Shows
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 81 The Midpod FinaleEunice and Heather wrap up the Midpod and share conversations with one of their favorite listeners, Krishan Patel in California and one of their favorite candidates, newly elected Congresswoman elect, Haley Stevens from Michigan's 11th Congressional District.2018-12-2148 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 80 In Memoriam: Giles PerkinsLast November we traveled to Alabama to cover the race between Doug Jones and Roy Moore for U.S. Senate. We were fortunate to spend time in Birmingham with the architect of the Jones campaign: Giles Perkins, who passed away in early December. A civic leader who operated at the intersection of business, politics and community development, Perkins shared a wealth of insight and historical context with us, along with some great recommendations for dining and travel in Alabama.2018-12-1818 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 79 Sen. Maggie Hassan: the SUPPORT ActThere wasn’t much coverage, but this Fall Congress actually stepped up and passed a $6 billion, bipartisan bill to help communities fight the opiod epidemic. Senator Hassan (D-NH) tells us about new law and how it came together. 2018-12-1119 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 78 David King: We won! Now what?!Newly elected members of congress have been attending King's orientation program at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government for over two decades. King tells us what new members need to learn to hit the ground running, and provides some sharp insights into this historically large, diverse and ambitious class. 2018-12-0427 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 77 Seth Moulton & Emily Cherniack: Servant Leaders & Power Politics Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Emily Cherniack have been recruiting service veterans to run for office, and Moulton is seeking to oust Democratic leadership to make way for younger lawmakers. 2018-11-2726 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 76 Amanda Hunter: The Year of the Woman!Hunter describes how decades of research and activism contributed to historic gains at the ballot box for women this year.2018-11-2026 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 75 G. Elliott Morris, the Economist Midterms Results Round-upMorris' model for the house was spot on. We get his takeaways, and discuss a winning strategy for taking voter turnout to the next level. Hint: grab an apron & a long fork.2018-11-1334 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 74 Rachel Bitecofer: Election Night PreviewThis Virginia-based political scientist has a model for the House based on 'negative partisanship,' and she sees a blue wave.2018-11-0644 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 73 North Dakota, land of Hotdish and Heidi HeitkampFarmers here know the trade war with China first hand. Tribes know the epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous women first hand. We speak to both, and have a long overdue conversation on abortion.2018-11-0248 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 72 Glenn Nye: Congress and the Future of Compromise.A "recovering politician" and former member of Congress, Nye heads the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress. He thinks elected officials will perform better if we fix the system in which they operate2018-10-3030 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 71 Harley Rouda, CA 48This businessman and first-time candidate is taking on controversial, 30-year incumbent Dana Rohrabacher. Rouda talks through the challenges of running one of the most competitive and expensive races in the country.2018-10-2728 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 70 Rick WilsonWhen we were in Austin in late September, we had the chance to catch up with the face of the Never Trump movement and the king of the one-liner, Rick Wilson.2018-10-2321 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 69 Heidi Heitkamp, U.S. Senator of North Dakota Heidi Heitkamp voted "no" on Brett Kavanaugh because she had voted yes so many times in support of victims, victims of sexual violence and sex trafficking, missing and murdered Indigenous women. In our trip to North Dakota, the Senator describes this legislative work. . 2018-10-1915 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEP. 68 BetomaniaNicie and Heather return to Austin, Texas for breakfast tacos, Tex Mex (more about that on our blog), MJ Hegar, and for the Beto/Willie rally! Willie Nelson has a new anthem, “If you don’t like who’s in there vote ‘em out!” 2018-10-1629 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 67 The Great Battlefield x the MidPodNicie shares the story of the MidPod with Nathaniel Pearlman and gets his insights into political technology and Progressive entrepreneurship.2018-10-1248 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 66 Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez, JOLTTzintzun Ramirez fought to build power for undocumented workers in Texas. Now she wants to empower young Latinos to become voters and leaders for Texas and