Heidi and Joel share laughs about Thanksgivings past, and offer some pro tips on hosting family during the holiday season (leave politics off the table, and just let Grandma cheat at cards). Heidi then talks to Eddie Oliver, executive director of the Federation of the Virginia Food Banks, about spiking demand for food across the state and how listeners can support their local food bank. Next, we go from food on the shelf to the farm itself, as Joel talks to Robbie Kluver, a third-generation farmer in Northfield, MN, about hosting President Biden on his family farm. Finally, the One Country Project Board members share their favorite Thanksgiving memories and what they’re grateful for this season. To find out more about the One Country Project, visit our website. We want to hear what you think of The Hot Dish. Share your thoughts at https://onecountryproject.com/feedback!

Heidi and Joel analyze key election results and discuss how abortion politics led to Democratic victories across VA, KY, and OH. From a major ballot measure passing that will enshrine abortion rights into the Ohio state constitution, to a rebuke of VA Governor Youngkin’s attempt to ‘to thread the needle on abortion,’ voters turned out at unexpected levels to protect women’s rights. Then Heidi and Joel discuss why Democrats aren’t polling better with rural Americans (hint: it’s interest rates), and how to widen the winning margins for Democrats in key districts. To find out more about the One Country Project, visit our website. We want to hear what you think of The Hot Dish. Share your thoughts at https://onecountryproject.com/feedback!

Rural farmers are facing a slew of challenges. Ongoing interest rate hikes are placing further financial pressure on farmers as the cost of lending increases. And prices aren’t the only thing rising in rural America. In the coming decades, global warming will force farmers to find new ways to adapt to increasing heat. On this episode of The Hot Dish, we look at these two forces and what this means for people in rural America. Joel and Heidi first speak with Brad Nordholm, the President and CEO of Farmer Mac. Farmer Mac is a financial services company servicing rural communities across the United States. Later, Joel and Heidi are joined by climate scientist Dr. Mason Fried to talk about his new report on what rising temperatures will mean for rural America. To find out more about the One Country Project, visit our website. We want to hear what you think of The Hot Dish. Share your thoughts at https://onecountryproject.com/feedback!

Content warning: this episode includes frank discussions about mental health and suicide. If you or someone you know is undergoing a suicidal, mental health and/or substance use crisis, please call 988. Counselors at the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline are available to help. Suicide is a public health crisis in the United States, with nearly 50,000 Americans dying by suicide last year, a 2.5% annual increase, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.. To raise awareness about the need for more mental health resources across the USA and especially in rural America, Joel and Heidi share a very personal story. Their niece Bobbi Prochnow discusses her son Brady’s suicide attempt in March, and his recovery journey. Visit this link to learn more about Brady’s recovery. To find out more about the One Country Project, visit our website. We want to hear what you think of The Hot Dish. Share your thoughts at https://onecountryproject.com/feedback!

The United States is one of only a few nations in the world that doesn't have guaranteed paid family leave. But recent polling shows growing support for federal legislation. Heidi and Joel speak with guests to learn more about the support for paid family leave, as well as the effect it can have on a family. Doug Usher is a partner with Forbes Tate Partners, a bipartisan government and public affairs. Doug breaks down a survey from the One Country Project showing large support for paid family leave among both Republicans and Democrats in the battleground state of Wisconsin. Adrienne Schweer is a fellow with the Bipartisan Policy Center and leads the organization's Paid Family Leave Task Force. Adrienne explains why paid family leave is good for business and how it would affect people in rural America. Christine Levi is a mother of two who recounts her experience having to return to work immediately after giving birth because her employer did not offer paid leave. To find out more about the One Country Project, visit our website. Please support the important work we're doing to elevate the needs of rural America in Washington! We want to hear what you think of The Hot Dish. Share your thoughts at https://onecountryproject.com/feedback!

In this episode of The Hot Dish, we hear two very different stories about the significance of community and understanding those around us. First, Rep. Anthony Daniels joins to talk with Heidi about the importance of redrawing district lines in Alabama to ensure African American voters are represented equitably. Rep. Daniels stresses the importance of addressing the ways in which political and economic developments are intertwined in Alabama, and what measures are being taken to improve the lives of Rural Alabamians. Then, we hear from Angela Kennecke about the realities of the opioid epidemic in Rural America. Angela discusses the various facets of addiction and some of the ways in which it can start. She speaks about the lack of resources available in rural communities, and why early education about addiction is paramount. Rep. Anthony Daniels is the house minority leader in the Alabama House of Representatives. He is a board member of the One Country Project and former elementary school teacher. His legislation is focused on economic development for his constituents. Angela Kennecke is a journalist, host of the podcast Grieving Out Loud, and founder of Emily’s Hope. Her own family’s journey with addiction and loss has inspired her to turn heartbreak into action in her quest to ensure no other families endure the same experience. To find out more about the One Country Project, visit our website. We want to hear what you think of The Hot Dish. Share your thoughts at https://onecountryproject.com/feedback!

