Boiling Point Cincinnati

In hour one, Michelle sits down with Jim Cole, Political Director for the Northern Kentucky AFL-CIO, for a candid conversation about how politics and government decisions shape the labor movement—for better and for worse. They discuss legislation, elections, and the real-world impact public policy has on union strength, worker protections, and organizing efforts across the country.

In hour two, Mark breaks down the key issues and candidates appearing on voters’ upcoming primary ballots. He reflects on which candidates align with the interests of working families and which may pose challenges for the labor movement, offering a clear-eyed look at what’s at stake this election cycle.

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In hour one, Michelle sits down with Don Hoffragge, President of APWU Local 164, as well as Marquita "Ms. Nickie" Wilson, APWU Local 164's legislative representative. The trio discuss the challenges currently facing the United States Postal Service. They explore workforce pressures, policy threats, and why the future of the postal system remains deeply connected to public service, labor protections, and reliable mail delivery for communities nationwide.

In hour two, Clayton and Mark investigate reports of the federal government pressuring states to hand over voter roll data and proposals to centralize election systems. They break down what’s being proposed, what legal and constitutional questions are being raised, and what it could mean for voter privacy, state authority, and election security.

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In hour one, Michelle sits down with Cyan Perez, volunteer with the Working Families Party, for a conversation about the organization’s history, mission, and political strategy. They explore how the party operates, what it hopes to accomplish, and how grassroots organizers can influence elections and public policy from the ground up.

In hour two, Mark speaks with Julie Sellers, President of the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers, about Cincinnati Public Schools’ decision to include iReady test scores on student report cards. Julie explains why many educators are concerned about the growing reliance on standardized testing and how it can impact teaching, learning, and student well-being.

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In hour one, Michelle sits down with Ellen Vera, co-director of Co-op Cincy, a nonprofit that supports a growing network of worker-owned cooperatives across Greater Cincinnati. They break down how co-ops actually function, why democratic ownership matters, and how worker-led businesses can build wealth locally instead of shipping profits out of the community.

In hour two, Clayton and Mark welcome Caleb Price, candidate for Ohio’s 30th State House District. They discuss Caleb’s campaign priorities and what he hopes to accomplish if elected. Later, the conversation turns to some troubling developments in Ohio’s charter school landscape, unpacking accountability concerns and what they mean for public education.

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In hour one, Michelle takes a deep dive into President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Great Society” agenda—examining the origins of landmark programs like Medicare, Medicaid, federal education funding, and anti-poverty initiatives. She explores how those policies reshaped the country and makes the case for why many of those social safety net programs remain essential for supporting everyday Americans today.

In hour two, Clayton and Mark sit down with Ohio Treasurer candidate Seth Walsh. The trio discuss Seth’s time serving on Cincinnati City Council, his approach to fiscal responsibility, and why he believes the Treasurer’s office can play a more active role in strengthening Ohio’s economic future.

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In hour one, Michelle sits down with Samantha Searls, Program Director at Ignite Peace, to explore the organization’s history and mission. They discuss the long tradition of nonviolent action in the face of injustice and why disciplined, community-based resistance remains one of the most powerful tools for social change.

In hour two, Mark and Clayton turn to international politics and economic fallout, examining Donald Trump’s renewed push regarding Greenland and his threats to impose tariffs on NATO allies. The conversation breaks down what tariffs actually do, how they ripple through supply chains, and why working-class families often feel the impact first.

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In hour one, Michelle takes a hard look at the current struggles facing the Democratic Party and the choices it must make as the midterms approach. She discusses the direction the party needs to move to reconnect with voters and highlights the Cincy Precinct Project, encouraging everyday people to get involved in local politics by stepping up as Precinct Executives and building power from the ground up.

In hour two, Mark and Clayton provide updates on Vivek Ramaswamy’s faltering gubernatorial campaign, unpacking what’s going wrong and why it matters. They also walk through the growing field of candidates running for Ohio’s statewide offices on the 2026 ballot, offering a clear-eyed overview of the political landscape heading into a pivotal election cycle.

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In hour one, Mark sits down with Jimmy Hayden, former Executive Secretary of the Greater Cincinnati Building Trades. Jimmy reflects on a lifetime in the labor movement as a union ironworker, sharing stories from the job site and lessons from decades of organizing. The conversation also takes a critical look at Cincinnati’s continued lack of project labor agreements and what that means for workers, wages, and local accountability.

In hour two, Clayton digs into two major national labor fights. First, he breaks down the growing Starbucks Red Cup Rebellion and what it reveals about worker organizing in the service sector. Then, he examines the ongoing legal battle between Amazon and the NLRB, unpacking what’s at stake for federal labor protections and the future of union enforcement.

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In hour one, Michelle sits down with Christy Pember, a founding member of the Indivisible group Coffee, Compassion, Action. The two discuss what it means to organize as part of the political resistance during the Trump administration’s second term—covering grassroots mobilization, sustaining momentum, and the emotional toll and urgency of this political moment.

In hour two, Clayton investigates viral claims of “Somali day care fraud” emerging from the right-wing media ecosystem. He breaks down what is actually known, separates fact from fiction, and examines how conspiracy theories and misinformation are weaponized to target immigrant communities and fuel fear.

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In hour one, Michelle unveils the annual Worst Grinches of the Year list—calling out the politicians, power players, and institutions across our city, state, and nation who have been especially harmful to working-class people and labor unions over the past year.

In hour two, Clayton sits down with Cincinnati City Councilmember Evan Nolan for a wide-ranging conversation on development, the housing affordability crisis, project labor agreements, and the role local government can play in building a more equitable city for workers and families.

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