Oliver Bardwell Podcast
A space where compelling stories meet thought-provoking ideas. This podcast explores meaningful conversations that inspire change, with fascinating guests from all walks of life. From tackling big issues to uncovering unique perspectives, each episode challenges, informs, and inspires. Tune in for conversations that spark ideas and create meaningful change—one conversation at a time.
Episodes
The 2025 legislative session was supposed to end May 2—but it didn’t. From gender identity battles to the fight for private property rights, it became one of the most intense sessions in Iowa history.
In this episode, I sit down with State Representative Steve Holt, a 20-year Marine and one of the most respected conservative voices at the Capitol, to break it all down:
🔹 How Iowa became the first state to remove gender identity from...
🎧 Exclusive Member Q&A ➡️ patreon.com/oliverbardwell
Even a free membership unlocks the bonus segment of this interview.
Brad Sherman—pastor, conservative leader, and candidate for Iowa Governor—joins me for a powerful conversation on faith, freedom, and the future of our state.
We cover:
- Restoring constitutional principles
- Parental rights and educational choice
- Medical overreach and healthcare reform
- Government accountab...
In this episode, Craig Hunt, owner of Universal Barbershop in Windsor Heights, shares his powerful journey—from nearly giving up on barbering due to outdated licensing laws to becoming a mentor and leader in the industry. We dive deep into HF 711, a bill that aims to cut through overregulation and open doors for aspiring barbers through on-the-job apprenticeship training instead of rigid, costly schooling.
Craig opens up about the m...
Medical freedom is at the core of this movement, and the fight for transparency, informed consent, and parental rights has never been more crucial. In this compelling conversation, I sit down with Gabby Fistler and Lindsay Maher from Informed Choice Iowa (ICI) to break down the biggest legislative battles happening right now in Iowa.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Context of Legislative Session03:01 Key Legislative Bills and Their ...
IOWA IS AT A CROSS ROADS -
HSB 242 does more than define what a woman is—it removes gender identity from the IowaCivil Rights Code, restoring legal clarity, protecting women's rights, and safeguarding our children from radical gender ideology. (13 min break down) - https://youtu.be/QJIcYlAB00I?si=Uuoe1ZEk-dE5k0IW
In this must-listenepisode, I sit down with Rep. Steve Holt,Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, to break down exactly...
🚨HSB 242 doesn’t just define what a woman is—it removes gender identity from Iowa’s Civil Rights Code entirely, restoring biological truth, legal clarity, and protecting women’s rights.
💥 This bill corrects a mistake made in 2007—one that no other red state has followed. It closes legal loopholes that have allowed biological males into women’s bathrooms, locker rooms, prisons and shelters under the guise of “civil rights.”
🛑 Enoug...
In this powerful and moving episode of The Oliver Bardwell Podcast, I sit down with John Thompson, President and Co-founder of Salute to the Fallen, a veteran-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention, mental health support, and honoring the legacy of those who served. John shares his deeply personal journey from enlisting in the military at 17, surviving combat injuries, and overcoming his own battle...
In this episode ofThe Oliver Bardwell Podcast, I sit down with Jose Reyes, a dedicated advocate for Iowa’s Latino community and a passionate conservative voice in politics. Jose shares his journey—from arriving in the U.S. as a child under DACA to navigating the challenges of legal status, cultural identity, and political engagement.
We dive into the complexities of immigration, the misconceptions surrounding DACA recipients, and th...
In this special episode of The Oliver Bardwell Podcast, we sit down with Iowa House Representative Dan Gehlbach for a conversation as rich and layered as the bourbon we're sipping. Together, we explore:
Iowa’s bourbon culture and growing distilleries Legislative priorities, from property tax reform to school choice The value of trade education and strengthening Iowa's workforce The delicate balance of faith, family, and public ser...In episode #71 of The Oliver Bardwell Podcast, I sit down with Chris Hagenow, former Iowa Representative and founder of Iowans for Tax Relief, to discuss the big issues shaping Iowa and beyond. We cover everything from tax reform and local government accountability to broader discussions about the future of leadership and innovation.
Key Topics Include:
The 2% Property Tax Growth Cap Proposal and local government spending. Donal...In this compelling episode, Oliver Bardwell sits down with Laura Becker, a courageous detransitioner and advocate for truth in the gender ideology debate.
Laura shares her powerful journey from transitioning to detransitioning, the challenges of overcoming trauma, and her mission to protect vulnerable individuals from the harmful practices that are being called "gender-affirming care."
Discover how she’s turning personal pain int...
Summary
In this conversation, Oliver Bardwell and Walt Rogers discuss the importance of family, education, and political advocacy in shaping the future of educational freedom.
Walt shares his personal journey from youth ministry to politics, emphasizing the role of parents in education and the need for cultural change. They explore the impact of COVID-19 on parental involvement in education, the challenges posed by a secular educ...
#68 - Iowa House Representative Samantha Fett: Family, Education, Policy, and a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Join me as I sit down with Iowa House Representative Samantha Fett for an engaging conversation covering her journey to the legislature, the challenges she faced during her campaign, and how the experience strengthened her family bonds. We tackle important topics like the truth behind the "book ban" narrative, school choice, the AEA bill, and improving education in Iowa.
We also explore some unexpected and thought-provoking subject...
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. James to share her incredible story of courage, compassion, and perseverance. From rushing to North Carolina with a team to aid hurricane victims, to battling government interference and misinformation, Dr. James takes us behind the scenes of her mission to bring hope and healing where it’s needed most.
We talk about how she built a mobile medical operation from scratch, the miracles she witness...
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