Beyond Resistance Pod

This week’s episode is what happens when your guest cancels and you hit record anyway—aka pure, unfiltered chaotic good energy. Sarah and Jennifer dive headfirst into a grab bag of what’s breaking their brains (and maybe yours too).✨ Main character energy topics include:• Gerrymandering rage (yes, still 😒) and why it’s not just annoying—it’s fundamentally messing with representation.• “Outrage fatigue” being VERY real. Like, how many times can you yell at the news before you need a nap?• Fear vs. hope in politics: fear gets clicks but hope actually builds movements (and wins elections 👀).• That viral “draft panic” moment and how misinformation + vibes = unnecessary spiraling.💡 Hot take: Fear isn’t just a feeling—it’s a strategy. And when we’re exhausted and scared, we’re way easier to manipulate. Love that for us. (Just kidding, we hate it here.)But not all is doomscrolling and despair:• Campaigns rooted in hope and vision (not mudslinging) are having a moment.• Locally, positive, people-first organizing is where the real magic happens.• Exhibit A: the Blue Gala glow-up—from “should we even do this?” to sold-out, big-money, big-energy community power.🎯 Big takeaway: Stay aware, question the panic, lead with hope, and keep showing up. Because building power locally isn’t a one-season show—it’s a long game, baby.🎧 Come for the political tea, stay for the relatable exhaustion and occasional existential dread (but like, make it productive).To learn more about Beyond Resistance and the Blueprint for Building Blue Power: beyondresistancepod.com#BluePower #Grassroots #CommunityBuilding

This week on Beyond Resistance, Sarah and Jennifer sit down with Ashley Painter—a mom, photographer, social worker-in-progress, and absolute powerhouse running for South Carolina State House in a district that’s . . . let’s just say not exactly a walk in the park.Ashley didn’t come from political privilege—she came from foster care, real-life struggle, and a deep understanding of what it means when government actually fails people. And instead of yelling into the void (relatable), she decided to run for office. Casual.In this episode, we get into:• Why running in a deep red, gerrymandered district still matters (spoiler: it matters A LOT)• How leaving seats uncontested = literally handing over power (hard pass)• The real barriers to running for office—like childcare, low pay, and systems built for literally anyone except normal people• What happens when you challenge an extremist incumbent . . . and he suddenly starts writing you handwritten letters 👀Ashley breaks it down: this isn’t just about winning one election—it’s about showing up, shifting the narrative, and making sure voters actually have a choice. Because democracy without options? Not the vibe.Also, yes—there’s talk of Star Wars, soup supremacy, and crocheting, because we’re multidimensional humans, thank you very much.✨ Bottom line: Even when the odds are stacked, stepping up is how we start to win. Or at the very least, how we stop losing quietly.🎧 Hit play if you believe “impossible” is just a phase.To learn more about Ashley's campaign: ashleypainter.comTo find the Blueprint for Building Blue Power and more visit: beyondresistancepod.com

Fresh off a BIG special election win (like . . . historic-level big), we’re not taking a victory lap—we’re hitting replay on how it happened and what comes next.In this episode of Beyond Resistance, we’re joined by Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel to break down the anatomy of a landslide and why grassroots energy is having a moment right now. From 10,000 doors knocked in just four days to voters literally caravanning to the polls (!!), this win wasn’t luck—it was people-powered momentum.We dig into what actually moved voters (hint: not jargon, but real “kitchen table” issues people are living every day) and why campaigns need to stop obsessing over quantity and start focusing on quality conversations. Also: why writing off “unwinnable” areas is a losing strategy—and how showing up everywhere is the real cheat code.There’s also a reality check: wins like this don’t magically become “blue waves.” You build them. Sustain them. Then do it all over again.Oh—and because we keep things fun, we wrap with election day superstitions (including White Castle burgers as a winning strategy 🍔💀).TL;DR:Grassroots works. Authenticity wins. Doomscrolling loses.If you’ve been waiting for a sign to get off the couch and into the fight . . . this is it. 🚀To learn more about Beyond resistance and the Blueprint for Building Blue Power: beyondresistancepod.com@MIDemocraticParty

