Raised Red, Living Blue

“Accidental Activist” Fighting for Alabama Change | Stephanie LaFleur

In Season 2, Episode 9 of Raised Red, Living Blue, we sit down with Stephanie LaFleur, candidate for the Alabama Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC) – District 97.

Known online as @glyterpixie on TikTok, Stephanie built a large following by breaking down politics and policy in simple, everyday language. What started as social media commentary eventually turned into activism — and now a campaign to help reform the Democratic Party in Alabama.

In this episode, Stephanie shares her journey from “accidental activist” to political candidate, discussing how social media has shaped modern political engagement and why grassroots organizing matters more than ever.

We also dive into major issues affecting Alabama today, including political polarization, healthcare access, economic struggles facing working families, and the challenges within the Alabama Democratic Party itself. Stephanie explains why she believes transparency, accountability, and stronger community engagement are necessary for Democrats to compete and build a stronger future for the state.

As a mom, community volunteer, and activist, Stephanie says her goal is simple: help everyday Alabamians better understand what’s happening in government and make sure their voices are heard.

If you're interested in Alabama politics, grassroots activism, political reform, or the role of social media in modern campaigns, this conversation offers a candid look at the challenges and opportunities facing the state today.

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Jason WillAlabama NativeProgressive Podcaster Subscribe on Substack: https://raisedredlivingblue.substack.com/

Alabama Real Estate Broker BluePrint Realty Co.Licensed Since 2004☎️ Direct/Call/Text: 251-583-9728🏠 Shop AL Real Estate: https://jasonwill.com

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The Real Fight for Alabama’s Working Class | Taylor Cook

In Season 2, Episode 8 of Raised Red, Living Blue, we continue our conversation with Taylor Cook, Democratic candidate for the Alabama House of Representatives in District 43.

Born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and raised in Geneva, Alabama, Taylor brings a working-class perspective shaped by small-town values like family, community, and hard work. In this Part 2 interview, we dig deeper into the political frustrations many Alabamians are feeling today — including voter apathy, corporate influence in politics, and why local elections may matter more than people realize.

Taylor discusses why many voters feel disconnected from politics, the role of grassroots movements in creating real change, and how both major parties have lost the trust of working people. We also explore how everyday Alabamians can become more engaged and why state and local government decisions have a direct impact on our daily lives.

If you’re concerned about the direction of Alabama politics, interested in grassroots organizing, or want to understand the perspective of a new generation of candidates, this episode is a must-watch.

✨ Topics discussed:— Why voter apathy is growing— Local vs federal political impact— Corporate influence in politics— Challenges facing working-class Alabamians— Grassroots political change in Alabama— The future of Alabama politics

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Jason WillAlabama NativeProgressive Podcaster Subscribe on Substack: https://raisedredlivingblue.substack.com/

Alabama Real Estate Broker BluePrint Realty Co.Licensed Since 2004☎️ Direct/Call/Text: 251-583-9728🏠 Shop AL Real Estate: https://jasonwill.com

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Meet Dr. Candice Duvieilh: What Competent Leadership Looks Like in Alabama

In this new episode of Raised Red, Living Blue, we sit down with Dr. Candice Duvieilh, Democratic candidate for Alabama’s 5th Congressional District, for a conversation centered on preparation, policy, and what competent leadership actually looks like.

A former public school teacher, government accounting expert, toddler mom, and wife of a disabled veteran, Candice brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her campaign. With degrees in public policy, public administration, and education, she makes the case that effective representation starts with understanding how government works — and how to make it work better.

📌 This episode focuses on:— Why qualifications and subject-matter expertise matter in Congress— Using data and fiscal discipline to strengthen public programs— Improving education through real policy, not slogans— Infrastructure, resource management, and accountability— Representing North Alabama with preparation and purpose— What it means to be ready to govern on day one

Candice’s approach is grounded, practical, and solutions-oriented — emphasizing results, transparency, and stewardship of public resources.

