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Gloria Johnson talks with Civil Miller-Watkins, a middle school math teacher and former Fayette County school board vice-chair who is running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Bill Hagerty. The two ran against each other in the 2024 Senate Democratic primary and now sit down as allies. They cover Civil's roots in rural West Tennessee, the origin of her name (tied to her mother's civil rights activism), maternal health care and hospital closures in rural Tennessee, reproductive rights, voucher programs and public school funding, redistricting, and what it will take to turn out Democratic voters in a state that hasn't elected one to the Senate since 1990.

For full episodes and show notes visit: ⁠https://www.standingtallpod.com/episodes⁠

Civil Miller-Watkins

Instagram: @civil4tn (⁠https://www.instagram.com/civil4tn/⁠)

Website:

⁠civil4tn.com⁠

Rep. Gloria Johnson

Instagram: @votegloriaj (⁠https://www.instagram.com/votegloriaj/⁠)

X: @VoteGloriaJ (⁠https://x.com/VoteGloriaJ⁠)

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/VoteGloriaJohnson/⁠

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Gloria Johnson talks with Justin Kanew, founder of the progressive news outlet The Tennessee Holler, about the state of Tennessee media and politics. Kanew traces his path from a 2016 congressional run against Marsha Blackburn's seat to founding the Holler, and the two dig into press access at the Capitol, the 2023 expulsion of the "Tennessee Three," the erosion of floor debate under recent House speakers, corruption in the legislature (with a focus on school vouchers and a troubling judicial confirmation story), and what gives them hope, including youth political engagement and the rise of figures like Zohran Mamdani.

Guest

Justin Kanew

Instagram: @justinkanew (⁠https://www.instagram.com/justinkanew/⁠)

X: @Kanew (⁠https://x.com/Kanew⁠)

The Tennessee Holler

Instagram: @thetnholler (⁠https://www.instagram.com/thetnholler/⁠)

X: @TheTNHoller

Website: tnholler.com

Host:

Rep. Gloria Johnson

Instagram: @votegloriaj ⁠https://www.instagram.com/votegloriaj/⁠

X: @VoteGloriaJ

⁠https://x.com/VoteGloriaJ⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/VoteGloriaJohnson/⁠

Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note.

I've spent years fighting in the legislature, speaking out, and standing up for Tennessee. Now I'm bringing those conversations straight to you.

Join me for candid conversations with the people shaping the future of Tennessee, the south, and our country. We'll cut through the noise, tell the truth, and of course have a lot of fun doing it.

The first episode is dropping soon, so don’t miss it!