executive power, Hillari takes listeners on a journey from the ineffective Articles of Confederation to the immense authority wielded by modern presidents. The episode critical...

Moderate Party returns after a hiatus and Hillari Lombard hits the mic to talk about where she's been and where we're going.

In this episode of Moderate Minis, Hillari Lombard explores Vice President Kamala Harris's sweeping economic policies aimed at tackling affordability and creating new opportunities. Harris targets the high cost of living and corporate greed with proposals to invest in small businesses, enforce price gouging laws, and expand tax credits. Her ambitious agenda includes raising the child tax credit, i...

On this episode of Moderate Party, Hillari Lombard tackles the major economic policies presented by former President Donald Trump, analyzing the impact of his tax cuts and tariffs. The discussion dives deep into the implications of Trump's America First agenda, focusing on corporate tax cuts, deregulation, and proposed tariffs, as well as their potential short-term benefits and long-term consequen...

In our annual 4th of July episode Hillari takes to the mic to work out why Independence Day feels different this year. She reflects on patriotism under strain, American exceptionalism, and the fundamental beliefs that form the American Identity. She comments on a recent controversial U.S. Supreme Court ruling granting former presidents immunity for certain official acts, the shifting balance of po...

In this bonus episode of Moderate Party, Hillari reacts to the recent debate between President Biden and former President Donald Trump. // Moderate Party returns from summer hiatus this July! Get caught up on episodes you may have missed before we return to your airwaves mid summer. If you haven't already purchased your ModPod Merch, head over to Moderatepartypodcast.com and check out the store wh...

Arizona has undeniably stepped into the national political spotlight in recent years, from contentious debates over abortion bans to its pivotal role in both the 2020 election and the upcoming 2024 battle. In today's episode, Hillari sits down with Representative Laura Terech to gain insight into the Arizona political landscape and delve into her remarkable journey from kindergarten teacher to inf...

Hillari talks with Debbie Cox Bultan, CEO of the NewDeal Leaders, about the current state of the democratic party heading into 2024. Check out Debbie's podcast

On this week's episode of Moderate Party, Hillari Lombard is joined by Heath Mayo, the innovative leader behind Principles First, a grassroots initiative reshaping the conservative landscape. In this thought-provoking discussion, Heath and Hillari delve into the complex terrain of conservatism, dissecting the role of principles in today's polarized political sphere. From navigating the legacy of D...

In this eye-opening episode, we tackle the deep-seated issues plaguing our food system, exposing the cracks in regulatory oversight and policy implementation. From the FDA's staggering incompetence and sluggish response times to the far-reaching consequences of poor food policies, we delve into the heart of the matter. Join us as we unpack the investigative reporting of Helena Bottemiller Evich, s...

Join host Hillari Lombard as we continue our exploration of the Israel-Palestine conflict on "Moderate Party." In our latest episode, we delve deep into the complexities of the peace process and the individuals that shaped it. This episode is not just an analysis of history but a reflection on the choices made by those in power and the far-reaching impacts on the region today. It's a long ride, so...

On this week's episode of the Moderate Party Podcast, we're taking a deep dive into the complexities of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Join us for a nuanced exploration of nationalism, the UN partition map, the Nakba, and the transformative War of 1967. Embark on a journey through the early 20th century, where the clash of identities and geopolitical forces laid the groundwork for the ongoing stru...

In today’s episode of Moderate Party, Hillari reflects on Hamas’s attack on Israel and the implications around the world. We’ll explore the nature of Hamas as an organization, the role of Iran, and what comes next. Full Show Notes and Links

How does the Party of Lincoln become the Party of Trump? In Part Two of our series examining the history of American Political Parties, Hillari takes a look at the Republican Party. Today's episode examines the height of Republican power, the era of the moderate Republicans, and the rise of American Conservatism within the party. This episode is an honest and fair look at the ideological origins o...

Drug shortages reached a five-year peak at the end of 2022, impacting almost 300 pharmaceutical products including basic treatments such as IV saline and antibiotics. That’s a 30% increase between 2021 and 2022. Hospitals are running out of the drugs necessary to do surgery, treat cancer, and stop blood hemorrhages. Things are getting worse. Drug […]