America.2018-10-0920 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 65: Jared Golden, ME-02Maine State Representative Jared Golden describes himself as a "progressive heart with a pragmatic approach to delivery." He’s running for U.S. House of Representatives in a vast rural district in a state without Medicaid expansion. Preserving the ACA and expanding Medicaid here is about delivering healthcare and creating important jobs; that's progressive and pragmatic.2018-10-0519 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 64 Iowa: The Dream Team in the Field of DreamsAt the State Fair and around the state, Iowans worry about the fate of their cherished traditions: farming, community, and decency.2018-10-0250 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 63 Gina Ortiz Jones, TX-23This former Air Force Intelligence Officer and trade expert from San Antonio is running for congress in a majority-minority swing district where health care, immigration and education are key concerns.2018-09-2824 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 62 Michael Miller: The Impact of Money in Politics and Voter ID LawsProfessor Miller, who teaches at Barnard College, became a leading elections scholar after some serious time in the trenches of electoral politics.2018-09-2520 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 61 Chris Pappas, NH-01 & Lucas Meyer, NH Young Democrats.Chris Pappas' family has 100 years of history in New Hampshire, and he’s vying to become the state's first LGBT member of Congress. Lucas Meyer has been recruiting a new generation of candidates to run for office and inspire a new generation of voters.2018-09-2123 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 60 Tom Steyer Need to Vote Town HallNicie moderates a conversation about the future of our democracy with Tom Steyer and 200 active citizens in Manchester, NH.2018-09-1859 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 59 Mike Levin CA-49Environmental lawyer Mike Levin is running to replace retiring congressman Daryl Issa in this swing district that stretches along the coast north of San Diego and into southern Orange County. He shared his aspirations for making an impact in Congress on key issues facing the district, and reflected on the legacy of his immigrant grandparents.2018-09-1427 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 58. Nathaniel Stinnett, Environmental Voter ProjectUsing data mining and modeling, Stinnett has discovered a millions of passionate environmentalists, who defy our stereotypes. Now he’s working to get them to the polls.2018-09-1132 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 57 Lauren Baer, FL-18Lauren Bear is a foreign policy and human rights expert running against incumbent Brian Mast. If elected, she would be Florida's first openly LGBTQ+ member of congress. She tells us about her family story in this district, and shares her insights into the causes and costs of our current political crisis.2018-09-0721 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp 56 ME-02: "The old Democrat" that's coming back in a working class districtDelivering healthcare in this vast, rural district has become almost impossible under a whittled away ACA, which the Republican incumbent voted to repeal. One doctor in the district says the 5th vital sign should be “suffering.” Traditional work here - lobstering, forestry, and wild blueberries - is the stuff they make postcards of, but these industries are being forced to change. Some are changing in surprising ways.2018-09-0450 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 55 Sean Casten, IL-06This engineer and green energy entrepreneur is running in a toss-up seat near Chicago. The moms went into full geek mode with Casten on what Congress could and should be doing to help America and the world respond to climate change.2018-08-3132 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 54 Deidre DeJearDeJear is bringing her family legacy of civic engagement to her pathbreaking bid for Secretary of State in Iowa. She’s got ideas about how to inspire the next generation of active citizens.2018-08-2828 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 53 Gil Cisneros, CA-39This Navy veteran is running in a highly competitive open seat race south of Los Angeles. His passion is education. 2018-08-2421 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 52 Michele Swers: The Gender Gap in CongressSwers, a political scientist at Georgetown University, studies women in congress: the challenges they face in getting elected and the tensions they confront once in office. She's charted the careers of Republican women in congress especially closely, as the issue of reproductive rights has become a litmus test in electoral politics.2018-08-2143 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 51 Haley Stevens, MI-11Stevens grew up in this suburban district outside of Detroit. Now she wants to bring her auto industry expertise to Washington and she wants to help build a vibrant 21st century manufacturing ecosystem in America.2018-08-1622 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 50 Texas 23: BorderlandsGina Ortiz Jones fights to win