Daniel and Quinn cap off Pride Month with a special guest: Ken Smith, President of Alamance Pride and Certified Badass. Ken reflects on his journey in local activism, emphasizing the profound impact of Pride organizations in small towns. He also offers a glimpse into what he'd discuss with bigoted community leaders over coffee and shares his secret to being "the cool parent."

A stripper, an IRS agent, and a preacher walk into a bar. This isn't a joke. It's our next guest! Meet Reverend Mark Sandlin, an ordained Presbyterian minister and co-founder of ProgressiveChristianity.org. In a captivating dialogue, Mark delves into his acclaimed article, "Clobbering 'Biblical' Gay Bashing," shedding light on the surprisingly recent origins of biblical homophobia, while passionately condemning the intolerance preached in the name of God. Mark challenges the harmful 'love the sinner, hate the sin' mentality, offering a nuanced perspective on faith and acceptance. But that's not all. Mark opens up about his unconventional approach to ministry, which involves fellowshipping with unconventional folks (strippers and IRS agents) in unconventional places (dive bars and back alleys). Through his unique experiences, Mark shares his reflections on the human condition and the transformative power of compassion, inviting listeners to reconsider entrenched beliefs and embrace a more inclusive understanding of faith and love. Connect with Mark on social media @marksandlin

In this special Pride Month episode of Hometown Holler, hosts Daniel Ayers and Quinn Ray welcome Rachel Hopkins, founder and president of Transcend Alamance. Rachel discusses the mission and impact of her organization in fostering a sense of belonging for LGBTQIA+ and gender-expansive individuals in Alamance County. From her personal story as a mother of a transgender child to the vital community events hosted by Transcend, Rachel shares profound insights and triumphs. Tune in to learn more about the crucial work being done to support the LGBTQIA+ community and celebrate diversity.

Learn more about TranscendAlamance at their website.

Connect with Stormie at www.stormiedaie.com and on social media @stormiedaie

Calling all Law and Order Fans! This week, the Holler sits down with Satana Deberry, Durham County's B.A. D.A. Satana recounts her journey from working as a defense attorney in her hometown to serving as the General Counsel of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and now as Durham County DA. A pioneer of restorative justice, Satana emphasizes the importance of communication, victim-led justice processes, and addressing systemic issues such as generational poverty and wage theft.

The Holler welcomes the AMAZING Julie von Haefen. Between being a mother of three, a dedicated public education advocate, and a member of the NC House, Julie knows a thing or two about service and leadership. Lucky for Quinn and Daniel, she's taking a moment out of her hectic schedule to visit the Holler and recount her journey from PTA leader to lawmaker, highlighting her grassroots efforts in advocating for public education; even as a state rep she's STILL in the classroom as a substitute teacher!!  Beyond sharing her insights from the halls of power, Julie takes the school defunders to task, demonstrating how the comprehensive Leandro Plan can fulfill our state's constitutional obligation to provide a sound basic education to every child in North Carolina. Connect with Julie on Instagram @juliefornc and through her website www.juliefornc.com

00:00 World’s Greatest Podcast Intro

01:25 Special Guest: Julie von Haefen's Journey to Politics

03:20 From PTA President to State Representative: Julie's Advocacy for Education

08:04 Inside the Classroom: A Representative's Perspective

11:14 The Leandro Case: A Landmark for North Carolina Education

17:48 Navigating Legislative Challenges and Strategies

18:38 The Battle for Public Education: Persistence and Tactics

22:07 Understanding the Impact of Funding on Education

22:47 Exploring the Realities of Teacher Pay and School Resources

26:40 The Political Landscape of Education Funding

31:09 Voucher System Debate: Unpacking the Consequences

35:32 Reflecting on Public Good and Community Support

37:30 Wrapping Up: A Conversation on Data-Driven Leadership

What's in your water? This week the Holler finds out with the help of Professor La'Meshia Whittington, Founder and President of Democracy Green. A social scientist, policy expert, and environmental justice activist, Professor Whittington unpacks the complexities of PFAS pollution and its far-reaching impact, on public health. Along the way, she highlights the importance of new EPA regulations to remove PFAS from our water and offers practical advice for individuals to minimize their exposure to toxic "forever chemicals." From the history of corporate negligence in the American South to the pivotal role of policy in protecting public health, Professor Whittington tells listeners how our water got so damn disgusting and how we can clean it up!

Connect with Professor Whittington at https://www.professorlameshia.com/ and on Instagram @nebiyah_

00:00 World's Greatest Podcast Intro

01:49 Professor Whittington's Background

05:43 Impact of PFAS

07:47 Accountability and Corporate Pollution

08:33 Challenges in Regulation

13:45 Global Perspectives on PFAS

23:53 Current Regulatory Framework

Husband, father, candidate, congressman, soldier, social media star—on a given day, Jeff Jackson is all of these and more. The candidate for NC Attorney General sits down with Quinn and Daniel for what will surely go down as the most ruthless grilling of his political career. In a wide-ranging conversation, Jeff reflects on how he went from being the guy behind the counter at Blockbuster Video to one of North Carolina’s most celebrated leaders. Along the way, Jeff recounts his decision to enlist in the Army after 9/11 and the role chance has played in his extraordinary political career—the dude won his first election by ONE vote! From sage insights to Hollywood hot takes, this is Jeff Jackson as you’ve never seen him before.

Connect with Congressman Jackson at his website jeffjacksonnc.com or on social media @jeffjacksonnc

Show Notes:

00:13 On Location Episode: Exploring History and Politics

00:47 Catching Up with Congressman Jeff Jackson

02:01 Who is Jeff?

03:04 Finding Balance in a Busy Life

08:46 Jeff's Journey: Was it All a Plan?

12:55 Making Politics Possible: the Importance of Mentors and Role Models

16:25 Reflections on September 11

18:54 The Changing Landscape of Local Journalism

19:38 Utilizing Social Media for Transparency

20:30 Making Friends on Capitol Hill

22:14 Hollywood Hot Takes: From Blockbuster to Recent Hits

26:04 Exploring North Carolina's Hidden Treasures

27:35 Guilty Pleasures and Personal Interests: Books, Presidents, and Music

31:55 Closing Thoughts: Politicians are People too

As candidate for Commissioner of Labor, Braxton Winston gives North Carolina voters a lot to like. His diverse background includes experience as a union stagehand, sports TV grip for the Charlotte Hornets, and mayor pro tem of North Carolina’s largest city. In his first conversation with the Holler, Braxton reflects on his bones-deep commitment to public service, the importance of good labor policy, and his vision to make North Carolina the best state in the Union for workers AND businesses. Most importantly, he also takes a moment to explain just what exactly the Commissioner of Labor does. Keep up with Braxton at www.votebraxton.com and on social media @votebraxton