The Dan Parsons Show

Schuyler Windham, chair of the newly launched Nebraska Liberal Party, joins me to talk about the movement’s vision and why she believes Nebraska needs an alternative to the two-party system. From the roots of classical liberalism to today’s flashpoints—including immigration reform, self-defense rights, and Gov. Jim Pillen’s plan for a federal detention center in McCook—Schuyler explains how t...

Crystal Rhoades, longtime public servant and candidate for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, joins the show to talk about why this race could shape the balance of power in Washington. She shares her perspective on Nebraska’s new 'Cornhusker Clink,' weighs in on trade wars and their impact on Nebraska farmers, her opposition to the “Big Beautiful Bill,” why she believes Congress...

Former Nebraska State Treasurer and State Senator John Murante joins the show to reflect on his path from family business to public service, his role in stabilizing the state’s retirement system, and his move into the private sector. Dan and John dig into the politics of redistricting in Nebraska and across the country, the risks of mid-decade gerrymandering, and why bipartisanship and integr...

Lincoln dentist, entrepreneur, and author Dr. Addison Killeen joins the show to talk about his new book "The Shift: A Leadership Fable of the Transition from Overwhelm to Focus." Blending story and strategy, the book follows a young dentist on the brink of burnout who finds a better way through mentorship and systems thinking. Dr. Killeen shares how leaders in any field can move from distraction a...

Kishla Askins, Navy veteran and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs, joins the show as a candidate for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District. She reflects on her combat medical service, bipartisan work on military mental health legislation, and why she calls the “Big Beautiful Bill” a “big ugly bill.” Askins also shares her national security credentials, support for Ukraine, and...

Immigration attorney Allison Heimes returns to unpack the fallout from this summer’s ICE raid at Glenn Valley Foods in Omaha. She walks through the devastating impact on families, the failures of the E-Verify system, and why many detained immigrants face near-insurmountable legal barriers. Heimes also discusses the rollback of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands and react...

Rachel Barth, Director of Air Service Development at the Lincoln Airport, joins the show with breaking news: Breeze Airways is launching nonstop service from Lincoln to Orlando starting December 10. Barth unpacks why Breeze sees long-term potential in Lincoln, how the airport recovered from the Red Way fiasco, and what it takes to land a new airline in a competitive market. She also explains minim...

Josh Livingston, candidate for Nebraska’s Legislative District 8—representing the Dundee, Benson, and Keystone neighborhoods in Omaha—joins the show to discuss his campaign to succeed term-limited State Sen. Megan Hunt, one of the legislature’s most vocal progressive leaders. Livingston discusses his legal background and outlines his legislative priorities: expanding access to healthcare, protecti...

Bryan Slone, former president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, joins the show to discuss his next chapter in law and public policy—and why he’s not stepping away from the big issues facing Nebraska. He shares insights on immigration reform, trade policy, tax structure, and the future of higher education in the state. Slone also reflects on his career in business and politics, his...

GO FACT YOURSELF: Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, July 22, President Trump called the Jeffrey Epstein case a “hoax” and accuses Barack Obama of treason... On Wednesday, July 23, the Wall Street Journal reported the Justice Department informed Trump in May that his name is among MANY within the Epstein Files. (Yeesh) 'GO FACT YOURSELF' T-Shirt's are produced by RAYGUN. A portion of all sales fr...

ELECTION 2026: In this episode we welcome Denise Powell, a communications strategist and founder of Women Who Run Nebraska, now running for Congress in Nebraska’s 2nd District. Powell discusses her journey from public school advocacy to political leadership, her response to Medicaid cuts and healthcare access, and her call for transparency in the wake of the Epstein files controversy. Powell also...

Dan hosts a conversation with leaders from Braver Angels, a national movement working to depolarize politics by bringing conservatives, liberals, and independents together in civil dialogue. Guests include Charlyne Berens, UNL professor emeritus and author on Nebraska’s nonpartisan legislature; Allen Chlopek, Rural Health Programs Manager for Civic Nebraska; and Ron McFarland, Braver Angels’ Upper...

Fan favorite Crista Eggers, Executive Director of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, returns to discuss the legal and regulatory hurdles facing Nebraska’s new medical cannabis program following last year’s voter-approved initiatives. She provides updates on ongoing litigation, concerns with emergency regulations, and efforts to ensure access aligns with the law. In this episode, we also honor the l...

