For Heidi, the reflecting pool on the National Mall in D.C. is more than a tourist attraction; it's a metaphor for how Washington handles problems. Years of algae, cloudy water, and expensive repairs reflect a familiar pattern: ignore an issue until it becomes a crisis, then spend money on a temporary fix rather than addressing the underlying cause. She believes rural America has been treated the same way for decades.

In this quick episode of The Hot Dish, Heidi talks about how low crop prices, tariffs, and bad policy keep hurting the people who actually farm the land. She also gives a peek at upcoming conversations with Joel.

The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project. To learn more, visit OneCountryProject.org, or find us on Substack (Onecountryproject.substack.com), and on YouTube, Bluesky, and Facebook (@onecountryproject)

• (02:00) - - Metaphor of the reflecting pool and impulsive government decisions

Nick Levendofsky has spent years watching Washington write farm bills that land badly in the field. As director of the Kansas Farmers Union, he's tracked input costs climbing, cattle herds shrinking, and processing power concentrating into fewer hands, and he's done sugarcoating what that means.

While Heidi is out this week, Joel sits down with Nick to work through where the farm bill actually stands, why the House version leaves too much on the table, and what trade wars cost rural markets long after the headlines move on.

In this episode:

• Why the House farm bill misses on crop insurance, antitrust, and beginning farmers
• The bipartisan math required to pass anything that actually sticks
• How packers and processors have shifted market power away from producers
• What tariffs and trade disruptions do to rural markets over the long run
• The structural problems no single bill can fix, and where the pressure points are

Resources & Links

Kansas Farmers Union

Connect with Nick Levendofsky on:

LinkedIn

The farm bill keeps falling short, and farmers can't afford to wait. Tune in, get informed, and find out what real reform actually looks like.

The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project. To learn more, visit OneCountryProject.org, or find us on Substack (Onecountryproject.substack.com), and on YouTube, Bluesky, and Facebook (@onecountryproject).

• (00:00) - Overview of today's focus on U.S. farm policy challenges

Buckle up, history buffs and democracy defenders. We're sitting down with Ruth Ben-Ghiat, professor of history and Italian studies at New York University, author of Strongman, and one of the leading experts on authoritarianism, to connect the dots between today's political chaos and the playbooks of history's most dangerous leaders. The parallels are less "ancient history" and more "this week's headlines," and Ruth is here to decode every one of them.

Heidi and Joel also unpack the shifting electoral map, with a look at Senate battlegrounds, emerging gubernatorial contests, and what the current political climate means for voters heading into the next cycle.

In this episode:

• How today's administration mirrors the tactics of historic autocrats
• The anatomy of a cult of personality, and how they're built
• The "only I can do it" syndrome and why it resonates
• The TINA trap: why "There Is No Alternative" is so dangerous
• What the bunker mentality reveals about autocratic fear
• Religion, symbols, and grievance as tools of authoritarian power
• The warning signs of democratic erosion, and how fast it moves
• Why American resilience may be the one thing autocrats can't plan for

Connect with Ruth Ben-Ghiat on:
       Twitter
       Substack: Lucid

The playbook for autocracy isn't buried in history books; it's playing out in real time. Tune in, get informed, and maybe think twice before you call this just another political phase.

The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project. To learn more, visit OneCountryProject.org, or find us on Substack (Onecountryproject.substack.com), and on YouTube, Bluesky, and Facebook (@onecountryproject).

• (00:00) - Introduction to Ruth Ben-Ghiat's expertise on authoritarianism

This episode pulls back the curtain on the AI gold rush, the data centers, the water bills, the NDAs, and what it all means for rural communities that rarely have a seat at the table.

AI sounds like the future, but the costs are landing unevenly, especially outside major cities. Heidi and Joel join Dr. Emily Bender and Dr. Alex Hanna to dig into the real, and rarely discussed, toll of our digital infrastructure boom, from secretive corporate deals to environmental strain, and ask the question nobody in Silicon Valley wants answered: who actually pays the price?

In this episode:

• The gap between AI hype and reality, and why it matters
• Data centers sprouting faster than the regulations meant to govern them
• The true costs to energy, water, and local infrastructure that corporations aren't advertising
• Public resistance, NDA nightmares, and the political pressure to build fast
• Why regulation hasn't kept pace and how communities are pushing back
• The risks of AI overreliance, hallucinations, and why source-checking matters
• Where international regulation stands and the gap in U.S. policy

Guests:

• Emily Bender - Twitter | University Profile
• Alex Hanna’s Website
• DAIR Institute

The AI boom isn't slowing down, but neither are the people asking the hard questions. Tune in, get informed, and maybe think twice before you trust the hype.

The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project. To learn more, visit OneCountryProject.org, or find us on Substack (Onecountryproject.substack.com), and on YouTube, Bluesky, and Facebook (@onecountryproject).

Today’s episode is a heartfelt dive into the wild, wonderful world of rural health care, featuring the utterly inspiring Tami DeCoteau. We explore everything from Native American trauma to the magic of telemedicine and, of course, the political circus affecting mental health funding. 

