Under The Desk News with V Spehar

From The Judicial Bench to The Senate with Scott Colom (MS)

In this episode of Beyond the Campaign, Mississippi District Attorney Scott Colom shares his remarkable journey from his childhood in Mississippi to launching his campaign for the U.S. Senate. Scott discusses his experiences in public service, his approach to criminal justice reform, and the values that have shaped his leadership style. He also offers insight into the challenges of running for office, the importance of community engagement, and why authentic, people-centered leadership matters in today's political landscape. This conversation provides a compelling look at Mississippi politics, public service, and the future of leadership in America. What We're Talking About... * Scott Colom's personal background, leadership journey, and motivation for running for U.S. Senate * The economic impact of tariffs on Mississippi businesses, workers, and local communities * Insights from Scott Colom's experience in the judicial system and his approach to criminal justice reform * Why community engagement and grassroots organizing are essential to effective political leadership * The influence of family, personal values, and public service on Scott Colom's campaign * Challenges facing Mississippi voters and opportunities for economic growth and development * Building trust, accountability, and authentic leadership in modern politics * The intersection of public service, policy, and community advocacy * Key issues shaping Mississippi's political landscape and future elections * Lessons on leadership, civic engagement, and serving diverse communities through public office Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Mississippi's Rich Culture 04:02 Scott Colom's Political Journey and Senate Run 06:58 The Impact of Tariffs on Mississippi's Economy 12:59 Personal Background and Family Influence 19:05 The Role of a District Attorney and Criminal Justice Reform 25:00 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations Links Mentioned Scott Colom's campaign website: https://scottcolom.com

California Primary Election with CA Democratic Chair Rusty Hicks

In this bonus episode of Beyond The Campaign, Rusty Hicks, chair of the California Democratic Party, discusses the current political landscape in California as election day unfolds. He emphasizes the importance of voter engagement and the strategies the party is employing to ensure a Democratic candidate advances in the gubernatorial race. The conversation also touches on the challenges ahead for the Democratic Party as they prepare for the midterms, highlighting the need for continued effort and focus on key issues. What We're Talking About... * Rusty Hicks is the chair of the California Democratic Party. * Election day is crucial for voter engagement. * The California Democratic Party aims to send a strong Democrat to the general election. * Concerns about low early ballot counts exist, but primary voters will make their voices heard. * The party is focused on winning additional congressional seats in the midterms. * Proposition 50 provides an opportunity to gain more seats, but action is needed to secure them. * The work of political engagement is ongoing and requires lifelong commitment. * Voter turnout models differ between primaries and general elections. * The next election cycle begins immediately after the previous one ends. * Good trouble is necessary for progress in politics. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Election Day Overview 03:12 California Democratic Party's Strategy and Voter Engagement 05:55 Looking Ahead: Midterms and Future Challenges Links California Democratic Party [https://cadem.org/]