If you’re looking for a conversation about governing, not grandstanding, this episode offers a clear look at a candidate running on competence and commitment to North Alabama.

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Jason WillAlabama NativeProgressive Podcaster Subscribe on Substack: https://raisedredlivingblue.substack.com/

Alabama Real Estate Broker BluePrint Realty Co.Licensed Since 2004☎️ Direct/Call/Text: 251-583-9728🏠 Shop AL Real Estate: https://jasonwill.comWanna Be a Guest on the Show? Connect? Got Feedback?👉 https://forms.gle/1sn85LWHVm22KNMH6

Building an Alabama That Works for Everyone | Taylor Cook

In the new episode of Raised Red, Living Blue, we sit down with Taylor Cook, Democratic candidate for Alabama House District 43, for a grounded conversation about stepping into public service in one of the toughest political environments in the country.

Taylor talks about what led him to run — from personal experiences in his community to frustration with a state government that feels disconnected from everyday people. We dig into the realities of organizing in District 43, building local Democratic infrastructure from the ground up, and why showing up consistently matters more than party labels.

📌 This episode focuses on:— What it actually takes to run a grassroots campaign in Alabama— The challenges Democrats face in deep-red districts— Why local relationships and trust are the foundation of political change— How state policy decisions affect real people at the community level— The importance of long-term party building, not just election cycles

This is a conversation about strategy, persistence, and the belief that representation starts with people willing to step forward — even when the odds aren’t in their favor.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to run for office as a Democrat in Alabama, or how change happens at the local level, this episode offers an honest, behind-the-scenes look.

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Jason WillAlabama NativeProgressive Podcaster Subscribe on Substack: https://raisedredlivingblue.substack.com/

Alabama Real Estate Broker BluePrint Realty Co.Licensed Since 2004☎️ Direct/Call/Text: 251-583-9728🏠 Shop AL Real Estate: https://jasonwill.comWanna Be a Guest on the Show? Connect? Got Feedback?👉 https://forms.gle/1sn85LWHVm22KNMH6

More Than A Campaign: Mandie Ledkins on Representing Everyday Alabamians

In Part 2 of our conversation with Mandie Ledkins, candidate for Alabama State Senate, District 14, we go deeper into her vision for grassroots leadership, accessible policy, and why amplifying the voices of everyday Alabamians is at the center of her campaign.

Mandie is a lifelong Alabamian, raised in Fort Payne, an Auburn University graduate, the daughter of a Vietnam War veteran, a mother of four, and a longtime community advocate who believes political leadership should be rooted in lived experience—not party talking points.

In this episode, Mandie expands on:

— What “accessible policy” really means for families and communities

— Why listening is the foundation of effective leadership

— How grassroots campaigns differ from politics as usual

— The role of volunteers, neighbors, and local voices in democracy

— What motivates her to keep showing up—even when it’s hard

This episode is about trust, accountability, and building a campaign that reflects the people it seeks to serve. Whether you’re politically engaged or just starting to pay attention, Mandie’s perspective offers a grounded look at what people-powered politics can be.

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Jason Will

Alabama Native

Progressive Podcaster

Subscribe on Substack: https://raisedredlivingblue.substack.com/

Alabama Real Estate Broker BluePrint Realty Co.

Licensed Since 2004

☎️ Direct/Call/Text: 251-583-9728

🏠 Shop AL Real Estate: https://jasonwill.com

Wanna Be a Guest on the Show? Connect? Got Feedback?

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Mandie Ledkins on Grassroots Politics and Running for Alabama State Senate

In this episode of Raised Red, Living Blue, we’re joined by Mandie Ledkins, an Alabaster resident and lifelong Alabamian who has announced her candidacy for Alabama State Senate, District 14.

Mandie grew up in Fort Payne, is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in anthropology, and is the daughter of a Vietnam War veteran. She has lived in Alabaster for more than a decade, is a mother of four, and describes herself as an activist and longtime community advocate—not a career politician.

