Michael Durall has lived a life rooted in service — as a father, a career firefighter, and now a candidate for Delaware County Council in District 4. In this conversation, he talks openly about how he approaches decision‑making, the impact he hopes to have on the council, and why transparency isn’t just a promise but a practice. Michael also shares what he loves most about Delaware County: the people who will give you the shirt off their back if they think you have less. This interview offers a grounded look at local leadership through the eyes of someone who has spent his life showing up for others.

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In this episode of The Recovered Republican, Brianna sits down with Sharron Wight, candidate for Indiana House District 81, for a grounded, candid conversation about what it means to lead with integrity in a moment when Hoosiers are demanding something better. Sharron shares the personal experiences that shaped her commitment to public service, the issues driving her campaign, and the practical changes she believes Indiana families deserve right now.

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Together, we dig into the realities facing District 81—from education and community safety to economic stability and the everyday challenges that too often get overlooked at the Statehouse. Sharron brings clarity, compassion, and a no‑nonsense approach to the work ahead, offering listeners a clear sense of who she is and why she’s running.

If you’re looking for a thoughtful, human conversation with a candidate who understands her community and isn’t afraid to roll up her sleeves, this episode is for you.

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In this episode of The Recovered Republican, we’re heading to the local level — where budgets are built, services are shaped, and the everyday decisions that impact Hoosier families actually happen. I’m joined by Amber Lemmon, a candidate for Harrison County Council in District 1, who’s stepping forward at a moment when communities across Indiana are asking for transparency, accountability, and leadership that listens.

Amber talks about what motivated her to run, what she’s hearing from neighbors, and how she hopes to bring a practical, community‑focused approach to county government. We dig into the role of the County Council, why local elections matter more than most people realize, and what it means to build a county that works for everyone.

This conversation isn’t about endorsements — it’s about understanding the people who want to represent us and the issues shaping our communities. If you care about local government, rural Indiana, or the future of Harrison County, this is a conversation worth tuning into.

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Indiana is rolling out a wave of new laws on July 1 — and some of them will reshape daily life for students, families, and communities across the state. In this quick-hit episode, Brianna breaks down the good (driver’s licenses at 16, protections for rescuing dogs), the bad (full-day school cellphone ban, cuts to “low-earning” degrees), and the ugly (criminalizing homelessness, expanded SNAP restrictions, ICE compliance mandates). A fast, clear, no-fluff guide to what Hoosiers need to know. Always confirm legislative details with trusted sources.

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This week on The Recovered Republican, I’m joined by licensed therapists Lauren and Ashley Groshek for a grounded, human conversation about trauma — what it is, how it shows up in our bodies, and why so many people are struggling in silence.

We talk about PTSD and complex PTSD, the difference between surviving and healing, the rise of the loneliness epidemic, and how our digital world shapes connection in ways we don’t always notice. Lauren and Ashley break down therapy options in plain language, share what they see in their clinical work, and offer hope that healing is possible at any age.

If you’ve ever wondered why you feel “stuck,” overwhelmed, or disconnected from yourself or others, this episode gives you language, context, and compassion.

* Ashley and Lauren do not typically dress alike and them wearing the same shirt was an accident.

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This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

A discharge petition is one of the only ways House members can force a vote when leadership refuses to act. Now, it’s being used to push student loan legislation onto the floor. This episode breaks down how the petition works, why it’s so rare, and what it means for millions of borrowers watching Congress stall on relief. We explain the 218‑signature hurdle, the political risks, and why this move signals growing pressure inside the House.

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In this episode, Brianna sits down with her friend Patrick for a conversation that moves from the raw edges of early widowhood to the bright, glitter‑covered stage of burlesque. It’s honest, funny, tender, and full of the kind of truth you only get from someone who has rebuilt a life twice.

Patrick opens the episode by sharing how he and Brianna first met through the Hot Young Widows Club — now Club Wid — and what the community looked like before the pandemic reshaped everything. He walks listeners through the moment the group became more than just a message board, and why early grief often hides the worst parts from public view.

They dig into the realities of running an online grief community, including the very real need for proof of loss to protect members from scammers. From there, the conversation shifts — beautifully and unexpectedly — into Patrick’s second world: burlesque.

Listeners meet Nostra Dad Ass, Patrick’s stage persona, and learn what actually goes into a real burlesque routine. Patrick shares his favorite acts, including a deeply personal tribute to his late wife and the crowd‑favorite number that audiences can’t get enough of.

This episode is about community, identity, reinvention, and the strange, sacred ways grief and joy can coexist. It’s one of those conversations that stays with you long after it ends.

Follow Nostra Dad Ass on Instagram @nostra_dad_ass

Club Wid: ClubWidcom.wordpress.com

* 2:06 Meet Patrick

* 2:56 How tragedy turned into friendship

* 4:18 The Young Hot Widows Club, now Club Wid, before the pandemic

* 7:15 Patrick discusses when YHWG/Club wid because more than just a message board.

* 8:40- What does early grief look like

* 24:40- why the club asks proof for death and relationship.

* 34:00- grief to glitter - who is Nostra Dad Ass?

* 37:40- what does a real burleque routine consist of

* 40:45- Patrick's favorite act to perform

* 45:45: The audience favorite Nostra Dad Ass act

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Recorded 4/25/2026. In this episode of The Recovered Republican, Brianna sits down with David J. Ziemba — an organizer, legal expert, and longtime force within the Indiana Democratic Party. Together, they dig into Ziemba’s background and the wide‑ranging experience that’s made him a go‑to multitool for campaigns, candidates, and community coalitions across the state.

The conversation breaks down the wins and losses from Indiana’s 2026 legislative session, highlighting what moved, what stalled, and what those outcomes mean for Hoosiers. Ziemba also walks through key legal and political cases to watch in the months ahead, along with the important dates that every engaged voter should have on their radar.

It’s a grounded, insightful look at how democracy actually works in Indiana — and what it takes to keep pushing it forward.

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In this episode of The Recovered Republican, Brianna sits down with Jordan J. Herrera, a Democrat running for Congress in Missouri’s 4th Congressional District. MO‑04 is a district shaped by rural communities, military families, agricultural labor, and years of political neglect — and Jordan is stepping forward with a message centered on service, accountability, and actually showing up for the people who live there.

This conversation digs into:

* why Jordan decided to run,

* what he’s hearing from voters across the district,

* how national narratives overlook communities like MO‑04,

* and what it takes to build a campaign in a place pundits love to write off.

If you’re tired of the idea that some districts “don’t matter” or that democracy is only worth fighting for in easy races, this episode is for you. Jordan brings a grounded, real‑world perspective shaped by lived experience — not culture‑war theatrics — and his story resonates far beyond Missouri.

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In this episode of The Recovered Republican, Brianna sits down with Gabrianna Gratzol, a Democrat running for Indiana Senate District 11. Together, they dig into the issues Hoosiers are talking about every day — and the ones they should be.

From school vouchers and data centers to taxes, infrastructure, accountability, and government spending, this conversation breaks down how policy decisions shape real lives across Indiana. Gabrianna shares her perspective as a candidate and community advocate, offering insight into what’s at stake and why these topics matter for families, workers, and neighborhoods across the state.

If you’re looking for a grounded, accessible conversation about the future of Indiana, this episode delivers.