Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Brice Futch, a Cherokee County firefighter and Republican candidate for Georgia’s open Senate District 21 seat.

With longtime Senator Brandon Beach now serving as U.S. Treasurer in Washington, D.C., the race is wide open—and Brice Futch is running as a grassroots conservative focused on faith, family, and freedom.

We talk about what inspired his run for office, his top policy priorities—including school choice and parental rights—and how his frontline experience as a first responder shapes his approach to leadership.

Tune in for a candid conversation about his vision for District 21, the unique challenges facing Georgia families, and why he believes now is the time for bold, conservative action under the Gold Dome.

Connect with Brice online, HERE.

Doing the Right Thing: Making Moral Choices in a World Full of Options featuring Chuck Colson, click HERE.

Brice’s podcast The Way Forward with Brice Futch can be found anywhere you download podcasts, including on Apple Podcasts, HERE.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On this anniversary of Jimmy Hoffa’s disappearance, we revisit one of the most enduring mysteries in American history.

Hoffa, the infamous Teamsters boss with deep ties to organized crime and political power, vanished on July 30, 1975, from a Detroit-area parking lot—and hasn’t been seen since. Was it the mob? A deal gone wrong?

We dive into the facts, the fiction and the theories that won’t die. Nearly five decades later, one question still haunts the nation: What really happened to Jimmy Hoffa?

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On the show today, we are joined by Sandy Springs City Councilman Tibby DeJulio for Part 2 of our mini-series on the incorporation of the City of Sandy Springs.

Sandy Springs City Councilman Tibby DeJulio joins to recount the decades-long push to incorporate Sandy Springs and the grassroots movement that powered it. He reflects on the community’s determination and the 2005 vote in which an overwhelming 94% of residents supported cityhood.

DeJulio offers a behind-the-scenes look at how residents transformed a long-standing vision into one of Georgia’s most successful incorporations.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with former Alpharetta City Councilman Brian Will, a Republican candidate for Georgia’s open Senate District 21 seat.

With longtime Senator Brandon Beach now serving as U.S. Treasurer in Washington, D.C., the race is wide open—and Brian Will is hoping to bring his business background and conservative values to the State Capitol.

We discuss why he's running, his top policy priorities, and what distinguishes him from the rest of the field. From education and economic development to public safety and government accountability, Will shares his vision for both the district and the state.

Tune in for a candid conversation about the campaign trail, the stakes of this election, and how local leadership is shaping Georgia’s future.

Connect with Brian, HERE

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome back to The Georgia Politics Podcast! We are back this week with Part 2 of our deep dive into the 1975 blockbuster film Jaws, its cultural legacy, and its enduring impact on the film industry.

Join us as we unpack the broader societal impact of a movie that was never just a movie.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome back to The Georgia Politics Podcast! This week, we're diving into another installment of our 1975 series—this time focusing on the blockbuster film Jaws, its cultural legacy, and its enduring impact on the film industry.

From its groundbreaking effects and unforgettable score to its lasting influence on Hollywood and summer blockbusters, we explore how Steven Spielberg's thriller redefined fear and filmmaking. Whether you’re a longtime fan or dipping your toes in for the first time, join us for a look back at the movie that made an entire generation afraid to go in the water.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! In this episode, we’re joined by political strategist and NYC insider Jason Weingartner for a deep dive into the 2025 New York City mayoral race.

We break down the early contenders, key issues shaping the race, and what voters are really looking for in the city’s next leader. Jason brings sharp analysis and behind-the-scenes insight into campaign strategy and the shifting political dynamics across the five boroughs.

Whether you're a political junkie or just trying to make sense of NYC’s future, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Tune in now to stay ahead of the curve in one of the country’s most closely watched elections.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! In this episode, we explore the political journey of Bob Barr following his high-profile role as a House manager during President Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial.

Once a staunch conservative Republican, Barr’s career took a series of surprising turns — from continuing his tenure in Congress to eventually becoming the Libertarian Party’s 2008 presidential nominee.

We trace his path through post-impeachment politics, his advocacy for civil liberties, and the ideological shift that redefined his public persona. Tune in for a look at one of the more complex and controversial figures of late 20th-century American politics.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On today’s show, we discuss what—if anything—Congress can or should do about a president’s fitness to serve.

As America's political leaders continue to age, questions around mental acuity, physical stamina, and fitness for office have become harder to ignore. We are joined by two members of academia to dive into the complex and often uncomfortable topic of aging Presidents—from Reagan to Biden—and how age-related decline can affect leadership at the highest level.

What mechanisms exist to evaluate a sitting President’s capacity to serve? Is the 25th Amendment a practical safeguard, or a political nonstarter? And what, if anything, can or should Congress do to ensure the executive branch remains sharp, stable, and accountable?

Join us for a candid conversation on power, health, and the constitutional gray zones at the intersection of age and authority.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! It's 1975 again, and in Part 6 we are discussing one of the final flashpoints of the Vietnam War era — the Mayaguez Incident.

Often overshadowed by larger conflicts of the time, this tense and tragic event marked the last official battle involving U.S. forces in Southeast Asia. We unpack the timeline of events, from the capture of the American cargo ship SS Mayaguez by the Khmer Rouge in May 1975, to the swift and deadly U.S. military response ordered by President Gerald Ford.

What drove the urgency behind the mission? How did this short but violent episode shape U.S. foreign policy and public perception of the war’s end?

Join us as we explore the politics, pressure, and human cost behind the Mayaguez Incident — a story of rescue, retaliation, and the murky line between peace and war.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol