How Brian Bengs is Changing the Conversation in South Dakota Politics

David Wheeler opens the podcast with an apology for previously mispronouncing Dr. Pamela Monahan Geernaert's name, setting the stage for an engaging episode highlighting Brian Bengs' candidacy for the United States Senate. The conversation dives into the character and capabilities of Brian, portrayed as a genuine, empathetic individual who has made significant contributions to his community. Dr. Geernaert shares her experiences with Brian, emphasizing his intelligence, ability to connect with people across political divides, and his knack for fostering meaningful discussions. As they discuss Brian’s approach to politics and education, listeners learn about his commitment to understanding others and his adeptness at challenging assumptions. The episode wraps up on a light-hearted note, showcasing Brian as not just a candidate but a dog-loving family man, encouraging South Dakotans to support him in the upcoming election. A heartfelt dialogue takes center stage as David Wheeler introduces a special guest, Professor Pamela Monahan Geernaert, who shares her experiences working alongside Brian Bengs, a candidate for the U.S. Senate in South Dakota. The conversation unfolds with a humorous yet sincere acknowledgment of the host's earlier mispronunciation of the professor's name, setting a relatable tone for the discussion. As they delve deeper, Monahan Geernaert paints a vivid picture of Brian's character, describing him as a supportive colleague who fosters a sense of community. She recounts how he welcomed her when she moved to South Dakota, providing not just logistical help but also emotional support in navigating a new environment. This theme of genuine connection is echoed throughout the episode, highlighting Brian's empathetic nature and ability to engage with people from all walks of life. The episode also explores Brian's teaching style, which Monahan Geernaert describes as dynamic and thought-provoking. His approach to education emphasizes critical thinking and engagement, making students grapple with complex topics rather than passively absorbing information. This method not only enriches the learning experience but also reflects Brian's broader philosophy of leadership—encouraging dialogue and active participation over mere rhetoric. As the conversation shifts to Brian's candidacy, the professor articulates her belief that his intelligence and humility will serve him well in the political arena, suggesting that these qualities are essential for effective governance. Ultimately, the episode serves as a compelling endorsement of Brian Bengs, illustrating how his personal and professional attributes could translate into meaningful political leadership.

Takeaways:

• Professor Pamela Monahan Geernaert emphasizes Brian Bengs' ability to connect with people on a personal level, regardless of their political affiliations.
• Throughout their collaboration, Brian Bengs consistently demonstrated a willingness to help and support others in the community and workplace.
• The podcast highlights Brian Bengs' intelligence and teaching style, which encourages critical thinking and engagement among students.
• Listeners learn how Brian Bengs' genuine empathy and active listening skills make him a desirable candidate for the U.S. Senate.
• Dr. Monahan Geernaert recounts her positive experiences with Brian Bengs, noting his dedication to fostering a welcoming environment for newcomers.
• The discussion underscores the importance of understanding people's perspectives before proposing solutions, showcasing Brian's thoughtful approach.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• www.Bengsforsouthdakota.com

Episode Transcript

(00:01):
Hey, folks, it's DavidWheeler. A little mea culpa before
we get going on the episodetoday. I refer to Dr. Pamela as the
wrong name a couple times. Hername is actually Dr. Pamela Monahan
Gearnard. Gearnard. So myapologies to her for mispronouncing

(00:21):
her last name. And we'll getthe episode going now.
Welcome to Muck You folksWe've got a special show today with
Professor Pamela Monaghan Geerneart.
And she is a former colleagueand friend of Brian Bengs. And welcome
to the show, Professor.
Thanks so much for having me.
Hey, well, listen, this isBrian Bengs week, and we're trying

(00:43):
to raise the volume because wethink Brian's a terrific candidate
for the United States Senatein South Dakota, and we think he
deserves to be on the ballotsolo against the Republican incumbent.
And so we're trying to letfolks get to know Brian a little
bit better from people thatactually know him pretty well. And
so, professor, tell us alittle bit about yourself and a little

(01:07):
bit about how you and Brian worked.
So, I'm a professor ofsociology and Indigenous studies,
and I met Brian when Iinterviewed for a job in South Dakota.
He was on the searchcommittee. And not only was he on
the search committee, but oncethe job was offered to me, he stayed
in touch. He helped connect meto my Realtor, and he helped me line

(01:31):
up some kids to help me unloadmy moving van. And then just throughout
his time when we workedtogether, he was just really good
at checking in on me, helpingme understand the local community.
I had never lived in theMidwest before, so gave me some Midwest
tips and advice and justreally made sure I felt involved

(01:52):
and connected and welcome tothe community.
And that sounds like the Brianthat I've gotten to know as well.
He is he. So he was yourwelcome wagon to.
He was.
Where did you come from?Where. Where did you move from?
Well, I moved from the D.C.area, but this is my fifth state
and second country. So I bornand raised Canadian, became a U.S.

