The Recovered Republican Podcast

In this episode of The Recovered Republican , we’re heading to the local level — where budgets are built, services are shaped, and the everyday decisions that impact Hoosier families actually happen. I’m joined by Amber Lemmon, a candidate for Harrison County Council in District 1, who’s stepping forward at a moment when communities across Indiana are asking for transparency, accountability, and l...

Indiana is rolling out a wave of new laws on July 1 — and some of them will reshape daily life for students, families, and communities across the state. In this quick-hit episode, Brianna breaks down the good (driver’s licenses at 16, protections for rescuing dogs), the bad (full-day school cellphone ban, cuts to “low-earning” degrees), and the ugly (criminalizing homelessness, expanded SNAP restr...

This week on The Recovered Republican , I’m joined by licensed therapists Lauren and Ashley Groshek for a grounded, human conversation about trauma — what it is, how it shows up in our bodies, and why so many people are struggling in silence. We talk about PTSD and complex PTSD , the difference between surviving and healing, the rise of the loneliness epidemic , and how our digital world shapes co...

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. A discharge petition is one of the only ways House members can force a vote when leadership refuses to act. Now, it’s being used to push student loan legislation onto the floor. This episode breaks down how the petition works, why it’s so rare, and what it means for millions of...

In this episode, Brianna sits down with her friend Patrick for a conversation that moves from the raw edges of early widowhood to the bright, glitter‑covered stage of burlesque. It’s honest, funny, tender, and full of the kind of truth you only get from someone who has rebuilt a life twice. Patrick opens the episode by sharing how he and Brianna first met through the Hot Young Widows Club — now Cl...

Recorded 4/25/2026. In this episode of The Recovered Republican , Brianna sits down with David J. Ziemba — an organizer, legal expert, and longtime force within the Indiana Democratic Party. Together, they dig into Ziemba’s background and the wide‑ranging experience that’s made him a go‑to multitool for campaigns, candidates, and community coalitions across the state. The conversation breaks down...

In this episode of The Recovered Republican , Brianna sits down with Jordan J. Herrera , a Democrat running for Congress in Missouri’s 4th Congressional District . MO‑04 is a district shaped by rural communities, military families, agricultural labor, and years of political neglect — and Jordan is stepping forward with a message centered on service, accountability, and actually showing up for the...

In this episode of The Recovered Republican , Brianna sits down with Gabrianna Gratzol , a Democrat running for Indiana Senate District 11. Together, they dig into the issues Hoosiers are talking about every day — and the ones they should be. From school vouchers and data centers to taxes, infrastructure, accountability, and government spending, this conversation breaks down how policy decisions s...

In this episode, Brianna sits down with Nick Marshall , a Democrat running for Indiana Senate District 45 , whose life story is as powerful as his policy vision. Growing up in the foster care system, Nick learned early what instability feels like—and what it means to fight for a future no one hands to you. His journey from surviving childhood adversity to stepping up as a candidate is a testament...

Meet Devon Wellington, a democrat running in Indiana’s House district 29: Noblesville and some of Fishers. Hear from Devon about healthcare, the energy crisis, housing crisis, and more. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Recovered Republican, Brianna sits down with Kirsten Root, a Democratic candidate running for Indiana State Senate in District 21. Root, a social worker and La Porte native now living in Sheridan, has built her campaign around a clear guiding belief: Hoosier families deserve systems that support stability — not ones that make life harder. Their conversation moves through the...

In this episode, Brianna talks with Destiny Wells — attorney, veteran, and longtime public servant — about her campaign for Congress. Destiny breaks down why she’s running, what’s at stake for Indiana, and how her experience shapes the issues she wants to tackle in Washington. It’s a clear, grounded conversation about leadership, accountability, and the future she believes Hoosiers deserve. This S...

Meet Nate Stout, a democrat running out of Indiana House district 38. This district includes Tipton, Russiaville, Flora Delphi, and parts of Battle Ground. He is fighting for a better future for Hoosiers. Hear his idea for a better Indiana this week on The Recovered Republican This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber....

Hear form Sarah Shydale, a democrat running for Indiana House District 97. This district includes the majority of downtown Indianapolis, Garfield Park, West Indianapolis. To hear her other interviews from this event, check out PIN’s HoosLeft and Hold’em Accountable. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full ac...

Hear from Carl Stutsman, an Indiana Democrat running for Indiana House District 48. This district includes Elkhart and Bristol. To hear the other interviews Carl did that day, checkout PIN’s HoosLeft and Hold’em Accountable. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therec...

Hear from Lilliana Young, a democrat running in Indiana House District 61. This district encompasses Bloomington. To hear her other interview from our event, check out PIN: HoosLeft and Hold’em Accountable on Substack. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

Hear from Ashley, a democrat running for Indiana House 16. This district includes: Monticello, Brookston, Rensselaer, North Judson, and Winamac. To hear his other interviews check out PIN: HoosLeft and Hold’em Accountable on Substack. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Recovered Republican...

Hear from Micheal Potter, a democrat in Indiana running for House District 47. This district includes: Bargersville, Franklin, Marion, Trafalgar, Mt Pleasant, Fountaintown, Fairland, and Edinburgh. To hear his other interviews from the event, check out PIN: HoosLeft and Hold’em Accountable on Substack. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a...

Hear from Tabitha, a democrat running in Indiana’s 8th district. This includes: Cliton, Terre Haute, Brazil, all the way down the west side of Indiana to Evansville. To hear all her interviews from the event check out PIN: HoosLeft & Hold’em Accountable on substack. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full ac...

Hear from Austing Meives, a democrat running for Indiana State House 23 (Puru, Logansport, Miami County). This interview comes from our event Portraits and Perspectives. To hear the rest of Austin’s Interviews check out PIN: HoosLeft and Hold’em Accountable on substack. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get ful...

Hear from Jackson Franklin, a democrat running in Indiana’s 5th congressional district. This interview is from our event Portraits and Perspectives. To hear the other 2 interview Jackson completed that day, check out the PIN Network: Hoosleft and Holdem Accountable. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full ac...

This episode features a direct, human conversation with Thomas D. Hall Jr. , whose work in Indiana communities gives him a clear view of what families are facing and what real leadership requires. We talk about economic pressure, neighborhood safety, and rebuilding trust in systems that have failed too many people for too long. It’s an honest look at what it means to lead with empathy—and why Indi...

In this episode, I sit down with Cinde Wirth for a thoughtful, candid conversation about what it means to lead with integrity in a state that desperately needs it. Cindi brings a clear, grounded perspective shaped by years of community involvement, public service, and a deep understanding of what Hoosier families are actually facing. We talk about the issues that don’t always make headlines but sh...

In this episode, I sit down with Cindi Clayton for a candid, generous, and deeply grounded conversation about what it means to show up for your community — not in theory, but in the day‑to‑day realities of work, family, advocacy, and the systems we’re all trying to navigate. Cindi brings a perspective shaped by lived experience, local engagement, and a clear-eyed understanding of what Hoosiers are...

In this bonus episode of The Recovered Republican, we’re digging into a story that should have everyone’s attention — no matter your politics. Six Democratic lawmakers were recently spared by a grand jury after facing an attempted prosecution tied to statements they made about military conduct. What happened, why it happened, and what it means for free speech and democratic norms is far bigger tha...