Blue Lift

Title: Libraries as Cornerstones of Community

Episode 21- Jennifer Pearson

Peggy sits down with Jennifer Pearson, an experienced library professional.

Jennifer discusses the evolving role of libraries in rural communities. We highlight the importance of libraries as community hubs, providing free access to resources like computers and internet, which are crucial for those without broadband. She emphasizes the need for funding, noting that 95% of library funding comes locally, with state and federal support being minimal. She also addresses the issue of book banning, explaining the process libraries use to handle such requests. Additionally, she discusses the various programs libraries offer, such as STEM classes and genealogy research, and encourages community support through donations and participation in library events.

Highlights:

The Evolution and Importance of Libraries (3:44)

Libraries as Community Hubs and Resource Centers (8:04)

Book Banning and Library Responses (10:38)

Programming and Community Engagement (18:54)

The Role of Foundations and Community Support (26:57)

Challenges and Future Concerns for Libraries (36:33)

Remember to find and follow your local library!

Want to be on the show?

Email: [email protected]

Join the Blue movement at www.blueliftpodcast.com

About Blue Lift and Peggy Kingsbury:

Peggy grew up in GA and attended the University of Georgia. With an undergraduate and a masters degree in Criminal Justice Peggy is keenly interested in how politics and public safety intersect. Peggy is also an entrepreneur, small business owner, and lover of the outdoors. Peggy became focused on politics in Tennessee when the supermajority legislature began making headlines for silencing voices, enacting laws targeting underrepresented people and refusing to listen to their constituents. 

Join Peggy for BlueLift as she interviews influencers and candidates in Tennessee politics with a focus on Williamson County and middle Tennessee.

Find out more and follow along at www.blueliftpodcast.com

Produced by Jim McCarthy and ItsYourShow.co

Title: Addressing Inequity in Education and Beyond

Episode 20- Dr. Mona Ivey-Soto

Peggy sits down with Dr. Mona Ivey-Soto, an associate professor at Belmont University with a diverse academic background.

Dr. Ivey-Soto emphasizes the importance of preparing educators to work with marginalized communities, which can include communities of color as well as low-income white communities in rural areas. She discusses the challenges these communities face in accessing resources and opportunities. Our conversation covers concerns about the potential impact of universal school vouchers in Tennessee, which Dr. Ivey-Soto argues would be catastrophic for low-income communities by diverting funding from public schools. We discuss the concepts of implicit bias and structural racism, and the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in education that authentically involve marginalized voices. We also talk about Dr. Ivey-Soto's grassroots organization, the Mothers Collective, which provides tangible and relational support to marginalized families in the Nashville area and she shares examples of how the organization has helped families in crisis.

Highlights:

Dr. Ivey-Soto's Academic Background and Career Journey (2:57)

Defining and Addressing Marginalized Communities (6:14)

Challenges Faced by New Teachers in Rural Areas (12:16)

Concerns About Universal Vouchers in Tennessee (17:01)

Implicit Bias and Structural Racism (32:11)

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Education (46:48)

The Mothers Collective and Grassroots Work (53:31)

Follow Dr. Mona Ivey-Soto: 

The Mother’s Collective

Want to be on the show?

Email: [email protected]

Join the Blue movement at www.blueliftpodcast.com

About Blue Lift and Peggy Kingsbury:

Peggy grew up in GA and attended the University of Georgia. With an undergraduate and a masters degree in Criminal Justice Peggy is keenly interested in how politics and public safety intersect. Peggy is also an entrepreneur, small business owner, and lover of the outdoors. Peggy became focused on politics in Tennessee when the supermajority legislature began making headlines for silencing voices, enacting laws targeting underrepresented people and refusing to listen to their constituents. 

Join Peggy for BlueLift as she interviews influencers and candidates in Tennessee politics with a focus on Williamson County and middle Tennessee.

Find out more and follow along at www.blueliftpodcast.com

Produced by Jim McCarthy and ItsYourShow.co

Title: Politics, Grief, and the Path Forward

Episode 19- Megan Barry

Peggy sits down with Megan Barry, former mayor of Nashville, TN!

