Breaking The Meta

Jail Saved His Life. Now He's Running for Congress | Rob Cooper

Mike Winson — Thu, 21 May 2026 12:34:09 GMT

Rob Cooper is the Democratic candidate for Florida's 6th Congressional District (FL-6), a Marine veteran challenging Republican Randy Fine in the 2026 primary.

From 7 months in a county jail cell to running for Congress, Rob's path is the kind America keeps saying it wants but rarely elects — a US Marine Corps veteran, addiction recovery advocate, and nonprofit founder who's spent the last 8 years helping people on the Atlantic coast rebuild their lives.

In this Breaking the Meta interview with host Mike Winson, Rob talks about:

→ The 4am dream in a jail cell that changed his life — and the stranger who told him to "start something for people like us"
→ Starting a recovery nonprofit at his kitchen table that now has 25 team members serving nine counties
→ How politics "found him" through a Tallahassee committee hearing he almost didn't go to
→ What voters in FL-6 are actually saying about property taxes, homeowners insurance, and the Florida cost-of-living crunch
→ Why he expects to be held accountable — and what real accountability looks like from a sitting member of Congress
→ A Marine veteran's take on what this administration is doing to NATO and America's standing with our allies
→ His first three priorities on day one: affordable housing, Social Security COLA reform, and community support for veterans beyond the VA

Florida's 6th Congressional District covers Volusia County, Flagler County, Putnam County, St. Johns County, and parts of Marion and Lake counties — including Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, Palm Coast, and DeLand. The seat is currently held by Republican Rep. Randy Fine, who won the April 2025 special election after Mike Waltz left for the Trump administration. The Democratic primary is on August 18, 2026.

Learn more about Rob's campaign: https://robcooperforcongress.com

Her Opponent Defended a Child Predator. She's Had Enough.

Mike Winson — Wed, 20 May 2026 16:55:05 GMT

Ashley Painter is running for SC House District 117 in Berkeley County — challenging incumbent Jordan Pace and the SC Freedom Caucus he chairs. Donate or learn more: https://www.ashleypainter.com

A former foster youth who aged out at 18, Ashley spent her career in human services — family-based therapy, foster care and adoptions, and substance use counseling. She's now a small business owner and mother of two who never planned to run for office. When her county Democratic Party asked if she'd take on a seat no Democrat contested in 2024, her answer was: "how could I not?"

In this conversation, Ashley walks through the issues she's hearing at every door in District 117:

— The cost-of-living crisis: groceries, electricity (Dominion rate hikes), property taxes, HOA dues, and a state-flat-tax that shifts the burden onto working families
— South Carolina's childcare collapse: the ABC voucher pause, overflowing centers, parents quitting jobs because there's no infant or overnight care for railroad and shift workers
— Medicaid expansion and why under-insured kids in SC are her top legislative priority
— One of the most extreme abortion bans in the country — a bill her opponent co-sponsored that would ban abortion from conception with no exceptions for rape or incest
— Accountability: the RJ May CSAM scandal, the SC Freedom Caucus's silence, and why she says Jordan Pace has refused to answer to his district
— What the "Big Beautiful Bill" cuts have done to methadone and addiction treatment grants serving 400+ patients at her former clinic

Arizona Nurse vs Big Pharma & AIPAC | Elizabeth Lee

Mike Winson — Wed, 20 May 2026 16:54:25 GMT

Andy Biggs is leaving AZ-05. Nurse Elizabeth Lee is running to replace him in
Arizona's 5th district — no corporate PAC, no AIPAC, 2026 Congress.

Andy Biggs vacated Arizona's 5th congressional district to run for governor, leaving AZ-05 wide open for the 2026 midterms. Elizabeth Lee — a board-certified reproductive health and infertility nurse with over a decade fixing broken healthcare systems, is running to take the seat. She's pledged no corporate PAC money and no AIPAC money, and she's already filed alongside a coalition of candidates pledging articles of
impeachment on day one of the 120th Congress.

In this Breaking the Meta interview, Elizabeth Lee breaks down what she's hearing at the doors across Gilbert, Chandler, and the East Valley of Phoenix, and why she believes the 2026 Arizona congressional race is the bookend that has to slow the bleeding.

"I'm not afraid to stand up to anyone." — Elizabeth Lee

"The rule of law matters. Due process matters. Career politicians have grown
accustomed to throwing the ball down their own party's gutter." — Elizabeth Lee on why the Andy Biggs era of AZ-05 representation has to end.

Georgia House District 127: The Army Officer Targeted for a Music Video

Mike Winson — Sat, 16 May 2026 11:57:14 GMT

Georgia House District 127 candidate Channing Von T. Taylor sits down with Breaking the Meta to talk about running for office in Augusta after surviving homelessness, military discrimination, and a system he says failed him at every turn.

An Army veteran who deployed to Iraq, Channing was a commissioned officer at Fort Gordon/Fort Eisenhower when his music career took off — and he was retaliated against for a music video that went viral on World Star. He lost his house, his pets, most of his assets, and his legal fees drained what was left. He became homeless in the same district he's now running to represent.

Instead of leaving, he stayed. He founded Americans Make America Great (AMAG) — a movement against greed — and traveled the world in 2025 promoting positive images of America. Now he's bringing that work home and running for Georgia House District 127 on three priorities: affordability, protecting children, and economic growth.

In this conversation, Channing breaks down what he's hearing from voters in Augusta and Richmond County — Republicans and Democrats alike feeling "left in the middle of a bad divorce." He talks about veterans in his district who are nervous about losing their benefits, the impact of the Iran war and ACA subsidy losses on working families, and what real accountability from elected officials should look like.

If you believe candidates running for districts the mainstream press ignores deserve visibility, please like, share, and subscribe. That's how grassroots candidates without big-money donors actually win.

🔗 Channing's campaign site: https://www.votevon1278.com

Missouri House District 63: The Auto Worker Fighting Back in 2026

Mike Winson — Sat, 16 May 2026 11:56:41 GMT

Missouri House District 63 candidate Donald Looney — UAW auto worker, St. Charles County Dem chair, on why an "uncontested" red state needs fighters.

Don Looney isn't waiting on permission to run. After Missouri's legislature gutted the voter-passed paid sick time and $15 minimum wage initiatives, after gerrymandered maps designed to "pick voters," and after a school board run derailed by culture-war attacks — he's stepping into a seat that was set to go uncontested in 2026.

In this Breaking the Meta episode, Don breaks down what's actually happening in Wentzville and St. Charles County: plant closures, housing prices outrunning wages, teachers leaving in droves, and a state legislature that's stopped asking whether problems exist and started arguing about whether anyone deserves help. He explains what real accountability looks like (hint: it starts with showing up), why he's making paid maternity leave for teachers his Day One bill, and how a UAW guy from the auto plant built a campaign with no corporate donors.

This is grassroots, working-class politics from a candidate who isn't trying to win an election by sounding like a consultant.

🎥 Watch the full episode and subscribe for more candidate interviews mainstream media won't cover.

🔗 Follow Don's campaign:
• Social: @LooneyforMissouri
• Website: donnelooney.com

Florida District 2: USAID Veteran Fights to Flip Dunn's Seat - Amanda Marie Green

Mike Winson — Wed, 13 May 2026 13:25:03 GMT

Florida's 2nd Congressional District (FL-02) is an open seat in 2026 after Neal Dunn's retirement. Democrat Amanda Marie Green — a former USAID operations and contracts director — is running to flip the rural Panhandle and Big Bend.

Amanda spent 10 years intervening in famine, malaria, and HIV/AIDS overseas before turning her sights on the 16 counties of FL-02. In this episode of Breaking the Meta, Mike Winson sits down with her to talk about what's happening on the ground in Florida's 2nd District, why she's running, and why conservative voters in a +8 Republican district are signing her petitions to get on the ballot.

We cover:
• Why she jumped in — and what 16 counties told her they actually need
• SNAP, rural healthcare collapse, and FEMA money diverted to the border wall
• The truth about USAID, DOGE, and the fraud allegations that never produced an arrest
• Why farmers and construction foremen in North Florida don't want more ICE funding
• How visible pregnancy on the trail became an unexpected bridge to conservative voters
• Accountability, town halls, and the bar set by former Rep. Alan Boyd
• Foreign policy after Iran, Greenland, and the destruction of American soft power
• Committee priorities on day one: Agriculture and Appropriations

Amanda is running without billionaire money. No corporate PAC dollars. She gives her cell phone number to every voter she meets.

🔗 Learn more, volunteer, or donate: https://foramg.com

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
ABOUT BREAKING THE META
Breaking the Meta is an independent podcast platforming the grassroots candidates mainstream media won't cover. Hard conversations. No talking points. Rights, respect, dignity, and safety for everyone — no exceptions.

🔔 Subscribe for more candidate interviews you won't see anywhere else
💬 Drop a comment with the candidate you want us to interview next

#Florida2ndDistrict #AmandaMarieGreen #USAID #FL02 #BreakingTheMeta

NY-02 Democrat Jess Murphy: Flipping Long Island & Firing Garbarino

Mike Winson — Wed, 13 May 2026 13:24:35 GMT

NY-02 Democrat Jess Murphy is running to flip New York's 2nd Congressional District and unseat Andrew Garbarino in 2026. The Democratic primary is June 23.

Jess grew up on Long Island, works in housing, and is still working seven days a week to afford her mortgage — the same fight her sister, her friends, and her neighbors are losing. In this episode we get into why she stepped into the race in December, what she's hearing on the doors, and how she plans to beat a three-term incumbent who Donald Trump publicly praised for "doing whatever he says."

🏘️ Housing & affordability — $700K starter homes in Suffolk, $850K in Nassau, and a generation that can't stay where they grew up
🚨 ICE on Long Island — what it means that Garbarino chairs Homeland Security while detention sites go up in his own district
💰 No PAC money, no corporate money, no super PAC — and why that matters for a working-class district
🌍 Foreign policy — losing allies, Iran, and Congress finally needing a backbone
🏛️ Universal healthcare vs what's actually passable — being honest about the difference
🗳️ Day 1 in Congress — what a junior member can really do

Jess Murphy:
🌐 jessmurphyforcongress.com
📱 @jessmurphyforcongress (Instagram, TikTok, Threads)

#NY02 #LongIsland #Congress2026 #BreakingTheMeta #FlipNY02

Breaking the Meta is an independent podcast platforming the candidates mainstream media won't. If you found this useful, subscribe, share with one person, and drop a comment below. That's how candidates without millionaire donors get visibility.

Socialist Joe Tache Is Running to Beat Ed Markey in 2026

Mike Winson — Mon, 11 May 2026 12:30:12 GMT

Joe Tache is running for US Senate in Massachusetts as the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) candidate, challenging Democratic incumbent Ed Markey in 2026. In this conversation he calls capitalism a "national emergency" and lays out why he broke from the Democratic Party.

A Boston-based organizer from Roxbury and a Northeastern University grad, Joe traces his path from a private equity internship to ten years inside the socialist movement. We get into the Meta super PAC story the New York Times just reported, the Cuba blockade, the "Don Roe Doctrine" in Latin America, Trump-era foreign policy, climate, and what a third-party socialist senator could actually do from day one.

Joe also draws a striking parallel to Charles Sumner — the Massachusetts abolitionist senator elected in 1851 — and explains why he sees this campaign as a long-horizon movement, not just a single election.

Whether you agree with him or not, these are the conversations mainstream media keeps avoiding. That's why we platform them here.

🔗 Learn more / volunteer / donate: tache4ma.com
📱 Social: @tache4ma on Instagram, TikTok, and X

"I'm Not Nice." Meet the Michigan Senate Candidate Taking on a MAGA Sheriff | Rebecca Amidon SD-32

Mike Winson — Sat, 09 May 2026 14:17:11 GMT

Michigan State Senate candidate Rebecca Amidon (SD-32) sits down with Breaking the Meta to talk about why she's running against a MAGA sheriff to represent Benzie, Mason, Muskegon, Oceana, and Manistee counties.

A college professor, mom, firearm owner, and former Republican-turned-Democrat, Rebecca breaks down what nobody in Lansing wants to talk about: only two hospitals in five counties have labor and delivery wards, less than half of pregnant women in Manistee County receive prenatal care, and Michigan loses $2.9 billion every year to the childcare crisis. She makes the case for universal childcare, the MyCare universal healthcare bill, holding Enbridge accountable for Line 5, and rejecting utility PAC money from DTE and Consumers Energy.

This is a real conversation about what it takes to run as an outsider, why "nice and smiley" candidates keep losing, and how a different kind of Democrat earns Republican endorsements without rolling over.

Rhode Island Senate Candidate Connor Burbridge Takes On Jack Reed

Mike Winson — Sat, 09 May 2026 14:16:31 GMT

hode Island Senate candidate Connor Burbridge is primarying 30-year incumbent Jack Reed in the 2026 Democratic primary. An Army veteran, elder care worker, and small farm co-op owner, Burbridge is running on universal healthcare, housing affordability, and a six-bill working class agenda — without a single dollar of PAC money.

In this conversation, Connor breaks down why he's challenging one of the longest-serving Democrats in the Senate, what's actually happening on the ground in Rhode Island (two hospitals at risk of closing, $450K starter homes, post-industrial communities still reeling from NAFTA), and what he'd do on day one in Washington.

We cover:
— Why Jack Reed's Bill Clinton-era politics aren't meeting the moment
— The Rhode Island healthcare crisis: hospital closures, lost PCPs, and Medicaid cuts
— Housing, utilities, and the squeeze on working families
— How a three-time Trump-voting dad ended up donating to a progressive Democrat
— America's standing in the world after Trump's second term
— The six bills Burbridge would file on day one (sovereign wealth fund, universal elder care, climate superfund, no more forever wars)
— Why grassroots, no-PAC campaigns are the future of progressive politics

Connor's average donation is $29. No corporate money. No super PACs. Just Rhode Islanders.

📍 Learn more & get involved: Burbridge4RI.com

Democratic Candidate Demands Party Accountability on Epstein

Mike Winson — Wed, 06 May 2026 11:54:58 GMT

Robert People is a 21-year retired US Army veteran running as a Democrat for Congress in Florida's 15th District (FL-15) — challenging incumbent Laurel Lee in 2026.

In this Breaking the Meta interview, Robert breaks down what affordability really means in Florida, why homeowners insurance is forcing residents out of the state, and how a creeping accountability crisis in Congress threatens our standing with allies abroad. He also goes on the record about Epstein-files silence inside his own party — a rare move from a Democratic challenger.

We talk about:
- What "affordability" means across Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, Lakeland, Wesley Chapel, and the rest of FL-15
- Why Florida's homeowners insurance crisis is becoming a federal infrastructure question
- How Robert wants to be held accountable — quarterly town halls, follow-through, and a proposed nonpartisan accountability agency
- Why he says removing this administration has to be the first action item
- What he's hearing from conservative voters on TikTok and at forums
- Why the trust of US allies is now systemic, not partisan
- His Day One plan if he wins in November 2026

Robert's website: peopleforcongress.com
Follow: Robert People for Congress (across all platforms)

Florida's 15th covers parts of Hillsborough, Polk, and Pasco Counties. The Democratic primary is August 18, 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026.

This podcast is about having hard conversations, breaking the status quo, and fighting for the idea that all people — no matter their race, religion, gender, or identity — deserve rights, respect, dignity, and safety.

Subscribe for more interviews with the candidates mainstream media won't platform. Every district deserves a choice.

#BreakingTheMeta #FL15 #Congress2026

"They're Pedophiles in Power" — 4 Women Running for Congress on Epstein, Swalwell & What's Next

Mike Winson — Mon, 04 May 2026 18:49:52 GMT

Two sitting congressmen just resigned. The Epstein files dropped. Four women running for Congress react and a retired Lt. Colonel who spent decades hunting traffickers explains why nothing's happening on Capitol Hill.

In this Breaking the Meta panel, Mike Winson is joined by:

• Alani Bankhead — running for U.S. Senate, Montana. Retired Lt. Col, special agent, former senior Pentagon bodyguard.
• Britt Robinson — running for Congress, Florida-04. Military spouse, working-class background, on the personal cost of the Alice Gap.
• Jess Murphy — running for Congress, New York-02. Former Senator Gillibrand staffer; trained over 30,000 women to run for office through Running Start.
• Elizabeth Dempsey-Beggs — running for Congress, Virginia (8th, possibly 1st). Army combat-arms veteran, foster parent of four kids under five.

