The Recovered Republican Podcast

In this episode of The Recovered Republican, Brianna sits down with Jordan J. Herrera, a Democrat running for Congress in Missouri’s 4th Congressional District. MO‑04 is a district shaped by rural communities, military families, agricultural labor, and years of political neglect — and Jordan is stepping forward with a message centered on service, accountability, and actually showing up for the people who live there.This conversation digs into:* why Jordan decided to run,* what he’s hearing from voters across the district,* how national narratives overlook communities like MO‑04,* and what it takes to build a campaign in a place pundits love to write off.If you’re tired of the idea that some districts “don’t matter” or that democracy is only worth fighting for in easy races, this episode is for you. Jordan brings a grounded, real‑world perspective shaped by lived experience — not culture‑war theatrics — and his story resonates far beyond Missouri.To support the show and get bonus content, behind‑the‑scenes updates, and early episode drops, you can subscribe on Substack. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Recovered Republican, Brianna sits down with Gabrianna Gratzol, a Democrat running for Indiana Senate District 11. Together, they dig into the issues Hoosiers are talking about every day — and the ones they should be.From school vouchers and data centers to taxes, infrastructure, accountability, and government spending, this conversation breaks down how policy decisions shape real lives across Indiana. Gabrianna shares her perspective as a candidate and community advocate, offering insight into what’s at stake and why these topics matter for families, workers, and neighborhoods across the state.If you’re looking for a grounded, accessible conversation about the future of Indiana, this episode delivers. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Brianna sits down with Nick Marshall, a Democrat running for Indiana Senate District 45, whose life story is as powerful as his policy vision. Growing up in the foster care system, Nick learned early what instability feels like—and what it means to fight for a future no one hands to you. His journey from surviving childhood adversity to stepping up as a candidate is a testament to grit, hope, and the belief that Hoosiers deserve better.Together, we dig into the issues that shape daily life across Indiana:* Affordability and why so many families feel like they’re falling behind* Healthcare access, especially for rural and working‑class communities* Childcare, and the impossible math parents are forced to do* Economic stability, and what it takes to build a state where people can thrive* Lived experience, and how Nick’s background fuels his commitment to public serviceNick brings honesty, heart, and a grounded understanding of what everyday Hoosiers are facing. If you care about leaders who know struggle firsthand—and who are ready to fight for real change—this conversation is one you won’t want to miss. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

Meet Devon Wellington, a democrat running in Indiana’s House district 29: Noblesville and some of Fishers. Hear from Devon about healthcare, the energy crisis, housing crisis, and more. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Recovered Republican, Brianna sits down with Kirsten Root, a Democratic candidate running for Indiana State Senate in District 21. Root, a social worker and La Porte native now living in Sheridan, has built her campaign around a clear guiding belief: Hoosier families deserve systems that support stability — not ones that make life harder.Their conversation moves through the issues shaping daily life in Indiana, from the pressures facing working families to the gaps in services that leave too many people struggling on their own. Root brings the perspective of someone who has sat with families in crisis, listened to their stories, and seen firsthand what happens when policy fails to meet real‑world needs.The discussion also opens space for something deeper: grief. Together, Brianna and Kirsten talk about how loss shapes us, how it informs the way we show up for others, and why empathy matters in public service.This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Brianna talks with Destiny Wells — attorney, veteran, and longtime public servant — about her campaign for Congress. Destiny breaks down why she’s running, what’s at stake for Indiana, and how her experience shapes the issues she wants to tackle in Washington. It’s a clear, grounded conversation about leadership, accountability, and the future she believes Hoosiers deserve.This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

Meet Nate Stout, a democrat running out of Indiana House district 38. This district includes Tipton, Russiaville, Flora Delphi, and parts of Battle Ground. He is fighting for a better future for Hoosiers. Hear his idea for a better Indiana this week on The Recovered Republican This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

Hear form Sarah Shydale, a democrat running for Indiana House District 97. This district includes the majority of downtown Indianapolis, Garfield Park, West Indianapolis. To hear her other interviews from this event, check out PIN’s HoosLeft and Hold’em Accountable. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

Hear from Carl Stutsman, an Indiana Democrat running for Indiana House District 48. This district includes Elkhart and Bristol. To hear the other interviews Carl did that day, checkout PIN’s HoosLeft and Hold’em Accountable. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

Hear from Lilliana Young, a democrat running in Indiana House District 61. This district encompasses Bloomington. To hear her other interview from our event, check out PIN: HoosLeft and Hold’em Accountable on Substack. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

Hear from Ashley, a democrat running for Indiana House 16. This district includes: Monticello, Brookston, Rensselaer, North Judson, and Winamac. To hear his other interviews check out PIN: HoosLeft and Hold’em Accountable on Substack. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

Hear from Micheal Potter, a democrat in Indiana running for House District 47. This district includes: Bargersville, Franklin, Marion, Trafalgar, Mt Pleasant, Fountaintown, Fairland, and Edinburgh. To hear his other interviews from the event, check out PIN: HoosLeft and Hold’em Accountable on Substack. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

