Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! In this episode, we take a fascinating detour into the world of photojournalism with legendary photographer Stanley Forman.

Forman sits down to discuss his remarkable career, the photographs that shaped his legacy and the stories behind some of his most iconic images. From his early days as a young photographer to the moments that earned him national recognition and Pulitzer Prizes, Forman offers a firsthand look at the people, places and events he captured through his lens.

It's a conversation about photography, journalism and history — and a reminder of how a single photograph can capture a moment and define an era.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast, HERE.

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Lyndsey Coates on Instagram @list_with_lyndsey

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! Few American families have captured the public imagination quite like the Kennedys. From politics and presidential power to tragedy, celebrity and scandal, the Kennedy name has been woven into the fabric of American history for generations. But how did the family become so influential—and does the Kennedy name still carry the same weight today?

In this episode, we explore the history, mythology and enduring influence of the Kennedy family with Dr. John Hellmann, author of The Kennedy Obsession, and Preston Thompson, the longtime former host of The Georgia Politics Podcast, who makes his grand return to the show to discuss one of his favorite subjects: the Kennedys.

We look at why Americans became so fascinated with the Kennedys, how the family's influence evolved over the decades, and whether the Kennedy name still opens doors in American politics today.

It's a conversation about power, legacy, celebrity and the enduring obsession with one of America's most famous political families.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast, HERE.

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Lyndsey Coates on Instagram @list_with_lyndsey

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! The Democratic National Committee has adopted a new presidential nominating calendar, reshaping the road to the White House and reigniting debate over which states should have the biggest voice in choosing a nominee.

In this episode of The Georgia Politics Podcast, Wendy Davis joins the show to explain why Democrats made the change, how the new calendar came together, and what it means for battleground states like Georgia. We discuss the party's goals, the political calculations behind the new order, and whether the changes will strengthen the nomination process or create new challenges ahead of the 2028 presidential race.

From the growing influence of Georgia in national politics to the future of the Democratic coalition, this conversation offers an inside look at one of the most significant structural changes to presidential politics in years.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast, HERE.

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Lyndsey Coates on Instagram @list_with_lyndsey

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome back to The Georgia Politics Podcast for Part 2 of The Creek Campaign.

The movement to create Johns Creek had gained momentum, but one crucial hurdle remained: convincing voters to say yes. Joined by former Fulton County Commissioner Liz Hausmann and community leader Chris Cupit, we revisit the referendum campaign that would determine whether northeast Fulton County would finally become Georgia's newest city.

Drawing on their firsthand experiences, Hausmann and Cupit recount the grassroots effort to educate voters, build community support, navigate organized opposition, and make the case that local control would lead to a stronger future. They share stories from the campaign trail, the challenges of uniting diverse neighborhoods behind a common vision, and the excitement that surrounded referendum day.

The Creek Campaign is a special two-part series from The Georgia Politics Podcast, chronicling the people, politics and pivotal moments behind the creation of Johns Creek, Georgia. Together, these conversations reveal how a citizen-led movement became one of the most successful municipal incorporations in Georgia history.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast, HERE.

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Lyndsey Coates on Instagram @list_with_lyndsey

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! Before Johns Creek became one of Georgia's largest and most successful cities, it was simply a collection of neighborhoods with a shared identity - but no city government to call its own.

In Part 1 of The Creek Campaign, we journey back to the origins of the municipalization movement that transformed northeast Fulton County. Joined by former Georgia Speaker of the House Mark Burkhalter, we explore the area's explosive growth, mounting frustrations with county government, and the community leaders who began asking a simple but consequential question: Would Johns Creek be better off as its own city?

Drawing on Burkhalter's firsthand perspective and deep knowledge of the legislative process, we examine the political climate of the late 1990s and early 2000s, the challenges that sparked the movement, the grassroots organizing that brought neighbors together, and the first efforts to turn an ambitious idea into political reality.

The Creek Campaign is a special two-part series from The Georgia Politics Podcast, chronicling the people, politics and pivotal moments behind the creation of Johns Creek, Georgia.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast, HERE.

