Raising Kellan

Episode #171 (12 min listen)

Today’s episode is a PSA as we head into the midterm elections. I am grateful to Anita Fowlkes, Administrator of the Dyer County Election Commission, for informing us of some key points

1:48 Early Voting starts this Friday, July 17, and runs till August 1, 2026. 

To vote early, you need to take your photo ID and go to your local election commission.

In Dyersburg, that is at 113 W Market Street. 

Offices are open Monday through Friday 8:30 to 4:30.

For working families, the election office is also open for three Saturdays, July 18, July 25, and August 1 from 9- 12 PM.

If you live in a county other than Dyer County, please go to GoVoteTN.gov to confirm your voter registration and location. 

4:08 The redrawn Congressional Maps (May 2026) change Dyer County from the 8th to the 5th Congressional District. See attached graphic for new Congressional Map and  lists of candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives for the primaries.

4:27 For those who don’t live in Dyer County, go to: GoVoteTN.gov to find out your Congressional District. 

06:29 What is needed and what forms of ID are accepted to vote. Please note Student ID’s are not accepted. 

7:55 If you are already registered to vote and you change your address on the day you vote. 

9:09 If you vote on election day, August 6th:

• Go to GoVoteTN.gov to determine your  precinct.

10:00 During the primaries, you will be asked:

1) Do you want the Democrat or Republican Ballot because you are electing your nominees who will represent each party in the November elections. 

2) You will also receive a general ballot for electing your local school board members, commissioners, etc

10:45 When do we get the results?

12:00 If you have any queries, please contact the Dyer County Election Commission at 731-286-4268

This episode of the Raising Kellan Podcast concludes a three-part “Healthcare Affordability” series by featuring human rights advocate Kristen Grimm, founder and former executive director of Mothers for Medicare for All and newly appointed national director of One Nation Fully Covered under the Tim Carpenter Institute. [0:53] [1:17] [32:16] Drawing on her lived experience navigating her son’s 25 childhood and adolescent surgeries in children’s hospitals, Grimm describes how confronting medical debt, insurance denials, and complex Medicaid systems propelled her from hospital corridors to advocacy in the Tennessee legislature, Congress, and national healthcare reform movements. [3:17] [3:44] [4:29] [5:33] [5:53] [6:21] [6:47] [7:40] [8:06][8:43] [9:10] [9:31] [10:05] [10:42]

Grimm argues that the current U.S. healthcare financing structure is economically flawed, violates human rights, and is driven by for‑profit insurance companies whose practices generate medical debt and obstruct access to needed care, including for children treated in children’s hospitals. [4:29] [10:59] [11:18] [18:55] [20:00] [22:22] [22:35] [23:14] [23:29] [24:03] She emphasizes Medicaid’s central role in sustaining children’s hospitals and covering nearly half of children in Tennessee and nationwide, framing guaranteed healthcare and medical debt as policy choices rather than inevitabilities. [5:33] [5:53] [6:21] [10:42] [10:59] [23:29] [24:03] The conversation highlights the emotional and financial toll on families, including examples of parents losing Medicaid coverage for their children after marginal income increases and struggling for years to pay off surgical bills. [15:05] [15:42] [15:55] [16:21] [16:41] [17:12] [17:24]

As an incremental strategy toward universal healthcare, Grimm outlines the proposed Medicaid for All Children Act (“MACA”) in Tennessee, which would place all children on Medicaid, eliminate means testing and annual redeterminations, remove managed care organizations and private insurers from program administration, and raise provider reimbursement to Medicare rates to support pediatric participation. [12:03] [12:19] [12:32] [12:58] [13:19][13:52] [14:28] [15:05] [17:12] She contends this approach would ensure seamless coverage, reduce administrative burdens on clinicians, eliminate medical debt for children, and serve as a model for broader reform that ultimately covers all children through Medicaid and all adults through Medicare. [17:12] [28:24] [29:04] [26:29] [26:44] [27:03] [27:26] [28:09]

The episode situates One Nation Fully Covered within the legacy of Tim Carpenter’s long-standing advocacy for healthcare as a human right and incremental policy change, while inviting listeners to engage in the movement, including through public awareness efforts such as “I love Medicaid” billboards. [29:04] [29:24] [29:45] [30:17] [30:38] [30:47] [31:18][31:49]

Dr. Beth Beaudin-Seiler is a Project Director in the Health Research and Insights practice area, where she leads the Health Economics and Policy team. She leads a portfolio of work that focuses on health care affordability, including the Consumer Healthcare Experience State Survey (CHES) - a survey designed to understand the burdens, trade-offs, and worries respondents have regarding affording health care. Her goal is to educate listeners on the findings of the 2025 TN CHES Survey.https://healthcarevaluehub.org/consumer-healthcare-experience-state-survey/

1:38 Beth’s backstory from the College of Aviation at Western Michigan University, training pilots to researching healthcare at Altarum.

