The poor make life good for the wealthy in a regressive tax structure. Tennessee has the worst in the country! Carol Abney, CPA returns to tell us how the American Rescue Plan helps struggling businesses and families in distressed Clay County after Covid. The monied GOP supermajority sends in the suits to tell them what to do. The hospital is still closed.

Getting to the polls to exercise our right to vote and participate in Democracy should not be so difficult.  Former Congressional candidate Chris Hale discusses how federal bill HR-1 would make it easier for rural voices to be heard not drowned out by extremists, big contributors and unfairly drawn voting districts.  It is obviously time to standardize to stop the divisions that threaten who we are as Americans and Tennesseans.

Despite the state's rural initiative in 2018, Tennessee is home to 9 distressed counties where poverty has become persistent and generational. 30 more are at risk. Grundy County in Middle Tennessee in one of them.  Native resident Emily Partin has marshaled resources to improve the lives of children and families by renovating the old Tracy City High School to house multiple support programs. Could this be repeated in other rural counties?

Tamara Bates (political advisor of the TNDP) and Sandy discuss voter suppression that already exists in our state. Other red states try to go as low as Tennessee in stripping the right to vote from citizens. Restrictive photo ID’s, limited absentee balloting, no Sunday voting, no drop boxes, waiting periods and court battles for anything that would make the practice of democracy more convenient for working people, students, young, rural and senior voters. Protecting the voting box means...

Executive Director of the Cumberland Center for Justice and Peace Lisa Rung talks about her organization's activism and outreach.  They sponsor a variety of activities in rural communities that think globally and act locally... Maybe your group could use some fresh ideas: [email protected]

Sandy summarizes her trip to the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum and “lynching memorial” and searches for signs of its mission in our state. What About Us? is honored to be a part of the TN Holler Podcast Network.

Adrienne Pakis-Gillon knows about women in politics, from the passage of the 19th amendment to her disappointment with the representation of women in our GOP majority legislature. Ladies, can’t we do better for women and children in Tennessee? EPISODE CORRECTION: The correct dollar amount allocated to Tennessee under the American Rescue Plan is $900 million. $346 million is for Child Care Development Fund Flexible Funding and $554 million for Child Care Stabilization Funding. Source — The...

Elizabeth Madeira, an organizer for the Southern Christian Coalition, discusses recent Tennessee legislation and her views on the intersections between Christian morality and public policy. What About Us? is honored to be a part of the TN Holler Podcast Network.

We need more diversity and inclusion in our national and state discussions. Tullahoma City Alderman Rupa Blackwell joins the show to discuss how she is helping to elevate these issues in her rural community. What About Us? is honored to be a part of the TN Holler Podcast Network.

Bruce Baird DDS joins to talk about the patients he volunteers to care for twice a month in Beersheba Springs, Tennessee. Dental care is a basic need that all people have a right to - this is yet another area where Tennessee could do a better job for its citizens. Check out and support the Beersheba Springs Medical Clinic What About Us? is honored to be a part of the TN Holler Podcast Network.

For Black History Month and in honor of Rosa Parks' birthday (February 4th!), we take a look at her life, including the importance the Highlander Folk School in Monteagle, Tennessee had on her life and activism. Another connection Parks had to Tennessee were the words spoken by then-Senator Frist as she was lying in state in the US Capitol Rotunda. What About Us? is honored to be a part of the TN Holler Podcast Network.

"Why can't we feed everyone? This is the United States!" You’ve donated or received food assistance during the pandemic, will the need ever end? In this two-part episode, you'll hear from a local community group that uses unused food portions to feed people in their area, and from the Tennessee Justice Center, which defines and discusses the reasons for food insecurity. What can we do to alleviate it now and eliminate it post-pandemic?  Guests: Rick Wright, Director of Dining Services...

How are the responses to AIDS in South Africa and COVID in the US similar and how do we stop denialism before it kills us? Renee Schatteman, Associate Professor of Postcolonial and World Literature at Georgia State University, joins the show to talk about what we can learn from South Africa's mistakes during the AIDS epidemic and their successes in their response to COVID. Cultural considerations come to the podcast! We apologize for a few audio issues in this episode but hope you enjoy the...