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Lyndsey Coates on Instagram @list_with_lyndsey

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! In this 13th installment of our 1976 series, we explore one of the most memorable Olympic Games in history with special guest Dr. Shirley Reekie.

From Nadia Comăneci's historic perfect 10s and Bruce Jenner's gold medal-winning decathlon to the African boycott, Cold War rivalries and the financial legacy of the Games, we examine the triumphs, controversies and lasting impact of the Montreal Olympics. Dr. Reekie provides historical perspective on how these Games reflected the political and cultural climate of the mid-1970s while reshaping international sports for generations to come.

Whether you're an Olympic enthusiast, a history buff or simply fascinated by the defining moments of 1976, this episode offers an engaging look back at the athletes, stories and events that made Montreal unforgettable.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Lyndsey Coates on Instagram @list_with_lyndsey

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! The Georgia Legislature returned to the Gold Dome for a rare special session, and Rep. Scott Hilton joins the show to break down what happened and why it matters.

We take an inside look at the issues that brought lawmakers back to Atlanta, the debates that shaped the session, and the legislation that emerged from it. We discuss the political dynamics inside the Capitol, where Republicans and Democrats found common ground, where they clashed, and what the outcomes could mean for Georgia residents.

From the biggest policy decisions to the behind-the-scenes negotiations, this conversation offers a clear, firsthand recap of the 2026 special session and what comes next as state leaders turn their attention toward the 2027 legislative session and the upcoming election cycle.

Whether you closely follow Georgia politics or just want to understand how decisions at the Capitol affect your community, this episode provides the context and analysis you need.

To connect with Rep. Hilton, click HERE

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Lyndsey Coates on Instagram @list_with_lyndsey

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

In this episode of the Georgia Politics Podcast, we reflect on the life and legacy of former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan following his passing.

For nearly two decades, Greenspan helped shape U.S. monetary policy through economic booms, market crashes and periods of historic change, becoming one of the most influential figures in modern finance.

We discuss the decisions that defined his tenure, the praise and criticism that followed him throughout his career, and how his approach to interest rates, inflation and financial regulation continues to influence policymakers today. Was Greenspan the steady hand that guided the American economy through unprecedented growth, or did some of his policies contribute to the financial crises that followed?

Join us as we examine the complicated legacy of one of the most consequential economic leaders of the last half-century and what his impact means for today's economy and tomorrow's policymakers.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Lyndsey Coates on Instagram @list_with_lyndsey

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome back to The Georgia Politics Podcast! We continue our 1976 series marking the 50th anniversary of one of the most memorable celebrations in American history—the United States Bicentennial.

We are joined by an award-winning historian and the author of Bicentennial: A Revolutionary History of the 1970s to explore how the nation's 200th birthday became far more than a celebration of the past. Together, we examine the political, cultural and social forces that shaped the Bicentennial, why it resonated with millions of Americans, and how its legacy continues to influence the country five decades later.

From patriotic celebrations and historic events to the broader questions of national identity that defined 1976, this episode offers a fascinating look back at a pivotal moment in American history. Whether you lived through the Bicentennial or are discovering its significance for the first time, this conversation provides fresh insight into one of the defining events of the decade.

Join us as our journey through 1976 continues—one landmark anniversary at a time.

To purchase Bicentennial: A Revolutionary History of the 1970s by Marc Stein, click HERE.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Lyndsey Coates on Instagram @list_with_lyndsey

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! Georgia Public Service Commissioner Peter Hubbard joins the podcast to discuss his time on the commission, what has surprised him most since taking office, and the challenges of regulating Georgia's rapidly growing energy landscape.

Hubbard reflects on the campaign that propelled him into office, shares lessons learned during his short tenure, and explains his priorities as he seeks a full term in the November election. The conversation also covers utility rates, infrastructure, consumer protection, and what voters should know before heading to the polls.

To connect with Commissioner Hubbard or learn more about his campaign, click HERE.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Lyndsey Coates on Instagram @list_with_lyndsey

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol