Beyond Resistance Pod

What happens when you put a Mid-Michigan congresswoman, a microphone, and a conversation about corruption, healthcare, data centers, Social Security, gerrymandering, and why democracy is basically a team sport all in one episode? You get this week's Beyond Resistance. 🎙️Jennifer sits down with Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet for a candid conversation about her first term in Congress, the realities of governing, and why some of the most important work in Washington never makes it to your social media feed. From fighting to keep the Saginaw Social Security office open to taking on corporate tax breaks, protecting healthcare access, and pushing anti-corruption reforms, Kristen shares what she's working on and why it matters to everyday families. They also dive into voter frustration, the importance of lived experience in public office, bipartisan problem-solving, and why giving up on democracy only makes it easier for the wrong people to make the decisions. Plus, a quick lightning round covering hope, Congress, farming, and the future we're leaving for the next generation. Whether you're a political junkie or just someone trying to figure out why everything feels so complicated lately, this episode is packed with real talk, practical insights, and a reminder that politics is ultimately about people.Learn more about Kristen McDonald Rivet, get involved, volunteer, or support her work at: https://kristenmcdonaldrivet.com Beyond Resistance is where hard-won insights meet community-powered action, helping build blue power in red communities and turn frustration into progress.@repmcdonaldrivet

What happens when a teacher, single mom, grandmother, and all-around survivor decides she’s had enough of politics that forgets what real life looks like? You get AnnMarie Horseman.In this episode of Beyond Resistance, Jennifer and Sarah sit down with AnnMarie Horseman, candidate for Michigan’s 95th House District, for a conversation about affordability, healthcare, education, and why lived experience matters in government. From working her first job at 14, to navigating divorce, bankruptcy, Medicaid, childcare costs, and raising a family, AnnMarie shares how those experiences shaped her decision to run for office.The conversation digs into the realities facing Michigan families today: skyrocketing grocery bills, rising housing costs, healthcare expenses, and the challenge young adults face trying to build a life when even full-time jobs don’t always stretch far enough. AnnMarie also talks about public education, protecting democracy, and why she believes Lansing needs more representatives who actually understand what it’s like to budget for groceries, gas, and monthly bills.It’s honest, relatable, occasionally frustrating, and yes, a little funny. Because sometimes the best way to talk about serious issues is with a little humor and a lot of truth.Want to learn more about AnnMarie Horseman? Visit www.annmariehorseman.com or follow AnnMarie Horseman for State Rep 95th on social media, including Instagram at @HorsemanForRep. 🎙️ Tune in and hear why AnnMarie believes representation should come from people who have actually lived the challenges they're trying to solve.

Democracy got on a bus, and we were there for it.In this special episode of Beyond Resistance, we're sharing a recording from a town hall with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed during his It Shouldn't Be This Hard bus tour across Michigan. Introduced by Sarah and attended by community members from across the region, the event focused on the everyday challenges facing Michiganders and what it will take to make life a little less... well, hard.From healthcare and education to affordability, public service, and civic engagement, Dr. El-Sayed takes questions from the audience and lays out his vision for the future. It's part campaign stop, part community conversation, and a reminder that people are still willing to show up, ask tough questions, and demand better answers.No hot takes. No cable news shouting matches. Just real people, real concerns, and a conversation about where Michigan goes from here.Learn more about Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, get involved, or donate at: https://www.abdulisforus.com@abdulelsayed

🎉 Somehow, someway, we made it to Episode 101 of Beyond Resistance. We accidentally skipped celebrating Episode 100, which honestly feels very on-brand for two people juggling politics, community building, perimenopause, podcasts, and occasionally remembering what day it is.This week, Jennifer and Sarah dive into a question a lot of organizers, activists, and frankly, humans are asking right now: Are we running out of outrage?From the concept of outrage fatigue to the shifting Overton Window, they explore what happens when every headline demands your attention, your anger, and your emotional energy. After years of political chaos, protests, organizing, and constant crisis mode, what keeps people engaged when being outraged 24/7 simply isn't sustainable anymore?Along the way, they discuss:• Why outrage can be both a motivator and a manipulation tactic• How communities help us carry the emotional weight of this work• The difference between showing up fueled by anger versus showing up fueled by purpose• Why building relationships matters more than ever• The surprising power of gathering around a campfire when the world feels like it's on fireThere are also important updates about the future of the podcast, reflections on reaching 100+ episodes, and an unexpectedly passionate rant involving a CPAP machine, braces, menopause, and the absolute limits of human patience.The big takeaway? You don't have to be enraged every minute of every day to make a difference. Sustainable change happens when people stay connected, support one another, and keep showing up, even when they're tired.Because sometimes resistance looks less like a protest sign and more like a campfire, a conversation, and a community that refuses to quit. 🔥🎙️💙