back this swing district and citizens protest as the Trump Administration tears refugee children from their parents and moves to build a wall on the Rio Grande.2018-08-1449 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 49 Lauren Underwood, IL-14Lauren Underwood has had a passion for health care since childhood for very personal reasons. She channeled that passion into a career in health policy and now into her bid for congress.2018-08-1022 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 48 Rogelio Saenz: Latinx Demography and Politics in TexasOne in ten school-aged children in America lives in Texas. Saenz charts the evolution of the Latinx communities in Texas, and the profound challenges they face in achieving political representation.2018-08-0733 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 47 Jessica Morse CA-04Jessica Morse describes her deep roots in this rural district, and her calling to public service to Baghdad and now back home to the mountains of Yosemite . She’s giving incumbent Tom McClintock a serious challenge.2018-08-0315 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 46 Eric Foner: The Imagined CommunityHistorian Eric Foner shares key insights into the historical struggle for freedom and the crucial role of principled dissent. We find lessons for active citizens today.2018-07-3139 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 45 NH-01: Who will stand up?We interview 7 candidates and tell 1 stunning story of citizen activism. We also ask what it means to stand for something, because saving this country may soon mean that we all learn.2018-07-2446 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 44 Talley Sergent, WV-02A sixth-generation West Virginian, Tally Sergent is challenging Republican incumbent, Alex Mooney, who moved to the district from Maryland to run for Congress. She talks about her mentors, her family's struggles, and her passion for a region that desperately needs a champion.2018-07-2017 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 43 Jacob Hacker: American AmnesiaHacker describes how our kids are suffering from the polarization of the GOP that has undermined the constructive role that government used to play in partnering with business and fostering prosperity.2018-07-1737 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEP. 42 Katie Hill, CA-25Katie Hill jumped the candidate line, ran in the primary, and won the Democratic nomination in this key swing district. She grew up here; she comes from a law enforcement family. At 30, Hill’s spent the last 8 years as Executive Director of PATH, a 50 million dollar a year organization that fights homelessness in Los Angeles County. 2018-07-1324 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEP. 41 Daniel Barkhuff, President of Veterans for Responsible LeadershipBarkhuff is a 2001 Naval Academy graduate and a former Navy Seal. He believes moral courage is what is missing in Washington, D.C., but it’s alive and well in the U.S. military. What started as a Facebook page just after the 2016 election, VFRL is now a PAC with a mission to support veterans who are running for office in 2018. 2018-07-1031 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 40 Joseph Kopser, TX-21Kopser shares what he learned about the Zero Tolerance policy from a recent visit to the border, and reflects on his life's journey and describes his aspirations to work across the aisle and make a difference in congress.2018-07-0623 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 39: The Underground Railroad Family separations, civil disobedience, sanctuaries. How should a people behave when a government makes immoral laws? It’s time to look at this time in history again. 2018-07-0316 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 38 Andrew Janz, CA-22Spend some time with the young prosecutor fighting to unseat Devin Nunes, one of the President's key allies in Congress.2018-06-2920 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 37 IL-14: Lauren Underwood’s extraordinary primary and plans for victoryWest of Chicago citizens worry about health care, tariffs and democracy and Democrats celebrate a rising star.2018-06-2638 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 36 Mikie Sherrill, NJ-11Get to know this former Navy pilot and prosecutor running in an open seat district near New York City.2018-06-2213 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 35 MidPod x HousetalkWe journey to DC to talk with the hosts of the House Talk podcast, Ali Lapp, Democratic strategist at House Majority PAC, and Liesl Hickey, GOP strategist at Ascent Media.2018-06-1951 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 34 Jacob Heilbrunn: the Rise of Autocracy and the Demise of the Western Alliance?Heilbrunn, Editor of the National Interest, reviews recent actions by President Trump and has one word of advice for citizens: "Panic."2018-06-1525 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 33 Elliott Morris: Primary Season Round-upWe check in with Elliott Morris, Data Journalist at the Economist for his analysis of the June 5th primary results and his outlook for the midterms.2018-06-1229 