The Hot Dish

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

Buckle up, folks! Today’s episode is a wild ride through the messiest, juiciest conversations about church, politics, and global trade, served with a side of satire and a sprinkle of smirk. Former U.S. Senator and Ambassador to the Vatican Joe Donnelly dropping truth bombs about the Catholic Church’s dance with politics.

But there’s more! Washington Post financial journalist David J. Lynch hoins Heidi and Joel to help you navigate the murky waters of AI, tariffs, and global instability with razor-sharp wit. Lynch’s new book, The World’s Worst Bet: How the Globalization Gamble Went Wrong (And What Would Make It Right), addresses rise and fall of the greatest engine of prosperity the world has ever known.

Lynch explains why global trade prosperity is failing to benefit Americans and what we can do to change it.

In this episode:

• Joe Donnelly roasts the U.S. President for his AI Jesus and Pope-bashing antics
• The Catholic bishops’ role in American politics, and why their message hits a nerve
• How Trump’s AI-generated image depicting him as Jesus is sparking international outrage, and should make us all uncomfortable
• The domino effect of tariffs, trade wars, and the broken promises to rural America
• The strategic disaster of ignoring Congress in decisions about war, and why even Senate insiders are throwing in the towel
• Why globalized trade isn't a magic potion for economic prosperity
• The urgent need to rethink safety nets as AI and economic inequality threaten to wipe out the middle class

Resources & Links:

• The World’s Worst Bet: How the Globalization Gamble Went Wrong
• Washington Post – David Lynch

Connect with David J. Lynch:

• Bluesky

And remember: When it comes to faith, trade, and technology—sometimes the truth is too bizarre for fiction. Thanks for tuning in to the Hot Dish: the political casserole your grandma would be proud of, served up with a side of sass.

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) - Joel and Heidi speak with Joe Donnelly about Trump versus the Pope

The Madness of Power and Prophecy: A Chat with Denver Riggleman

Buckle up, folks! Today’s episode is a wild ride through the chaos that’s unraveling in U.S. politics and global diplomacy, with the ever-brave Denver Riggleman—former Congressman, Air Force vet, NSA contractor, and fearless truth-teller. Prepare for some truth bombs about the insanity, the threats, and the grift that’s turning this country into a giant episode of “How Did We Get Here?”

Riggleman drops truth bombs, connecting the dots between prophecy, power, and national security, all while lamenting the state of American leadership; Joel asks the hard questions and teases out a path back to sanity—maybe, just maybe, saving the damn country.

Main Topics Covered:

• The bizarre and dangerous world of Christian nationalism and prophecy that is fueling political decisions
• The potential and peril of military actions against Iran
• The influence of greed, grift, and the military-industrial complex on U.S. foreign policy
• The decline of trust in American institutions and the urgent need for courageous leadership

Connect with Denver Riggleman:

• X / Twitter
• Substack
• The Breach Media (YouTube)

Hold onto your hats, folks. It’s a wild ride—truth, grift, and the fate of democracy all tangled up in one bold conversation. Would we dare to fix it? Denver says, “Full stop, fire everyone, and rebuild from zero.” Sounds about right. Tune in, laugh, cry, and maybe get inspired to demand real leadership again.

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

Justin Wolfers returns to the Hot Dish to unpack the economic and political impacts of the Iran war with Heidi and Joel. This episode offers a clear-eyed view of how markets, government decisions, and public sentiment intertwine during times of crisis.

Justin explains the historic lows in consumer sentiment and approval ratings for political leaders, and addresses the real economic costs of the war, including market declines and wealth destruction. He also addresses:

• How the increased costs of energy and input supplies are impacting rural farmers and urban consumers (10:57)
• The political implications of leadership styles, democracy, and the "king" mentality in the White House (3:07, 5:01)
• The demonstration of market correction and its long-term significance, emphasizing the importance of resistance to overconfidence (14:02)
• The critical role of fiscal policy, debt, and deficits, with insights from Reagan, Clinton, Obama, and Trump eras (36:32)
• The human toll of war, including displacement and emotional trauma, versus the cold numbers of market losses (27:15, 34:27)
• How public perception and demonization affect policy, especially in the context of gas prices and military engagement (24:45, 28:19)
• The importance of connecting economic policy to human stories and moral considerations (33:13)

Resources & Links:

Justin Wolfers - University of Michigan

Connect with Justin Wolfers:

• Twitter
• Bluesky

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).

In this episode, Heidi and Joel delve into the pivotal roles religion and community resilience play in rural America, featuring insightful conversations with Reverend Jane Field of Maine and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture hopeful, Chris Jones. Both guests emphasize the importance of faith-based activism, ecological sustainability, and the urgent need for structural reform in rural systems.

Insights:

• Reverend Jane Field discusses the current state of Christian unity amid rising white Christian nationalism, emphasizing ecumenical cooperation and social justice priorities.
• She highlights the importance of faith communities' involvement in resisting ICE policies and supporting immigrant and marginalized populations in Maine.
• Reverend Field advocates for reimagining the role of organized religion as a force for justice and compassion, especially amid declining church attendance.
• She underscores the diversity within rural communities, including Indigenous peoples, and the importance of non-churchgoers engaging in faith-inspired service.
• Chris Jones shares his environmental platform, focusing on water quality issues in Iowa, particularly nitrate contamination linked to agriculture.
• Jones stresses the need for crop diversification, pasture grazing, and systemic reforms in farming practices to address environmental and health crises.
• He discusses the political landscape, emphasizing bipartisan support for water reforms and the connection between ecological sustainability and rural economic vitality.
• Both guests reflect on the transformative power of faith and community mobilization in addressing social and environmental challenges.

Reverend Jane Field:

• Maine Council of Churches - Website

Chris Jones:

• The Swine Republic by Chris Jones
• Chris Jones for Iowa
• Riverraccoon Substack

Final Takeaway:

This episode reminds us that faith, social justice, and environmental sustainability are intertwined forces capable of transforming rural communities. Whether through ecumenical unity or systemic policy changes in agriculture, dedicated leaders are reimagining a future rooted in compassion, resilience, and justice.

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) - The intersection of faith, politics, and community in rural America