Beyond Resistance Pod

In this fiery and fun episode of Beyond Resistance, Sarah and Jennifer come in hot, kicking things off with what might be the most passionate political rant you’ll hear all week (Jim Clyburn, we’re looking at you). From aging incumbents to billionaire adjacent self funders, this one dives deep into the realities of modern campaigns, grassroots organizing, and why everyday people deserve leaders who actually get what everyday life feels like.

Then they sit down with Karen McDonald, Oakland County Prosecutor and Democratic candidate for Michigan Attorney General—and honestly? She delivers. Big time. Karen opens up about growing up working class, raising five kids, surviving the Trump era, and becoming nationally known for holding the Oxford school shooter’s parents accountable. She also gets wonderfully candid about burnout, sewing as self care, and what it’s like running for office while refusing to compromise your core values.

Expect sharp insights, relatable laughs, and real talk about courage, community, and the stakes of 2026. If you care about political organizing, grassroots power, Michigan politics, elections, or how local leaders can fight national extremism, this episode is your jam.

Plus, you’ll learn which items hold sentimental value for our hosts and guest (spoiler: Christmas ornaments and a grandpa’s diploma make the cut).

🎧 Listen now and get inspired to build blue power in red communities—because resistance was just the beginning.

@karenmcdonaldformi

This week on Beyond Resistance, Sarah and Jennifer come in hot — like “are-you-really-going-to-fund-Trump’s-random-war?” hot. We kick things off with a fiery breakdown of Democratic wobbliness in Congress, political “poison pill” bills, and why doing your own Googling might just save democracy (or at least your group chat). It’s the kind of cathartic political‑podcast energy that pairs perfectly with rage‑cleaning or panic‑scrolling.

Then we dive into an inspiring, deeply human conversation with Rhonda Yates, a Democrat running for Michigan’s 55th State House District. Rhonda’s story hits all the notes: rural Mississippi roots, linguistics professor, oncology nurse, cancer survivor twice over, union member, and somehow still a person who volunteers at the library. Basically the political‑organizing superhero the MCU should call.

Rhonda talks about what pushed her to run — including witnessing ICE detain a naturalized U.S. veteran — and why state-level politics matter more than ever. We dig into health care nightmares, safe staffing for nurses, skyrocketing medical costs, mental health access, and why real democracy requires leaving our curated bubbles and actually listening to voters (even the ones who send you nasty emails).

If you’re into progressive politics, grassroots organizing, election strategy, or just want a political podcast that doesn’t make you want to crawl into a culvert and live among raccoons, this episode is for you.

Bonus: You’ll also hear how thrifting, cross-stitch, and union power somehow end up in the same conversation — which honestly feels like peak Midwest political‑pod energy.

To learn more about Rhonda Yates and her campaign visit: rhondayates.com

To check out Beyond Resistance and their Blueprint for Building Blue Power visit: beyondresistancepod.com

@RhondaYatesMI55

This week on Beyond Resistance, Sarah and Jennifer are fired up (shocking, we know) — and they’re taking you from “kitchen table issues” to the wild world of real-life political chaos, media buzz, and the everyday struggles Americans are carrying everywhere except an actual kitchen table.

They dive deep with Ethan Wechtaluk, a smart, grounded, actually normal human running for Congress in Maryland’s 6th District. Ethan’s a dad, a long-time public servant, a first-generation activist-at-heart, and—oh yeah—a Virginia Tech shooting survivor with powerful insight into what political courage really means.

He talks candidly about what pushed him from political burnout into political action (spoiler: Congress voting like it’s still 1994 didn’t help). From gun safety reform to immigration, affordability, veteran care, and accountability within the Democratic Party itself, Ethan’s got the receipts, the rage, and the resolve, and he knows what it means to run in a “swingy” district during a high stakes 2026 election. Ethan may call himself “normal,” but his perspective on democracy, community power, and what Congress should be doing hits anything but ordinary.

Stick around for the lighter side too: backyard BBQ debates, legendary deviled eggs, and Jennifer’s ongoing war against eating corn like a raccoon.

If you care about saving democracy, electing real people, or just love a political podcast that sounds like two friends ranting in the car after a school board meeting, this one’s for you.

Learn more about Ethan at EthanforMD.com — and let’s get to work building blue power in red communities. 💙🔥

Strap in, organizers and blue state dreamers — this week on Beyond Resistance, Sarah and Jennifer sit down with Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel Jr. for a conversation that’s equal parts real talk, strategy session, and “wait… did he really just say Wu Tang Clan?” vibes.

Curtis brings the heat on what went wrong in 2024, what gives him hope heading into 2026, and why listening — like actual listening — might be the secret sauce to rebuilding Democratic power across Michigan (and every other red leaning corner of the country). From grassroots organizing to dignity for working class voters to why community members—not consultants from Delaware—should be calling the shots, Curtis lays out a blueprint that’s both refreshingly honest and totally actionable.