What is Altarum?

A nonprofit organization that focuses on improving the health of individuals who have fewer financial resources, or are disenfranchised by the system. Altarum works on behalf of federal, state, and philanthropic organizations on evidence-based research , planning, and implementing different strategies to address healthcare affordability.

I am the senior manager of our health economics and policy program area, under our Health Research and Insights Division at Altarum.

728 What is the CHES Survey, and what are its findings?

CHES survey stands for the Consumer Healthcare Experience State Survey. In 2018, when we started CHES, because we've kind of felt like the healthcare system could be a lot like playing chess. It's difficult to navigate.

The CHES survey asks about respondents' experiences with the healthcare system. Not only their experience in navigating it, their confidence in being able to navigate it, what they have experienced in terms of affordability burden, have they had to make trade-offs in terms of trading off food or housing or basic necessities in order to pay for a medical service or medical procedure or a test or their medications, whether or not they're worried about affording medical services both now and in the future. We ask about their levels of trust and respect in the system, and how they feel they've been treated in the healthcare system.

10:24 CHES Survey was presented at a Tennessee Justice Center webinar

11:17 How often do Tennesseans ration their medications?

13:38 Health care affordability concerns for individuals with disabilities?

16:13 When people with insurance choose to forgo care because of high deductibles and copays.

17:41 How should research like the CHES survey be utilized by parent advocates and healthcare providers that support this community? 

22:23 Next Steps?

The  CHES survey has been conducted in 36 unique states in the US to form a national database. Findings need to be aggregated to benchmark individual state performance.

In this episode, I chat with Shana Watkins from the Tennessee Justice Center about their upcoming HealthCare Afforability Summit, which will be taking place in:

Knoxville on June 10, 2026

Nashville on June 17, 2026

Memphis on June 24, 2026

Timeline of the Conversation

01:30 What is the Tennessee Justice Center (TJC)?

03:00 What's in a name? Tenncare is Medicaid!

07:00  Harms of H.R.1 (Big Beautiful Bill) on Healthcare, specifically Medicaid, and implications for Tennesseans.

08:28  The “Unwelcome Mat” Effect

11:00 TJC - Anti-Hunger Program - “Fight for Summer EBT”

17:30 Advocacy in Action- Regional HealthCare Summits June 2026

22:36 We need to hear about your healthcare experiences in Tennessee.

24:20 Radical Inclusion - We need your voice, we need everyone's voice!

Ms Alicia Cantrell has an exciting VBS planned at Roellen Baptist Church in Roellen, TN, this coming June 8-12, 2026. Be sure to listen to see how your children can sign up.

Timeline of conversation:

1:00 How did the idea for this Vacation Bible Study(VBS) evolve?

2:00 FFA, 4-H are Heart of Champions.

4:00 Some of the scheduled activities during VBS.

5:00 How to sign up for VBS

6:30 Ways to volunteer.

8:00 Volunteer training on June 2 at 5:30 at Roellen Baptist Church .

9:00 Conclusion

Rachel Lovell is a dedicated public servant and advocate for civic participation in Weakley County, Tennessee. She has served as an Election Commissioner with the Weakley County Election Commission for the past five years, following five years on the Counting Board. Through her work, Rachel is committed to ensuring elections are fair, transparent, and accessible, and to helping voters understand the importance of registering to vote and making their voices heard.

Outside of her civic service, Rachel is a professional in the healthcare industry and a busy working mom to two daughters. She brings a practical, real‑world perspective to conversations about voting, balancing a demanding career, family life, and community leadership.

Timeline of our conversation

01: 08 TN Congressional Map Redistricting- May 7, 2026.

02:10 Redrawn map and its effects on Northwest Tennessee.

03:45 Timeline and what spurred the redrawing of these Congressional Maps?

07:19 How TN CD 8 (Northwest TN) is now TN CD 5. Who is our representative? 

09:04 How do we check to see if we are on the voter rolls? Resource: GoVoteTN.gov

10:32: SAVE Act 

11:11 Typically the role of the census in redistricting? The Purcell Principle.

12:35 Words of encouragement to listeners. 

15:02 In-person voting registration in Dyersburg, TN - May 28 and August 6, 2026.