(02:14):
citizen 14 years ago, came tothe states to do my master's and
PhD degree. So I've lived inIdaho, Ohio, New Mexico, and.
Well, you're. You're makingyour way west. I think you should.
What's the next stop, do youthink? Maybe Colorado or California?
Go back to New Mexico.
Okay, cool. So listen, folksmay not know much about Brian. Tell

(02:38):
folks what. What you knowabout him and his character, his
ability to work hand in glovewith people regardless of party.
So one of the things I reallyappreciated about Brian and where
I really found him indifferentas a, as a colleague and as a person.
You know, we go to conferenceson occasion and stuff, so you need

(03:00):
people to cover your classand, and Brian was always willing
to do so. And what I reallyenjoyed about Brian ever taking over
a class, he is just soincredibly smart. He understands
things at such a deep level.He's researched it, he's looked at
it from different sides. Andthen his, his teaching style and

(03:22):
it really is part of hiscommunication style and is to just
constantly pose quests and youhave to stop and the questions are
good. The questions make youstop and think and, and, and if you
don't think and you just sortof blurt something out, you can kind
of see how he, how he useswhat you know or what you think to
help you understand the, theidea at a deeper level. So my students

(03:45):
always loved when he came inand guest spoke because he just challenged.
And it wasn't like a straightlecture. It wasn't like, hey, I understand
these laws so well and Iunderstand this material so well
and I'm going to expound it onyou. It's like I am going to force,
force you. And for students atleast to like really engage in the

(04:06):
material and have to sit andthink. And he, he just, the class
was riveted and he, he pusheshard topics. I taught a death and
dying class and he came in andI was like, hey, you know, could
you cover for me? I know thisisn't your area expertise. And he's
like, oh, oh, we're going todo euthanasia. And I was like, oh
boy. But you know, but again,he really has, he, he finds a way

(04:30):
to take difficult, complex,even topics that people may have,
you know, in this case, youknow, moral thoughts about really
presents the laws, theconcepts behind the laws, the history
behind the laws in a way thatyou can be engaged with it. And I
found that every single time Ihad him in my classroom, sometimes

(04:52):
I just had him in my classroomwhen I didn't go away so I could
listen to him. And then whenhe first got on the, the political
stage and I went to his sortof coming out party when he ran last
time, he did the same thingwith adults in a conference space
with just challenging theirassumptions, adding in the law and

(05:14):
more important, adding intheory of the law. Why are these
laws here? Why is this found?What was the foundation? So I just
find he's just so incrediblysmart, but he has a way to disseminate
in a way that when you leavethe classroom or one of his presentations,
like you're smarter for it as well.
Yeah, it sounds like he's notonly challenging the students, but

(05:36):
he's probably learninghimself. And that's what I found
him. He. He challenges, buthe's, he's also challenging it because
he wants to learn more on it.Certain topic. So you've seen him
interact with both young folksin South Dakota, or as my friend
in South Sioux Falls says, a.South Dakota, and you've seen him

(05:58):
interact with adults. Whatmakes you think that that somehow
translates into him being adecent politician?
Well, not to, not to pull apun here, but I know he would appreciate
it. He gets on everyone'slevel. And if you know Brian, you
know that's a joke becausehe's like 6, 6, 6, 7. I don't know
how tall he is, but he getsdown on everyone'. He really does

(06:19):
have a way of. He just has avery humble nature about him. He's
not, he's not going to, youknow, shake your hand and again,
sort of push an agenda on you.He's going to stop, he's going to
listen, he's going to askquestions. And I really think that
he, he does that because hereally has a genuine interest in
what people are saying. Youcan't, you can't help people. You

(06:42):
can't teach people if youdon't know where they're at. Right.
You can't, you can't take themanywhere if you don't know where
they're starting. So I reallybelieve that he just truly does listen
very clearly so that he canrespond not with a slogan, but with
a meaningful.
Well, that's the kind of guyI'd like to have in the US Senate.

(07:04):
So two more questions andwe're going to let you go, professor,
because we know you have abusy day ahead of you. But number
one, are you registered tovote in South Dakota?
I most certainly am.
And, and who are you votingfor in the United States Senate primary?
I guess it's not a primarybeyond the general election ballot,
but who are you going to vote for?
Oh, definitely Brian. Youknow, I voted for him last time as

(07:26):
well. I think he just, youknow, he's not a career politician.
His. Not only his. You know, alot of people say, I'm not a career
politician. I'm a businessman.I'm a, I'm a whatever thinking is
that's the caveat for why youshould vote. But I think just Brian
brings so much knowledge,history, and just real intelligence

(07:48):
that I think has been missingin Politics. And he's just smart,
he's creative and, andknowledgeable and I think he can
definitely help educate peopleto do the right thing.
Yeah. And you know, the otherthing I've been thinking about a
lot lately is empathy. AndBrian seems like a very empathetic

(08:09):
guy and, and that isn't afault in my book. That is a plus
if you're a politician and,and he doesn't. You can't fake empathy.
And, and I've never heard orseen Brian where he wasn't listening
more than he was speaking,which means in my book. So final
question, and you could take apass if you want to, but any good

(08:30):
stories about Brian that arefunny or illustrative? Who the kind
of guy Brian is, the people heruns with, I, I.
Guess as we talk aboutempathy, I had a friend of mine who
I guess accidentally adopted apuppy, a yellow lab, and within about
three or four months decidedthat was too much of a project to

(08:54):
take on. And I had gone to afootball game with Brian's wife and
I mentioned that my friend wastrying to re home her puppy. And
by the end of the footballgame, they came over to the house,
picked up the puppy and MeadowPrairie, one of the two dogs was
renamed. And so I feel sort oftied to. Tied to one of their puppies.

(09:18):
But I mean, I think that'sjust sort of the, the problem solving
and the way they do things.They have a big heart. They, they
knew I couldn't take onanother dog. So Prairie, I believe
it's Prairie. Molly got Mollygot renamed Prairie and is now running
around down in hot. So I lovefollowing their Instagram account
since puppy is gone too.

(09:39):
Well, that's awesome. Also adog person. So South Dakotans, let's
get out and vote for BrianBengs the dog guy. A family guy sometimes
professor and all around greatguy. And here testifying today to
his character is PamelaMonahan Gerhardt. Professor, thank
you so much for your time andjoining MUCU today.

(10:00):
All right, thank you so muchfor having me.