On this episode of On Trial with Josh Lowry, we put one of the most blatant corruption scandals in U.S. history under the spotlight. A $2 billion investment from the UAE into Trump’s crypto company, followed just two weeks later by a deal granting the UAE access to restricted AI chips, raises questions no American can ignore. Was this a coincidence—or pay-to-play politics in broad daylight? Josh breaks down the timeline, the players, and why this scandal should matter to every voter. Plus, what it means for the presidency going forward, and how future leaders could flip Trump’s abuse of power into real benefits for the American people.

America is having a free speech crisis — from the Trump administration’s pressure campaign against Jimmy Kimmel to the chilling hypocrisy of politicians who once claimed to defend the First Amendment. With political violence on the rise and oligarchs pulling the strings, how much longer can democracy hold if voters accept so little from their leaders?

In this episode, we’re joined by Blythe Potter, Democratic candidate for Indiana Secretary of State, for a candid conversation about election integrity, voter suppression, and the urgent need to get more Hoosiers to the polls. Blythe breaks down the scandal surrounding current Secretary of State Diego Morales, explains why millions of unregistered or inactive voters could change Indiana’s future, and shares her vision for building a stronger, more inclusive democracy.

From grassroots organizing to exposing corruption, this episode is about the fight to protect both free speech and the right to vote in Indiana and beyond.

Indiana State Representative Victoria Garcia Wilburn joins host Joshua Lowry for a wide-ranging conversation on the most pressing issues facing Hoosiers. From the fallout of Senate Bill 1, redistricting battles, and Medicaid funding cuts, to the dangers of partisan attacks on science and public health, Rep. Garcia Wilburn brings her perspective as both a legislator and a healthcare researcher. She discusses the future of Indiana politics, the challenges local governments face under state overreach, and why evidence-based policymaking matters. Plus: how student walkouts, civic engagement, and responsible gun ownership are shaping the next generation of leadership.

If you care about Indiana policy, healthcare, education, redistricting, and the future of democracy in the Hoosier State, this episode delivers insights you won’t want to miss.

Indiana utilities are raising rates again — and Hoosiers are paying the price. Host Josh Lowry sits down with Ben Inskeep, Program Director at the Citizens Action Coalition, to break down how monopoly utilities like AES Indiana and Duke Energy keep hiking electric bills, why the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission often sides with them, and how ordinary Hoosiers can push back.

We cover everything:

* Why utilities can lobby and donate to governors who appoint their regulators

* How ratepayers literally fund the lawyers hired to argue against them in rate cases

* What happened in the recent Duke Energy and AES rate hike fights

* Why Indiana law makes it nearly impossible to create cheaper alternatives like REMCs or municipal utilities

* How affordability and environmental sustainability get sidelined by politics and corporate profits

This episode dives into the billion-dollar power games happening behind your monthly bill — and what you can do about it.

🔌 Get involved: Citizens Action Coalition is leading the fight for affordable, fair utility rates in Indiana. Learn more at their website and find out how to make your voice heard at upcoming field hearings.

In this episode of On Trial with Josh Lowry, we start with Taylor Swift’s engagement, a Cracker Barrel logo redesign, and end with one of the most pressing threats to American democracy. Josh unpacks how conservatives manufacture false outrage—from pancakes to politics—to manipulate voters, justify gerrymandering, and even lay the groundwork for deploying the National Guard in blue cities. What seems like culture war nonsense is actually part of a dangerous authoritarian playbook leading into 2026. Tune in for a mix of humor, sharp analysis, and a call to action for every voter who believes in democracy.

In this no-holds-barred solo episode, Josh Lowry takes on gerrymandering and exposes how partisan redistricting has warped our democracy for decades. From Project REDMAP to today’s mid-decade Republican power grabs, Josh breaks down how lies, money, and raw power—not policy—drive the push for unfair maps. He calls out Indiana’s own Victoria Spartz and challenges Republicans in Congress: if you truly believe in your policies, ban gerrymandering and let the voters decide.

In this episode, Josh Lowry takes on the GOP’s redistricting power grabs before sitting down with Congressman André Carson for a no-holds-barred conversation. From Trump’s iron grip on Republicans, to Nazi imagery in GOP recruitment material, to the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights, Carson doesn’t hold back. He also weighs in on Gaza, the role of protest, and why Hoosiers can’t afford to sit on the sidelines.

Whether you’re furious about gerrymandering, worried about democracy, or just want to hear a raw conversation with one of Indiana’s most outspoken voices in Congress, this episode delivers.

Topics Covered:

* The Republican gerrymander and Trump’s behind-the-scenes pressure

* Nazi Germany parallels in GOP propaganda

* The Democratic divide on LGBTQIA+ rights vs. the economy

* Why activism and protest still move the needle in politics

* Carson’s take on Gaza and Jewish-led protests across America

* What’s at stake for Hoosiers in 2024 and beyond

National reporter and owner of 24sight.news Tom LoBianco recently rocked the Indiana political landscape with his SOURCED AND CREDIBLE report that Indiana Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith and his staff were watched a deepfake video of a follow congressman’s wife topless performing on stage. But, instead of saying it wasn’t true, Beckwith tried to discredit the media who are covering the story.

In this episode of "On Trial with Josh Lowry," we put the "attacks on the press" on trial, showing they are a deliberate strategy to allow politicians to operate without accountability. Lowry draws on recent events, including a political figure's lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and the Congressional Budget Office's report on a major healthcare bill, to illustrate how the "fake news" claim is being used to manipulate public trust.

Josh then sits down with acclaimed journalist Tom LoBianco to discuss the real-world effects of these attacks on reporters. LoBianco, who has covered figures like Mike Pence extensively, shares his unique insights from years on the front lines of political journalism. He reveals that while personal attacks and limited access are challenging, the most significant threat to the press is the chilling effect of lawsuits.

Tired of the right-wing's war on education, empathy, and working Hoosiers? I cut through the noise with in a conversation with Indiana University’s School of Social Work Dean Kalea Benner. Let’s ditch the "robot worker" mentality, and expose the hypocrisies of Indiana's political establishment (looking at you, Braun, Beckwith, and the rest!). Get ready to challenge the narratives designed to divide us and ignite real change.

Links from the show:

* https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2025/06/30/indiana-colleges-cut-merge-400-degree-programs-ahead-of-new-state-law/84422023007

* https://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/hundreds-of-iu-degree-programs-at-risk-of-disappearing

Join Josh Lowry on "On Trial," the podcast where we put one pressing issue at a time on trial. From deeply analyzing legislative actions like the controversial "Big, Beautiful Bill" to exploring the complex societal dynamics that shape American politics, Josh dives deep into the heart of the matter. Expect unfiltered commentary, sharp insights, and a passionate commitment to understanding the real-world consequences of political decisions. If you're looking for honest, no-holds-barred discussions about the issues facing America, subscribe to "On Trial with Josh Lowry."