Why does Tami love her rural practice? How do social media and AI impact our minds? And what’s the deal with farmers feeling more stressed than a coffee addict on decaf? 

Heidi and Joel also discuss upcoming Senate and governor races, focusing on Sherrod Brown's potential return to the Senate, the political landscape in Ohio, and insights into key electoral strategies. They analyze the implications of recent political developments and candidate choices, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the current US political climate.

In this episode:

• The explosive need for mental health services in rural and Native American populations
• How telemedicine is becoming the unsung hero in rural mental health care
• Challenges of attracting providers to North Dakota—money, roads, and reputation
• The importance of trauma-informed care and how childhood experiences shape nervous systems
• The impact of economic stress, especially on farmers, and rising political tensions
• How social media and AI are rewiring our brains—think of it as mental cord-cutting gone wrong
• The future of rural health policy (more resources, better pay, and less stigma)
• The missing link: the pipeline of Native American psychologists and why rural providers are hard to find
• Plus, a quick political roundup, because who doesn’t love some political banter?

Guests:

• Tami DeCoteau - DeCoteau Trauma-Informed Care & Practice

And don’t forget to tell your friends, especially the ones who believe mental health is just "a phase," because Tami proves it's a lifelong mission.

The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project. To learn more, visit OneCountryProject.org, or find us on Substack (Onecountryproject.substack.com), and on YouTube, Bluesky, and Facebook (@onecountryproject).

• (00:00) - Introduction to Rural Health Care Challenges

Grab your coffee and get ready to talk dirt! Heidi and Joel check in on the state of the family farm, taking stock of what's actually happening in farm country right now. From a farm bill that leaves small farmers behind to a family sweet corn operation cutting its crop in half, this episode gets honest about the headwinds facing farm country.

In this episode:

• Why the new farm bill won't do much for small and mid-size family farmers
• How the war with Iran sent fertilizer prices through the roof — right when farmers were planning their season
• David Harold of Tuxedo Corn Company on why he's raising half the sweet corn he planned to this year
• The labor, trucking, pest, and drought pressures piling up on one Colorado farm
• Why farmers who vote against their economic interests may finally face a reckoning
• What hand-harvested, eating-quality sweet corn has to do with everything wrong with our food system

Family farmers are doing everything right — and still getting squeezed from every direction. David Harold's story of cutting back his beloved Olathe Sweet corn operation isn't just about one farm. It's about a food system that rewards shelf life over quality, scale over care, and corporate agriculture over the family farmers who built rural America.

Whether you're a farmer, a food lover, or just someone who wants to understand what's really happening in rural communities, this episode will change the way you think about what's on your plate. Hit play — and maybe go find some good sweet corn while you're at it.

Connect with David Harold and Tuxedo Corn Company:

• Tuxedo Corn Company
• Tuxedo Corn Company on Facebook

And remember: the dish is hottest when the stakes are highest. Don't miss the next Hot Dish — more flavor, less fuss!

The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project. To learn more, visit OneCountryProject.org, or find us on Substack (Onecountryproject.substack.com), and on YouTube, Bluesky, and Facebook (@onecountryproject).

• (00:00) - Introduction to The Hot Dish

Grab your sweet tea and pull up a chair! Heidi and Joel sit down with Scott Colom, candidate for U.S. Senate from Mississippi, to talk about what it actually takes to turn one of the reddest states in the nation. If you care about expanding the map, building real coalitions, and what Democrats can win when they show up, this episode's for you.

In this episode:

• How engaging directly with voters increased turnout by 90% in Mississippi's primaries
• Scott Colom’s stance on tariffs, healthcare, and rural economic revival
• The importance of authenticity and listening in modern politics
• How Colom plans to combat voter suppression and fight for fair elections
• The story about a soldier missing his daughter's softball game—and why it hits home
• Insights into Mississippi's unique primary system and demographic challenges
• The power of community voices—like barbers and farmers—in shaping policy

Most people have already written Mississippi off before the ballots are even printed. But Scott Colom isn't most people. In this conversation, the senate candidate makes the case that the most unexpected races can become the most important ones — and that the path to a Democratic Senate majority might just run through the heart of the Deep South.

Whether you're a political junkie, a grassroots organizer, or just someone who believes no voter should be left behind, this episode will challenge the way you think about the electoral map. Don't count Mississippi out. Hit play and hear why.

Connect with Scott Colom

• Scott Colom for Senate
• Scott Colom on Instagram
• Scott Colom on Facebook 

And remember: the dish is hottest when the race is closest. Don't miss the next Hot Dish — more flavor, less fuss!

The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project. To learn more, visit OneCountryProject.org, or find us on Substack (Onecountryproject.substack.com), and on YouTube, Bluesky, and Facebook (@onecountryproject).