16:42 Declaration of Part is only done in a primary and NOT in a general election (as of 5/13/26)

18:24 Student voter registration

22:01 Volunteering at the Polls

23:23 Conclusion

Interview with Former U.S. Representative for the Eighth Congressional District of Tennessee, John Tanner, and his wife, Ms Betty Ann Tanner

00:55 Mr Tanner: Can you please tell us about your early life, sir, up to meeting Ms Betty Ann?

03:43 Ms Betty Ann:  Can you tell us where you were born, how you met John, married, and your family ?

06:27 Mr Tanner: You have an incredibly distinguished career, including being a co-founder of the Blue Dog Coalition. What is and why is it called the “Blue Dogs”?

08:56 Mr Tanner:  Can you tell us about NATO and the Role you played in this organization?

14:15 Mr Tanner: What is the significance of NATO? 

17:37 Ms Betty Ann: What was a pivotal moment for you in your work-family life?

23:26 Mr Tanner:  If there is one political reform to prioritise at present, what would that be? 

27:36 Mr Tanner or Betty Ann: Tell us about your conservation work. 

31: 33 Ms Betty Ann:  Please tell us of some of the work you are involved in at present. 

32:50 Mr Tanner: What message of encouragement would you give to the families of NorthWest Tennessee?

(7 min listen) We are excited to be hosting Thriving Caregivers this coming weekend, 4/18/26, from 10 AM to 3 PM at Dyersburg First United Methodist Church. This program will be led by Kristin and Todd Evans, national speakers and authors of "How to Build a Thriving Marriage as you care for Children with Disabilities."

Here is an outline of the program, and we hope to see you there

Morning Session-Thriving in the Stress

In the morning session we will redefine “self-care” and learn how to better manage stress in just 5 to 10 minutes a day. You will:

• Learn about the common mental, physical, and spiritual factors that contribute to chronic caregiving stress and mental health symptoms
• Practice simple coping skills to improve your mental, physical, and spiritual health
• Create a personalized stress-reduction plan

Afternoon Session-Living Joyfully in the Present

In the midst of the daily stress, illnesses, and grief, finding hope and meaningful moments can be difficult. In the afternoon session, you will discover how to find more joy and live your life to the fullest. You will:

• Practice easy ways to fully live in the present
• Cultivate a new perspective by cherishing simple moments and expressing gratitude
• Explore more ways to add joy and fun to your week

This episode with Kyndell Harkness is a follow-up from an interview #161 with Molly and Kristen from the Mama Bear Podcast. Kyndell Harkness, a former photojournalist at the Minnesota Star Tribune and now CEO and founder of Infinite Voices. 

The episode delves into Kyndell's journey from Harlem to the Midwest, her extensive career in journalism, and her transition into a role focused on culture and community. Kyndell discusses her work in promoting diversity and inclusion within newsrooms, emphasizing the importance of diverse voices to cover blind spots and build trust with communities. The episode touches on Operation Metro Search in Minneapolis, highlighting the community's strategic response and ongoing mutual aid efforts.

Finally, Kyndell introduces Infinite Voices, her consultancy aimed at fostering human-centered workplace cultures. She emphasizes the significance of building a strong cultural foundation that adapts over time, allowing organizations to thrive amidst change.

1: 31 Kyndell’s background

4:20 Kyndell’s role as Head of Culture and Community at the Minnesota Star Tribune

9:26 Diversity of Voices  in the NewsRoom

12:59 What is happening on the ground in Minnesota?

19:42 Diversification of news sources

20:31 The beginnings of Infinite Voices

34:53 Business and People Strategy for your business

36:00 Final Words and Key Takeaways: 

1) Stay curious and intentional 

2) Person-to-person connections in the flesh!

⁠Link⁠ to Kyndell’s article in the Minnesota Star Tribune⁠

Link ⁠to Mutual Aid for MN

Michaela Barnett is a small business owner, scientist, and community leader who spent the last year working in Congress — so she knows firsthand what isn’t working, why, and what to do about it.

She's running to flip the longest-held Republican seat in the country, Tennessee's second congressional district. Michaela is fighting to reclaim our people's power and reform our government to better serve the people of East Tennessee. 

This race is going to take all of us working together to flip this long-held Republican seat. Think about the message it would send to the powers that be, if we flip TN-02 blue!

Timeline of our conversation:

0:00 Introduction

1: 30 Michaela's backstory and civil engineering career

5:30 Knoxfill - A community refillery in Knoxville, TN

9:17 Why is policy important?

12:17 School Vouchers and Students with Disabilities

16:00 Medicaid and universal basic healthcare

17:30 Women's Reproductive Health

24:29: Voting Rights and the SAVE Act

28:00 Action Items