Hear from Tabitha, a democrat running in Indiana’s 8th district. This includes: Cliton, Terre Haute, Brazil, all the way down the west side of Indiana to Evansville. To hear all her interviews from the event check out PIN: HoosLeft & Hold’em Accountable on substack. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

Hear from Austing Meives, a democrat running for Indiana State House 23 (Puru, Logansport, Miami County). This interview comes from our event Portraits and Perspectives. To hear the rest of Austin’s Interviews check out PIN: HoosLeft and Hold’em Accountable on substack. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

Hear from Jackson Franklin, a democrat running in Indiana’s 5th congressional district. This interview is from our event Portraits and Perspectives. To hear the other 2 interview Jackson completed that day, check out the PIN Network: Hoosleft and Holdem Accountable. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

This episode features a direct, human conversation with Thomas D. Hall Jr., whose work in Indiana communities gives him a clear view of what families are facing and what real leadership requires. We talk about economic pressure, neighborhood safety, and rebuilding trust in systems that have failed too many people for too long. It’s an honest look at what it means to lead with empathy—and why Indiana’s future depends on it.Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it.This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I sit down with Cinde Wirth for a thoughtful, candid conversation about what it means to lead with integrity in a state that desperately needs it. Cindi brings a clear, grounded perspective shaped by years of community involvement, public service, and a deep understanding of what Hoosier families are actually facing.We talk about the issues that don’t always make headlines but shape everyday life — from economic stability to public education to the importance of showing up for people who feel unheard. Cinde’s approach is refreshingly practical and rooted in lived experience, not political theater.This isn’t a soundbite interview. It’s a real conversation about what’s possible when leaders choose transparency, compassion, and accountability over partisanship. If you’re looking for a hopeful, substantive discussion about Indiana’s future, you’ll want to hear this one. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I sit down with Cindi Clayton for a candid, generous, and deeply grounded conversation about what it means to show up for your community — not in theory, but in the day‑to‑day realities of work, family, advocacy, and the systems we’re all trying to navigate.Cindi brings a perspective shaped by lived experience, local engagement, and a clear-eyed understanding of what Hoosiers are facing right now. We talk about the issues that keep people up at night, the gaps that too many families fall through, and the small but powerful ways ordinary people can push for change.This isn’t a soundbite interview. It’s a real conversation — the kind that reminds you why voices like Cindi’s matter, and why listening to each other still counts for something.If you’re looking for a thoughtful, honest, and refreshingly human take on the challenges and possibilities in Indiana, you’ll want to hear this one. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

In this bonus episode of The Recovered Republican, we’re digging into a story that should have everyone’s attention — no matter your politics. Six Democratic lawmakers were recently spared by a grand jury after facing an attempted prosecution tied to statements they made about military conduct. What happened, why it happened, and what it means for free speech and democratic norms is far bigger than one case or one party.I’m joined by attorney — and my husband — Brandon Newhart, who helps break down the legal landscape, the implications for political speech, and why this moment is a warning sign for anyone who cares about constitutional rights. Together, we unpack how cases like this shape public trust, civic engagement, and the boundaries of government power.If you care about accountability, civil liberties, or the future of political discourse in Indiana and nationwide, this is an episode you don’t want to skip. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

Tracie pulls back the curtain on what it was like to live through the COVID‑19 crisis while working for one of the largest obituary companies in the country. Her perspective is raw, grounded, and unlike anything you’ll hear in the usual pandemic discourse.Along the way, we talk about what pushed her to step into Indiana’s COVID‑19 advocacy battles — the moments that lit the fire, the systems that failed families, and the reasons she refuses to look away from the human cost.And because real conversations rarely stay in one lane, we also dive into Autism Spectrum Disorder. We talk about why stimming is not a behavior to “fix,” but a regulation tool that autistic children need in their bodies, and how shifting our mindset can change the way we support them.It’s honest, layered, and full of the kind of lived experience that reshapes how we think about public health, disability, and care. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode, we dive into three very different stories from the COVID‑19 pandemic — stories of loss, disruption, resilience, and the strange twists life took when the world shut down.You’ll hear from: Brianna — widowed at 31 when her 37‑year‑old husband lost his battle with COVID‑19, and how that loss reshaped everything she thought she knew about her life, her politics, and her future.Tabitha — whose childbearing journey was thrown completely off course by the pandemic, including being forced to deliver abroad when she couldn’t return to the United States.Derrick — who found himself racking up more frequent‑flier miles than he ever expected thanks to his unusual pandemic‑era jobs, complete with surprise upgrades and first‑class perks.Three lives. Three upheavals. One shared moment in history that changed us all in ways we’re still trying to understand. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