• (00:00) - Introduction to The Hot Dish and Mississippi Politics

Hold onto your farm hats and Capitol coffee mugs! Heidi, Joel, and the legendary Scott MacFarlane spill the tea on courts, campaigns, and deer sausage. If you’re into political intrigue, judicial juiciness, and rural rallying cries, this episode's your new best friend.

In this episode:

• Scott McFarlane explains how Trump’s judicial nominees won’t admit the obvious: Biden won the 2020 election
• The GOP's silent treatment on Trump and what it means for the midterms
• Why rural America’s voice will decide the Senate race
• The future of the Supreme Court confirmations as the political landscape shifts
• The elusive "big swing" states: Iowa, Ohio, and others, and how farm costs are shaping votes
• The big debt debate: Who's serious and who’s just whining?
• Redistricting drama, and could AI solve the problem?

Most of us think courts and politics are dull as dishwater, until you realize they're the hidden game changers in who controls your future. In this eye-opening episode, seasoned journalist Scott McFarland spills the tea on the judiciary’s shift, the GOP’s silence on election truths, and why rural voters are the real kingmakers in 2024.

Essential listening for anyone tired of the circus and hungry for the real story, because if you’re waiting for change to happen from Washington’s fancy halls, you might be waiting forever. Want to know what’s really at stake in the fight for democracy? Hit play, buckle up, and get informed. The future isn’t just on the ballot; it’s in the courts, the districts, and the wallets of rural voters everywhere.

Connect with Scott McFarlane:

• Scott MacFarlane on Bluesky
• Scott MacFarlane on X
• Scott MacFarlane on Substack

And remember: when the political sausage is made, Scott’s your chef. Don’t miss the next Hot Dish—more flavor, less fuss!

The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project. To learn more, visit OneCountryProject.org, or find us on Substack (Onecountryproject.substack.com), and on YouTube, Bluesky, and Facebook (@onecountryproject).

• (00:00) - Introduction to the Conversation

Buckle in, folks, because Suzanne Mettler brings deep insights on the rural-urban political divide — and it’s more about history, economics, and institutions than you might think. If you’ve ever wondered why rural voters often vote Republican, despite Democratic policies benefiting them, or how to start healing this fractured relationship, this episode is for you. 

In this episode:

• Suzanne explains how the rural-urban political split is a recent phenomenon that gained momentum in the 1990s.
• She breaks down the historical importance of the New Deal in shaping rural loyalty to Democrats, and why that loyalty has eroded.
• We explore how economic shifts, job losses, and feelings of abandonment have driven rural voters into the arms of the GOP.
• Heidi, Joel, and Suzanne discuss the role of shared culture, common values, and the lack of trusted institutions in reconciling the divide.
• Insights on how Democrats can rebuild trust, emphasizing listening, local organizing, and respectful dialogue.

Whether you're a curious rural voter, a political junkie,, or just here for the engaging conversation, this episode unravels the complexities of the rural-urban divide with the precision of Suzanne's insightful analysis. Dive into the historical shifts, economic challenges, and the evolving political landscape that have shaped today's divide and the current realities of American politics.

Resources & Links:

• Rural Versus Urban | Princeton University Press
• Suzanne Mettler’s Website  

The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project. To learn more, visit OneCountryProject.org, or find us on Substack (Onecountryproject.substack.com), and on YouTube, Bluesky, and Facebook (@onecountryproject).

• (00:00) - Introduction to the Urban-Rural Divide

Hold onto your hats, folks! Today's episode features political heavyweight Andrew Egger, joining the Heitkamps from The Bulwark, breaking down the current state of Donald Trump’s influence, the midterms’ future, and the perils lurking behind all that grievance for Heidi and Joel. If you thought Trump was invincible, think again. Andrew’s got the scoop that might just make you question everything.

In this episode:

• Andrew's take on whether Trump has worn out his welcome in American politics
• How Trump's coalition is changing and why midterm races might be brighter for Democrats
• The impact of Trump's foreign policy blunders and economic missteps on his base
• Insights into Iowa's surprising blue shift and rural America's economic pain points
• The peculiar pattern of Trump firing women in his cabinet—and what that says about his character
• The shifting power dynamics in Congress and why even insiders are starting to talk differently about him
• The global repercussions of Trump's economic policies and diplomatic missteps

Whether you're an annoyed voter, a political junkie, or just here for the laughs, this chat lays out the stakes in a way that's as sharp as Andrew's take on the Trump saga. Plus, a deep dive into the bizarre lawsuits, foreign policy flops, and the deepening schism in the GOP. It's like watching a slow-motion car crash—fascinating, inevitable, and possibly the end of an era.

Resources & Links:

• The Bulwark
• Andrew Egger’s Morning Shots Newsletter
• Echelon Insights polling in Iowa

And remember: If Trump is a cat, he’s probably on his eighth life. But this episode highlights the cracks in the armor, so buckle up. Things might just get interesting.

The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project. To learn more, visit OneCountryProject.org, or find us on Substack (Onecountryproject.substack.com), and on YouTube, Bluesky, and Facebook (@onecountryproject).

• (00:00) - Introduction to the Hot Dish Podcast