The Hot Dish

Screw worms nearly disappeared from American ranches sixty years ago. Dr. Eric Deeble, executive director of Americans for the Common Good and former Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs at USDA under the Biden Administration, has watched them find their way back, and he joins Heidi and Joel to explain what this parasitic fly means for livestock, trade, and the food supply....

For America's 250th birthday, Heidi and Joel skip the fireworks and head for the ballpark, and they bring their guest, Bob Kendrick, along. He is the President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri. The museum is just a few blocks away from where the team owners established a league of their own in 1920. Bob has spent three decades making sure that the players and the stori...

For Heidi, the reflecting pool on the National Mall in D.C. is more than a tourist attraction; it's a metaphor for how Washington handles problems. Years of algae, cloudy water, and expensive repairs reflect a familiar pattern: ignore an issue until it becomes a crisis, then spend money on a temporary fix rather than addressing the underlying cause. She believes rural America has been treated the...

Nick Levendofsky has spent years watching Washington write farm bills that land badly in the field. As director of the Kansas Farmers Union, he's tracked input costs climbing, cattle herds shrinking, and processing power concentrating into fewer hands, and he's done sugarcoating what that means. While Heidi is out this week, Joel sits down with Nick to work through where the farm bill actually sta...

Buckle up, history buffs and democracy defenders. We're sitting down with Ruth Ben-Ghiat, professor of history and Italian studies at New York University, author of Strongman , and one of the leading experts on authoritarianism, to connect the dots between today's political chaos and the playbooks of history's most dangerous leaders. The parallels are less "ancient history" and more "this week's h...

This episode pulls back the curtain on the AI gold rush, the data centers, the water bills, the NDAs, and what it all means for rural communities that rarely have a seat at the table. AI sounds like the future, but the costs are landing unevenly, especially outside major cities. Heidi and Joel join Dr. Emily Bender and Dr. Alex Hanna to dig into the real, and rarely discussed, toll of our digital...

Today’s episode is a heartfelt dive into the wild, wonderful world of rural health care, featuring the utterly inspiring Tami DeCoteau. We explore everything from Native American trauma to the magic of telemedicine and, of course, the political circus affecting mental health funding.  Why does Tami love her rural practice? How do social media and AI impact our minds? And what’s the deal with farme...

Grab your coffee and get ready to talk dirt! Heidi and Joel check in on the state of the family farm, taking stock of what's actually happening in farm country right now. From a farm bill that leaves small farmers behind to a family sweet corn operation cutting its crop in half, this episode gets honest about the headwinds facing farm country. In this episode: Why the new farm bill won't do much f...

Grab your sweet tea and pull up a chair! Heidi and Joel sit down with Scott Colom, candidate for U.S. Senate from Mississippi, to talk about what it actually takes to turn one of the reddest states in the nation. If you care about expanding the map, building real coalitions, and what Democrats can win when they show up, this episode's for you. In this episode: How engaging directly with voters inc...

Hold onto your farm hats and Capitol coffee mugs! Heidi, Joel, and the legendary Scott MacFarlane spill the tea on courts, campaigns, and deer sausage. If you’re into political intrigue, judicial juiciness, and rural rallying cries, this episode's your new best friend. In this episode: Scott McFarlane explains how Trump’s judicial nominees won’t admit the obvious: Biden won the 2020 election The G...

Buckle in, folks, because Suzanne Mettler brings deep insights on the rural-urban political divide — and it’s more about history, economics, and institutions than you might think. If you’ve ever wondered why rural voters often vote Republican, despite Democratic policies benefiting them, or how to start healing this fractured relationship, this episode is for you.  In this episode: Suzanne explain...

Hold onto your hats, folks! Today's episode features political heavyweight Andrew Egger, joining the Heitkamps from The Bulwark , breaking down the current state of Donald Trump’s influence, the midterms’ future, and the perils lurking behind all that grievance for Heidi and Joel. If you thought Trump was invincible, think again. Andrew’s got the scoop that might just make you question everything....

Buckle up, folks! Today’s episode is a wild ride through the messiest, juiciest conversations about church, politics, and global trade, served with a side of satire and a sprinkle of smirk. Former U.S. Senator and Ambassador to the Vatican Joe Donnelly dropping truth bombs about the Catholic Church’s dance with politics. But there’s more! Washington Post financial journalist David J. Lynch hoins H...