You’ll hear stories about Midland’s slow but mighty march left, the pitfalls of transactional politics, the struggle to rebuild trust in communities that felt abandoned, and the surprising amount of wisdom gained from knock down losses. Plus, Curtis shares his “comeback playlist,” his multigenerational family story of public service, and a childhood memory involving a red wagon that will melt even the most hardened organizer’s heart.

If you’re fired up about building blue power in red places, this episode is basically your new caffeine source. Tune in, take notes, and get ready to level up your organizing game — because the 2026 Blue Wave isn’t going to build itself!

Speaking of building a Blue Wave, download our free Beyond Resistance Blueprint: 5 Steps for Building Blue Power: beyondresistancepod.com

@MIDemocraticParty

Strap in, snowflakes (the avalanche kind, not the internet kind) — this week’s episode brings the heat and the heart. Sarah and Jennifer sit down with Callie Barr, Michigan’s 1st District congressional candidate, community powerhouse, veteran advocate, mom, attorney, mediocre violinist, and elite-level cookie distributor.

Callie breaks down what it means to fight for an Affordable LIFE — literally. Local housing, Income, Food, Essential care. It’s not just a slogan; it’s a blueprint for dignity in rural America. From disappearing labor & delivery units to burnout in the healthcare workforce to the rising cost of just . . . existing, Callie gets real about what’s keeping Northern Michigan families up at night — and what she plans to do about it.

We cover it all:

• Why rural hospitals are hanging by a thread

• How veterans get trapped in red tape instead of supported

• What building a blue wave (or avalanche) looks like in a district roughly the size of a small nation

• The power of tiny protests in tiny towns

• Why yard signs actually do matter

Plus, in true Beyond Resistance fashion, we wrap things up with the most contentious political question of our time: How do you eat a pasty? (Callie’s answer may shock you. Or unite you. TBD.)

If you’ve ever wondered what real, boots-on-the-ground democracy-building sounds like — or if you just want to feel a little less alone in your own red pocket of the world — this episode is your new therapy session.

Plug in. Get inspired. And maybe grab a pasty.

To download the FREE Beyond Resistance Blueprint: 5 Steps for Building Blue Power visit: beyondresistancepod.com

To learn more about Callie Barr and her campaign visit: callieforcongress.com

@Callie4Congress

In this episode of Beyond Resistance, Sarah and Jennifer sit down with the unstoppable Erin Petrey — Kentucky native, bourbon expert, international policy nerd, former diplomat, job‑creator, Kentucky Colonel (yes, really), and now candidate for Congress in Kentucky’s trending‑blue 6th District.

Basically: if LinkedIn were a person, it would be Erin — but way more fun.

We dig into what it means to run a bold, progressive, populist campaign in a red‑leaning district, and Erin brings the fire on everything from affordability, living wages, healthcare reform, Citizens United, renewable energy, and how Democrats need a serious “hard reset.” She explains why running for something, not just against Trumpism, is the key to flipping red districts and rebuilding trust with working‑class voters everywhere.

Erin also shares:

🔥 How she went from farm kid → Republican → Obama voter → progressive candidate

🔥 What voters in rural counties actually care about (spoiler: the same things urban voters do)

🔥 Why Democrats must stop talking down to rural communities

🔥 What it means to stand up to corporate PACs and build a true grassroots movement

🔥 How an old‑fashioned cocktail became the metaphor for her entire campaign (it actually works so check out her campaign video)

If you’re working to build blue power in red communities, sharpen your grassroots organizing skills, or just want to hear a candidate with actual vision, this episode is your new favorite.

Tune in, grab an old‑fashioned, and get inspired. 🥃💙

To learn more about Beyond Resistance: beyondresistancepod.com

To Learn more about Erin Petrey and her campaign: erinpetrey.com

In this episode of Beyond Resistance, Sarah and Jennifer dive into the political whirlwind shaking Michigan’s 35th Senate District — and yes, it’s officially the most-watched special election in the country. No pressure, right?

Fresh off a jaw dropping primary win where he snagged 60% of the vote in a six way race, Democratic nominee Chedrick Greene returns to the pod to break it all down. We talk big turnout energy, what’s firing up voters across Michigan, and why this purple district just turned a very bright shade of blue on primary night.

Chedrick dishes on:

🔥 What it’s like going from Marine → Fire Captain → Most Relatable Candidate in America™

🔥 Why working class leadership is exactly what Michigan needs

🔥 How to stay calm when the entire country is watching (and apparently refreshing Michigan Advance on the daily)

🔥 The stark contrast between a candidate who shows up for the people vs. a multimillionaire heir who… does not

Of course, we also unpack the wild politics brewing in Ohio, ICE related community concerns, democracy vibes, and why so many everyday people are stepping up to protect their freedoms (spoiler: because they have to).

And don’t miss our signature “fun question” that reveals surprising stories about heroes, humanity, and color coded Marine Corps life.

SEO goodies: Michigan politics, 2026 midterms, special election, Chedrick Greene, State Senate District 35, grassroots organizing, working class leadership, progressive podcast, democratic strategy, political analysis, voting rights, community activism.