Megan discusses her career trajectory, including her transition from the business world to politics. She highlights her book, "It's What You Do Next," which addresses her personal struggles, including a scandal involving her security chief and the loss of her son, Max, to substance use disorder. She emphasizes the need for better treatment and understanding of addiction, criticizing the current moralistic approach. She also discusses the impact of political scandals on leadership, the challenges of running for office post-scandal, and the importance of investing in local Democratic parties. Barry plans to continue advocating for substance use disorder treatment and other community issues.

Highlights:

Career and Transition to Politics (1:23)

Addressing the Opioid Epidemic (11:37)

Personal Challenges (18:18)

Return to Politics and Future Plans (25:07)

State of Tennessee Politics and Future Directions (30:43)

Follow Megan: 

Instagram, Facebook, BlueSky: Mayor Megan Barry

Find out more about the book:

https://www.meganbarry.com/

Join the Blue movement at www.blueliftpodcast.com

About Blue Lift and Peggy Kingsbury:

Peggy grew up in GA and attended the University of Georgia. With an undergraduate and a masters degree in Criminal Justice Peggy is keenly interested in how politics and public safety intersect. Peggy is also an entrepreneur, small business owner, and lover of the outdoors. Peggy became focused on politics in Tennessee when the supermajority legislature began making headlines for silencing voices, enacting laws targeting underrepresented people and refusing to listen to their constituents. 

Join Peggy for BlueLift as she interviews influencers and candidates in Tennessee politics with a focus on Williamson County and middle Tennessee.

Find out more and follow along at www.blueliftpodcast.com

Produced by Jim McCarthy and ItsYourShow.co

Title: Insights from A Millennial Campaigner 

Episode 18- Joshua Patrick

Peggy sits down with Joshua Patrick, a newly elected Democratic state executive committeeman.

He discusses his journey into politics, starting from his kindergarten mayoral campaign. He explains the structure of political campaigns, emphasizing the importance of a campaign manager and various roles like political and field directors. He highlights the challenges faced by millennials, particularly in healthcare and housing affordability. He stresses the need for voter access reforms in Tennessee and the importance of addressing immigration and border issues to appeal to younger voters. He also shares insights on the geopolitical implications of Russia's actions in Ukraine and the potential impact of Trump's presidency on global politics.

Highlights:

Joshua's Role and Background in Politics (1:50)

Joshua's Early Interest in Politics (6:13)

Impact of Russian Actions on Global Politics (28:32)

Millennial Perspectives on Politics and Campaigns (29:31)

Challenges and Opportunities in Modern Politics (48:05)

Follow Joshua: 

Instagram: @joshuathewanderer

Join the Blue movement at www.blueliftpodcast.com

About Blue Lift and Peggy Kingsbury:

Peggy grew up in GA and attended the University of Georgia. With an undergraduate and a masters degree in Criminal Justice Peggy is keenly interested in how politics and public safety intersect. Peggy is also an entrepreneur, small business owner, and lover of the outdoors. Peggy became focused on politics in Tennessee when the supermajority legislature began making headlines for silencing voices, enacting laws targeting underrepresented people and refusing to listen to their constituents. 

Join Peggy for BlueLift as she interviews influencers and candidates in Tennessee politics with a focus on Williamson County and middle Tennessee.

Find out more and follow along at www.blueliftpodcast.com

Produced by Jim McCarthy and ItsYourShow.co

Title: A Mother's Journey Advocating for Her Transgender Son 

Episode 17- Heather G. Thomas

Peggy sits down with Heather G. Thomas, a lifelong Tennessee resident.

She discusses her journey into activism, particularly focusing on her transgender son. She founded Tennessee Moms PAC to advocate for common-sense gun reform, women's reproductive health, public school issues, and LGBT support. Heather shares her son's struggles with gender dysphoria, including bullying and self-harm, and the lack of support from schools. She emphasizes the medical necessity of gender-affirming care, including hormone therapy, and criticizes the politicization of such treatments. She also highlights the broader implications of legislative actions on medical care and parental rights.

