Ep. 81: How to Win Hearts, Minds, and Maybe a Few Rural Voters

Ep. 84: From Blue-Collar Hero to Political Problem: When the Platner Receipts Drop

(CONTENT WARNING: This show discusses sexual assault and victim blaming) Today on Beyond Resistance, Jennifer and Sarah come in spicy—and honestly, who can blame them? The conversation kicks off with the latest controversy surrounding Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner and quickly evolves into a bigger discussion about politics, accountability, rape culture, and what happens when supporters put candidates on a pedestal instead of evaluating them like actual humans. Jennifer delivers a passionate take on why allegations of sexual assault can't be dismissed with tired victim-blaming questions, while Sarah explores how political fandom can make people cling to candidates long after the red flags start waving like they're directing traffic at an airport. The hosts also dive into the dangers of purity politics and black-and-white thinking. Can people learn and grow? When do past mistakes become disqualifying? And why does social media seem determined to turn every political discussion into the world's least-fun pop quiz? Expect thoughtful reflections, a few uncomfortable truths, and at least one moment where everyone gets called out equally. Then, because this is Beyond Resistance, the conversation pivots from political drama to practical organizing lessons. Specifically: know the rules. Whether you're dealing with candidate replacements, city council meetings, school board battles, redistricting fights, recounts, or convention procedures that make Robert's Rules of Order feel like a punishment devised by ancient bureaucrats, understanding the rules can be a powerful tool for creating change. Along the way, you'll hear stories of grassroots organizing victories, political hacks that are completely legal (the best kind), and why assuming the rules are more restrictive than they actually are can cost your movement real power. If you've ever wondered how movements win, why candidates implode, or how to effectively use your two minutes at a public meeting, this episode has something for you. Hot takes, organizing nerdiness, and a surprising amount of discussion about rules. Classic Beyond Resistance. 🎙️🔥📋 For more on Beyond Resistance and their Blueprint for Building Blue Power: beyondresistancepod.com #Platner #Maine #Strategy

Ep. 83: Fish in the Basement & Other Signs of Unchecked Capitalism: How Storytelling Wins Elections

This week on Beyond Resistance, Sarah and Jennifer are bringing the vibes, the stories, and maybe a few fish-in-the-basement flashbacks. They kick things off by talking about the growing wave of progressive wins around the country and what those victories might mean for the future of Democratic politics. The big takeaway? Voters aren't just looking for a party label anymore—they want fighters, vision, and candidates who actually show up. The conversation then shifts to one of Michigan's hottest political topics: AI, data centers, and who should benefit from the technology revolution. Sarah shares why she's fired up about Dr. Abdul El-Sayed's approach to AI regulation—one that balances innovation, environmental responsibility, and making sure communities, not just billionaires, reap the rewards. But the heart of this episode is all about storytelling. Why do some messages stick while others fade away? Sarah and Jennifer explore how real stories—from campaign trails, front porches, floods, and everyday life—have the power to change minds, build empathy, and move people to action. From conversations with skeptical voters to personal experiences with public assistance and disaster recovery, they show how storytelling turns political talking points into human connection. If you're a candidate, activist, organizer, or just someone trying to make a difference, this episode is your reminder: facts matter, but stories are what people remember. And yes, you'll hear about a MAGA voter, a collapsing fair booth roof, and fish swimming in a flooded basement. Politics is weird sometimes. For more information about Brian Irizarry: https://www.brianirizarry.com [https://www.brianirizarry.com] For more information about Beyond Resistance: https://www.beyondresistancepod.com [https://www.beyondresistancepod.com]

Ep. 82: Cathedral Builders & Chaos Gremlins: Why Democrats Need a Long Game (and Less Drama)