This conversation goes places most cable panels won't. Topics include:

— Why the Epstein files vote was unanimous and nothing changed
— What it actually takes to build a trafficking case (and who keeps blocking them)
— The 68–75 million Americans who survived child abuse
— The Alice Gap: how families fall through the cracks between stability and aid
— Foster care, financial neglect, and why "70% neglect" hides what's really happening
— Why "tax the rich" means $20M in NYC and $1M in rural Virginia — and how Democrats lost the working class
— What women on Capitol Hill actually see — and why so many older women stay silent
— The difference between being willing to die for democracy and being willing to LIVE for it

A frank, sometimes uncomfortable conversation about power, accountability, and whether the country is ready for the kind of leaders these four women want to be.

⏱ Chapters in the video.

🗳 Support the candidates:
• Alani Bankhead — alaniformt.com
• Jess Murphy — jessmurphyforcongress.com
• Britt Robinson — brit4congress.com
• Elizabeth Dempsey-Beggs — elizabethforvirginia.com

$16 Milk in an Oil State: Inside Alaska's Governor Race | Tom Begich

Mike Winson — Fri, 01 May 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Tom Begich is the frontrunner for Alaska Governor — and his nephew just cast the deciding vote to gut Alaska's Medicaid. The family feud is real.

In this episode of Breaking the Meta, Mike Winson sits down with Tom Begich, currently leading the polls in Alaska's 17-candidate open primary for governor. Tom is a former state senate minority leader, the architect of Alaska's bipartisan coalition, and the uncle of the Republican U.S. Congressman whose one-vote margin pushed through the Big Beautiful Bill and the Medicaid cuts now hitting Alaskan families.

🔗 Tom's Campaign: https://tombegichforalaska.com

What we cover:
• The Begich vs. Begich family dinner table
• Why $16 milk matches $16 diesel in an oil-producing state
• How $8-per-barrel oil credits are starving the state budget
• 20-40,000 Alaskans about to lose Medicaid coverage
• Denali Care: Tom's state-level safety net plan
• The whale oil parable — why oil dependency always ends
• Indigenous communities, fentanyl, and missing-and-murdered cases
• Restorative justice and sleeping on village gym floors
• The Reads Act and pre-K education reform
• Standing up to federal overreach on land, leases, and the National Guard

He Watched a Man Die Because Insulin Got Too Expensive — Now He's Running for Congress

Mike Winson — Fri, 01 May 2026 02:31:23 GMT

A man in his 50s died because he couldn't afford insulin after the price cap was repealed. Bernard Taylor was the paramedic on those calls, and now he's running for Congress in Florida's 21st District.

Bernard is a fourth-generation Floridian, a firefighter / paramedic on the Treasure Coast, and a Democrat challenging an incumbent who reportedly told a constituent in Fort Pierce, "I don't come to Fort Pierce." In this conversation we get into what accountability actually looks like, why young Floridians are leaving the state in record numbers, the dirtiest lake in America funneling polluted water through low-income neighborhoods, and a state catastrophic fund proposal that could cut homeowner insurance by up to 60% without raising taxes.

This is what a grassroots, no-corporate-PAC, working-class campaign actually sounds like — built from the back of an ambulance, not a donor dinner.

▬▬▬ SUPPORT BERNARD'S CAMPAIGN ▬▬▬
🌐 Website: https://bernardtaylorforcongress.org
💸 Donate (no PAC, no corporate, no foreign money): https://bernardtaylorforcongress.org
📣 Volunteer (phone bank or social blitz from anywhere): https://bernardtaylorforcongress.org

He Flew B-1 Bombers in Afghanistan. Now He's Running to Flip Texas | Evan Hunt for TX-3

Mike Winson — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:25:54 GMT

A 20-year Air Force combat vet wants to flip Texas's 3rd Congressional District. Evan Hunt is challenging Republican Keith Self — and he thinks he can win.

Mike Winson sits down with Evan Hunt, retired Lieutenant Colonel, B-1 bomber Weapon Systems Officer, McKinney dad, to talk about a Republican stronghold that hasn't gone blue since 1968, and why he believes 2026 is the year it flips.

In this interview:
• The three winning issues in TX-3: healthcare costs, immigration reform, and Greg Abbott's voucher war on Texas public schools
• Why MAGA isn't conservative anymore — and how disaffected Republicans are joining the campaign
• "Service Before Self": term limits, no PAC money, no congressional stock trading, overturning Citizens United
• Day-one priorities: banning out-of-cycle gerrymandering, dismantling ICE, repealing the AUMF, releasing the Epstein files
• A combat vet's reaction to the Zelensky Oval Office moment — and what China's 100-year plan means for America

This is a grassroots campaign. No PAC money. No corporate donors. Just a candidate, a message, and a district that's never been more flippable.

➤ Learn more about Evan Hunt: https://electevanhunt.com
➤ Follow @ElectEvanHunt on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Matt Robinson vs The Establishment | Breaking the Meta

Mike Winson — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Matt Robinson is running for Iowa House District 72 in the 2026 election, representing Dubuque, Iowa. In this Breaking the Meta interview, the union carpenter and Democratic candidate sits down with Mike Winson to talk minimum wage, Chapter 20 collective bargaining, Iowa's water quality and cancer crisis, school vouchers, and the half-million-dollar money fight already shaping the District 72 race.

Matt Robinson is a field carpenter from Dubuque, Iowa, running for the Iowa House of Representatives in District 72 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. He grew up in the district, lives there now, and previously served as chair of the Dubuque County Democrats. His campaign — Build A Better Iowa — is focused on working-class economics, public education, and getting money out of politics.

We cover:
• Why Matt is running again after his 2022 state senate run
• The pain points hitting Iowa House District 72 — affordability, education, water quality
• Iowa's cancer crisis and agricultural water pollution
• How Chapter 20 stripped collective bargaining from public employees
• Why $18/hour minimum wage is the floor, not the ceiling
• The $500K race nobody's talking about — and how Americans for Prosperity is buying the seat
• What publicly funded elections would actually do
• Day-one priorities if Matt wins November 3, 2026

Iowa House District 72 covers the north and west side of Dubuque, on the Mississippi River. Democrats outnumber Republicans here, but independents outnumber both — making this one of the most flippable seats in the state after a 16-year Democratic incumbent was ousted in 2024.

→ Support Matt's campaign: https://buildabetteriowa.com
→ Follow Matt on social: @MattRobinsonForIowa / @RobinsonForIowa

First Primary Challenge in CT-01 Since 1998: Ruth Fortune Speaks

Mike Winson — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:03:30 GMT

Ruth Fortune is running for US Congress in Connecticut's 1st District (CT-01) — the first Democratic primary challenger to Rep. John Larson in 28 years. In this Breaking the Meta interview, Ruth shares why she's challenging a 28-year incumbent, her path from undocumented immigrant to attorney to congressional candidate, and what real accountability in Washington should look like.

Ruth came to the US from Haiti at 12 and lived undocumented for nearly a decade. She waitressed her way through college with no path to a job until the Obama administration's 2010 TPS designation changed her life. Today she's a trust and estate attorney, a mom of three, and the first candidate to enter the CT-01 race because Connecticut hasn't had a Democratic primary for this seat since 1998.

We get into:
- Affordability, democracy, and ICE — what voters in CT-01 are actually saying
- Why she's self-imposing a 5-term limit (and why career incumbency hurts representation)
- Her $25/hr federal minimum wage proposal, indexed to inflation
- Comprehensive immigration reform and a path to citizenship
- Holding ICE agents accountable under state criminal law
- America's collapsing standing on the world stage and Trump's foreign policy
- Connecticut's restrictive ballot access — and the convention fight ahead

Ruth needs 15% delegate support at the May convention to make the ballot, or thousands of petition signatures in 42 days. If you live in CT-01, your delegates matter.

Learn more / volunteer / donate: ruthfortuneforcongress.com

NC House District 75: Jen Wiles on Schools, Medicaid & Flipping the Seat

Mike Winson — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 13:30:00 GMT

NC House District 75 candidate Jen Wiles sits down with Breaking the Meta to talk schools, Medicaid expansion, and taking on a 12-year incumbent.

Jen Wiles is a healthcare worker and working mom running for North Carolina House District 75 — covering Walkertown, Kernersville, and Walltown/South Winston in Forsyth County. Her opponent has held the seat since 2013 and currently chairs Appropriations, the committee that writes NC's budget.

In this 2026 candidate interview we cover:

• Why Forsyth County Schools ended up $43 million in the red — and the real story behind the headlines
• North Carolina ranking 50th out of 50 states in public education funding, and 43rd in teacher pay
• The stalled NC state budget, and why teachers and state employees still haven't seen raises
• The March 31, 2026 deadline to stand up NC Medicaid expansion under new federal work requirements
• How ACA subsidies ending will hit rural Walkertown and the rest of District 75
• Why Jen refused NC Democratic Party help on her website and messaging
• Her kids-only meet and greet — where students get to ask the hard questions
• The "trillion dollar propaganda machine," and what it takes to think past it

Jen's district is a gerrymandered mix of three very different North Carolina communities sharing one representative. She's running on economic justice, a living wage, expanded Medicaid, and public education funding.

Learn more, volunteer, or donate: https://JenWilesNCHouse.com

🎙 Breaking the Meta is an independent podcast giving every district a voice — the grassroots candidates mainstream media overlooks. We interview candidates across all 50 states so voters can hear them in their own words.

👉 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@breakingthemeta-podcast
👉 Share this with someone voting in North Carolina in 2026

#NCHouseDistrict75 #NCPolitics #JenWiles #BreakingTheMeta #NC2026

Steve Merrill Wants to Put Utah's Working Class First

Mike Winson — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:47:42 GMT

Steve Merrill is running for Congress in Utah's 3rd District — a district bigger than 19 states — on a platform of uniting working communities and restoring real accountability. No corporate PACs. No curated tele-town halls. Just a database programmer, a husband, and a dad who decided politics wasn't going to ignore him.

In this episode of Breaking the Meta, host Mike Winson sits down with Steve Merrill, Democratic candidate for Utah's 3rd Congressional District, to talk about what it actually takes to represent 60% of a state — and why the people in it have been ignored for too long.
Steve covers:

Why Utah's redistricting changed the map — and why CD-3 now stretches across farmers, ranchers, mining towns, the Navajo Nation, and national parks
How tariffs gutted coal, oil, and iron mining communities ("It doesn't matter how much stuff costs — they lost their job")
Rural hospitals shutting down, leaving residents 4 hours from emergency care
What real accountability looks like — and why tele-town halls with eight curated questions don't count
The moment in 2016 that pulled him into politics (his stepson, the day after the election)
Why he wants the U.S. to join the International Criminal Court
Ending the AUMF, clawing back Congressional war powers, and putting guardrails on executive orders
Citizens United, APAC, Elon Musk's $250M, and the case for publicly funded campaigns
What he'd do on day one in Congress — starting with SNAP and Medicaid

If you've been looking for candidates who aren't taking corporate PAC money, who want to be held accountable, and who are running to fix problems we've been screaming about for decades — this is the series.
Support Steve:
🌐 votethe4merrill.com
🌐 voteforme.us
📱 Socials: @vote4merrill
Support the show:
👍 Like, subscribe, and share — it's the cheapest way to help candidates without millions of dollars get seen.
🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with grassroots candidates the mainstream won't cover

About Breaking the Meta:
Breaking the Meta is about having hard conversations when necessary, fighting to break the status quo, and the idea that all people — no matter your race, religion, gender, or identity — deserve rights, respect, dignity, and safety.
#SteveMerrill #UtahPolitics #Congress2026 #BreakingTheMeta

Marine Veteran Takes On Texas's Most Extreme Senator

Mike Winson — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:16:46 GMT

Marine Corps veteran Keenen Colbert is running for Texas State Senate District 2 — and he's taking on one of the most extreme Republicans in the state legislature, incumbent Sen. Bob Hall. In this interview, Keenen lays out why he entered the race when no one else would, what accountability actually looks like, and why he refuses to take PAC money or ask anyone for their vote.

Texas primary voting is already underway. If you live in SD-2 — Kaufman, Navarro, Van Zandt, Collin, Ellis, or eastern Dallas County — this one matters now, not in November.

We talk about:
• Why an 8-year Marine Mustang decided to run for office
• What "no one is above the law" means at the state level
• Rural Texas water rights vs. out-of-state data centers
• The broadband gap pushing rural Texans out of the digital economy
• Why the American Dream keeps getting pushed out of reach
• How Colbert talks to Republicans — and why they keep applauding
• His critique of his own party's messaging problem
• Christian nationalism vs. actual Christianity
• Why he says politics cares about you whether you care back or not

🗳️ LEARN MORE & SUPPORT KEENEN:
Website: https://keenenforSD2.com

📺 SUBSCRIBE for more grassroots candidate interviews the mainstream press ignores

#BreakingTheMeta is an independent podcast built on one idea: platforming the candidates mainstream media won't. No PAC money. No gatekeepers. Just real conversations with the people running to fix this.

If this show is useful to you, the best thing you can do is share it. That's how grassroots candidates get visibility they can't buy.

Joseph Perez-Caputo "Don't Trust Me. Make Me Earn It."

Mike Winson — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:18:03 GMT

Joseph Perez-Caputo is running for Congress in Connecticut's 4th District — and his pitch is the one politicians never make: "Don't trust me. Make me earn it."

A 33-year-old Sicilian-Boricua law student living paycheck-to-paycheck, Joseph moved back in with his mom to run this campaign. No PAC money. No industry plant polish. Just a punk-metal revolutionary who calls his father's death from lack of healthcare "social murder" — and wants Congress to do something about it.

In this episode of Breaking the Meta, we dig into:

→ Why affordability is crushing Connecticut's 4th and what he'd actually do about it
→ His Day One plan: 20 bills, 20 articles of impeachment, and a forensic Epstein task force
→ The "total career politician cap" — 10-12 years across ALL offices, then you're done
→ How to actually talk to conservative voters (spoiler: start with the pain)
→ Why he compares the current administration to Homelander, not Superman
→ A foreign policy built on humanitarian aid and restitution for 150 years of imperialism
→ Why he'd rather you doubt him than worship him

Joseph is part of Citizens Impeachment, a coalition of nearly 100 progressive candidates running to break the status quo. If you're tired of career politicians and industry plants, this conversation is for you.

Case Norton: Working Class Runs for Congress in GA-7

Mike Winson — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 18:04:33 GMT

Case Norton is a husband, father of two, and 20-year below-the-line film industry union worker running for U.S. House in Georgia's 7th Congressional District. Only 2% of Congress identifies as working class — Case wants to change that.

In this conversation, Case lays out why he's challenging incumbent Rich McCormick, who hasn't held a town hall since February 2025. He breaks down the cost-of-living crisis hitting GA-7, his Day One plan to file or co-sign articles of impeachment against Donald Trump as a member of the Citizens Impeachment coalition, and why he refuses to be an establishment Democrat in the mold of Schumer or Jeffries.

Georgia's primary is May 19, 2026. Early voting runs April 27 through May 15. If you live in GA-7, your vote in the primary decides who gets on the November ballot.

🗳️ Learn more, volunteer, or donate: https://case4congress.com

Subscribe for more interviews with grassroots candidates the mainstream media ignores.

#CaseNorton #GA7 #Georgia7 #BreakingTheMeta #2026Midterms #WorkingClass #RichMcCormick #CitizensImpeachment #DemocraticPrimary #FlipTheHouse

---

Breaking the Meta is about having hard conversations, fighting to break the status quo, and the idea that all people — no matter your race, religion, gender, or identity — deserve rights, respect, dignity, and safety.

TikTok Tried To Silence Her Senate Campaign — Jasmine Thomas (D-OK)

Mike Winson — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 15:49:00 GMT

Oklahoma US Senate candidate Jasmine Thomas's official TikTok was restricted for being "political" — while the White House account keeps posting. Here's what happened, why it matters, and what you can do.

Democratic candidate Jasmine Thomas (D-OK) joins Breaking the Meta to break down how TikTok — now owned by Oracle — restricted her official campaign account, flagged her content as a "political account" violating guidelines that didn't exist when she joined the platform, and warned her that one more political post would be her final strike. She's not alone. A candidate in Kansas reached the same wall the same week.