🎉 Episode 100 is here! And what better way to celebrate than with a conversation that includes authoritarian tantrums, campaign strategy, family political debates, volunteer wisdom, and an unexpectedly heated argument about whether a hot dog is a sandwich.Jennifer and Sarah kick things off by sharing what's got them fired up this week, from concerns about attacks on press freedom to a deeper conversation about what it really means to be part of a "big tent" political movement. Can people passionately disagree on a few issues while still working together toward common goals? Turns out, that's kind of the whole point.Then they tackle a question every organizer eventually faces: When do you stop trying to persuade someone? Whether it's a voter, a volunteer, a family member, or that guy who keeps arguing just to argue, they share real-world stories from the front lines of organizing in red communities. You'll hear lessons about reading the room, protecting your energy, planting seeds instead of forcing change, and knowing when your time is better spent elsewhere.Along the way, expect stories about door knocking adventures, conversations with stubborn relatives, volunteer boundaries, and why time and energy are often more valuable than money in politics.And because this is Beyond Resistance, things wrap up with a completely serious and highly consequential debate: Is a hot dog actually a sandwich? The answer may determine the future of democracy. (Okay, maybe not. But it gets surprisingly passionate.)If you've ever wondered how to build community, change minds, and stay sane while doing it, this one's for you. 💙🌭🎙️

This week on Beyond Resistance, Sarah and Jennifer sit down with Chris Girard, Mayor of Bay City and candidate for Michigan State House District 96, for a conversation that covers everything from infrastructure and economic growth to foster parenting, Pokémon cards, and yes... zombie runs. Chris shares the story behind his decision to run for state office, rooted in a deep love for his community, his family, and a desire to create opportunities that keep young people in Michigan instead of watching them pack up and leave. With five adopted daughters, 13 grandchildren, and decades of community service, he brings a perspective focused on solutions rather than political point-scoring. The conversation dives into some of Bay County's biggest challenges, including infrastructure, job creation, population decline, and the growing need for leaders who can listen across political divides. Chris talks about why effective leadership starts with hearing people out, finding common ground, and focusing on what actually improves lives instead of winning the latest social media argument. Along the way, you'll hear about pickle festivals, line dancing in the street, supporting local communities, and how handing out Pokémon cards became part of the mayoral toolkit. Because apparently civic engagement works even better with collectibles. And of course, we wrap up with the Beyond Resistance tradition of talking about fall favorites, from apple picking and Halloween decorations to giant pumpkin farms and football season. To learn more about Chris: girardformichigan.com

What’s the most valuable resource in a political campaign?Hint: It’s not money.It’s candidate time.This week on Beyond Resistance, Jennifer and Sarah dive into one of the biggest mistakes campaigns make: spending precious hours on activities that feel productive but don't actually move votes, build relationships, or raise meaningful amounts of money.From the infamous ritual of fundraising "call time" to the power of community-based organizing, they break down why authentic relationships consistently outperform cold calls and cookie-cutter campaign tactics. If you've ever wondered why some candidates seem to be everywhere at once while others disappear into spreadsheets and Zoom meetings, this episode is for you.Along the way, they talk about Michigan's high-profile U.S. Senate race, laugh about a debate that featured one candidate and one very empty podium, take a trip down organizing memory lane, and share lessons learned from years of grassroots campaigning in deep-red territory. You'll hear practical ideas for:- Building relationships instead of transaction lists- Raising money without living on the phone -Creating meaningful voter conversations- Making the most of limited campaign time- Thinking long-term about building blue powerPlus, Sarah shares a little campaign secret: despite raising hundreds of thousands of dollars during her campaigns, she never bought into the traditional call-time playbook. The results might surprise you. If you're organizing, running for office, volunteering, or just trying to turn your corner of the map a little bluer, this episode is packed with hard-won lessons and a few laughs along the way.📘 Grab our Blueprint for Building Blue Power: https://beyondresistancepod.com/the-blueprint-1⭐ If you enjoy the show, subscribe, follow, and leave a 5-star review. It helps more people discover the podcast and helps us continue building blue power in red communities.