Jess Wilson joins again to talk about local food farming programs during the Covid pandemic as well as issues our farmers continue to face as they try to bring income and work equality to a rural industry. Jess' Business:  In Town Organics and Summer Fields National Young Farmers Coalition What About Us? is honored to be a part of the TN Holler Podcast Network.

Perceived problems with the 2020 election are historical but many things like government IDs, long lines, limited hours, closed polling places, intimidation and misinformation have been chipping away at our ability and willingness to vote for years.  We the people will need to overcome voter fraud in all its forms or risk losing our right to self-govern. What About Us? is honored to be a part of the TN Holler Podcast Network.

Dr. John Palisano, former Professor at the University of the South, joins again to talk about the Coronavirus and why it has proven to be so deadly, but also about the amazing science and technology that will bring us vaccines in the next few weeks.  How do vaccines work and why it is so important to get one? Effective and safe - welcome back science, we missed you! What About Us? is honored to be a part of the TN Holler Podcast Network.

All of our great Rural Caucus candidates were defeated.  TNDP Rural Caucus Chair Anne Quillen tells us why Democrats struggle to win in Tennessee.  In reality, we all have many similarities in our ideas and dreams of a good life but when misinformation and divisiveness rule no one will be able to achieve them.  We discuss how Democrats can better get their message to more voters and create a better Tennessee. What About Us? is honored to be a part of the TN Holler Podcast Network.

This is a rebroadcast of the  August 27, 2020 episode of with Dr. Andrea Hatcher.  This election we DO have a clear winner in both the electoral college and popular vote but it hasn’t always been the case. Donald Trump would never have been President if not for the antiquated and un-Democratic Electoral College. Dr. Hatcher also proposes that spreading misinformation about a candidate or election is a form of fraud. What About Us? is honored to be a part of the TN Holler Podcast Network.

We hear "Erasing history" and "destroying our heritage” but what does one family member raised in the South and great-grandson of a revered Confederate General think about the removal of a monument from the public square? Louis Rice joins to discuss. What About Us? is honored to be a part of The TN Holler Podcast Network.

We conclude our interviews with Tennessee state candidates with Dr. Jenn Foley running for House District 65. She summarizes issues and concerns expressed by constituents across the state and the need for relief from the GOP super-majority agenda.  We need more discussion, representation and balance, along with less arrogance and paternalism. Please go out and vote for a better Tennessee for all Tennesseans. What About Us? is honored to be a part of The TN Holler Podcast Network.

Elizabeth Madiera, House Candidate for District 63, discusses the murkiness surrounding the passage of the voucher bill under her opponent Glen Casada’s “leadership”. It’s unpopular, unconstitutional, under investigation by the FBI, and unseated him as leader of the house. We need the General Assembly to be out of the Republican supermajority, better balanced, and more transparent to achieve better legislation. What About Us? is honored to be a part of The TN Holler Podcast Network.

Robyn Deck, candidate for Tennessee's State House District 25, needs better broadband service. It is vital for rural health services, business, and education. So why do so many other things take priority in the General Assembly? Robyn has a plan and we need a change. How about we elect some people with new ideas willing to do the work for rural priorities? What About Us? is honored to be a part of the TN Holler Podcast Network.

Mariah Phillips, candidate for State House Rep in District 37, joins Sandy to talk about what it means to be a “Right to Work” state.  They both urge caution as the General Assembly considers chiseling the law into the Tennessee State Constitution. Unions get a bad rap and low wages have bought many jobs to Tennessee but what are the long-term consequences of handing our future to big corporations? Hasn’t the pandemic uncovered many inequalities in worker’s safety and security? What might...

Candidate Jarvus Turnley for State House District 66 and I talk about legalizing medical marijuana.  A Vanderbilt study reports that 80% of Tennesseans support it and 33 states already do but the GOP General Assembly balks. We also review CBD and THC as well as efforts to decriminalize marijuana possession and criminal justice reform. What About Us? is honored to be a part of the TN Holler Podcast Network.