In episode 150, we dig into the blueprint for turning red turf blue with movement-builders Jennifer Austin and Sarah Schulz. The duo from the Beyond Resistance Podcast explains the steps, strategies, and first actions that help local organizers build lasting power.

Jennifer Austin and Sarah Schulz are the not-yet-famous-but-fiercely-effective duo behind the Beyond Resistance Podcast, where they dish hard-won lessons on flipping red turf blue. Jennifer—a strategic powerhouse who turned the Midland County Dems into a fundraising, vote-winning machine—has the numbers and receipts to prove that organizing can reshape a Republican stronghold. Sarah—an unflinching activist, former State House candidate, and professional GOP nightmare—has led rallies, spooked incumbents, and built a movement in the reddest parts of Michigan. Together, they’re building blue power in red communities—and they’re just getting started.

Jennifer volunteered a few too many times, prompting Democratic voters to ask her to run for chair of the local party. Under her leadership, the MCDP increased their email list by 216%, their membership by 285%, and their fundraising by 400%! They’ve flipped the city of Midland and kept it blue 3 election cycles in a row and are working on that red, red county.

Sarah was a founding leader of the Women of Michigan Action Network, prompting 1500 people to join the Indivisible organization in a red county of 80k. She ran for office 3 times, losing by 2 points but shifting the district 10 points blue, and becoming the top House fundraiser in the state of Michigan at $500k for a previously safe GOP seat.

Resources:

* Beyond Resistance Blueprint

* Beyond Resistance Website

* Instagram

* TikTok

* YouTube

* Facebook

* X/Twitter

Connect with USS:

* Substack

* Instagram

* TikTok

* Threads

This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:

* Website

* Instagram

In episode 149, we are joined by our friend Jess Britvich, who helps us unpack how beauty, wellness, and “trad” content can become gateways to extremist ideologies. Jess breaks down how internet culture and algorithms subtly draw women into the alt-right pipeline and how we can pull each other back out.

Jessica Britvich is a former social worker turned content creator whose content addresses the intersection of internet culture, trends and politics through a progressive, feminist lens.

Resources:

* Instagram

* TikTok

* Substack

Connect with USS:

* Substack

* Instagram

* TikTok

* Threads

This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:

* Website

* Instagram

In episode 148, we talk with our friend Dr. Cara Jacob about why she’s stepping up to run for the Ohio State Senate. From property taxes to public schools and healthcare, she shares what’s driving her campaign and how she hopes to create a fairer future for all Ohio families.

Cara was raised in a small town with a close-knit family who taught her the values of hard work, integrity, and caring for others. Her passion for helping people led her to pursue medicine and ultimately become a neurologist. In that role, she’s had the privilege of caring for patients and families from communities across Ohio. She is also a wife and the proud mom of two wonderful children, experiences that have deepened her commitment to building a better future for all families.

Beyond her medical career, Cara has been an advocate for policies that expand access to healthcare, strengthen our public schools, protect our democratic process, keep our communities safe, and ensure government works for everyday Ohioans—not just the wealthy and well-connected. That advocacy, coupled with growing concerns over the extreme legislation and corruption coming out of our statehouse, is what inspired her to run for the Ohio State Senate in Senate District 7.

She believes we can make Ohio a stronger, fairer place for families by advancing common-sense policies that lift up all Ohioans—ensuring opportunity and dignity for everyone, not just the few at the top.

Resources:

* Cara Jacob for Ohio Senate Website

* Instagram

* TikTok

* Facebook

Connect with USS:

* Substack

* Instagram

* TikTok

* Threads

This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:

* Website

* Instagram

In episode 147, we sit down with sixth-generation farmer and U.S. Senate candidate Hallie Shoffner, who’s stepping out of the fields and into the fight for Arkansas. Hallie shares why she’s taking on Tom Cotton and how she plans to stand up for the farmers, families, and working people who’ve been pushed to the back of the line.