This week, Jennifer and Sarah take a ride through Democratic strategy, primary-season drama, and why Jennifer has officially reached her Hunter Biden saturation point. From hot takes on New York’s political shakeups to a passionate plea for Democrats to stop helping Republicans do their messaging for them, this episode is equal parts organizing wisdom and friendly ranting. Highlights include: • Why authenticity beats focus groups every time. • The danger of treating one candidate as the face of an entire movement. • Abdul El-Sayed’s Michigan-flavored campaign strategy (yes, water-skiing counts as political analysis now). • How purity politics can accidentally sabotage progress. • Why healthy primaries can strengthen a party instead of tearing it apart. • The difference between being right and being strategic. (Spoiler: winning requires both.) The heart of this episode is cathedral building—doing work today for victories that may not arrive tomorrow, next year, or even in your political lifetime. Jennifer and Sarah explore the idea that real change happens when people commit to building something bigger than themselves, election cycle after election cycle. And yes, they reference two Broadway favorites that capture this spirit: • “Keep Marching” from Suffs • “The Story of Tonight” and “The Schuyler Sisters” (which includes the famous theme about planting seeds in a garden you never get to see) from Hamilton Check them out becasue these songs beautifully capture the episode’s core message: sometimes the most important work is building a future you may never personally see. Bottom line: Think long-term. Build relationships. Run candidates. Stay strategic. Stop doom-scrolling. Start cathedral-building. 🏗️🎧 For the Blueprint and more on Beyond Resistance: beyondresistancepod.com

Ep. 81: How to Win Hearts, Minds, and Maybe a Few Rural Voters

What if the secret to saving democracy isn't another viral tweet, campaign ad, or hot take—but a conversation on a front porch? This week on Beyond Resistance, Jennifer and Sarah sit down with Chloe Maxmin—former Maine state senator, co-founder of Dirt Road Organizing, and co-author of Dirt Road Revival: How to Rebuild Rural Politics and Why Our Future Depends on It. Chloe shares why she left elected office, how burnout led her back to organizing, and why rural communities may hold the key to building a stronger, more representative democracy. The conversation dives into deep canvassing, relationship-based organizing, and why treating voters like human beings instead of spreadsheet cells might actually work (wild concept, we know). Chloe explains why values matter more than party labels, why trust is built one conversation at a time, and why the future of progressive power runs straight through rural America. Plus: childhood adventures, lake stories, grass-root eating (literally), and proof that some of the best political lessons come from talking—not shouting. Learn more: 🌱 Dirt Road Organizing: dirtroadorganizing.org ❤️‍🔥 Beyond Resistance: beyondresistancepod.com 🎒 Homework Assignment If this episode lit a fire under you, here's your assignment: 📝 Read Dirt Road Revival by Chloe Maxmin and Canyon Woodward 📝 Add to your reading list: 📘 The Left Behind by Robert Wuthnow 📕 The Politics of Resentment by Katherine Cramer 📝 Have one real conversation with someone whose politics are different from yours. 📝 Don't start with politics. Start with life. Ask about their family, their community, their garden, their worries, or what they're streaming right now. 📝 Listen longer than you talk. Because democracy isn't built by winning arguments. It's built by building relationships. 🌻🚪☕

Ep. 80: Duty Runs Deep (and So Does the Tea on Rural Politics)

This episode of Beyond Resistance is giving ✨road trip energy meets grassroots glow-up✨ as Sarah and Jennifer recap their Rural Summit takeover—complete with a giant hand-drawn Michigan map (shoutout to supportive husbands everywhere) and a whole lotta blue dots in red spaces. The vibes? Hopeful, scrappy, and very “we’re done waiting.” They break down their 5-step blueprint for building blue power in red communities—real talk, not theory. Think: finding your people, doing the actual work, and playing the long game (because spoiler: it’s not a one-election-cycle kinda glow-up). Also: if you think you’re “already doing it,” congrats—but go deeper. There’s always another level. Then enter Ben Ambrose—Marine vet, policy brain, farmer-adjacent realist, and Congressional candidate—who’s here to say: rural communities aren’t red, they’re underrepresented. Key moments: 🌾 Farmers are carrying billions in the economy . . . and also stress, debt, and way too many broken systems 💸 “Livable wage” isn’t a buzzword—it’s the whole ballgame 🧠 Mental health in rural America? Underrated. Underserved. Urgent. 🛠️ Trade schools deserve WAY more respect (and funding, let’s be real) 📞 Campaign tip of the day: get comfy asking for money—awkward builds character Big takeaway: This isn’t about political labels—it’s about people. And if you’re waiting for someone else to fix your community . . . plot twist: it’s you. 💥 Moral of the episode: Don’t wait. Start something. Build something. Be the dang blue dot—and then connect them. To learn more about Ben Ambrose & his campaign: ambrose4congress.com To download the Blueprint or learn more about the pod: beyondresistancepod.com