Who needs cable news when your political analysis comes with relatable stories, common sense, and a healthy dose of "what does this actually mean for my life?" 🤷‍♀️This week on Beyond Resistance, Jennifer and Sarah sit down with Florida-based political content creator and activist Sara Wiles to talk about the growing influence of creators in politics, why storytelling matters more than policy jargon, and how social media can be both a dumpster fire and a powerful tool for building democracy.From living in a deep red state to building a large online audience, Sara shares how she helps people cut through misinformation, understand what's happening in politics, and find meaningful ways to take action. The conversation dives into the future of political engagement, the opportunities Democrats are missing online, and why authentic human stories connect with people far more than talking points ever will.They also tackle the challenges of content creation, the importance of community, and the reality that most political creators are running on passion, caffeine, and pure stubborn determination.Plus, Sara shares some of the best advice we've ever heard for people who want to get involved but aren't sure where to start!If you've ever wondered how to stay informed without losing your mind, how creators are reshaping political conversations, or how ordinary people can make an extraordinary impact, this episode is for you.Connect with Sara Wiles📱 Instagram: @sara_wiles🔗 YouTube, Substack, and more: Find all her links through her Instagram profile.And don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and keep building blue power in your community. 💙@sarawiles4118

This week on Beyond Resistance, Sarah and Jennifer dive into one of their favorite topics: community building, and why it beats transactional politics every single time. Drawing from years of organizing, they unpack how real relationships, not just voter lists and door-knocking quotas, are what actually turn red communities blue. From campaign fundraising and volunteer recruitment to leadership development and running for office, this episode explores the difference between asking people to complete a task and inviting them to join a movement. The hosts share stories from their own organizing journeys, including how community-first organizing helped flip Midland from a deep-red stronghold into a blue community.They also get personal, reflecting on friendship, loss, and the unexpected connections that grow when you invest in people instead of transactions. Spoiler alert: community building is about a lot more than winning elections. It is about creating a support system, finding purpose, and building something that lasts. If you've ever wondered how to start building power where you live, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, a few laughs, and some hard-earned lessons from the trenches.📘 Check out our Blueprint for Building Blue Power and learn how to start organizing in your own community: https://beyondresistancepod.com/the-blueprint-1⭐ Love the show? Help us fight the algorithm overlords! Subscribe, follow, and leave us a 5-star review wherever you listen. Every review boosts our visibility and helps more people discover the tools they need to build blue power and start winning.#BeyondResistance #CommunityBuilding #BluePower #GrassrootsOrganizing #StartWinning

This week on Beyond Resistance, we sit down with Rep. Aftyn Behn, Tennessee State Representative, organizer, activist, and all-around professional needle mover. From getting arrested while standing up to corrupt politicians to flipping the script on what winning looks like in deep red territory, Aftyn brings the kind of energy that makes you want to knock a few doors and maybe start a movement before lunch. We dig into why local organizing still matters, how policy campaigns like Pot for Potholes, End the Grocery Tax, and Children Over Checks are changing the conversation in Tennessee, and why "just go vote" is not a strategy. Aftyn shares hard-earned lessons about building coalitions, meeting people where they are, and creating permission structures for voters to think differently. We also talk about grief, legacy, and what it means to "care loudly" in a political moment that often rewards cynicism. Inspired by the recent loss of beloved community volunteer Gisela Bailey, this conversation is a reminder that real change is built by everyday people who keep showing up. Favorite quote:"Politics is about planting seeds that you may never see grow."If you're looking for a dose of hope, honesty, and practical organizing wisdom with just the right amount of righteous outrage, this episode's for you.🔗 Learn more about Aftyn and her campaigns: https://www.aftynbehn.com/ #BeyondResistance #Organizing #TennesseePolitics #CareLoudly #BlueInRedPlaces #PotForPotholes #EndTheGroceryTax@AftynBehn