Highlights:

Heather's Transition to Activism (2:03)

Heather's Personal Journey with Her Transgender Son (6:03)

Challenges with Schools and Bullying (13:33)

Medical Diagnosis and Treatment (21:20)

Impact of Legislative Bills on Transgender Youth (57:17)

Heather's Nonprofit and Future Advocacy (57:53)

TN Mom PAC: 

https://www.tnmompac.org/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555054929930

https://www.instagram.com/tnmompac/ 

Join the Blue movement at www.blueliftpodcast.com

About Blue Lift and Peggy Kingsbury:

Peggy grew up in GA and attended the University of Georgia. With an undergraduate and a masters degree in Criminal Justice Peggy is keenly interested in how politics and public safety intersect. Peggy is also an entrepreneur, small business owner, and lover of the outdoors. Peggy became focused on politics in Tennessee when the supermajority legislature began making headlines for silencing voices, enacting laws targeting underrepresented people and refusing to listen to their constituents. 

Join Peggy for BlueLift as she interviews influencers and candidates in Tennessee politics with a focus on Williamson County and middle Tennessee.

Find out more and follow along at www.blueliftpodcast.com

Produced by Jim McCarthy and ItsYourShow.co

Title: Amplifying LGBTQ+ Voices in Williamson County

Episode 16- Robert McNamara

Peggy sits down with Robert McNamara, a military veteran and former General Motors employee.

He shares his background growing up in a large family of 17 children in Michigan, and his personal journey of coming to terms with his sexuality. He discusses his military service and move to Middle Tennessee, where he became involved in local activism and the founding of Franklin Pride, a nonprofit organization that hosts an annual LGBTQ+ pride festival in Williamson County. Despite initial success with 4,000 attendees at the first Pride festival in 2021, the event faced backlash, particularly over drag performances. The conversation explores the growth and success of the Franklin Pride festival, as well as the political backlash and controversies the organization faced from local officials and community members opposed to LGBTQ+ visibility. Despite challenges, Franklin Pride continues to grow, with plans for a fifth anniversary event on June 7, 2024. Robert emphasizes the need for allies to support the community through attendance and advocacy.

Highlights:

Robert McNamara's Background and Family (0:01)

Robert's Personal Journey and Military Service (7:24)

Activism and Move to Middle Tennessee (13:57)

Challenges and Growth of Franklin Pride (25:40)

Controversies and Political Backlash (44:57)

Franklin Pride News and Newsletter: 

franklinpridetn.org

Join the Blue movement at www.blueliftpodcast.com

About Blue Lift and Peggy Kingsbury:

Peggy grew up in GA and attended the University of Georgia. With an undergraduate and a masters degree in Criminal Justice Peggy is keenly interested in how politics and public safety intersect. Peggy is also an entrepreneur, small business owner, and lover of the outdoors. Peggy became focused on politics in Tennessee when the supermajority legislature began making headlines for silencing voices, enacting laws targeting underrepresented people and refusing to listen to their constituents. 

Join Peggy for BlueLift as she interviews influencers and candidates in Tennessee politics with a focus on Williamson County and middle Tennessee.

Find out more and follow along at www.blueliftpodcast.com

Produced by Jim McCarthy and ItsYourShow.co

Title: The Crossroads of Democracy

Episode 15- Dr. Laura Seay

Peggy sits down with Dr. Laura Seay, a consultant and research associate at the African Center for the Study of the United States at the University of Pretoria, South Africa

Dr. Laura Seay discusses the mission of the African Center, which aims to provide insights about the United States from an African perspective, flipping the traditional model of American studies centers. She shares her personal journey into African studies, including her experiences studying abroad in Kenya and Tanzania and her involvement in Model UN. She also highlights the parallels between South Africa's transition from apartheid and current U.S. political dynamics, emphasizing the dangers of single-party rule and democratic backsliding. She also addresses the impact of misinformation on voter behavior and the challenges of campaigning on social issues like LGBTQ+ rights. She stresses the importance of solidarity and the need for progressive movements to focus on substantive policy issues rather than being distracted by culture war issues.