Throughout the conversation, Mandie shares why she decided to run, what she’s hearing from people across the district, and why she believes Alabama politics needs leaders who are accessible, grounded, and deeply connected to the communities they serve.

In this episode, we talk about:— Why grassroots engagement is central to her campaign— Amplifying the voices of everyday Alabamians— Balancing family, advocacy, and public service— What accessible, people-first policy looks like in practice— How volunteers and community involvement shape real change

This episode highlights the growing movement of citizen candidates who believe democracy works best when leadership reflects lived experience—not political ambition.

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📲 Follow the show on social media: @raisedredlivingblue

Jason WillAlabama NativeProgressive Podcaster Subscribe on Substack: https://raisedredlivingblue.substack.com/

Alabama Real Estate Broker BluePrint Realty Co.Licensed Since 2004☎️ Direct/Call/Text: 251-583-9728🏠 Shop AL Real Estate: https://jasonwill.com💦 Shop AL Lake Merch: https://alabamalakecompany.com

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Breaking the POLITICAL MOLD in Alabama with Chad "Chig" Martin

In this episode of Raised Red, Living Blue, we sit down with Chad “Chig” Martin, entrepreneur and candidate for Governor of Alabama, to talk about why he’s jumping into one of the state’s toughest political races and what he believes Alabama needs to move forward.

Chig Martin brings a diverse business background, having founded and managed multiple companies, including Honeysuckle Hemp in Dothan. Rather than coming from a traditional political career, Martin says his experience creating jobs, managing risk, and building sustainable businesses gives him a different perspective on leadership—and one Alabama desperately needs.

Throughout the conversation, we discuss:
— Why Martin believes Alabama needs a new kind of governor
— How his business experience shapes his policy priorities
— Job creation, economic growth, and improving quality of life statewide
— The challenges facing entrepreneurs and workers in Alabama
— What “moving Alabama in a new direction” actually looks like

This episode explores the growing appeal of outsider candidates, the frustration many voters feel with career politicians, and whether a business-first approach could help elevate Alabama’s economy and opportunities for all Alabamians.

Whether you agree with him or not, Chad Martin lays out a vision rooted in experience, accountability, and change—and makes the case for why voters should take his campaign seriously.

🎧 Listen +. Subscribe on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

📲 Follow the show on social media: @raisedredlivingblue

Jason Will

Alabama Native

Progressive Podcaster 

Subscribe on Substack: https://raisedredlivingblue.substack.com/

Alabama Real Estate Broker 

BluePrint Realty Co.

Licensed Since 2004

☎️ Direct/Call/Text: 251-583-9728

🏠 Shop AL Real Estate: https://jasonwill.com

💦 Shop AL Lake Merch: https://alabamalakecompany.com

Wanna Be a Guest on the Show? Connect? Got Feedback?👉 https://forms.gle/1sn85LWHVm22KNMH6

Why Women Defend the Systems That HARM Them

This conversation doesn’t get easier — it gets more honest.

In Season 2, Episode 2 of Raised Red, Living Blue, we continue our conversation with Leisha Sayers — known online as @alabama.disgrace — diving deeper into the uncomfortable truths about patriarchy, religion, accountability, and why so many women continue to protect systems that harm them.

This episode moves beyond why the conditioning exists and into who benefits from it — and who pays the price.

🚨 Leisha speaks candidly about:— Why patriarchy cannot survive without women enforcing it— How religion conditions obedience, silence, and submission— Why fear is the most effective political weapon— The difference between victimhood and responsibility— Why “I was raised this way” stops being an excuse— How accountability feels like an attack to people invested in comfort— What it’s like being politically awake in deep-red Alabama— Why neutrality and silence always side with power

This episode challenges the idea that oppression only comes from “bad men” and asks a harder question:

What happens when women help uphold the system?

