In this episode, hosts Steve Wildsmith, Nathan Higdon, and Jeremy LaDuke welcome Lee Jones, Middle Tennessee Regional Vice Chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party and Chair of the LGBTQ+ Caucus, for a deep dive into what Democrats need to do to win—and it's not what you might think.
Opening with the stunning upset victory of democratic socialist Zoran Mamdani in New York's mayoral primary, Steve sets the stage for a crucial question: Can authentic progressive candidates win in the rural South? Mamdani ran on a $30 minimum wage, rent freezes, and taxing the rich—and won with 43.5% of the vote, powered by young people and first-time voters who were energized by his refusal to moderate his message.
Key Topics:
- Why authenticity beats focus-grouped messaging every time
- How Democrats have been gaslighted into thinking they need to move right
- The corporate money vs. grassroots values tension within the party
- Why progressive values are actually rural values—and how to communicate that
- The upcoming Tennessee District 7 special election and what it means for the future
- How Lee transformed a Republican stronghold in West Nashville into a Democratic powerhouse
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Bleep! with Ana Navarro
Fear thrives in silence and confusion. Ana Navarro rejects both. Her voice is an antidote to today’s chaos. Her new podcast, Bleep! with Ana Navarro, takes on today’s most pressing issues with the voices most connected to it: decision-makers, political leaders, cultural shapers, and people on the frontlines of the story. The conversations acknowledge the emotions we all feel—despair, sadness, fear— but emerge with knowledge, perspective, and hope. The belief is simple: fearless dialogue can transform fear into courage, and courage into change. When fear dominates the headlines, this show digs deeper. Because information, debate, and conversation don’t just ease fear, they give us power to shape the future.
Hey Jonas!
Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.