Highlights:

Overview of the African Center for the Study of the United States (2:31)

Journey into African Studies (4:51)

Interest in American Politics at the University of Pretoria (9:02)

Comparison of U.S. and South African Democracies (14:17)

Challenges of Campaigning on Social Issues in the U.S. (20:21)

Impact of Trump's Policies on the Economy and Society (20:34)

Reflections on the Recent Election and Future Challenges (35:36)

Bluesky: @texasinafrica.bsky.social

Join the Blue movement at www.blueliftpodcast.com

About Blue Lift and Peggy Kingsbury:

Peggy grew up in GA and attended the University of Georgia. With an undergraduate and a masters degree in Criminal Justice Peggy is keenly interested in how politics and public safety intersect. Peggy is also an entrepreneur, small business owner, and lover of the outdoors. Peggy became focused on politics in Tennessee when the supermajority legislature began making headlines for silencing voices, enacting laws targeting underrepresented people and refusing to listen to their constituents. 

Join Peggy for BlueLift as she interviews influencers and candidates in Tennessee politics with a focus on Williamson County and middle Tennessee.

Find out more and follow along at www.blueliftpodcast.com

Produced by Jim McCarthy and ItsYourShow.co

In this episode of Blue Lift, host Peggy Kingsbury sits down with Dr. Kevin Riggs, the senior pastor of Franklin Community Church in Tennessee. Dr. Riggs is known for his tireless advocacy for social justice and his work with the homeless and incarcerated populations in the community.

The conversation begins with an introduction to Dr. Riggs and his background, including his roles as the founder of Franklin Community Development and the Williamson County Homeless Alliance. Peggy highlights Dr. Riggs' reputation as a champion for justice and his involvement in various community initiatives.

The discussion then delves into Dr. Riggs' personal journey and the pivotal moments that shaped his commitment to social justice. He shares how his early discomfort with the death penalty and his deep dive into the teachings of the Kingdom of God led him to a greater understanding of the importance of restorative justice.

A significant focus of the episode is the relationship between Dr. Riggs and Kevin Burns, an inmate on Tennessee's death row. Peggy and Dr. Riggs explore how their personal connection and the concept of "proximity changes your theology" have transformed their perspectives on the criminal justice system.

The conversation also addresses the challenges and realities of the criminal justice system in Tennessee, including the state's high incarceration rates and the racial disparities within the prison population. Dr. Riggs shares a poignant story about a parishioner's experience with the system, highlighting the need for a more compassionate and restorative approach.

Shifting gears, Peggy and Dr. Riggs discuss the issue of homelessness in the wealthy community of Franklin, Tennessee. Dr. Riggs estimates that there are over 1,500 homeless individuals in Williamson County, and he emphasizes the lack of adequate resources and support for this vulnerable population.

The episode delves into the underlying causes of homelessness, particularly the prevalence of mental illness and the scarcity of long-term rehabilitation services in the area. Dr. Riggs passionately calls for a more comprehensive and community-driven approach to addressing these pressing issues.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Riggs shares his insights, personal experiences, and unwavering commitment to using his voice and influence to advocate for justice, compassion, and the restoration of those who have been marginalized. Listeners are left with a deeper understanding of the complex challenges facing Tennessee's communities and a renewed sense of hope in the power of individual and collective action.

Find out more at www.savepastorKB.com

Join the Blue movement at www.blueliftpodcast.com

About Blue Lift and Peggy Kingsbury:

Peggy grew up in GA and attended the University of Georgia. With an undergraduate and a masters degree in Criminal Justice Peggy is keenly interested in how politics and public safety intersect. Peggy is also an entrepreneur, small business owner, and lover of the outdoors. Peggy became focused on politics in Tennessee when the supermajority legislature began making headlines for silencing voices, enacting laws targeting underrepresented people and refusing to listen to their constituents. 

Join Peggy for BlueLift as she interviews influencers and candidates in Tennessee politics with a focus on Williamson County and middle Tennessee.