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 32 Christie Todd WhitmanThe Former GOP Governor of NJ talks about leading the National Task Force for the Rule of Law and Democracy and reflects on a lifetime of public service.2018-06-0524 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 31 Swinglandia: California Women Running for OfficeWith the June 5th primary around the corner, we summarize the contests for GOP-held House seats in Southern California and introduce you to four women candidates: Julia Peacock, Jess Morse, Katie Porter and Delaine Eastin.2018-05-2925 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp 30. CA-48: A Blue Wave in Surf City?A crowded field vies to unseat 30-year incumbent Dana Rohrabacher, and the moms hold an upbeat, down ballot potluck.2018-05-2227 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 29 Nancy Cohen: Yes SHE can!Historian Nancy Cohen shares her insights into the impact of the women's movement on American politics and what works for women who are running for office.2018-05-1532 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 28 Gustavo Arellano: the Lowdown on the O.C. Over breakfast bowls and chilaquiles, we talk with this LA Times Columnist and book author, also known as The Mexican With Glasses, about Orange County history and the hero of the homelessness impasse.2018-05-0828 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 27 CA-25: Are you on my side?Kids march for safe schools, and three strong candidates take on Steve Knight, one of the most vulnerable GOP members of congress and a friend of the gun lobby.2018-05-0139 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 26. Tony the Democrat: The Power of the PostcardTony McMullin shares the story or Postcards to Voters. With a powerful digital platform, he's enabled thousands of dedicated craftivists to reach out in the most analog, fridge-friendly way to get out the vote in elections up and down the ballot.2018-04-2431 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 25 The Power of the PotluckThere's a new social platform and it's called the dinner table2018-04-1733 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 24 Mary Wilson: Candidate in TX-21The biggest surprise of the Texas primary was Mary Wilson's win in the 21st. Now heading for a runoff on May 22nd against Joseph Kopser, Wilson, a baptist pastor, tells her story and shares her vision for a more caring and just America.2018-04-1032 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 23 MidPod Roundup with Kitsy McNulty & Elliott MorrisThis week the Two Moms review recent developments (Conor Lamb! Woo-hoo!), exhort listeners to sponsor the pod on https://patreon.com/themidpod and interview Kitsy McNulty of FairDistricts PA and G. Elliott Morris, editor of www.thecrosstab.com.2018-04-0326 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 22 CA-22: Devin Nunes Gets His First Real ChallengeIn the heart of California's fertile Central Valley, a growing number of voters are questioning whether Notorious Memo Author, Devin Nunes, has their interests at the top of his priority list. Heather & Nicie meet up with farmers and citizens who share their thoughts on local needs. And the Two Moms enjoy Thai curry cooked by candidate, Andrew Janz.2018-03-2747 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 21 John Lawrence, Part 2. The Class of 74 and the Roots of PartisanshipWe see a wave of reform-minded candidates running for congress in 2018. There are real parallels with the group of Democrats elected to congress after Watergate in 1974. John Lawrence tells their stories and describes their political legacy.2018-03-2033 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp. 20 Heather Hargreaves: Firing up the Youth VoteAt a time of powerful youth activism, Heather Hargreaves of Nextgen America is on a mission to inspire young people to vote. 2018-03-1327 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp.19 Raphe Sonenshein: The New Golden State WarriorsDirector of the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs, Sonenshein gives us the skinny on this epic year in California politics.2018-03-0632 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp.18 PA-18: A Special Election, co-starring the Opioid Epidemic.This is Trump country, but the Democrat in the race has strong numbers. Opioids are devastating this district, but we learn an even darker side to the national opioid story. In this Special Election March 13th, working class America will tell us what they think of the President's first year in office.2018-02-2753 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp.17 John Lawrence, Part 1: An Insider's View of CongressJohn Lawrence worked on Capitol Hill for 38 years, most recently as Chief of Staff for Rep. Nancy Pelosi. He offers thoughts on Congress as a whole, on Paul Ryan and Nancy Pelosi, and he's got advice for candidates and voters.2018-02-2130 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp.16 Terry Madonna: Pennsylvania is in PlayTerry Madonna is the Professor of Public Affairs at Franklin & Marshall College and a veteran pollster and observer of politics in the Keystone State. He shares his insights on this crucial midterms battleground where a special election is coming on March 13th.2018-02-1331 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp.15 FL 18 Two Strong Women and the Fight for the Treasure CoastMeet Pam Keith and Lauren Baer, both running for U.S. House. We have some meaningful citizen stories in this episode, and we learn about toxic blue green algae. Listen, and join the “River-lution!” 