One Country Project's Hot Dish

In this brief conversation with Heidi, former Congressman Beto O'Rourke discusses the critical political landscape in Texas, focusing on the fight against gerrymandering and the implications of recent Republican Party actions. 

He emphasizes the importance of grassroots activism, the need for a strong Democratic message, and the urgency of mobilizing support for upcoming elections. O'Rourke highlights the risks Texas Democr...

Matt Angle, founder of the Lone Star Project, joins the Hot Dish to break down the urgent issues of gerrymandering and redistricting in Texas. Host Heidi Heitkamp and Matt explore how recent political maneuvers aim to weaken minority voting power and reshape congressional districts to favor Republicans.

Listen to learn more about how redistricting in Texas could impact democracy nationwide, especially for rural and minority...

In this episode, Bryan Little, Director of Labor Affairs for the California Farm Bureau, and Sonia Parras Konrad join hosts Joel and Heidi Heitkamp to discuss farm labor regulations, immigration, and affects of this Administration's immigration policies on rural communities. 

You'll get practical insights and stories about the impact of labor shortages, ever-changing regulations, and evolving federal policies on American ag...

In this episode, guest host Bethany Brookshire recaps the Rural Progress Summit and brings you conversations with panelists including Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Joe Donnelly, Maya MacGuineas, Anderson Clayton, and experts from fields like agriculture, education, health care, and tribal affairs.

You will gain fresh perspectives on the hope and resilience in rural communities, practical solutions for everyday challenges, and i...

Sarah Longwell of the Bulwark and Phil Snape of Impact Social join this episode to discuss voter sentiment in rural areas. Then, Heidi Marttila-Losure and Christopher Vondracek explore the value of rural journalism and the impact of current political trends. Hosts Heidi and Joel Heitkamp discuss the real-world effects of tariffs, job security, and community resilience in rural America. Listen to hear candid conversations o...

Jess Piper, Bryce Oates, and Isaac Nehring join this episode to discuss the future of rural America, from youth leadership to media access and political advocacy. Isaac shares his journey as a Truman Scholar, while Bryce and Executive Producer Richard Fawal tackle the urgent need for truthful reporting in rural America. Jess Piper joins host Heidi Heitkamp to break down how Democrats can rebuild trust in deeply red states.

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Many rural veterans join the Hot Dish for this special Memorial Day episode. Marine Corps Infantryman and North Dakota Army National Guard First Sergeant Bradley Aune discusses issues veterans face when rejoining civilian life. North Dakota Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Jessica Petrick offers her perspective on what Memorial Day means to her. And One Country Project board member and former Senator and Member of the Co...

Jerry Hagstrom, Sarah Melotte, and Bob Leonard join host Joel Heitkamp and guest host J.D. Scholten to discuss the impacts to rural America of Trump’s first 100 days in office. You will learn about disaster relief, rural healthcare, tariffs, manufacturing, immigration, and the ongoing Farm Bill debates in Congress. Each guest offers firsthand perspectives from their communities, highlighting the struggles and hopes of rura...

DNC Chair Ken Martin joins hosts Heidi and Joel Heitkamp to discuss the Democratic Party’s future in rural America. They explore the brand image of the Democratic Party and how to reconnect with blue collar and rural voters. Ken, Heidi and Joel stress the importance of authentic local messengers to deliver Democratic narratives, offering you practical steps for community-driven change.

Listen to learn how the Democratic Par...

In this episode, Heidi and Joel give you specific advice on how to channel your frustrations into positive action within your community, focusing on local issues and building a strong support network. They offer insights into being proactive and engaged, highlighting how to make a difference on the ground, especially in rural settings.

Then Jess Piper, Executive Director for Blue Missouri, joins Joel to discuss political en...

North Carolina Representative Julie Von Haefen, Tennessee Representative J.C. Bowman, and Iowa Representative and One Country Project board member J.D. Scholten join The Hot Dish to discuss the challenges facing public education in rural America. The conversation highlights the efforts to fight against the dismantling of public education systems and the consequences of funding private schools with public dollars. Heidi Hei...

In this episode, Joel Heitkamp hosts a roundtable discussion with farmers Chris Gibbs, Will Westmoreland, and Nick Levendofsky. They talk about the ups and downs of farming today and dive into topics like tariffs, infrastructure, and politics.
From tariff troubles to the fight to keep rural infrastructure strong, listeners will get an inside scoop on what it's like to manage a farm in today's challenging environment. Le...

In this episode, we examine how the absence of local news affects political polarization, civic engagement, and community identity. 
First, scholars John Volk and Joshua Darr join The Hot Dish to discuss the emergence and consequences of News Deserts across the United States. 

Then, journalist Brandon Tensley and Joel engage in a compelling conversation on the importance of local news to communities of color across Ameri...

Veteran political strategist Paul Begala joins the Hot Dish to discuss how the Democratic Party can reconnect with rural Americans. He offers straightforward actions each of us can take to respond to the challenges of chaos in Washington and State Capitals and to help our neighbors get past the misinformation and propaganda to see the truth about the dangerous impacts of the Donald Trump / Elon Musk administration on rural...

In this episode, we delve into essential discussions on federal policy, TikTok, and the balance of power in Washington that we know will resonate with you.

Heidi and Joel explore the chaos caused by a recent Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo concerning the freeze on federal expenditures. They provide a clear-eyed analysis of the memo's implications for Americans, particularly those relying on federal assistance pro...

Welcome to another episode of The Hot Dish, where we serve comfort food for Middle America. In today's episode, Heidi Heitkamp and Joel Heitkamp delve into the political whirlwind surrounding Donald Trump's inauguration, cabinet picks, and executive orders — and their implications for the next four years. 

Later in the episode, you'll hear a fascinating conversation between One Country Project Board Member J.D. Scholten and...

Welcome back to "The Hot Dish," where we serve up the latest political insights with a side of grassroots wisdom. In today's episode, host Heidi Heitkamp welcomes Iowa State Representative J.D. Scholten, who shares his insights from the campaign trail. We'll dive into the critical issues that drove his unexpected victory in a Trump district.

First, the hosts touch on the challenges facing rural communities, including he...

Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of The Hot Dish, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate deeply with rural America. In this episode, Heidi and Joel answer some listener mail from parents who fear losing their adult children to MAGA inlaws. Then Joel engages in a riveting discussion with Chris Gibbs, an Ohio farmer and former Republican turned Democrat.

Our discussion dives into the heart of economi...