The Madness of Power and Prophecy: A Chat with Denver Riggleman Buckle up, folks! Today’s episode is a wild ride through the chaos that’s unraveling in U.S. politics and global diplomacy, with the ever-brave Denver Riggleman—former Congressman, Air Force vet, NSA contractor, and fearless truth-teller. Prepare for some truth bombs about the insanity, the threats, and the grift that’s turning this c...

Justin Wolfers returns to the Hot Dish to unpack the economic and political impacts of the Iran war with Heidi and Joel. This episode offers a clear-eyed view of how markets, government decisions, and public sentiment intertwine during times of crisis. Justin explains the historic lows in consumer sentiment and approval ratings for political leaders, and addresses the real economic costs of the wa...

In this episode, Heidi and Joel delve into the pivotal roles religion and community resilience play in rural America, featuring insightful conversations with Reverend Jane Field of Maine and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture hopeful, Chris Jones. Both guests emphasize the importance of faith-based activism, ecological sustainability, and the urgent need for structural reform in rural systems. Insights...

In this episode of The Hot Dish, Heidi and Joel talk to Tom Nichols, staff writer at The Atlantic and professor emeritus of national-security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College, about the complexities of the U.S. military actions in Iran, the geopolitical fallout, and the state of American politics amid ongoing conflicts.  Nichols brings a sharp, clear-eyed perspective on military strategy, for...

In this episode, Beth Macy joins Heidi and Joel to discuss her compelling journey from journalist to political candidate. She explores how her books illuminate the struggles of rural communities facing economic and social upheaval, and how storytelling can serve as a catalyst for political change. Beth shares her insights on reconnecting with voters across political divides, the importance of loca...

This episode dives into the power of storytelling, community engagement, and strategic outreach across rural and Latino communities. Joel discusses the One Country Project Book Club with Megan DesCamps before diving into the evolving political landscape affecting Latino voters with Rafael Collazo. Megan introduces the One Country Project's Blue Plate Special Book Club, a new platform that fosters...

In this episode, Heidi Heitkamp hosts a lively discussion with Rachel Prevost, Executive Director of the Montana Farmers Union, and Matt Perdue, President of the North Dakota Farmers Union. They explore critical topics impacting American agriculture today, including trade policies, farm bill dynamics, land consolidation, and the resilience of rural communities. Their insights highlight both challe...

Hold onto your hats — this episode is a wake-up call, a rallying cry for the soul of rural America. Senator Peter Welch of Vermont spills the truth bombs on agriculture, healthcare, trade, and the values that bind us all — forces that are threatened but must be fought for with passion, integrity, and boldness. If you're tired of the noise, ready for real solutions, and crave authentic voices, this...

This episode is a rallying cry for anyone who’s ever felt the call to make a real difference. Whether you’re new to politics or part of the old guard, Amanda Litman’s story and insights will inspire you to step up, speak out, and run — for your community, your future, your life! In this episode: Amanda Litman breaks down how "Run for Something" energizes diverse, non-traditional leaders to run for...

In this jam-packed episode, Heidi and Joel speak with Nathan Gonzales, editor of Inside Elections, about Democrats' prospects in the Midterm Elections and the collapse of the Trump Coalition. Then, Iowa State Rep. Adam Zabner gives a quick update on turnout for the state's precinct caucuses and the frustration with the Trump Administration among the state's Independent and centrist Republican vote...

In this episode of The Hot Dish, Joel Heitkamp speaks with Jamie Ager, a congressional candidate from North Carolina, about pressing issues facing rural America.  The conversation covers the tragic story of Alex Pretti, the impact of Hurricane Helene on local communities, frustrations with government response, healthcare challenges, housing affordability, and the importance of curiosity in leaders...

Joel's flying solo in this episode. He speaks with Paul Sullivan of the ACLU of Minnesota about the current climate in Minneapolis and St. Paul amid rising tensions and a federal law enforcement presence.  Sullivan describes a significant increase in federal agents since late 2020, leading to numerous violations of constitutional rights, including the use of excessive force against peaceful protes...