NEW RURAL VIRGINIA PODCAST

Sarah Wells joins New Rural Virginia Podcast to discuss the role of small businesses in driving rural prosperity and the challenges they face in today’s economy. The conversation focuses on limited visibility in policy and data, complex tax and compliance burdens, and uneven access to financing and resources that often hold rural entrepreneurs back. Wells also outlines practical, nonpartisan solutions to better support small businesses, emphasizing the need for tailored policies that reflect the realities of rural communities. Learn more at: www.sarahwellsbags.com

As Virginia votes YES on the redistricting referendum, Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi joins New Rural Virginia Podcast to discuss her vision for the Commonwealth and the initiatives shaping her work in office. The conversation highlights her Literature and Government lecture series and Virginia’s Voices initiative, focused on civic engagement and connecting directly with communities across Virginia. Hashmi discusses disparities in K–12 education funding, pathways in higher education and workforce training, healthcare access, and the importance of broadband and economic opportunity in rural areas. She also addresses support for small businesses, protections for public libraries, and the need to turn community input into practical policy solutions that reflect the everyday needs of Virginians. Learn more at: www.ltgov.virginia.gov

Former Air Force and Space Force Colonel Bree Fram joins New Rural Virginia Podcast to discuss her campaign for Virginia’s 11th District and the upcoming redistricting referendum vote on April 21st. The conversation spans her military service and path to running for Congress, the stakes of redistricting, and the challenge of representing a district that bridges rural and suburban communities. Fram discusses rural prosperity, including healthcare access, infrastructure challenges, and economic stability for farmers, as well as the importance of showing up, listening, and engaging communities across the district. She also addresses how national security decisions shape local economies and outlines her approach to public service and representation.   Learn more at: www.TeamBree.com   DON'T FORGET TO VOTE AND VOTE EARLY! 

The voices of rural Virginia are essential to the future of the Commonwealth. New Rural Virginia Podcast brings conversations with candidates, elected officials, organizers, and community leaders across rural Virginia. Listen anywhere you get your audio and please follow, like, and subscribe to our substack newsletter, "The Rural Angle" Co-hosted by Larry Wohlers and Parson Brown www.NewRuralVa.org

Lyndsay Deitrick and Laura Miller of the Alliance for Appalachia join for a conversation on two decades of work supporting communities across Southwest Virginia and the broader region. The episode highlights ongoing efforts around environmental justice, grassroots organizing, and federal advocacy, while connecting those efforts to the future of rural prosperity, community resilience, and representation from the ground up. After a short break, New Rural Virginia Podcast returns following Larry’s trip to Europe and Parson’s time at the Appalachian Studies Association Conference. Learn more at: www.TheAllianceforAppalachia.org 

Kris Nelson and Jessica Reynolds join New Rural Virginia Podcast discuss the movement to protect Samuels Public Library, the strength of grassroots organizing in rural communities, and how cross-party partnerships can deliver results. They analyze newly drawn district lines, consider implications for the Commonwealth’s civic future, highlight strategies that keep local advocates aligned and effective, and outline priorities ahead for the DPVA Rural Caucus. Learn more: Warren County Democratic Committee: https://www.warrencovadems.org/ Rural Caucus of Virginia: https://www.ruralcaucusdpva.org Virginia Data Center Reform Coalition: https://pecva.org/datacenters

Beth Macy joins New Rural Virginia Podcast for a discussion recorded amid Virginia’s newly released redistricting maps and a rapidly shifting primary landscape. A journalist from Roanoke and bestselling author, Macy reflects on her decision to run in Virginia’s Sixth District, drawing on decades of reporting on rural America. The episode explores rural prosperity, healthcare and education access, workforce challenges, and why lived experience and community voices matter in Congress. Learn more: www.BethMacyforCongress.com

Tom Perriello joins New Rural Virginia Podcast to discuss his return to Virginia’s Fifth District and the need for strong federal leadership. He reflects on the Affordable Care Act, healthcare costs, wages and affordability, and rebuilding opportunity in rural communities. Drawing on his experience working in countries under authoritarian rule, Perriello discusses threats to democratic norms and Congress’s responsibility to act as a check on executive power.   Learn more at: www.TomPerriello.com   Featured song: “Perriello for the Common Good” Written by Brendan Gilmore | Performed by The Perriello Pickers YouTube: Perriello for the Common Good

As Virginia enters a new chapter with the inauguration of Governor Abigail Spanberger, Ken Mitchell joins New Rural Virginia Podcast to discuss his campaign to represent Virginia’s Sixth District in Congress. The conversation explores challenges facing agriculture and small businesses, the importance of listening to rural communities, and how those perspectives inform his vision for Rural Prosperity across the district. Learn more at www.KenMitchellForVirginia.com

