Many rural veterans join the Hot Dish for this special Memorial Day episode. Marine Corps Infantryman and North Dakota Army National Guard First Sergeant Bradley Aune discusses issues veterans face when rejoining civilian life. North Dakota Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Jessica Petrick offers her perspective on what Memorial Day means to her. And One Country Project board member and former Senator and Member of the Committee on Veterans Affairs, Joe Donnelly, leads a discussion with Brigadier General Art Austin, Master General Frank Morales, and Staff Sergeant Sean Coulter about their experience with VA services. 

On this Memorial Day week, gain a deeper understanding of what it means to transition from military to civilian life and how vital public programs and support systems are for veterans. Hosts Heidi and Joel Heitkamp emphasize the need for collective action and listening to veterans’ voices to improve systems meant to serve them. This episode will remind us all of the ongoing cost of service, the importance of advocating for continued funding, and the strength found in rural communities as they support their own.

Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country.
The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.

Join the One Country Project for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit, July 8–10. The keynote will feature a virtual fireside chat between Sec. Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.

The Rural Progress Summit is a virtual event that brings together voices from across the country to explore ideas and solutions that address the real needs of rural America.

Go to OneCountryProject.org to learn more or https://pdcst.news/RPS2025 to register for the Rural Progress Summit.

Jerry Hagstrom, Sarah Melotte, and Bob Leonard join host Joel Heitkamp and guest host J.D. Scholten to discuss the impacts to rural America of Trump’s first 100 days in office. You will learn about disaster relief, rural healthcare, tariffs, manufacturing, immigration, and the ongoing Farm Bill debates in Congress. Each guest offers firsthand perspectives from their communities, highlighting the struggles and hopes of rural people.

Joel and J.D. weave together stories of hardship and hope while connecting local issues to national policy. You will hear engaging, actionable conversations on how rural communities are organizing, what key policy battles mean for them, and how everyone can get involved to support positive change.

Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country.
The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.

Find Sarah Melotte's work at https://dailyyonder.com/. 
Find Bob Leonard's work at https://rleonard.substack.com/. 
Find Jerry Hagstrom's work at https://www.hagstromreport.com/. 

Join the One Country Project for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit, July 8–10. The keynote will feature a virtual fireside chat between Sec. Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.

The Rural Progress Summit is a virtual event that brings together voices from across the country to explore ideas and solutions that address the real needs of rural America.

Go to OneCountryProject.org to learn more or https://pdcst.news/RPS2025 to register for the Rural Progress Summit.

DNC Chair Ken Martin joins hosts Heidi and Joel Heitkamp to discuss the Democratic Party’s future in rural America. They explore the brand image of the Democratic Party and how to reconnect with blue collar and rural voters. Ken, Heidi and Joel stress the importance of authentic local messengers to deliver Democratic narratives, offering you practical steps for community-driven change.

Listen to learn how the Democratic Party plans to rebuild trust, restore its brand, and fight for economic opportunity in rural towns nationwide. Ken offers honest reflection on mistakes, shares new strategies for grassroots engagement, and unveils unprecedented investments in state party infrastructure. 

Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country.
The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.

Join the One Country Project for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit, July 8–10. The keynote will feature a virtual fireside chat between Sec. Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.

The Rural Progress Summit is a virtual event that brings together voices from across the country to explore ideas and solutions that address the real needs of rural America.

Go to OneCountryProject.org to learn more or https://pdcst.news/RPS2025 to register for the Rural Progress Summit.

In this episode, Heidi and Joel give you specific advice on how to channel your frustrations into positive action within your community, focusing on local issues and building a strong support network. They offer insights into being proactive and engaged, highlighting how to make a difference on the ground, especially in rural settings.

Then Jess Piper, Executive Director for Blue Missouri, joins Joel to discuss political engagement, grassroots organizing, and the importance of rural communities in America. Jess shares her teaching journey, key strategies to revive Democrats' presence in rural areas, and her current role with Blue Missouri, raising funds to support Democrats in red districts. Jess’s story is an inspiring reminder of the power of individual action in fostering change, even against daunting odds.

Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country.
The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.

Join the One Country Project for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit, July 8–10. The keynote will feature a virtual fireside chat between Sec. Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.

The Rural Progress Summit is a virtual event that brings together voices from across the country to explore ideas and solutions that address the real needs of rural America.

Go to OneCountryProject.org to learn more or https://pdcst.news/RPS2025 to register for the Rural Progress Summit.

North Carolina Representative Julie Von Haefen, Tennessee Representative J.C. Bowman, and Iowa Representative and One Country Project board member J.D. Scholten join The Hot Dish to discuss the challenges facing public education in rural America. The conversation highlights the efforts to fight against the dismantling of public education systems and the consequences of funding private schools with public dollars. Heidi Heitkamp leads the conversation, emphasizing the importance of this issue for rural communities and the future of American education.

Heidi and Joel Heitkamp delve into the vital role of public education in maintaining democratic values and fostering community. They encourage listeners to support public schools by advocating for policies that prioritize educational access for all. Gain valuable insights into the ongoing battle for public education and hear the various arguments against the privatization of public schools. The guests provide a comprehensive view of the political challenges and the grassroots efforts needed to protect public schools and uphold educational equity.

Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country. The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.

Join the One Country Project for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit, July 8–10. The keynote will feature a virtual fireside chat between Sec. Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.

The Rural Progress Summit is a virtual event that brings together voices from across the country to explore ideas and solutions that address the real needs of rural America.

Go to OneCountryProject.org to learn more or https://pdcst.news/RPS2025 to register for the Rural Progress Summit.

In this episode, Joel Heitkamp hosts a roundtable discussion with farmers Chris Gibbs, Will Westmoreland, and Nick Levendofsky. They talk about the ups and downs of farming today and dive into topics like tariffs, infrastructure, and politics.
From tariff troubles to the fight to keep rural infrastructure strong, listeners will get an inside scoop on what it's like to manage a farm in today's challenging environment. Learn why these issues matter to rural America and why it's crucial for these farmers to have their voices heard in the bigger political arena.
Heidi Heitkamp also highlights the ongoing planning of the upcoming One Country Project 2025 Rural Summit. It's all about making sure rural America's got a say in the big decisions being made!
Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country.
The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/. To see more of Will Westmoreland's work, visit http://www.thebackfortyofficial.com/. 

Join the One Country Project for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit, July 8–10. The keynote will feature a virtual fireside chat between Sec. Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.

The Rural Progress Summit is a virtual event that brings together voices from across the country to explore ideas and solutions that address the real needs of rural America.

Go to OneCountryProject.org to learn more or https://pdcst.news/RPS2025 to register for the Rural Progress Summit.

In this episode, we examine how the absence of local news affects political polarization, civic engagement, and community identity. 
First, scholars John Volk and Joshua Darr join The Hot Dish to discuss the emergence and consequences of News Deserts across the United States. 

Then, journalist Brandon Tensley and Joel engage in a compelling conversation on the importance of local news to communities of color across America.

Listen to learn more about how this phenomenon shapes information access, democratic participation, and the broader political landscape, proving the media's pivotal role in shaping public discourse.

Heidi and Joel delve into the shift away from local media sources and the consequential impact on the social fabric of middle America. They provide listeners with a practical roadmap for actively engaging with local politics and media by highlighting the importance of reviving local journalism, offering ways communities can rebuild their media ecosystems, and exploring how doing so will improve democratic engagement and reduce polarization.

Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country.

The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us on Substack at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.

Join the One Country Project for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit, July 8–10. The keynote will feature a virtual fireside chat between Sec. Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.

The Rural Progress Summit is a virtual event that brings together voices from across the country to explore ideas and solutions that address the real needs of rural America.