2018-02-0639 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp.14 Brenda Stevenson: Slavery and Resistance in the Black ExperienceStevenson, a Professor of History at UCLA, has written extensively on the slave experience and the black family, as well as the events that led to the LA rebellion of 1992. She shares her insights into the legacy of slavery in our society and potential pathways to progress in race relations and for the black community. 2018-01-3029 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp.13 TX 21: Welcome to the New TexasWe get lost in the Texas Hill Country and find a new generation of leaders.2018-01-2340 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp.12 J. Heilbrunn: What Role Should Congress Play in National Defense?Jacob Heilbrunn, Editor of “The National Interest” magazine and website shares the history behind Congress’ shrinking role in national security. He makes the case that we should be asking tough and specific questions of our representatives and those who are challenging them in 2018.2018-01-1625 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp.11 David Chipman: It's Patriotic to Fight for Gun SafetyDavid Chipman, Senior Policy Advisor at Giffords and a retired 25-year ATF special agent believes we can keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people and better protect law enforcement from the threats of gun violence.2018-01-0936 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp.10 W. Virginia's 2nd Congressional District, looking for its championWe headed to West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District to meet two young Democrats running for Congress, Talley Sergent and Aaron Scheinberg, to meet citizens, to understand the district.2018-01-0238 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp.9 Holiday MidPodThe Two Moms take stock and look ahead to 2018. With gratitude, hope, and a dish for the holiday table.2017-12-2723 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp.8 Leah Greenberg & Indivisible: Growing the grassrootsIt started as a google doc. Just a year later Indivisible has 6,000 groups around the country and hundreds of thousands of members resisting President Trump's agenda. Now they are pivoting to the 2018 midterms with the goal to make congress more progressive.2017-12-1927 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp.7 Jane Mansbridge: Why are we so polarized?Jane Mansbridge has been studying democracy for decades. She has some surprising insights into what's causing our deep divisions, and thoughts about how citizens can support positive change.2017-12-1124 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp.6 Breaking the SilenceWhat is it like to report a sexual assault? Why aren’t victims believed? How do survivors heal? We visit The Crisis Center in Birmingham, AL to listen and learn.2017-12-0825 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp.5 Alabama Senate: Who is the Good Shepherd?On the eve of a crucial special election, Heather & Nicie listen and learn from Alabama citizens as they struggle with questions of belonging and division, belief and disbelief. These are not new questions in Alabama, or in America.2017-12-0540 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp.4 Michigan 11, built by Detroit Auto; what happens next?The two moms fire up a Ford Focus to explore these Motor City suburbs, and the candidates stepping up to replace the retiring "Foreclosure King".2017-11-2839 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp.3 Nick Penniman: Is Money in Politics a Bipartisan Issue?Nick Penniman and his team at Issue One are fighting money in politics and they are finding allies in places that might surprise you.2017-11-2114 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp.2 Emily Cherniack: The "New Politics" of Servant LeadersEmily believes the men and women who have served this country in the most selfless ways could be the next generation of statesmen; sometimes they just need a little convincing.2017-11-1418 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp.1 New Jersey 11: Where America SurvivedThe two moms travel to New Jersey, where they visit George Washington's winter headquarters, meet the candidates who are challenging a powerful incumbent, and the citizen activists who are changing the conversation about politics.2017-11-0636 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastEp.0 Setting The TableNicie & Heather introduce themselves, describe the genesis of the MidPod and share their personal motivations for dropping everything to help fix Congress.2017-11-0211 min
The Midpod: The Midterms PodcastThe MidPodOn The MidPod we are going to be visiting congressional districts all around the country, especially ones with close races.2017-10-2801 min