This week, Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives Melissa Hortman joined the podcast to discuss how DFLers actually went about passing so much amazing legislation, why Republicans completely dropped the ball this session, and so much more! 

This week, we sat down with former Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper to  talk about his new book: Saving Democracy: A User’s Guide. David shares some great and actionable information about how listeners can get involved in fighting for our democracy in your own backyards.

You can find out where to buy David's book at https://savedemocracy.us/where-to-buy/

To read more of David's political analysis, check out his Substack: https://davidpepper.substack.com/

Ron DeSantis is many things: an authoritarian, an extremist, a bigot. But he's also a deeply weird dude. We get into all of that and more with special guest Nikki Fried, Chair of the Florida Democratic Party, on this week's episode of the DFL Debrief!

This week, the show takes a look at a highly-publicized focus group story that showcased the popularity of the Trifecta's legislation among these thirteen average Minnesotans (and many more?) 

We also laugh at Ron DeSantis' poor name ID as well as review a singing telegram Ken received for his 50th birthday that is still keeping us up at night. 

Dr. Senator Alice Mann joins the DFL Debrief this week to walk us through the newly-passed Paid Family Leave legislation and the overwhelmingly positive effects it will have on Minnesotans, no matter where you work. She also discusses her journey from doctor to the MN House to the MN Senate. 

We have a Mike Lindell bathtub sighting during YouBetcha & OhGeez, and Vlad's fact highlights how Nebraska's legislature became so unique. 

Finally, Brian and Will make a very natural-sounding pitch for DFLers everywhere to attend the "Crow Wing County DFL: More Variety-Better Society" variety show on August 19th! 

This week, we sat down with and former (and likely future) 8th congressional district candidate Jen Schultz to discuss her campaign for congress. Schultz is an economist and served for four terms in the Minnesota State House of Representatives and had a lot of interesting insights into the process of running for Congress, the disappointing tenure of Republican Congressman Pete Stauber, and so much more!

The Star Tribune flag submission story from Will's Oh Geez: https://www.startribune.com/readers-sent-us-their-designs-for-a-new-state-flag/600287530/#14

This week, we were joined by State Rep. Cedrick Frazier to discuss the red flag and universal background check bills that were signed into law this year to help reduce gun violence in Minnesota.

If you found this episode informative, please be sure to share the DFL Debrief with your friends and family and review us on your podcast platform of choice! 

Sarah McBride's website, which Ken referenced in his You Betcha: https://www.sarahmcbride.com

This week, we are joined by Senator Erin Maye Quade to discuss where things stand at the state and federal level almost exactly one year after the Supreme Court ended federal protections for abortion.

If you found this episode informative, please be sure to share the DFL Debrief with your friends and family and review us on your podcast platform of choice! 

The Debrief is joined this week by the Attorney General of Minnesota, Keith Ellison, who talks about his prosecution in the Derek Chauvin case and how it led him to write a book titled "Break the Wheel: Ending the Cycle of Police Violence".

AG Ellison also describes his feelings in the final moments before the guilty verdict and the need for continued efforts toward meaningful change.

Rep. Zack Stephenson breaks down the cannabis legalization bill that he helped write and that was just signed into law this week! We also discuss the legislative session generally and a whole lot more. This was a terrific conversation, so be sure to check it out and share it around!