Episode Notes: Midterm Mode Activated 🚀 + A Big Win (But No Chill Yet)We’re back, and yeah . . . it’s official: midterm mode is ON. Like, two-feet-on-the-gas, cancel-your-chill-plans ON . . .In this episode, we sit down with Senator-elect Chedrick Greene—Marine vet, retired firefighter, community-rooted leader, and honestly . . . kind of the main character right now—fresh off a major special election win in Michigan’s 35th district. And when we say big win, we mean BIG. Think flipping expectations, winning across communities, and turning “Dems can't win in Midland” into “hold my clipboard.” But before you pop the champagne—Chedrick is very clear: this is not a victory lap moment. It’s a “cool, now double the work” situation. The November election is coming fast, turnout will be way higher, and the fight is just getting started.We get into:📋 What election night really feels like (spoiler: zero sleep + all the feelings)📋 How authentic, no-script conversations beat polished talking points every time📋 Why connecting across differences isn’t just nice—it’s effective📋 Leading with empathy in a world that low-key rewards the opposite📋 And how grassroots energy (aka real people doing real work) still winsAlso: there’s a moment about therapy, growth, and being human that hits harder than your group chat at 2am. Just saying. Bottom line: this episode is part celebration, part reality check, and part “okay, let’s get back to work.”Because winning once? Great.Winning again? That’s the assignment. ✔️Hit play, get inspired, and maybe text your group chat: “we canvassing or what?”To learn more about Chedrick Greene: chedrickgreene.comTo learn more about Beyond Resistance and the Blueprint for Building Blue Power: beyondresistancepod.com

Okay, so . . . we did a thing.Chedrick Greene won—and not in a squeaker, not in a nail-biter, but in a full-on “wait, is that number correct??” kind of way. 🎉In this episode of Beyond Resistance, we’re breaking down what actually happened in Michigan’s 35th—and spoiler alert: it wasn’t luck, vibes, or a last-minute campaign miracle.This was years in the making. Like . . . a decade of organizing, relationship-building, losing, learning, and showing up anyway kind of years.We get into:💖 Why the “they just had more money” excuse is… let’s call it creative fiction💖 How a district that barely leaned blue suddenly swung nearly 20 points (yes, really)💖 What it felt like to be in the room when the win finally hit (tears, cheers, mild disbelief)💖 And why Republicans saying “we didn’t even try” might not be the flex they think it is 😅We also zoom out with Senator Darrin Camilleri to talk about the bigger picture: how you identify winnable places, why organizing in “red” communities actually works, and what it takes to build something that lasts longer than a single election cycle.Bottom line: This isn’t just a win—it’s proof that the long, unglamorous, frustrating work of building power actually pays off.And yeah . . .we’re a little fired up about it. 💙🔥To learn more about Chedrick Greene: chedrickgreene.comTo learn more about Senator Darrin Camilleri: darrincamilleri.comTo learn more about Beyond Resistance and download the Blueprint: beyondresistancepod.com#Michigan #Senate #Politics #Midterms

Change is hard. Democracy is messy. And sometimes your biggest resistance comes from . . .your own side. 😬This week on Beyond Resistance, hosts Sarah Schulz and Jennifer Austin get fired up (shocking, we know) talking about what happens when grassroots candidates start winning—and the political establishment absolutely does not take it well.Enter Joanna Whaley, a Michigan State House candidate who is doing the radical thing of actually centering her community, knocking doors, and talking about real issues instead of playing inside-baseball politics. The result? Momentum, excitement, and some truly unhinged pushback that takes the conversation way off the issues and into the “are we seriously doing this?” zone.This episode unpacks the realities of Democratic primaries, entitlement in politics, and why attacking someone’s identity is a giant red flag for anyone claiming to believe in democracy. Joanna, meanwhile, stays refreshingly focused on service, representation, and showing up—because that’s what voters actually care about.It’s candid. It’s spicy. It’s occasionally a little ragey. And it’s also a powerful reminder that building real political power means choosing courage over comfort and people over ego.If you like your politics honest, your candidates authentic, and your podcasts with a side of righteous side-eye, this one’s for you. 🎧🔥To learn more about Joanna's campaign: joannawhaley.comTo download the Blueprint and learn more about Beyond Resistance: beyondresistancepod.com

What if the secret to winning elections is . . . running everywhere, even where Democrats “can’t win”? 👀This week on Beyond Resistance, we’re joined by Michele Hornish, founder and executive director of Every State Blue, to blow up some tired political myths and make a bold case for funding candidates in the reddest of red districts.Michele breaks down why progressive organizing, grassroots fundraising, and local elections matter way more than the political establishment admits. We talk about her “bottom‑up bathtub” funding model (yes, it’s a thing), why uncontested races are quietly killing democracy, and how even a few thousand dollars can spark a butterfly effect that shifts culture, turnout, and long‑term power.Along the way, we cover:💖 Why “winnability” is wildly overrated in modern politics💖 How state legislatures became laboratories for extremism💖 The difference between voter suppression and voter depression💖 Why accountability starts with simply showing up on the ballot💖 How running a dignified campaign can change a community—even if you loseThis episode is a must‑listen for anyone who’s tired of Democrats playing defense while extremists run unopposed. It’s smart, hopeful, a little spicy, and full of real talk about building blue power in red and rural America.If you believe democracy works better when people actually have choices—and that there’s more than one way to “win”—this one’s for you. 🎧To find out more about Every State Blue: everystateblue.orgTo download the Blueprint for Building Blue Power: beyondresistancepod.com#BluePower #ContestEveryRace #RunForSomething

