The Hot Dish

In this episode, guest host Bethany Brookshire recaps the Rural Progress Summit and brings you conversations with panelists including Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Joe Donnelly, Maya MacGuineas, Anderson Clayton, and experts from fields like agriculture, education, health care, and tribal affairs.

You will gain fresh perspectives on the hope and resilience in rural communities, practical solutions for everyday challenges, and inspiring stories from those working to rebuild trust and create opportunity. You’ll come away with a deeper understanding of the importance of local voices, collaboration, and policies that reflect the true needs of rural America.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to be part of a movement to uplift and empower rural Americans.

Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country.
The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.

• (00:00) - Bethany Brookshire hosts The Hot Dish, highlighting this week's Rural Progress Summit by the One Country Project, featuring panels available soon on YouTube.

This week on the Hot Dish, we're switching things up for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit. It's a virtual event celebrating the importance of rural communities in shaping America's future, featuring a keynote fireside chat with Sec. Pete Buttigieg. Instead of our usual Wednesday episode, we’ll be sharing a glimpse into the summit on Friday. Register now at ruralprogress.com. 

Sarah Longwell of the Bulwark and Phil Snape of Impact Social join this episode to discuss voter sentiment in rural areas. Then, Heidi Marttila-Losure and Christopher Vondracek explore the value of rural journalism and the impact of current political trends. Hosts Heidi and Joel Heitkamp discuss the real-world effects of tariffs, job security, and community resilience in rural America. Listen to hear candid conversations on the hopes, challenges, and culture of rural communities.

You will gain new insights into how rural voters are feeling, what fuels political divisions, and strategies for staying informed and engaged. Heidi and Joel emphasize the importance of honest dialogue, practical action, and genuine leadership at all levels. This episode will give you the knowledge to navigate political noise and offers practical ways to strengthen local community bonds.

Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country.
The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.

Join the One Country Project for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit, July 8–10. The keynote will feature a virtual fireside chat between Sec. Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.

The Rural Progress Summit is a virtual event that brings together voices from across the country to explore ideas and solutions that address the real needs of rural America.

Go to OneCountryProject.org to learn more or https://pdcst.news/RPS2025 to register for the Rural Progress Summit.

• (05:51) - Sarah Longwell and Heidi Heitkamp discuss Trump's influence on Republican dynamics

Jess Piper, Bryce Oates, and Isaac Nehring join this episode to discuss the future of rural America, from youth leadership to media access and political advocacy. Isaac shares his journey as a Truman Scholar, while Bryce and Executive Producer Richard Fawal tackle the urgent need for truthful reporting in rural America. Jess Piper joins host Heidi Heitkamp to break down how Democrats can rebuild trust in deeply red states.

Come away empowered with practical ideas for making a difference in your communities, no matter where you live. This episode highlights the importance of community building, hope, and the power of grassroot efforts to restore faith in Democracy for rural Americans. 

Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country.
The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.

Join the One Country Project for the fourth annual Rural Progress Summit, July 8–10. The keynote will feature a virtual fireside chat between Sec. Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp.

The Rural Progress Summit is a virtual event that brings together voices from across the country to explore ideas and solutions that address the real needs of rural America.

Go to OneCountryProject.org to learn more or https://pdcst.news/RPS2025 to register for the Rural Progress Summit.

• (04:24) - Isaac Nehring discusses how he champions rural advocacy at Stanford

Many rural veterans join the Hot Dish for this special Memorial Day episode. Marine Corps Infantryman and North Dakota Army National Guard First Sergeant Bradley Aune discusses issues veterans face when rejoining civilian life. North Dakota Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Jessica Petrick offers her perspective on what Memorial Day means to her. And One Country Project board member and former Senator and Member of the Committee on Veterans Affairs, Joe Donnelly, leads a discussion with Brigadier General Art Austin, Master General Frank Morales, and Staff Sergeant Sean Coulter about their experience with VA services. 

On this Memorial Day week, gain a deeper understanding of what it means to transition from military to civilian life and how vital public programs and support systems are for veterans. Hosts Heidi and Joel Heitkamp emphasize the need for collective action and listening to veterans’ voices to improve systems meant to serve them. This episode will remind us all of the ongoing cost of service, the importance of advocating for continued funding, and the strength found in rural communities as they support their own.

Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country.
The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.

• (02:10) - Bradley Aune joins Joel Heitkamp to discuss veteran transition and support work.

Jerry Hagstrom, Sarah Melotte, and Bob Leonard join host Joel Heitkamp and guest host J.D. Scholten to discuss the impacts to rural America of Trump’s first 100 days in office. You will learn about disaster relief, rural healthcare, tariffs, manufacturing, immigration, and the ongoing Farm Bill debates in Congress. Each guest offers firsthand perspectives from their communities, highlighting the struggles and hopes of rural people.

Joel and J.D. weave together stories of hardship and hope while connecting local issues to national policy. You will hear engaging, actionable conversations on how rural communities are organizing, what key policy battles mean for them, and how everyone can get involved to support positive change.

Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country.
The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.

Find Sarah Melotte's work at https://dailyyonder.com/. 
Find Bob Leonard's work at https://rleonard.substack.com/. 
Find Jerry Hagstrom's work at https://www.hagstromreport.com/. 

• (05:26) - JD Scholten, Sarah Melotte and Bob Leonard discuss the impact of tariffs in their communities

DNC Chair Ken Martin joins hosts Heidi and Joel Heitkamp to discuss the Democratic Party’s future in rural America. They explore the brand image of the Democratic Party and how to reconnect with blue collar and rural voters. Ken, Heidi and Joel stress the importance of authentic local messengers to deliver Democratic narratives, offering you practical steps for community-driven change.

Listen to learn how the Democratic Party plans to rebuild trust, restore its brand, and fight for economic opportunity in rural towns nationwide. Ken offers honest reflection on mistakes, shares new strategies for grassroots engagement, and unveils unprecedented investments in state party infrastructure. 

Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country.
The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.

• (06:42) - Ken Martin, Heidi and Joel Heitkamp discuss how isolation drives political choices

In this episode, Heidi and Joel give you specific advice on how to channel your frustrations into positive action within your community, focusing on local issues and building a strong support network. They offer insights into being proactive and engaged, highlighting how to make a difference on the ground, especially in rural settings.

Then Jess Piper, Executive Director for Blue Missouri, joins Joel to discuss political engagement, grassroots organizing, and the importance of rural communities in America. Jess shares her teaching journey, key strategies to revive Democrats' presence in rural areas, and her current role with Blue Missouri, raising funds to support Democrats in red districts. Jess’s story is an inspiring reminder of the power of individual action in fostering change, even against daunting odds.

Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country.
The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.

• (05:50) - Heidi and Joel encourage listeners to share their stories, support local

North Carolina Representative Julie Von Haefen, Tennessee Representative J.C. Bowman, and Iowa Representative and One Country Project board member J.D. Scholten join The Hot Dish to discuss the challenges facing public education in rural America. The conversation highlights the efforts to fight against the dismantling of public education systems and the consequences of funding private schools with public dollars. Heidi Heitkamp leads the conversation, emphasizing the importance of this issue for rural communities and the future of American education.

Heidi and Joel Heitkamp delve into the vital role of public education in maintaining democratic values and fostering community. They encourage listeners to support public schools by advocating for policies that prioritize educational access for all. Gain valuable insights into the ongoing battle for public education and hear the various arguments against the privatization of public schools. The guests provide a comprehensive view of the political challenges and the grassroots efforts needed to protect public schools and uphold educational equity.

Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country. The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.

• (03:51) - Heidi and Joel discuss the "School Choice" debate

In this episode, Joel Heitkamp hosts a roundtable discussion with farmers Chris Gibbs, Will Westmoreland, and Nick Levendofsky. They talk about the ups and downs of farming today and dive into topics like tariffs, infrastructure, and politics.
From tariff troubles to the fight to keep rural infrastructure strong, listeners will get an inside scoop on what it's like to manage a farm in today's challenging environment. Learn why these issues matter to rural America and why it's crucial for these farmers to have their voices heard in the bigger political arena.
Heidi Heitkamp also highlights the ongoing planning of the upcoming One Country Project 2025 Rural Summit. It's all about making sure rural America's got a say in the big decisions being made!
Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country.
The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/. To see more of Will Westmoreland's work, visit http://www.thebackfortyofficial.com/. 

• (05:50) - Will, Nick, and Chris discuss how cutting programs puts Rural America in trouble