Brianna sits down with Ryan Price, Democratic candidate for Indiana House District 66, for a candid conversation about community priorities, statehouse realities, and what motivates him to run. They cover housing, education, local leadership, and the challenges of moving policy in Indiana. A clear, grounded look at a candidate focused on practical change. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Recovered Republican, Brianna sits down with Natasha Baker, a Family & Consumer Sciences teacher, proud Hoosier mom, and candidate for Indiana State Senate District 22. Natasha brings a grounded, community-centered perspective shaped by her life in Tippecanoe County, her years in the classroom, and her commitment to building a state that actually works for families.Together, we dig into Natasha’s vision for Indiana—from strengthening public schools to addressing the realities facing Hoosier families, and from the challenges inside the current legislature to the urgent need for better healthcare access across the state.This conversation covers it all:* Public education and why Indiana’s schools need real investment, not political games* Affordability, including groceries, childcare, and housing—issues Natasha sees firsthand as a teacher and parent* Healthcare access and the gaps Hoosiers face in both rural and urban communities* Representation, and why Natasha believes Indiana needs more diverse voices in the Statehouse* The lived experience of being a progressive voice in rural Indiana and finding the courage to speak upNatasha’s story is one of service, advocacy, and deep love for her community. Whether you’re in District 22 or simply paying attention to the future of Indiana, this episode gives you a clear, candid look at a candidate who understands the stakes—and is ready to fight for real change.If you want to learn more about Natasha Baker, her platform, and her campaign, this episode is your one-stop introduction to everything you need to know. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

Today’s post features my conversation with Ethan Sweetland‑May, a Democratic candidate stepping into the race for Indiana’s State Senate in District 47. Ethan is part of a new wave of Hoosiers who aren’t waiting for permission to demand better — they’re stepping up, organizing locally, and insisting that Indiana deserves a future built on dignity, access, and common sense.In our conversation, we dig into:* What pushed him to run and what he’s hearing from voters across southern Indiana* The real‑world impact of underfunded public institutions — schools, libraries, and community services* Why reproductive privacy and bodily autonomy remain defining issues for Hoosiers* How rural communities are being left out of statewide decision‑making* What it looks like when a candidate actually shows up, listens, and stays accessibleEthan brings clarity, humility, and a grounded understanding of what everyday families are facing. Whether you live in District 47 or you’re watching Indiana politics with a mix of hope and frustration, this conversation offers a glimpse of what genuine public service can look like.If you prefer to watch the full interview, the video is embedded below. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of The Recovered Republican, I sit down with Hunter Collins, a candidate running in Indiana, for a conversation that cuts past the talking points and gets into the real story behind the campaign.If you’re tired of political interviews that feel like they were run through a PR filter, this one’s for you. We dig into:* What pushed him to step into the race* How his lived experiences shape the issues he’s prioritizing* The realities of running in a state where politics can feel stuck in old patterns* What meaningful change looks like when you’re actually listening to the people you want to representThis show is all about honest conversations with people trying to move the needle—whether you agree with them or not. Hunter brings his perspective, I bring mine, and together we explore what leadership can look like when you strip away the partisan performance.If you’re ready for politics without the pretense, hit play. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

Brianna is joined by Tabatha Zeigler, host of Starting Down the Storm: Autism Advocacy in America, for a sharp, accessible conversation about Autism Spectrum Disorder—what it is, what it isn’t, and why misinformation still spreads. They dig into support‑need levels, vaccine myths, and programs like Indianapolis’ Blue Envelope initiative. A clear, grounded breakdown for listeners who want to advocate with accuracy and compassion. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we sit down with Drew Cox, Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Indiana’s 4th District. Born and raised in Indiana, Cox is the son of a dedicated elementary school teacher and a fourth-generation farmer. After serving honorably in the United States Marine Corps, he pursued higher education through the GI Bill, earning a doctorate in music from the University of Illinois.Cox shares how his background in service, education, and the arts shapes his approach to politics. He discusses the values driving his campaign—fairness, opportunity, and accountability—and why he believes Indiana’s 4th District deserves a representative who will fight for working families, strengthen public education, and ensure healthcare access.Listeners will hear Cox’s perspective on the challenges facing Hoosiers across the district, which includes communities like Lafayette, Crawfordsville, and Martinsville, and his vision for building a government that truly reflects the people it serves. He also speaks candidly about running against incumbent Republican Jim Baird in the upcoming 2026 election.This conversation offers an authentic look at a candidate stepping into politics with a deep commitment to service and community. Whether you’re a voter in Indiana or simply interested in how grassroots candidates are reshaping the political landscape, this episode provides insight into Cox’s journey and his hopes for the future of Indiana’s 4th. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Recovered Republican, we break down the recent defeat of Indiana’s redistricting efforts and what it means for representation and democracy in the state. I share my own journey from right to left—how lived experience, the COVID-19 pandemic, and personal loss reshaped my political perspective—and why that transformation matters in today’s climate.We’ll also talk strategy: practical tips on how to reach across the aisle and help more people become “recovered Republicans.” From listening with empathy to highlighting step-by-step progress toward progressive goals, this conversation is about building bridges, fostering dialogue, and showing that change is possible.Tune in for a mix of political analysis, personal storytelling, and actionable insights designed to inspire both hope and momentum. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe

We do exist!! Our votes do matter! Join us as we explore the vision of Kory Amyx for Indiana and his commitment to leadership shaped by the voices of the people. In this episode, we dive into his goals, priorities, and the ways he plans to ensure that community input guides decision-making. Discover how his approach emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and a future built on listening to those he serves. Get full access to The Recovered Republican at therecoveredrepublican.substack.com/subscribe