The Recovered Republican Podcast

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...

Tracie pulls back the curtain on what it was like to live through the COVID‑19 crisis while working for one of the largest obituary companies in the country. Her perspective is raw, grounded, and unlike anything you’ll hear in the usual pandemic discourse. Along the way, we talk about what pushed her to step into Indiana’s COVID‑19 advocacy battles — the moments that lit the fire, the systems that...

On this episode, we dive into three very different stories from the COVID‑19 pandemic — stories of loss, disruption, resilience, and the strange twists life took when the world shut down. You’ll hear from: Brianna — widowed at 31 when her 37‑year‑old husband lost his battle with COVID‑19, and how that loss reshaped everything she thought she knew about her life, her politics, and her future. Tabit...

Brianna sits down with Ryan Price , Democratic candidate for Indiana House District 66, for a candid conversation about community priorities, statehouse realities, and what motivates him to run. They cover housing, education, local leadership, and the challenges of moving policy in Indiana. A clear, grounded look at a candidate focused on practical change. Get full access to The Recovered Republic...

In this episode of The Recovered Republican , Brianna sits down with Natasha Baker , a Family & Consumer Sciences teacher, proud Hoosier mom, and candidate for Indiana State Senate District 22. Natasha brings a grounded, community-centered perspective shaped by her life in Tippecanoe County, her years in the classroom, and her commitment to building a state that actually works for families. Togeth...

Today’s post features my conversation with Ethan Sweetland‑May, a Democratic candidate stepping into the race for Indiana’s State Senate in District 47. Ethan is part of a new wave of Hoosiers who aren’t waiting for permission to demand better — they’re stepping up, organizing locally, and insisting that Indiana deserves a future built on dignity, access, and common sense. In our conversation, we...

On this episode of The Recovered Republican , I sit down with Hunter Collins, a candidate running in Indiana, for a conversation that cuts past the talking points and gets into the real story behind the campaign. If you’re tired of political interviews that feel like they were run through a PR filter, this one’s for you. We dig into: * What pushed him to step into the race * How his lived experien...

Brianna is joined by Tabatha Zeigler , host of Starting Down the Storm: Autism Advocacy in America , for a sharp, accessible conversation about Autism Spectrum Disorder—what it is, what it isn’t, and why misinformation still spreads. They dig into support‑need levels, vaccine myths, and programs like Indianapolis’ Blue Envelope initiative. A clear, grounded breakdown for listeners who want to advo...

In this episode, we sit down with Drew Cox, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Indiana’s 4th District. Born and raised in Indiana, Cox is the son of a dedicated elementary school teacher and a fourth-generation farmer. After serving honorably in the United States Marine Corps, he pursued higher education through the GI Bill, earning a doctorate in music from the Universi...

In this episode of The Recovered Republican, we break down the recent defeat of Indiana’s redistricting efforts and what it means for representation and democracy in the state. I share my own journey from right to left—how lived experience, the COVID-19 pandemic, and personal loss reshaped my political perspective—and why that transformation matters in today’s climate. We’ll also talk strategy: pr...

We do exist!! Our votes do matter! Join us as we explore the vision of Kory Amyx for Indiana and his commitment to leadership shaped by the voices of the people. In this episode, we dive into his goals, priorities, and the ways he plans to ensure that community input guides decision-making. Discover how his approach emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and a future built on listening to those h...