We dig into:
- What TikTok actually told her, and what guardrails they imposed after reinstating the account
- Why Oracle's acquisition of TikTok creates a conflict of interest for candidates challenging the current administration
- How social platform censorship becomes an election interference issue in a midterm cycle
- The double standard between flagged grassroots candidates and official White House / administration accounts
- What viewers can do right now — follow candidates across platforms (Threads, Instagram, Substack), spread name recognition, donate small-dollar recurring, and hold platforms publicly accountable
- Jasmine's Q1 fundraising breakdown — $19,000 in small-dollar donations and why recurring contributions help campaigns actually budget
- The establishment endorsement problem — progressive organizations declining to endorse progressive candidates in primaries
- A wider conversation on representation, the rise of women in government (Mayor Mary Sheffield in Detroit, Gov. Abigail Spanberger in Virginia), and breaking the status quo

This is a call-to-action episode. Watch it through, share it, and get the word out — because what's happening to Jasmine is a preview of what's coming for every independent and progressive voice on these platforms.

🎙️ SUPPORT JASMINE THOMAS (D-OK)
Website: https://www.JasmineForOK.com

🎙️ BREAKING THE META
New interview drops daily.
Primary-month playlists available — find candidates on your ballot.
Subscribe, like, comment, and share — the algorithm needs it and so do these candidates.

Lauren Jewett: The Teacher Running to Oust Steve Scalise

Mike Winson — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:40:04 GMT

#LaurenJewett #Scalise #LA01

Lauren Jewett is a 17-year special education teacher running to unseat House Majority Leader Steve Scalise in Louisiana's 1st Congressional District. In this Breaking the Meta interview, she makes the case that working-class people — not career politicians — should be writing laws that affect working-class lives.

We get into what accountability actually looks like from a sitting representative, the cost-of-living crisis crushing Southeast Louisiana, why flood insurance and coastal erosion are no longer "Democrat vs. Republican" issues, and how Katrina reshaped New Orleans public education in ways most people outside Louisiana still don't understand.

Lauren also breaks down her first priorities on day one in Congress: codifying reproductive rights, protecting healthcare as a human right, and securing the funding that keeps vulnerable coastal states like Louisiana, Texas, and Florida from being washed away.

Scalise has been in elected office for 28 years. Lauren has been teaching kids with disabilities for 17. This is what it looks like when a real person steps up to challenge an entrenched power broker.

📺 BREAKING THE META
Breaking the Meta platforms grassroots and independent candidates the mainstream press refuses to cover. No PAC money. No partisan talking points. Just real conversations with real people running to change who gets to hold power.

▶️ Subscribe for more candidate interviews

🎙️ Hosted by Mike Winson
📧 Booking & press inquiries: breakingthemetapodcast @gmail.com

She Fought a Book Ban. Now She's Running for Indiana's House. | Candace Greer HD-64

Mike Winson — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:26:09 GMT

Candace "Candy" Greer is running as a Democrat for Indiana House District 64 — a seat that had no opposition on the ballot. She's talking minimum wage, bodily autonomy, education funding, and what it means to be a progressive in deep-red rural Indiana.

🗳️ CANDACE GREER — Indiana House District 64
📘 Facebook: Candace Candy Greer for House 64
🎵 TikTok: @notthatcandace

Breaking the Meta platforms grassroots and independent candidates that the mainstream media ignores. We believe every district deserves a choice and every voter deserves a voice — regardless of party.

🔔 Subscribe for more candidate interviews, civic conversations, and political coverage that breaks the two-party mold.

#IndianaHD64 #CandaceGreer #BreakingTheMeta #IndianaPolitics #GrassrootsCandidate #StateHouseRace #Minimum Wage #BodilyAutonomy #PublicEducation #VoterEngagement #RuralAmerica #Indiana2026 #IndependentPolitics #ProgressiveIndiana #civicengagement

Autism Mom Runs for Congress After Indiana Cuts ABA Therapy | Tabitha Zeigler

Mike Winson — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:06:13 GMT

Autism advocate mom of three kids with autism, Tabitha Zeigler is running for Congress in Indiana's 8th district and she's done waiting for someone else to do it.

Indiana just capped ABA therapy at a 3-year lifetime maximum. RFK is spreading misinformation about autism. And her current rep answered none of her questions at his virtual town hall. So Tabitha jumped in.

In this interview, she talks about driving 3 hours round trip just to get her kids to a specialist, what universal healthcare actually looks like (she's lived in France, Ireland, and South Africa), why rural Indiana voters are more open than you'd think, and what she'd do on day one in Congress.

CONNECT WITH TABITHA ZEGLU:
Website: tabithazieglerforcongress.com
Email: info@tabithazieglerforcongress.com

───────────────────────────────

Breaking the Meta platforms grassroots candidates the corporate media ignores. Hard conversations. No corporate PAC money. All people deserve rights, respect, dignity, and safety.

Like, subscribe, and share to help these candidates get the visibility they need.

#AutismAdvocacy #Indiana2026 #BreakingTheMeta

Tortured by State Police, Now Running for Senate | Dakarai Larriett

Mike Winson — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:39:47 GMT

He was apprehended, tortured, and had drugs planted in his vehicle by state police. Instead of going quiet — he's running for U.S. Senate in Alabama. 🎙️

Mike sits down with Dakarai Larriett, independent Democratic candidate for the Alabama U.S. Senate seat, to talk about the wrongful arrest that changed everything, the Motorist Bill of Rights he's authored, and what he'd fight for in Washington on day one.

🔥 IN THIS EPISODE:
→ Dakarai's background: corporate supply chain, MBA, 20 years of public service
→ What Alabamians are saying on the trail: education, healthcare, economic opportunity
→ How ACA subsidy cuts & SNAP changes are hitting Alabama right now
→ Accountability in government — what it should actually look like
→ Why even conservative voters in Alabama are starting to rethink their choices
→ The Epstein files and who needs to answer questions
→ Identity politics vs. voting on qualifications
→ America's damaged foreign alliances — can they be repaired?
→ His first moves if elected to the Senate in January
→ The Motorist Bill of Rights: dashcam transparency, body cam access & police accountability
→ Taking money OUT of politics — and what elections should actually look like

💡 "I want to take the money out of our political process. That is the root of so many challenges."

Learn more & get involved: dakarailarriett.com

Breaking the Meta is an independent podcast platforming grassroots candidates and challenging the two-party status quo. All people regardless of race, religion, gender, or identity deserve rights, respect, dignity, and safety.

📢 Share this if you know anyone in Alabama — visibility matters.

#Alabama #USSenate #DakaraiLarriett #BreakingTheMeta #GrassrootsCandidate #MoturistBillOfRights #PoliceAccountability #2026Elections #IndependentPolitics #alabamapolitics

She Wrote Her First Law at a Dining Room Table | OR-04

Mike Winson — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Oregon's 4th Congressional District is massive — coastal towns, college cities, farmland, forests — and it's being left behind. Dr. Melissa Bird is a social worker, a descendant of the Shivwits Band of Southern Paiutes, and the kind of regular person Congress was designed for.

In this episode she breaks down how SNAP cuts quietly devastated school lunch programs, why a hospital on the Oregon coast is on the verge of closing, and what it actually takes to run for Congress without corporate money.

🔔 Subscribe for more independent candidate interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@breakingthemeta-podcast

📌 WHAT WE COVER:
— Housing crisis and ICE concerns across a complex rural district
— How SNAP cuts ripple into school meals and disability services
— Citizens United and real accountability without corporate donors
— America's standing on the world stage after the Iran war
— Writing legislation from a dining room table — and what it takes to pass it
— What Dr. Bird would do on Day 1 if elected

🗳️ Learn more & support Dr. Melissa Bird:
Website: https://melissabirdforcongress.com
Social: @MelissaBirdForCongress

🎙️ Breaking the Meta is an independent podcast interviewing grassroots candidates the mainstream media ignores.
New episodes weekly. Like, subscribe, and share — especially if you know voters in her district.

#Oregon #Congress #GrassrootsCandidate #OR04 #MelissaBird #IndependentPolitics #BreakingTheMeta

She Helps Grassroots Candidates Win Without PAC Money

Mike Winson — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 16:50:24 GMT

What does it actually take to run for Congress without corporate PAC money and win? Jen Johannsen left dentistry to help 80+ grassroots candidates across the country build real campaigns on almost nothing. In this episode, she breaks down the insider barriers blocking authentic candidates: signature-gathering nightmares in Connecticut, the funding catch-22 that keeps people-first politicians off the ballot, and the volunteer strategies that are actually moving the needle.

We also get into why state-level races might matter more than federal ones right now, how a 24-year-old got 43% of the vote with $9,000 and zero name recognition, and what a Massachusetts high school teacher is doing every Saturday that big campaigns can't replicate with any amount of money.

If you want to know how grassroots democracy actually works — and what you can do to help — this conversation is it.

🔗 Follow Jen on Instagram: @jenjohhannsen
🔔 Subscribe to Breaking the Meta for interviews with independent candidates mainstream media ignores.

Social Worker vs. The System | Indiana SD-21

Mike Winson — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:27:24 GMT

She works on the front lines of a broken system and now she wants to fix it from the inside.

Kirsten Root is a licensed social worker running for Indiana State Senate District 21, covering Westfield, Kokomo, and Tipton County. In this conversation, she talks about why the people quietly switching parties won't say it out loud, why SCA 1 hurt working families while corporations saved thousands, and what it actually means to be pro-life in a state with maternal health deserts.

She's also pro-Second Amendment, grew up in rural La Porte County, and has no interest in telling you what you want to hear.

🗳 Topics covered:
• Why rural Hoosiers are quietly dropping party loyalty (4:19)
• SCA 1: who it really benefited — and who got left behind (8:16)
• Maternal health deserts and the EMS crisis in Kokomo (11:31)
• What accountability actually looks like from an elected official (2:58)
• Medicaid fraud myths vs. the real data (5:32)

📌 Learn more & support Kirsten:
Website: rootforindiana.org

---
Breaking the Meta gives a platform to grassroots and independent candidates that mainstream media ignores. If you believe voters deserve more than a two-party script, hit subscribe.

#IndianaPolitics #StateSenate #GrassrootsPolitics #BreakingTheMeta #KirstenRoot

She Won In Texas, Now She's Fighting to Keep It | Chelsey Hockett TX-05

Mike Winson — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Chelsey Hockett won her TX-05 Democratic primary but Texas runoff rules mean the fight isn't over. She's back on Breaking the Meta ahead of her May 26 runoff to talk strategy, policy, and what's really at stake in East Texas.

In this episode: the surprise primary results, 54,000 voter turnout in a district that usually sees 17,000, how redistricting created chaos at the polls, and what she plans to do if she gets to Congress. We also get into the US-Iran conflict, Texas water and energy infrastructure, AI data centers threatening the power grid, term limits, internet regulation, and the intra-party drama that erupted after the primary.

Support Breaking The Meta!
https://instagram.com/breakingthemetapod
https://tiktok.com/@breakingthemetapodcast
https://www.patreon.com/c/BreakingTheMetaPodcast

🔔 Subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss a candidate interview.
👇 Watch the first Chelsey Hockett interview: https://youtu.be/y8tgmZbkQ2g
🌐 Learn more or support Chelsey: http://www.chelseyahockettforcongress.com

Who's Running for Nancy Mace's Seat? | Matt Fulmer | SC-01

Mike Winson — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:30:00 GMT

42% of American cancer patients go broke within 2 years. Matt Fulmer is running for Congress in SC-01 to fix that — and he's a bartender.

Matt is running in the South Carolina coastal district currently held by Nancy Mace, who is expected to vacate the seat to run for governor. He's making an unapologetic working-class case for Medicare for All, a federal land value tax to address the housing crisis, ranked choice voting, and getting corporate money out of politics entirely.

Follow Matt Fulmer: https://www.fulmerforcongress.com/

Support Breaking The Meta!
https://instagram.com/breakingthemetapod
https://tiktok.com/@breakingthemetapodcast
https://www.patreon.com/c/BreakingTheMetaPodcast

"2% of Congress Is Working Class" — Jessica Salas Is Changing That | Oregon's 3rd District

Mike Winson — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Jessica Salas is running for Oregon's 3rd Congressional District — a massive district stretching from East Portland all the way to Hood River County and Mount Hood. She's not a career politician. She's a working-class woman from Southern California who spent 12 years in the beer industry, launched an international beer collaboration called Hasta La Raíz to fund immigrant rights nonprofits, and decided to run for Congress when she realized only 2% of Congress actually represents people like her.

In this episode, Jessica breaks down the biggest issues facing OR-03 — housing affordability, homelessness, forgotten farming communities, and rising costs — and shares her bold ideas for accountability, including local constituent advisory councils in every city across her district.

She's not taking any corporate money, PAC money, or AIPAC money. She's 100% grassroots.

Support and Follow Everywhere!
https://instagram.com/breakingthemetapod
https://tiktok.com/@breakingthemetapodcast
https://www.patreon.com/c/BreakingTheMetaPodcast

We also get into:
→ Abolishing ICE and rebuilding immigration from the ground up
→ Her foreign policy platform and what Trump's tariff chaos means long-term
→ How she connects with conservatives in a very blue district
→ What she'd do on Day 1 in Congress (hint: articles of impeachment)
→ Her "ACAB" policy — America Can't Afford Billionaires

If you're in Oregon, share this. If you know someone in Oregon, share this. Name recognition is everything for candidates who refuse corporate money.

📌 Learn more & support Jessica: http://www.jsalfororegon.com

---
Breaking the Meta is an independent podcast dedicated to amplifying grassroots and independent political candidates that mainstream media ignores. New episodes every week.

#BreakingTheMeta #JessicaSalas #Oregon #OR03 #GrassrootsPolitics #WorkingClass #IndependentPolitics #Congress2026

Georgia 10th District: Flipping a MAGA Seat | Lexy Doherty

Mike Winson — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Georgia's 10th Congressional District has a shot at flipping — and Lexy Doherty is the candidate running to make it happen. In this episode of Breaking the Meta, Lexy breaks down the affordability crisis hitting rural Georgia, the federal government's plan to build a 10,000-person ICE detention facility in a small town of 5,000, and why she believes raising the minimum wage is the fastest thing Congress could do to change working people's lives.

Lexy also digs into campaign finance reform, the congressional stock trading scandal, term limits, bipartisan coalition-building, and what it actually looks like to hold Congress accountable from the inside. This is an independent, no-corporate-PAC-money campaign, the kind Breaking the Meta was built to platform.

https://instagram.com/breakingthemetapod
https://tiktok.com/@breakingthemetapodcast

🔗 Support Lexy: https://lexidoherty.com

📌 Topics covered:
— Running in a gerrymandered, rural Georgia district
— ICE detention warehouse: 1M sq ft, 10,000 people, town of 5,000
— Living wage & the MIT Living Wage Calculator
— Small business owners vs. minimum wage reality
— Congressional accountability: stock trading ban, lobbyist revolving door, Citizens United
— Bipartisan work without purity tests
— Term limits & why incumbents resist them
— Foreign policy, democracy, and global authoritarianism
— How to flip a MAGA-held congressional seat in 2026

If you're in Georgia's 10th — or just want to see more independents and grassroots candidates take on the two-party machine this one's for you.

Air Force Vet Runs for Missouri State House to Fight for Healthcare & Affordability | Jewel Kelly

Mike Winson — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:28:41 GMT

Breaking the Meta sits down with Jewel Kelly, a 10-year Air Force veteran, real estate professional, and mental health advocate running for Missouri State House District 106.

Jewel shares a deeply personal story — from growing up as the eldest of 18 siblings in poverty, to losing his bonus daughter to suicide in 2018, to founding the Fighting Chance mental health foundation. Now he's channeling that experience into a campaign focused on affordability, healthcare access, housing, and government accountability.

In this episode:
- Why Jewel decided to run and what his district is saying
- The impact of ACA subsidy losses and hospital closures in Missouri
- His framework for building bipartisan common ground
- What "leave no one behind" means in civilian politics
- Truth in pricing as a Day 1 legislative priority
- His vision for mental health access and reducing stigma

If you're tired of career politicians who serve corporations instead of constituents, this is the kind of candidate Breaking the Meta exists to amplify.

Learn more about Jewel Kelly: https://jewelkelly.com
Facebook: Jewel Kelly for Missouri

---

Breaking the Meta is an independent podcast giving a platform to grassroots candidates that mainstream media ignores. No corporate money. No gatekeepers. Just real conversations.

She Reported a Colonel at 20 and Paid For It. Now She's Running for Congress. | Maura Keller

Mike Winson — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Army veteran and nuclear medicine technologist Maura Keller joins Breaking the Meta to talk about her run for Georgia's 3rd Congressional District and why she says she can't be bought.

Maura spent 26 years in the military, rising from enlisted military policewoman to Lieutenant Colonel, then spent over a decade as an independent contractor for the Department of Defense before becoming a nuclear medicine technologist at the VA. She's running because the problems she kept bringing to leadership kept going nowhere.