Raising children is more than just a family matter. Especially in rural America, the resources parents and children have or lack access to play a significant part in setting children up for future success. Heidi and Joel hear from North Carolina Representative Ashton Clemmons about the economic and social strain on American families searching for affordable childcare. Karen Ehrens joins later to speak about the important role a healthy diet plays in childhood development and education. Plus, don’t tell Karen, but Heidi does love a good cheeseburger! Our final segment takes you to a small town in rural Michigan, where the annual Cheeseburger in Caseville festival lures tens of thousands of hungry, Jimmy Buffett-loving, tourists every August. The episode is dedicated to Jimmy Buffett and all Parrot Heads. Rep. Clemmons is an educator and advocate for improvement in the education system. Her background in teaching and experience as a parent bring insights into the economic impacts of the childcare crisis on the families it directly affects as well as on the national economy, and why investment in early childhood education is critical. Karen Ehrens is the Director of Legislative and Government Affairs at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. As a registered dietitian, she offers a vital perspective on the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, and why childhood nutrition impacts us all. Steve Louwers is the President of the Caseville, Michigan Chamber of Commerce. Under his leadership, the Cheeseburger in Caseville Festival has become one of the country’s largest Tropical Rock gatherings. To find out more about the One Country Project, visit our website. We want to hear what you think of The Hot Dish. Share your thoughts at https://onecountryproject.com/feedback!

The question of green energy has been circulating more and more in recent years. Often favored as a way to combat climate change, the transition to green energy is complicated. Heidi and Joel speak to industry experts Wade Boeshans and Ernest Scheyder to explore the complexities of this transition and its impact on rural communities. Wade Boeshan and Ernest Scheyder’s combined expertise brings intriguing insights into the green energy transition, discussing electronic vehicles, carbon capture and storage processes, and critical minerals. Wade Boeshan is the Executive Vice President of Summit Carbon Solutions. Ernest Scheyder is a Senior Correspondent at Reuters, covering the green energy transition and critical minerals. To find out more about the One Country Project, visit our website. We want to hear what you think of The Hot Dish. Share your thoughts at https://onecountryproject.com/feedback!

From baseball to Iowa politics and the fight for democracy in rural America, Heidi and Joel get the hot dish on the issues at the forefront of rural Americans' minds. David Pepper highlights the power of state and local governments in shaping democracy and discusses nonpartisan outreach efforts to counter attacks on democracy. J.D. Scholten shares the changes he has witnessed in the Iowa legislature and emphasizes the need for grassroots engagement. Sister Simone shares her experiences engaging with rural communities and the importance of understanding and empathy. David Pepper is the author of a new book called Saving Democracy. J.D. Scholten is a rising star in Iowa politics and baseball. Sister Simone is an American Roman Catholic Religious Sister on a road trip across the South to hear what's on the mind of Southern rural Americans. To find out more about the One Country Project, visit our website. We want to hear what you think of The Hot Dish. Share your thoughts at https://onecountryproject.com/feedback!

If there's one thing rural America is an expert in, it's agriculture. In this episode, Heidi and Joel dive into a compelling conversation about equity, inclusion, and diversification in the agriculture industry with Dr. Tammy Gray-Steele, Mike Espy, and Tanya Spandhla. Together, they shed light on the challenges faced by minority farmers and discuss the essential role of food assistance programs in combating food insecurity in rural America. Dr. Tammy Gray-Steele shares her journey as a fourth-generation farmer and why she founded the National Women in Agriculture Association to support minority women farmers. Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy discusses the risks facing the SNAP program, a vital food assistance program in rural America, and debunks misconceptions about supporting low-income individuals and families. Then, we hear from Tanya Spandhla, who shares about growing crops from Africa in Maryland and the progress of equity in how loans are disbursed to farmers of color. To find out more about the One Country Project, visit our website. We want to hear what you think of The Hot Dish. Share your thoughts at https://onecountryproject.com/feedback!

We're celebrating the heartbeat of rural America this July 4th, from the veterans who fought for our democracy to the small business owners revitalizing small-town America. Heidi and Joel speak with Jane Matejcek, a nurse at the VA hospital and president of Honor Flights North Dakota. Jane tells us about these flights' incredible impact on veterans' lives and the heartwarming homecoming ceremonies. Then, Joel interviews a Korean War veteran during his Honor Flight visit to DC. Last, we hear from Brian Noyes, owner of Red Truck Bakery, about how California roots and southern cooking lessons combined to create a bakery revitalizing a small town in Virginia.  To find out more about the One Country Project, visit our website. We want to hear what you think of The Hot Dish. Share your thoughts at https://onecountryproject.com/feedback!

It’s been one year since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision. So, what have women in rural America been experiencing since? Joel and Heidi dive into the aftermath of the Dobbs decision and the stark reality of women's health care and abortion service accessibility – or lack thereof – with Cecile Richards and Dr. Sarah Traxler. Cecile Richards shares the stories of women forced to travel long distances from small, rural towns in search of affordable OBGYN healthcare and the increasing reluctance of OBGYNs to practice in certain rural states. Dr. Sarah Traxler talks about how the Dobbs decision drastically inhibited her ability to provide abortion care in certain states and how this impacts the future of students going into OBGYN specialties. Cecile Richards is an activist and former president of Planned Parenthood. Dr. Sarah Traxler is the Chief Medical Officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States. To find out more about the One Country Project, visit our website. We want to hear what you think of The Hot Dish. Share your thoughts at https://onecountryproject.com/feedback!

