In this extra episode of Rural Impact, Michelle Rathman begins the episode with Anthony Flaccavento. Anthony is a farmer and rural development consultant from Abingdon, Virginia, in the heart of the Appalachian Coalfields. The Founder of Appalachian Sustainable Development, he has focused most of his work over the past four decades on building healthier food systems and more diverse, locally rooted economies in Appalachia and around the world.

The Democratic Candidate for Congress in Virginia’s 9th District in 2018, Anthony, co-founded the Rural-Urban Bridge Initiative, or RUBI, in 2021. A national organization, RUBI works to help progressives, liberals, and Democrats understand the underlying causes of the rural-urban divide and take concrete steps to win back rural and working-class people through education, media work, policy change, and local community action.

Michelle and Anthony discuss several pressing issues facing rural communities in America, including the importance of understanding the rural-urban divide, building trust, and developing effective communication strategies to engage rural voters. Anthony outlines seven key steps for the Democratic Party to reconnect with rural America, emphasizing the need for local investment and acknowledgment of past policy mistakes. The conversation highlights the significance of grassroots efforts and the Rural New Deal as a framework for revitalizing rural communities.

Michelle closes out the episode by sharing with listeners some of the impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill that passed the Senate on July 1, 2025, highlighting the critical effect of proposed Medicaid cuts on rural hospitals and communities. She cites alarming statistics regarding funding reductions, potential hospital closures, and the broader implications for healthcare, education, and economic stability in rural areas. Michelle emphasizes the urgent need for advocacy and awareness among policymakers to protect rural America from detrimental legislative changes.