In this episode we get into:

→ The OB-GYN desert crisis in rural Georgia — 6 of her 15 counties have zero OB-GYNs
→ Rural hospital closures and what that means for everyday Georgians
→ Affordability: housing, groceries, and what it means to live paycheck to paycheck
→ What accountability actually looks like from inside government
→ Whether veterans in office can break partisan gridlock
→ The John Lewis Voting Rights Act and Equal Rights Amendment
→ The story of when she reported illegal military activity as a young lieutenant — and what it cost her

No PAC money. No lobbyist money. Just a retired Lt. Col. who says wrong is wrong.

🌐 Learn more & donate: maurakeller.com

📌 Breaking the Meta is an independent podcast platforming grassroots candidates that mainstream media ignores. If you believe money should be out of politics and people deserve real representation, this is your show.

🔔 Subscribe | 👍 Like | 📤 Share — especially if you know someone in Georgia's 3rd District.

She Hunted Terrorists & Traffickers. Now She's Running for Senate in Montana. | Alani Bankhead

Mike Winson — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:11:21 GMT

Alani Bankhead is a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, counterintelligence agent, and supervisory special agent who spent her career hunting terrorists, spies, and child sex traffickers across every continent. Now she's running as a Democrat for the U.S. Senate in Montana. She's running because she's seen what broken government looks like from the inside.

In this conversation, Alani breaks down why accountability is the foundation of everything, from the 2008 housing crisis to the Epstein files to the Iran conflict. She talks about what Montanans are actually asking for (housing and healthcare, full stop), why their current senator stopped showing up, and how she'd fight to claw back hundreds of billions from Pentagon waste without raising taxes.

She also gets real about Schumer, the filibuster, rebuilding trust with U.S. allies, and what it means to be a mouthpiece for the federal employees who can't legally speak out right now.

This is one of the most substantive, credential-packed conversations we've had on this show. Don't miss it.

——

🔗 Learn more & support Alani:
Website: https://alani4mt.com
Social: @Alani4MT (all platforms)
Podcast: Montana Matters Podcast

Army Combat Medic Running Against Victoria Spartz Wants to Fix the "Wealth Care System" | IN-5

Mike Winson — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Jackson Franklin is an Army combat medic, National Guardsman, and paramedic running in Indiana's 5th Congressional District and taking on incumbent Victoria Spartz in one of 2026's most closely watched grassroots races.

Jackson has seen firsthand what he calls the "wealth care system", a for-profit structure that puts corporate middlemen between patients and doctors. He's calling for Medicare for All, an end to Citizens United, term limits, and a complete ban on congressional stock trading. On the campaign trail, he's hearing concerns about the war in Iran, ICE raids, education funding, data centers, and rising energy costs. He's engaging both disillusioned Democrats and disaffected Republicans who feel lied to by Trump.

As a current National Guardsman with friends deployed overseas, Jackson brings a veteran's perspective to foreign policy, opposing the Iran conflict, cutting military aid to Israel, rejoining the Iran nuclear agreement, and getting the U.S. back into compliance with international treaties. He's also one of the leading voices in his area calling to abolish ICE, comparing its current role to a private enforcement army targeting minority communities.

Jackson's campaign is 100% grassroots, no corporate PAC money, no APAC money. His platform covers more than 20 policy positions, from universal broadband and pre-K to ranked choice voting and ballot referendums.

Learn more and support the campaign:
🌐 JacksonFranklinforCongress.com
📱 @JacksonFranklinforCongress on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter/X & Bluesky

---
Breaking the Meta is an independent podcast interviewing grassroots and progressive candidates that mainstream media overlooks. New episodes every day.

East Texas Deserves Better: A Dairy Farm Kid Challenges Congress | Dax Alexander for TX-01

Mike Winson — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 12:47:21 GMT

Dax Alexander grew up on a dairy farm in Martins Mill, TX. One of the reddest corners of one of the reddest states in America. No name recognition, no PAC money, no political dynasty behind him. Just a software developer, a group of Young Democrat friends, and a decision that if no one else was going to run, he would.

In Texas's 1st Congressional District, recently in a runoff after pulling 22% of the primary vote. Dax is making the case that East Texas has been failed by its representation for too long. In this conversation, we go deep on what that actually means: the food pantries quietly losing federal funding, the rural counties without a single hospital, the broadband dead zones trapping workers from remote opportunities, and the AI data centers being sold as "job creation" while draining water from communities that already have Flint-level quality concerns.

We also talk about why the 2026 moment feels different, why voters who've never listened to a Democrat before are suddenly curious, why Trump's broken promises on prices and wars are cracking the surface in deep-red territory, and why Dax thinks the biggest untapped voting bloc in Texas isn't red or blue, it's the people who stopped voting altogether.

If you're in TX-01: the runoff is May 26th. Go vote.

—

🔗 Learn more & get involved: daxforcongress.com
📱 Facebook & Instagram: @DaxForCongress

—

Breaking the Meta is an independent podcast covering grassroots and progressive candidates that mainstream media overlooks — because democracy only works when people have a real choice.

She's a Public Defender Running Against Indiana's Rigged System | Victoria Martz

Mike Winson — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 21:38:51 GMT

Victoria Martz is a criminal defense attorney and public defender running for Indiana State House District 55 a rural stretch of southeastern Indiana where the nearest Walmart requires a 20-minute drive and the nearest labor unit is now 30 to 45 minutes away.

She's running as a grassroots Democrat in deeply conservative territory, and she's finding common ground with Republican voters on the issues that actually matter: fiscal accountability, worker rights, and a state government that seems far more interested in helipads and Escalades than in the people footing the bill.

In this episode, Victoria breaks down:
— The real impact of Indiana's Right to Work law on unionized workers in her district
— Why ACA subsidy cuts are forcing rural residents to drop insurance entirely — and what happens when the local hospital closes
— Her plan to raise the minimum wage while protecting small businesses through targeted subsidies
— Why Indiana is hemorrhaging cannabis tax revenue to every state on its border — and why that needs to end
— How she's connecting with conservative voters on fiscal accountability and workers' rights
— What she'd do on Day 1 if elected to the State House in November
This is exactly the kind of race Breaking the Meta exists to cover — a grassroots candidate, a winnable district, and a system that's counting on voters not paying attention.

📣 Support Victoria's campaign:
🌐 votevictoriamartz.org
📱 Instagram & TikTok: @martz4indiana
📘 Facebook: Victoria Martz for District 55

ICE Took His Neighbors. Now He's Running for Congress. | Justin Douglas PA-10

Mike Winson — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 16:13:13 GMT

ICE took Justin Douglas's neighbors — Bhutanese Nepali refugees who survived ethnic cleansing and spent two decades in camps before America welcomed them in. That moment pushed this Pennsylvania County Commissioner to run for Congress in PA's 10th District.

In this episode of Breaking the Meta, Justin Douglas (candidate for Pennsylvania's 10th Congressional District) sits down for a full interview covering: why ICE's current operations amount to secret police tactics, what accountability in Congress actually looks like, how the war in Iran started without a single vote from Congress, and why a $23 average donation campaign can beat a PAC-funded machine.

🔗 FIND JUSTIN DOUGLAS
Website: JustinDouglas.us
TikTok / Instagram / Facebook: @JustinDouglasPA

Breaking the Meta is an independent podcast built on hard conversations, breaking the status quo, and defending the dignity and rights of all people — no matter your race, religion, gender, or identity.

New episodes every week. Subscribe so you don't miss them.

#Pennsylvania #Congress2026 #JustinDouglas #PA10 #BreakingTheMeta #ICE #IranWar #CongressionalRace #ProgressivePolitics #GrassrootsCampaign

She Googled How to Run for Congress, Then Moved Her Family to the Front Lines | Esther Kim-Varet

Mike Winson — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:36:38 GMT

After the 2024 elections, Esther Kim-Varet did something almost nobody does: she Googled how to run for Congress, convinced her husband, pulled her kids out of school, and moved her family into a Republican district in Orange County to flip it.

Now she's one of the top three Democratic fundraising challengers in the country — in what may be the only congressional race in America where two incumbents are running for the same seat. One of them hasn't held a town hall since 1997.

In this episode of Breaking the Meta, Mike Winson sits down with Esther to talk about:
– Why she left a comfortable life to run for CA's 40th congressional district
– The bizarre Prop 50 redistricting that merged two Republican seats
– How TSA workers at John Wayne Airport are quietly relying on food banks right now
– Why the arts & humanities are America's most undervalued asset in the age of AI
– Her take on accountability, career politicians, and why Democrats need better storytellers
– What she'd actually DO on day one in Congress (small business, education, housing loopholes)
– "Bitches in the Middle" — her case for why being a centrist is actually the most radical position right now

This is not a polished political interview. This is a real conversation with an everyday person who got fed up and decided to do something about it.

🔔 Subscribe so you don't miss upcoming candidate interviews and hard conversations.

──────────────────────────────
👤 ABOUT ESTHER KIM-VARET
Running for California's 40th Congressional District (2026 Midterms)
📲 Instagram / All platforms: @EstherForCongress
🌐 Website: estherForCongress.com

──────────────────────────────
🎙️ BREAKING THE META
Hard conversations. Breaking the status quo. Fighting for the dignity and rights of all people — regardless of race, religion, gender, or identity.

He Exposed His Own Mayor's Corruption — Now He's Running for Congress | William Compton

Mike Winson — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 19:20:08 GMT

William Compton is running for Congress in Kentucky's 2nd District in 2026, a rural Kentucky Democrat who exposed government corruption and got his own mayor federally indicted.

In this episode of Breaking the Meta, Mike Winson sits down with William to talk about healthcare costs destroying rural families, veterans calling America a "laughing stock," why soybean farmers are getting crushed by tariffs, and what he'd do on day one if elected to Congress.

William isn't a career politician. He's 32 years old, grew up on a farm in Warren County, taught orchestra at the same high school he attended, and got into politics after his city's mayor started stealing taxpayer money. He gathered the evidence himself. He got him federally indicted. And now he wants to take that same accountability to Washington.

🔗 Support William Compton:
Website: https://www.williamcompton.com
All socials: @ComptonForKY24

📺 Breaking the Meta is an independent podcast built around hard conversations, challenging the status quo, and advocating for the dignity and rights of all people — regardless of race, religion, gender, or identity.

🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with candidates and voices outside the mainstream.

#Kentucky #Congress #WilliamCompton #BreakingTheMeta #KY02 #PoliticalInterview #RuralAmerica #Healthcare #2026Election

Her Congressman Said Talking to Voters Loses Him Votes. She's Taking His Seat | Victoria Broderick

Mike Winson — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:33:36 GMT

Victoria Broderick is a working-class mom, tech support worker, TikTok creator, and two-time congressional candidate running to flip Tennessee's 4th Congressional District — a rural, heavily Republican district that's been represented by the same 16-year incumbent who reportedly told people in closed-door sessions that speaking to his constituents costs him votes.

In this episode we get into what it actually looks like to live in a district where a maternity ward just closed and the next hospital is 35–60 minutes away, where whiskey distilleries are laying off workers because of global tariffs and international boycotts, where 45% of children depend on Medicaid — and what happens when Washington stops caring about any of it.

We also talk about why Republican voters keep describing her as "moderate," what she'd do on Day 1 in Congress, why she thinks the path to flipping the House runs through the South, and what "voting is public transportation" actually means.

Victoria is a grassroots, small-dollar candidate — 95% of her $120K raised came from everyday donors. Every single donor gets a handwritten thank-you card.

🗳️ Support her campaign: Victoria4Tennessee.com | Victoria4Tennessee.org

Indiana Teacher Fed Up With MAGA Politician Decides to Run Against Him | Cindi Clayton

Mike Winson — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 20:39:20 GMT

A teacher, HR professional, and children's advocate walks into a town hall — and walks out a candidate for the Indiana State Senate. That's essentially the story of Cindi Clayton, who is running for Indiana State Senate District 49 (Evansville/Vanderburgh County) in 2026.

After decades of staying quiet politically, Cindi was pushed to her breaking point when her current opponent — Senator Jim Toms — responded to concerns about a bill allowing genital inspections of female athletes by saying, "It's not like we're going to have the janitor do it." That moment lit a fire, and no one else would run. So she did.

In this conversation, Mike and Cindi get into:

Why she decided to challenge an incumbent who ran unopposed for 8 years
Indiana's utility monopoly crisis — how families in Evansville are paying $500–600/month just to keep their heat on
Chronic defunding of Indiana's public schools under a Republican supermajority
What accountability actually looks like vs. what politicians say it looks like
How MAGA politics have reversed Indiana's historically small-government tradition
America's changing place on the world stage — and why local leadership still matters
Why voters should think of elections like a job interview, not a football game

Cindi brings 25 years of HR experience in the government sector, a decade of leadership with a Children's Advocacy Center, and 30 years of community roots in Evansville. She's not taking corporate money. She's running because someone had to.

🔗 Learn more & support Cindi: cindiforsenate.com
📲 Follow Cindi on socials: @CindiForSenate

Ex-CIA Officer Running for Congress: 'I Had to Flip the Table' | Adam Dunigan VA-8"

Mike Winson — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 16:03:58 GMT

Former CIA Officer Runs for Congress to Restore American Institutions | Adam Dunigan VA-8
Adam Dunigan spent 17 years in federal service — five years in the Marine Corps and then a career as a CIA case officer. He watched American institutions deteriorate from overseas assignments, cashed out his retirement, outed himself as an intelligence officer, and walked away from everything to run for Virginia's 8th Congressional District.
In this conversation, Adam breaks down:

Why so many veterans are running for office right now
What his constituents in Arlington are actually asking for (hint: it's consequences)
The real human cost of the federal hiring freeze and USAID abolishment
What accountability in Congress actually looks like — with metrics
How he's getting a hearing from Republican voters as a progressive Democrat
Why he believes this is a "black and white" moment in American history

This is the kind of conversation Breaking the Meta was built for — unfiltered, direct, and focused on the people actually doing something about what's happening in this country.
🌐 Learn more or volunteer: adam4congress.com
📸 Instagram: @adamdunaganva8

🎙️ Breaking the Meta is an independent podcast dedicated to hard conversations, challenging the status quo, and the belief that all people — regardless of race, religion, gender, or identity — deserve rights, respect, dignity, and safety.
🔔 Subscribe so you don't miss upcoming interviews with progressive candidates running across the country.
👍 Like, share, and comment — it's the only way independent media grows.

"Gun Owner. Deer Hunter. Democrat." — Indiana Candidate Nate Stout Is Breaking the Mold

Mike Winson — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 22:49:37 GMT

Nate Stout spent his career at Callaway Golf and Johnson Outdoors traveling America and coming home to Indiana — until he started noticing the institutions that built him were eroding. Public education defunded. Utility bills quietly padded with hidden fees. A 700-acre rezoning request with no public hearing and no clear answer about what's even being built. And a state representative who took two and a half months to return a single phone call.
So Nate decided to run.

In this episode of Breaking the Meta, we sit down with Nate Stout — candidate for Indiana House of Representatives District 38 — to talk about what accountability actually looks like, why Indiana's Republican supermajority hasn't been as fiscally conservative as advertised, the real cost of battery plant expansion on everyday Hoosiers, and why a self-described gun-owning, deer-hunting Democrat might be exactly what rural Indiana needs right now.

🔗 Learn more & support Nate: hoosiers2electnatestout.com

No Money, No Party, No BS: Independent Candidate Christopher Ajluni on Fixing a Broken System

Mike Winson — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 22:48:59 GMT

What does it look like to run for Congress with ZERO corporate donations — and mean it?

Christopher Ajluni is running as an independent in Arizona's Congressional District 1, and he's doing something almost unheard of: refusing all campaign contributions and staying under the FEC's $5,000 reporting threshold to prove he answers to no one but his constituents.

In this episode of Breaking the Meta, Christopher breaks down:

→ Why he calls legalized corruption the root of every problem in Washington
→ His vision for campaign finance reform, universal healthcare & Palestine policy
→ What accountability actually looks like from a candidate who can't be bought
→ The growing "open source candidate" movement across the country
→ Why the independent voter surge in Arizona could change everything in 2026
→ His personal story — from autopsy technician to financial advisor to congressional candidate

Christopher's background is unlike anyone you've seen run for office: Lebanese-Syrian-Palestinian heritage, survived the 2006 Lebanon bombing, spent a decade doing autopsies, 15 years in financial services. He brings a ground-level view of what everyday Americans are actually facing.

If you're exhausted by bought politicians on both sides, this conversation is for you.