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📲 Follow the show on social media: @raisedredlivingblue

Jason WillAlabama NativeProgressive Podcaster Subscribe on Substack: https://raisedredlivingblue.substack.com/

Alabama Real Estate Broker BluePrint Realty Co.Licensed Since 2004☎️ Direct/Call/Text: 251-583-9728🏠 Shop AL Real Estate: https://jasonwill.com💦 Shop AL Lake Merch: https://alabamalakecompany.com

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Why So Many Women Vote AGAINST Their Own Rights | Raised Red, Living Blue

In Season 2, Episode 1 of Raised Red, Living Blue, we sit down with Leisha Sayers, known on TikTok as @alabama.disgrace — a bold, unapologetic Southern woman challenging patriarchy, MAGA politics, and religious control from deep inside Alabama.

Leisha shares her deeply personal journey — from growing up apolitical, to a brief period of Christian conservatism, to becoming a fierce advocate for reproductive freedom, social justice, and women’s autonomy. After the devastating loss of her daughter, higher education, lived experience, and psychological insight reshaped how she sees power, control, and manipulation in American politics.

✨ Together, we unpack:

— Why women vote Republican — even when it harms them

— How religion is used as a tool of political control

— Why reproductive freedom is about power, not morality

— The role white women play in upholding patriarchy

— Why MAGA politics rely on fear, enemies, and submission

— Why women’s rights are always “on the chopping block”

This conversation is raw, emotional, honest — and necessary. You are not alone. And we are not going back.

📲 Follow the show on social media: @raisedredlivingblue

Jason WillAlabama NativeProgressive Podcaster Subscribe on Substack: https://raisedredlivingblue.substack.com/

Alabama Real Estate Broker BluePrint Realty Co.Licensed Since 2004☎️ Direct/Call/Text: 251-583-9728🏠 Shop AL Real Estate: https://jasonwill.com💦 Shop AL Lake Merch: https://alabamalakecompany.com

Wanna Be a Guest on the Show? Connect? Got Feedback?👉 https://forms.gle/1sn85LWHVm22KNMH6

America Is Being Groomed — And Too Few Are Paying Attention

In Episode 54 of Raised Red, Living Blue, host Jason Will delivers his third solo episode — a raw, unfiltered deep dive into the politics of fear, media misinformation, and the accelerating erosion of democratic norms in America.

This episode confronts how bad-faith actors in media and politics weaponize tragedy, distort facts, and dehumanize entire groups of Americans to consolidate power. Jason methodically breaks down viral talking points, conservative media narratives, and commentary surrounding ICE operations, political violence, Venezuela, and the dangerous normalization of authoritarian behavior.

At the center of this episode is a critical question:What happens when fear replaces facts — and nobody in power is held accountable?

✨ Topics covered include:

— The deliberate spread of misinformation by political commentators

— Why outrage and fear are profitable and dangerous

— The misuse of “patriotism” to silence dissent

— ICE use-of-force narratives and the killing of Renee Good

— The illegal and unethical implications of U.S. actions in Venezuela

— The collapse of journalistic standards in political commentary

— How America is being slowly conditioned to accept the unacceptable

This is not a “both sides” episode. It’s a call for critical thinking, moral clarity, and adult leadership in a moment when too many are choosing comfort, clicks, and compliance over truth.

If you’re tired of being told what to think — and ready to examine what’s actually happening — this episode is for you.

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📲 Follow the show on social media: @raisedredlivingblue

Jason WillAlabama NativeProgressive Podcaster Subscribe on Substack: https://raisedredlivingblue.substack.com/

Alabama Real Estate Broker BluePrint Realty Co.Licensed Since 2004☎️ Direct/Call/Text: 251-583-9728🏠 Shop AL Real Estate: https://jasonwill.com💦 Shop AL Lake Merch: https://alabamalakecompany.com

Wanna Be a Guest on the Show? Connect? Got Feedback?👉 https://forms.gle/1sn85LWHVm22KNMH6