Go to OneCountryProject.org to learn more or https://pdcst.news/RPS2025 to register for the Rural Progress Summit.

Veteran political strategist Paul Begala joins the Hot Dish to discuss how the Democratic Party can reconnect with rural Americans. He offers straightforward actions each of us can take to respond to the challenges of chaos in Washington and State Capitals and to help our neighbors get past the misinformation and propaganda to see the truth about the dangerous impacts of the Donald Trump / Elon Musk administration on rural and small-town values.

But first, Joel speaks with Isaac Wright, founder of the Rural Voter Institute, about Democrats' communication challenges and the need to speak about values like personal faith.

This episode is packed with political strategies, insights into rural issues, and suggestions on how to make political messaging that resonates with middle America. Listen for a deeper understanding of our country's current political dynamics and practical suggestions for making an impact.

Join hosts Joel and Heidi Heitkamp on The Hot Dish every other week to learn about the economic and cultural issues pertinent to rural constituents and the importance of effective messaging. The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org. 

Join the One Country Project for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit, July 8–10. The keynote will feature a virtual fireside chat between Sec. Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.

The Rural Progress Summit is a virtual event that brings together voices from across the country to explore ideas and solutions that address the real needs of rural America.

Go to OneCountryProject.org to learn more or https://pdcst.news/RPS2025 to register for the Rural Progress Summit.

In this episode, we delve into essential discussions on federal policy, TikTok, and the balance of power in Washington that we know will resonate with you.

Heidi and Joel explore the chaos caused by a recent Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo concerning the freeze on federal expenditures. They provide a clear-eyed analysis of the memo's implications for Americans, particularly those relying on federal assistance programs, and question the legality of specific executive branch actions.

In the second half of the episode, we're joined by David Dorfman, Deputy Staff Director and Chief Counsel of the House Select Committee on China. David provides an in-depth understanding of the critical legislation affecting TikTok, clarifying misconceptions about a so-called "ban" and diving into the platform's national security concerns.

Lastly, hear from TikTok user Sayen Gates, a small business owner from South Carolina, who discusses how TikTok has been crucial in growing her life coaching business and how the threat of its ban poses challenges to entrepreneurs relying on the platform.

Tune in to The Hot Dish every other week as we serve up hearty discussions that matter to the heartland. We aim to ensure that the voices of 'the rest of us' are heard loud and clear in Washington.

To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org
Visit Sayen's site: www.shadowcornerlifecoaching.com 

Join the One Country Project for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit, July 8–10. The keynote will feature a virtual fireside chat between Sec. Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.

The Rural Progress Summit is a virtual event that brings together voices from across the country to explore ideas and solutions that address the real needs of rural America.

Go to OneCountryProject.org to learn more or https://pdcst.news/RPS2025 to register for the Rural Progress Summit.

Welcome to another episode of The Hot Dish, where we serve comfort food for Middle America. In today's episode, Heidi Heitkamp and Joel Heitkamp delve into the political whirlwind surrounding Donald Trump's inauguration, cabinet picks, and executive orders — and their implications for the next four years. 

Later in the episode, you'll hear a fascinating conversation between One Country Project Board Member J.D. Scholten and Anderson Clayton, North Carolina Democratic Party Chair. Anderson, the youngest state party chair in the nation, shares her experiences and insights on enhancing grassroots infrastructure, speaking to rural voters, and the GOP's efforts to throw out 60,000 legal votes in the Tarheel State to overturn the results of a state Supreme Court election.

Join us as we explore these pivotal topics and more, all aimed at bringing clarity and hope to the heartland.

Join the One Country Project for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit, July 8–10. The keynote will feature a virtual fireside chat between Sec. Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.

The Rural Progress Summit is a virtual event that brings together voices from across the country to explore ideas and solutions that address the real needs of rural America.

Go to OneCountryProject.org to learn more or https://pdcst.news/RPS2025 to register for the Rural Progress Summit.