🔗 Learn more & volunteer: christopherajluni.com

Coast Guard Captain, White House National Security Staff — Now Running for Congress | James Martin

Mike Winson — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:48:41 GMT

James Martin is a fourth-generation Treasure Coast native, Coast Guard veteran, and former national security staffer in the Vice President's office, and he's running to represent Florida's 21st Congressional District in the U.S. House.
In this conversation, James shares his path from growing up in Hobe Sound to commanding Coast Guard cutters in the Caribbean and Middle East, to working inside the Biden-Harris White House on national security and foreign policy. We talk about what brought him home, why he decided to challenge incumbent Brian Mast, and what voters across this district, one of the most diverse in South Florida, are actually asking for.
Topics covered:

The affordability crisis and what Congress can actually do
Tariffs, the CFPB, and consumer protections under threat
Ending Congressional insider trading and getting money out of politics
America's damaged standing on the world stage — and how long it takes to rebuild
The Indian River Lagoon clean water crisis
What real accountability looks like for an elected official
Talking to Republican voters in a red district as a Democrat

Learn more or support the campaign: jamesmartinforflorida.com
Breaking the Meta is committed to hard conversations, breaking the status quo, and the belief that all people — regardless of race, religion, gender, or identity — deserve rights, respect, dignity, and safety.

🔔 Subscribe for more interviews with grassroots candidates and changemakers.
👍 If this conversation was worth your time, a like and share goes a long way.

#JamesMartin #Florida21 #BreakingTheMeta #FlordiaCongresss2026 #TreasureCoast #Veterans #IndianRiverLagoon #GrassrootsPolitics #FloridaPolitics #Congress2026

Demi Palecek: National Guard Member Defying Orders to Protect Her Community | Illinois Rep Candidate

Mike Winson — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 12:40:31 GMT

National Guard member Demi Palecek is running for Illinois State Representative District 13. Learn why this working-class veteran is defying orders, speaking out against ICE, and fighting for affordable housing, reproductive rights, and gun violence prevention in Chicago. Interview covers her military service, activism, grassroots campaign, and vision for Illinois.

In this powerful interview, Demi shares:
- Why she's defying military orders to protect immigrant communities
- Her plan to fight Illinois's housing crisis with real rent control
- The Rifle Act - holding neighboring states accountable for gun violence
- Protecting reproductive rights as surrounding states ban abortion
- Running a 100% grassroots campaign - ZERO corporate PAC money
- Her experience with military sexual assault and fighting for trans soldiers
- Being activated during January 6th
- Organizing mutual aid for seniors living on $30-52/month

Why This Matters:
Demi represents what we SAY we want in politics - a working-class candidate who bartends to make ends meet, refuses corporate money, and literally puts her body on the line fighting ICE at Broadview. While her opponent takes $300K+ from Mark Zuckerberg, DraftKings, and housing lobbyists, Demi is endorsed by David Hogg's Leaders We Deserve PAC.District 13 includes: Wrigleyville, Uptown, Andersonville, Ravenswood, Edgewater, Lincoln Square🔗
Support Demi: DemiForIllinois.com
Follow: @DemiForIllinois (Instagram)

PRIMARIES COMING SOON - SHARE THIS VIDEO!

#illinois #ChicagoPolitics #GrassrootsCampaign #NationalGuard #WorkingClass #AffordableHousingNow #ReproductiveRights #GunReform #NoCorporateMoney #ProgressivePolitics #district13

Jordan Herrera: Veteran Fighting for Missouri's 4th District | Full Interview

Mike Winson — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 19:57:39 GMT

Join Breaking The Meta for an in-depth conversation with Jordan Herrera, Democratic candidate for Missouri's 4th Congressional District. Jordan is a 16-year Air Force veteran, attorney, and advocate running to bring real change to rural and urban communities across Missouri.

In this interview, Jordan shares his powerful personal story—from surviving domestic violence as a child to serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, overcoming combat PTSD and military sexual trauma, earning his law degree, and now fighting for economic justice and accountability in Congress.

TOPICS DISCUSSED:
• Missouri's 4th District & gerrymandering impact
• Rural hospital closures & healthcare crisis
• Housing affordability & homelessness solutions
• Military experience & veteran advocacy
• Medicare for All & childcare as healthcare
• Immigration reform & nation-building approach
• Foreign policy & Ukraine/Taiwan concerns
• Accountability in Congress & ICE reform
• Economic stability for working families💡

JORDAN'S PLATFORM:
Economic stability through housing, healthcare, education, and food security on ONE job. No corporate PAC money—a grassroots campaign powered by real people.

🌐 Learn More: JordanJHarrera.com

Follow Jordan on all social platforms (links on website)

ABOUT BREAKING THE META:
We have hard conversations about breaking the status quo. We believe all people deserve rights, respect, dignity, and safety—no matter their race, religion, gender, or identity.

👍 SUPPORT THIS WORK:
Like, subscribe, and share to help grassroots candidates like Jordan gain the visibility they need to win. Your engagement directly helps campaigns that refuse corporate money.

📢 Share this video in Missouri's 4th District and beyond!

#JordanHerrera #Missouri4th #MO04 #CongressionalRace2026 #VeteransForCongress #GrassrootsPolitics #MedicareForAll #HousingCrisis #RuralHealthcare #PoliticalInterview #BreakingTheMeta #Election2026 #MissouriPolitics #VoteBlue #progressivepoliticsexplained

South Atlanta’s Future: Jonathan Bonner for State House

Mike Winson — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 19:30:33 GMT

Jonathan Bonner is running for Georgia State House District 68, and in this interview we discuss the future of Georgia politics, grassroots campaigns, veterans’ issues, healthcare affordability, and community leadership. In this episode of Breaking the Meta, Jonathan Bonner shares why he decided to run for office and how he plans to represent South Atlanta communities including Fayetteville, Tyrone, Peachtree City, Union City, Fairburn, and South Fulton.

Jonathan Bonner has built his campaign around grassroots leadership and community service, including feeding more than 2,000 families and providing thousands of dollars in school supplies to local students. In this conversation we talk about the real challenges facing Georgia voters today, from affordable healthcare and veteran services to accountability in government and bridging the political divide between Democrats and Republicans.

We also explore how grassroots candidates are changing politics, why local elections matter, and how community-driven leadership can reshape the future of the Georgia State Legislature.

Topics covered in this interview include:

• Georgia State House District 68 election
• Grassroots political campaigns
• Veterans and caregiver support
• Affordable healthcare in Georgia
• Political accountability and transparency
• Bridging political divides in local communities
• The future of Georgia politics

If you enjoy political interviews, grassroots campaign discussions, and conversations about the future of American democracy, make sure to like, subscribe, and share this video to support independent political media.

Learn more about Jonathan Bonner - Website: https://bonner4house.com

About the Show
Breaking the Meta features conversations with candidates, activists, and leaders working to build stronger communities and bring accountability back to politics.

Our goal is simple: highlight voices working for real change and help voters learn about candidates before they step into the voting booth.

The Man Challenging Speaker Mike Johnson | Interview w/Matt Gromlich

Mike Winson — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 12:42:29 GMT

What happens when someone decides to challenge one of the most powerful figures in Washington?

In this episode of Breaking the Meta, we sit down with Matt Gromlich, a lifelong educator and candidate running for Congress in Louisiana’s 4th District, currently represented by House Speaker Mike Johnson. Gromlich shares why he decided to step into the race, what voters in northwest Louisiana are struggling with, and why he believes every seat in America should be contested.

We talk about affordability, job loss, healthcare access, education funding, and how misinformation is shaping American politics. Matt also explains his approach to accountability in government, why universal school lunches would be his first policy priority, and how grassroots campaigns can challenge the political status quo.

This conversation is about more than one race. It’s about representation, community, and whether people in overlooked districts still believe change is possible.

If you care about the future of American politics, grassroots campaigns, and honest conversations across party lines, this is an interview you don’t want to miss.

Subscribe for more interviews with candidates, activists, and thinkers who are trying to reshape the political landscape.

Nurse Running for Congress in Iowa Speaks Out | Stephanie Steiner Interview

Mike Winson — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:30:00 GMT

In this episode of Breaking the Meta, we sit down with Stephanie Steiner, a retired women's health nurse and mother of seven who is running for Congress in Iowa’s 4th Congressional District. Stephanie shares her story, from becoming a young mother at 15 to building a career in healthcare and now stepping into politics to fight for rural communities, farmers, and working families.

We discuss the biggest issues facing Iowa today: collapsing rural healthcare systems, rising cancer rates, struggling farmers, corporate consolidation in agriculture, and the economic pressures hitting working families across the district. Stephanie also explains why she believes Washington needs more everyday people and fewer career politicians.

This conversation also dives into the broader political climate, including trade wars, tariffs impacting farmers, accountability in Congress, and the growing divide in American politics.

If you care about rural America, healthcare access, and grassroots candidates trying to change Washington, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Watch the full interview and let us know what you think in the comments.

Stephanie Steiner’s campaign: https://SteinerForIowa.com

“Something Has to Change” – Andrew Rice Running for Congress (CT-03)

Mike Winson — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 12:34:23 GMT

In this episode of Breaking the Meta, host Mike Winson sits down with Andrew Rice, a scientist turned congressional candidate running in Connecticut’s 3rd District. Andrew explains why he decided to challenge a long-time incumbent, what issues voters in the district are talking about, and why he believes the Democratic Party needs a stronger working-class agenda.

The conversation covers major issues including universal healthcare, housing affordability, ICE, infrastructure, corporate influence in politics, and political accountability. Rice shares his background in science, his views on campaign finance reform, and why he believes voters must stay engaged beyond Election Day.

hammer-truths-studio_interview-…

They also discuss the broader political climate in the United States, the role of grassroots candidates, and what Andrew would prioritize if elected to Congress.

If you care about the future of American politics, grassroots campaigns, and holding leaders accountable, this conversation is worth watching.

Subscribe for more interviews with candidates, activists, and voices pushing for change.

Learn more about Andrew Rice:
https://www.riceforct.com

A New Generation Running for Congress | Kiana Bierria-Anderson Interview

Mike Winson — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 13:46:18 GMT

In this episode of Breaking the Meta, host Mike Winson sits down with Kiana Bierria-Anderson, a progressive candidate running for Congress in New York’s 4th District. We discuss the affordability crisis on Long Island, immigration policy, accountability in government, and why a new generation of leaders is stepping up to run for office.

Kiana shares her background in organizing, union leadership, and political consulting, along with the moment that pushed her to run for Congress. She talks about the realities facing voters in a purple district, the impact of rising property taxes and housing costs, and why community organizing is key to building lasting change.

The conversation also dives into political division in America, rebuilding trust in government, and how grassroots candidates can challenge the political status quo.

If you care about the future of American democracy, grassroots politics, and the next generation of leadership, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Interview topics include:

• The affordability crisis on Long Island
• Immigration policy and ICE enforcement
• Union organizing and workers’ rights
• Accountability in government
• Progressive grassroots campaigns
• Political division and rebuilding trust

Watch the full conversation and learn more about the people stepping forward to run for office across the country.

Evan Turnage: Fixing Mississippi’s Broken System

Mike Winson — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:47:00 GMT

Mississippi’s 2nd Congressional District has been the poorest district in the poorest state in America for over 30 years. In this episode of Breaking the Meta, Michael Winson sits down with Evan Turnage, an antitrust lawyer and former Senate staffer for Elizabeth Warren and Chuck Schumer, who is now running for Congress. They discuss corporate power, rising grocery prices, healthcare access, Medicaid expansion, voting rights, corruption in government, and the future of Mississippi.

Turnage explains why he believes Mississippi’s leadership has failed its people and lays out his plan for economic opportunity, healthcare access, and holding corporations accountable.

Topics include:

• Grocery price gouging
• Corporate PAC money in politics
• Healthcare access and maternal mortality
• Brain drain and economic opportunity in Mississippi
• SNAP, ACA subsidies, and federal benefits
• Congress reclaiming power from the presidency
• The future of American democracy

If you care about economic fairness, healthcare reform, corporate accountability, and grassroots politics, this conversation is worth watching.

Subscribe to Breaking the Meta for more interviews with candidates, activists, and thinkers working to reshape American politics.

The Nurse Running for U.S. Senate in Oklahoma | Jasmine Thomas

Mike Winson — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:23:48 GMT

A grassroots U.S. Senate candidate is challenging the political establishment in Oklahoma. In this episode of Breaking the Meta, we sit down with Jasmine Thomas, a nurse, military spouse, and community advocate running for the U.S. Senate with a PAC-free, people-powered campaign.

Jasmine talks about why she’s running, the reality of healthcare and education in Oklahoma, and what she believes real political accountability should look like. We discuss hospital closures, education funding, immigration debates, gun reform, and how grassroots organizing can bring communities together.

This conversation also explores the bigger question: What should the future of American democracy look like? From ranked choice voting to universal healthcare and campaign finance reform, Jasmine lays out a vision for a government that actually answers to the people.

If you believe in grassroots politics, accountability in government, and giving new leaders a platform, this interview is for you.

Subscribe for more conversations with candidates, activists, and thinkers working to change the system.

Support Jasmine Thomas
https://www.JasmineFOROK.com

About Breaking the Meta
We believe all people, no matter their race, religion, gender, or identity deserve rights, dignity, safety, and respect.

Young Progressive Takes on Ohio Republicans | 2026 Statehouse Race

Mike Winson — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:45:39 GMT

Ohio politics is heating up ahead of the 2026 midterms, and District 56 could be one of the most important races in the state. In this episode of Breaking the Meta, we sit down with Laalithya Acharya, a 22-year-old biomedical engineer running for the Ohio State House in Southwest Ohio, to discuss public education, school vouchers, affordability, ICE enforcement, healthcare, and breaking the Republican supermajority.

We cover what’s happening in Mason, Lebanon, and Deerfield Township, how redistricting has reshaped the area, and why she believes this seat is winnable in 2026. From rising grocery prices and housing costs to statehouse accountability and grassroots funding, this conversation dives deep into the real issues facing Ohio families.

If you care about Ohio State House races, school funding, reproductive rights, healthcare access, or flipping state legislatures in 2026, this is a must-watch interview.

District 56: Mason, Lebanon, Deerfield Township
Topics: Public Education, School Vouchers, ICE, Affordability, Healthcare, Redistricting, Accountability

Learn more about Laalithya Acharya:
🔗 https://acharyaforohio.com

Subscribe for more political interviews, grassroots candidates, and real conversations about the future of American democracy.

U.S. Senate Candidate Julian Beaudion Explains His Vision for South Dakota

Mike Winson — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 13:54:04 GMT

Julian Beaudion is running for U.S. Senate in South Dakota, and his campaign is built around a simple idea: people come before politics.

In this interview on Breaking the Meta, Julian Beaudion shares his background in law enforcement, entrepreneurship, and public service, and explains why he’s challenging Senator Mike Rounds. We discuss why so many South Dakotans feel forgotten, how town halls and listening sessions should be the baseline for representation, and what accountability actually means in Congress.

This conversation covers rural hospital closures, healthcare access, Medicare for All, education funding, immigration enforcement, DHS leadership, and the growing disconnect between Washington and everyday people. We also talk about foreign policy trust, corporate influence, and why democracy only works when power stays with the people.

If you care about real representation, rural America, or the future of U.S. democracy, this is a conversation worth hearing.

Erin Petrey on Campaign Finance Reform and Kentucky’s Future

Mike Winson — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 13:40:52 GMT

Erin Petrey, Democratic candidate for Congress in Kentucky’s 6th District, joins Breaking the Meta to talk affordability, healthcare access, campaign finance reform, and America’s place in the world. From growing up on a Kentucky farm to working in foreign policy and renewable infrastructure, Petrey explains why she’s running and how she plans to restore accountability in Washington.

In this full interview, Erin Petrey breaks down:

• Why campaign finance reform must be the first priority
• The affordability crisis in housing, healthcare, and energy
• Rural healthcare challenges in Central Kentucky
• America’s declining soft power globally
• Why she refuses corporate PAC money
• The future of coal, clean energy, and Kentucky jobs
• Accountability in Congress and restoring trust

If you care about democracy, transparency, and rebuilding trust in government, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Support independent political conversations
Like, Subscribe & Share
Comment your thoughts below

Ruwa Romman on Running for Georgia Governor | Housing, Wages, Data Centers & ICE

Mike Winson — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 13:40:09 GMT

Georgia governor candidate Ruwa Romman joins Breaking the Meta for a deep conversation about affordability, housing, healthcare, and why she introduced a statewide data center moratorium. If you care about the future of Georgia politics, this is a conversation you need to hear.