Hallie knows what it means to have to fight like hell for everything you have, and still get hammered by an economy that’s rigged against you--she’ll fight that rigged system every day, Tom Cotton’s the guy doing the rigging.

She’s not a politician, she’s not much for political parties, and she’s never run for office in her life—the only thing Hallie ever wanted to do was farm. But if she can’t farm, she’s going to fight. For families. For Arkansas. For you.

Resources:

* Hallie Shoffner for Senate 2026 | Support Arkansans Today

* Instagram

* TikTok

* Facebook

* X/Twitter

Connect with USS:

* Substack

* Instagram

* TikTok

* Threads

This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:

* Website

* Instagram

In episode 145, we sit down with human rights advocate Benjamin Goldhagen, who has spent the last two years documenting the war in Ukraine and confronting Russian disinformation. His work offers a rare, unfiltered look at what’s really happening on the ground and why the world must not look away.

Benjamin Goldhagen is a committed human rights advocate and expert on Ukraine, deeply immersed in the region’s geopolitical dynamics and humanitarian challenges. As the son of a Holocaust survivor, Benjamin’s personal history fuels his unwavering dedication to preventing atrocities and promoting human dignity.

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Benjamin swiftly moved to the front lines, providing critical insights and firsthand documentation of the conflict. His work highlights the resilience and spirit of the Ukrainian people as they navigate the complexities of war and resistance against eliminationist forces seeking to undermine their sovereignty and cultural identity.

Benjamin collaborates extensively with Ukrainian communities, offering strategic support and advocating for policies that bolster Ukraine’s fight for freedom and justice. His expertise extends to combating Russian disinformation, ensuring that truthful narratives prevail in the global discourse surrounding the conflict.

Through his relentless advocacy and deep understanding of Ukraine’s socio-political landscape, Benjamin Goldhagen plays a vital role in shaping international perspectives and fostering meaningful support for Ukraine’s enduring struggle for peace and human rights.

Resources:

* The Steel Porcupine Film

* To The Zero Line Film

* Goldhagen Group

* X/Twitter

Connect with USS:

* Substack

* Instagram

* TikTok

* Threads

This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:

* Website

* Instagram

Ohio is in the middle of a high-stakes redistricting battle that will shape political power through 2032 and gerrymandering is once again threatening fair representation. In episode 144, we’re joined by members of the Equal Districts Coalition to break down what’s happening, why it matters, and how Ohioans can demand fair maps.

Meet the Panelists:

Grace Metz is a second-year Computer and Information Science student at Ohio State University. She’s a recipient of the Morrill Scholarship and is deeply involved in her campus community. She currently serves as the Advocacy Chair for Ohio State’s chapter of the Ohio Student Association, a grassroots organizing group dedicated to improving the lives of all Ohio students.

Deidra Reese is an advocate for building power and community. She has more than thirty years in the public policy and advocacy arena. She was the Executive director of two major organizations, the lobbyist of one of the largest Ohio labor unions and even started her own consulting firm to teach her E philosophy — Education + Engagement + Empowerment. Currently she is on the executive team of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative where she leads both the Statewide Voter Engagement program, and the Faith Based engagement and empowerment programs through the Amos Project.

Reese is a member of Second Baptist Church and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and she serves on Delta’s National Social Action Commission. Deidra serves on several statewide and national committees and boards that focus on people power and advocacy. She resides in Columbus with her fiancé Paul.

Gabriel Mann has been the Communications Director for Abortion Forward (formerly Pro-Choice Ohio) since 2015, following six years with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio. In 2023, he served as the Communications Director for Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, the successful campaign to pass Issue 1 and enshrine the right to abortion in Ohio’s state constitution. A graduate of The Ohio State University, Gabriel’s career has included being a legislative aide in the Ohio Senate and labor organizing with SEIU District 1199 WV/OH/KY.

