The Forgotten Country Radio Show

Today's guest is BJ Barham. BJ is best known as the frontman of the Americana country band American Aquarium. Over the last 17 years he has built a reputation as one of the hardest working hardest touring acts in any genre. This summer, he and the band hit the road with the new album titled Chicamacomico. I spoke with him backstage at the tractor Tavern in Seattle, Washington.

Politics today are vicious and nowhere is that more true than on social media. Four years into the Trump presidency and we've all experienced online bullying and online trolling in our own personal lives. Today's guest is Brent Turhune. Brent is comedian based out of Indianapolis, Indiana who has received widespread notoriety for his parody social media account of angry Trump supporter ranting at the camera in a pickup truck. We talk about rural stereotypes, comedy in the Midwest, and satire in the age of Donald Trump.

Today we're talking with Bryce Oates, a rural and agriculture policy writer for outlets like Daily Yonder, Civil Eats, HuffPost, and Outdoor Magazine. We talk about the history of family farm advocacy and how public policy impacts those working to put food on our tables.

On today's episode, we talk with Joe Troop of Che Apalache, a four-man string band based in Buenos Aires with members from Argentina, Mexico and the United States. We talk about bluegrass music, their recent Grammy nomination, and life during coronavirus social distancing. 

Leah Hackleman-Good and Jim Kennedy, co-founders of Buckeye State Rural PAC, dive into the power of grassroots movements in rural areas. They discuss innovative advocacy strategies that prioritize transparency and community involvement. The duo explains the importance of relatable dialogues around pressing issues like healthcare, especially within challenging political landscapes. They also share creative ways to engage rural voters, leveraging billboards to spread awareness despite technological barriers, all while emphasizing grassroots fundraising to support Democratic policies.

Benjamin McKean, a political theorist from The Ohio State University, dives into the fascinating world of populism and its impact on rural America. He explores how economic fairness and factory closures fuel populist sentiments, particularly in Ohio. The conversation tackles the intricate dance between race and class in political identities, emphasizing trust in grassroots engagement. McKean advocates for personal connections in shifting political landscapes and encourages active participation as a means to navigate the uncertainties of today's political climate.

On this episode, we talk with Stephen Smith of WV Can't Wait. For the past six years, Stephen Smith fought for West Virginians as executive director of the West Virginia Healthy Kids and Families Coalition. Now Stephen is taking his fight to the next level and running for Governor of West Virginia.

Today, we’re talking with JD Scholten. JD is a 5th generation Iowan who received national attention in 2018 for his surprise near-defeat of Congressman Steve King in Iowa’s Fourth Congressional District. We talk about King’s history with white nationalism, rural populism, and the role of small town voters in the Iowa upcoming Iowa caucus.

Tony Tost is a screen writer and producer now based in Los Angles. He is the Creator of DAMNATION, a TV series which originally aired on the USA Network and was recently released Netflix. The series explores the little known history of the midwest farmer and labor strikes during the 1930s and is loosely based farmer protest movement the took place the in the rural communities outside Sioux City, Iowa.

Dr. Hannah Walker is an assistant professor of Political Science and Criminal Justice at Rutgers University. She recently co-authored an expert report with Dr. Matt Barreto, Dr. Gabe Sanchez and Janelle Johnson which was submitted to the federal court in the case Brakebill at al. v Jaeger. The report demonstrates that North Dakota's new voter ID law makes it harder for some citizens—specifically Native American citizens—to exercise their right to vote.