From Classroom To Congress: Why This Teacher Refuses To Stay Silent

The Conversation Corporate-Backed Politicians Don't Want Us Having

When did politics stop serving people — and start serving donors? Or has it always been that way? In this conversation, I sit down with Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong to talk about the issues that rarely get honest airtime: corporate influence, the truth about Wisconsin's prison stats, and the real-life consequences for working families, and farms, across Wisconsin. Full transparency, this is a system that prioritizes special interests over the people who keep this state, along with every other state across the country, running. From housing and healthcare to labor, accountability, and representation — this is the conversation corporate-backed politics deflect at all costs. Because when people start connecting the dots, power gets uncomfortable. And it's high time we get real comfortable with causing some discomfort for a change. ____________________________________ SHARE THIS EPISODE NOW!! ____________________________________________________ Find today's guest, Francesca Hong, on socials: On IG -> francescahongwi join team hong! -> https://thelink.bio/francescahongwi [https://thelink.bio/francescahongwi] On FB -> Francesca Hong On TikTok -> francescahong On Bluesky -> francescahongwi.bsky.social On YT -> FrancescaHongWI _____________________________________ Other helpful resources: know your rights - https://www.cityofmadison.com/council/district10/blog/2025-11-07/kyr-know-your-rights [https://www.cityofmadison.com/council/district10/blog/2025-11-07/kyr-know-your-rights] VOCES hotline -> 800- 427-0213 DM Francesca for more tips -> @FrancescaHongWI ____________________________________ *intro/outro audio: The Plot Thickens by Joshua Spacht Owner: Soundstripe, Inc. Thank you for subscribing. Share this episode [https://fromdirtwegrow.substack.com/p/the-conversation-corporate-backed?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo0Mjk0MTE3ODksInBvc3RfaWQiOjIwNTk1OTY1NiwiaWF0IjoxNzgzNTE3NjgzLCJleHAiOjE3ODYxMDk2ODMsImlzcyI6InB1Yi03NDAxMjQ0Iiwic3ViIjoicG9zdC1yZWFjdGlvbiJ9.H5CudYgHsD51oLFGliSuc0ydoddDMD6qqOln77-8Cxk&utm_campaign=CTA_3].

The Truth About Reform That "Normalized" Politicians Won't Touch

In this episode I sit down with a true grassroots democrat. Someone who isn't backed by corporations, PAC's, or party elites; but by the people. Juan Arauz joins me for a real life, person to person, candid convo about why meaningful change can't happen in isolation. Healthcare, prison reform, immigration, education, economic policy - they're all connected. There's nothing off the table in this no holds barred talk about accountability, humanity, and how we make real CHANGE happen. Because the problem isn't the people. It's the systems built to help the majority of citizens stay in a cycle of struggle. The silent funnel keeping wealth and power in the hands of the few and away from the many. _______________________________________ Find Juan Arauz on socials: tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thejuancho86] facebook [https://facebook.com/juanarauzforcongress] instagram [https://instagram/juanarauzforcongress] bluesky [https://thejuancho@bsky.social] website [https://www.juanarauz.com] _______________________________________ *intro/outro audio: The Plot Thickens by Joshua Spacht Owner: Soundstripe, Inc. Thank you for subscribing. Share this episode [https://fromdirtwegrow.substack.com/p/the-truth-about-reform-that-normalized?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo0Mjk0MTE3ODksInBvc3RfaWQiOjIwNTk1NzkxMiwiaWF0IjoxNzgzNTE3NjgzLCJleHAiOjE3ODYxMDk2ODMsImlzcyI6InB1Yi03NDAxMjQ0Iiwic3ViIjoicG9zdC1yZWFjdGlvbiJ9.JxAydAcC_VWQoy5CQmJHJLr9pMwAyfJ0tvq0Aodr1v4&utm_campaign=CTA_3].