Joy Powers returns to help kick off a new year of conversations around new leadership in the Commonwealth and the launch of her new campaign for Congress in Virginia’s 9th District. She shares insights from the campaign trail, reflects on what motivated her run, and joins us for a broader discussion on Rural Prosperity in Virginia.   Learn more at: www.JoyForVA.com

Yes, Virginia, Rural Democrats are Real Closing out 2025, New Rural Virginia Podcast welcomes Pete Barlow, a candidate for U.S. Congress in Virginia’s 6th District, and inaugurates our new Rural Prosperity conversation series with a discussion on the future of the Commonwealth. Learn more: www.pete-barlow.com

Happy Thanksgiving, y’all!      🦃      🎙️      🦅 This week, Larry and Parson have a post-election conversation with Lynlee Thorne, Political Director of Rural GroundGame, on the importance of community voices, the impact of storytelling, and what’s being discussed on the frontlines of rural Virginia. Learn more: www.ruralgroundgame.org jYcu3MkACSJDWS5mYI7n

Roberta Thacker Oliver, Chair of the Virginia Democratic Rural Caucus, joins the New Rural Virginia Podcast to reflect on Election 2025, discuss the future of rural organizing, and share insights on building a stronger, more connected Commonwealth.

As the countdown to Election Day continues, co-hosts Parson Brown and Larry Wohlers follow up with HD 61 candidate Jac Bennington, a teacher, Army veteran, and National Guard pilot. The conversation explores what he is hearing from voters, the tone of this year’s races, and how voices from rural Virginia are shaping campaigns and leadership across the Commonwealth. Learn more about Jac Bennington’s campaign at:   www.benningtonforvirginia.com

Donna Littlepage, candidate for Virginia House District 40, returns to New Rural Virginia podcast to share updates from the campaign trail and discuss the rising cost of living, access to quality healthcare, and the need for bipartisan cooperation in Richmond. As election day approaches, she offers her perspective on the recent government shutdown and the importance of finding common ground in the legislature. Learn more: Littlepage4VA.com

A lifelong Virginian, former mayor, and educator with over 26 years in public education, Mary Person has led initiatives for free community college, first-time homebuyer programs, and safer neighborhoods. She’s focused on strong public schools, accessible health care, and economic growth for all Virginians. Learn more: www.PersonForDelegate.com  

Delegate Josh Thomas is a Marine Corps veteran, attorney, and public servant representing Virginia’s 21st House District. He focuses on equitable housing and accountable growth and shares insights on the impacts of federal funding reductions. Learn more: www.JetforVA.comhttps://seedandspark.com/fund/river-maid#story

Joy Powers, candidate for Virginia House of Delegates District 51, rejoins the New Rural Virginia Podcast to discuss early voting and her H.O.M.E. plan — Healthcare, Opportunity, Market Affordability, and Education.   Learn more: www.JoyForVA.com

Forrest Miller is a 20-year U.S. Army veteran and former White House Communication Agency engineer. A political moderate, he’s running to support local governments, protect healthcare access, defend childhood vaccines, and bring practical leadership to issues like data center development.   Learn more: www.ForrestMiller4va.com   NewRuralVa.org

Senator Tim Kaine joins the New Rural Virginia Podcast to discuss the issues shaping rural communities, the role they play in the future of the Commonwealth, and what’s at stake in this year’s House of Delegates election. Learn more: www.Kaine.senate.gov Produced and co-hosted by Larry Wohlers and Parson Brown www.NewRuralVirginia.org

Shane Boswell brings a record of service and problem-solving, from serving in the U.S. Navy to leading teams in critical infrastructure. He’s running to put that same dedication to work for families in House District 31. Learn more: www.ShaneBoswell.com

Donna Littlepage brings decades of health care leadership, helping grow Carilion Clinic into the largest nonprofit medical system in rural Virginia. She plans to bring that proven leadership to House District 40. Learn more: www.Littlepage4VA.com

Sara Ratcliffe brings decades of effective advocacy to her campaign, focusing on improving healthcare access, expanding rural economic opportunities, strengthening education, and protecting reproductive freedom in House District 62.  Learn more: www.SaraForVirginia.com

Angela Chainer brings over 30 years of leadership in law enforcement, crisis response, and international peacekeeping. She’s focused on rebuilding trust, protecting rural services, and solving issues from the ground up in House District 56. Learn more: angelachainer.com 🎵 Music: No Kings in the USA by Gangstagrass feat. Allison Russell, Demeanor, R-SON, Dolio The Sleuth & Ole! No Kings

Joy Powers is a fourth-generation farmer from Bedford County with firsthand knowledge of rural life. She speaks on strengthening family farms, public schools, rural health care, and infrastructure in House District 51. Learn more: joyforva.com