Resources:

* Equal Districts

Connect with USS:

* Substack

* Instagram

* TikTok

* Threads

This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:

* Website

* Instagram

In episode 143, we sit down with Monica Hopkins, executive director of the ACLU of the District of Columbia, to unpack what happened when Donald Trump deployed the National Guard into D.C. and what that moment revealed about the city’s lack of power. Monica explains how D.C.’s unique status without statehood leaves its residents without full representation, vulnerable to federal overreach, and stripped of protections every other state enjoys. We also explore the broader fight for democracy, autonomy, and accountability in the nation’s capital - and why achieving statehood is about more than politics; it’s about fundamental civil rights.

Monica took the helm of the D.C. affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU-DC) in 2014. Prior to joining the ACLU-DC Monica served as the executive director of the ACLU of Idaho from 2008–2014 during which time she oversaw sweeping statewide victories, particularly in the areas of criminal justice reform, LGBTQIA equality, immigrants’ rights and upholding the First Amendment.

Under Monica’s leadership, the ACLU-DC has grown its capacity and reach allowing the organization to become a resource for all District residents. As executive director, Monica oversees programmatic and advocacy efforts to defend and advance the ACLU-DC’s work on civil rights and civil liberties for the over 700,000 residents of the District of Columbia.

Monica is a graduate of Boise State University. She is also a 2012–2013 Rockwood Institute LGBT Advocacy Fellow and currently serves on the board of the National Reentry Network for Returning Citizens.

Resources:

* Home - ACLU of DC

* Instagram

* TikTok

* Threads

Connect with USS:

* Substack

* Instagram

* TikTok

* Threads

This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:

* Website

* Instagram

In episode 142, we are joined by Sam Grube, who is running for the Ohio Statehouse in District 18. Sam Grube grew up in Shaker Heights and has deep roots in the neighborhoods that make up Ohio House District 18, from Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights to East Cleveland, Orange and Warrensville Heights.

As a product of public schools and a lifelong Northeast Ohioan, Sam knows firsthand what our families, workers, and students face — because he’s lived it too. He cares deeply about affordable housing, and healthcare, and about making education better and more accessible.

Resources:

* Sam Grube for Ohio House District 18

* Instagram

* X/Twitter

* Facebook

Connect with USS:

* Substack

* Instagram

* TikTok

This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:

* Website

* Instagram

In episode 141, Caroline Stout shares her journey from growing up in a conservative household and working at Turning Point USA to breaking away from right-wing ideology. She opens up about the challenges of deconstructing her beliefs and embracing a progressive worldview.

Caroline is a lawyer, progressive political activist, and former conservative who has seen the inside of the movement and chosen a different path. She spent years in right-wing spaces before realizing how deeply misinformation, exclusion, and fear were shaping the narrative. Today, she uses her legal training and personal experience to unpack propaganda and help others navigate their own political shifts. Her mission is to ensure people feel informed, empowered, and unafraid to question what they’ve been told.

Connect with USS:

* Substack

* Instagram

* TikTok

This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:

* Website

* Instagram

In episode 140, Aliza Lifshitz, founder of the Youth Advisory Project, a nonpartisan initiative embedding youth voice into government institutions, joins us to talk about creating lasting pathways for young leaders in government.

Aliza is a national leader in youth civic engagement. With a background in public policy and youth organizing, she has led advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill, co-authored nationally published op-eds, and advised offices across the country on launching Youth Advisory Councils (YACs).

She previously served as a coalition builder and strategic advisor at Giffords, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, YouthinGov Coalition, Voters of Tomorrow and continues to advise campaigns, civic leaders, and institutions on generational equity in policymaking. She holds a BA in Women's and Gender studies from Barnard College and is currently pursuing a Master's in Public Policy at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy.

Resources:

* Youth Advisory Project

Connect with USS:

* Substack

* Instagram

* TikTok

This episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:

* Website

* Instagram