Entrepreneur To Activism with Sara Wiles

In this episode of Beyond the Campaign, host Michelle Glogovac sits down with political content creator and small business owner Sara Wiles to discuss activism, political engagement, and the realities of speaking out in today’s political climate. Sara shares her journey into political advocacy, the risks and challenges of using social media for activism, and how community support fuels meaningful change. Michelle and Sara dive into important conversations about democracy, political burnout, grassroots organizing, the influence of money in politics, and the future of civic engagement. This thought-provoking episode explores the intersection of entrepreneurship, advocacy, and digital activism while highlighting the importance of staying informed, involved, and hopeful during uncertain times. What We're Talking About... * Sara Wiles’s journey from small business owner to political activist and content creator * The risks and rewards of speaking out about politics on social media * How activism, advocacy, and civic engagement impact modern democracy * Strategies for avoiding burnout and maintaining hope in political movements * The influence of money in politics, campaign funding, and Citizens United * The role of community support in grassroots organizing and resistance movements * Navigating political conversations as an entrepreneur and public voice * The future of democracy and the importance of everyday activism * Building online communities focused on political education and change * Staying motivated during challenging political and social climates Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Sara Wiles 00:53 Sara Wiles’s Background and Motivation 01:59 Balancing Business and Political Activism 04:53 The Importance of Using Your Voice 08:16 Managing Personal Well-Being and Burnout 18:50 Why We Are the Right People for Change 33:35 Changing Perspectives on Money and Politics 37:13 Handling Criticism and Online Negativity 38:30 The Power of Kindness and Community Support 40:52 Where to Find and Support Sara Wiles Links Mentioned Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sara_wiles/ [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fsara_wiles%2F&user_uuid=da80a4a6-14ef-4180-9551-8081e29a9c36&stage=1&hmac=3c87de4f6fa555c360d4cc8a6382155fac615434ffaf7511030677afc49768eb] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sararebeccawiles [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsararebeccawiles&user_uuid=da80a4a6-14ef-4180-9551-8081e29a9c36&stage=1&hmac=183cc0fc66c2d521e9e316b61fe32ec9dd40c2c788b0b7d0dd4d1ee1584fb5cb] Threads: https://www.threads.com/@sara_wiles [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.threads.com%2F%40sara_wiles&user_uuid=da80a4a6-14ef-4180-9551-8081e29a9c36&stage=1&hmac=f4747a9bd3631898d60332d3b07f9cef2af4b3aae265b36a1e14ada2e74473d1] Substack: https://substack.com/@sarawiles [https://calendly.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack.com%2F%40sarawiles&user_uuid=da80a4a6-14ef-4180-9551-8081e29a9c36&stage=1&hmac=c1f0f2e5eaf7d2d165bb979e5d4bd73a9bee6ac6318f95267c6011ef83804519]

Pullups, Pasta, & Politics with Robbin

In this episode of Beyond the Campaign, host Michelle Glogovac sits down with political content creator Robbin, the voice behind Pullups, Pasta, & Politics. Together, they dive into the intersection of politics, social media, and everyday life, exploring how recent political and economic decisions are impacting small businesses and local communities across the country. Robbin shares her journey into political content creation, how she built an engaged online audience, and why she’s passionate about making government and policy issues more accessible through social media. The conversation also covers economic uncertainty, civic engagement, digital advocacy, and the growing role of creators in shaping political conversations online. What We're Talking About... * Robbin’s journey creating Pullups, Pasta, & Politics and becoming a trusted political content creator * How tariffs, inflation, and economic policies are impacting small businesses and everyday Americans * Using social media platforms to educate voters, increase civic engagement, and discuss current political issues * Why civics education and understanding how government works are more important than ever * The role of digital creators in shaping political conversations and online activism * Building an engaged online community around politics, advocacy, and public policy * Breaking down complex government and policy topics into accessible, relatable content * The intersection of politics, economics, small business challenges, and social media influence * Encouraging informed voting, political awareness, and community participation * How online political commentary is changing modern civic discourse Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Robbin and her mission 01:39 Impact of tariffs on small businesses 07:34 Origin story of Pullups, Pasta, & Politics 10:29 Importance of political education and engagement 15:08 Community and authenticity among creators 18:14 Strategies for consistent content creation 24:45 Reflections on future advocacy work

BONUS: ROBE Act with Congressman Johnny Olszewski (MD-12)

In this bonus episode of Beyond The Campaign, Congressman Johnny Olszewski discusses the Reform of Bench Eligibility Act (ROBE), a proposed constitutional amendment to impose 18-year term limits on Supreme Court justices. The conversation covers the need for judicial reform, the process of passing a constitutional amendment, and how citizens can get involved. What We're Talking About... * The ROBE Act and its purpose * The ethical lapses and transparency issues in the Supreme Court * The process and challenges of passing a constitutional amendment * The importance of judicial term limits and independence * Citizen engagement and advocacy for judicial reform Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Robe Act 04:03 The Need for Constitutional Amendments 07:06 The Challenges of Implementing Term Limits 10:19 Public Engagement and Support for Reforms 13:00 Personal Connection and Approachability in Politics 17:10 Engaging with the Robe Act and Civic Responsibility Resources Reform of Bench Eligibility Act (ROBE) - https://olszewski.house.gov/media/press-releases/olszewski-introduce-robe-act-establish-term-limits-supreme-court-justices Johnny Olszewski on Twitter - https://twitter.com/JohnnyO The Constitution of the United States - https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution Supreme Court Ethics and Transparency - https://www.example.com/supreme-court-ethics