We talk about rising housing costs, corporate landlords, minimum wage, Medicaid expansion, rural hospital closures, ICE detentions, and what accountability in government actually looks like. Romman lays out why she believes Georgia families are being squeezed and what she would do differently as governor.

In this interview:
• Why affordability is the central issue in Georgia
• The push for a data center moratorium
• Housing and corporate ownership concerns
• Medicaid expansion and rural healthcare
• ICE detentions and civil rights
• What leadership should look like right now

This conversation goes beyond talking points. It’s about what everyday Georgians are experiencing and what real policy change could look like.

If you value long-form political conversations without spin, subscribe and join the discussion.

#RuwaRomman #GeorgiaPolitics #GeorgiaGovernor #BreakingTheMeta

Can Christianity Be Compassionate Again? This Queer Pastor Think So!

Mike Winson — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 17:37:09 GMT

In this episode of Breaking the Meta, Mike Winson sits down with Presbyterian pastor Emily Knoth to talk about faith, justice, LGBTQ inclusion, and the role of the church in today’s political and social climate. From being the first queer pastor ordained in her Kansas presbytery to helping people find affirming churches, Emily shares what it means to live out Christianity through compassion, humility, and justice.

They discuss the intersection of faith and politics, why church should be a place of transformation and community, the harm caused when Christianity is used to exclude, and how progressive Christians can respond with love and action. The conversation explores online church, the loss of third spaces, and how believers can rebuild community rooted in dignity and respect.

If you’ve ever wrestled with faith, church hurt, inclusion, or what it means to follow Jesus in a divided world, this conversation offers hope and perspective.

Action is the antidote to despair, but it must come from something grounded and deeper.

Like, Subscribe, and share to support conversations that challenge the status quo and fight for dignity, safety, and respect for all.

#ProgressiveChristianity #FaithAndPolitics #LGBTQInclusion #ChurchReform #SocialJustice #BreakingTheMeta

Why This Congressional Candidate Says Both Parties Failed Working Americans

Mike Winson — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 13:30:00 GMT

In this episode of Breaking the Meta, we sit down with Dylan Blaha, a pro-peace veteran and former cancer research scientist running for Congress in Illinois’s 13th District. We discuss why he’s challenging establishment politics, the impact of money in politics, universal healthcare, immigration realities, foreign policy, and how working-class communities are being left behind.

Blaha shares insights from the campaign trail, including conversations with voters across a heavily gerrymandered district, the struggles facing rural hospitals, and why many Americans feel unheard by Washington. The discussion also explores accountability in government, rebuilding trust, and what meaningful policy solutions could look like for everyday Americans.

If you’re interested in grassroots campaigns, economic justice, political reform, or the future of American democracy, this conversation offers an in-depth look at the issues shaping the country right now.

Like, subscribe, and share to support independent conversations that challenge the status quo.

Learn more about Dylan Blaha: DylanForIllinois.com

Rural Healthcare, Affording Life & Democracy | Ashley Bell Interview

Mike Winson — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 13:30:00 GMT

In this episode of Breaking the Meta, Mike Winson sits down with Ashley Bell, a physician associate, educator, and congressional candidate running for North Carolina’s 10th District. Bell shares her journey from healthcare and education into politics and explains why the overturning of Roe v. Wade and growing threats to healthcare access pushed her to run for Congress.

The conversation explores the real concerns facing North Carolinians, including rising costs of living, job losses, rural hospital closures, and access to affordable healthcare. Bell discusses the impact of expiring healthcare subsidies, the risk to rural clinics, and why she believes Medicare for All is the long-term solution.

They also dive into accountability in government, protecting democratic institutions, money in politics, and the influence of corporate funding on elections. Bell outlines her commitment to transparency, in-person town halls, and representing constituents directly.

The interview examines political division, working across party lines, and focusing on shared priorities like affordability, healthcare reform, and constitutional protections. Bell also explains her stance on campaign finance reform, overturning Citizens United, and creating a healthcare system that works for everyday Americans.

This conversation is part of a broader effort to highlight grassroots candidates and encourage voter participation ahead of the North Carolina primary.

Corporate Money, Healthcare & Accountability | Interview with Matt Conroy

Mike Winson — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 13:31:03 GMT

In this episode of Breaking the Meta, Mike Winson sits down with Illinois 5th District congressional candidate Matt Conroy to discuss why he’s running, what voters are telling him, and the real issues shaping the 2026 election. From healthcare costs and housing affordability to childcare expenses and political accountability, Conroy outlines the economic pressures facing working families and why he believes the current political system is failing everyday Americans.

The conversation dives into corporate influence in politics, campaign finance reform, term limits, and the need for transparency and accountability in Congress. Conroy also shares his personal story growing up in New York City, losing his father on 9/11, and how those experiences shaped his views on healthcare, government responsibility, and public service.

They explore division in American politics, the challenges of rebuilding trust in U.S. foreign policy, and what meaningful reform could look like if voters demand change. Conroy explains his policy priorities, including strengthening Social Security, universal healthcare, housing reform, and reducing the role of corporate money in elections.

This interview is part of an ongoing effort to highlight grassroots candidates and encourage voters to research candidates, engage in local politics, and participate in primary elections.

If you care about political reform, accountability, and the future of American democracy, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

The Working-Class Agenda: Wages, Healthcare & Accountability | Interview w/Karishma Manzur

Mike Winson — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 13:30:00 GMT

In this episode of Breaking the Meta, Mike Winson sits down with New Hampshire U.S. Senate candidate Karishma Manzur to discuss healthcare reform, the housing crisis, minimum wage, campaign finance, foreign policy, and the future of the Democratic Party. From Medicare for All and affordable housing to accountability in government and grassroots political engagement, this conversation explores the real issues impacting working Americans. If you care about money in politics, healthcare access, economic justice, and the direction of U.S. democracy, this interview offers insight into the challenges voters face and the policies shaping the future.

🎧 Learn more about the campaign: https://www.karishmaforsenate.com/
👍 Subscribe for more conversations breaking the status quo.

Resistance Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All, BUT the Odds Are Ever In Our Favor

Mike Winson — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 13:30:00 GMT

In this episode of Breaking the Meta, Meg Tomasic joins the conversation to explore what unity, resistance, and community look like in a deeply divided America. From a viral snow day moment in Washington, DC to the larger questions of burnout, social media pressure, and political polarization, the discussion examines whether joy can be a form of resistance and why people shouldn’t feel guilty for moments of peace in difficult times.

The conversation dives into activism beyond protests, the dangers of purity tests within movements, the importance of voting and local engagement, and how building community may be the most powerful form of resistance. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the news cycle or wondering how to make a difference, this episode offers perspective, practical ideas, and hope.

Watch, share, and join the conversation.

Virginia 1st District Candidate Tim Cywinski on Big Money, Healthcare & Democracy Reform

Mike Winson — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 21:31:09 GMT

Virginia’s 1st District congressional candidate Tim Cywinski joins Breaking the Meta to discuss healthcare costs, corporate money in politics, democracy reform, tax policy, and the future of American foreign policy. In this in-depth interview, we break down campaign finance reform, “Democracy Dollars,” ethics standards in Congress, insider trading, housing affordability, Wall Street ownership of homes, and what a post-Trump foreign policy should look like.

Tim shares why he calls himself a reformist Democrat, how both parties have failed to deliver for working families, and why middle class wealth building should be at the center of federal policy. We also discuss veterans, the State Department vs. defense spending, housing speculation, profit sharing, and rebuilding dignity in the economy.

If you're following the 2026 midterm elections, Virginia politics, Democratic primary races, or the debate over money in politics, this episode gives you a clear look at one candidate arguing for structural reform.

Subscribe for more interviews with progressive and reform candidates nationwide.
Like and share to amplify independent voices.

Can a Progressive Win in Texas? Zeeshan Hafeez Makes His Case

Mike Winson — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:39:10 GMT

Texas 33rd District candidate Zeeshan Hafeez joins Mike Winson on Breaking the Meta to discuss immigration reform, ICE, progressive politics in Texas, Gaza, campaign finance, and the future of the Democratic Party. In this in-depth interview, we break down Texas gerrymandering, low voter turnout, affordability, Social Security, minimum wage, foreign policy, and what accountability in Congress should really look like.

Zeeshan shares why he entered politics after 9/11, how October 7th reshaped his campaign, and why he believes Texas is not a red state but a low-turnout state. We also discuss abolishing ICE, impeachment efforts, corporate PAC money, Citizens United, and whether bold progressive policies can win in districts traditionally labeled “red.”

If you're following the 2026 midterm elections, Texas congressional races, progressive challengers, or debates around immigration and U.S. foreign policy, this conversation gives you a detailed look at one of the most talked-about primaries in the country.

Subscribe for more interviews with progressive candidates across America.
Like and share to amplify independent voices.

A Progressive Republican Running for Congress in NC? | Kate Barr Interview

Mike Winson — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Kate Barr is running for U.S. House in North Carolina’s 14th District in the Republican primary with policies that challenge the political status quo. In this interview, we discuss gerrymandering, voter accountability, Tim Moore’s stock trades, disaster relief delays in Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, cost of living in NC, and why Barr believes the primary is the real election in non-competitive districts.

Kate explains her plan to make the first $100,000 of income tax-free for every household, why Fair Map legislation is her first priority in Congress, and how voter power, not party labels, can restore accountability. The conversation also explores trust in government, foreign policy credibility, and how financial security is key to healing political division.

Want to learn more about Kate and her campaign? You can find her here! https://www.katebarrcanwin.com/

Cole Carter on Poverty, Medicare Cuts, and Accountability in Congress

Mike Winson — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 13:28:30 GMT

Cole Carter is running for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 3rd District, covering most of Philadelphia, and his campaign centers on poverty, crime prevention through opportunity, a federal jobs guarantee, Medicare for All, youth investment, and government accountability. In this interview, we discuss Philadelphia’s affordability crisis, food insecurity, gun violence, healthcare cuts, stock trading bans for Congress, and how America’s global standing is changing under current policies.

This conversation explores how poverty drives predictable outcomes, why dignity matters in policy, and how direct community investment in youth, arts, and jobs can reduce crime and rebuild neighborhoods. Carter also shares how he plans to hold weekly town halls and remain accountable to constituents while pushing for systemic reform in Washington.

Interested in learning more about Coles campaign? You can find him here! https://ammsites.com/post?id=1074&c=467

She was arrested at Her Green Card Interview | What ICE Did Next

Mike Winson — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 13:41:12 GMT

ICE detained a woman during her green card interview in San Diego. In this exclusive interview, Mila Araya shares what happened when ICE agents arrested her at USCIS, transported her in shackles, and held her for nearly a week in detention despite having no criminal record. We break down the green card process, immigration detention conditions, bond hearings, ICE administrative warrants, and what really happens inside detention centers.

Mila came to the U.S. from Peru at age four. During her marriage-based green card interview, USCIS approved her I-130 petition, then ICE entered the room and detained her for overstaying her visa. She describes being shackled, held in freezing cells, denied basic necessities, and placed in a pod with 300 women who had no criminal records.

This episode of Breaking the Meta explores immigration policy, due process, ICE detention practices, bond hearings, administrative warrants, and the human cost behind political headlines.

If you care about immigration reform, civil rights, or understanding what is happening inside detention facilities, this is a conversation you need to hear.

Subscribe for more real stories that cut through the noise.

This Texas Candidate Wants to Break Corporate Control of Government

Mike Winson — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 19:23:03 GMT

Progressive candidate Anthony Bridges joins Breaking the Meta to explain why he’s running for Congress in Texas’s 32nd District. In this in-depth political interview, Anthony talks about Texas redistricting, money in politics, state violence, immigration, the affordability crisis, healthcare, housing, and why grassroots movements must challenge establishment power. He breaks down how big donors, corporate control, and political theater have failed everyday people.

In this conversation, we explore how Texas’s mid-decade redistricting reshaped District 32, why Anthony decided to challenge establishment politics, and what voters across North Texas are actually worried about. From unchecked state violence and immigration enforcement to rising costs, healthcare access, and corporate power, this episode focuses on what representation should really mean.

Anthony also lays out his core priorities if elected, including environmental and humanitarian policy, breaking corporate monopolies, taxing extreme wealth, rebuilding community infrastructure, and shifting the country away from performative politics toward real accountability.

We dive into foreign policy, American interventionism, Venezuela, and why he believes the U.S. must radically rethink its role in the world. The conversation ends with a powerful call for organizing, mutual aid, and building people-powered movements beyond elections.

Wanna Learn More About Anthony's Campaign? Check Out His Website Here - https://www.anthonybridges.org/

Subscribe for more long-form political interviews, progressive conversations, and real discussions about power, democracy, and change.

From Special Forces to Congress | A Conversation with Kyle Gauck

Mike Winson — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Army veteran and Special Forces soldier Kyle Gauck joins Breaking the Meta to talk about why he’s running for Congress in Connecticut’s 2nd District. In this in-depth political interview, Kyle discusses January 6th, democracy, accountability, money in politics, term limits, the affordability crisis, and why working families are being crushed by the cost of living. He explains how his military service shaped his views on democracy, foreign policy, civil liberties, and what real representation should look like.

In this episode, we cover what people across eastern Connecticut are telling him at the doors, including fears about federal power, surveillance, and the rising cost of basic necessities. Kyle lays out his “human experience” approach to leadership, focused on putting people before corporations, protecting democracy, and restoring trust in government.

We also dive into foreign policy, America’s damaged alliances, NATO, and what it will take to rebuild global trust after the Trump era. Kyle explains why he supports term limits, banning stock trading in Congress, campaign finance reform, and greater transparency in government.

This conversation is about more than one campaign. It’s about the future of democracy, economic survival, and what kind of country we are becoming.

Subscribe for more long-form political interviews, real conversations, and discussions about power, accountability, and change.

Want to Learn More about Kyle? Website - https://kylegauck.com

Air Force Veteran Running for Congress Sounds the Alarm on Democracy

Mike Winson — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:27:12 GMT

In this episode of Breaking the Meta, I sit down with Air Force veteran Jeff Pixley, who is running for Congress in Oklahoma’s 4th District. Jeff shares his journey from growing up in a military family, to flying F-16s, to working around Air Force One, and ultimately to the moment that pushed him to retire early and step into politics.

We talk about what Oklahoma voters are really saying on the ground, from affordability and healthcare to frustration with Congress not doing its job. Jeff lays out why restoring constitutional balance and real government oversight is his top priority, and why he believes Congress has failed to meet this moment.

We also get into America’s place in the world, NATO, national security, and what it actually takes to rebuild trust with allies. Jeff explains why he sees himself less as a partisan warrior and more as someone trying to stabilize a system that’s in crisis.

This conversation goes deep into accountability, leadership, bipartisan responsibility, and what representation is supposed to look like when it’s done honestly.

If you want to know more about Jeff and his campaign you can find him here! https://pixleyforcongress.com/

If you care about the future of Congress, military voices in politics, or what real oversight could look like, this is a conversation worth hearing.

Rural America Is Breaking | Callie Barr on Healthcare, Poverty, and Political Neglect

Mike Winson — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 18:55:25 GMT

In this episode of Breaking The Meta, Mike Winson sits down with Callie Barr, Democratic candidate for Michigan’s 1st Congressional District, which covers the entire Upper Peninsula and the northern third of the Lower Peninsula.

Callie shares her journey from military spouse to nonprofit advocate to University of Michigan law graduate, and now congressional candidate. She talks openly about her husband’s service in Iraq and Afghanistan, living with PTSD and traumatic brain injury, and how navigating the systems meant to help veterans pushed her into public service.

This conversation goes deep into what people in rural America are actually facing: collapsing rural healthcare, seniors working into their late 70s just to survive, food insecurity, housing, and the feeling that everyday people no longer matter in a system dominated by money, tech, and power.

We also talk about accountability in government, the absence of real representation, how division plays out on the ground, and why Callie believes love of country, not hatred, is what real service looks like.

Finally, Callie lays out what she would do first if elected, how she thinks America heals, and why she believes this moment in history demands courage, participation, and what she calls “audacious hope.”

If you care about the future of democracy, rural America, veterans, healthcare, and whether common people still have a voice in this country, this is a conversation worth hearing.

👉 Learn more about Callie Barr’s campaign: callieforcongress.com

👍 If you value long-form, honest conversations like this, like the video, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Breaking The Meta exists to challenge the status quo and to fight for a country where all people, no matter your race, religion, gender, or identity, are treated with dignity, respect, and safety.

