In this episode, Ainslee is joined by our producer and host of her own podcast, Columbus Can’t Wait, Tareya Palmer. Columbus Can’t Wait focuses on local politics in Columbus and holding those in power accountable to the community.
Tareya and Ainslee get candid about why it feels so hard to keep trying to make positive change in Ohio politics, especially when we keep losing. They discuss the creative ways Ohioans can keep pushing Ohio towards progress, even when everything is stacked against us.
The voters decide, then the politicians overrule.
Ohio politics is always rough for progressives, but in recent years it’s been altogether demoralizing. Despite continuing to have a purple electorate and powerful tools for a people-led democracy, Ohio’s state government is bright red, with seemingly endless hostility towards anyone outside the MAGA multiverse. Even worse, many of the politicians in power weaponize their authority to undermine hard-earned voter victories, be it redistricting reform, abortion rights, or marijuana legalization.
It can feel hopeless, and for good reason. But we find hope anyway.
We keep going. Because we have to.
Whether it’s mobilizing around ballot initiatives, demanding more proactive action from politicians, or learning from policy successes in other parts of the country, there are ways that even the most frustrated Ohioans can get to work to preserve what’s left of our state’s democracy.
It might involve building coalitions with groups you don’t agree with 100% of the time. It might involve finding common ground with people you’re still pretty mad at.It might involve difficult policy compromises.
The fight for justice is always a worthwhile endeavor.
Episode Information:
Recorded: Tuesday, April 14, 2026In this Episode: Ainslee Johnson-Brown, Tareya PalmerProduced, Edited, and Recorded by: Devin “Dev Draper” Palmer and Tareya Palmer
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