Becky Gould, Executive Director of Nebraska Appleseed, joins the show to break down recent changes to federal programs like SNAP and Medicaid, the impact of immigration enforcement in Nebraska, and how state-level policy is shaping access to healthcare, food, and housing. She also shares Appleseed’s work in the legislature, including wins on benefit access and youth protections, and reflects on wh...

Psychologist Dr. Trey Thompson returns to The Dan Parsons Show to discuss the emotional toll of the recent devastating floods in Central Texas and how grief can quietly affect us all. He shares advice for recognizing stress, coping with collective trauma, and supporting mental health during crises. The conversation also explores the intersection of mental health and incarceration, and how recent p...

Jayden Speed, candidate for Nebraska Legislature District 2, joins the show to discuss his campaign, political upbringing, and views on key issues like property taxes, school funding, and supporting working families. Speed also reflects on his early activism, including organizing a successful school board recall, and shares his vision for a more civil, solutions-focused Unicameral. For more inform...

Dr. Dele Davies, Interim Chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), joins the show to discuss the impact of proposed NIH funding cuts, vaccine hesitancy amid rising measles cases, and the future of healthcare workforce development in Nebraska. He also shares updates on major UNMC initiatives, including Project Health, rural medical training expansions, and Omaha’s new innovati...

Immigration attorney Allison Heimes of Lincoln joins The Dan Parsons Show to discuss the recent ICE raid in Omaha, how enforcement actions affect families and communities, and the broader challenges of U.S. immigration policy. She explains how systems like E-Verify work, why employer accountability is complicated, and what role Congress should play in real reform. Support the show by becoming a ‘F...

In this episode, we speak with Bob Krist—a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, former Nebraska State Senator for Legislative District 10, and past Democratic Gubernatorial candidate. Krist shares his military background, his experiences in the Air Force, and his views on the current political climate involving the U.S. and Iran. Support the show by becoming a ‘Friend of Dan’ on Patreon - (https:...

In this episode, we welcome back Laura Ebke — former Nebraska State Senator and current Senior Fellow at the think-tank, The Platte Institute. Ebke shares her take on the week’s headlines and the 2025 legislative session, including the nationwide “NO KINGS” protests, the tragic attack in Minnesota that left one lawmaker dead and another hospitalized, the recent ICE raid that struck South Omaha, an...

ELECTION COVERAGE 2026: In this episode, Former Nebraska State Senator Patty Pansing Brooks joins to discuss her recently announced campaign to return to the state legislature representing District 28. She gives her insights into the recent 'NO KINGS' protests which swept the nation last weekend, touches on the rise of political violence in regards to the June 15th assassination of a Minnesota sta...

GO FACT YOURSELF: On Thursday, June 12, 2025, Democratic U.S. Senator Alex Padilla was forcefully removed and handcuffed by officers during a news conference with Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem. Funny—this reminds Dan of a past incident in Nebraska involving then Gov. Ben Nelson and Attorney General Don Stenberg... but it didn't quite go down like this.  'GO FACT YOURSELF' t-shirt's are produ...

ELECTION COVERAGE 2026: In this episode, BCom founder Brent Comstock returns to the show to discuss his newly announced bid for the University of Nebraska Board of Regents in 2026. Comstock takes on the most pressing issues facing NU, including affordability, revenue generation, the balance between athletics and academics, the need to retain young talent in Nebraska, and more. For more information...

In this episode, Nebraska Farmers Union President John Hansen returns with an update on the Trump administration’s ongoing tariff turmoil. Hansen criticizes the lack of transparency and strategy behind current trade policies and breaks down the challenges farmers face amid the trade war — from market uncertainty to the looming need for another bailout. He also outlines why a strong, comprehensive...

ELECTION COVERAGE 2026: In this episode, we speak with John Cavanaugh — a sitting Nebraska State Senator now running for U.S. Congress in the state’s 2nd District, which covers the heart of the Omaha metro. Cavanaugh shares his background, why he believes he can unseat incumbent Republican Don Bacon, how he views the current national political moment, what sets him apart from his primary challenge...