Taking on the Political Money Machine | Kevin Ryan Interview

Mike Winson — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:12:20 GMT

In this episode of Breaking the Meta, Mike Winson sits down with Kevin Ryan, a Marine Corps veteran, public school teacher, and union member who is running for U.S. Senate in Illinois.

Kevin is running a radically different kind of campaign. Instead of dialing for dollars, he bought a school bus and has traveled to all 102 counties in Illinois, talking directly with voters across the political spectrum. His core message is simple but ambitious: our government doesn’t work for everyday people because money controls politics, and the only real fix is a constitutional amendment.

In this conversation, Kevin explains why he’s running for Senate instead of the House, how money dominates modern elections, what he’s hearing from people across Illinois, and why affordability is the defining issue of this moment. We talk about energy costs, regressive taxation, campaign finance reform, accountability, ICE and law enforcement, foreign policy, the International Criminal Court, and what real representation should look like.

Kevin also lays out what he would do on day one if elected, including introducing a joint resolution to amend the Constitution to declare that money is not speech, corporations are not people, and Congress has the authority to regulate campaign spending.

This is a deep conversation about reform, power, and whether democracy can still be rebuilt from the inside.

If you care about grassroots politics, campaign finance reform, or the future of democracy, this is one to watch.

📌 Learn more about Kevin’s campaign: kevinryan.com

Running for Congress to Fight ICE, Housing Injustice, and Corporate Control | Anabel Mendoza

Mike Winson — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 20:42:16 GMT

In this episode of Breaking the Meta, we sit down with @AnabelforCongress a progressive candidate running for Congress in Illinois’ 7th District, for a deep, honest conversation about working-class politics, immigration, housing, foreign policy, and what real accountability in government should look like.

Anabel is a lifelong Chicagoan who grew up on the Southwest Side in a working-class immigrant family. In this interview, she shares what pushed her to run in 2026, what she’s hearing directly from people at the doors, and why she believes this moment demands bold, unbought leadership.

We talk about the life expectancy gap inside a single congressional district, ICE violence and accountability, the housing crisis, corporate money in politics, and why she refuses to take corporate PAC funding. Anabel also lays out what she would prioritize on day one in Congress, how she views foreign policy and militarism, and why she supports term limits and primary challenges as tools of accountability.

This is a real conversation about power, dignity, and whether government can still work for everyday people.

If you care about progressive politics, grassroots campaigns, immigrant rights, housing justice, and rebuilding trust in democracy, this is one you don’t want to miss.

📌 Learn more about Anabel’s campaign: AnabelForCongress.com
📌 Follow her on social media: @AnabelForCongress

If you found this conversation valuable, please like, share, and subscribe. Sharing these interviews is one of the most powerful ways to help grassroots candidates reach the people they’re fighting for.

Chicago’s Future, ICE, and Corporate Control | Reed Showalter Interview

Mike Winson — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 19:39:48 GMT

Breaking the Meta sits down with @ReedShowalter progressive candidate for Illinois’s 7th Congressional District, for a deep, wide-ranging conversation about the future of American democracy, economic freedom, ICE raids in Chicago, corporate power, and what real progressive leadership could look like in Congress.

Reed shares his background as a former antitrust attorney who worked on investigations into Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Apple, served at the DOJ, FTC, and the White House National Economic Council, and now brings that experience into a grassroots congressional campaign rooted in housing, healthcare, food security, climate action, and government accountability.

This episode covers what people in Illinois’s 7th District are facing right now, from rising housing and utility costs to aggressive ICE activity and climate impacts, and what Reed would prioritize if elected. We talk about subpoenas, presidential power, money in politics, healthcare reform, the climate crisis, coalition-building, and why this political moment could define the next generation of American politics.

If you’re looking for conversations about real progressive policy, economic justice, democratic accountability, and how local races connect to national power, this one is worth your time.

🔔 Subscribe for more long-form political conversations, candidate interviews, and deep dives into the forces shaping American life.

Links to Reed Showalter’s campaign and ways to get involved are in the description below.
Website: https://www.reed4congress.com/

Veteran & Foster Mom Running for Congress: Elizabeth Dempsey-Beggs Interview

Mike Winson — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:00:00 GMT

In this episode of Breaking The Meta, we sit down with Elizabeth Dempsey-Beggs, a military veteran, foster parent, and progressive Democrat running for Congress in Virginia’s 1st District.

Elizabeth shares why she decided to run, what she’s hearing from people across her district, and why affordability, foster care, military accountability, and banning congressional stock trading are central to her campaign. We talk about the real cost of living crisis, the myth of trickle-down economics, working across party lines, and what accountability should actually look like in Congress.

This conversation goes beyond party labels and digs into what service, representation, and leadership should mean right now, especially as the country heads toward the 2026 midterms.

If you care about the future of democracy, veterans’ issues, the foster care system, economic justice, and building a politics that actually serves people, this one’s worth your time.

You can learn more about Elizabeth and her campaign here:
https://www.elizabethforvirginia.com/

If you support conversations like this, make sure to like, subscribe, and share.

Can Politics Actually Work for People Again? | NJ-11 Candidate Anna Lee Williams

Mike Winson — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 20:00:13 GMT

In this episode of Breaking the Meta, I sit down with Anna Lee Williams, a progressive candidate running in the special election for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District.

Anna shares her story, from community organizing and union work to immigration advocacy and corporate social responsibility, and why she decided to run for Congress at a moment when so many Americans feel priced out, burned out, and ignored.

We talk honestly about what people across NJ-11 are saying when she knocks on doors, the affordability crisis, healthcare, housing, corruption in politics, and why she believes overturning Citizens United and getting money out of politics is foundational to fixing almost everything else.

This conversation goes deeper than campaign slogans. It’s about what a “fair deal” from government actually looks like, why Trump-era politics didn’t come from nowhere, and how we rebuild trust, accountability, and a real future people can believe in.

If you care about the future of democracy, progressive organizing, and what real grassroots campaigns look like, this one’s for you.

🗳️ Special Election Info (as discussed):
Early voting: January 29 – February 3
Election Day: February 5

🔗 Learn more about Anna’s campaign and events through her official site and social links.
Website - https://www.annaleewilliams.com/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@UCUhnzc0Tl9Kxcht9pbPpuww
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@annaforamerica
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/annaforamerica/

👍 If you believe politics should serve people, not corporations, make sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode.

Here at Breaking the Meta, the status quo is not acceptable anymore.

Running Against MAGA in East Texas | Chelsey Hockett on Fighting Back

Mike Winson — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 21:22:16 GMT

In this episode, Mike sits down with Chelsey Hockett, a Texas mom, organizer, and Democratic candidate running for U.S. Congress in Texas’s 5th District.

Chelsey shares the deeply personal story that pushed her into politics, from high-risk pregnancies and the impact of Roe being overturned, to organizing protests, hosting empty-chair town halls, and directly confronting a MAGA congressman who hasn’t faced his constituents in years.

This conversation goes far beyond campaign slogans. Chelsey breaks down what’s really happening on the ground in East Texas, including billionaire land grabs, water and aquifer threats, environmental destruction, healthcare confusion after ACA rollbacks, and how Republican policies are quietly hurting the very people who vote for them.

We talk about why Texas looks red but isn’t as hopeless as it seems, how voter suppression and apathy shape outcomes, and what real accountability could look like if representatives actually listened to their communities. Chelsey also lays out her vision for publicly owned resources, renewable energy, human rights, and building coalitions across deep political divides.

If you want an honest look at grassroots politics, what it means to run in a heavily gerrymandered district, and how change actually starts, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Links to Chelsey’s campaign - https://chelseyhockettforcongress.com/

Are We Living in a Plastic Bag Odyssey?

Mike Winson — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 12:37:32 GMT

Come and join us as we talk with the amazing lawyer/musician duo Jody and Jordan Lee of Couldn't Be Happiers! We talk music, politics and so much more!Check out Couldn't Be Happiers new Music video!https://youtu.be/j-M-nfIymuY?si=0QchORcfmUYEu1DBMake sure to subscribe to our Substack and support how you can! https://amoreperfectpodcast.substack.com/

S2:E1 - Trump's Secret Plan for the Gulf of America EXPOSED!

Mike Winson — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 19:23:47 GMT

In this episode we take a look at some of the Executive Orders passed in Donald Trumps first week in office, how unChristian many are in this country and how we move forward! Support Us On Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/c/AMorePerfectPodcast

Episode 7: Hurricane Helene, Elon and Trump create chaos

Mike Winson — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 13:19:31 GMT

In this episode we look at the conspiracy running rampant around hurricane Helene as well as Trump and Elon returning to the location of his first assassination attempt.

Episode 6: VP Debate, Jack Smith and Taylor Swift

Mike Winson — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 19:22:26 GMT

Join A More Perfect Podcast while we discuss what happened at the VP Debate, Jack Smith getting his 175 page indictment brief released and look at Young voters.

Episode 3: Alabama Goes Blue over IVF

Mike Winson — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 12:43:07 GMT

In Episode 3 we talk about the special Election in Alabama that turned a district Blue, RFK Jr. picks a running mate and Israel makes a mistake and the lives of 7 aid workers were lost.

Episode 1: Primaries, Politics and Palestine

Mike Winson — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 19:44:18 GMT

Welcome to Episode 1 of Hammer of Truth! Where we delve into the 2024 primaries and everything that goes with it!

How Media Shapes Power and How We Fight Back

Mike Winson — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 11:17:40 GMT

In this episode of A More Perfect Podcast, host Mike Winson sits down with Colombian American performer, writer, and producer Isabella Jamie to talk about Hollywood, politics, and the rise of fascism in America. Isabella shares her journey into acting and filmmaking, her experiences growing up as an “other” in North Carolina, and how her studies of fascism in Europe and Latin America shaped her perspective on media, propaganda, and resistance.The conversation dives deep into:-Hollywood’s role in shaping political narratives-The dangers of “Christo-fascism” and rewriting history in U.S. schools-Media literacy and how propaganda hides in plain sight-The future of resistance in a world shaped by technology and misinformationIsabella's LinksYouTube: @isabellajaimie TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@isabellajaimieDon’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe if you want to support the coalition we’re building here. Share this episode with friends and family who care about democracy, diversity, and real conversations.

Episode 8: Trump Wants to Arrest Immigrants and Americans?!?!

Mike Winson — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 18:14:13 GMT

In this episode we discuss Donald Trumps desire to enact the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Opening the door to arresting and grabbing both immigrants and American citizens. We also discuss the recent announcement that the US is deploying 100 troops in Israel to use and support a missile defense system. Finally Trump leaves thousands stranded after his rally in California.

What It’s REALLY Like to Raise a Trans Child in America

Mike Winson — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 12:00:00 GMT

In this episode of A More Perfect Podcast, I sit down with my longtime friend and creator, Princess Pashley, for a deeply personal and powerful conversation about parenting a transgender child in today’s America.We talk about what it was like when her daughter first came out, the challenges and fears they faced as a family, and the critical role of supportive schools, affirming doctors, and community. Pashley shares how medical care like HRT actually works, what the process looks like for minors, and why so many misconceptions are harmful and dangerous.We also dive into the bigger picture: how rhetoric from politicians and media impacts real families, the mental health stakes for transgender youth, and what it means to hold compassion and accountability in a society divided by misinformation and fear.If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to parent a trans child—or if you just want to hear an honest, human story about love, struggle, and resilience—this episode is for you.🔗 Find Princess Pashley on Twitch: twitch.tv/PrincessPashley🎙️ Subscribe to A More Perfect Podcast on YouTube, TikTok, Substack, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.✨ If you value conversations like this, please like, subscribe, and share to help us grow this community built on dignity, respect, and safety for all people.

Episode 9: The Real Reason You're NOT Ready for 2025 Yet w/ Dr. Rodney Cooper

Mike Winson — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 11:05:53 GMT

In this ninth episode of A More Perfect Podcast, we dive deep with Dr. Rodney Cooper, a professor of Counseling and Leadership! Join us as we explore the struggles people are facing in the aftermath of the election and discover how we can gear up for the future! This is a conversation you won't want to miss!

Teacher Shortages, Political Attacks & The Future of Public Schools

Mike Winson — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 18:16:44 GMT

In this episode of A More Perfect Podcast, I sit down with Lindsay, better known as Miss Mayday on TikTok, to talk about what’s really happening inside America’s classrooms. We dive into the impact of chronic underfunding, teacher shortages, and political attacks on education — and why these problems hit the most vulnerable students the hardest. From the shifting role of technology and AI in schools to the loss of community spaces, we explore how broader social and political changes are reshaping education. We also tackle misinformation, the fight for LGBTQIA rights, women’s healthcare in the VA, and why disengaging from politics is a privilege we can’t afford. This is a conversation about empathy, coalition building, and the urgent need to protect both our schools and our democracy.The VA is proposing a rule to ban nearly all abortions — even in cases of rape or health risks. This would gut the protections put in place in 2022 and harm millions of veterans, especially in states where abortion is already banned.Public comment is open until September 3, 2025 https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/VA-2025-VHA-0003-0001Tell the VA:Veterans deserve bodily autonomy. Abortion is healthcare. We will not go backward.Substack: https://substack.com/@amoreperfectpodcastDiscord: Join the Community

Fighting Misinformation Feels Hopeless — But Here’s Why We Keep Going

Mike Winson — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 13:00:01 GMT

What really happens when creators step into hostile TikTok debates to challenge misinformation? In this episode of A More Perfect Podcast, Mike Winson talks with Meg Tomasic (DC-based social media manager and creator) about living with National Guard patrols in DC, confronting rage-bait, and pushing back on propaganda in real time. We also unpack reactions to the Trump–Pete Hegseth military event, the collapse of political “decorum,” and why empathy and facts still matter in a flooded attention economy.What you’ll learn-How rage-bait lives work and how to avoid feeding them-Practical ways to fact-check and communicate across divides-Why chapters, captions, and clear messaging help beat misinformation-The real costs of “American exceptionalism” when policy and reality clash-How to keep your sanity while staying active onlineIf you care about truth, media literacy, and building a better civic culture, this is for you.

The Truth About Addiction No One Wants to Talk About

Mike Winson — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 11:43:44 GMT

This conversation goes deeper than most. Mike Winson talks with Ben Fisher, a creator with more than two million followers and the founder of A String of Hope, opens up about his long journey through alcoholism, opioid addiction, shame, recovery, and rebuilding his life as a husband, father, musician, and mentor.We talk about what addiction really feels like from the inside, why so many people hide their pain, how community can make or break someone in their darkest moments, and what recovery actually looks like for different people. Ben shares raw stories from childhood to rock-bottom moments, the role ADHD played in his drinking, how losing his identity in church pushed him lower, and how building guitars helped him heal.If you’ve struggled with addiction, know someone who has, or just want to understand the human side of it better, this is one of the most honest conversations you’ll hear.Links to Ben Fisher!Website - https://benfisherinspires.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/14P5kcsrx8r/?mibextid=wwXIfrBook - https://a.co/d/fAouDkVIf you find meaning in conversations about empathy, humanity, and growth, hit like and subscribe. It helps this community reach more people who need it.

From MAGA to Democrat: Journey Out of Right-Wing Politics

Mike Winson — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 16:00:01 GMT

In this episode of A More Perfect Podcast, Mike Winson talks with Ally Sammarco, a digital strategist who made the rare journey from MAGA Republican to Democratic campaign staffer. They discuss what it takes to leave an ideology, how propaganda shapes identity, and why the Democratic Party still struggles to connect with voters.Ally explains how she broke free from right-wing media, what she sees inside the Democratic Party today, and why messaging, empathy, and authenticity could decide America’s political future.We also explore how billion-dollar media monopolies are reshaping public trust, what progressives can do to fight misinformation, and how to reach people on the other side without losing yourself in the process.

Can Progressives Win in 2025? Jordan Wood Thinks So

Mike Winson — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 12:00:00 GMT

In this episode, we sit down with Jordan Wood, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine, to talk about what’s at stake in 2025 and beyond. Jordan shares his vision for Maine’s working families, his stance on climate action, healthcare, labor rights, and how he plans to stand up to corporate interests in Washington.

We get into:

Why he’s running now
The challenges facing everyday Mainers
His approach to building coalitions in a divided Senate
What real progressive leadership looks like in 2025

Whether you're a Mainer or just someone who cares about the future of democracy, this conversation is worth your time.

🟢 Subscribe to our YouTube channel for weekly episodes: interviews, commentary, and more.
🗞️ Sign up for our Substack to get written deep dives and behind-the-scenes analysis: [insert Substack link]
💬 Join the conversation in our Discord: [insert Discord link]

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss an episode.

