The Homecomers
Hear from champions of small towns, rural lands and working-class communities—places Americans are encouraged to leave behind.
Episodes
Journalist and former vegetable farmer Debbie Weingarten talks with Sarah Smarsh about the dark side of rural existence for people watching their family’s way of life be turned upside down—and how a society that relies on their labor can begin to value farmers. Weingarten is a writer and fellow with Community Change. A former vegetable farmer, she now works with the Female Farmer Project to document the rise of women ...
Former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius joins Sarah Smarsh to discuss the long fight for universal health care and the particular barriers to access for rural America. Sebelius served in President Barack Obama’s cabinet as the 21st Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and is now among America’s foremost experts on national and global health issues, human services, and e...
Conservation leader Brett Ramey, member of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, joins Sarah Smarsh to discuss environmental (in)justice and how our identities can shape the preservation of the planet. Ramey is an educator and organizer working at the intersections of environmental, cultural, and community health. His work is grounded in reclaiming and upholding knowledge systems that honor relationships and responsi...
Acclaimed West Virginia documentarian Elaine McMillion Sheldon talks with Sarah Smarsh about getting regional stories right and the universality of addiction. Sheldon is an Academy Award-nominated documentary filmmaker who explores stories of identity, resilience, and hope. She is the director of two documentaries about America’s opioid crisis, Recovery Boys and the Emmy-winning Heroin(e). Sheldon also received a 2013...
Political scientist Dr. Veronica Womack joins Sarah Smarsh to discuss the richness of rural American culture and community, and how old farming wisdom alongside new technologies can move the Black Belt region forward. Womack is the chief diversity officer and a professor of political science and public administration at Georgia College and State University. Her work in the Black Belt region centers on community develo...
Farm-worker rights advocate Leydy Rangel talks with Sarah Smarsh about the family experience that informs and enlivens her professional mission. Rangel is a first-generation college graduate from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where she received a BS in communication with an emphasis in journalism and a political science minor. She is the communications specialist for the UFW Foundation, a non-profit...
A national blind spot toward rural and working-class America is driving misleading headlines, broken politics and dangerous fissures in our social fabric. The Homecomers with Sarah Smarsh offers a more accurate story of those ill-understood spaces. A native of rural Kansas, journalist and bestselling author Sarah Smarsh brings you intimate conversations with six champions of rural America. As "homecomers"—residents and advocates ...
Popular Podcasts
Two Guys (Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers). Five Rings (you know, from the Olympics logo). One essential podcast for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Bowen Yang (SNL, Wicked) and Matt Rogers (Palm Royale, No Good Deed) of Las Culturistas are back for a second season of Two Guys, Five Rings, a collaboration with NBC Sports and iHeartRadio. In this 15-episode event, Bowen and Matt discuss the top storylines, obsess over Italian culture, and find out what really goes on in the Olympic Village.
Listen to the latest news from the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina are here and have everyone talking. iHeartPodcasts is buzzing with content in honor of the XXV Winter Olympics We’re bringing you episodes from a variety of iHeartPodcast shows to help you keep up with the action. Follow Milan Cortina Winter Olympics so you don’t miss any coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, and if you like what you hear, be sure to follow each Podcast in the feed for more great content from iHeartPodcasts.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Saskia Inwood woke up one morning, knowing her life would never be the same. The night before, she learned the unimaginable – that the husband she knew in the light of day was a different person after dark. This season unpacks Saskia’s discovery of her husband’s secret life and her fight to bring him to justice. Along the way, we expose a crime that is just coming to light. This is also a story about the myth of the “perfect victim:” who gets believed, who gets doubted, and why. We follow Saskia as she works to reclaim her body, her voice, and her life. If you would like to reach out to the Betrayal Team, email us at betrayalpod@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.