Tenille Taggart on Preventative Policy, Childcare Cuts, and Running for Salt Lake County Council At-Large

Support her campaign at @TenilleTaggart, votefortenille.com, ActBlue. Get the Civic App in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store for all for your politics needs.

Host Amy McDonald interviews Tenille Taggart, a gay and gender-fluid community organizer running for Salt Lake County Council at-large, about her path from conservative Mormon roots to clinical psychology and forensic mental health work. They discuss Salt Lake County priorities like childcare, libraries, arts, parks, and shifting funds away from heavy criminal-justice spending, plus concerns about criminalizing homelessness and proposed detention-style facilities. Taggart also outlines the local election landscape, the impacts of gerrymandering and the state supermajority, and how to support her campaign (@TenilleTaggart, votefortenille.com, ActBlue).

00:00 Why We Shouldn’t Criminalize Homelessness (Cold Open)

00:19 Welcome Back to The Foolish Optimist + Meet Candidate Tenille Taggart

01:36 Why Tenille’s Running: From Conservative Mormon Upbringing to LGBTQ+ Advocate

04:43 Forensic Mental Health 101: Rehab, Felonies, and Second Chances

07:41 Prevention Over Punishment: The Childcare Cuts and Their Real Cost

10:44 What the Salt Lake County Council Actually Does (Budgets, Parks, Libraries)

12:41 The Proposed Homeless ‘Internment Camp’ & ICE Detention Plans

16:22 Libraries, Arts, and Why Community Spaces Keep People Out of Crisis

17:52 Election Landscape: At-Large Seat, Viral Organizing, and Flipping the Council

25:42 Galvanizing Parents Into Politics + Utah Power Players (Governor Cox)

28:00 Spotting the ‘Disagree Better’ Gaslight: Why Polished Politicians Worry Me

29:21 RHINOs, Extremism, and the Charlie Kirk/Nick Fuentes Rabbit Hole

30:26 Utah’s Maps & a Shot at a Blue Seat: Fighting Gerrymandering and ‘DINOs’

32:02 What It Really Takes to Run for Office: Stress, Money, and Filing Fees

32:52 PAC Money, Super PAC Downlines, and the ‘MLM’ of Political Loyalty

34:43 The Daycare Fight: Retaliation Claims, Conflicts of Interest, and Who’s Pulling Strings

35:40 From Utah to the Nation: Private Equity, Project 2025/2026, and Cutting Childcare

38:02 ‘We’re Not Cooked’: Beating Shock-and-Awe with Organizing and Midterms

39:47 Local Power in Utah: Flipping Seats, Breaking the Supermajority, and Getting Involved

41:29 Donate & Follow the Campaign + Rapid-Fire Q&A 

Finding New Leaders and Standing Your Ground: A Conversation with Ashley Bell

Host Amy McDonald of The Foolish Optimist podcast sits down with Ashley Bell, a candidate for the United States House of Representatives in North Carolina's 10th Congressional District. The discussion covers Bell's background as a public school teacher, physician's associate, and educator, as well as her commitment to expanding healthcare access, strengthening public education, and protecting reproductive freedom. Bell shares her views on uncompromising stances in politics, especially regarding healthcare, and the political shift she experienced alongside her career in healthcare. They also discuss the unique challenges faced by North Carolina's 10th District, voter engagement strategies, and the impact of gerrymandering and voter suppression. The episode concludes with Bell's thoughts on the blue wave in upcoming elections and highlights her campaign's focus on addressing affordability and healthcare issues.

00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks

00:35 Welcome to the Foolish Optimist Podcast

00:52 Introducing Ashley Bell

03:09 Challenges in North Carolina Healthcare

04:24 Medicare for All Discussion

08:21 Personal Stories and Healthcare System Critique

20:45 North Carolina's 10th District Overview

23:59 Upcoming Primary and Election Details

24:09 Unexpected Primary Competition

24:27 The Only Woman in the Race

45:06 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Dr. Candice Duvieihl and Her Campaign for Alabama's 5th Congressional District

Follow along with Candice's campaign at https://www.candiceduvieilhforcongress.com/

Get the Civic app in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store for your reps needs.

Host Amy McDonald welcomes Dr. Candice Duvieihl to the Foolish Optimist Podcast to discuss her campaign for the US House of Representatives Democratic Primary in Alabama's 5th Congressional District. Dr. Duvieihl shares her motivations rooted in her working-class background and highlights her qualifications as a government accounting expert and policy analyst. The conversation covers a wide range of topics including the importance of public education, community safety, affordable housing, and the critical need for infrastructure improvements. Dr. Duvieihl also discusses the economic challenges faced by the working class, the unethical practices of corporations, and the necessity for consumer protections. Throughout the episode, the focus remains on empowering every day Alabamians over corporate interests, and the need for authentic, accountable leadership in government.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Welcome

00:34 Introducing Dr. Candice: A Champion for Working Families

02:09 Candice's Background and Motivation for Running

03:06 The Importance of Government and Public Administration

05:21 Challenges and Privatization in Public Services

12:26 Education and Trade Skills: Investing in the Future

19:14 Political Authenticity and Voter Engagement

26:54 Government Accountability and Corporate Influence

30:21 Corporate Impact on Local Infrastructure

31:16 The Importance of Public Administration

31:53 Challenges with Housing Developments

32:30 Breaking the Cycle of Shortsighted Planning

33:50 Affordable Housing and Commuting Issues

34:51 Traffic and Public Transit Concerns

36:32 Alabama's Public Transportation Fund

37:23 Accountability in Government Spending

37:57 The Alabama Prison System Crisis

39:15 Historical Context of Prisons in the South

41:41 Personal Anecdotes and Road Trips

45:09 Affordability Crisis and Consumer Protections

51:38 Small Business and Government Contracts

54:36 Final Thoughts and Contact Information