Inside the Portland Protests: What Media Won’t Show You

Mike Winson — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 14:24:15 GMT

This episode of A More Perfect Podcast goes inside Portland’s front-line reality. Mike talks with Aimee, a single mom, protester, and livestreamer who has been documenting the nightly clashes at the Portland ICE facility. She describes what it’s actually like on the ground, the misinformation being pushed about the city, why federal agents are escalating force, and what happened the night a protester was knocked unconscious while ICE agents stood by.We also get into how everyday people can resist authoritarianism, the psychological toll of this moment, the failures of Christian nationalism, and why community solidarity matters more than ever. Aimee opens up about being shot with rubber bullets, recording propaganda attempts in real time, and the fear and resolve that shape the protest community.This conversation is raw, honest and necessary. If you want to understand what’s happening beyond headlines and viral clips, this is it.If you believe in this work, hit subscribe. Join the conversation. We need each other right now.

How to Turn Grief into Art with Author Kate Hill

Mike Winson — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 16:00:00 GMT

In this episode of A More Perfect Podcast, we talk with author Kate Hill about her new book The Art of After: How to Turn Your Grief into Art. She shares how losing her father at 13 shaped her creative life, why grief needs movement, and how art can help us transform pain into meaning. We also get real about emotional blocks, trauma, resilience, and what it means to stay grounded when the world feels heavy.Kate walks us through the idea of grief as energy and how creativity can help us move through anger, sadness, loss, and even political anxiety. We also talk about journaling, music, ritual, mysticism, and giving yourself permission to feel and create without judgment.Whether you are processing loss, struggling with uncertainty, or just want a deeper way to create from your lived experiences, this conversation will hit home.📖 Kate's book: https://itskatehill.gumroad.com/l/theartofafter

Young Leaders, Big Change: The Future of NC State Politics

Mike Winson — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 13:00:01 GMT

In this episode of A More Perfect Podcast, host Mike Winson sits down with Hannah Preston, MPH, founder of Influence North Carolina, to talk about how political dysfunction is crippling the state — and how young people are stepping up to fix it.🎙️ Topics Covered:-Why North Carolina still doesn’t have a state budget and how it’s hurting teachers, healthcare workers, and families-The fallout from the federal shutdown and Medicaid funding crisis-How gerrymandering has distorted representation and democracy in North Carolina-What Influence NC is doing to educate Gen Z voters and help local officials connect with their communities-The push to make politics more accessible, authentic, and inclusive for young people-The shocking truth about what’s being said in legislative sessions and how little transparency exists in state politicsHannah, a public health expert turned civic organizer, explains why political education is a public health issue, how her organization is bringing political literacy to college campuses, and why it’s time for young North Carolinians to vote, run for office, and reclaim their state.💬 “If you don’t like who’s on the ballot, run. Because you probably will do better.” — Hannah Preston🗳️ About Influence NC:Founded by Gen Z leaders, Influence NC works to close the political education gap by training young people, educating voters, and helping local officials use social media to connect authentically with their communities.🔗 Links & Resources:Follow Hannah Preston & Influence NC: https://www.influencenc.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/influencenc/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@influencenc

How Do We Talk When the World Is Divided?

Mike Winson — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 12:00:00 GMT

In this episode of A More Perfect Podcast, I sit down with Emily Gross, host of Beerocracy—a political podcast that makes politics a little less stuffy and a lot more fun. We talk about how she started her show, what it’s like trying to create political content in such a tense climate, and why nuance in conversation is more important than ever.

We dive into the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, the fear and fallout for smaller creators, the danger of losing respect in political debate, and the role social media algorithms play in fueling division. Emily also shares her perspective on the New York mayoral race, the growing energy behind Zohran Mamdani, and what it means for the future of progressive politics.

From Jimmy Kimmel’s cancellation to the broader attack on free speech, this is a conversation about where America is headed, why dialogue still matters, and how creators like us are navigating a world that often feels upside down.

👉 Subscribe for more conversations like this, and join the community if you believe everyone—no matter their race, religion, gender, or identity—deserves rights, respect, dignity, and safety.

Dating Expert Reveals TOP Mistakes Making You UNDATEABLE

Mike Winson — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 13:00:00 GMT

In this episode of A More Perfect Podcast, Mike Winson sits down with relationship coach Kam Berard to talk about what dating and love look like in 2025.-Subscribe for more conversations on politics, culture, and the realities of modern life.-Find Kam’s work at www.revdating.com and follow her on TikTok @relish.every.vibe.We cover:-How politics and core values now shape modern relationships-The so-called “loneliness epidemic” and why many men are struggling to connect-The role empathy and emotional intelligence play in building healthy partnerships-Why younger generations are raising their standards in dating-The evolution of masculinity and what it means to be a good partner today-Non-traditional relationships, including Kam’s experience being part of a throuple-How communication and trust remain the foundation for love—no matter the structureKam also shares insights from her coaching work, her personal journey, and why being open to growth and curiosity can lead to more meaningful relationships.

The SHOCKING Truth About PROGRESSIVES and the Future

Mike Winson — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 22:19:56 GMT

In this episode of A More Perfect Podcast we look at the future of the DNC and progressives as a whole. What we need to focus on, how we need to prepare for the future and how we get to the starting line.Support A More Perfect Podcast on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/c/AMorePerfectPodcastFollow TheoryThot on Bluesky!

Episode 5: Election 2024 Economic Policy

Mike Winson — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 16:28:49 GMT

In this episode we look into the recently announced Economic policies by the Harris and Trump campaigns.

Natiffan on Tiktok and Youtube

Theorythot on Tiktok

Military Families, MAGA Politics & The Fight for Empathy

Mike Winson — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 07:31:52 GMT

Military wife, MAGA politics, military families, empathy, conspiracy theories, and Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) culture—this episode of A More Perfect Podcast dives into all of it with guest Reshea.Mike talks with Reshea, a military wife and TikTok creator, about what life is really like inside U.S. military families. We cover the misconceptions about service members, how MAGA politics and Christian nationalism shape military towns, and the real struggles military spouses face after federal job cuts.We also explore why conspiracy theories thrive in underfunded, under-educated communities, how empathy is missing in American society, and why authoritarian governments push propaganda instead of facts. Along the way, the conversation touches on diversity in gaming, Dungeons & Dragons, free speech, and what it means to raise kids with empathy in a divided America.If you’ve wondered about military life, the influence of MAGA culture, or why empathy and facts matter more than ever, this episode is for you.

From Gaming to Real Connection: The Rise of Online Communities

Mike Winson — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 05:30:00 GMT

In this episode of A More Perfect Podcast, Mike sits down with Twitch streamer Jessieology for an honest conversation about the power and challenges of online communities.We dive into:How the pandemic accelerated online friendships while traditional “third spaces” disappearedThe positives and pitfalls of building a community on platforms like TwitchBalancing authenticity, boundaries, and vulnerability as a streamerThe stigma around content creation as a “real job”Why intentional online friendships can sometimes be deeper than face-to-face onesJessie shares her journey from hobby streaming to full-time content creation, what she’s learned along the way, and how she uses her platform to create joy and connection in an often chaotic world.Whether you’re a gamer, a streamer, or just someone curious about how online friendships are reshaping community today, this conversation has something for you.🔗 Follow Jessie:Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/jessieologyInstagram: @jessieologyYouTube: @Jessieologygg 🔗 Connect with A More Perfect Podcast:Substack: https://amoreperfectpodcast.substack.com/TikTok, Spotify, Apple Podcasts – search A More Perfect PodcastDon’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you enjoyed this episode. It helps us grow this community and reach more people looking for thoughtful conversations.

Empathy vs. Free Speech: Who Gets a Seat at the Table?

Mike Winson — Wed, 21 May 2025 11:59:47 GMT

Should progressives keep the door open to conservatives who show no empathy or humanity in their views—or does that just give their ideas undeserved legitimacy? In this episode, we dive into one of the most uncomfortable but necessary conversations happening in political spaces right now.Original TikTok Video from Good Trouble - https://www.tiktok.com/@goodtrouble2.0/video/7505485216983567647Substack - https://amoreperfectpodcast.substack.com/

Clara Cox warns the DEMOCRATIC PARTY Needs to Wake Up—NOW

Mike Winson — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 13:37:33 GMT

In this episode of A More Perfect Podcast, Mike is joined by Clara Cox for a raw, fast-moving conversation about the state of American politics. They dive deep into the “Big Beautiful Bill” just passed by the House, breaking down how it quietly shifts wealth to the top while gutting programs like Medicaid.From there, they unpack socialism vs. capitalism, challenge myths around taxation and government spending, and celebrate Zohran Mamdani’s historic primary win in NYC. What does his victory mean for the Democratic Party and for younger, progressive candidates across the country?They also talk coalition-building, the dangers of political purity tests, why older legacy politicians have lost touch, and what it really means to vote for “the least harm.” Expect a mix of truth, strategy, and frustration—with a dash of hope.

The Political Awakening of a Generation Left Behind

Mike Winson — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 13:00:00 GMT

In this episode of A More Perfect Podcast, Mike Winson sits down with TikTok creator Jordan the Grey Witch for an unfiltered and powerful conversation.Jordan shares her story of building an online community for people who’ve felt out of place—the “land of misfit toys”—and how she uses her platform to empower young people, challenge patriarchy, and speak out against injustice. Together, we dive into topics like:The Epstein list and what justice for survivors should look likeThe realities of patriarchy, misogyny, and male privilege in AmericaWhy literacy, education, and empathy matter in politicsThe rise of Christian nationalism and how it distorts faithBuilding supportive communities for people deconstructing religion or finding new spiritual pathsIt’s an honest, passionate discussion about survival, resilience, and fighting for dignity and safety in a country that often denies it. Whether you’re a long-time follower of Jordan’s content or just discovering her perspective, you’ll come away challenged and inspired.👉 If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe.📌 Join the A More Perfect Podcast community on Substack and Discord

Motherhood, Mental Health & Music: Joliet4 on Surviving Depression

Mike Winson — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 13:00:00 GMT

In this episode of A More Perfect Podcast, host Mike Winson sits down with musician, singer, and streamer Joliet4 for a deep, funny, and emotional conversation about faith, music, motherhood, and what it means to stay true to yourself when the world—and the church—tries to define you.Joliet opens up about growing up in Nashville’s Christian music scene, dealing with postpartum depression, rediscovering herself through songwriting, and finding faith outside the walls of organized religion. She also shares the stories behind her songs “Antidepressant” and her upcoming Halloween release “Two Ghosts.”The two talk about their time in Twitch Sings, the joy of creative community, and how progressive Christians can still hold onto their beliefs while rejecting Christian nationalism. This is one of the most honest conversations about music, faith, and authenticity you’ll hear all year.

Can Christianity Survive Christian Nationalism?

Mike Winson — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 13:21:56 GMT

In this episode of A More Perfect Podcast, Mike Winson and Twitch streamer Tia dive deep into the rise of Christian nationalism, what it’s doing to the church, and how progressive Christians are finding their way through the chaos.They talk about deconstruction, empathy, and hypocrisy in the church, and how politics and religion have merged into something unrecognizable. From worship culture and cult-like churches to Trump’s influence and the struggle to stay faithful amid hate and division—this conversation gets raw, honest, and deeply human.Tia opens up about her background growing up in the South, her experiences in cult-like churches, leaving the Republican Party, and finding faith again through empathy and logic. Mike shares his frustrations with modern Christianity and why he believes the foundation of the church is crumbling—and what real believers can do about it.🎧 Topics we cover:-How Christian nationalism hijacked Jesus-Worship music as big business-Empathy and LGBTQ+ acceptance-Trump, hypocrisy, and the loss of morality-Deconstruction and rebuilding faith-Mental health, trauma, and religious control

The RESISTANCE Blueprint and how YOU can be a part of it!

Mike Winson — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 19:30:59 GMT

In todays podcast we talk with Alyssa and look at how she is fighting back against the GOP and the current administration! You don't want to miss this one!Don't forget to join and support A More Perfect Podcast through our Substack! https://amoreperfectpodcast.substack.com/

Mushroom Whiskey? Meet the Woman Behind BeWilder Spirits

Mike Winson — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 13:00:00 GMT

In this episode of A More Perfect Podcast, host Mike Winson sits down with Kelley Dugan, the founder and CEO of Bewilder Be Wilder Whiskey, a small-batch whiskey company blending the wild world of mushroom infused whiskey with fearless female entrepreneurship.Kelley shares her inspiring journey from law school hopeful to business owner—mixing her love for foraging, nature, and whiskey into one of the most unique products on the market. They talk about what it’s like to be a woman in the whiskey industry, how she turned curiosity into creation, and the real challenges of building a small business in America today.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Be Wilder and Kelly's Journey02:00 From Restaurant Experience to Whiskey Innovation05:39 The Birth of Mushroom-Infused Whiskey11:51 Experimentation and Tasting Events14:23 Finding a Distillery Partner17:26 The Positives and Challenges of Starting a Business20:04 The Entrepreneurial Mindset21:55 Challenges for Women in the Whiskey Industry26:42 Future Aspirations for Be Wilder30:20 Advice for Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs35:11 Navigating Business Ethics and Personal Beliefs📍 Learn more about Kelley and Bewilder Be Wilder Whiskey: https://www.bewilderbewilder.com🎧 Subscribe for more interviews on business, politics, culture, and progress: https://www.youtube.com/@amoreperfectpodcast👍 Like, comment, and share to help build a community where everyone—no matter your race, religion, gender, or identity—deserves rights, respect, dignity, and safety.

How to Persuade Voters in the Most Conservative District in America

Mike Winson — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 10:55:55 GMT

Today we sit down with Kaylee Peterson, the Democrat running in Idaho’s 1st Congressional District for 2026. Kaylee talks about why she keeps running in one of the most conservative districts in the country, what she’s hearing on the doorstep, and the concrete policies she says would help rural families — from healthcare and worker protections to campaign finance reform. What we cover-Why Kaylee decided to run again and what four years on the ground taught her-The real problems rural Idaho families are facing: healthcare access, school infrastructure, Medicaid, farm economics and tariffs-Her approach to persuading voters in a deep-red district: listening, validating anger, then offering policy solutions-Accountability in Washington: banning congressional stock trades, ending Citizens United, campaign finance reform and term limits-The role of unions, regulation of monopolies, and support for small family farms-How disinformation and far-right organizing have shaped politics in super-red states-Reaching Gen Z and addressing radicalization through economic policy and community outreachIf you want a grounded view of what it takes to run a federal campaign in a massive rural district, or if you’re interested in practical policy ideas for rebuilding trust in government, this conversation gives concrete examples and on-the-ground perspective.Links & ways to help KayleeWebsite: KayleeForCongress.comEmail: KayleeForCongress@gmail.comFollow and share on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram (Kaylee is active on all of them) — engagement from outside Idaho matters a lot for a grassroots campaignSupport the showLike, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss future interviews. If you found this episode useful, share a clip on social and tag us: @AMorePerfectPodcast

Episode 2 - What is the State of our Union

Mike Winson — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 12:00:00 GMT

I Talk to a Former Christian about CHRISTIAN Nationalism

Mike Winson — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:05:49 GMT

In todays episode I talk with Taylor (Skeptical Heretic) about what why she left the church, how she is trying combat Christian nationalism and what we as Christians can do to become a part of society again!Support A More Perfect Podcast through our Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/c/AMorePerfectPodcastMake sure to follow Taylor on all her socials!YT: @Skeptical_Heretic TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@skeptical_heretic

Why Gen Z Is Running for Office And WINNING

Mike Winson — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:00:01 GMT

In this episode of A More Perfect Podcast, Mike Winson sits down with Leila Staton, a 21-year-old progressive running for Iowa’s 54th District. Leila talks about why she decided to run, Iowa’s healthcare crisis, the loss of OBGYNs after abortion bans, the impact of school vouchers, and the fight to restore political civility.They discuss growing challenge of being a young woman in politics, and what it means to rebuild community in an age of misinformation. From rural hospitals closing to farmers demanding real markets, Leila’s story highlights what’s at stake in the heartland—and how young leaders are stepping up to change it.📢 If you care about democracy, voting rights, and the next generation of leaders, this episode is a must-watch.If You Want To Support Leila:Website - https://www.leilaforiowa.com/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@leilaforiowaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/leilaforiowa/

Episode 4: When Reality Strikes

Mike Winson — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 13:00:00 GMT

In this episode of Hammer of Truth I am joined by my friend Anna Mae a political Tiktoker! In this episode we delve into her struggles as an Ashkenazi Jew after October 7th. We also look into the recent supreme court decision regarding the abortion drug Mifepristone.