Vermont's Voice

Falko Schilling, Advocacy Director of the ACLU of Vermont, joins the pod to discuss Rümeysa Öztürk's detention, heated testimony on free speech in the House Judiciary Committee, immigration policy, the housing crisis, and more. But first, Jordan and producer Elijah recap the recent Hands Off rally in Montpelier and share a short interview from the event with Senator Peter Welch. 

Take Action ⬇️ACLU VT General Action Page: https://www.acluvt.org/actS.44: https://action.aclu.org/send-message/vt-s44Protecting Vermonters from federal overreach: https://action.aclu.org/send-message/vt-open-letter

Earlier this week, President Trump issued an executive order specifically targeting Vermont’s Climate Superfund law as well as other landmark policies in New York and California. We'll bring you the latest details and a breakdown of Vermont's landmark Superfund law and the current state of play with VPIRG's Ben Edgerly Walsh and Conservation Law Foundation (CLF)'s Anthony Iarrapino.

Welcome to another episode of Vermont's Voice! Today we're sitting down with Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak to talk housing, climate infrastructure, rebuilding the middle class, political division, and of course, Vermont's treasure.

Learn more about the Office of the Treasurer here: https://www.vermonttreasurer.gov/

If you have questions, comments, stories, or ideas for future episodes, shoot us an email at [email protected]. You can support the pod by liking, commenting, sharing, subscribing, and rating us 5 stars! You can support the podcast financially at: vpirg.org/donate. Vermont's Voice is a weekly series where host Jordan Heiden investigates some of Vermont's most pressing issues by connecting with leaders and community members all around the state. YOU are Vermont's Voice -- so let's talk!

Welcome back to Vermont's Voice! Join Environmental Advocate Anna Seuberling and Environmental Associate Alexis Drown to hear about their experiences in the VPIRG Fellowship Program and all they do to address environmental health concerns in Vermont from the brand-new Safe & Healthy Food campaign to last session's success with the Protect Our Pollinators campaign. (And lots more!)

- Apply for the VPIRG Summer Canvass: https://www.vpirg.org/seasonal-job-postings/2025-canvass/

- Learn more about how PFAs are passed down (fact check moment): https://www.epa.gov/pfas/our-current-understanding-human-health-and-environmental-risks-pfasIf you have questions, comments, stories, or ideas for future episodes, shoot us an email at [email protected]. You can support the pod by liking, commenting, sharing, subscribing, and rating us 5 stars! You can support the podcast financially at: vpirg.org/donate. Vermont's Voice is a weekly series where host Jordan Heiden investigates some of Vermont's most pressing issues by connecting with leaders and community members all around the state. YOU are Vermont's Voice -- so let's talk!

We're joined by Vermont State Representative Dara Torre to discuss her important work at the State House and in the Washington-2 House District! We'll also hear about last week's Youth Lobby Day of Action. 

Before that though, we'll chat with VPIRG's Senior Strategist Tom Hughes as he brings us on a deep-dive into tariffs -- what they are, who pays for them, and how they could impact Vermonters.

Welcome back to Vermont's Voice! In this episode, VPIRG's Consumer Protection Advocate and Communications and Engagement Director Zach Tomanelli will take us through the murky waters of consumer protection and data privacy, covering timely topics including the rise of artificial intelligence and big tech, along with Elon Musk's power grab on the data of millions of Americans. We'll also see if my co-producer Elijah Kushen can stump me in a round of "Generative AI or Genuinely Great Pie". If you're listening in and can't see the images associated with this game, check out the video footage on YouTube or Spotify! If you have questions, comments, stories, or ideas for future episodes, shoot us an email at [email protected]. You can support the pod by liking, commenting, sharing, subscribing, and rating us 5 stars! You can support the podcast financially at: vpirg.org/donate. Vermont's Voice is a weekly series where host Jordan Heiden investigates some of Vermont's most pressing issues by connecting with leaders and community members all around the state. YOU are Vermont's Voice -- so let's talk!

Welcome back to Vermont's Voice! In this episode, VCV's Political Director Justin Marsh, Former Burlington City Councilor Jane Stromberg, and I talk all about Town Meeting Day and the importance of the annual tradition as one of the country's purest forms of direct democracy.

We'll also hear from VPIRG's Democracy Associate Quinn Houston to get a temperature check on the health of our democracy, in Vermont and beyond.

If you have questions, comments, stories, or ideas for future episodes, shoot us an email at [email protected]. You can support the pod by liking, commenting, sharing, subscribing, and rating us 5 stars! You can support the podcast financially at: vpirg.org/donate.

Vermont's Voice is a weekly series where host Jordan Heiden investigates some of Vermont's most pressing issues by connecting with leaders and community members all around the state. YOU are Vermont's Voice -- so let's talk!

Welcome back to Vermont's Voice! Today we're digging into cross-generational climate action efforts after a successful Climate Lobby Day at the Vermont State House. Join us for a conversation with UVM Student Katie Erbe and Third Act Member Beth Sachs. To set the stage, VPIRG's Climate & Energy Program Director Ben Edgerly Walsh will talk us through the current climate landscape.

See below for resources relevant to this episode:

Third Act Vermont: https://thirdact.org/vermont/

If you have questions, comments, stories, or ideas for future episodes, shoot us an email at [email protected]. You can support the pod by liking, commenting, sharing, subscribing, and rating us 5 stars! You can support the podcast financially at: vpirg.org/donate.

Vermont's Voice is a new weekly series where host Jordan Heiden investigates some of Vermont's most pressing issues by connecting with leaders and community members all around the state. YOU are Vermont's Voice -- so let's talk!

Welcome back to Vermont's Voice! Today's episode is all about immigration and we're talking to Jill Martin Diaz, Esq., Executive Director of the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project (VAAP). See below for resources relevant to this episode:

• VAAP Website: https://www.vaapvt.org/
• Donate to VAAP: https://www.vaapvt.org/donations
• Know Your Rights: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0uaGz81U--6doerAgo0c0J7x0e6d7V75
• February ICE Report: https://www.vaapvt.org/blog/vaap-ice-tracker-february-trends
• Report ICE Activity: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=LLZtElkH_UeKdQ1_V62dRJRom8BGPY9Fq5Gusji_Bw9UNDNJUzRUT0VNSTk4M0tGV09LU0xRWDBUNy4u&route=shorturl
• TRAC Reports: https://tracreports.org/immigration/If you have questions, comments, stories, or ideas for future episodes, shoot us an email at [email protected]. You can support the pod by liking, commenting, sharing, subscribing, and rating us 5 stars! You can support the podcast financially at: vpirg.org/donate. Vermont's Voice is a new weekly series where host Jordan Heiden investigates some of Vermont's most pressing issues by connecting with leaders and community members all around the state. YOU are Vermont's Voice -- so let's talk!

Welcome back to Vermont's Voice! Join us in episode 2 for a wide-ranging conversation with Vermont State Senator Becca White. We'll talk about the latest news from the State House, the challenges of being a young woman legislator, Senator White's favorite spots in her district, and a whole lot more. Plus, hear a transportation update from VPIRG's climate fellow and podcast co-producer, Josh!

If you have questions, comments, stories, or ideas for future episodes, shoot us an email at [email protected]. You can support the pod by liking, commenting, sharing, subscribing, rating us 5 stars, and visiting vpirg.org/donate.

Vermont's Voice is a new weekly series where host Jordan Heiden investigates some of Vermont's most pressing issues by connecting with leaders and community members all around the state. Together we'll learn, laugh, and explore opportunities for grassroots action to keep Vermonters engaged and to #KeepVermontCool. YOU are Vermont's Voice -- so let's talk!