Find out more and follow along at www.blueliftpodcast.com

Produced by Jim McCarthy and ItsYourShow.co

Title: The Work of The Tennessee Justice Center

Episode 13- Emily Jenkins

Peggy sits down with Emily Jenkins, a lawyer and child welfare advocate

Emily Jenkins is a native of Nashville, Tennessee who obtained her law degree from the College of William and Mary. She has focused her work on child welfare advocacy and pro bono matters, serving as a court-appointed special advocate for children who have been abused or neglected.

Currently, Emily works as a staff attorney at the Tennessee Justice Center (TJC), a nonprofit law firm dedicated to health and nutrition equity. At TJC, she directs the health care justice clinic and is involved in various initiatives, including helping people access programs like TennCare (Medicaid), SNAP, and WIC. She has a long history of nonprofit work, having been involved with organizations such as Casa, Hard Bargain in Williamson County, and the Franklin Justice and Equity Coalition. She is using her legal expertise and resources to give back to the community and advocate for underserved populations in Tennessee.

Highlights:

Overview of Tennessee Justice Center (TJC) (3:42)

Barriers to Accessing Government Programs (7:19)

Expanded Medicaid and Block Grant Discussion (15:18)

Positive Changes and Ongoing Issues in TennCare (26:21)

Caregiving and Paid Family Caregiving (36:30)

Federal Gun Regulation and Second Amendment (43:27)

More about the Tennessee Justice Center:

https://www.tnjustice.org/

Join the Blue movement at www.blueliftpodcast.com

About Blue Lift and Peggy Kingsbury:

Peggy grew up in GA and attended the University of Georgia. With an undergraduate and a masters degree in Criminal Justice Peggy is keenly interested in how politics and public safety intersect. Peggy is also an entrepreneur, small business owner, and lover of the outdoors. Peggy became focused on politics in Tennessee when the supermajority legislature began making headlines for silencing voices, enacting laws targeting underrepresented people and refusing to listen to their constituents. 

Join Peggy for BlueLift as she interviews influencers and candidates in Tennessee politics with a focus on Williamson County and middle Tennessee.

Find out more and follow along at www.blueliftpodcast.com

Produced by Jim McCarthy and ItsYourShow.co

Title: Balancing Gun Rights and Public Safety

Episode 12- Brink Fidler

Peggy sits down with Brink Fiddler, a former law enforcement officer and owner of Defend Systems. They discuss his company's focus on active violence mitigation training, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and response in school and corporate settings. He highlights that over 80% of school attacks are committed by current or former staff or students, underscoring the need for effective training. He also stressed the importance of safe storage and responsible gun ownership, advocating for laws that hold individuals accountable for negligent storage. He shares insights from the Covenant School tragedy, where trained staff successfully applied their training to save lives. The conversation also touches on the broader issues of gun culture, mental health, and the need for comprehensive safety measures.

Highlights:

Brink Fiddler's Background and Defense Systems (1:48)

Covenant School Tragedy and Training Impact (6:56)

Challenges and Research in Active Shooter Training (8:46)

Gun Culture and Mental Health (15:17)

Gun Regulation and Safe Storage (33:16)

Federal Gun Regulation and Second Amendment (43:27)

More about Defend Systems:

https://www.defendsystems.com/

Join the Blue movement at www.blueliftpodcast.com

About Blue Lift and Peggy Kingsbury:

Peggy grew up in GA and attended the University of Georgia. With an undergraduate and a masters degree in Criminal Justice Peggy is keenly interested in how politics and public safety intersect. Peggy is also an entrepreneur, small business owner, and lover of the outdoors. Peggy became focused on politics in Tennessee when the supermajority legislature began making headlines for silencing voices, enacting laws targeting underrepresented people and refusing to listen to their constituents. 

Join Peggy for BlueLift as she interviews influencers and candidates in Tennessee politics with a focus on Williamson County and middle Tennessee.

Find out more and follow along at www.blueliftpodcast.com

Produced by Jim McCarthy and ItsYourShow.co