Episode 1: Truth, integrity, accountability. A Conversation with The Iowa Taxpayer's Watchdog.

Welcome to a new Paradigm! In the inaugural episode, we are joined by Iowa's State Auditor, Rob Sand. Auditor Rob Sand was elected to his position in Iowa's 2018 elections. Prior to this, he served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Iowa Attorney General's office from 2010 through 2017. Auditor Sand is an individual that holds values of "Truth, Integrity, and Accountability" (as evidenced by his campaign slogan - https://robsand.com/about/ and his personal and professional endeavors throughout his life). As a podcast that looks to focus on "accountability" versus a culture of "shame and blame", we found it imperative that we contact Auditor Sand for an interview. A special thank you to University of Iowa graduate, Andrew Turner, the Public Information Officer for the Iowa Auditor of State Office. Mr. Turner was quick to acknowledge a need for a podcast like Paradigm. It is only through the assistance of Mr. Turner that we were able to set up this interview in such a short time frame! The bulk of the questions asked in this episode were crowd-sourced. We would like to take this time to acknowledge the efforts of Cecilia DeBoeck, Austin Luse, Lauren Coffey, Michael Henkhaus, Nick Chierici, and Scott Tribbey. Going forward, listeners can send any questions, and/or suggestions for interview subjects, to [email protected]. Host: Mohamed Traore. Links to more information, and relevant articles: https://www.auditor.iowa.gov/ | https://robsand.com/about/ https://www.kcci.com/article/iowa-state-auditor-joins-watchdog-group-to-audit-reporting-of-coronavirus-cases/33444909  https://features.desmoinesregister.com/news/politics/50-most-wanted/andrew-turner-election-2020-iowa-caucus-democrats-key-people-to-know.html https://whoradio.iheart.com/content/2020-07-28-survey-shows-health-care-providers-dissatisfied-with-medicaid-in-iowa/ http://oskynews.org/state-auditor-rob-sand-op-ed-in-response-to-covid-19-pandemic/