Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast Right-Wing Radicalization in a Fractured America with Beth Macy
34 snips
Oct 28, 2025 
Beth Macy, an investigative journalist and author known for her works on rural America and addiction, dives deep into the transformation of Urbana, Ohio. She shares personal reflections on returning home and highlights the stark economic changes affecting local community dynamics. The conversation delves into how deindustrialization and media decline have shaped political views, while emphasizing the importance of education and community ties. Macy also tackles the challenge of maintaining relationships across political divides, showcasing stories of resilience and decency in the face of fragmentation.
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From One-Factory Town To Corporate Ownership
- Beth Macy describes Urbana as a one-factory town dominated by Grimes Manufacturing when she grew up.
- She recounts how the company collapse changed local oversight and community support structures.
Labor Problems Signal Deep Social Decline
- Remaining manufacturers struggle to retain punctual, reliable workers in post-industrial towns.
- Social indicators like mental-health calls and foster-care cases have risen sharply since Macy left.
Half-Time Band Shrinkage As A Canary
- The high school band shrank from full-division members to spelling only O-H using younger students.
- Macy uses this as a vivid sign of a hollowed-out middle class and deteriorating school resources.