- - What happens when you bring a behavioral scientist, a rigged map, and a whole lot of “why are we still doing it this way?” energy into one political podcast episode? Absolute fire. 🔥This week on Beyond Resistance, we’re joined by Kate Barr — organizer, founder of the Can’t Win Victory Fund, and the woman who famously ran as an openly fake Republican to expose gerrymandering from the inside. Yes, really.We dive into why losing elections can actually be a winning political strategy, how gerrymandered districts warp democracy, and what it really takes to build progressive power in red states. From North Carolina to Michigan, this conversation gets honest about electoral reform, grassroots organizing, unaffiliated voters, and why the Democratic establishment keeps missing obvious opportunities to win.Along the way, we talk about:- Gerrymandering and redistricting (because democracy deserves better maps)- Why political norms are overrated when democracy is on the line- How to organize in deep-red districts without losing your mind- Fighting for fair elections, voting rights, and long-term political strategy- What it means to “bring a knife to a knife fight” in modern American politicsIf you’re into progressive politics podcasts, election reform, independent voters, or stories about people breaking the rules to fix democracy — this episode is for you. It’s smart, slightly unhinged (in the best way), and deeply hopeful.🎧 Hit play, ruffle some feathers, and let’s talk about how to actually win.To learn more about Kate Barr and the Can't Win Victory Fund: www.cantwinvictoryfund.comTo learn more about Beyond Resistance and the Blueprint for Building Blue Power: www.beyondresistancepod.com#BluePower #CantWin #Politics #midterms2026

What do dragons, Disney adults, and a sheriff running for governor have in common?Apparently . . . this episode of Beyond Resistance.Hosts Sarah Schulz and Jennifer Austin kick things off fired all the way up—processing the heavy reality of misogyny, online radicalization, and why being a woman in modern politics can feel like playing defense 24/7. From there, they pivot to something we desperately need in this political moment: hope that doesn’t feel fake.Enter Sheriff Chris Swanson, Genesee County’s top cop, longtime union member, national voice on criminal justice reform, and candidate for Michigan governor. In one of our most grounded and human conversations yet, Swanson talks about servant leadership, why actions matter more than party labels, and how you actually build trust across political divides—especially in red communities.This episode dives into progressive politics, grassroots organizing, and what it really means to build blue power in red areas without talking down to people. You’ll hear about Swanson’s nationally recognized IGNITE jail education program, coalition‑building that leads to real voter crossover, and why meeting people where they are is the future of Democratic strategy.And yes—you’ll also hear about Auto World, Disney World, and why paying attention to vibes might be an underrated political skill.If you’re into political podcasts, Democratic strategy, state and local politics, or how to win elections without selling your soul, this episode is for you.Listen in, stay curious, and—when the moment calls for it—be the dragon. 🐉🎧To find out more about Sheriff Swanson's campaign: swansonformichigan.comTo check out more on Beyond Resistance and download the Blueprint for Building Blue Power: beyondresistancepod.com

This week on Beyond Resistance, Sarah and Jennifer are fresh off what can only be described as a ✨Very Democratic✨ long weekend in Detroit — and they have thoughts.From a boho Airbnb near Eastern Market to Broadway tears at Suffs, to heels, hats, marching bands, DJ booths, and yes . . . Robert’s Rules of Order, this episode is your inside scoop on the Michigan Democratic Party’s record breaking nominating convention. (Over 7,200 people! Democracy said “bring snacks.”)They break down the big wins (hello, progressive sweep 👋), the surprise moments, the speeches that brought the room to its feet, and the boos that absolutely did not — plus why both can be true at the same time. You’ll hear reflections on Garlin Gilchrist, Eli Savit, Abdul El Sayed, Mallory McMorrow, Haley Stevens, and why joy, hoopla, and a little chaos might actually be part of doing democracy right.There’s also a candid convo about movement tensions, generational dynamics, political theater (literal and figurative), tech snafus, ranked choice voting superfans, and why peanut butter M&Ms are a critical failure point in any convention planning.Oh — and Jennifer got an award, Sarah brought a cooler, and Beyond Resistance tabled at the convention chatting with rural Dems building blue power where it’s hardest (and most necessary).If you’ve ever wondered what a modern political convention really looks like — messy, loud, joyful, exhausting, and hopeful — this episode is for you.Democracy is a team sport. Come hang out. 💙🙌To learn more about Beyond Resistance and download the Blueprint: 5 Steps for Building Blue Power got to: beyondresistancepod.com#MichiganPolitics #Democrat #BluePower #Podcast