The Heartland POD kicks off 2021 with a HUGE show! Adam starts by addressing the Trump Tapes head on (3:00) and then we are joined for "Let's Have a Chat" (14:00) one of our spotlight progressives from the Heartland, J.D. Scholten. J.D. joins Adam for a chat as the two get into money in politics, accountability and the realities facing folks that the progressive message can reach but are walled off with party identity politics. Then Sean and Zack join Adam to kick off 2021 "Talking Politics" (58:45) and then ending with a "Last Call" (1:45) dealing with the #fraudsquad, plus a surprise appearance of our label of "sneaky little weasel" that you'll have to listen to find!

Catch up on some of our best and favorite guests and moments from this past year. A great way for a new listener to catch up with the podcast, or for a long time listener to remember some of the best moments so far! With over 40 episodes we had to leave some guests out, but we had a great time with all of our guests and shows this past year. We look forward to man more in 2021, and say a heart felt thank you to the folks who took the time to record with us, and especially the folks that took the time to listen!

Order of Appearance

Zack Schwartz

Dennis Oglesby

Nicholas Linke

Jessica Piper

Joe Poor

Lindsey Simmons

Dr. Jim Staab

Elad Gross

Darren Doherty

Missourians for Educational Change

Missouri Stream Team

United Rural Democrats

Elizabeth Zerger

Dr. Dorothy Hughes

Jason Hancock

In our last new episode of 2020 Sean Diller (President of Heartland Strong and co-host of Heartland POD) joins Adam for a special "Let's Have A Chat" (6:00) quick explanation of what Heartland Strong is and what the organization is doing. Then Adam is joined by a former class mate and friend Brian Douglas for a second chat (21:15) to discuss Brian's 100 mile race in honor of "The Little Bit Foundation" to help kids in need. Finally, Adam, Sean, and Zack are back for a final 2020 session of "Talkin' Politics" (45:00) to close out the year with a Mt. Rushmore style ranking of the top 2020 politically related stories.

Adam Sommer is joined for "Let's Have A Chat" (5:00) by Dr. Michael Sarap, a surgeon from rural Ohio with 33+ years in the field to discuss rural health care, the reaction to COVID-19, and the issue of rejection of expertise in America. Adam provides an update on the podcast and Heartland Strong (52:00) Then, Adam is joined again by Sean Diller and Zack Schwartz for a new segment called "Last Call" (54:45) where the crew dives into the issue of the death of expertise with a less political and more free formed discussion.

Adam Sommer sits down for "Let's Have A Chat" (4:45) with Joe Shepard of United Rural Democrats, a new organization trying to better support candidates often forgotten by the larger party structure. (51:00) Adam explains the organization of Heartland Strong. Then Adam is joined (54:00) by Sean Diller (Fired Up Campaigns) and Zack Schwartz (Political Scientist) as the group dives into the four biggest stories of the last week from Rudy's audible bodily functions to President Obama's wading into the debate on "Defund The Police" and finished up with a Presidential Trivia (1:37) question. Then, (1:42) Adam makes his closing argument.

Adam Sommer, host of the weekly Heartland POD explains the basics of Heartland Strong, our values, mission, and goals.

Adam Sommer (@bull_moose4lyfe) is joined for "Let's Have a Chat" (3:55) by Dr. Dorothy Hughes (KU Med) to discuss her work regarding rural healthcare and the communication barrier faced today in getting folks to not only understand COVID-19 but to fully appreciate the realities of the virus, its long-term nature and the science unfolding before our eyes. (14:50) Dr. Hughes explains the realities facing rural practitioners who may be doing all they can to treat patients during the day and then find time to provide education and resources to their communities (22:00) but that as we see no the message simply isn't breaking through due to the obvious barriers of the politicization of basic health care messaging. Dr. Hughes also plays a round of "favorite things" with a first time new drop! Then, Sean, Zack, and Adam get into "Talkin' Politics" (47:00) including transition issues, the Flynn Pardon, and a (1:30) Presidential Trivia!

Adam Sommer (J.D.) is joined by Elizabeth Zerger (SLP) a clinician at a hospital in Denver, Colorado. The pair discuss Elizabeth's experience growing up in a rural town in Kansas and the dynamics of talking about Trump, Covid, and politics in general in a rural setting. Plus, a look into the daily world as a healthcare working in a daily hospital setting. Then Sean, Zack, & Adam are back again for "Talkin' Politics" as they compare and contrast the current COVID-19 stats in six heartland states, along with the policy and leadership in those states. Adam gives a closing argument about our responsibility in a time when folks continue to whine about their freedom against public health measures.

Adam Sommer has a chat with Jess Piper, Missouri Democratic activist, teacher, mother, farmer, and voice in Missouri politics about reaction to the 2020 election outcomes and the post 2020 self assessment happening in the Democratic party. Then, Adam is joined by Sean Diller and Zack Schwartz to talk politics, specifically digging into the transition issues from the Trump to Biden administrations.

Adam Sommer has a chat with a Missouri Stream Team member, Mark Diller, who heads up the Lost Creek Stream Team, about the mission of bringing and keeping water ways clean and enjoyable for all Missourians. Zack joins Adam for Talkin' Politics as we unpack the past week and the Election outcome.