Heidi and Joel get the hot dish from Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez about her journey from owning an auto repair shop to representing Southwest Washington in Congress. As a fifth-generation Washingtonian and small business owner, Congresswoman Perez knew first-hand the realities and concerns of workers in rural America when she decided to run for office. Given just a 2% chance of victory against her opponent, the Congresswoman beat the odds and earned the nickname, Mrs. 2%. In this episode, she discusses the unique perspective she brings to D.C. as a 34 year old representative, her commitment to Right to Repair, and what is ahead for the Farm Bill, including rising costs of living and preserving the integrity of the American food industry. To find out more about the One Country Project, visit our website. We want to hear what you think of The Hot Dish. Share your thoughts at https://onecountryproject.com/feedback!

In rural America, farmers face unique stressors that can exacerbate mental health concerns, such as fluctuating commodity prices and climate-related issues. In this episode, Heidi and Joel explore solutions for rural America's mental health crisis with Alexa McKinley and Tara Haskins to discover how we can address mental health and decrease rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide amongst farmers. Alexa McKinley and Tara Haskins discuss their experiences working with farmers and addressing these mental health concerns, emphasizing how financial incentives and pipeline programs can address the stigma around treatment and improve mental health in rural America. Alexa McKinley is the Regulatory Affairs Manager at the National Rural Health Association. Tara Haskins currently serves as the Director of the Total Farm Health Initiative at AgriSafe. To find out more about the One Country Project, visit our website. We want to hear what you think of The Hot Dish. Share your thoughts at https://onecountryproject.com/feedback!

This past month, the country watched as the most expensive state judicial race in history took place in Wisconsin, with Democrat Janet Protasiewicz securing the seat and flipping the Wisconsin State Supreme Court to a 4-3 majority. Heidi and Joel talk with Sarah Godlewski, Wisconsin’s Secretary of State, about what this victory means for women's rights in rural America and Republican attempts to suppress the youth vote. Then, we hear Yoshi Gaitan’s story, Student Body President at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and one of the organizers on the ground who played a pivotal role in getting students to the polls. We find out what helped drive record-breaking voter turnout in Wisconsin, how a growing youth vote impacted the election, and what we can learn about rural voters for future elections in America. To find out more about the One Country Project, visit our website. We want to hear what you think of The Hot Dish. Share your thoughts at https://onecountryproject.com/feedback!

The Farm Bill is a tough one to pass. Can the House Committee on Agriculture pass the bill, much less get it past the committee? To discuss this and other prevalent issues in rural America, Former Congressman Collin Peterson joins host and former Senator Heidi Heitkamp and new co-host Joel Heitkamp. Former Congressman Peterson served as Chair of the House Agriculture Committee, is a legend in rural advocacy, and has a deep understanding of the Farm Bill. Together, they discuss the challenges in passing the Farm Bill, crop insurance problems, the new farm economy, and increasing land ownership problems, and close out with this question: what will rural America look like in 20 years without any policy changes? To find out more about the One Country Project, visit our website. We want to hear what you think of The Hot Dish. Share your thoughts at https://onecountryproject.com/feedback!

In a post-midterm review, Doug Usher, an insights partner at Forbes Tate Partners, and Jessica Piper, the 2022 Democratic nominee for Missouri HD1, join OCP founder and former Senator Heidi Heitkamp in a discussion about rural voter turnout in the midterms, how Democrats must continue to connect with rural communities, and what a Democratic grassroots operation looked like from the ground. We want to hear what you think of The Hot Dish. Share your thoughts at https://onecountryproject.com/feedback!

Celinda Lake, one of the Democratic Party’s leading political strategists, joins One Country founder Heidi Heitkamp in a discussion of the momentous primary election in Kansas, the future of state elections in a post-Roe country, and a deep-dive into how the Inflation Reduction Act will continue to support rural Americans. We want to hear what you think of The Hot Dish. Share your thoughts at https://onecountryproject.com/feedback!

On the newest edition of the Hot Dish Podcast, OCP founder and former Senator Heidi Heitkamp sat down with Senior White House Advisor and Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu to discuss how the historic bipartisan infrastructure law will benefit rural Americans. We want to hear what you think of The Hot Dish. Share your thoughts at https://onecountryproject.com/feedback!

In this episode of the Hot Dish Podcast, Senator Heidi Heitkamp sits down with Dr. Glenda Humiston, President of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of California along with Rob Larew, President of the National Farmers Union. Together, they discuss lack of access to federal programs for those in rural areas, and the need to rethink notions of “urban” and “rural.” We want to hear what you think of The Hot Dish. Share your thoughts at https://onecountryproject.com/feedback!