From Classroom To Congress: Why This Teacher Refuses To Stay Silent

Everyone agrees the system is broken — especially our education system. But how many of us are willing to step up to run against the political big dogs and do something about it? In this episode, I sit down with a congressional candidate from Louisiana who has spent his career inside the classroom, witnessing firsthand how policy decisions made from afar impact students, teachers, and families, every single day. Instead of just complaining, he chose action — running for office to be part of the solution. His main focus for the Bayou State? Improving education and the infastructure within the 4th district, for starters. Today, Matt Gromlich discusses with us why real change requires ordinary people to step up. As well as why that requires everyday people to vote a bit different this time around. This is about leadership, accountability, and choosing to act instead of staying silent. Find today's guest, Matt Gromlich, here: fightersforourfuture.com [https://www.fightersforourfuture.com] _____________________________________ *intro/outro audio: The Plot Thickens by Joshua Spacht Owner: Soundstripe, Inc. Thank you for subscribing. Share this episode [https://fromdirtwegrow.substack.com/p/from-classroom-to-congress-why-this?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo0Mjk0MTE3ODksInBvc3RfaWQiOjIwNTk1NTQwNCwiaWF0IjoxNzgzNTE3NjgzLCJleHAiOjE3ODYxMDk2ODMsImlzcyI6InB1Yi03NDAxMjQ0Iiwic3ViIjoicG9zdC1yZWFjdGlvbiJ9.Q0e9Gqhq2jO7rUOc59zAjLTyzaXL4l41iW_8ms09j_A&utm_campaign=CTA_3].

How One Man Rebuilt After Losing Everything - Including His Sight

There are stories that remind us just how strong the human spirit can be. After a painful divorce, a devastating motorcycle accident that left him with a traumatic brain injury, and a battle with alcoholism, today's guest reached a point where he believed there was no way forward. Following a suicide attempt that left him blind and deaf in one ear, he somehow survived. Most people would assume that was the end of the story. It wasn't. Today, Zach Tidwell is an author, motivational speaker, and podcast host using his experiences to encourage others who are struggling to believe that life can still have meaning after unimaginable loss. In this conversation, we discuss trauma, addiction, resilience, healing, purpose, and what it really takes to rebuild a life one step at a time. If you or someone you know is struggling, know that help is available and that recovery is possible. If this conversation speaks to you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who may need a reminder that hope can still exist—even in life's darkest moments. ___________________________ Find today's guest, Zach Tidwell, on socials: YouTube - @ZachCTidwell [https://www.youtube.com/@ZachCTidwell] Apple - going-in-blind-with-zach-tidwell [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/going-in-blind-with-zach-tidwell/id1787306128] Spotify - spotify.com [https://open.spotify.com/show/51IxT43v95otwaXDkyr6FW] ____________________________ *intro/outro audio: The Plot Thickens by Joshua Spacht Owner: Soundstripe, Inc. Thank you for subscribing. Share this episode [https://fromdirtwegrow.substack.com/p/how-one-man-rebuilt-after-losing?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo0Mjk0MTE3ODksInBvc3RfaWQiOjIwNTk1MjU3OSwiaWF0IjoxNzgzNTE3NjgzLCJleHAiOjE3ODYxMDk2ODMsImlzcyI6InB1Yi03NDAxMjQ0Iiwic3ViIjoicG9zdC1yZWFjdGlvbiJ9.Vb_mzPqQACPPgd3QJ5JbVpFK-oYmY72J47uA2cK2sHQ&utm_campaign=CTA_3].

How One Man Rebuilt After Losing Everything - Including His Sight

There are stories that remind us just how strong the human spirit can be. After a painful divorce, a devastating motorcycle accident that left him with a traumatic brain injury, and a battle with alcoholism, today's guest reached a point where he believed there was no way forward. Following a suicide attempt that left him blind and deaf in one ear, he somehow survived. Most people would assume that was the end of the story. It wasn't. Today, Zach Tidwell is an author, motivational speaker, and podcast host using his experiences to encourage others who are struggling to believe that life can still have meaning after unimaginable loss. In this conversation, we discuss trauma, addiction, resilience, healing, purpose, and what it really takes to rebuild a life one step at a time. If you or someone you know is struggling, know that help is available and that recovery is possible. If this conversation speaks to you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who may need a reminder that hope can still exist—even in life's darkest moments. ___________________________ Find today's guest, Zach Tidwell, on socials: YouTube - @ZachCTidwell [https://www.youtube.com/@ZachCTidwell] Apple - going-in-blind-with-zach-tidwell [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/going-in-blind-with-zach-tidwell/id1787306128] Spotify - spotify.com [https://open.spotify.com/show/51IxT43v95otwaXDkyr6FW] ____________________________ *intro/outro audio: The Plot Thickens by Joshua Spacht Owner: Soundstripe, Inc.