Hi friends,
Welcome to a new season of the Freedom Over Fascism podcast! (Seasons are arbitrary…I start a new season after I’ve taken a break from interviewing for a month or 6 weeks)
This is my conversation with Mayor Zeb Smathers, a New DEAL Leader, on local politics in a mountain mill town, where your constituents know where you live, where you grocery shop, and how to find you. He talks about the focus on solutions rather than scoring partisan political points. We discuss the importance of local politics in the midst of a toxic national political environment. Because in a lot of red America, Project 2025 is already being implemented.
As we move into “the silly season,” before the November election, I’ll have a lot to say about the Presidential election, the Harris/Walz ticket, messaging, and the best way to contribute your time, treasure, and enthusiasm. The podcast will continue to focus on building power at the local and state level with calls to action and messaging to use with your neighbors, co-workers, and friends.
Today I talked to David Callahan, publisher of Blue Tent, where he helps donors decide where to invest their money in progressive politics. Spoiler: it’s not candidates, it’s power building organizations in battleground states and in regions of larger states where winning a few House districts could change the balance of power in the Congress. That episode will drop next week. And I have several more great interviews scheduled.
Please let me know if there are people you’d like to hear from, and I’ll try to make it happen. Extra points if you can introduce me. Triple points if it’s a woman.
Thank you for your support for my newsletter and podcast. It means the world to me.
All Politics is Local. Canton, NC Mayor Zeb Smathers on respect, solutions, and getting the job done. Ep 61