Tune in, laugh a little, rage a little, and get fired up — because building blue power in red communities isn’t for the faint of heart, but we make it fun. 💙🔥

You can watch this episode and more right here on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out the Beyond Resistance Blueprint: 5 Steps for Building Blue Power on their website: beyondresistancepod.com

To learn more about Chedrick Greene and the most watched special election in America (for real!) go to chedrickgreene.com

In this jam-packed episode of Beyond Resistance, Sarah and Jennifer sit down with Ace Deuce’s own Eli Savit — environmental lawyer, Washtenaw County Prosecutor, and candidate for Michigan Attorney General. Get ready, because this conversation goes everywhere: protecting democracy, taking on corporate bad actors, surviving feedback as community leaders, and why the SAVE Act is . . . let’s just say, not super democratic.

Eli breaks down what’s at stake in Michigan (spoiler: a whole lot), why Attorneys General are democracy’s last line of defense, and how planning ahead for 2026 and 2028 elections isn’t optional — it’s urgent. From fighting PFAS contamination and wage theft to keeping AI from price-gouging us all during emotional airline bookings, Eli brings the receipts and the passion.

Of course, this episode wouldn’t be complete without classic Beyond Resistance energy:

🔥 Jennifer and Sarah unpack what real leadership looks like in red communities.

🔥 A deep dive into voting rights, the SAVE Act, and why accessible elections matter.

🔥 Eli’s completely serious quest to find Michigan’s BEST fried pickles (this becomes important, trust us).

Whether you're organizing in a red county, fired up about building blue power, or just here for fried-pickle discourse, this episode delivers clarity, humor, and a whole lot of hope.

Tune in, get inspired, and remember: the antidote to despair is ACTION. 💙

Find more episodes right here on YouTube, on our website and on your favorite podcasting platforms.

To learn more about Eli Savit visit his website: eliformichigan.com

If you’ve ever wondered how podcasting, activism, and a dash of Real Housewives chaos could combine to fuel a political glow up, this episode is your new obsession. 🎙️🔥

This week on Beyond Resistance, Sarah and Jennifer sit down with Michelle Glogovac — author, activist, founder of The MLG Collective, and the internet famous Podcast Matchmaker™ — to dig into how storytelling can literally build power in red communities.

Michelle went from selling jet fuel (yes, actual jet fuel) to igniting conversations that spark empathy, community building, and political courage nationwide. She breaks down why podcasts are empathy machines, how to use your personal story as an organizing tool, and why authentic conversations matter more than ever in this era of misinformation and polarization.

We talk:

💙 Building blue power through storytelling

🎙️ How to craft a message that connects with real humans

🔥 What political candidates get wrong about messaging

😂 Why podcasting sometimes feels like eavesdropping (with permission)

🤝 How community organizing starts with one honest conversation

✊ And yes . . . we discuss confronting MAGA energy at a Super Bowl party

This episode is funny, fiery, deeply human, and packed with insights for activists, organizers, candidates, and anyone trying to make change from the ground up.

If you’re working in community organizing, political communication, grassroots activism, or simply trying to figure out how to show up in your own town, Michelle’s wisdom is the pep talk you didn’t know you needed.

Hit play, get inspired, and let’s build the world we actually want — one story (and one podcast) at a time. (And yes, Jennifer realizes she pronounced Michell's last name wrong. Michell was just too nice to correct her! At this point, she has to pronounce at least one thing wrong an episode or it would be weird!)

Find more episodes here on YouTube and everywhere you get your podcasts! Subscribe to never miss an episode! You can learn more about Beyond Resistance at beyondresistancepod.com

You can find Michelle Glogovac at michelleglogovac.com and at themlgcollective.com

@thepodcastmatchmaker

Get ready to lace up your skates and dive deep into Michigan politics, grassroots power, and the future of democracy in this electric episode of Beyond Resistance. Jennifer and Sarah sit down with Suzanna Shkreli — former prosecutor, lifelong public servant, first‑generation American, and Democratic candidate for Michigan Secretary of State — for a conversation that’s equal parts inspiring, fiery, and downright fun.

Suzanna breaks down her journey from helping run her family’s restaurant to prosecuting tough cases, navigating crisis after crisis in the Whitmer administration, and now stepping onto the statewide stage to defend voting rights, protect democracy, and modernize the SOS office with bold ideas like digital driver’s licenses and expanded walk‑in access. She shares powerful insights on election security, fighting misinformation, serving rural communities, and building real blue power in red areas.

You’ll also hear stories about competitive ice hockey, immigrant grit, young people finding representation, and what it really takes to prepare Michigan for 2026 and beyond. And because this is Beyond Resistance, of course Jennifer and Sarah bring the laughs, the vibes, and the real talk about community, courage, and the people who keep us going.

If you’re passionate about Michigan politics, voting rights, grassroots organizing, Secretary of State elections, or just love a damn good conversation with smart women getting stuff done, this episode is your new obsession.

To learn more about Beyond Resistance, visit our website: beyondresistancepod.com

To check out more about Suzanna Shkreli and her bid for MI Secretary of State, here's her website: suzannashkreli.com

@SuzannaShkreliforMichigan

#ElectionsMatter #ElectionIntegrity #ProtectTheVote